TALES FROM THE GLORANTHA TRADING ASSOCIATION Sun in Shadow (October, 2001)
Greetings to Observers of the Glorantha Trading Association. We sorrow
with
the world over harms wrought to the innocent just a few weeks ago. In
stillness, Hail Issaries and Chalana Arroy. Hearken to the word on
Glorantha, Issaries Inc., its partner publishers, and GTA activity.
You receive this newsletter as an observer of the GTA, and you can
remove
your name from this mailing list with an email saying "NO NEWSLETTER" to
<gta_at_...>. If you're address is not up to date, or you know
someone who'd also like to be a Hero Wars Observer, drop us a line. We
are
aware that some of you might be receiveing this newsletter at multiple
addresses, or might even be a paid member of the GTA. If any of this has
occured, we apologize; we are doing everything possible to remove such
duplications. Just let us know, and we will remove all such
duplications.
Below you'll find tales and details about:
A New Look for Hero Wars Recently Spotted at Issaries Hero Wars Release Schedule Revised Hero Wars In Its Second Edition On the Horizon Here a Band, There a Band, Everywhere a Hero Band Unspoken Words Gloranthan Short Takes Foreign Editions Orlanth Still Wants You! Glorantha Con is On! Another Drawing Parting Shot
A NEW LOOK FOR HERO WARS
Hero Wars is getting a new look! Beginning in October, all Hero Wars
supplements and core books will be in the "standard game format" of
8.5"x11" instead of the line's previous trade paperback format. Most
supplements will be 64 or 72 page books. The first two books in the new
format will be Barbarian Adventures and Orlanth is Dead!, previously
announced as a single title, Sartar Rising. These and other forthcoming
books like Hero Wars Second Edition are described below.
"This format gives us more flexibility with the line," says Issaries,
Inc.
president Greg Stafford, "and allows us to improve the appearance of our
books, both inside and out. Additionally, we get better display
opportunities in retail placement if Hero Wars is the standard size."
The
Hero Wars Fiction line, whose first offering (The Complete Griselda) was
released in September, will remain in the trade paperback format.
RECENTLY SPOTTED AT ISSARIES
The Complete Griselda has shipped, as Issaries web watchers know. Fans
have
complained for years that The Collected Griselda from Reaching Moon
Megacorp is out of print. Like that prior version, with new stories and
features this edition will go quickly. Have you got yours yet?
The Complete Griselda
Short fiction by Oliver Dickinson
ISS 4502, ISBN 1-929052-11-1, 224 pages (trade paperback format), $17.95
For years we've enjoyed Oliver's stories about Griselda, an adventurer
in
the city of Pavis whose exploits are the subject of wonder, admiration
and
fear. Now, all of his published stories plus several new ones, are
collected into a single book: 28 stories about life in the Big Rubble
with
humor, irony, and an intimate knowledge of life in the ancient ruins.
Witness the loyalty of Wolfhead the bandit and the cleverness of Hurbie
the
con man. See Griselda's decisive action when confronting swords, and
more
clumsy ripostes at love. Marvel at her invincibility as she defies death
and all challengers in Pavis, deadliest city in the Praxian wastes.
HERO WARS RELEASE SCHEDULE REVISED
Issaries, Inc. recently revised their release schedule for the next six
months. All pages at <www.herowars.com> have been revised to match the
details presented below. The first book (The Complete Griselda) is
available now, and all four of the books slated for release afterwards
are
in various stages of editing (Barbarian Adventures is being laid out as
you
read this). The core components of the next few books are in place, and
several additional manuscripts are in hand as well.
October: Barbarian Adventures (Sartar Rising, volume 1) By Greg Stafford, Robin D. Laws, and friends ISS 1401, ISBN 1-929052-05-7, 72 pages (standard format), $14.95
Everyday, danger and opportunity confront the Orlanthi barbarians of
Sartar. Heroes who step out in front of their communities face such
challenges and take the first step on the long, hazardous road that is
the
Hero Wars. Everyday activities such as cattle raids, blood feuds, and
riding patrol teach players what it means to be a Heortling.
