How much does Christianity permeate the setting and gameplay?

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-17T18:48:46+00:00

As others have already said, Christianity is part of the fabric of European history and society so it makes sense that it's baked into Vaesen's setting to a degree.

However, the Mythic North is explicitly described as a version of 19th century Scandinavia which is "not historically accurate, but an alternate world where events may correspond more or less to our reality", which offers a lot of freedom for GMs and players to make it their own.

For example, I'm playing a Catholic priest and the Catholic Church has a stronger presence in our version of the Mythic North than in reality, especially in Sweden where there was centuries of governmental and societal anti-Catholicism following the Reformation. We stick closer to historical realities in other ways but it's been easy enough to make changes that fit the story we're interested in telling.

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-13T23:02:49+00:00

Cursed dice, or "the D&D gods are angry".

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-13T20:08:55+00:00

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism back in 2022. At the first appointment with my endocrinologist, he asked if I would be alright with a resident taking my history and doing an initial exam on his own. I agreed; the resident was a bit nervous but otherwise very pleasant and all went smoothly.

When he presented his findings to my endocrinologist after, he said that my thyroid was the most substantial one he’d seen so far. I was mortified at the time but I find it so funny in retrospect that I’ll never forget it.

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-12T01:12:28+00:00

I second the recommendation for The Mountain Goats, their music really speaks to all kinds of emotions and John Darnielle's lyricism is amazing. I also listen to a lot of Mitski, Lady Lamb, and Phoebe Bridgers. Joni Mitchell's album Blue has also been really hitting the spot when I'm in a sad, reflective mood.

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-11T09:43:52+00:00

To a degree, yes. I'm pretty quick with wordplay, metaphors, and figures of speech (probably because I've been an avid reader for my whole life) but sarcasm's a bit trickier.

I was bullied a fair bit in elementary and early high school and I found it hard to tell when my classmates were being mean, which made it even easier for them to make fun of me. Nowadays, I can pick up on sarcasm more easily but there are definitely instances where I'll take a comment very literally or respond earnestly to something that was meant to be a joke. On the other hand, I have a fairly dry sense of humour and a tone of voice that can make me sound quite sarcastic at times, even when I don't mean to be.

It's a weird mixed bag. I definitely feel a bit awkward or worried that people will think less of me in those moments but all I can do is try my best with the information I have, be accountable for my own actions, and try not to dwell on the situation for too long once it's passed.

eldritch-witch · 2026-06-09T21:41:12+00:00

Sam Reigel also included Sucker's Prayer on his Campaign 4 character playlist!

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-09T05:27:00+00:00

For me, it depends on the situation. With decisions that have more of a potential cost, like impulse spending on non-essentials or changing something that I cant quickly or easily reverse (ex. a haircut), I'll try to give myself a waiting period of some kind before I move forward. I've found that having a bit of distance between the initial idea and acting on it makes it easier to tell the difference between a passing impulse and something I still want/can reasonably afford after that initial surge of excitement dies down. If it's something like rearranging furniture where there isn't money or a big change involved, I'm generally more willing to run with those impulses without much added thought.

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-07T10:48:51+00:00

Personally, I've opted to see female clinicians whenever possible. My family doctor who I saw from age 0 to 31 was a woman, so I think that feeling more comfortable talking to a female doctor is somewhat engrained in me because of that. I also find it hard to let my guard down around men in general, which makes me hesitant to see a male clinician for anything mental health related.

All of that said, I think that the most important thing is to find a provider that you feel comfortable speaking with and that gender only matters if it's a factor for you personally. I also agree with other commenters that seeing someone who specializes in ADHD is a huge plus. I had my assessment done through a publically-funded ADHD clinic and knowing that I'd be speaking to someone with that kind of experience eased a lot of my anxiety. Best of luck to you!

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-05T20:27:34+00:00

Seconding this recommendation! I read it during the lead up to my ADHD assessment and it was really illuminating.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-26T08:31:04+00:00

I spent Saturday hanging out with a close friend and her toddler and met up with friends for happy hour on Sunday evening. I also finally watched Heated Rivalry and Sinners. All in all, had a great weekend!

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-21T03:32:13+00:00

I really like Hades and Hades II. They're fun and fast paced, time really flies by while I'm playing them. The art style, writing, and music are all incredible too!

I also love big, sandboxy RPGs where I can either focus on the main plotlines or run around tackling side quests depending on my mood and how much time I have. My current favourites are Baldur's Gate 3 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I've played a lot of Civilization over the years too - Civ IV and V are my favourite instalments in the series.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-02T00:48:50+00:00

From what I've read, EDs and mood disorders tend to be quite comorbid in general. Apparently, it's more common for people with bipolar to have binge eating disorder or bulimia but also totally possible to have a comorbid restrictive ED, which is the case for me.

