For a D&D campaign I ran in mid-2024, I created an encounter where the adventurers faced off against “memory eaters,” creatures that dealt minor psychic damage and, for added impact, caused the loss of treasured memories. Rather than imposing penalties through game mechanics, I added narrative and role-playing descriptions along the lines noted below. Being told “you will never again remember anything about a loved one” really had an emotional impact on the players themselves, unlike just having their characters losing hit points or suffering conditions.
This sort of effect could also be used in horror or science fiction games when encountering strange psionic beings with a curiosity or hunger to consume the thoughts of those who trespass within their domain. If the memory loss was something that could be predicted and controlled, how would authorities use or abuse it? An aid for removing trauma in troubled minds? A form of punishment or reconditioning for those convicted of thought crimes?
Example losses to memory eaters…
“You learned how to fluently speak the difficult Asquali language to better communicate with traveling Asquali merchants you used to visit for some personal need. You will never again remember a single word of the Asquali language, nor anything about the Asquali people, nor what you once purchased from them.”
“You recall heartfelt conversations, hugs, kisses, and expressions of affection that strengthened your bond with a cherished loved one. You will never remember the person that caused you to feel this way.”
“You once worked hard to let go of a grudge to reconcile and heal your relationship with someone, bringing you a long-sought sense of peace and harmony. You will never remember who angered you or what caused the original offense.”
“The Voragax Dreadmaw is an extremely dangerous monster that almost killed you before you defeated it by exploiting its only weakness. You will never again remember anything about this creature other than its name.”
“One of your favorite holidays involved preparing special meals together, singing festive songs, and wearing specific colors to honor an annual rite of passage. You will never again remember anything about this holiday.”
“As a youth, you had a close friend who was your playful rival. You remember this person exists but you will never remember who they were, any time spent with them, or what happened to them.”
“You will never remember what a ‘glintle’ is or how it once made all the difference to you…”
“You will never remember where the Sanctuary of Dawnhall is located or why that place was once deeply significant to you…”
“You will never remember the taste of sweetseed flour or what unique bakery is made from it, nor where it is grown and used…”
“You once spent a long winter trapped with strangers in a remote observatory, and you all formed an unshakable bond of survival, sharing stories and secrets beneath an aurora. You will never again remember their faces, their voices, or what truths were shared.”
“You once received a token of forgiveness from someone you had wronged: a carved wooden object with deep symbolic meaning. You will never again remember who gave it to you, what you did to deserve it, or where you’ve hidden it.”
“Your beloved pet that you raised from infancy once saved your life in a way no one believed. You will never remember the animal, what it looked like, or how you ever came to part ways.”
“You once glimpsed a version of your future self through a magical mirror and made a life-altering decision based on what you saw. You will never remember the reflection or the decision it inspired.”
“You were once married in secret beneath the boughs of the Silverleaf Tree, in accordance with an ancient rite. You will never again remember your partner, the ceremony, or the vows you spoke.”
“A master taught you a powerful technique that could save lives or end them. You used it only once when no other option remained. You will never remember the technique, the teacher, or whom you used it on.”
“You made a promise at someone’s deathbed that changed the course of your life. You will never remember who they were or what you promised.”
“There is a song that used to make you weep every time you heard it, one tied to a memory so deeply personal it shaped your sense of self. You will never remember the melody or why it moved you.”
“You once found a genie’s lamp (or ring of wishes) and bartered it for a single day of something priceless. You will never remember what you traded for, nor whether it was worth the loss.”
“You once died, but just briefly, returned to life through great cost and effort by another who cared about you. You will never remember how you died, who brought you back, or what you glimpsed while gone.”
“You made a sacrifice in someone else’s place, something no one ever knew about, and it saved them. You will never remember who they were, what was lost, or why it was worth it.”
“You once crossed into/landed on another world and lived there for what felt like years. You will never remember the place, its rules, the life you had there, or why a native of this realm seeks vengeance against you.”