Delta Green: Gods Teeth is a haunting investigative horror campaign spanning nearly two decades, exploring tragedy, moral dilemmas, and cosmic terrors within the Delta Green RPG universe.
Overview of the Campaign
Delta Green: Gods Teeth is a multi-decade investigative horror campaign for the Delta Green RPG, spanning from 2001 to 2020. It follows agents as they confront unimaginable horrors, from a traumatic mission at an orphanage to a world-shattering revelation. The campaign explores themes of tragedy, systematic injustice, and the blending of real-world terrors with cosmic horrors. Players are drawn into a spiral of events that escalate over two decades, forcing them to grapple with moral dilemmas and the consequences of their actions. The story is structured into distinct chapters, each representing key moments in the agents’ dire history, culminating in a climactic confrontation with an appalling force in 2020.
Historical Context and Setting
Delta Green: Gods Teeth is set in a modern-day world where government conspiracies and cosmic horrors intertwine. The campaign begins in 2001, with agents investigating a cult operating an orphanage, and progresses through the 21st century. The setting reflects real-world events and societal issues, blending them with Lovecraftian elements. This creates a grounded yet unsettling atmosphere, where players confront both human atrocities and supernatural threats. The historical context ties into the evolution of Delta Green as an organization, exploring its transformation from an unofficial group to a recognized program. This backdrop of realism and horror immerses players in a world where the line between human and cosmic terrors is blurred, enhancing the sense of dread and fatalism throughout the campaign.
Key Features of the Campaign
Delta Green: Gods Teeth offers a multi-decade narrative, blending investigative horror with cosmic dread. It connects deeply to the Delta Green RPG, emphasizing moral dilemmas and real-world terrors;
Multi-Decade Span (2001-2020)
Delta Green: Gods Teeth unfolds over nearly two decades, tracing the agents’ harrowing journey from a fateful mission in 2001 to a climactic revelation in 2020. The campaign begins with GO FORTH, where novice agents confront a horrific cult operating an orphanage, leaving them scarred and entangled in a web of consequences. As the years progress, the agents are drawn into THE LONG YEARS, navigating the official Delta Green Program and facing unspeakable horrors. The narrative escalates in 2016 with RED THOUGHTS and WHITE TEETH, as past actions resurface, forcing the agents to confront monstrous repercussions. By 2020, in THE HIDDEN GOD, the world teeters on chaos, and the agents must face their ultimate, appalling foe. This multi-decade structure emphasizes the lasting impact of their choices and the relentless march of cosmic dread.
Investigative Horror Elements
Delta Green: Gods Teeth masterfully blends investigative gameplay with chilling horror, immersing players in a world of psychological terror and cosmic dread; The campaign begins with a traumatic event involving a cult operating an orphanage, setting a tone of unease and moral ambiguity. Players must uncover dark secrets, piece together mysteries, and confront the consequences of their actions. The narrative emphasizes grounded, real-world horrors, such as child abuse and systematic injustice, alongside Lovecraftian cosmic terrors. This blend creates a deeply unsettling experience, where the agents’ sanity and morality are constantly tested. The campaign’s focus on investigation and decision-making ensures that the horror feels personal and inescapable, heightening the sense of dread throughout the story.
Connection to the Delta Green RPG
Delta Green: Gods Teeth is a campaign designed specifically for the Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game, seamlessly integrating its core rules and lore. The campaign expands on the Delta Green universe, exploring themes of cosmic horror, government conspiracies, and personal tragedy. Players take on the roles of agents tasked with uncovering and combating supernatural threats while navigating the complexities of their own organization. The campaign is fully compatible with the Delta Green RPG system, offering a deep and immersive experience. While it includes quickstart rules for new players, the full Delta Green RPG is recommended for the best experience. This campaign is a must-have for fans of investigative horror and the Delta Green setting.
Structure of the Campaign
Delta Green: Gods Teeth spans nearly two decades, divided into six key sections: GO FORTH (2001), THE LONG YEARS (2001-2016), RED THOUGHTS (2016), WHITE TEETH (2016), THE SPIRAL (2016-2020), and THE HIDDEN GOD (2020). Each chapter builds upon the previous, creating a cohesive and escalating narrative of horror and consequence.
GO FORTH (2001)
GO FORTH marks the beginning of the campaign, set in 2001, where agents are tasked with a covert mission to eliminate a cult operating an orphanage. This mission introduces the agents to the horrors they will face and sets the tone for the rest of the campaign. The events of GO FORTH leave lasting scars on the agents, shaping their motivations and haunting them for years to come. This chapter establishes the core themes of tragedy and moral ambiguity, as the agents confront unimaginable evils and grapple with the consequences of their actions. It lays the groundwork for the unfolding narrative, tying their decisions to the larger, ominous forces at play. Content warnings apply due to themes of violence against children and the disturbing nature of the mission.
