The element of fear itself is central. This can be induced by things like jump scares, for instance, a monster suddenly appearing out of the shadows. Another is the idea of being overpowered. The party might face an enemy that is far too strong for them to defeat easily. Also, a sense of impending doom. There are signs all around them that something really bad is going to happen, like the sky turning blood - red or a strange mist that creeps into the village. And often, there are moral dilemmas in the face of horror, like having to sacrifice one character to save the others.
Dark and spooky locations are common. For example, old castles, haunted forests, or abandoned asylums. Another element is the presence of undead creatures like zombies, skeletons, or ghosts. Curses also play a big role. A character might be cursed by an evil witch or a powerful artifact, which brings all sorts of misfortune and horror. And often, there's a sense of isolation, where the adventuring party is cut off from help or civilization.
One common DND horror story is about a party entering a haunted mansion. They thought it was just a simple exploration but soon realized the rooms shifted on their own. Traps kept springing up and undead creatures emerged from the walls. It was a terrifying experience as they struggled to find an exit while being constantly attacked.
A common one is when the DM railroads the story too much. The players have no real agency. They are just being pushed along a pre - determined path. For instance, no matter what choices we made, the DM had a set outcome in mind and wouldn't deviate. It felt like we were just puppets in his story.
A common one is the min - maxer. They build their character to be super powerful in one aspect but often at the cost of role - playing. For example, they might focus only on combat stats and not care about the character's backstory or personality. This can make the game feel unbalanced.
Death of comrades is a common element. When a character loses their friends or party members in a battle or through some cruel plot, it can be extremely sad. For example, a fighter might see his best friend, a rogue, get killed by a backstabbing assassin.
One of the common elements in DND back stories is the character's motivation. This could be revenge for a wrong done to them or their family. For example, a character's village was destroyed by a group of bandits, and now they seek vengeance. Another is a special item or heirloom. It could be a magical sword passed down through generations that holds a special power. Additionally, there are often encounters with supernatural beings in the back story. Maybe the character once met a fey in the forest and was given a task that has shaped their life.
The transformation elements can be really scary. For example, when a furry character starts to change against their will, like their body parts mutating into something grotesque. It's a violation of their self - identity.
One terrifying encounter could be when the party stumbles upon a haunted mansion. Inside, they face ghosts that can possess their bodies. The players have to constantly make will saves to avoid being controlled, and the feeling of losing control of their characters is truly horrifying.
There's a r dnd horror story where the players entered an abandoned temple. The moment they stepped in, a feeling of dread washed over them. The carvings on the walls seemed to move in the corner of their eyes. Strange noises echoed throughout the halls. They encountered a series of puzzles that, if solved incorrectly, released more horrors. Eventually, they woke up a mummy lord that had been slumbering for centuries, and it was a fight for their lives as the mummy lord had powerful necromantic abilities.
One common element is a connection to nature from a young age. For example, a druid might have grown up in a rural area surrounded by forests or fields. Another is an encounter with a powerful or wise natural being, like an ancient tree spirit or a magical animal. Also, many druid back stories involve some sort of event that makes them more committed to protecting nature, such as seeing their homeland deforested by invaders.
One popular DnD horror story involves a group of adventurers exploring an ancient, cursed castle. As they delved deeper, they encountered undead creatures that seemed to be unkillable. Every time they thought they had destroyed one, it would rise again with even more malevolence. Another is about a forest that was enchanted by a dark sorcerer. The trees themselves would come alive and attack the players, and strange whispers filled the air, driving some of the characters insane.