this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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How do They do it? [SPOILERS!.. I guess] (ttrpg.network)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I now that we can't know for sure what They are, but some theories are easier to explain than others.

The most common premise -Aliens- covers things nicely. Very advanced tech may very well block the sun and our satellites somehow.

Entities made of shadowstuff can also explain stuff, because... magic! Same goes for demons.

But what about other theories? How would zombies be able to blotch away the sun? How would giant insects disrupt out cellphone and GPS networks?

Have you had to explain Their "nature" to your players? (or yourself?)

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Part of the game's appeal is the mystery of the unknown, so it's important to not get to detailed in explaining what They are. However, I think you've nailed the major categories. I think you're painting with too broad of a brush though. "Aliens" can cover a wide range of themes. Little green men, John Carpenter's Thing, Xenomorphs, 40k's Dark Elder, Cthulhu Mythos creatures, higher dimensional beings, all of these could be considered alien, and would fit the role of Them, but their motivations and behavior would play out quite differently.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the insight.

Maybe I am overthinking it. And perhaps I should just let the players try to puzzle it out... and then give up trying XD.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Some of the best ideas come from players loudly announcing their theories. :) For a different approach, think about what fear or horror trope you want your players to feel and focus on that, rather than any specific details about Them. Like the feeling of being hunted, body horror, not knowing who to trust, etc.