How to Play Vaesen, by Free League Publishing

[@StarshipsSteel]

I feel obligated to post this whenever a Vaesen thing comes up. This is *EASILY* the most beautiful book I have in my collection. From the art through to the cover and inside paper texture makes this a *MUST* have as a physical product, EVEN if you play out of the digital copy. Combat: Don't do it. Potentially one of the deadliest games in my collection.

[@annerichmond]

So deadly! It gets scary FAST.

[@ThomasVanhala]

Just found out about The Lost Mountain Sage thanks to Free League announcing The Lost Mountain Sage campaign book. As a swede that learned about vaesen from my grandparents it is a fun to listen the podcast.

[@VaeZines]

Vaesen is a great game. It's nice to see it get coverage on YT.

[@annerichmond]

It's so great and the book is so beautiful. I'm glad I got to capture some of my feelings in this vid. Few books FEEL so good to hold and to look through.

[@TheLordWinter]

Loved the first season of the Lost Mountain Saga, and can't wait for the next one!

[@annerichmond]

I cannot WAIT to share it with you. We've only gotten one episode in the can so far

[@smoglesgames9333]

I love the note of only rolling for particularly difficult challenges or when opposed. I need that reminder so that each of the rolls has more stakes. BRB getting Vaesen and listening to Lost Mountain.

[@annerichmond]

Yesss! It really keeps the story rolling and it's something I try to keep in mind for other systems as well. Over-rolling can grind things to a halt.

[@grzegorzzotorzynski5760]

Just bought Vaesen bundle, and plan to run campaign. I'll send your video to my players. Great video, will watch again!

[@annerichmond]

Enjoy! It’s a very fun game!

[@alannafranko915]

This is much appreciated. O matter how many times I read a new set of rules it always helps to hear it out loud.

[@annerichmond]

Happy to help you review!

[@ainsel98]

thank you so much for this guide/exploration! i'm not usually one for TTRPG with less combat but this seems like a really cool way to play

[@JP-sv2dk]

Glad I found this video, ordered after I watched. Can't wait to dive in...the art work alone is worth it!

[@annerichmond]

Oh man I hope you love it!

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Wonderful video. Purchased this and very excited to run it as my first RPG

[@garyguy4826]

Thank you Annie, I will look for your Season Two Campaign

[@messenger3478]

I sooo want to buy this book soon! I found a solo rules supplement I want to get. I love this genre!

[@aimeepartain1248]

My friend (and dm) found the book in a used bookstore and I felt a draw to it but adhd was freaking out so we just bought it. I actually sat down and opened it today. I'm so FREAKING EXCITED! It's right up both of our alleys. Thanks for the helpful video. 💜

[@tariqkhawaja2720]

This is an Awesome review thanks Anne! Great breakdown of the game and character creation. Awesome to hear the second season is set with a British Folklore background, I tried to get into the Lost Mountain Saga 1st Season but struggled with some audio issues in the first couple episodes, I'll jump into the 2nd Season now! Subbed for more Vaesen content :)

[@annerichmond]

Awesome! These are completely new characters so you should be good to jump on in.

[@edwardromero3580]

Got it for Christmas. Can’t wait to run it.

[@annerichmond]

I hope you have a blast!

[@saskiascott8181]

This was so helpful. Thanks. I'll be checking out your podcast for sure.

[@dinokaos]

You nailed it like ALWAYS!! This book seems very interesting 🤔. Thank you for sharing your excellent short narrative on vassen in this video. I'm definitely going to go check out season 1 of your podcast, head bard in charge, till next time, take care!

[@annerichmond]

So glad you liked it. This game really is special and gives you gothic horror, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Sherlock Holmes vibes.

[@CVFMusic]

I always enjoy your takes on systems I'm unfamiliar with. I'll definitely pick this one up. Thanks, as ever.

[@annerichmond]

Of course! Thanks for watching.

[@zacharyhailey2120]

I am live commenting on this 1. Can confirm, go listen to Lost Mountain, its astounding. 2). Love the art to this book. Its absolutely beautiful. 3). I love the mechanic of having a dark secret. This is such a joy for all of us edgy rogues who just want to dump our tragedy on the others at the table!! hahah! 4). I also love the age mechanics. This is used in other RPGs occasionally, and I really like it! It adds a level of realism to me that I like! 5). Of course its the humans who are starting the aggressive negotiations!! haha! 6). Really like the additional actions you can take if you have multiple successes! That's so fun! 7). At 17:00, I also really like your take on "why a longer campaign is good"! It seems that the this would bring to life the characters, rather than (or in addition to) just the world itself. JUST $5 TO SIGN UP FOR A TABLE ON PATREON, HOT DOG! All in all, great video Anne! Thanks so much for your work on this one!!!

[@annerichmond]

So glad you enjoyed it. The longer campaign thing could be applied to anything but I feel like choosing your secret is a big part of character creation, recovery, and gaining advantages, so if you don’t get to engage with it in a one shot mystery, did it even need to exist?

[@borusa32]

I am very happy with Vaesen and am looking forward to the Mythic Britain and Ireland book..

[@annerichmond]

It’s so good! We’ve been playing out of it for Lost Mountain Saga!

