--- title: "Lovecraftian Horror: How to Run a Delta Green Campaign" description: A brief about what Lovecraftian Horror and Delta Green are and how to run a Delta Green campaign. --- [![](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Roll20%20-%20Assets/Blog/Group%202.svg)](https://roll20.net/) - [Blog](https://bloghub.roll20.net/roll20-blog) - [Marketplace](https://marketplace.roll20.net/) - [Community](https://app.roll20.net/forum/) ![](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Roll20%20-%20Assets/Icon%20Copy.svg) [Play Now](https://app.roll20.net/) Delta Green # Lovecraftian Horror: How to Run a Delta Green Campaign October 29, 2026 SHARE: ![](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Karinaprofilepic-1.jpeg) Karina Sturdivant [Create Character Now](https://app.roll20.net/characters/create/dnd2024byroll20) **Lovecraftian Horror is a blend of supernatural and psychological elements that aims to take the fear of the unknown and twist it.** Molding it into something truly terrifying that tests the limits of sanity. This genre differs from other types of horror in that there is a focus on not just scaring but resonating with people long after the story has been told. All of these elements can be found in the campaign of [*Delta Green*](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/search?keywords=delta%20Green)*.* # **What is Delta Green?** **Delta Green is a covert/secretive agency that exists outside of the federal government.** For all intents and purposes it doesn’t exist. This means agents (the players) will go into harrowing missions against supernatural foes, otherworldly scenarios, and psyche breaking situations, and humanity will be none the wiser. It is their job to investigate where no one dares go in order to protect and save humanity from things that they themselves may never fully comprehend. In order to run a *Delta Green* campaign, GMs must consider **Backstory** when it comes to players character creation, **setting the tone**, and **leaning into the roleplay** as their players traverse the campaign. ## **Backstory Creation** Though a welcomed detail for GMs, a detailed backstory is not always a guarantee when it comes to character creation. However, in a campaign like *Delta Green* the magic is going to be in the details. As mentioned before, Lovecraftian Horror preys on the psyche and sanity of the character. As such, **the more detailed a backstory, the more the game and you as a GM can create something truly unique and unsettling for that player.** For example, maybe the character has a fear of getting lost. If an opportunity arises where there is a labyrinth of hallways or a maze, you can use this as a way to play off of that feeling of discomfort and fear to deepen the idea that something is truly inescapable in that moment for that character. Let your players know that the more detailed they go into their backstory and the relationships they have with people, the deeper in the narrative you can go to really lean into the Lovecraftian elements of[*Delta Green*](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/search?keywords=delta%20Green). For ease of access to their backstories, have your players drop them into the **Bio** tab of their Roll20 character sheets so that you can quickly access them as you need them! ### **Set the Tone** Sometimes, the fear we feel is because something about our surroundings unsettles us. It can be something as small as a sound, a fleeting glimpse in our peripheral, or just a feeling. These are all moments that you can create as a GM. Does your party encounter a dark or dimly lit room where maybe one of them hears a dissonant whisper or strange music? Lean into that. Take the opportunity to try to incorporate that into your game. **If there is something that you want a particular character to notice, then describe it to them.** Let them know that you have paid attention to their character’s fear and play that up in order to build not only the excitement but the terror and feeling of “ew, I don’t like that” or even create a bit of paranoia of what could be waiting for them at any moment. On Roll20 you can access tools like [Jukebox](https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us/articles/360039178714-Jukebox#Jukebox-FindingandAddingAudioTrackstotheJukebox); a tool that allows the GM to **play sounds and music to fit the tone**, as well as [Dynamic Lighting](https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us/articles/4403861702679-How-To-Set-Up-Dynamic-Lighting); a tool (available through a Plus subscription) that allows the GM to **create shadows and dark areas on the map**. In addition to this, utilize your ability to drag and drop pictures onto the screens for your players in order to show them what they are up against. Setting the ambience in these ways can solidify the themes of Lovecraftian Horror and make a campaign like *Delta Green*, one to remember! ## **Roleplay and Narrative** Due to the nature and themes of a Lovecraftian Horror campaign like[*Delta Green*](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/search?keywords=delta%20Green) leaning into the roleplay and narrative is a must. This game creates many opportunities for players to explore and collaborate as they move through the narrative and world. As they do so, **build up the world with detail and expand where you can in order to further along the story that is being told.** For example, is there a decision that a character makes that directly impacts the group or even does something to their relationships with family or friends? Let your players know if it does as these psychological stressors and consequences of actions can and will become elements for you, as the GM, to utilize as the horror campaign progresses. [*Delta Green*](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/search?keywords=delta%20Green) also leaves a lot open for interpretation until more clues can be gathered; be a quiet listener and **allow for your players to discuss, collaborate, and roleplay their way through an idea or issue.** By giving your players this time, you can glean where their heads are, what their thoughts are, and utilize anything that you find helpful to create moments of surprise as they make their way through the horror campaign. --- With the attention to **backstory**, **tone**, and **narrative**, you can be sure to scare, unsettle, and test the limits of your players’ psyche as you delve into their fears that[*Delta Green*](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/search?keywords=delta%20Green) will definitely bring to the table! ![](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Karinaprofilepic-1.jpeg) # Karina Sturdivant Karina is a freelance copywriter and creative writer based out of San Antonio, Texas. When she's not writing, she dives into the rich worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, immersive video games, and page-turning books. [Portfolio](https://elysiancreativewriting.com/) ![image description](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Roll20%20-%20Assets/Blog/img-02.png) ![image description](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/Roll20%20-%20Assets/Blog/soldiers.png) SIGN UP ### Play on Roll20 for Free Play games anywhere. Share them with anyone. With Roll20 as your virtual tabletop, your adventures are limitless. [Create Free Account](https://app.roll20.net/account/create) [![Roll20](https://pages.roll20.net/hubfs/logo-white.png)](https://roll20.net/) - [Blog](https://bloghub.roll20.net/roll20-blog) - [Marketplace](https://marketplace.roll20.net/) - [Community](https://app.roll20.net/forum/) Subscribe to Our Newsletter © Roll20, LLC Roll20® is a Registered Trademark of Roll20, LLC. 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