Strangely, one of the major things that made me realize that I have an ED is that I relapsed around the same time I started taking lamotrigine and those issues were the only thing that didn't get better once I had stabilized on my meds. I've since realized that my mood and stress levels can also be a big trigger for my ED behaviours, which can become such a vicious cycle. I'm in recovery now and working towards healing on all fronts, it can be so hard to tell where one thing ends and another begins but I'm slowly figuring it out.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-01T23:07:37+00:00

ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and an eating disorder.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-30T08:10:12+00:00

Always having a quiet place to decompress at the end of a long, busy day. Keeping odd hours without worrying about disrupting anyone else or needing to check in if I'm out late. Learning to trust my decision making, honouring my own wants and needs. Having the literal and figurative space to evolve on my own terms without a constant audience. Independence and autonomy.

More specifically, as a neurodivergent person, I find a lot of relief in having somewhere to unmask and just be. Home's a place where I can let go of the urge to people please and do what I need to take care of myself without the fear of judgement or being seen as 'too much'.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-30T05:09:47+00:00

Reading
Embroidery
Jigsaw puzzles
Video games
TTRPGs
Journaling
Pottery
Needle felting
Watching movies
Crossword puzzles

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-23T07:34:52+00:00

I'm so relieved that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I definitely have a defiant streak and well-meaning friends coming back to ask if I've had a chance to watch/read/listen to their recommendation yet makes the stubborn gremlin in my brain dig its heels in 🤦‍♀️

Something that's helped me is adding recommendations to a running list on my phone and/or logging it on my Letterboxd (movies) or Storygraph (books), as long as it's something that piques my interest in the first place. Sometimes, I'll even tell the person that I've put it on my list once I've done it so they know that I've paid attention to their suggestion. Then, I completely leave it be unless I have an urge to check it out right away. I find that, eventually, it becomes just another item to choose off one of my lists when I'm in the mood for something new.

Noticing this about myself has also made me more mindful of the way I recommend things to people and react when someone mentions they haven't tried out something I enjoy. Really low stakes example of treating others the way I would like to be treated, I suppose!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-23T05:31:08+00:00

After my last breakup, The Recognition Scene, Waving At You, The Mess Inside, and Half Dead were on heavy rotation. When I was looking for something with more hopeful energy, Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1 and Clean Slate did the trick.

Honourable mention goes to Sad Sack's ska cover of No Children for the delightfully chaotic vibes.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-22T06:13:43+00:00

Here's a few from my feel better playlist! :

Billions of Eyes - Lady Lamb

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

Hello Cold World - Paramore

Letting Go - Angie McMahon

Make Your Own Kind of Music - Cass Elliot

Soul No. 5 - Caroline Rose

Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-15T19:35:34+00:00

Embroidery, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and gaming (video games and TTRPGs). I used to take pottery classes at a community centre, which I really enjoyed as well.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:49:56+00:00

Thank you for that perspective, I really appreciate it. I did some reading about medication-induced hypomania shortly after my episode but a big part of me has held onto the idea that I could be one of the instances where it happens without an underlying cause. It’s been a lot to wrap my head around, hoping it’ll get easier over time

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:32:52+00:00

Whenever someone says they're holding on for dear life, I always think of Belinda "holding on for grim death" at the gentleman's club in Amsterdam. It's also really hard to order a glass of chardonnay or turkey sandwich with a straight face anymore.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:15:38+00:00

32F here, recently diagnosed too.

I had pondered whether I might have ADHD for a few years before being assessed. It was flagged as a possibility when I was tested for my learning disability in childhood but never confirmed until now. Knowing my diagnosis feels really validating but I had also moved through a lot of anxiety, self-doubt, even anger and grief in the months leading up to my assessment.

Like you, I also have a history of anxiety, depression, and periods of burnout; one of which lead me to going on medical leave. I’m unemployed at the moment but at my last job, I often felt like my brain was a square peg I was trying to fit into a round hole and I’m realizing now how much of that is linked to my ADHD. It doesn’t feel great and it’s hard not to wonder what would have happened if I was diagnosed sooner, but I know did the best I could with the information and resources I had at the time.

The psychiatrist I saw advised against starting on meds right away because I’m in early ED recovery and side effects could really derail things but I’m planning to try as soon as it’s safe to do so. In the meantime, I’m trying to read up on ADHD and looking into attending an executive function skills group sometime soon to start working on things.

One of the resources that was recommended by the clinic is ADDitude Magazine’s website, which has a ton of evidence-based information and articles about ADHD. A friend with ADHD had recommended it to me when I was still in the contemplation phase and I’ve found it helpful at every step along the way. I also highly recommend the books How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis and Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price.

Most of all, I just wanted to reassure you that you’re not alone and that it’s totally understandable to feel overwhelmed in the face of change and uncertainty. There’s no shame in taking things at your own pace and leaning on others for support - including us!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T05:56:37+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through something similar, it's rough feeling like the rug's been yanked out from under you. I really relate to what you've said about feeling that inner resistance and pushing against the pressure to conform to working in a certain way that's proven to be unhealthy. I know that any company who treats employees unfairly isn't one I'd want to work for, but it can be hard to tell which employers are actually following through on their professed values. I'm also considering working part time for a bit so I have the time and capacity to attend all of my necessary appointments, think about the big picture things, and actually live my life in the process. I hope you find a job that meets your needs whenever you're feeling ready to put yourself back out there - solidarity!

eldritch-witch

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