Bell Digest v940307p1

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, Mon, 07 Mar 1994, part 1
Sender: Henk.Langeveld@Holland.Sun.COM
Content-Return: Prohibited
Precedence: junk

X-RQ-ID: Intro

This is the RuneQuest Daily Bulletin, a mailing list on
the subjects of Avalon Hill's RPG and Greg Stafford's 
world of Glorantha.  It is sent out once per day in digest
format.

More details on the RuneQuest Daily and Digest can be found
after the last message in this digest.


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From: raphael@research.canon.oz.au (Andrew Raphael)
Subject: Australian analogues in Glorantha?
Message-ID: <199403040843.AA09360@mama.research.canon.oz.au>
Date: 5 Mar 94 06:43:04 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3246

It looks like there's nowhere in Glorantha that has animals on the
Australian pattern.  No marsupials, that is.  Not even an opossum.  I was
wondering if there is, or if it just wasn't thought of at the time.
Genertela is analogous to the European & Asian continents, with the
addition of the South American alticamelus.  Pamaltela (or perhaps I mean
Doraddi) is like the African continent of long ago.  Jrustela, dominated
by timinit insect life, might be New Zealand.  Anyone who's seen a weta
might agree.  Certainly, if I wanted a Waitomo Cave, it'd be in Jrustela.

I'd suggest that the Frog River in Risklands, Dorastor, should have
platypuses in it.  What better place to have a furred, egg-laying,
milk-giving, toothless, leathery-billed, Earth-sensing, venomous mammal.
They were hunted for their fur in Australia, so why not in Riskland?
The venom, I remember, is strong enough to kill a dog & makes humans
sick as.

The other thing to think about is eucalyptus Aldryami & banksia runners,
whom, as you'd have seen on the news, worship Oakfed.
-- 
Andrew Raphael 
    "She's probably not what she seems, though she tries"

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From: MOBTOTRM@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Subject: MOB and the Final Crusade
Message-ID: <01H9MS7M521Y8Y50AB@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au>
Date: 6 Mar 94 11:34:00 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3247

Joerg:
>The sacred port of Tripolis? The sacred orchards of Jaffa? The holy city 
>of Antioch? Allow me to sneer.

>>>>T'is!
>>>T'ain't!
>>T'is!
>T'ain't!

>Sometimes I wonder whether I'm one of those Comanche contraries...

MOB: Huh?


_________________

Sandy, sorry I got you riled.  I'm not interested in continuing a debate on 
the Crusades either here or with you directly.  I agree it has little to do 
with Glorantha.  However, YOU did bring the Crusades up (in response to 
a question from Joerg) and several of the things you wrote then and in 
later postings could not go unchallenged.

I think the debate supports the view that writing "Alternate Earth" RQ 
material well (ie. with authenticity) is in fact a lot harder than 
Glorantha.

So now I take my bat and go home too.

Cheers

MOB

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From: elascurn@daimi.aau.dk (Lars R{der Clausen)
Subject: Re: Administrativia: checking the mailing list(s)
Message-ID: <199403051600.AA04388@dijon.daimi.aau.dk>
Date: 5 Mar 94 18:00:09 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3248

>
>This is to tell you that the Digest is still alive.
>I've got a huge amount of Gloranthan indexes from 
>Stephen Martin, which was posted by Eric Rowe.
>
>So I ask all of you: speak up if you do *NOT*
>want to receive a Digest like this, and I'll
>exclude you from the distribution.

Not being interested in Glorantha, I'm not really interested in seeing
it. Maybe we could split the list into a Glorantha-list and a RQ list,
or is that too messy?

-Lars

Lars Clausen                                             elascurn@daimi.aau.dk
"You see things, and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I
say, 'Why not?'"                                         -George Bernhard Shaw

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From: jpolk@opus.starlab.csc.com (James Polk)
Subject: Runic Universality
Message-ID: <9403051730.AA02617@opus.starlab.csc.com>
Date: 5 Mar 94 17:30:36 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3249



In response to Paul Reilly (X-RQ-ID:3215) -

I'm glad you brought this up and I like your points.

