Occult

Occult

You gather in the dim light with notes, rumours, and strange symbols. A missing professor points to a reading room no one remembers. In play, you sift through archives, decode ciphers, question cautious witnesses, and follow threads into back rooms and midnight forests. You might draw a protective circle before opening a chained book. You might crash a masked gathering or strike a bargain you will regret. Secrets feel close, but the cost of uncovering them becomes clearer with every step.

At the table, occult stories shine because mysteries grow from player choices. Clues connect through maps, props, and handouts. Every hunch matters. The pace allows for quiet tension and bold moves. It suits mystery lovers, horror-curious beginners, and veterans who enjoy patient investigation. For team events, shared puzzle-solving and careful risk-taking build trust. Families who enjoy spooky tales can partake with the intensity dialled down. Your Game Master checks tone and boundaries early, ensuring the mood stays fun, not overwhelming.

Our Game Masters run occult adventures in Call of Cthulhu, Delta Green, Monster of the Week, City of Mist, and World of Darkness. Rules can be light and conversational or gritty and sharp. The tone shifts easily, from investigative noir to ritual dread to pulpy action with ghosts and gadgets. Play online or in person. To explore options and match a system to your group, browse the game systems we support.

Common questions

How does occult differ from standard horror?

Occult play focuses on revealing hidden patterns and the costs of knowledge, rather than being pursued from scene to scene. You follow symbols, rumours, and rites, deciding how far to push. The witchcraft or cosmic threat often remains implied until you piece together the clues. Tension arises from secrecy, taboo choices, and a slow-building dread. A professional Game Master can present it as an investigative thriller, ritual drama, or whispered horror. If you prefer constant chases and gore, other horror subgenres may suit you better.

Which systems are best suited for occult stories?

Several systems shine for occult stories, each with a different feel. Call of Cthulhu favours classic investigation and creeping tension. Delta Green suits modern conspiracies and agency procedures. Monster of the Week offers a TV-case rhythm with flexible moves. City of Mist combines mythic noir with clue tags. World of Darkness centres on cabals and personal horror. Rules can be light or detailed. A professional Game Master will match your group to a suitable system. Browse options on game systems.

Is the occult genre appropriate for beginners or children?

Yes. For newcomers, occult adventures provide clear objectives, such as following the trail and testing a ritual, and the rules can remain light if that’s your preference. For families or children who enjoy spooky stories, a professional Game Master can create a softer atmosphere. We steer clear of graphic content, fade to black on sensitive subjects, and concentrate on puzzles, unusual locations, and courageous choices. Safety tools and a brief tone check ensure everyone feels comfortable. You can also review GM playstyles to find a gentler fit.

What can we expect from an occult one-shot?

You begin with a compelling hook, like a missing curator or a sigil that appears in an unexpected place. You gather clues, decode notes and photographs, and visit one or two significant locations. Anticipate a ritual scene, a confrontation with a cultist or guardian, and a tough decision about what knowledge to embrace or seal away. Handouts and ciphers maintain the pace. Missed rolls introduce complications, not dead ends, ensuring the mystery unfolds within the session.

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Game systems for Occult

  • Candela Obscura

    • Occult +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Step into a gaslit city filled with occult investigations and perilous deals. In Candela Obscura, you are part of a sworn circle tracking breaches between our world and the uncanny. Imagine Penny Dreadful at the table, with gripping mysteries, an atmosphere of creeping dread, and tough decisions.

    View system: Candela Obscura
  • Call of Cthulhu

    • Cosmic Horror +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Call of Cthulhu is the classic game of investigative cosmic horror. Take on the role of doomed investigators delving into occult mysteries and the fragility of sanity.

    View system: Call of Cthulhu
  • Vampire: The Masquerade

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Vampire: The Masquerade is a modern-night roleplaying game centred around hunger, power, and secrecy. Imagine Interview with the Vampire, but you're in control. Scheme, seduce, and survive as a coterie while a professional Game Master brings a city of dark politics to life.

    View system: Vampire: The Masquerade
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

    • Dark Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Comprehensive rules

    Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay immerses you in the Old World, a grim, disease-ridden realm filled with cults, corruption, and tough decisions. Imagine The Witcher, but with darker humour and even worse odds. Expect gritty investigations, deadly battles, and chaotic magic, all led by our Game Masters.

    View system: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
  • Monster of the Week

    • Monster Hunting +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Simple rules

    Hunt monsters, solve strange mysteries, and save people before dawn. Monster of the Week is a fast-paced, story-driven game of small-town frights and urban legends, ideal for one-shots or campaigns. Imagine road trips leading to desperate confrontations, much like Supernatural.

    View system: Monster of the Week
  • Mörk Borg

    • Dark Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Simple rules

    Mörk Borg is a rules-light, doom-metal fantasy where the world decays and you strive to survive another night. Brutal, fast, and stylish, it plays like Dark Souls seen through a tattered black-metal zine. Ideal for grim one-shots or a doomed mini-campaign.

    View system: Mörk Borg
  • Delta Green

    • Cosmic Horror +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Delta Green is contemporary cosmic horror and conspiracy. You take on the role of agents who confront insurmountable threats, conceal them, and bear the personal consequences. Imagine The X-Files with a sharper edge, where victories are tenuous and sanity hangs in the balance.

    View system: Delta Green
  • Vaesen

    • Folklore +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Vaesen is Nordic folk horror set in a mythical 19th century. You play as investigators with the Sight, journeying to remote towns to uncover eerie folklore, strike difficult bargains, and face the inhuman. Imagine Penny Dreadful by lantern light, featuring trolls, nixies, and long winter roads.

    View system: Vaesen
  • Werewolf: The Apocalypse

    • Werewolf +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Fight for a dying world as a werewolf in Werewolf: The Apocalypse. You and your pack hunt corruption in urban streets and wild places, caught between fury and duty. Think Underworld, but you are the monsters with a purpose, bound by tribe, spirit, and an impending doom.

    View system: Werewolf: The Apocalypse

What players are saying

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varied experience levels, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed for our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I organised a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is really passionate about it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us make great progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided; they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A great first experience with D&D. Amber was excellent at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating on attack strategies with my colleagues was a fun activity that provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly a legend as a DM! He's cheerful, adaptable, and incredibly experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in a fun manner and engaged every player in the story, whether they were vocal or reserved. If you go adventuring with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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