Running Dark Fantasy and Horror in D&D and other TTRPGs

The line between survival and despair blurs—setting the perfect tone for your horror and grimdark campaign

Running a campaign in the realms of horror, dark fantasy, or grimdark TTRPGs offers a unique and deeply immersive experience for both Game Masters (GMs) and players. These genres demand a particular approach that focuses on atmosphere, moral complexity, and tension, whether you're crafting your own original campaign or using a prewritten adventure. The key to mastering these darker settings lies in how you guide players through these intense, often harrowing worlds.

Establishing the tone early

In dark fantasy and horror campaigns, setting the tone is crucial. Whether you're running a bleak, war-torn grimdark world or an eerie haunted mansion, the atmosphere must be established right from the beginning. As the GM, your descriptions, pacing, and even how you handle NPC dialogue can set the stage for the story's overall feeling of dread and moral ambiguity.

If you're using a prewritten adventure, don’t hesitate to modify or enhance details to match the desired tone. A prewritten module might have the bones of a dark setting, but how you describe and reveal it will shape the players' experience.

For example, in a grimdark setting, don't just describe an NPC as "tired." Talk about their hollow eyes, cracked voice, and defeated posture, painting the picture of a world that grinds down even the most resilient souls. These details draw your players into the bleakness, making every decision they face feel heavier.

Emphasize player agency and moral ambiguity

One of the most engaging aspects of dark fantasy, horror, and grimdark TTRPGs is their reliance on moral ambiguity and tough decisions. Unlike in traditional campaigns, there’s often no clear "right" choice. GMs should lean into this by presenting players with dilemmas where every option has a cost.

In both homebrewed and prewritten adventures, the players' actions should have significant, lasting consequences. For example, sparing a cursed village might lead to worse horrors later, or cutting a deal with a morally dubious NPC could protect them for now but compromise their values. Even when running prewritten campaigns, you can insert moments of moral complexity by offering alternative paths, none of which are easy or entirely right.

This is especially true in horror settings, where fear often stems from losing control or making impossible decisions. The sense that the players are barely hanging on, one step ahead of disaster, is what keeps them on edge and makes the campaign gripping.

Balancing tension with relief

While maintaining a dark tone is crucial, it’s also important to allow moments of relief. Players often use humor as a coping mechanism during tense situations; embrace this by allowing brief interludes of levity without derailing the overall atmosphere. Incorporate comedic relief strategically—perhaps an eccentric NPC provides comic relief amidst dire circumstances or players share light-hearted banter during downtime. This balance helps maintain engagement without overwhelming players with constant dread.

A well-placed joke or moment of light-heartedness can break the intensity temporarily, allowing players to recharge emotionally before plunging back into the grim narrative. As a GM, it’s your role to control the ebb and flow of tension, knowing when to let players laugh and when to bring them back to the horrors they face.

Gradual escalation and pacing

When running dark fantasy and horror campaigns, one of the most important techniques is pacing. Don’t rush to the big reveals or climactic confrontations. Instead, build tension gradually. Let the players explore eerie or morally complex situations before confronting them with real danger or horror. This slow build-up allows dread to creep in, making those climactic moments hit harder.

In prewritten modules, pacing is equally important. While these adventures often have a set progression, you can adjust the pacing to create a more deliberate sense of impending doom. Spread out encounters, add moments of quiet tension, and resist the urge to throw all the horrors at your players at once.

Wise words from beyond the grave

Seth Skorkowsky provides valuable advice for incorporating horror elements into TTRPG games. It highlights 3 effective methods while cautioning against 2 common pitfalls that can undermine attempts to create a truly frightening atmosphere during gameplay.

Dungeon Craft offers essential tips on the topic, emphasizing the importance of atmosphere and player vulnerability. He discusses techniques for creating suspense, designing monsters, and managing gameplay to enhance the horror experience in games like D&D and Call of Cthulhu.

And here, he presents 10 tips for making D&D campaigns more grimdark, emphasizing themes of vulnerability, moral ambiguity, and the rarity of magic. It encourages DMs to create a deadly atmosphere where players face tough choices and real consequences.

Dungeon Masterpiece focuses on techniques to create suspense and tension. It offers practical advice for GMs on setting the mood, engaging players, and effectively incorporating horror elements into gameplay.

Enter the Dungon highlights the challenges DMs face when running a horror D&D campaign. It provides tips on creating suspenseful atmospheres, engaging players, and effectively using horror elements to enhance the overall gaming experience.

WASD20 offers tips focusing on building suspense and mystery. He emphasizes the importance of communication with players, creating a tense atmosphere, and utilizing effective storytelling techniques to enhance the horror experience.

The Great GM provides guidance offering practical tips for GMs to create suspenseful atmospheres, engage players emotionally, and effectively utilize horror elements to enhance storytelling and gameplay experiences.

Ginny Di outlines 3 effective methods and 2 common pitfalls for incorporating horror into D&D campaigns. She shares insights on creating suspenseful atmospheres, engaging players, and avoiding clichés to enhance the horror experience during gameplay.

Crucibles to run out in your next horror TTRPG session

1. Set the Tone Early: Use vivid descriptions to create a dark atmosphere from the start. Focus on details like the "hollow eyes" of NPCs or an "eerie silence" in your settings.

2. Introduce Moral Dilemmas: Present tough choices where no option is clearly right, such as the party deciding whether to save a cursed village by sacrificing an innocent traveler or refusing and letting the villagers suffer.

3. Use Moments of Relief: Allow brief humor or light-hearted moments to break the tension. This helps balance the tone without overwhelming players with constant dread.

4. Pace Gradually: Build up suspense slowly, spreading out moments of horror and danger. Let players feel tension before reaching major confrontations or reveals.

By incorporating these simple elements, you'll create an immersive, tension-filled campaign that keeps your players engaged.