Introductory
adventures familiarize players with the everyday risks of life in the
hills. But are your heroes brave enough to defy the Imperial oppressors?
Will they venture further into the maelstrom of the Hero Wars?
You'll find more on the History, Tribes of Sartar with a map, and Travel
Customs, the advice of the Clan Lawspeaker or the aid of powerful
specialists, Heortling Neighbors, Imperial Enemies, Wanderers, and
Oddballs
to enliven any campaign. Seasonal Clan Events, Triggered Episodes, and
Everyday Challenges, Fight Chaos monstrosities as you uncover an evil
buried deep within your clan, Become embroiled in a deadly feud caused
by a
horse and Escort a group of unusually friendly healers around the
countryside. Barbarian Adventures is the first volume of the Sartar
Rising
series. For both players and narrators, who need Hero Wars to use it
fully.
November: Orlanth is Dead! (Sartar Rising, volume 2)
By Greg Stafford and friends
ISS 1402, ISBN 1-929052-15-4, 72 pages (standard format), $14.95
Winds stop. Air thins. Magic fails. Winter begins, out of season. You expect to hear the news any time now, but you already know the truth: Whitewall has fallen. The old world is over. "Where will you be when the Hero Wars begin?"
Orlanth is Dead! begins the Sartar Campaign and the Hero Wars with an
epic
conflict against the Lunar Empire. As winter deepens and spring fails to
come, the rebellion begins in southern Sartar at the supernatural
struggle
later known as the Battle of Iceland. This end of the world is not just
for
great heroes and famous leaders. It embraces everyone with its cold,
terminal doom. During this final battle even ordinary Orlanthi tribesmen
have a chance to begin their own epic careers if they survive!
Orlanth is Dead! is the second volume of the Sartar Rising series. It
includes Notes for running a game as part of the Sartar Campaign, A Hero
Wars Timeline for that Campaign, Details on Kallyr Starbrow, Solving the
Mystery of Argrath, A Clan Questionnaire to discover the mythic history
of
your ancestors, Statistics for eight great leaders of the rebellion,
including Kallyr Starbrow, Minaryth Purple, and King Broyan, Statistics
for
Lunar foes, including Buthur Dognose & Vatheria Scorchsword, and a
schedule
of events from the fall of Whitewall to the Battle of Iceland The Battle
of
Iceland -- the epic battle against the Lunars that will break the
Endless
Winter or seal the fate of the Orlanthi. For both players and narrators,
who need Hero Wars to use it fully.
December: Hero's Book
By Mark Galeotti and Greg Stafford, based on Hero Wars by Robin D. Laws
ISS 1002, ISBN 1-929052-13-8, 64 pages (standard format), $12.95
Hero's Book has everything a player needs to know to play Hero Wars: all
of
the game's key rules and many tips for creating effective heroes, using
the
rules to advantage and role-playing in the world of Glorantha
unintimidated
by its vast scope and history. It sets the stage for the new year by
being
fully compatible with the second edition rules, but is also of immediate
interest and use to players of the first edition. Twelve beginning
characters examples could be any player's first hero.
January 2002: A Promise of Thunder
By Robin D. Laws
ISS 4503, ISBN 1-929052-14-6, 224 pages (trade paperback format), $17.95
Issaries, Inc. proudly offers a new novel by well-known author and game
designer Robin D. Laws. A Promise of Thunder is a full-length novel
about
young Tarkalor, the forgotten son of the royal family of the Kingdom of
Sartar. The young prince struggles with the burden of royal blood and
divine descent during Sartar's war against the Lunar Empire.
Robin comments, "I've always wanted to write fiction set in Glorantha.
