Bjarke's Bits: Quick Dives into Deep Horrors

Welcome to 'Bjarke's Bits'—a quick dive into creating memorable horror in your tabletop games. Drawing inspiration from the chilling narrative of "Hell House LLC," we'll explore how to craft haunted house adventures that leave your players on the edge of their seats.

Haunted houses are the quintessence of horror, synonymous with the thrill of Halloween and a staple in memorable tabletop adventures. Take, for example, the iconic D&D 5E campaign, Curse of Strahd, which begins its eerie journey within the walls of the notorious Durst Manor, also known as the Death House. For Dungeon Masters (DMs) eager to capture this essence of horror, introducing a haunted house isn't just about setting the scene; it's about weaving a web of suspense that entangles players from their first step into the unknown.

Today’s post will go over the found footage film “Hell House LLC” and talk about tips for running haunted houses.

(Spoilers below for the movie Hell House LLC)

Evil Lingers: The Haunting of Hell House LLC

Hell House LLC is a documentary, covering the an accident that struck an abandoned hotel-turned haunted house in Rockland County, New York. The night of the opening 15 people, consisting of attendees and members of the Hell House company operating the attraction, died in what was called an “unknown malfunction”. As the documentary crew delve deeper, aided by the appearance of a long-lost member of the cast, they start to uncover the supernatural elements that went on inside this hotel, and the truth behind what happened. It all centers around a seemingly-haunted house.

Haunted House: A Slow Burn of Terror

Watching Hell House LLC felt like being on a slow-moving roller coaster that you know is going to drop at any moment. This movie, with its found-footage style, keeps you guessing not about if things will go south, but when. That wait, that build-up where things keep getting creepier bit by bit, is what makes it stick with you. It's like when you're telling ghost stories with friends, and each story gets scarier than the last. That's a big lesson on how to keep players on the edge of their seats in a D&D game.

Right from the start, the Abaddon Hotel sets off alarms in your head. It's old, it's falling apart, and it's got a backstory that would make anyone think twice about spending the night. Learning about the dark history bit by bit, like the rumors of a satanic cult, only adds to the feeling that something really bad is going to happen. I felt that tension build up, knowing things were about to get worse, but not being able to look away.

Then you've got the crew and actors starting to notice weird stuff happening around them. Shadows moving, people seeing things that aren't there - it's all about the little moments that make you question if you really saw what you think you did. These bits where it feels like the movie is holding its breath are crucial. They make the big scares hit even harder because you've been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

When everything goes down on opening night, that's when the ride really drops. All the tension that's been building up explodes into chaos. Watching it, you feel like you've been climbing this horror hill the whole movie, and now you're racing down at full speed. It's thrilling, terrifying, and totally unforgettable.

Tips for DMs: From Screen to Tabletop

Looking for some tips to run undead creatures in a truly horrific way? Looks at some tips below.

Start with Subtlety: Begin with small, unsettling occurrences that might not even seem directly threatening. A cold spot in a room, a portrait's eyes that seem to follow you, or a child's laughter echoing down an empty hallway can set the stage for deeper horrors.
Build Atmosphere: Use descriptive language to create a visceral sense of place. The decay of the haunted house, the oppressive silence broken only by the house settling, or the sudden drop in temperature can all contribute to an immersive atmosphere.
Pace the Reveals: Gradually escalate the horror elements in both frequency and intensity. A shadow glimpsed in a mirror, footsteps with no source, escalating to more direct supernatural manifestations keeps players on their toes.
Embrace the Crescendo: Plan for a climactic reveal or confrontation. This could be the awakening of the house's dark spirit, the discovery of a cursed object that's the source of the malice, or a final showdown with the ghosts of the past.
Personalize the Horror: Tailor the scares to your players' characters. Use their backstories and fears to make the horror resonate on a personal level, increasing investment and impact.
Leave Room for Mystery: Not every question needs an answer. Sometimes, the suggestion of a darker story or an unexplained event can be more terrifying than a neatly wrapped-up plot. Let your players' imaginations fill in the gaps.

Turning Hell House LLC's approach to horror into a D&D adventure means taking players on a journey that ramps up the scares gradually. It's about creating an experience where the tension grows, the backstory deepens, and the quiet moments make the players' imaginations run wild. That way, when things finally go off the rails, it's not just another fight; it's the climax of a horror story they'll talk about long after the game night ends

Conclusion: Crafting Your Haunted Legacy in D&D

Hell House LLC isn't just a horror movie; it's a journey through the shadows that linger in the corners of our imagination, waiting to spring to life. As we've walked through its dimly lit corridors together, we've uncovered not just the secrets of the Abaddon Hotel, but also the essence of what makes a horror story breathe and pulse with a life of its own.

This isn't just about adding horror elements to a campaign; it's about weaving a narrative that sticks with your players, haunts their thoughts, and makes their hearts race with anticipation at every dice roll. It's about turning the game table into a place where tales of bravery, fear, and survival are forged in the shared fires of storytelling.

Now, it's your turn. I want to hear from you. What shadows have you brought to life in your D&D campaigns? How have you turned anticipation into an art form, making your players hang onto every word, every silence? Share your stories of terror, triumph, and the unforgettable adventures that linger in the minds of your players long after the lights come back on.

Comment below, reach out on social media, or drop me an email. Let's keep the conversation going and the horror alive in our D&D games. Because, in the end, it's not just about the monsters that lurk in the dark—it's about the memories we create, shining bright against the backdrop of our shared fears.

Your move, storytellers. Let's make some unforgettable horror.

Mastering the Art of the Haunted House in D&D: Lessons from "Hell House LLC"