I haven't read RQ:AiG, so this is all new to me.  But it raises
questions in my mind.  To what rune is a passion spirit tied?
And what of disease spirits?  If questions such as these cannot be
answered well, then perhaps RQ:AiG should re-examine this basic
tenet of magic.

I also wonder if there is more than one rune for a force. Might
Pamaltelans use a cold rune with a different shape from that used
by their cousins across the seas? If such a thing does not/cannot
be, then the runes would appear to be theologically universal.

I believe that both Magic and what we 20th century westerners
consider Science work in Glorantha.  Given that (and I'm aware a
number of people don't), it might be reasonable to think that
sorcery uses a scientific approach while runic magic uses a
mystical (theological) one.  Some sorcerers might even believe that
using runes for magic leads to rune-ation. :-) (Sorry.) But this
way both could be tapping a fundamental force in the universe
without seeing it the same way.  

I would then go further and say that true shamans (spiritualists)
probably view deities as mere spirits, albeit extremely-powerful
ones.  I suggest such an attitude would therefore mean they
interact with gods differently.  "Give me enough POW and I can
control a "god-spirit" just as I do a passion spirit."  

- James

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From: ddunham@radiomail.net (David Dunham)
Subject: Empire bureaucracy; RQA3
Message-ID: <199403052216.AA19437@radiomail.net>
Date: 5 Mar 94 22:16:02 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3250

>From: jacobus@sonata.cc.purdue.edu (Bryan J. Maloney)
>Now, might it also be plausible that the Empire has hit upon less pleasant
>"modern conveniences" like, for example, "cost-cutting measures"
>"administrative restructuring", "temporary reduction in service", etc.?

For some reason, this seems very anachronistic. It would be more flavorful
to have your PC bureaucrat's boss fall out of favor in court, and be fired
or reassigned to some awful duty like Corflu.

Has anyone seen issue 3 of RuneQuest Adventures? I recall something about
it being available at a West Coast convention, but haven't heard anything
since.

David Dunham * Software Designer * Pensee Corporation
Voice/Fax: 206 783 7404 * AppleLink: DDUNHAM * Internet: ddunham@radiomail.net
    "I say we should listen to the customers and give them what they want."
    "What they want is better products for free." --Scott Adams


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From: jacobus@sonata.cc.purdue.edu (Bryan J. Maloney)
Subject: A new Divine Magic Spell
Message-ID: <9403052348.AA03875@sonata.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: 5 Mar 94 13:48:08 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3251



Cook Walktapus
1 Point
Ritual Enchant), Nonstackable, Reusable
Geo, Dendara, Kigor Lytor

This enchantment permits a chef to prepare walktapus in such a way that it
may safely be eaten and not regenerate within the epicure's body.  Every
point of POW sacrificed is sufficient to render 30 SIZ of walktapus fit
for consumption.  The ritual requires a successful Craft (Butchery) roll to
successfully remove the poison gland.  The ritual then destroys that gland
and any poison in it (it withers into harmless dust that can be swept up
and thrown away).  The spell takes about one hour to perform, during which 
time the cook's assistants must "restrain" the walktapus from re-assembling.
It can only be performed at a Site that has been dedicated to one of the 
deities that grants this spell.

Note that, although this spell is available to the Cult of Geo, Walktapus
is not considered to be proper food by most members of this cult.  Dendara
gives this spell to her cultists and to any solar or Lunar cultist who is
a professional chef.  However, non-solar cultists must pay exorbitant
fees to be taught the ritual.




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From: jacobus@sonata.cc.purdue.edu (Bryan J. Maloney)
Subject: The Cult of Teelo Norri
Message-ID: <9403060046.AA04030@sonata.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: 5 Mar 94 14:46:35 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3252




the Cult of Teelo Norri.


