Conference noted::sf

305.0. "Dark Cults: the Horror Story Game" by GUIDO::RAVAN () Fri Feb 21 1986 09:40

    
    "Dark Cults" is a card game - sort of. The players use an intriguing
    deck of cards to create a story, vying to gain the most points in
    the process. One player represents "Life" and attempts to get the
    protagonist out alive, and the other player represents "Death" and
    gets more points for throwing horrors at the protagonist (and, of
    course, for killing him or her!).
    
    The story-types here are all in the "horror" category, although
    the players can choose to slant it in any of several directions.
    It is possible, for example, to play a story in which there are
    no actual supernatural elements; everything that seems supernatural
    would be explained by the narrating player as a result of a dream,
    hypnosis, drugs, or some other rational cause. Or a Lovecraftian
    theme can be followed, with extra-dimensional doorways and alien
    possession; or a Stephen-King-style tale; or a typical ghost story
    - it's all up to the players.
    
    The cards themselves are quite entertaining. All are illustrated
    in a sparse "Eerie" comics style of black-and-white drawings. There
    are atmosphere cards which state things like "a gibbous moon" and
    have a picture of a haunted-looking sky; danger cards, with "ominous
    black clouds" looming; threat cards, wherein "the sound of pursuit"
    is heard; character cards, either neutral ("a stray dog") or evil
    ("a brutal convict"); location cards ("the shunned house"); and
    a few more cards to indicate successful escape from whatever perils
    are present, or to cause the death of the protagonist.
    
    Death doesn't have to end the game (although if it makes a nice
    dramatic finish to the story I wouldn't mind!). When designing a
    protagonist in the first place it is recommended that the players
    add a few characters who will show up if the protagonist dies, and
    the following-day storyline will begin with the new character.

    If you enjoy horror or dark-mystery stories, and if you like making
    up characters and scenarios, give this game a try. You may not turn
    out any award-winning tales - but then again, you might!
    
    "Dark Cults" is available for $7.95 (postage included) from:
    
    		Dark House
    		RRI, Box 140-A
    		Theilman, MN 55978

    -b (Also posted in PICA::GAMES 281, but I thought you folks would
    	appreciate it!)