My
Tarkalor novel deals with the nature of heroism, the clash of
ideologies,
and passionate family conflict; all perfect for good fiction. Not just
good
gaming fiction, but good fiction, period."
HERO WARS IN ITS SECOND EDITION
By Robin D. Laws, Greg Stafford, and friends
ISS 1001, ISBN 1-929052-12-X, 256 pages (standard format), price TBA.
Come February, this new edition of the Hero Wars role-playing game will
combine both former rule books, revised & reedited in a friendly, new
format. It contains the complete rules for Hero Wars, including
beginner-friendly Character Creation, new rules for Hero Bands,
simplified
Contest resolution, and streamlined Magic systems. New scenarios, a new
heroquest, and over a dozen hero bands will breathe new life into the
rules
for players and narrators alike. All previous Hero Wars supplements are
compatible with the revised rules with minor adjustments.
"We have spent almost two years giving Hero Wars an entirely new look.
Those first edition problems are fixed in this edition. Everything is
new
or updated." said Greg Stafford, president of Issaries, Inc. The new
edition will be in the "standard game format" size of 8.5 by 11 inches.
Interior text will be in two columns, with lavish use of runes and other
visual appeal. Some of Hero Wars' remarkable interior art reappears
joined
by new Glorantha images, and a stunning new Lee Moyer cover: the clash
of
demigods portrayed in its next stage. See the new cover now at
<www.herowars.com/products/1001.html>
The second edition will consolidate both Hero Wars (ISS 1101) and the
former Narrator's Book (ISS 1104) into one 256-page book. Complete text
and
copy editing make the second edition an easy read. No more typos or
erroneous Greek symbols. Rules, examples, and other elements have been
rewritten to ensure comprehension and interest. A clear and logical
organization presents rules, game suggestions, character opportunities,
and
background in a clear and balanced manner. New adventures, hero bands,
and
sample heroquest provide examples of the Hero Wars in action.
>From beginning to end, the rules have been revised to provide a systematic
structure. Repeats and contradictions are gone. Secti Samples of artwork
and text and a detailed description of the changes will be available
soon
at Issaries <www.herowars.com>. A tentative table of contents and the
cover
artwork are available NOW at <www.herowars.com/products/1001.html>.
ON THE HORIZON
The schedule of releases after Hero Wars 2nd edition is tentative, but
Issaries expects to release all of the following products in the first
half
of 2002.
Orlanthi Narrator's Kit
ISS 1501, ISBN 1-929052-16-2, price TBA
This gaming screen contains all important tables from the revised Hero
Wars
rules on the narrator's side, and bears a stunning piece of artwork on
the
reverse made up of the covers of Thunder Rebels, Storm Tribe, Barbarian
Adventures , and Orlanth is Dead! Scheduled contents include a large
full-color map of Sartar, a Heortling wall calendar, Orlanthi-specific
character sheets and a Clan Record Sheet.
Adventures in Dragon Pass (Sartar Rising, volume 3)
By Greg Stafford & friends
ISS 1403, ISBN 1-929052-17-0, standard format, price TBA
This third book of the Sartar Campaign provides new scenarios for
heroes.
Travel to the Grazelands to free your kinsmen from their horse-spawn
masters. Heroquest to gain great powers with which to fight the Lunars.
Explore the wondrous land of Dragon Pass, from Sartar to the Shaker
Temple,
from Beast Valley to the shadows of the troll land of Dagori Inkarth.
Imperial Lunar Handbook, volume 1
By Martin Laurie, Wesley Quadros, and Mark Galeotti
ISS 1302, ISBN 1-929052-04-9, standard format, price TBA
The Imperial Lunar Handbook provides an insider's look at the vast Lunar
Empire. It gives players a look past the facade of evil and decadence
and
into the brilliance and liberty of the great Empire, and instructs
heroes
on how to live in it. The Empire is a fusion of many disparate regions,
each with its own customs and magic. Over all the Red Moon shines down,
and
the Son of the Goddess rules. This volume details the Lunar Empire and
the
religion of the Red Goddess that holds it together. Future volumes will
concentrate on the important regions within the Empire such as Dara
Happa,
Rinliddi, and Carmania.