While Teelo Norri is worshipped as one of the Seven Mothers, she also has
worship of her own.  This cult is not great and powerful and grants its
followers little more than moral satisfaction, but it is honored within
the Lunar religion.

Mythos and History

Teelo Norri was a girl in late puberty who, unknown to herself, was the
mortal frame of the Red Goddess.  She was completely innocent of her 
identity and role, even up to the time she was waylaid and killed by
Danfive Xaron.  The Red Goddess stepped from her corpse.

What is not known to those who are not Priest of the Red Goddess or Initiates
of Teela Norri is that she did have a more active, albeit spiritual, role.
Teela Norri was initiated to Voria.  When she was killed, she, like all
of the other Seven Mothers, faced her Goddess in conflict.  But, Voria
is not a warlike goddess, and she is not a goddess of great magicks or
skills and lore.  The conflict with Voria was more pure and more primal than
with any other Goddess-as befits she who would become the core of the Red
Goddess.  

Teela Norri's conflict was purely moral.  She emerged from the conflict 
victorious, for she showed that she was willing to act and to advocate
true protection and aid of the weak and innocent, whilst Voria would not
so act.  Teela Norri would call upon the Sword of Duke Tarnils, the Spells,
of Jakaleel, the Wisdom of Ontor, even the Slyness of Xaron, her own
murderer, to aid the young and weak.  With this aid, she triumphed.

She is now the cup-bearer to the Red Goddess, and is the sponsor to
children, the poor, and others who may need her gentle aid.


Cult Ecology
Teelo Norri serves a function within the Lunar religon similar to, but
broader than, Voria does for Solar and Storm religions.  She is the patroness
of children, but she also extends her care to all who are helpless and
weak.
Her high holy day is God day, Disorder week, Dark season--the birthday of 
the Red Goddess.  Teelo Norri has no other specific holy days, but 
ceremonies are said at her shrines every day that the Red Moon is full for
that shrine.


The Cult in the World
This cult has no appreciable power.  The magics it grants are slight, indeed.
It has no priesthood and no ranks other than Initiate.  All children in
the Lunar Empire are automatically Lay Members of the cult.

The cult is in charge of administering basic, primary education for children
within the Empire, proper, and encourages education in the subject lands.
It also runs an enormous apparatus of charities and aid programs throughout
the Empire and occupied lands.  These charities are supported by private
donations and Imperial taxes.

The greatest "power", if it can be called such, had by Teelo Norri initiates
is that of supplication.  This means that they have the right to petition
to initiates of any other Lunar cult for aid pertaining to that cultist's
religious specialty.  The supplicant is not guaranteed results, but a
"good reason" has to be given for refusal, and they can report any refusal
directly to a priest or priestess of the Red Goddess.
Teelo Norri cultists also cannot be denied access to any priest or priestess
of the Red Goddess except on orders from a priest or priestess of the Red
Goddess.

The relationship between the cults of Teelo Norri and Danfive Xaron is
complex.  On the one hand, there is some friction due to Danfive Xaron's
murder of the moral Teelo Norri.  On the other hand, this murder was her
apotheosis.  Furthermore, now that Danfive Xaron is the patron of the penitent
return to the Lunar Way by those who have fallen from it, this also colors
things.  The upshot of this is that Danfive Xaron cultists and cult 
organizations often act as surreptitious protectors of Teelo Norri cult
centers and missionaries.  A good deal of funding for Teelo Norri charitable
work comes from the Danfive Xaron cult coffers.  However, this aid is
almost always "on the sly"--thus, DX cultists wouldn't pick a fight with a
street gang that was hassling a soup kitchen, but the local constabulary
would somehow always seem to get excellent information on this particular
gang.  In "return" for this aid.  The DX cult makes ready use of Teelo
Norri charitable centers as intelligence-gathering areas.