[@aventuraenlafogata649]

I love how this game looks, reads and it's designed. I love the concept, the art and the mechanics. I just need to find a group to play. Great video

[@annerichmond]

It’s so fun! Fingers crossed for you. Thanks for watching!

[@vernonhampton5863]

I was not expecting that back that ass up to be in a Vessen breakdown. Not a complaint

[@grayorganization]

Going to start my first mystery this weekend hopefully and I find the academic very interesting!!!

[@karadordarkraven]

Just bougt this & it is fantastic!

[@annerichmond]

One of my fav’s!

[@samryan8703]

Great video! Very informative

[@taffysaint]

Great video, really clear. I've had Vaesen on my shelf for a while but haven't run it yet but I have run and played a few other Year Zero games and it's just great system for narrative play. Also the artwork is (as with all FL games) AMAZING. I love just reading the thing. If I ever get to play this as an actual player and not a GM,I am 100% rolling up Wooster as a servant. The great news is that Free League launched an Organized Play system last month so you should hopefully start seeing a lot more opportunity to try the game at cons in the future. The question is....once you get to Coriolis ...will Starfinder still have any place in your heart? :). (No, the answer is no. Coriolis is AMAZING)

[@annerichmond]

It's one of the best FEELING books I've ever owned. It feels like so much love and attention went into it and the artist did our pictures for Lost Mountain as well. It felt so in-world and special to see them through that lense.

[@taffysaint]

@@annerichmond yeah the artwork is incredible and unique to Vaesen. I own a bunch of free league stuff and every book is beautiful to hold and look at, and the illustrations are always pitch perfect. They really understand the importance of artwork when it comes to conveying the feeling of a setting.

[@AustinKazda]

Subbed

[@cwesley2005]

Awesome video! Please do more vaesen vids!!

[@RavBunneh]

My Free League "true love" is Forbidden Lands =:3

[@annerichmond]

What do you love most about it?

[@StarshipsSteel]

@@annerichmond I'm gonna jump in here cause, what the heck! We just started running this with my Wednesday night group. We are playing it about once a month along with other games. I chose this system for several reasons. 1) I like YZE. 2) Lack of GM Prep 3) Improve my ability to improv. The huge sandbox nature of this game is a big part of my attraction to it. My players have explored like 5 hexes and a dungeon and none of us knows what is up next! Cool art as well!

[@michaelroberts9781]

i was looking for a system , i think this will be a perfect for the idea i have

[@jcraigwilliams70]

Quick question: when using extra successes in combat to outmaneuver an opponent, do you swap initiative right away, or wait until the next round begins?

[@georgeowain]

I saw this book on sale in a charity shop. £30!

[@ericwarner7254]

I think the atmosphere and esthetic look really cool. I don't know about the mechanics though, am I too used to D&D? Do you feel like it is better or worse or just different?

[@annerichmond]

I think it can feel a little all or nothing because you can roll 11 dice but if none of them are 6, that’s zero successes - but that is kinda good for the horror genre. You don’t have magic - you’re humans in extreme circumstance and you can still come out on top but it’s meant to be challenging and for success to be able more than combat mechanics.

[@ericwarner7254]

@@annerichmond Thank you!

[@MrNitrox91]

I mus commend you on your superb prenounsiation of "Väsen". Do you have alot of swedish relatives or something?

[@annerichmond]

Hahah I’ve also been told I do it wrong? But my GM from The Lost Mountain Saga is Swedish so she has tried to coach me!

[@TerrierHalo]

And as an added bonus, once you know this you are pretty much ready for any YZ game. Who doesn’t want to be a robot in an post apocalyptic world. ;) And I’ll play the Hunter for sure. An older grumpy man who says “It’s probably an angry badger” no matter what they hear and see.

[@annerichmond]

I loved Occultist and Vagabond... And I'm playing a Hunter in season 2 of Lost Mountain Saga.

[@Zectari]

do you take 1 physical condition per damage in combat? you never take mental conditions in combat? 4 damage in combat = instantly broken?

[@annerichmond]

You can take mental conditions depending on the creature or from pushing in combat. And yes, one physical condition per damage. Fear also causes mental conditions and often proc’s at the top of combat or a Vaesen reveal.

[@PpAirO5]

You english speakers pronounce it wrong 😅 It's Væsen/Vaesen. The "æ" or "ae" sound is like the sound in the word "Veil." 😊

[@annerichmond]

I play with a Swedish person who has told me no mater how I attack the vowel it’s not exactly right. I’m sorry for butchering it haha

[@halladall1]

I can't help but think it needs to be pronounced Væsen... that means "Creature"

[@annerichmond]

It 100 percent is supposed to be pronounced that way I just have trouble saying it like that because you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but it’s very hard to take the flat A’s out of a midwestern girl.

[@halladall1]

@@annerichmond Oh it's not hard actually. I have tried teaching the Æ to many a foreigner. It's just like the A in the word "gay". That usually does the trick ^^

[@jannickdepoilly3586]

Btw the pronunciation with emphasis on 'a' (sounds like va-sen), in Danish that word means 'the vase' which isn't the word here.