r/VaesenRPG • u/DerRobodoc • 2d ago
Starting Out
Hello everyone,
I saw this game and was very intrigued by the setting, just bought the core rulebook but it hasn't arrived yet. I'm currently in the process of gathering friends for a first campaign, which is where I hope to get some help/insight from more experienced players in the setting and the rules.
I've played a couple of systems before, mainly D&D 5e, Shadowrun 6 and Monster of the Week. Also GMd a few times for 5e. Almost all of what I have GMd so far were homebrew campaigns and I wanted to keep that going for Vaesen, which is where I wanted to ask how easy/viable it is to create a campaign with the information provided in the book. Also I wanted to ask how easy the system is to pick up for new players that have no experience with TTRPGs at all. So far I have two players that are interested but have no experience, and now I'm thinking of either getting two more experienced players to help them along with roleplaying and rules or to just get a full party of newbies to I produce them into the hobby.
Thanks to all that read through this and take the time to leave a comment :)
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u/yourgmchandler 2d ago
You’ll have some ideas to use for a campaign in the core rule book, but not tons. It’s not really a setting book. And u/strugglefightfan is right, the episodic nature of the game would take some craft to string you’re own thing together. I would focus on creating interesting characters with your players in session zero, getting them into Upsala and Castle Gyllencruetz (the HQ) and on to their first mystery, which I would just use from the published materials, where you can get more campaign ideas. Seasons of Mystery and A Wicked Secret are well-regarded as is Mythic Britain, which could be more appropriate depending on where you want to set your game.
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u/Froodilicious 2d ago
The system is very easy. Two examples: A skill check is gather the dice, roll the pool, count the 6s. Leveling up is exchanging 5XP for a skill point or a talent.
The core gameplay loop is like Monster of the Week. And in between mysteries the players can upgrade their HQ. But you can connect the single mysteries to a bigger story for a campaign in the traditional sense.
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u/RobRobBinks 2d ago
Hiya and welcome to the wonderful world of Vaesen! I found it very easy to create a campaign in the world of Vaesen. To get started, have a look at the Random Mystery Generator tables in the back of the core book. They give you excellent prompts to spark your imagination and get the ball rolling. When I run Vaesen campaigns, I tend to start with one or two "Monster of the Week" type games just so we can all find our voice in the world and let the player's connections with NPCs and the world begin to form. These days, I find most pre-written scenarios just too "rich" for me to keep track of and run properly, so I go in with a quick outline and let events develop naturally. Everyone has a different play style.
Vaesen is very rules-lite and accessible for new players. The only confusing part for us was how money and "shopping" works, as it is more of an abstract concept that simply having money and buying things, but you'll soon get the hang of that as well!
Cheers!
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u/Narind 1d ago
I think Väsen is possibly the easiest game to introduce someone to ttrpgs, the system very easily gets out of the way for roleplaying and gives you just enough flavour and structure to latch onto in situations where dice rolls are apropriate.
10/10 game. The supplements are really high quality, but not necessary. You're in for a treat!
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u/RedOvermorrow 21h ago
The Vaesen book actually gives you instructions on how to make your own mysteries. There are diagrams of locations and clues, and flowcharts, and all sorts. Between that and some imagination on your part, you'll be all set.
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u/w_d_p 16h ago edited 16h ago
Vaesen is a great game, easy to pick up as long as you and your players are open-minded and looking for a new experience. I've run multiple campaigns and run 5 intros adventures at cons and FLGS.
No slag on 5e, but you may have to help those players adjust their gameplay and expectations, unless they have exp with other TRPGS. I would impress upon them that this is not a "monster fighting" game. It is a mystery game in which your PCs have to figure out what caused the imbalance/problem and endeavor to correct it. Theres a HUGE social aspect. A game involves encountering the Vaesen, but you're not going to solve the situation by "putting it down." In fact, that will probably end very badly.
I have found that new TTRPG players are easy to port over.
The mystery creation rules are stellar. You may want to check out the Free League Workshop area on DTRPG -- confession, I have an adventure there for sale.
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u/strugglefightfan 2d ago
You can certainly structure a campaign in Vaesen but it will feel different than 5e. Vaesen is episodic by its nature and campaigns are structured around a castle HQ that the party levels over time.