THE LONG YEARS (2001-2016)
THE LONG YEARS follows the agents as they are formally recruited into the official Delta Green Program, delving into a series of scenarios that explore cosmic horrors and real-world terrors. This period introduces systematic injustice, as the agents confront morally ambiguous missions and grapple with the repercussions of their actions. The narrative weaves through various operations, tying the agents’ choices back to the haunting events of 2001. These years establish the campaign’s investigative horror elements, blending personal tragedies with the encroaching threat of an ancient, malevolent force. The agents’ experiences during this time set the stage for the escalating horrors that will unfold in later years, creating a sense of inescapable dread and fateful consequences.
RED THOUGHTS (2016)
In RED THOUGHTS, the repercussions of the agents’ actions from 2001 resurface, forcing them to confront the consequences of their past decisions. This chapter delves into the systematic injustice inherent in Delta Green’s operations, as the agents must suppress emerging secrets tied to their initial mission. The narrative intensifies, exploring themes of fateful consequences and the enduring impact of their choices. The agents are drawn into a web of cosmic horrors and real-world terrors, creating a sense of escalating dread. This section bridges the gap between the early years and the unfolding catastrophe, highlighting the inescapable burden of their actions.
WHITE TEETH (2016)
WHITE TEETH delves into the aftermath of the agents’ initial mission, as they confront the horrifying consequences of their past actions. Survivors of the 2001 operation, now twisted by the eldritch forces they encountered, have become violent and unhinged. The agents must track down these individuals, grappling with the moral ambiguity of their mission. This chapter explores themes of tragedy and the cyclical nature of violence, as the agents are forced to confront the monsters they inadvertently created. The narrative heightens the sense of dread, blending real-world horrors with cosmic terrors, and underscores the lasting impact of their decisions.
THE SPIRAL (2016-2020)
THE SPIRAL marks a descent into escalating chaos as the agents face converging horrors between 2016 and 2020. The influence of the malevolent force they awakened grows stronger, drawing them into a maelstrom of cosmic and real-world terrors. The FBI uncovers a threat tied to past sins, forcing the agents to confront both external and internal demons. This chapter intensifies the sense of dread and hopelessness, as the agents’ actions have far-reaching repercussions. The narrative weaves together personal tragedy, systematic injustice, and existential threats, creating a gripping climax that tests their resolve and sanity. The spiral represents the inevitable collapse of order, plunging the agents into a desperate fight for survival.
THE HIDDEN GOD (2020)
THE HIDDEN GOD concludes the campaign in 2020, as the world grapples with a global pandemic, mirroring the agents’ internal turmoil. They must trace the consequences of their past actions, confronting unimaginable foes and the appalling force that has haunted them for decades. This final chapter forces the agents to face the ultimate horror: the hidden god they inadvertently awakened. The narrative culminates in a desperate bid to stop the god’s influence, requiring impossible choices and sacrifices. The conclusion is a poignant exploration of tragedy, fatalism, and cosmic horror, leaving a lasting impact on both the agents and the players; The hidden god’s revelation underscores the futility of human efforts against eldritch forces.
Themes and Tone
Delta Green: Gods Teeth delves into cosmic horrors, real-world terrors, and systematic injustice, evoking a sense of dread and futility. Its tone is dark and unrelenting, exploring tragedy and moral decay while leaving a lasting emotional impact on players.
Tragedy and Fatalism
Delta Green: Gods Teeth is deeply rooted in tragedy and fatalism, as agents confront the consequences of their actions across nearly two decades. The campaign begins with a horrific mission in 2001, involving a cult operating an orphanage, which leaves the agents scarred and sets them on a path of inevitable doom. The narrative explores the futility of their efforts, as they become pawns in a larger, unknowable cosmic force. Personal and professional lives unravel, and the agents are forced to confront the reality of their own mortality. This relentless descent into despair creates a haunting atmosphere, emphasizing the inescapable nature of their fate. The campaign masterfully weaves tragedy and fatalism, leaving players with a profound sense of hopelessness.
Systematic Injustice
Delta Green: Gods Teeth delves into the theme of systematic injustice, where the agents are often forced to operate in the shadows of official oversight. The campaign highlights how corrupt systems and unchecked power lead to atrocities, such as the horrific orphanage mission in 2001. The agents, tasked with extrajudicial actions, become entangled in a web of moral decay and institutional failure. As they confront cosmic horrors, they also grapple with the fallout of their own morally dubious decisions. The narrative underscores the futility of fighting such injustices, as the agents themselves become complicit in perpetuating the cycle of suffering. This theme adds a layer of moral complexity, making the horrors feel uncomfortably real and inescapable.
