One common element is the setting. Often, it's in a dark, isolated place like an old house, a cemetery or a deep forest. These places create an atmosphere of fear. Another element is the appearance of the spirit. It usually has a pale or translucent form, and sometimes it's missing body parts like in the case of the Headless Horseman.
Unnatural movements are typical too. Objects might move on their own, like in the Bell Witch story where things would shift around the house. Also, the spirits often seem to have a purpose, whether it's revenge, as some spirits are thought to be seeking revenge for their untimely deaths, or just to torment the living for no clear reason.
One common element is the mystery factor. In spirit game stories, there is usually something unknown that the characters are trying to uncover, whether it's the origin of the game or the true nature of the spirits involved. Also, there's often a sense of danger. The characters are in a situation where they could be harmed by the spirits if they don't play the game correctly or figure out how to escape it. And settings like old houses, abandoned places, or haunted locations are also quite common.
One common element is the idea of the unknown. Spirits are often not fully understood, and their motives and abilities are a mystery. For example, in many stories, the spirit might be able to move through walls or possess people without any clear explanation.
One common element is the unknown. When there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure that disappears when you look closer, it creates fear.
One common element is the presence of the unknown. For example, in many scary stories, there is a mystery figure or thing that people don't understand, like the shadow in the haunted house story. Another element is the sense of isolation. When the characters are alone, like the hiker in the forest, it makes the situation scarier. Darkness is also a common element as it hides the threats and adds to the sense of fear.
One common element is the sense of isolation. In many 1999 scary stories, characters find themselves alone in a spooky place like an abandoned building or a dark forest. Another is the use of the unknown. For example, strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't explain. Also, a lot of these stories play on the fear of the past. Maybe it's an old object with a history, like a cursed doll, that brings the horror.
Supernatural creatures are a common element. Like the ones I mentioned before, such as the Rolling Calf, Soucouyant, and Duppy. These creatures often have specific characteristics and behaviors that make them both fascinating and terrifying.
One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like jinns or divs. These are often depicted as powerful and sometimes malevolent entities that can cause chaos and fear. For example, in many stories, they can change their forms to deceive humans.
The concept of fate and the supernatural's influence on it is another element. In many of these stories, misfortunes are not just random but are caused by the actions of these supernatural beings. For example, when the Egbere haunts the forest, it's not just a random event but part of the overall belief in a world where the supernatural controls certain aspects of human fate.
One common element is the idea of the corpse being restless. It's often depicted as not being at peace in death, so it haunts places or people. For example, a corpse might be seeking revenge for an unfair death.
One common element is the presence of spirits. In many Apache scary stories, the spirits of ancestors or those who died in battle play a significant role. They can either protect or haunt the living depending on how the living behave. Another element is the use of nature as a backdrop for the scares. For example, a desolate canyon or a dark forest can be the setting where the spooky events occur. Also, the idea of curses is common. A person or a place can be cursed by an evil shaman or witch, leading to all kinds of terrifying consequences.