Tips for Running a Cosmic Horror Campaign in D&D

summary

• D&D can be adapted for horror with books like Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft bringing in horror themes.

• Prioritize communication by hosting Session 0 to establish boundaries and priorities.

• Familiarize yourself with the cosmic horror genre through books, movies, and the Call of Cthulhu RPG.

Dungeons and Dragons Much of its fame has been found in telling wonderful tales of fantasy and adventure, with high fantasy elements such as elaborate magic systems and mythical creatures like elves and dragons. However, not everyone wants to tell this kind of story, and some want a dark adventure to scare their players.

Books like Curse of Strahd and Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft bring horror to the fold, exploring the Domain of Fear and the Darklords who rule these lands, proving that D&D can be a horror vehicle, even sub-genres like the universe.

1

Host a session 0

The perfect way to start any campaign

A good way for DMs to introduce what kind of campaign they want to run when listening to any player concerns or feedback is to host the all-important Session 0 before the game even starts. This way, the players know what might be in store for them, and the DM can listen to any fears the players may have, as there may be some elements they don't want to experience during the game. D&D.

There should be a level of agreement between everyone that will lead to a game that everyone including the DM can enjoy, as they are also a player in these games. A good rule of thumb is to make a list of everything that everyone can't stand in the game, which can range from slavery scenes to player character permadeath. Every table is different, and when running a grueling game that can potentially push the limits, it's good to establish a level of trust between everyone.

2

Familiarize yourself with the genre

There are books, games, and movies galore

Cosmic horror is most famously associated with author HP Lovecraft, who, although he did not start the genre, became the most influential cosmic horror writer of all time, resulting in the term Lovecraftian describing all things eldritch. The Necronomicon is filled with some of Lovecraft's best work, so if DMs have the time, it might be worth a read to refresh their memory and get that all-important spark of inspiration.

If books aren't their thing, there are countless movies and games that have been released over the past few decades that are either directly adapted or inspired by these cosmic works, such as the 2018 Call of Cthulhu The game, or the 1994 movie In the face of madness – Two examples of the abundance of resources available.

3

Check out Call of Cthulhu Tablettop

There is a game dedicated to the famous universe story

When planning their universe-themed D&D For adventurers, it's worth checking out Chaosium Call of Cthulhu A tabletop role-playing game, dedicated to all things Lovecraftian. From famous places like Arkham to the famous eldritch god, Cthulhu.

It could be that the DM decided this was the best way to run a universe-themed tabletop game, since most of the bases would be laid out for them with plenty of pre-written adventures or plot hooks to use. But the system is very different D&DAnd not everyone likes how it works differently. If this is the case, there are still plenty of creatures and plot hooks DMs can fit into their particular adventure.

4

Look outside Faerun

Setting is an important factor to consider

When planning a campaign, setting is one of the most important factors to consider, as it can potentially make or break any game. One of the most popular settings for Faerun D&DPurely because of the vast number of regions and cities in this continent, all of them have been given in-depth maps and knowledge in various books.

There are many other settings that should be considered above Faerun, as they would fit well into the Eldritch story. Places like the Feywild, Underdark, and Astral Sea fit the bill well with their unique surroundings and unique creatures. In the Van Richtens, there is also a place called Blutspur, where cosmic nightmares are created, and any creature that spends the night there is haunted. This makes the perfect setting if DMs are looking for a new place to put their campaign.

5

The character's sanity will be tested

Facing the Unfathomable will test players' willpower

There is already an insanity system implemented D&DWhich should definitely be used when running a cosmic horror game, as facing the horrors of the unknown will test the limits of their sanity.

Facing off against certain creatures, witnessing chaotic events during exploration (eg Amnesia games), or reading forbidden texts are just a few examples of events that will bring this mechanic into play, prompting them to roll to see how badly they are affected. Since this forms the core of the campaign, DMs can show the player a terrifying illusion of terrifying creatures or visions of ancient entities based on the results of their rolls, or how many times they've had to do it. A sanity check.

6

Know your enemy

There must be tangible dangers among the unknown

The main threats in Cosmic Horror are unknown and unfathomable entities, defying the limitations of what the human brain can see and understand, but if these are the only threats, it can be a hollow campaign. Random encounters and planned combat should not be dismissed because this is a grueling campaign, as players need to be challenged with strength of body rather than mind.

As such, DMs need to remember to include these encounters and can use enemies such as cultists who seek to bring their god into this world, as well as other terrifying monsters that fit into the cosmic game. Examples might include mind flayers, aboleths, seers, and olex.

7

Provide quiet moments

Players and characters need a break from the onslaught of madness

Whatever type of game the DM is running, there needs to be moments of recuperation for the players, allowing them to recharge their resources, and give themselves a mental break from the drudgery of the game.

This is even more important in horror games, as it takes a huge toll on the player. When faced with a panic attack, it can stop the fun for players, and they can simply quit the game because they are overwhelmed. Allow the characters to spend a night undisturbed, drop by a place or two where there is still hope in the world, and let them spend moments with RP to strengthen their bond. This ensures that they are ready and able to take on the next challenge, both character and player.

8

Consider BBEG

What danger or doom is the game heading towards?

Every game needs to lead somewhere, and that's usually in the form of the game's true monster, and the strongest threat they'll face yet in true gaming fashion. In Cosmic Horror, one of the greatest and most famous threats is the eldritch god Cthulhu, who in many stories sleeps in the deep waters, awakened by his cult of devoted followers.

Cthulhu is a great threat to choose from, such an iconic Lovecraftian figure. Some players have homebrewed stat blocks for this immeasurable old god, but other creatures can also act as the big bad. D&D Monsters, such as eldritch shoggoth, astral dreadnought, or tarrasque if DMs feel their players are up to the challenge. An end-game challenge can also involve preventing a disaster, such as a cult set at the end of the world to allow the Ancients to flood it once again in true cosmic horror fashion.