*
Full disclosure: This product was sent to us for an honest and objective review. No promises were made of financial remuneration, free gifts or holidays in the sunny Bahamas in exchange for our review…….sadly.
*
A short time ago I received a message here at 5DHQ from across the North sea in Denmark from someone explaining a rather exciting Cthulhu venture that he and some Scandinavian acquaintances are involved in. The gentleman in question, Poul Holmlund, talked passionately about the group combining their love of Cthulhu with the rich and varied backdrop of culture and history.
He asked if we would be interested in looking at the content that has been produced……. well you know the answer to that, don’t you?
*
Here you will find scenarios, written by authors from each of the Nordic countries – including the cultural region of Sápmi, which encompass parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Every scenario is set in the modern-day era and takes place in each writer’s native country.
*
In the wide realm of Call of Cthulhu, where cosmic horrors lurk in every corner, lies a land that might just surprise you. Brace yourself, English-speaking investigators, for the Nordic countries! These modern, open-minded, and oh-so Nordic lands not only excel in economic standards and environmental friendliness, but they also boast a remarkable talent for summoning cosmic terrors. Who would have thought that such well-functioning societies could also harbor eldritch abominations? Embrace the chaos and let the madness unfold in this unlikely paradise of horror!
*
*
Each of the countries has its own unique cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Denmark, known for its charming cities, fairy-tale castles, and the iconic statue of The Little Mermaid, offers a setting filled with rich history and hidden secrets. Finland, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” is home to vast forests, picturesque lakeside villages, and the vibrant capital city of Helsinki. Iceland, with its otherworldly landscapes, geothermal wonders, and a vibrant literary tradition, provides a haunting backdrop for eldritch horrors. Norway, with its breathtaking fjords, majestic mountains, and vibrant coastal cities, offers a blend of natural beauty and chilling mysteries. And Sweden, boasting a mix of picturesque countryside and modern urban life, is brimming with folklore and ancient legends waiting to be uncovered.
(The Scandinavian Tourist Board can use the above segment for nearly free of charge anytime they wish……)
*
Despite their different cultures and languages, the Nordic countries have a shared history that dates back to their Viking ancestry. This compilation allows players to delve into the depths of ancient legends, uncover dark secrets, and confront unimaginable horrors lurking beneath the surface of these seemingly idyllic societies.
*
So, if you’re looking for a unique twist on Lovecraftian horror, where the mythologies of the Nordic countries collide with the cosmic horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos, this compilation is sure to captivate your imagination and take you on an unforgettable journey into the realms of terror and madness.
*
*
So, to all you fearless and audaciously adventurous souls! Brace yourselves for a chilling Lovecraftian journey into the realm of icy terror and ghostly whispers. Will you be the brave hero or heroine to face the frozen frights ahead? Embrace the spine-tingling thrills and let the laughter melt away the ghastly frost! Because there is something stirring just beneath that bright and happy surface.
They invite you all to discover it.
Welcome to the lands of Northern Lights and Darkness.
*
So far, four stories have been produced by the group so let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
*
The Art of Hygge By Poul Holmlund
*
Something is indeed rotten in the state of Denmark as four American exchange students are about to find out while they explore the Danish cultural phenomenon of hygge.
*
On the surface everything seems tranquil in the late winter of 1999 as a renowned dancer and artist seeks to guide our hopefull students into the deeper aspect of Danish culture, but looks can be deceiving and a fairy tale ending may not be in the script.
*
The Art of Hygge is a scenario for one Keeper and four Investigators including four pre-generated charachters. The art and handouts is combined with a Spotify playlist tailored to generate a thematic experience around the Danish phenome of Hygge as well as the subversion of it. The playlist is not essential to the scenario so a subscribtion to Spotify is not necessary.
The Art of Hygge is available at DriveThruRPG
*
*
Tuorsjaure – A shadow of what once was
*
Åke Rönnkvist was gone. And it wasn’t just him, but his entire house and yard had been swallowed by the earth. Even the dog pen and the garage were gone. The only thing that remained was an enormous, gaping, dark hole. At the bottom – at least a twenty-metre drop – roots, gravel, and rocks were the only things visible now. News agencies swarmed the place for a few days and seismologists proclaimed it “the freak accident of the century”. A sinkhole in a region where this is unheard of. Even the BBC visited the small, unseemly village of Tuorsjaure, at what they described as the ‘edge of the world in the ancestral lands of the Sámi people’. The locals were not impressed.
*
*
A local group of activists were quick to accuse the company Jaguar Mining of being responsible for the accident, even though the company had only done exploratory drilling far out of town. “If anyone thinks that we’ve drilled huge tunnels all the way to the edge of the village, they know squat about how our business works”, their CEO Sören Enqvist answered in an interview with Swedish national news. A few days later the official investigation concluded that there were no indications of Jaguar being responsible for the event. And as the news value cooled off, things slowly went back to normal in little Tuorsjaure. As normal as it could be in a hotspot of conflicts between climate activists, indigenous Sámi, and big business.
*
The local Sámi elders muttered amongst themselves that no one should have meddled with Bearwater Hill. And as was always the case, the rest of the villagers ignored their warnings.
Welcome to Sápmi, in the far, far north.
Tuorsjaure – A shadow of what once was is available at DriveThruRPG
*
*
Dreamers of the Bogland By Wille Ruotsalainen
*
Myths of the Kalevala, iron age bog grave and epidemy of madness are connected in this present-day adventure. Cthulhu mythology lives in dark corners of Finland and investigators will meet both academic challenges and great danger..
*
This scenario is part of the Northern Lights and Darkness collection.
Scenarios in this collection share the common traits that they are set in a Nordic country, written by a native of said country and set in a modern setting.
Dreamers of the Bogland is available now at DriveThruRPG
*
*
The Tunnel People by Jonas Morian
*
In this Call of Cthulhu 7th edition scenario, the investigators are urban explorers in modern-day Stockholm, Sweden. They have found a hidden blog post from a fellow explorer who went missing some years ago, and in it is revealed that the explorer has discovered a hidden research facility from the 1950s underneath a busy metro station. The investigators set out to find it for themselves.
*
The scenario is suitable for 3-4 investigators, and four suggestions for player characters to use are included.
*
It takes place in dark underground tunnel systems and includes references to addiction, prostitution, and other social misery, as well as elements of body horror. There is no traditional Cthulhu Mythos entity in the scenario, but hints of connections between the Mythos and the horrific zombie-like creatures that the investigators are likely to come across, are woven into the narrative.
*
The scenario is a part of the Northern Lights and Darkness, where authors from each of the Nordic countries writes a modern-day scenario set in their respective native country. The idea is to let English-speaking Call of Cthulhu players from around the globe discover what an excellent playground for cosmic horror this part of the world can be.
*
The Tunnel People is available at DriveThruRPG
*
*