The Dread Encounter
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What is the Dread Encounter in Stillskin Forest?
The Dread Encounter happens when infected see you hide. The chase goes unnaturally quiet; they stop sprinting and walk slowly toward your spot. One steps up to the opening and stares at you, breathing, for about five seconds while others take up positions nearby. Then they leave one at a time, one may linger or look back, and your heartbeat settles. Stay still: leaving early can restart the chase.
The sequence
- The chase becomes unnaturally quiet.
- The infected stop sprinting and approach slowly.
- A lead infected moves into position, then sharply notices you.
- It comes up to the opening and stares and breathes close to you for about five seconds.
- Others, up to five in all, occupy supporting positions.
- They withdraw individually with random gaps between them. One may linger for a few seconds or look back.
- Your heartbeat and breathing settle as the danger passes.
Rules
- You can't leave while an infected is visibly watching your spot.
- Leaving early can restart the chase.
- Gunfire and other noise elsewhere does not interrupt an encounter.
- An encounter times out after 38 seconds at most.
Dread in confined places
A separate dread meter builds in five confined places (the morgue, the walk-in freezer, Tommy's attic, Paul's hidden study and the storm drain) and while you hide. As it rises you hear whispers, then breathing; the colour drains and the vignette closes in. At full dread the place gives you a scare: a knock, a slam, scratching, rats, or, in the morgue, a Walker stepping out behind you.