Initiate Membership
A candidate for initiation must be a virgin, and is usually female.  She
must repudiate her family--becoming a legal orphan, and must also give all
of her property to the cult.  She must then succeed a POW X 5 roll.  If the
roll is a success, she then sacrifices a point of POW and joins the cult as 
a full Initiate.  If the roll is a failure, the penniless orphan is permitted
to partake of Teelo Norri's charity and try again the next year, provided
that she maintains her (or his) virginity and has no contact with former
relatives for that year (thus remaining an "orphan").

Upon acceptance, the initiate agrees to an oath of total nonviolence to all
sentient creatures (including chaos creatures).  She takes a vows of 
poverty, chastity, and charity.  She is subject to the orders of Red Goddess
priests who are in charge of Teelo Norri functions.  She then lives her life
in humble service to all beings.

Cult Skills:  First Aid, Teelo Norri Lore, Oratory (storytelling), Teaching,
Lunar Empire Lore, Sing, Play musical instrument.

Spirit Magic:  Heal (no higher than Heal 2), Glamour, Admonish (see below).
Forbidden Spirit Magic:  All combat-aiding spells, All Enchantments, Control
(species), Darkwall, Demoralize, Disruption, Dullblade, Protection

Divine Magic:  Worship Red Goddess (Teelo Norri).


Should an initiate violate cult vows but not violate the Lunar Way, she will
be reprimanded the first time.  The second time she will be ordered to leave 
the cult and seek a Lunar cult that is more appropriate to her (or his)
nature.  The mechanism for this is a ritual death and rebirth, usually
assisted by the Danfive Xaron cult.  It is a high virtue in the cult to 
attain initiation in the Red Goddess cult, and a high proportion of Red Goddess
priests who administer Teelo Norri affairs were themselves once Teelo Norri
initiates.

An initiate who violates the Lunar Way or otherwise turns apostate is treated
as any other Seven Mother-ish  cult member who has done this.  

Teelo Norri Special Spirit Magic Spell

Admonish
2 pts.
Ranged, Active, Temporal

The caster must begin to berate the target for his misdeeds.  For the spell
to take effect, the caster must overcome the target's MP with her own.
So long as the caster berates the target, he is unable to act, except to
occasionally say "But...", or "I meant...", etc.  If the target is attacked
in any other way, the spell is broken.  The caster must have witnessed the
misdeed or an attempt at a misdeed.  The most usual use of this spell is
upon someone who threatens the charges of the Teelo Norri cultist.




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From: prharmaty@aol.com
Subject: Re: RuneQuest Daily, Mon, 28 Feb 1994, part 1
Message-ID: <9403052040.tn273372@aol.com>
Date: 6 Mar 94 01:40:59 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3253

Please unsubscribe me.
At the present time I am unable to keep up with it.
Thanks.

I'll be back I'm sure.

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From: MOBTOTRM@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Subject: Temple of the Winds
Message-ID: <01H9NSONO9988Y574S@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au>
Date: 7 Mar 94 03:58:55 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3254

Melbourne RuneQuest Rabble: Temple of the Winds Autumn get-together

In the first of what will be seasonal meetings at the appropriately-named
"Temple of the Winds" in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, a small but
ardent bunch got together today in the autumn sunshine and shared wine, 
cheese, breads, dips and other goodies (but no eggs, who forgot the 
eggs?)

I gave a rundown of the highlights of RQ Con and got everyone excited
about the prospect of an Aussie "Home of the Bold".

Mark Morrison gave us a reading from Penelope "Castle of Eyes" Love's
new novel, set in Glorantha!  We're not talking cruddy fan fiction here,
or stuff on TSR's level: it's sensational!

We all then went down to the kiosk for ice creams, where a kid reached just
that little bit too far out of her stroller to feed the swans.  Sploosh!

The next get together is the first Sunday of Storm season - June 5th.  Hope
to see you there!

MOB

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