(Message rqd:7)
Return-Path:
Date: Fri, 7 May 93 17:15:19 +0200
Message-Id: <9305071515.AA07622@glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM>
From: RuneQuest-Request@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RQ Digest Maintainer)
To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (Daily automated RQ-Digest)
Reply-To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RuneQuest Daily)
Subject: RuneQuest Daily, Fri, 07 May 1993, part 1
Precedence: junk
Status: O
This is the automated Daily RuneQuest Digest.
Send submissions only to "RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM", they
will automatically be included in a next issue. Try to change the
Subject: line from the default Re: RuneQuest Daily... on replying.
Selected articles may also appear in a regular Digest. If you
want to submit articles to the Digest only, contact the editor at
RuneQuest-Digest-Editor@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM.
-Henk Langeveld
--
Send Submissions to:
Enquiries to:
The RuneQuest Daily is a spin-off of the RuneQuest Digest and deals
with the subjects of Avalon Hill's RPG and Greg Stafford's world of
Glorantha. Maintainer: Henk.Langeveld@Sun.COM
---------------------
From: paul@phyast.pitt.edu
Subject: Re: Krarsht, My Visit to Barueli, Ogres, Smith God + Etyries
Message-ID: <9305061558.AA06725@bondi.phyast.pitt.edu>
Date: 6 May 93 15:58:04 GMT
First, a question: Does anyone know anything about the Orlanthi smith
god? I think he was mentioned in an old Wyrm's Footnotes. I'm not
talking about Third Eye Blue here but someone in Orlanth's Family. Any
info on Barntar would also be helpful. (We are writing up an Orlanthi
community where the Orlanth cult hierarchy is gone, and the burden of
leadership falls on the Rune levels of the associate non-warrior deities:
Ernalda, Barntar, Odayla the Hunter, and we'd like to include a Rune-level
Smith.)
Second: Predator Pack (Ogres, Vampires, etc. - predators who live among
human society) was turned down by Avalon Hill. Would people be interested
in seeing something like this through the net or the 'zines?
Third: "Holiday Glorantha: My visit to Barueli". Is the story of a trip to
the (Fonritian) City of the Hungry Goddess worth writing up?
Fourth:
Would anyone like to see an article on "The Plain Truth About Krarsht",
an apologetic explaining why she is really the greatest deity around?
- Paul Reilly
P.S. I have an idea to resolve the Etyries cult bookkeeping controversy:
How about this:
"Etyries merchants keep their books according to a system that is a closely
guarded cult secret. They claim it to be a useful innovation, while Issaries
cultists scoff at the idea of improving on the practices handed down from
their God."
This leaves the GM to decide whether the system is formally analogous
to Double Entry Bookkeeping, if in fact the question comes up, while keeping
the advantage of another example of Lunars accepting innovation while
Theyalans (Orlanthi) resist it.
---------------------
From: seh0@aberystwyth.ac.uk
Subject: Looking good
Message-ID: <9305061355.AA03316@deca.aber.ac.uk>
Date: 6 May 93 15:55:21 GMT
Loved the stuff from Peter Michaels, some nice details there. Likewise the
ongoing debate on Etyries. I must admit, it would be nice to get some more
hard facts on the Lunar Empire. I look forward to the supplements that AH
are supposed to be working on in regard to that. Considering that the Lunar
Empire is such an expansive creation, I'm surprised there's such a lack of
mainstream material for it, a lot of info I have on it comes from places like
old Wyrms Footnotes and the like. Even then, I've only got a few of those,
(pause here for a cheer for David Hall for putting some together in a Best Of
that I'm sure shall magnetically draw funds from my bank account shortly) so
the Lunars still remain a bit of an unknown quantity.
Backtracking a little way, the stuff about Humakt and the Kingdom of War, is
it certain that the god involved there is not Kargan Tor? If it isn't, fine,
but in that case, does anyone know if there have been any published details
for Kargan Tor or not. I've just put the cult into my campaign, and John
Chipperfield and myself have done the cult write-up, but I introduced him as
a god whose worship had faltered, and it was the party themselves who wound
up re-founding the temple of KT. As for how they went about this, that's a
long story covering at least a year and a half of gaming. KT has a certain
role now within my campaign, but I'd still be interested in hearing any details
that might have already circulated, or just any thoughts people might have on
the subject. When I get the time, I may well put the cult on the Net.
Cheering on the idea to work on a cult via the Net - more Lunar stuff esp.
S'long guys
Stephen M Hunt
Better Red Than Dead
---------------------
From: paul@phyast.pitt.edu
Subject: Re: Reply to Nick Brooke's Reply to my reply to....
