by Mikkel Bækgaard
For 84 days, the old man has caught nothing as he sets out. In his skiff, he must battle the sea, the fish, and himself. A scenario of perseverance, dignity, and respect for the all-encompassing nature.
Presentation
Players: 3-4
Gamemasters: 1
Total runtime: 2 hours
Danish/English characters and handouts in English
Age limit: 13+
Material to be read: 1 page
After 84 days without luck, the old man sets out once again in his skiff. He ventures onto La Mar, into the Gulf Stream, determined to hook the fish. Hungry, sun-wrinkled, and stubborn as few can be. And he is salao—the worst kind of unlucky. But this time, he knows he'll catch something.
The Old Man and the Sea is an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's Nobel Prize-winning novella of the same name. It is a short, lingering, and intense scenario about the solitary journey into the vast, all-encompassing nature – nature that is friend, foe, and brother all at once as the days pass and the man struggles to maintain himself, his life, and his dignity.
The scenario is a storytelling game where all players can take on the role of the old man, while also taking on roles such as the sea, the fish, and memories of what kind of man he once was. It is a scenario where rich descriptions and a deliberate pace take center stage, yet the story progresses steadily as strength wanes and the sharks grow ever closer.
- Sensory
- Narrative
- Hemmingway
Players: 4
Gamemasters: 1
Total runtime: 2 hours
Language: Danish
Age recommendation 13+
Material to be read: 1 page
Player types:
You like to narrate and describe, but like Hemingway, you also value forward momentum in the story and being precise with your words. You enjoy playing both the old man and his inner dialogues, but you’re also not afraid to take on the roles of the fish, the sea, and the threatening sharks. You don’t need to have read the book to play the scenario.
Gamemaster type:
As game master, your task is to set the framework and continuously present small role descriptions for the players to pick up and play. At the same time, you guide the story’s direction with inputs on where it should go. You don’t need to have read the book to run the scenario.
Content notes
Fishing, killing of animals
