Well, lack of player engagement is often in these stories. If players are not into the story or world the DM has created, it can be a nightmare. For instance, the players might be more interested in min - maxing their characters rather than role - playing. Another element could be unexpected in - game events that the DM is not prepared for, like a random encounter turning into a near - party wipe due to bad rolls. And sometimes, DMs face horror when they realize they have made a huge error in the world - building, like creating an unbeatable encounter by mistake.
One common element is unruly players. Players who don't follow the rules or the plot can create chaos. Another is when the DM's carefully crafted plans fall apart. For example, if a key NPC that the DM planned to use throughout the story gets killed off too early by the players. Also, technical issues like losing important notes or maps during the game can be a horror for a DM.
One horror story is when a dungeon master had planned a complex and exciting adventure, but the players completely derailed it from the start. They ignored all the carefully laid out plot hooks and just started attacking random villagers. The DM had to improvise a whole new scenario on the spot to keep the game going and it was really stressful.
The most common one is probably bad teamwork. For example, if players don't communicate well. They might pull mobs without the tank being ready, or the DPS might not focus on the right targets. This often leads to wipes and a very frustrating experience.
Typical elements in dungeon fiction often include dark and mysterious underground settings like dungeons or catacombs. There are usually dangerous creatures lurking within, such as monsters or undead. Traps are also common, like hidden pits or poisoned arrows. Adventurers are a staple, usually on a quest for treasure or to solve some mystery hidden in the dungeon.
A dungeon master fantasy story typically has a set of characters that are well - defined. The heroes or adventurers have their own backstories, motives, and goals. Then there's the element of magic. Magic can be used for combat, for solving puzzles, or for exploring the dungeon. The dungeon master also creates a world within the dungeon. This world has its own ecology, with different types of creatures and how they interact. For example, some monsters might be in alliance, while others are at odds. And the story often has a progression, from the initial exploration of the dungeon to facing more and more difficult challenges as the adventurers go deeper.
One great dungeon master story is about a DM who created a world full of political intrigue. The players' characters got involved in a power struggle between different noble houses. The DM crafted elaborate plots, and the players had to use their wits to navigate the complex situation. It was amazing how the DM was able to improvise when the players took unexpected actions, like when one player decided to form an alliance with a group of thieves to gain information.
There was a dungeon master who set up a scenario where the players were in an underwater city. The DM described the beautiful yet dangerous coral reefs, and the strange sea creatures. The players had to deal with political intrigue among the mermaid clans. One of the best parts was when a player, playing a bard, charmed a giant octopus into helping them. It was a unique and memorable adventure.
Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.
Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.
Power management is a common theme. The protagonist as a dungeon master has to manage the power of the creatures in the dungeon. For example, in 'Overlord', the main character has to balance the power levels of his various minions.