Message-ID: <9305061620.AA06728@bondi.phyast.pitt.edu>
Date: 6 May 93 16:20:51 GMT
Nick writes:
>The Carmanians are one of the most anti-God Learner nations you'll find.
>Remember why Syranthir left Loskalm in the first place? Wondered why they
>are dedicated to the Runes of Law and Truth? The founding Carmanians were
Excellent point. In my reading of the history, the Carmanians left AFTER
substantial God Learner influence had 'corrupted' Loskalm, and the techniques
of the G.L. had already left an indelible imprint on the Carmanians even
as they searched for their pre-G.L. roots. I should go back and read the
relevant passages from the Genertela Book. As I've said before, I am sometimes
unsure whether my ideas come from canonical sources or grow out of our
local variants.
> The
>"engineering" of deities you mention (worshipping them in both Light and
>Dark aspects, I presume) is an outgrowth from their Arkati / Talori roots,
>put into sharper focus by early contacts with empires of Light and Shadow
>in Peloria.
Didn't the God Learner philosophy and 'magical technology' grow out of the
Heroquesting pioneered by Arkat? If so, your suggestion would make Carmanian
philosophy & religion a 'sibling' to the G.L. philosophy rather than a
'child' of it. I'm beginning to like your hypotheses better: they explain
the Carmanians more simply (Does Glorantha have a William of Ockham figure)
than mine.
> I don't see your Carmanian mercantile innovations as a problem.
> In fact, they're a damn' good idea
Thanks for the support. I think that the Hero Wars period is a time
of fundamental change in many fields of endeavor, not just a collection
of big battles! Putting into details like the beginnings of a commercial
revolution emphasize this point. "If the Lunars are not stopped, our
lives will soon be unrecognizable! Worthless "letters of credit"
will replace our good gold and silver! Back to cattle bartering!"
>It's just pinning the roots of this
>cultural novelty on the God Learners I object to.
I think you're right, and that I was making the mistake of assuming
'innovative' = 'God Learner'.
>"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" - Should be the motto of the Examiners.
> I'd ... collaborate in any Lunar cult write-ups .... if time permits.
Let me know if you get more time. I'll go ahead with an Etyries write-up
(in between working on my thesis and other projects!) and post it to the
Net to be shot down piecemeal. Maybe in a few weeks...
- Paul Reilly
---------------------
From: etlanmy@aachen.ericsson.se (Allan Murphy)
Subject: Re: RuneQuest Daily, Thu, 06 May 1993, part 1
Message-ID: <9305061807.AA08847@aachen.ericsson.se>
Date: 6 May 93 22:07:08 GMT
Stephen M Hunt writes:
> Far too linear for my liking. I like to have adventures where sub-plots
> zing around like bumblebees on LSD. That's what distinguished Snakepipe Hollow
> from being just another dungeon bash, there was the substance and flavour of
> the sub-plots (Blue Ghost, Maggot, etc). If this is the kind of thing that
> keeps emerging, then all the better, and RQ may see daylight yet.
I couldn't possibly agree more with Stephens comments on adventure style.
Players pick out linearity immediately, and they begin to play in an 'ok so
how do we get to the next level/section/scene/vignette' way, which is boring
for the GM, and boring for the players. Snake Pipe Hollow let you make up your
own reason for the players being there, and then they discover all sorts of
weird stuff going on. Thes tuff in Snake Pipe Hollow is the stuff that makes
players think 'Wow, what a wacky world my character lives in'.
This kind of thing is needed in my campaign, since none of us have time to
write adventures, and we often convert stuff from D&D ( gasp ! ), Stormbringer,
MERP and so on to RQ in one form or another for scenario ideas etc, wiht
varying quality of results.
Elf Reproduction: I thought they slipped off into a shrubbery and rubbed seed
pods or something. I liked the description of Mostal reproduction in the
Elder Secrets book :-)
Humakti Behaviour: I always think of Humakti as sort of Clint Eastwood types.
They could kill lots of people if they really felt like it, but don't unless
provoked, and even then they'll give you your chance. Normally a chance is
useless since they are good at what they do. You know, mean and moody,
don't say much, carry a .44 magnum ( well, iron greatsword then ).
Humakti: "Hey, you spilt my pint."
Zorak Zoran: "Aye, I did. It was on purpose, too."
Humakti: "Outside now."
