[DrunkenMaster]

Hi all!
I am pretty new to DMing and I´d like know how does other DMs make good atmosphere. I have kept some instrumental music playing in the background and telling the players about little things all around them. But I really don´t know if it´s working, so I´d like to know how do you do it ? I know it will be hard time trying to make an opressive atmospehere in a dark dungeon where´s no way out and zombies are keeping noise all around the players, but still if you have some ideas plz tell me.

[palehorse]

I've been playing for around 20 years now... way back to the old Basic Dungeons and Dragons boxed set... and I've been a DM for most of that time. In my experience, most 'mood-setting' techniques you might try (like lighting the room only with candles, for example) only really work if you're just playing with one or two people. Anything more than that and most of the playing session will be filled with jokes and cutting up, rendering the mood moot, so to speak. Of course, having a good time with your friends is the whole point! So I wouldn't knock yourself out trying to create an atmosphere in the actual room you're playing in. If you keep the game interesting enough, that will take care of itself.

palehorse

[Rintaran]

One of the things that I tried once was having a session in an interesting place. I've had sessions in the ruins of houses late at night lighting it up only with candles and no matter how many people are there, so long as the myth was spread earlier that it is actually haunted, they still like it. Its also fun to set up stuff on timers to really freak them out.

Another time we played in a clearing outside on rocks. This one didn't work so well because there was a bit of a wind.

Best of luck.



-Rin'taran

[DrunkenMaster]

Thanks for the tips. They really helped me out.
I realised that the plot is so much more important than fighting scary monsters.

At this point I have tried to make good stories, but I think they go on too slowly or there´s nothing to do. Just some speed and it should be fine.

Oh and it´s nice to take tips from that experienced people like you. Palehorse you have played RPG´s more than I have lived

[donaghey]

i want to set the mood for my campeigns with candles and such. (feel free to list what you do if you do it). Does any one else do this and if so how and are we crazy?
>donaghey

[Rintaran]

I've done that before. Candles, incense, softly played music, secret plans with other friends to pop out and scare the wits out of the players at just the right moments. Awww, those were the days. ::feeling very nostalgic right now::

Now, as to the second question. No, we are not crazy. Just you!

[donaghey]

just wondering how do you work them in do you have them lit when the pcs get there or do you set it up in the middle? where would incence work in? and being the dm how did you jump out if they are watching you be the dm? how did you build up the suspence to scare them?
>donaghey

[Rintaran]

Certain smells can illicit certain types of feelings and reactions. The candles and everything were set up when the players arrived, with the lights off so its all lit just by the candles. I had chosen an insense that helps invoke fear. I built up suspense as I always do, during the quest I slowly add more and more freaky things, the characters get more and more in character, and begin to ignore the actual physical world. This is when I had some of my other friends sneak in through the window, which was covered by black curtains. I didn't jump out at them, but my other friends did. Of course, after that there was no more D&D that night, but it made a hell of a party!

[donaghey]

sounds like a good party but what scents trigger what emotions? and how do players usually react to this type of mood setting?
>donaghey

[Rintaran]

My players reacted quite well. They seemed to get into character faster, and the mood was right for how I wanted the adventure to feel. I actually discovered that night that one of my friends was still afraid of the dark, he sat closest to a candle and was the subject of much ridicule.

I seem to have misplaced my notes on insense and their 'powers'. As soon as I find it, I'll post it up here. Most insenses are generally good for creating a calm atmosphere, or for hormonal responses. Careful with the later bunch.