Allow me to explain what I mean.
Sympathetic Magic has a great foundation for Horror stories that are set in grounded Setting.
I’m thinking of something similar to Stephen King’s “Thinner”, but with more depth on Magic aspect. Where if your being hunted by a Witch, you should be Paranoid to do anything.
The System has a rule that in order to pass a Curse onto someone, the Curse has to be accepted as a gift.
This already sets limits on characters for how they would have to act to reenact the Curse.
When you other conditions are added – like daughter having to partake in the use of gift with her father, or that the gift has to be used within three days, it creates larger stakes.
A Witch in that kind of setting would have to be masterful at making things work outside of the context. They would have to be very manipulative, and be good at adapting to Social Norms. The character that goes against the Witch, would have to be intelligent, observant and good at Planning.
Lastly, that kind of Setting produces Horror out of not knowing. So spinning the Mystery would have to be at the heart.
Can you recommend books that play with the concept?
by Noxious777_