For more information on all of these books, go to
<www.herowars.com/products>.
HERE A BAND, THERE A BAND, EVERYWHERE A HERO BAND
Issaries, Inc. is pleased to announce the winner of the recent Hero Band
Contest. After deliberation, the judges selected the Heartdrummers by
Brian
Thexton as the winner. His winning hero band will be published in Second
Edition Hero Wars, which Brian will receive as his prize when it is
released.
"We received several submissions," says Stephen Martin, Issaries'
administrator, "and we look forward to using many of them in the future.
But the Heartdrummers stood out, and was first on the list of all four
judges." Stephen noted that Issaries expected more submissions than
arrived
-- because of the announcement sent directly to every GTA member and
observer -- leading to a vow never again to compete with the Harvest!
Brian lives in Ottawa. He has been playing RPGs since the 70's and
RuneQuest since the early 80's, and wishes that there was a Hero Wars
group
near him. He helped with the Best of Glorantha-winning scenario
"Sheepless
Nights," and was one of the winners of the Elmal contest held last year
by
Issaries. Well done, Brian!
UNSPOKEN WORD(S)
Finally got my copy of Unspoken Word, and it is a gem. Get one or you'll
spend more time than you'd like trying to get one later. Well done, I'm
hungry for more.
Less well done was an oversight here, so I apologize to Simon Bray for
misunderstanding that Unspoken Word is not just the magazine and that he
is
an equal partner in the several works published by UW. The Lunar Empire
Map, e.g., was produced jointly by Simon and Mark Galeotti as an
Unspoken
Word project. Simon and Mark are partners, and co-editors of the
magazine
of the same name. Simon does the art and Mark the text, and both share
editing, work, and financing. Sorry if this wasn't clear before.
Unspoken Word 2 -- a bandits & outlaws issue -- should be out at the end
of
October. Keep an eye out also for Sons of Kargzant, a Char-Un regional
sourcebook on everyone's favorite Cossack horse-barbarians in time for
year
end holidays. Written mainly by Wesley Quadros, it will offer
background,
myth, adventures and keywords plus a color map of Erigia.
GTA Initiates or higher who buy UW direct get a special deal: details
will
be available at <www.celtic-webs.com/theunspokenword> soon. Thank guys,
this Tribe is good.
FOREIGN EDITIONS
French Hero Wars
The next offering planned from Issaries' French- and German-language
licensee, Multisim, is a scenario book loosely based on "Troubled
Waters"
(the scenario sequence in River of Cradles, one of the great Runequest
books produced by Avalon Hill during the RuneQuest Renaissance of the
early
90's). In addition to updating the adventure to the Hero Wars rules,
Multisim has expanded the focus to make it more mythical and of epic
proportions, included new episodes, and in general have us as eager as a
krarshtkid to devour this book.
Since this book is almost available, Multisim's staff are hard at work
translating Thunder Rebels, Storm Tribe, and the first two Sartar Rising
books in preparation for their own Heortling books. We do not yet know
the
exact form these works will take, but we are sure that they will be done
as
well as the rest of the line. Visit Multisim on-line at
<www.multisim.com>.
Their Hero Wars site, <www.herowars-rpg.com>, should be up and running
by
mid-November.
Japanese Hero Wars
November is the month for Hero Wars in Japan! In less than a month and a
half, Guild Corporation of Japan will release the licensed Japanese
version
of Hero Wars. Greg Stafford will be on hand at Japan's largest gaming
convention to help send the game out to a new world. Although not the
most
numerous of the Glorantha Tribe, the Japanese fans are certainly among
the
most fanatic, and we could not be happier that Hero Wars will finally be
able to all of them, not just those who can read English. For those who
are
interested, our Japanese members have their own site, so head over to
<www.glorantha.to/gta_jp> to take a look at the GTA Japan shrine.
