Vaesen

Vaesen, Nordic Horror Roleplaying · Vaesen TTRPG

Vaesen

Vaesen is a Nordic folk horror investigation game. You journey through a mythic 19th century Scandinavia, where old tales come to life and every village harbours a secret. People seek your help because you can see the vaesen and comprehend their taboos. Sessions blend careful clue gathering, tense social interactions, and eerie encounters. Players appreciate the atmosphere, the human stories behind the hauntings, and the excitement of solving a mystery before night falls.

A professional Game Master sets the tone with maps, handouts, and relatable NPCs, then allows your choices to guide the case. It's suitable for beginners who enjoy mysteries and horror without excessive gore, as well as veterans who relish roleplay and deduction. Ideal for one-off evenings, private groups, birthdays, or team events that reward listening and collaboration. Play in person or online, and meet our Game Masters to find someone whose style aligns with your group.

How to play Vaesen

Most moments are conversations and searches. When the outcome is uncertain, you build a pool of six-sided dice from an attribute and a skill, then roll. A single 6 means success. Extra 6s provide more effect, such as staying quiet or finishing faster. You can push for a reroll if you accept a condition, which makes later tasks more challenging. The table collaborates, follows leads, and decides when to talk, bargain, or set a trap.

You bring a curious investigator with a gift known as the Sight, a few talents, and personal goals that shape your choices. A notebook is useful. A professional Game Master presents a prepared mystery, evocative locations, clues that respond to your questions, and folklore that matters at the table. They track risks, fear, and consequences to ensure the tension remains fair. If you care about tone, browse GM playstyles to find a guide who suits your taste.

In a one-shot, you tackle a complete village mystery in a single evening, often with pregenerated characters, clear stakes, and a climactic bargain or confrontation. In a campaign, you build a casebook across sessions, develop relationships with allies and foes, and improve your Society headquarters between adventures. The mood deepens as seasons change, and earlier choices return to help or haunt you.

Game Master points to miniatures on a battle map while players follow the tabletop RPG encounter.
Game Master points to miniatures on a battle map while players follow the tabletop RPG encounter.
Close-up of a red 12-sided die with gold numbers, used for fun fantasy board games.
Close-up of a red 12-sided die with gold numbers, used for fun fantasy board games.

Common questions

Do I need to know the rules or Norse mythology?

No preparation is necessary. A professional Game Master will teach you the rules in just a few minutes. You gather a small set of six-sided dice and aim for sixes, making it easy to pick up. Nordic folklore is woven into the experience. Clues, props, and NPCs reveal local beliefs and taboos as you explore. You learn how to negotiate with vaesen through gameplay. New players thrive, and mystery enthusiasts will feel right at home.

How does Vaesen differ from D&D?

Vaesen is an investigative folk horror game, rather than a combat-focused one. You delve into a haunted community, engage with its inhabitants, research ancient customs, and uncover the creature’s taboos. Conflicts are infrequent and perilous. Solutions typically require negotiations, offerings, or the careful setting of traps. It values observation, inference, and roleplay just as much as tactical thinking. If you appreciate a slower build of tension and social problem-solving, it offers a distinctly different experience from D&D.

What group size and session length are most effective?

It runs best with 3 to 5 players, and 2 can also work for a more intimate experience. A single mystery typically fits into 3 to 4 hours. With five players, aim for the longer duration to ensure everyone has their moments. Shorter sessions are suitable for campaigns, as the investigation can continue next time. A professional Game Master will manage the pacing of clues and spotlighting, ensuring your group size feels appropriate and the climax is reached without feeling rushed.

How frightening or gruesome is a Vaesen session?

The tone is one of dread and wonder, not splatter. You will encounter tragic spirits, stern trolls, and desperate villagers. Tension arises from folklore taboos, isolation, and difficult choices. Graphic gore is not the focus, but themes may be mature. Your GM adjusts intensity using safety tools and a clear content brief. If you prefer a cosy mystery with a chill, or a darker edge, let us know when booking. Browse GM playstyles to choose a guide whose tone suits you.

What do we actually do while playing?

You arrive in a troubled village, follow leads, and test theories. You interview locals, search attics and archives, stake out forest paths, and try small rituals or offerings. You map the creature’s signs and taboos, then decide whether to negotiate, appease, or confront. Rolls come into play when outcomes are uncertain. The rest involves conversation, planning, and careful choices that shape the ending.

One-shot or campaign, which suits Vaesen best?

Both options are effective. As a one-shot, you can address a complete village case in a single evening using pre-made characters if you prefer. Clear stakes and a final deal or confrontation provide resolution. In a campaign, you develop a casebook over multiple sessions, deepen relationships, and enhance your Society base between adventures. Previous choices resonate throughout. Many of our Game Masters run ongoing Vaesen campaigns. See all Game Masters to find a suitable long-term match.

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Genres you can play in Vaesen

  • Folklore

    Fireside stories brought to life, featuring village gossip, fey deals, river spirits, and ancient paths at twilight, reminiscent of The…

    View genre: Folklore
  • Mystery

    Follow the clues, construct timelines, and apprehend the culprit. Think Knives Out, but you are the detective, assembling alibis and…

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  • by Elliot

    Gothic

    Candlelit corridors, storm-battered manors, secret letters, and forbidden desire. Gothic play intertwines romance, dread, and family…

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  • Occult

    Candlelit rituals, cryptic symbols, and whispered conspiracies. Imagine The X-Files as you pursue clues through secret lodges and concealed…

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  • Victorian

    Gaslit streets, strict manners, and factory smoke. Unravel murders, scandals, and séances as detectives, socialites, or rogues. Imagine…

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  • Rural

    Comfortable fields, muddy boots, local drama, and harvest festivals. Imagine Stardew Valley with mysteries at the hedgerow, family ties…

    View genre: Rural

What players have to say

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the kids and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did an excellent job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a significant portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't fully understand how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but see it as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his deep knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided a brilliant experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a present for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was an excellent GM who adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left the game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another session with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A nice and clear first experience with D&D. Amber was able to explain and guide the game effectively, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack routes was an enjoyable activity and provided great insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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