How to Kill A Summer in a Campaign Steeped in Sean S. Cunningham's Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th (1980) is a major film in the horror genre, establishing many of the conventions that define slasher movies. Directed by Sean S. Cunningham, the film follows a group of camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake who are stalked and murdered by an unknown killer. While it doesn’t introduce the now-iconic character of Jason Voorhees until the sequels, the movie’s atmosphere, tension, and shocking violence made it a massive cultural touchstone. The film popularized the slasher subgenre, influencing countless horror movies, and its legacy continues to thrive through sequels, reboots, and a lasting fanbase. It is also packed with loads of potential for creating a terrifying, suspense-filled TTRPG campaign. Let’s break down how to harness the terrifying elements of Friday the 13th and make it your own in your next campaign.

An Isolated Campground

One of the most celebrated aspects of Friday the 13th is its setting—the secluded, rustic Camp Crystal Lake. The camp is isolated, surrounded by woods and water, and it creates an environment where characters are vulnerable, unable to easily escape or get help. For your TTRPG campaign, this is the perfect backdrop.

The Camp: Think of the campgrounds as a maze of cabins, the campfire pit, the docks, and the surrounding wilderness. The entire area should feel like a confined space where danger is lurking just around every corner. This helps set the stage for a true survival-horror experience. Of course, it shouldn’t always feel like that, the setting should also have an allure that also draws the characters there.

The Wilderness: A dark, dense forest with twisted trees, crumbling paths, and eerie silence provides a perfect opportunity to create a sense of dread. The players should feel like they are being watched, with each step further into the woods intensifying the feeling of isolation.

The Unseen Enemy: Just as Jason is known for being an elusive killer, you can keep your players on edge by making the enemy a faceless, ever-present threat. The killer can strike at any moment, but their full nature and identity remain a mystery, adding a layer of intrigue to the campaign.

Stereotypes and Subversions

The Friday the 13th films are filled with archetypal characters—like the jock, the virgin, the rebellious teen, and the counselor who is in over their head. While these characters may seem cliché, you can use them as a foundation and then play with the expectations to keep your players on their toes.

Player Characters: Your PCs could be camp counselors, newcomers to the camp, or even other visitors (like a group of friends looking for a weekend getaway). Each PC can embody an archetype, but you can subvert their expected outcomes. For example, the brave hero could end up being a coward, or the seemingly unlikable bully could be the one who makes the ultimate sacrifice.

NPCs: Camp counselors, camp-goers, or even locals could all play key roles as potential victims or survivors. These NPCs can interact with the players, provide them with information, and contribute to the tension, but remember, you’re in a horror setting. Not everyone will survive, and betrayal or sudden death can occur at any moment.

The Killer: Jason Voorhees is the embodiment of relentless, unstoppable horror. You don’t have to use him by name, but consider creating a similar antagonist—an imposing, seemingly indestructible killer with a tragic backstory and a signature weapon (like an axe, machete, or hunting knife). Their motives don’t need to be clear, but their presence should be felt from the beginning.

The Horror: Building Tension

Friday the 13th is more about slow-burning tension and building a sense of paranoia than outright gore—though the kills are certainly a big part of the franchise’s appeal. To bring that same vibe to your TTRPG campaign, focus on psychological horror and atmosphere. Here’s how to create that tension:

The Unknown: The more mysterious the threat, the more effective it will be in creating unease. Rather than letting the players know exactly who or what they’re dealing with, feed them little bits of information—maybe strange noises, cryptic warnings from locals, or found journal entries that hint at the camp’s troubled past.

Ambiance: Set the scene with creepy sounds and eerie lighting (if you're playing in person) or atmospheric music (if you're online). Describe unsettling details: the creaking of old floorboards, an unexplainable rustling in the woods, a shadow in the corner of the camp.

Disorientation: The killer should be unpredictable and difficult to track. Use fog, moonless nights, and the looming darkness of the forest to make the characters feel lost and vulnerable. You can also make the camp itself feel disorienting—hallways with mismatched doors, cabins that feel too quiet, and areas that seem too familiar, yet are filled with something off.

Imminent Danger: Give your players moments of apparent safety, only to pull the rug out from under them. Just when they think they've escaped or discovered something useful, the killer is right behind them, or worse, someone they trust might have been compromised.

Encounters: Combat, Survival, and Strategy

A Friday the 13th-inspired campaign isn’t all about constant fighting; it’s about survival and strategy. Here’s how you can set up encounters that leave players thinking on their feet:

Escape or Defend: Players might have to decide between fighting the killer or fleeing. A few well-placed moments can make each encounter tense: a broken-down vehicle, locked doors, and a killer that can be anywhere but is never seen until it’s too late. Will they make it out alive?

Limited Resources: To add to the survival horror atmosphere, limit the resources the players have. Weapons are hard to come by. Healing items are sparse. They might only have the tools available around the camp, like axes, knives, or a broken down radio (for modern settings). Every decision should feel important—do they risk using the last med kit or healing potion now or save it for later?

Psychological Warfare: As the killer picks off NPCs one by one, you can introduce paranoia into the group. Is that character really dead, or are they just pretending to be? Can they trust each other, or is one of them secretly hiding something? The tension should rise not only from the killer but from the fear that someone in the group might not be who they say they are.

The Climax: The Final Showdown

The endgame of a Friday the 13th-inspired campaign is, of course, the dramatic final showdown. As the PCs realize they are running out of time or options, the killer makes their last big push. This is the time for everyone to shine—or fall.

Escape or Confrontation: Do the PCs escape the camp alive? Or do they confront the killer head-on, knowing that only one might survive? Keep the tension high by making this a choice.

The Final Twist: Friday the 13th is known for its surprising twists. Perhaps there’s a shocking revelation about the killer’s true identity or the reasons behind the murders. Maybe an NPC who appeared to be safe is revealed to be the villain or is somehow connected to the killer’s past.

A Legacy of Fear: Even after the final confrontation, leave the players with lingering uncertainty. The killer may have been defeated, but did they really die? Or was it just the beginning of something much darker?

Final Thoughts

By drawing from the eerie atmosphere, the relentless antagonist, and the tense survival elements of Friday the 13th, you can create a campaign that keeps your players on edge. Whether they’re hiding in a cabin, trying to piece together the killer’s backstory, or trying to survive the night, your Friday the 13th-inspired campaign will be a thrilling experience that’s perfect for a horror-filled TTRPG session.

So, get your dice ready, light a few candles (or leave them off to create darkness), and prepare for a night of scares, survival, and unforgettable moments at Camp [Insert Your Camp Name].

Pick up the The Silent Stalker here to get your Friday the 13th-inspired game off and running.