The Art of Hygge

It’s 1999, a group of foreign exchange students (the player-characters) Copenhagen are in a bit of a pickle. They need to write an essay on Danish culture, they’ve done nothing, and the deadline is looming. Sound familiar? That alone is enough to give this reviewer nightmares. Luckily there’s a friendly local offering a crash course in ‘Hygge’ – a Danish custom involving good vibes with familiar people in a cosy setting.

The friendly local turns out to be one Amanda Hansen, a strikingly attractive heiress, ex-dancer, and current artist. She offers to educate the investigators in the practise and significance of Hygge, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Over the course of the next three weeks, the investigators will have the opportunity to participate in Amanda’s educational workshops, explore Copenhagen a bit, and, well, do some investigation. There is the distinct possibility that the investigators will discover more than they bargained for. A lot more.

Positives

• A 27-page one-shot with a sophisticated vibe
• Comes with a spotify playlist
• Features a primer on Denmark and Danish culture
• Comes with 4 pre-generated investigators
• Has great artwork and a readable layout
• Contains a map and 6 handouts
• A compelling antagonist and plot

Negatives

• Needs an edit
• Could do with some NPCs to add to the atmosphere
• The background plot and antagonist’s motivations could be made clearer
• The nihilistic tone may not suit all players

Overall

An intimate and claustrophobic one-shot juxtaposing cosiness on the one hand and unalloyed horror on the other. With the addition of an NPC or two, this scenario has the potential to deliver a snowballing sense of dread with a sting in the tail. The inevitable and tragic end of this one-shot will leave the investigators with more questions than answers, and could serve as an ideal springboard for further investigations of an antagonist with some serious plot potential.

Get it here: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/447791/the-art-of-hygge

The Art of Hygge is part of the Northern Lights and Darkness bundle, a collection of scenarios set in Nordic countries, showcasing Nordic culture