[ 4 or 5 strike ranks later ]
Humakti: "Another mineral water please." { Remember, they don't drink }
They certainly don't go around slaughtering people randomly, anyway. How
do others define Humakti behaviour and codes of conduct ? Sometimes Humakti
PCs get in trouble - a lot of adventures require sneaking and hiding,
assasination...exactly the sort of thing Humakti *hate*. WHat can they do
in these situations ? The Humakti player makes the coffee, and gets to look
up the fumble tables and obscure rules all day... :-)
Orlanthi: "Here comes a patrol ! Everyone down !" [ whispering ]
Humakti: "Hold on, I'll speak to them." [ in a loud voice ]
"OUt of my way, or I will kill you all."
Orlanthi: "Aww, gaawd."
Allan.
--
Allan J. Murphy / \ "We've got a free pair of flares with
\ / every hip replacement, just take the
etlanmy@aachen.ericsson.se / \ stairs down to the bargain basement."
---------------------
From: jason@insignia.co.uk (Jason Proctor)
Subject: Re: Shadows on the Borderlan
Message-ID: <11056.9305061831@piglet.insignia.co.uk>
Date: 6 May 93 11:42:53 GMT
Subject: Time:7:14 pm
OFFICE MEMO Re>Shadows on the Borderlands Date:6/5/93
> Ken Rolston wrote Dyskund Caverns
Weeelllll..... perhaps partly. To give whoever it was his due, Dyskund Caverns
was I suspect taken largely from an adventure called "Black Broo of Dyskund" in
White Dwarf 52. I think maybe a large amount of editing has been done - as
related by Oliver Dickinson and others in White Dwarf many moons ago, nothing
contributed by third parties is used "as is"....
czeers
Jase
---------------------
From: jason@insignia.co.uk (Jason Proctor)
Subject: Drinking etc
Message-ID: <11071.9305061835@piglet.insignia.co.uk>
Date: 6 May 93 11:46:21 GMT
Subject: Time:7:37 pm
OFFICE MEMO Drinking etc Date:6/5/93
Hi,
Yes, sure, the Insignia Heavy Drinking and playing RuneQuest While Pissed
Society would like to come out for a drinkie at some stage. I'm the only one
here at work at the moment (the rest being in the pub, as they say), but I
think I can vouch for everyone when I say that beer is always welcome.
BTW, Insignia is based in High Wycombe. Two members of the aforesaid elite
society are based in Chinnor, one of which is me. Please feel free to propose
imbibing sessions whenever you wish.
Yours (quite) drunkenly,
Jason Proctor
Senior Software Engineer
Insignia Solutions
jason@insignia.co.uk
---------------------
From: marks@slough.mit.edu (Mark S. c/o Tom Yates)
Subject: Comments on interesting postings
Message-ID: <9305061914.AA23225@Sun.COM>
Date: 6 May 93 19:17:42 GMT
Some Random thoughts
"soft background":
Yeah, that stuff is always fun. I hope RQ does more of that
sort of thing in the future. Actually, when I first heard of
King of Sartar, I thought it was going to have more of a
narrative structure, maybe even be a novel. I think an
Gloranthan novel could have a lot of appeal, look how the public
ate up the whole "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth" thing
awhile back. For a while US public television looked like a sort
of myth orientated version of televangelism.
"Malkioni view of usury":
Personally I think just copying the Judeo-Christian
(Islamic?) prohibition on charging interest is BORING! Why not
have the Invisible God prohibit people from NOT charging
interest. :-) Or maybe the dislike of usury could be inferred,
because Malkion did not create a Banker caste. It's much more
interesting to fight holy wars over interpretation, rather than
have cut and dried commandments. Besides, if we assume that
Brithini culture is the closest thing to pre-Hrestoli Malkionism,
then the problem of lending money doesn't exist. People don't
respond to market forces, production seems to be organized by the
Talar caste's fiat.
The suggestion that Westerners think that interest makes
numbers "unstable" is silly. I mean, Malkion's proof of the
creation of the universe probably wouldn't make sense to someone
who didn't understand non-linear analysis. The idea that
mathematically sophisticated Westerners are afraid of the time
value of money equation is laughable.
Double Entry Bookkeeping, Banks, insurance:
Personally, I don't think that this fits the background, but
hey, it's your campaign, do what you want. Just be aware that
making the Gloranthan economy more sophisticated just brings the
doom of the Lunar Empire that much closer. Soon a hero will
develop Keynesian economics, with all it's CounterCyclical Power.
