October: A Month of Horror

As October approaches, it's the season of horror once again. Like an old tune playing on repeat, the big publishing houses are about to serve us the same dish with only minor tweaks. Instead of discovering freshness and innovation, we often find ourselves with reheated versions of past successes. So, comrades, let's rebel! To break the cycle, I propose that you create your own backgrounds.

The idea is simple: take a familiar setting and blend it with a horror trope. There are plenty to choose from: Mutants, Undead/Ghosts, Lovecraftian Horror, Psychological Horror, Modern Supernatural Horror, Folk Horror, X-Files, and more.

Here is some examples:

The Abomination Woods (Fantasy)

Lost in a storm, adventurers find themselves in the Enchanted Forest. Twisted and grotesque trees conceal the Weeping Glade, where the Mirelings, once human but now tortured mutants, endlessly roam. The Lamentation Crystal, hidden in the Cave of Sighs, is said to be the only remedy for this curse. The forest is a true labyrinth, with Thornstriders growing randomly, as if driven by a will to trap everyone. The Mirelings, suffering in their condition, desperately seek to convert adventurers, trapping them in this vegetal prison.

The Inn of Lost Souls (Fantasy)

On the Forgotten Road stands the Twilight Inn. Weary travelers are drawn to its comforting glow, unaware of whispers that tell of a bloody betrayal that once took place here. The spirits of the victims, trapped between worlds, wander the halls in search of rest. But even more dangerous are the hungry specters, once-human guests turned undead. They stalk those who dare to sleep, hoping to devour them to satisfy their eternal hunger. Thick mist surrounds the inn every night, making escape impossible until dawn.

The Forgotten Nexus (Cyberpunk)

Deep in the dark alleys of Nightcity lies the "Cursed Byte," an illegal cybercafe. Its owner, Mr. N'Yarlo, offers access to forbidden net zones. Customers dive into the matrix, unaware that it serves as the gateway to an alternative reality controlled by the cosmic entity, Cthu-Net. There, data merges with madness, and users' souls become eternal digital slaves.

The Maze of Broken Mirrors (Cyberpunk)

On the 13th floor of the Psyche Tower lies "The Shadow," a forgotten district where digital streets twist and reflect. Here, A.I. Lysa controls holograms that play with visitors' memories and emotions, plunging them into realistic nightmares. Every turn can lead to a distorted memory or an altered version of oneself. Inhabitants, once sane, are now trapped in their own fears, unable to distinguish reality from illusion. The only way out is to confront one's own reflection, but few can brave this trial without losing their sanity.

The Shadow of Ursa Station (Space Opera)

Ursa Station is a vital crossroads for galactic trade and diplomacy. However, strange phenomena have begun to disrupt its smooth operation: navigation systems are inexplicably altered, leading ships to unknown sectors, and encrypted communications of unknown origin interfere with interplanetary negotiations. Spectral apparitions seem to manipulate high-tech equipment, causing gravity failures or energy surges. Trapped by an unknown force that modifies exit coordinates, the inhabitants must solve this mystery before Ursa Station becomes the epicenter of a cosmic conflict.

The Forgotten Ark of Stellaris (Space Opera)

The Stellaris World-Ship is a dormant titan built by an ancient and forgotten civilization. Onboard, the Ethereal Silhouettes, guardians of ancient rites, perform stellar rituals to appease cosmic gods. Living statues, the Galactic Totems, wander the halls, punishing those who disturb the sacred harmony. Melodious chants emanate from the abyss, hypnotizing intruders and leading them into ancestral traps. Around the ship, a mystical gravitational field prevents escape, forcing visitors to confront stellar folklore and its buried mysteries.

The Stalker's Trenches (Modern Horror)

Beneath the bustling streets of New York lies a dark and damp labyrinth: the sewers. Lately, they have become the hunting ground of the "Butcher of the Depths." Armed with a sharp blade, he prowls, using shadows as allies. Blood-smeared graffiti adorns the walls, warnings from unfortunate victims. The echoes of footsteps in the water are sometimes drowned out by muffled screams. The exit is a puzzle, with locked doors and collapsed paths. Unlucky ones who venture here must not only find their way but also escape a razor-sharp fate. The characters (police officers?) must stop the Butcher.

Chimera Clinic (Modern Horror)

MétaCorp Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility, is the site of Dr. Cadavera's experiments. Under the guise of groundbreaking treatments, he secretly merges humans and machines, creating hybrids of steel and flesh. Patients, drawn by cutting-edge care, find themselves trapped in isolation rooms, their bodies undergoing horrific transformations. In the basement, half-human, half-machine creatures crawl, lost between man and machine. The facility's doors are electronically sealed after curfew, keeping patients captive until the "treatment" is complete. The characters could be patients of the clinic (a high-level sports team, secret agents, etc.).

Do you have a unique and thrilling RPG background you've created? Share it with the community! We're eager to discover your original ideas. Click here to submit your background and inspire fellow gamers.