> 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_...> 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_...>
>
> 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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