It?s clear that <em>Severance</em> stands out as one of the most unsettling television series in recent years, but it also serves as a profound source of inspiration for <em>Dungeons & Dragons</em> campaigns and innovative mind-bending horror within various tabletop RPG systems. In Severance, employees at Lumon undergo a harrowing procedure that bifurcates their minds. Their original identity is entirely unaware of their work life, while a brand-new work persona emerges, devoid of any memories from outside the office. This unsettling practice is ostensibly designed to safeguard company secrets, yet it?s evident that Lumon harbors far more sinister intentions. Employees exhibit cult-like devotion to the company?s founder, resembling a disturbing form of worship.
Tabletop RPGs can tap into a vast array of fears and psychological themes. The cosmic horror atmosphere in DnD?s Phandelver and Below is vastly different from the Gothic horror found in Ravenloft. Severance is a genuinely unique and frightening show, warranting trigger warnings for anyone accustomed to traditional office settings. The horror it evokes revolves around the loss of individual identity and the feeling of being trapped in a surreal and oppressive environment. While this premise may not initially seem to align with DnD?s strengths, a skilled storyteller can utilize it, alongside other TTRPG systems, to convey the bizarre thrills and engaging mysteries that Severance presents.
Embrace Severance as a Prime Source of Inspiration for D&D & TTRPG Horror Adventures
Explore the Interplay of Identity Erosion and Cult-Like Worship in RPG Storytelling
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Many classic DnD horror adventures prominently feature cults as antagonists, adding layers of complexity to the gameplay. The concept of a cult akin to Lumon, masquerading as a legitimate business, injects a captivating element of intrigue into any campaign. In the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms, the goddess Shar embodies secrets and forgetfulness, among other themes. It would be entirely within the realm of possibility for Shar’s devotees to wield a distinctive form of the modify memory spell, effectively bifurcating the consciousness of individuals through magical means, mirroring Lumon?s technological approach. In Severance, employees are colloquially referred to as Innies or Workies, while their original identities are dubbed Outies, reflecting their severed existence.
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Whether DnD?s Tomb of Horrors is seen as challenging or absurd is subjective, yet dungeons undeniably serve as effective storytelling devices. Severance can inspire a captivating scenario where player characters experience a split cognition between Innies?the identities navigating the dungeon?and Outies?their original selves?who retain their personal histories and experiences from the outside world. Just as Helly R contrasts sharply with her Outie, these dungeon-based Innies and Outies could embody vastly different alignments, free from the influence of their pasts. Modify memory is merely one spell that could enhance Severance-inspired DnD campaigns.
The notorious Dungeons & Dragons spell simulacrum allows spellcasters to conjure duplicates of creatures they can command. While the 2024 version of the spell has updated language, the 2014 version indicated that the created construct ?lacks the ability to learn.? This opens up intriguing possibilities, suggesting that a simulacrum cannot form new memories from its creation point, potentially resulting in a scenario where players operate as simulacra, caught in a disorienting cycle, with each day resetting as if they were conjured anew. Various TTRPG settings already incorporate Severance-esque elements.
Discover How TTRPGs Like Paranoia & Chronicles of Darkness Seamlessly Integrate Severance Themes
Explore RPG Worlds that Naturally Embrace Themes Similar to Severance
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There are numerous exceptional DnD third-party sci-fi settings, along with Arcanopunk worlds like Eberron and Crystalpunk, that utilize magic to achieve aesthetics reminiscent of genres such as Steampunk and Cyberpunk. The Crystalpunk setting for 5e DnD introduces a dark twist on religion, aligning closely with themes found in Severance. Within the city of Prismatic Falls, the distinction between churches and megacorporations blurs, as the ?cults? operate as both corporate leaders and religious figures, reflecting the continent?s divine entities. This intertwining of ruthless corporate ambition and distorted worship perfectly mirrors the hymns sung to Kier Eagan in Severance.
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