:-)
As an aside, the Pentians must have the most advanced
technology in Glorantha. After all, if they can put a man on
the moon... :-)
Loskalm:
>My two favorite parallels for modern Loskalm would be Carolingian
>France at the death of Charlemagne, or Visigothic Spain on the
>eve of its collapse. Not for the technology, but for their
>proudly isolationist / supremacist attitudes coming into rude
>collision with the outside world, and with internal political
>realities. (Has anyone else noticed that the Fronela
>chapter of the Genertela Book was written by a Loskalmi? Examine
You can creatively reinterpret (ignore) the published
background, but that isolates you. There is no way we can
communicate if there isn't a common frame of reference. Loskalm
is portrayed as a nice place because Loskalmi are a generally nice
people. I'm sorry if this grates on your sense of cultural
relativism.
In my Fronelan campaign the ideological parallel for Loskalm
is the US. It's a great place to play out conflicts between
idealism and isolationism. Sir Meriatan always struck me as
someone who would be very much at home in the 1950's Strategic
Air Command.
Bryan J. Maloney:
Really liked your Seven Mothers stuff.
---------------------
From: apardon@vub.ac.be (Antoon Pardon)
Subject: Seven mothers cult
Message-ID: <9305070658.AA16150@is2.vub.ac.be>
Date: 7 May 93 07:58:26 GMT
I got inot RuneQuest with version III and since then not too much
about the lunar gods has been brought out. I am particularly intrigued
by the seven mothers. Now my questions.
Who are they?
Are they solely worshiped as the seven mothers or are they also worshiped
solely.
If so is it as a seperate cult or as a subcult of the seven mothers.
What is each mother's sphere of influence?
Do they each get there own runes or are there just the runes assoiciated
with the seven mother cult.
Thanks for your trouble.
========================================================================
Antoon Pardon
Brussels Free University Computing Centre 02/650.37.16
========================================================================
---------------------
From: gal502@cscgpo.anu.edu.au (Graeme A Lindsell)
Subject: Re: Elvish Reproduction (and some random comments)
Message-ID: <9305070728.AA06361@cscgpo.anu.edu.au>
Date: 7 May 93 22:29:19 GMT
Elves and Accelerate Growth:
When Greg was in Canberra last year he also mentioned that
the Elves could use Accelerate Growth to mature an elf, and
that this was part of a big Adryami secret, as follows:
The seed that a female elf gives birth to/lets fall to the
Earth can be stored almost indefinitely under the right
conditions. The elves of Fronela have been storing up their
seeds for several centuries (at least since before the
Syndics Ban). When the spell Accelerate Growth is cast on
an elf seed, they grow into a kind of semi-intelligent
War Tree, one that doesn't need a spell to be animated.
It is these force grown elves that will form the forests
that cover the rest of Fronela during the Hero Wars,
as mentioned in the Genertela Book.
His other comments about Aldryami reproduction: yes, it
is just dancing around and pollinating. A male elf cannot
ensure that he pollinates a particular female unless he
cheats in some way i.e. trained bees :-). My current
GM thinks this is a great area of troll/elf trade, given
the Gorakikki cult: bees delivered to male elves in plain
brown wrappers.
I can't remember how much of this was mentioned in the
Elder Secrets set, or how many of the pollination
comments were a joke.
A comment of my own on KoS: interesting how events in
Carmania are never mentioned at all. The Genertela pack
says that they are forseeing an invasion from Charg. My
feeling is that if this happens, at best it could be
actual barbarians from inside Charg: the Lunars could
beat them. If it's the Kingdom of War or the Fronelan
Alryami, they may be able to handle them, too. If it's
the Hrestoli on a crusade, the Lunars should just give
up now and avoid the rush; the description of the
Hrestoli in the Genertela pack is just terrifying!
Of course, the rulers of the "Monster Empire" near the end
of Argrath's Saga may be from Charg, or the Kingdom of War.
Re: Yarnafil Tarnils and Humakt: I thought I saw a comment
in an older digest that MOB was working on a package called
"Soldiers of the Red Moon", that would contain an expanded
Seven Mothers write-up with emphasis on Yarnafil Tarnils.
Could MOB comment?
Graeme Lindsell.
---------------------
From: ade@insignia.co.uk (Adrian Brownlow)
Subject: Good result for Orlanthi
Message-ID: <13855.9305070846@piglet.insignia.co.uk>
Date: 7 May 93 01:49:28 GMT
Subject: Time:9:40 am
OFFICE MEMO Good result for Orlanthi Date:7/5/93
Last night the lunar empire suffered a staggering defeat at the hands of the
free peoples, they lost control of 15 out of 16 county councils AND had a
12,000 majority totally destroyed (swing of 28%+) in a local parlimentary
election.
It's funny how Glorantha mimics real life.
Seriously for all you continental Europeans out there, our government got well
and truly stuffed last night. I hope this pleases the rest of the community as
much as it does us.
Better Yellow than Blue.