Spanish Hero Wars
Issaries has entered final negotiations with a game company to translate
Hero Wars into Spanish. The timing could not be better, since they will
be
able to translate and publish the second edition of the rules. Tentative
plans call for the release to occur a few months after we release the
second edition in English.
Foreign Editions Available Through Wizards Attic As always, limited
numbers
of all of the French and German Hero Wars books are available from
Issaries
by calling Wizards Attic at 1-800-213-1493. Once the Japanese and
Spanish-language versions are published, the Wizards will have limited
copies of those available as well.
ORLANTH STILL WANTS YOU!
The Glorantha Trading association now boasts a total of 228 members,
Including 1 Demi-God, 27 Heroes, 39 Runemasters, and 161 Initiates. We
don't know the exact number of Observers, but this newsletter is going
out
to 917 email addresses!
The Glorantha Trading Association is still open to new members! If you
want
to become an Initiate, Rune Master, or Hero and gain all of their
fabulous
benefits (including free books and discounts at Wizards Attic), go to
<www.HeroWars.com/inc/gta.html> or email <gta_at_...> for
information. If want to know what exclusive Gloranthan information
members
get on-line, take a look at the GTA File Index
<www.herowars.com/inc/gta_material.html>. A GTA FAQ will be available
soon.
Don't forget, you can contact Graham Robinson, the Issaries Volunteer
Coordinator, to work up _your_ particular commitment to the Hero Wars.
Use
the signup sheets at <www.HeroWars.com/tools/volunteers.html> and Graham
will get back to you.
GLORANTHA SHORT TAKES
Bob Slaughter <rslau_at_mindspring.com> is the first editor for the Hero
Wars
section of the Open Directory Project
<dmoz.org/Games/Roleplaying/Systems/Hero_Wars/>; this site contains a
link
to the Runequest ODP site edited by Jason Coplen. The ODP is an attempt
to
create a user-built and maintained web directory. Bob will be showcasing
the best Hero Wars sites. Please feel free to make suggestions and
comments. Thanks Bob.
Rick Meints reports Griffin Mountain orders have all shipped, and
apologizes to those who waited so long on the printers. If you order
both
softcovers (Pavis & Big Rubble + Griffin Mountain), there's a combo
price
of 50 pounds sterling or $75 for 572 pages, including surface mail. Next
should be the Cult Compendium: 44 official Gloranthan cults, including
everything from Cults of Prax & Cults of Terror. After that may be
Borderlands & Plunder. Contact Rick for mail order or PayPal at
<RJMeints_at_cs.com>
Convulsion 2002 is seeking freeforms and events, according to
<www.glorantha.co.uk>. It will be held at Digby Hall in Leicester in the
UK
on 19-22 July, 2002.
Tradetalk 9 is out - the second Pavis and Big Rubble special, which
maintains the same standards as the first. As usual, Ian Thomson is the
stalwart chronicler of Pavis, its peoples, and its environs, but there
is
also fiction from Jim Chapin, Legends of Genert by Shannon Appel, a
heroquest from Simon Phipp and more!
Luise Perenne was a frequent illustrator of the early RuneQuest
publications, with work appearing in 1st and 2nd edition Runequest,
Cults
of Prax, and Runemasters, among other works. A GTA member recently
learned
that she has joined the artists putting their artwork on cups, t-shirts,
and other stuff at CafePress.com. Steve Perrin writes, "Let us know what
you think. Compare the artwork to what's up on Luise's site, and if you
have any requests/suggestions on the order of 'that picture with that
mug,'
please let us know. There are some items from cafepress that we haven't
put
a picture on. I think you can see them on other pages. If you have an
idea
for a good Luise piece to go on boxer shorts or a cap, let us know."
