I am planning a horror one shot where PC are kids are a summer camp.
Before starting the main-plot, I’d like to let some time for the PC to enter their character and be kids. To build horror it’s way better to have character building a tree house, dancing and playing football, then add a couple of odds elements and finally throw ghosts/blood and violence. Than just Throw the blood and violence.
However, I am not still looking for ideas for that “intro quest”. So I thought lemmy’s hivemind could help
Pulling pranks on the camp leaders
Sneaking off to the girls’/boys’ barracks to kiss that one special
Canoe race across the lake while sabotaging everyone else
Edit: Added a bit more
Watch Addams Family 2, in that the kids are at camp.
One night when telling eachother spooky stories (let the players acctually tell stories) there are lots of noises outside. Like something crawling and/or shuffling about. Let this happen after one of the older told one about someone who went missing in a spooky way. Is it the missing one? The older kids pranking? Badger?
When playing a ball sport the ball goes into some bushes. Despite all the search it cannot be found. Just LARGE footprints leading away. But nothing was heard? And how did it get there?
A kid falls and trips while on a hike. First aid and comraderie will get them back to camp. Does anyone know how to make a stretcher?
In the video game ‘‘The Quarry’’, before the horror, they have to prepare a party.
They will have to imagine how to prepare a good one. It creates a good vibe between the characters and bring some anticipation for the night to come. I always thought it was a smart introduction.
Have fun with your one shot !
If the setting is more like scouts / bush crafting / survival every camp starts with setting up the tents, building up utility bildings. Building a toilet is no easy feat.
On more normal side, game night could work. Could be a meta joke when kids also play RPG inside the RPG.
Players may map out and familiarise themselves with the terrain before supernatural horror stuff begins to happen.
Treasure hunt. One night they are all in the attic and stumbles across an old map. They set off and later realize that they have to go through a creepy building to get to a secret passage to the caves. As they try to get into the caves one of them gets lost and he is left behind. He then meets another boy with a messed up face. He befriends the boy. Will the kids ever find the treasure? Will they ever meet the pirate one eye Willy. Will Chuck ever meet up with them again? Will they all accept Sloth for his needed up face?
Have them play capture the flag or something, where the PCs are one team
