The Slenderman Mythos

[Zaster]

Spoiler:

It seemed to me after watching the series that those who became aware of Slenderman were gradually forced to assume a new identity (complete with mask) which was completely in SM's thrall, becoming almost extensions of his will. In game terms, this would mean the subjects would become less and less playable, spending shorter and shorter intervals as their "real selves" until totally converted to masked minion. That would require much forbearance on the part of your players, but I could see how it could be cool if they're willing to put up with alot of, "you wake up back in bed with no memory of what happened during the previous six hours". If they aren't, then you'd have to restrict that gradual erosion of identity to NPCs.

One item I thought was really interesting (and never really explained) were the mysterious pills that enthralled subjects obediently take even during their increasingly brief intervals of self-control. It seems that thralls have some supernatural ability to enter and leave locked rooms. Could these pills provide the power to dematerialize or exist "out of phase" with ordinary matter? Maybe the development of this drug is where all the trouble started, bringing test subjects into contact with a malign entity who exists between dimensions and who otherwise would never have noticed our world.

[tsukumogami]

I'm actually writing up a scenario with the Slender Man too. I'm going the route that if you photograph him, you capture a part of him and he hunts it back. I'm connecting this mythos to other contemporary myths, like Moth Men, Green Grinners, and MIB. That these three groups are trying to capture the Slender Man for various reasons and the investigators are caught in the middle.

[eyeharvester]

If people are looking for Slenderman resources, you should probably check out the place where he was first invented: this thread on Something Awful. Slenderman appears for the first time on page 3, and pretty quickly takes over the thread. There's some great images, "excerpts" from books or interviews, and even an audio file(!)...all of which might be turned easily into excellent handouts in a CoC game.

And about tying the Slenderman into the existing Mythos: I think it's of key importance that the Slenderman be unexplained. It's critical for his brand of horror that he be enigmatical and single-minded in his pursuit of the PCs. This makes him very different from the more traditional Lovecraftian horrors, the greatest threat of which is posed by the full realization of what they are and what their existence reveals about the nature of the Universe. The Slenderman is a far more visceral horror. The thing to fear about him is the simple fact that no matter who you are, he's out there. And he's going to get you.

[AlbertCarruthers]

I'm going to draw things up and possibly run a one-shot based on this over the weekend. Details will come.

[cpt_machine]

I cant believe i missed the boat on this one... I must be slacking.

Just started watching the videos at Marble Hornets Youtube profile and its still updating my god its pants wetting stuff, I love it.

[Harmony0stars]

The early Marble Hornets were really creepy. The newest one just posted a week or so ago really didn't have quite the same punch. It's become a question of whether or not he's sane, despite video evidence that he is.

For my part, I've used the Slenderman in my webserial as an avatar of Nyarlathotep. The Crawling Chaos seemed like the perfect GOO for the job. I was inspired more by the Something Awful thread (all 40+ pages of it), and as for why he does the things he does... you'll just have to read the story.

[cpt_machine]

After the last 25 videos I can fully understand why in 26 he said he quit, he'd seen enough and had enough, I can also understand the moment he saw the new tape he was sent he couldnt leave it, its like investigators, the more you know the less you can ignore it.

[Max_Writer]

I just ran across this as well. I spent the last few days researching this whole thing and find it fascinating (and nicely creepy). I'm hoping to do something with it in the game as well. I'd love to hear how others' experiences work out.

[cpt_machine]

Marble Hornet has started posting videos again so go subscribe and watch the new stuff, This has really got my creative jucies flowing so I plan to write something for it.

[Solomon_Grundy]

I hope this doesn't ruin Slenderman for anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MXYC_jX2Wc

[Harmony0stars]

I hope this doesn't ruin Slenderman for anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MXYC_jX2Wc

Ha! It was only a matter of time before Slenderman's kid brother got in on the act. Mildly creepy that he kept losing his dots.

[Harmony0stars]

More Slendy fun with TribeTwelve!

[Scuttlebutt]

This has entirely changed the way I am writing my sessions from now on. In now understand what it means to be afraid of things you dont understand. I've read all kinds works and I always justify things. This story has just kept me awake for two hours. And now I think I can get to sleep, but I am still getting flashbacks to entry 14 and I fear sleep. I know he would have no reason to come for me... but it sure is frightening. now if I could only channel this fear into something to freak out players. But I know for sure I am going to be playing more on the "there is something there but you dont see all of it right now" kind of encounters.

[Harmony0stars]

If you know about him, can picture him in your head... he has every reason to come for you. Your thoughts smell like taffy, sweet, sweet taffy.

::lip smack:: nomnomnom

On a less creepy note (hehehe), try leading up to an encounter with photos printed from the Something Awful site and "notes" and graffiti left for the victims... I mean players.

[Max_Writer]

This has entirely changed the way I am writing my sessions from now on. In now understand what it means to be afraid of things you dont understand. I've read all kinds works and I always justify things. This story has just kept me awake for two hours. And now I think I can get to sleep, but I am still getting flashbacks to entry 14 and I fear sleep. I know he would have no reason to come for me... but it sure is frightening. now if I could only channel this fear into something to freak out players. But I know for sure I am going to be playing more on the "there is something there but you dont see all of it right now" kind of encounters.

As a Keeper, you should be able to justify this to yourself at least, even if your players don't find out what is going on. If you know the (even strange and unknowable) reasons for your creatures to act, it makes it easier in the long run to determine what they would do. If the players never find out, it does add nicely to the mystery.