Check
out <www.cafepress.com/luiseart> and <www.cafepress.com/artcentaur>. The
stores can also be accessed from Luise's web page,
<www.luiseperenne.com>.
For those unfamiliar with it, CafePress.com is an on-line store that
allows
companies to offer merchandise without having to worry about startup
costs
or inventory. A-Sharp, producer of the award-winning Gloranthan computer
game King of Dragon Pass, has had a shop with CafePress.com for many
months. If you haven't seen it, go to <www.cafepress.com/asharp> and see
if
they have something that you like! Issaries, Inc. is working on opening
a
CafePress.com store, which will hopefully be available by the end of the
year.
GLORANTHA CON IS ON!
Issaries, Inc. is excited to announce Gloranthacon 8! At long last,
Gloranthacon 8 will be held in Toronto, Canada, the weekend of February
14th, 2003 (yes, more than a year away -- better to plan ahead). This
will
be the first Gloranthacon in almost five years, since early Fire Season
1998, when Gloranthacon 7 was held in Los Angeles. This Gloranthacon,
however, will not be bundled with another convention -- it is a
stand-alone
event, as have been most of the Gloranthacons in the past.
Because the convention is still so far away, many plans are tentative. But, for now, the following are planned:
Guest of Honor: Greg Stafford.
Other guests: Robin D. Laws, John Hughes, and Stephen Martin.
Events: Storytelling, Hollri Trollball, Hero Wars and Runequest
scenarios
(including an Issaries-sponsored Hero Wars tournament), seminars on
Glorantha, and a writing workshop. Of course, there will be a big GTA
Party
and other special events only for GTA members.
Jeff Kyer has stepped forward to be the Convention Leader, and he has
already begun gathering the members of his hero band to him. He
indicates
that he is seeking other events for the convention, in particular
free-form
Gloranthan LARPs. He is also looking for fyrdmen to help put on events
and
run the convention. If you think you might be able to stand Toronto in
Dark
Season, step up and do your duty for the clan!
More details will be announced as they are available. In the meantime, anyone interested in helping, running events, or who simply wants information should contact <gloranthacon_at_...>.
ANOTHER DRAWING
The second general GTA Observers drawing will be of the fabulous Lunar
Map
described in the last newsletter. If you didn't get that newsletter,
don't
remember the map, or want to gaze longingly upon the prize you might
win,
go to <www.herowars.com/new/maps_lunar.html>.
On November 5th, Issaries will select two non-paid GTA members at random
to
receive a gift copy of this map. To be eligible for this drawing, we
must
receive an email message from you by midnight PST November 4th to
<gta_at_...>. To ensure that we do not overlook your message,
ensure
that you put GTA LUNAR MAP DRAWING in the subject line of the message.
If
you have other correspondence for us, please send it in a separate
message
to help avoid any confusion.
PARTING SHOT: GETTING IT TOGETHER.
Issaries and I apologize for the confusion about the Hero Wars tourney
at
Origins 2001. When it became clear that Issaries was not attending, I
tried
to find some way to tell those who signed up that it was in doubt, but I
failed. As I couldn't get anyone on the Origins staff to respond or even
tell me who had preregistered or where those folks would go on Saturday,
you were left to your own devices. Sorry.
However, the first official Hero Wars Tournament at GenCon 2001 went
better
(again, despite the efforts of convention staff), thanks to the
last-minute
assistance of Michael Schwartz and David Millians, who ran the two
games.
Roland Volz was the winner: kudos! He was selected by the event
narrators
from all of the players who participated. Roland receives $100 credit
with
Wizards Attic for any Gloranthan material, from the forthcoming
Gloranthan
Encyclopedia or the French-language Nomad Gods (2nd edition) to fanzines
like the Unspoken Word or Tradetalk, as well as current and forthcoming
Issaries books.
HawkBear aka Mark Leymaster
<gta_at_...>
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