Vaesen RPG: Common Mysteries and How to Solve Them
By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Tips & Care
A practical guide for Vaesen GMs on diagnosing and resolving typical mystery scenarios, from missing persons to cursed objects, with clear steps and tools.
Quick Answer
To solve a Vaesen mystery, identify the symptom (what the players observe), then trace it to the likely cause (a specific vaesen or cursed object), and apply the corrective action (negotiation, banishment, or destruction). Stop when the threat is neutralized or the players choose to walk away.
Common Mystery Symptoms and Their Causes
Missing persons in a remote village often point to a Huldra or a Näcken luring victims into the woods or water. Look for signs like strange lights, sudden disappearances near a river, or a beautiful stranger no one recognizes.
Cursed objects that cause misfortune or illness usually involve a Tomte or a Vittra whose territory was disturbed. The object might be a stolen heirloom, a moved boundary stone, or a gift from the forest.
Haunted locations with cold spots, whispers, or recurring accidents suggest a restless spirit or a Skogsrå protecting a sacred grove. The key clue is often a broken promise or a forgotten ritual.
Corrective Actions for Vaesen GMs
Negotiation works best when the vaesen has a clear grievance: return what was taken, restore a boundary, or perform a forgotten rite. Offer the players a chance to research local folklore or speak with an elder for the correct ritual.
Banishment requires specific tools or knowledge. For example, iron weapons or a blessed object can drive away a Myling. Let the players gather clues to discover the weakness rather than handing it to them.
Destruction is a last resort. It may anger other vaesen or break a local balance. Use it only when negotiation fails and the threat is immediate. Afterward, the community might face consequences like blighted crops or bad luck.
When to Stop or Choose Another Option
If the players lack the right tools or information, let them retreat and prepare. A mystery that feels unsolvable can become a recurring plot thread. Alternatively, offer a risky bargain with a neutral vaesen for aid.
If the players decide to leave the mystery unresolved, that is a valid outcome. The village might suffer, but the campaign continues. This reinforces the horror theme: not every problem has a clean solution.
Diagnosis: Solving a Vaesen Mystery
- Symptom: What do the players observe? Examples: a child goes missing, crops wither overnight, strange sounds come from the forest. Gather at least three distinct clues before jumping to conclusions.
- Likely Cause: Which vaesen or curse fits the pattern? Cross-reference with local folklore and the players' research. If the cause is unclear, introduce an NPC who knows a relevant legend.
- Corrective Action: Choose negotiation, banishment, or destruction based on the vaesen's nature and the players' resources. Always have a backup plan if the first action fails.
- Stop or Choose Another Option: If the players cannot proceed, let them retreat or offer an alternative path. Not every mystery must be solved immediately. An unresolved mystery can deepen the campaign's horror and mystery.
Tools for the Vaesen GM
- John Carter of Mars: Landscape and Location Card Deck: John Carter of Mars: Landscape and Location Card Deck is a science-fantasy roleplaying game accessory that provides 54 cards with locations and landscapes. While designed for John Carter of Mars, this card deck can inspire Vaesen GMs to quickly generate atmospheric locations for mysteries, such as a cursed marsh or an abandoned mine.
- One More Quest - The Adventures Mixtape: One More Quest - The Adventures Mixtape contains a series of hilarious dungeoning adventures including a submarine mission, a dead dragon's intestines, and a necromantic quest for a punchline. The creative scenario structures in this mixtape can give Vaesen GMs ideas for how to frame a mystery with multiple stages, from investigation to confrontation, in a lighthearted tone.
- Wilderfeast - Combat Tracker: Wilderfeast - Combat Tracker is a game accessory with a board and 7 tokens (1 monster token and 6 tool tokens) for tracking distances during hunts. Vaesen GMs can repurpose the Combat Tracker to manage chase scenes or ritual confrontations, keeping track of player positions relative to a vaesen or a key object.
