The unknown is a big one. When you're in a situation where you don't know what's lurking in the shadows or what the next turn will bring. It could be some unbeatable monster or a curse that you can't break. Another terrifying element is the isolation. If your character gets separated from the party in a spooky place, that's really nerve - wracking. You don't know if you'll be able to reunite or survive on your own.
For me, it's the loss of control. Like when your character suddenly starts acting against your will. It makes you feel helpless and is really scary.
The most terrifying elements? Well, first, the atmosphere. If the DM can create a really creepy, oppressive atmosphere, that sets the tone. Then, the unexpected twists. For example, when a friendly NPC turns out to be a monster in disguise. Also, when your own actions as a player have unforeseen and horrible consequences. Say you accidentally release an ancient evil because you didn't know what a certain item did. It can be really scary when things go wrong like that.
Once in a DND session, we were exploring an old, abandoned castle. As we entered the dungeon, strange whispers filled the air. My character, a brave knight, suddenly lost all control of his actions. The DM described my character turning on the party and attacking without any reason. It was a total nightmare as we had to fight our own teammate. We were all so shocked and it took a while to figure out how to subdue my character without killing him.
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.
A very memorable one was when our cleric tried to heal a poisoned character. But instead of using the right spell, he used a spell that made the character's skin turn bright purple and their hair stand on end. They looked like a walking, talking, purple - haired monster. And every time someone tried to touch them to reverse the effect, they got a small electric shock. It led to a lot of silly situations as we tried to fix it.
The most terrifying elements often include the grotesque and disturbing characters. For example, the various killers and monsters that appear throughout the series. They are designed to shock and horrify viewers with their abnormal appearances and cruel behaviors.
Well, the psychological horror is a big part of it. The show plays with the characters' minds and the viewers' too. There are complex and often immoral relationships between the characters that create a sense of unease. Another terrifying element is the unexpected twists. Just when you think you understand what's going on, something completely different and more horrifying happens.
Once upon a time, in a DND session, our party of adventurers entered a mysterious forest. There were strange noises all around. We came across a talking squirrel. It told us of a hidden treasure but also warned of a giant spider guarding it. We decided to take the risk. As we crept closer, the spider emerged. But our wizard cast a sleep spell and it worked! We got the treasure and it was filled with magical items.
The unknown is a very terrifying element. For example, in a story where there are strange noises in the dark but you don't know what's making them. It scares people because our imagination runs wild.
The most terrifying element is probably the haunted history. The old and dilapidated structure of Shaniwar Wada itself gives off an eerie vibe. There are tales of ghostly apparitions, like the spirits of those who met a tragic end within its walls.
One of the scariest things is the sudden change in the driver's behavior. They might start off friendly but then turn into a maniac. There's also the fear of not knowing where you are being taken. You could end up in a really dangerous situation like in a cult - like place or with a serial killer. And in some stories, the hitchhiker discovers something really creepy about the driver, like they have some disturbing items in the car which makes the whole situation even more horrifying.
The most terrifying element is often the dragon's size. A huge dragon can easily overpower humans. For example, a dragon as large as a mountain can crush a whole town with just one step. Another scary part is their fire - breathing ability. The intense heat can burn everything in sight, leaving no chance of escape. And their sharp claws and teeth are also frightening, as they can rip apart anything or anyone.