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It ’s clear thatSeveranceis among the most shuddery goggle box series in class , but it also offers groovy inspiration forDungeons & Dragonscampaigns , orunconventional mind - bending horror using other tabletop RPG systems . Severancesees Lumon employees undergo a procedure in which their psyche are bifurcated . Their original persona has no recognition of what they do at work , while a trade name - new work persona is “ born ” that has no recall of life outside the role . This is on the face of it done to protect party secret , but Lumon clearly has even darker machinations in play . Its employee worship the company ’s founder , like a cult .
There are many varieties of fears that TTRPGs can pink into . DnD’sPhandelver and Below ’s cosmic horrorvibe is distinct from the Gothic horror ofRavenloft . Severanceis a truly unique and terrifying show , one that should probably comport trigger warningsfor anyone who figure out in a traditional office surround . Its horror centers on loss of personal identity operator and being trapped in a surreal and hopeless environment . This structure may not fathom like it plays toDnD ’s strengths , but a clever storyteller can practice it , and other TTRPG arrangement , to catch the uniquely strange chill and compelling mysteries ofSeverance .
Severance Is Ideal For D&D & TTRPG Horror
The Themes Of Identity Erosion & Cult-Like Worship Mesh Perfectly With RPGs
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ManyclassicDnDhorror adventures sport cultsas antagonists . The thought of a cultus like Lumon hiding in unmingled sight as a logical patronage adds an chemical element of machination to a game . In theForgotten Realms , Shar is a goddess of secret and forgetfulness , among other thing . It would not be out of character for worshipers of Shar to employ a singular form of themodify memoryspellto split the cognisance of creatures , through magic , just as Lumon does via technology . InSeverance , the part of workers are called Innies or Workies , informally , while their original selves are called Outies .
Pinning down the differences between a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign and a bankruptcy can seem elusive . The Dungeon Master ’s energy stage is the key .
WhetherDnD’sTomb of Horrorsis challengingor ludicrous may be a matter of gustatory sensation , but dungeons can aid storytelling , too . Severancecan inspire a scenario whereplayer character knowledge secernate between Innies , the identities who experience a donjon , and Outies , their original selveswho retrieve their personal histories and experiences in the outside earth . Much like how Helly radius is a very different person from her Outie , these dungeon - based Innies and Outies could have very different alignments , without their personal histories condition them towards malevolent or right . Modify memoryis not the only spell forSeverance - styleDnDcampaigns .
The notoriouslypowerfulDungeons & Dragonsspellsimulacrumallows a spellcaster to create a duplicate of another creature that they can command . While the 2024 version of the spell alters the language , in 2014 the go noted a construct it creates “ miss the ability to learn . ”This suggests an challenging rendition wherein a simulacrum can not shape Modern memoriesfrom the time of their creation , potentially creating a loop where the players move as simulacra , experiencing a disorientate cycle , with each day becoming a impudent start , as if from the moment they were conjured . Some TTRPG preferences already containSeverance - flair elements .
TTRPGs Like Paranoia & Chronicles Of Darkness Are Easily “Severed”
Some RPG Game Worlds Already Tackle The Same Themes As Severance
There are greatDnDthird - party sci - fi preferences , along with Arcanopunk mankind likeEberronandCrystalpunk , that use magic alone to achieve the aesthetics of genre like Steampunk and Cyberpunk . TheCrystalpunksetting for 5eDnDhas a dark twirl on religion , where it already function much closer to Lumon . Within the urban center of Prismatic Falls , there is no line between church and mega - corp , as the “ cult ” are both the officer of major business and the priests of the continent ’s gods . This fusion of bowelless corporate furtherance and sophisticate worship perfectly mirrors the hymn to Kier Eagansung inSeverance .
TTRPGs face a critical decision , on being a man - created nontextual matter cast or AI - generated content . The ENNIES are on the ripe side , but D&D might not be .
Thetabletop RPGs about enduring oppressive societiescan effortlessly channel theSeverancevibe . Paranoiais a definitive RPG that takes place in an underground trap call Alpha Complex , not unlike the belowground world of Lumon ’s Severed Floor . The various conspiracies and betrayal thatParanoiathrives on could take on a form closer toSeverance ’s federal agency political sympathies , with Friend Computer study the place of Lumon executive . Transhumanist RPGs likeEclipse Phasenormally push the limit of the human form , but a run could or else deal with partitioned human noesis , thanks to cybernetic implant or genetic applied science . break ’s horror urge on dateless options .
Severanceis well one of the most original and persuasion - elicit telly serial in years , and originative storytellers are likely already incorporate its construct and themes into tabletop RPG safari .
TTRPG revulsion lover know there isVampire : The Masqueradeand alsoRequiem , both in the beginning from White Wolf publication . The former was part of theWorld of Darknessgame line of merchandise , andRequiemwas its heir in a revisedWoDsetting , a universe late renamedChronicles of Darknessby Onyx Path publication . history of Darknessadded a central meta - plot antagonist , The God Machine . The God Machine on a regular basis reshapes realism for some unknown use , andthis Demiurge analogue could easy localize the players into aSeverance - style scenario . Similarly , the Gnosticism - inspired horror RPGKultcould makeSeveranceeven dark with its inescapable illusory reality .
A One-Shot D&D Severance Experience Can Spice Up Any Campaign
ADnDcampaign putting players in the role of abused simulacrum nails theSeverancevibes , as the show ’s Outies willingly choose to thrust their Innies into an inescapable netherworld . qualify memorycreating “ severed explorer ” could also forge a safari ’s backbone . A uniqueDungeons & Dragonsone - shot adventurecan stand alone , but they can also aid spice up a long - running political campaign . A DM might have the thespian move as simulacra for a session or two . A store - manipulating rage that functions like a successful business could be an arc within a large plot , countenance for a short misstep into nous - bending existential horror .
Games likeShadowrunandCyberpunk Redfeature megacorporations like Lumon , and the Technocracy ofMage : The Ascensionbehaves like the Eagans , albeit on a much large , cosmologic scale .
Severanceis easily one of the most original and thought - provoking television series in years , and creative storytellers are likely already comprise its concepts and themes into tabletop RPG campaigns . The beauty of collaborative storytelling in tabletop RPGs is that the players are the protagonists . The Game Master allow conflict and narrative , but the role player shape the outcome . The intuitive expiation ofDungeons & Dragonsplayer character insist their agency in aSeverance - inspired game , wield improvised weapons chosen from office supplies to violently resist a hunting expedition ’s analogue to Cobel or Milchik , could provide more satisfaction than slaying any ancient dragon .
keep and Dragons is a pop tabletop plot originally contrive in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson . The phantasy role - play game impart together instrumentalist for a campaign with various factor , including abilities , races , character classes , teras , and gem . The game has drastically expanded since the ' 70s , with numerous updated box seat set and expansion .
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Image via Apple TV+
Image via Apple TV+
Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game originally invented in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson. The fantasy role-playing game brings together players for a campaign with various components, including abilities, races, character classes, monsters, and treasures. The game has drastically expanded since the ’70s, with numerous updated box sets and expansions.
