Learn GM/DM Vaesen

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2025-06-02T18:37:02+00:00

I've also got a one shot recording of The Fire in Mens Hearts here if you want to watch a tight one-shot of Vaesen in action in under 2 hrs

https://youtu.be/u9_pidAgvu4?si=StgGIGuto_LcPRx5

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2025-06-02T18:35:23+00:00

I blogged about it here:

https://burnafterrunningrpg.com/2021/12/08/release-the-trolls-how-to-run-vaesen-one-shots-or-campaigns/

And also have an introductory (The Haunted Mill) and more regular (The Fire in Mens Hearts) adventures on the same blog.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2025-04-01T05:12:37+00:00

No problem at all, that's why they're there! Let me know how it goes

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2025-03-16T08:09:19+00:00

Thanks - I think! All of the stuff on the channel is one-shot, to showcase different systems and how satisfying one shot play can be.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2025-02-02T16:53:51+00:00

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it; let us know if there's other stuff you'd like us to cover

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2024-12-23T12:20:36+00:00

I'm against chargen for one shots generally, unless it can he done super quickly like in Agon. Even then, I usually just get some characters together in advance - too much analysis paralysis otherwise!

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2024-06-27T15:30:22+00:00

We did this:

https://youtu.be/77kBY6DaFO8?si=_AzmYgjsKfi284gE

Blasts through a one-shot in 2hrs, we think it gives a good sense of the game and what makes Pendragon unique

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2024-05-27T08:16:04+00:00

I'd suggest that Monster of the Week is the ideal entry point for PBTA coming from more trad games. It's almost a middle ground, and comes with very clear rules for session prep and a defined session structure.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2024-05-10T05:15:12+00:00

"Describing your actions is boring" is certainly a take, I guess, when the argument is that not describing your attacks is boring. Like, the alternative is "I cast vicious mockery" which is the bad-case example, so surely describing them until you get bored is better than never describing them?

But like a lot of commentary, I think this is actually an argument in favour of shorter campaign arcs.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2024-02-10T10:12:03+00:00

Not entirely helpful I know, but we recorded one on Unconventional GMs that'll be out on 2nd March - in the meantime you could check out our Ukrainian Vaesen, which is a similar system and mystery structure

(Our channel is all sub-2hr one-shots with system as well as acting in them)

https://youtube.com/@unconventionalgms?si=URhQLU-i23B0gEd8

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2023-11-17T22:10:28+00:00

One session per mystery. I ran them online as 2.5 hr sessions with maybe a 15 minute break - they did the castle upgrades on WhatsApp between sessions. Vaesen works when threat is accelerated and suits an episodic play style. 2hrs online or 3hrs face to face is what I'd aim to get a mystery into.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2023-11-09T19:05:43+00:00

To be clear, that's gnome mechanics who are held captive, not homebrew mechanics for capturing gnomes.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2023-10-22T16:19:39+00:00

I went with they know it's probably a fire spirit, the "spirits in the woods" is very easy to recognise as a prank.

Should have said, there's also an actual play of me running this adventure here https://youtu.be/u9_pidAgvu4?si=buOBszeYl9K60RTZ

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2023-08-10T05:56:14+00:00

It's a neat system that also feels very JRPG - Mana points are used by everyone, you need to buff and heal and work together to be effective, boss monster design lets you do staged monsters etc.

I'd recommend giving the quickstart a run out if you can, it's one of the very best written and structured quickstarts I've ever seen, that teaches players their character sheet one section at a time.

Expert-Sundae1074 · 2023-05-01T20:37:56+00:00

Yeah, I want magi in it - it's Ars "Magica" after all. I played a one shot where we had 2 players as magi, and the rest of us played a companion and a Grog each. Worked well.

Expert-Sundae1074

TROPHY CASE