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A new Scream is in cinemas, and there are a lot of games that would work for one-shots and series in the ironic slasher mode, but the series is as much a whodunit as a slasher so I’ve gone for Fear Itself for the GUMSHOE system. It has specific rules for games of different lengths, and the later movies and TV series would fit the Miniseries category as characters actively investigate the threat as well as react to the danger.
As a GUMSHOE game, Abilities are divided into Investigative which give clues, and General which allow relevant dice rolls.
With 4+ characters, 10 Investigative points and 60 General, with 1 Health and 1 Stability free. You can also buy 1 Investigative with 3 General or vice versa.
“For every 3 points you invest in Stability, you must name one thing that keeps you sane when the terrors of the world threaten to shred your psyche.”
Abilities can be capped so that nobody can match the group’s designated expert in some area like combat. I’m thinking this group will be scrappy, though.
“If you’re having trouble spending all of your points, buy more Fleeing.”
No psychic abilities here as we’re going for a mundane horror, though the post-Scream genre includes alien invaders, super-science, ghosts and classic monsters all threatening its sardonic protagonists.
Miniseries characters also have a line of connections encouragingly named the Spiral of Misery. Let’s start with the centre, who may or may not be this movie’s Final Girl.
SHIVER
So let’s say... a masked killer in an isolated college town, and a group that isn’t particularly well equipped to deal with this but somebody has to. And what connects them to the killings...?
Jodie Wells
Final Girl...?
Character Concept
Reserved freshman with a relevant backstory. Her mother died under suspicious circumstances.
Sources of Stability
Drive to keep going
Fond memories of lost loved ones
Deadpan sense of humour
 |
| Virginia Gardner |
Where were you when you heard your mother had died?
“I was home, we’d both gone out, separately, I’d just been back in about half an hour when I got the call.”
Academic
History 1
Humanities 1
Languages
Law
Occult Studies
Research 1
Social Sciences
Trivia 1
Interpersonal
Bullshit Detector 2
Bureaucracy
Cop Talk
Flattery
Flirting
Impersonate
Interrogation
Intimidation
Negotiation
Reassurance 1
Streetwise
Technical
Computer Use 1
Investigative Procedure
Medicine
Notice 2
Outdoor Survival
Photography
Science
General
Athletics 5
Driving 3
Filch 1
Fleeing 8
Health 8
Hiding 4
Infiltration 2
Mechanics 1
Medic 2
Preparedness 2
Scuffling 6
Sense Trouble 6
Shooting 2
Shrink 1
Stability 9
18d: Ashley Shelton, Supportive Friend...?
19d: Officer Derick, To Serve And Protect...?
20d: Ted Randall, Film Geek...?
21d: Tilly Hayes, Crusading Reporter...?
--
With more connected characters and setting, Fear Itself suggests Miniseries setup should include questionnaires, inspired by those in Dread with their emphasis on loaded questions. The example Miniseries has thirteen questions, so using or adapting some of them and adding some specific to this setup...
1. Where were you when you heard Jodie’s mother had died?
2. How well did you know the first victim?
3. Who do you know on campus that you wouldn’t be at all surprised if they ended up dead or turned out to be the killer?
4. Add one location - a store, a landmark, somewhere on campus you hang out, anything - to the map of town. Name someone associated with that place.
5. What’s an elective or other activity or hobby you’re really interested in? Or one you’re doing because it’s expected of you?
6. Have you ever been into the old shuttered Beta Zeta house?
7. What song do you usually sing in the shower?
8. What do you have in your pockets or book bag?
9. How much trouble have you been in before? Have you been arrested?
10. What were your plans for the fall break before everything went sideways?
11. What’s your favourite scary movie?
Answer these two secretly once everyone’s created their PCs:
12. Which of the other characters don’t you trust, and why?
13. Which of the other characters would you risk your life for, and why?
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