Cosmic Horrors and Real-World Terrors
Delta Green: Gods Teeth masterfully intertwines cosmic horrors with real-world atrocities, creating a chilling narrative. The campaign begins with a disturbing mission involving a cult operating an orphanage, blending real-world terrors like child abuse with supernatural elements. As the story progresses, the agents confront cosmic entities, such as the enigmatic and malevolent force known as “The Hidden God,” which manipulates reality and humanity alike. The horrors are deeply personal and existential, often blurring the lines between human cruelty and otherworldly malevolence. This duality heightens the sense of dread, making the agents’ struggles feel both visceral and hopeless. The campaign’s ability to merge these elements creates a uniquely unsettling experience.
Content Warnings and Mature Themes
Delta Green: Gods Teeth includes explicit content warnings for violence against children, animal abuse, and traumatic experiences. These themes are central to its dark, mature narrative.
Violence Against Children
Delta Green: Gods Teeth confronts players with disturbing scenes of violence against children, integral to the campaign’s narrative. These events are deeply traumatic for Agents, impacting their sanity and moral frameworks. The campaign handles this sensitive topic with care, emphasizing its real-world horror. Players are warned due to the graphic nature of these scenes, which are central to the story’s progression and the overarching cosmic threat. This content is not gratuitous but serves to underscore the campaign’s themes of tragedy and systematic injustice, making it essential for players and Handlers to approach with caution and sensitivity.
Animal Abuse
Delta Green: Gods Teeth includes disturbing depictions of animal abuse, contributing to its mature and harrowing narrative. These scenes are woven into the campaign’s dark, real-world horror elements, reflecting the brutal nature of the forces the Agents confront. The content is graphic and unsettling, serving to underscore the campaign’s themes of cosmic horror and moral decay. Players and Handlers are cautioned due to the sensitive and traumatic nature of these events, which are integral to the story but may be deeply distressing for some participants. The campaign handles these topics with gravity, emphasizing their impact on the Agents’ psyche and the world’s inherent cruelty.
Moral Dilemmas and Traumatic Experiences
Delta Green: Gods Teeth confronts players with profound moral dilemmas and traumatic experiences, shaping their characters’ psyches and motivations. The campaign’s narrative forces tough choices that resonate across its multi-decade span, leaving lasting scars on the Agents. These dilemmas often involve confronting unspeakable horrors, questioning loyalty, and making sacrifices that challenge their humanity. The traumatic events are deeply personal, impacting relationships and sanity, and are central to the story’s emotional weight. Handlers are provided tools to navigate these sensitive themes, ensuring a harrowing yet meaningful experience that lingers long after the game concludes, enriching the story with depth and emotional complexity.
Reception and Reviews
Delta Green: Gods Teeth has received mixed reviews, praised for its engaging narrative and immersive horror but criticized for its graphic content and sensitive themes. Some fans and critics compare it to Impossible Landscapes, noting its darker tone and moral complexity. While the campaign is lauded for its storytelling, others caution against its heavy subject matter, making it a divisive yet impactful entry in the Delta Green series.
Positive Feedback on Storytelling
Delta Green: Gods Teeth has been widely praised for its masterful storytelling, weaving a complex and harrowing narrative that spans nearly two decades. Players and critics alike commend its ability to evoke a sense of dread and fatalism, with each chapter building on the last to create a deeply immersive experience. The campaign’s structure, which follows agents through their recruitment and subsequent entanglement in cosmic horrors, has been particularly highlighted for its emotional impact. Many reviewers noted how the story’s pacing and interconnected scenarios kept them engaged, making it a standout example of investigative horror in tabletop gaming despite its heavy themes.
Criticism of Sensitive Topics
Delta Green: Gods Teeth has faced criticism for its graphic portrayal of sensitive topics, including violence against children and animal abuse. Some players and reviewers found these elements overwhelming, as they delve into deeply disturbing real-world horrors alongside cosmic terrors. While the campaign aims to explore these themes thoughtfully, a few critics argue that the content, though well-intentioned, could be triggering for some players. The inclusion of such mature themes has sparked debates about the line between horror and sensitivity in tabletop RPGs, with some calling for clearer content warnings or optional narrative paths to bypass the most distressing scenarios.
Comparison to Impossible Landscapes
Gods Teeth is often compared to Impossible Landscapes, another acclaimed Delta Green campaign. While both explore cosmic horrors and investigative elements, Gods Teeth is noted for its darker, more grounded tone, focusing on real-world terrors like child abuse and systematic injustice. Reviewers praise its ambitious multi-decade structure but argue it lacks the mastery of Impossible Landscapes, which is often hailed as a benchmark for Delta Green campaigns. Fans appreciate the new perspectives Gods Teeth brings, but some find it less polished, making it a strong yet slightly inferior addition to the series.
Visual and Artistic Elements
Gods Teeth features stunning artwork and detailed cartography, enhancing immersion. The included Evidence Kit provides gripping resources, elevating the investigative horror experience with visual and tactile elements.
Art and Cartography Quality
The art and cartography in Gods Teeth are exceptional, with haunting visuals that complement the narrative. Detailed maps and illustrations immerse players in the grim world, while the Evidence Kit enhances the investigative experience with authentic documents, adding depth and realism to the campaign’s dark themes and cosmic horrors.
Evidence Kit and Additional Resources
The Gods Teeth Evidence Kit is a standout feature, providing players with authentic documents, photographs, and clues to enhance immersion. This 32-page resource includes detailed handouts and investigative materials, allowing agents to delve deeper into the mysteries. Additional resources, such as the quickstart rules and the Handler’s Guide, ensure a seamless experience. These tools are designed to enrich the narrative and provide handlers with actionable content, making the campaign a comprehensive and engaging experience for both players and game masters. The Evidence Kit is particularly praised for its ability to draw players into the world, creating a more visceral and realistic investigative horror experience.
Gameplay Mechanics
Gods Teeth includes a Quickstart Rules guide and a detailed Handler’s Guide, providing streamlined mechanics and tips for running the campaign effectively.
Quickstart Rules and Need to Know Guide
The Quickstart Rules provide a concise introduction to Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game, allowing new players and handlers to dive into the campaign without prior familiarity. These rules cover essential mechanics, character creation, and setting basics, ensuring a smooth entry into the world of investigative horror. The Need to Know Guide complements this by offering a brief overview of the game’s core concepts, tone, and themes, helping players and handlers grasp the oppressive atmosphere and moral dilemmas central to Gods Teeth. Together, these resources enable quick and informed gameplay, making the campaign accessible while maintaining its depth and horror elements.
Handler’s Guide for Running the Campaign
The Handler’s Guide for Delta Green: Gods Teeth is a comprehensive resource designed to help game masters craft and navigate the intricate, emotionally charged narrative. It includes tips for pacing the multi-decade storyline, managing player trauma, and integrating the campaign’s dark themes seamlessly. The guide emphasizes creating a haunting atmosphere, balancing investigative elements with cosmic horror, and ensuring player agency despite the fatalistic tone. Handlers also gain insights into adapting scenarios to their group’s preferences and handling sensitive topics like violence against children and moral dilemmas. This guide ensures that even the most experienced handlers can deliver a chilling, memorable experience that aligns with the campaign’s devastating themes.
Impact on the Delta Green Series
Gods Teeth reshapes the Delta Green series by deepening the organization’s lore and setting the stage for future campaigns, leaving a lasting impact on its universe.
Evolution of Delta Green as an Organization
Gods Teeth portrays Delta Green’s transformation from a shadowy, unofficial group to a formal government program. The campaign explores its growth into a structured organization, grappling with bureaucracy and internal corruption.
Influence on Future Campaigns
Gods Teeth has set a new standard for Delta Green campaigns, inspiring future narratives with its multi-decade structure and exploration of mature themes. Its introduction of a lesser-known, obscure deity has expanded the Mythos lore, encouraging creators to delve into unexplored cosmic horrors. The campaign’s focus on character trauma and systemic injustice provides a blueprint for deeper, more emotionally resonant storytelling. By blending real-world atrocities with supernatural elements, Gods Teeth has influenced future campaigns to embrace darker, more grounded narratives, ensuring Delta Green remains a benchmark for investigative horror RPGs.
Gods Teeth delivers a powerful, emotionally charged narrative, leaving a lasting impact on players. Its mature themes and cosmic horrors make it a must-play for experienced Delta Green enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts on the Campaign
Gods Teeth is a thought-provoking and haunting campaign that lingers long after the final page. Its exploration of tragedy, moral decay, and cosmic horrors is both unsettling and compelling. While some may find the graphic themes challenging, the campaign excels in delivering a raw, unflinching narrative that reflects the darker aspects of human nature and the eldritch forces that lurk beyond. The multi-decade structure and character-driven focus make it a standout in the Delta Green series, offering a deeply personal and harrowing experience for players. Though divisive, Gods Teeth solidifies its place as a memorable and impactful addition to the RPG horror genre.
Recommendation for Players and Handlers
Gods Teeth is a challenging yet rewarding experience for mature groups. Players should be prepared for intense emotional and psychological themes, while Handlers must sensitively navigate the campaign’s graphic content. The multi-decade structure and deep narrative make it ideal for dedicated groups seeking a long-term, story-driven campaign. Handlers are encouraged to use the provided resources, such as the Evidence Kit, to enhance immersion. While not for the faint of heart, Gods Teeth offers a profound exploration of horror, making it a must-play for fans of investigative and cosmic terror. Approach with caution and ensure all participants are comfortable with the mature themes beforehand.