Bell Digest v940824p2

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, Wed, 24 Aug 1994, part 2
Sender: Henk.Langeveld@Holland.Sun.COM
Content-Return: Prohibited
Precedence: junk


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From: igorlick@bnr.ca (ian i. gorlick)
Subject: Hazia revisited
Message-ID: <_29996_Tue_Aug_23_12:53:06_1994_@bnr.ca>
Date: 23 Aug 94 08:52:00 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5834

There was some discussion a while back about the introduction of hazia 
as a plot device in Glorantha. I hope people won't be bored by revisiting
such an old topic. Here are my thoughts about hazia.

Hazia Cultivation in Sun County

Hazia is not native to Sun County and the Zola Fel, and it can not 
survive there without human cultivation. However, with cultivation and 
irrigation, it does very well and achieves yields that it never could in 
its native forests. 

Hazia has been cultivated in Sun County for centuries. The current total 
prohibitions are fairly recent. Originally instated by Varthanis at 
Lunar request, they have not been repealed by Solanthos because he 
personally detests any form of self-indulgence. Solanthos has actually 
toughened the enforcement of these laws. This suits his own temperament 
and also allows him to tell the Lunars that he is cooperating with their 
Armistice commission. 

The traditional laws against the cultivation of hazia were only intended 
to prevent farmers from growing too much hazia as a cash crop as this 
practice could jeopardize the self-sufficiency of Sun County 
communities. Everyone is expected to plant their main fields with 
food-crops, mostly grains. Smaller garden plots could and did contain 
hazia, tobacco, cannabis, and poppy. Cannabis and poppy were grown for 
fibre and seeds, respectively, in addition to their narcotic value. 
Tobacco and hazia were grown exclusively as recreational 
pharmaceuticals. As long as people did not grow excessive quantities of 
these drugs, no laws were broken. Even today, despite Solanthos' 
interpretation of the law, most households in the county have a few of 
these plants in their kitchen garden and the local authorities take no 
action against them.

The nature of Hazia

The drug hazia has been described as the stamens of certain flowers 
native to the Stinking Forest. Some adventures have suggested that bales 
of hazia are being exported from small villages near the Zola Fel. The 
entire crop of a good saffron field will fit in a small bowl. The bales 
of export hazia can not be just the stamens. 

The stamens of hazia are the most potent and most valuable drug that the 
plants produce. The flowers are the second most, two grades of flowers 
exist: those with stamens still in and those with stamens already 
removed. The leaves and stems of the hazia are the lowest grade of drug 
it produces. A large scale hazia farming operation can produce bales of 
leaves, bags of flowers, and pouches of stamens. 

The stamens are the traditional form of the drug in most of Genertela. 
These were the only portions sufficiently valuable to be traded far from 
the Stinking Forest. A few stamens contain as much drug as a few 
pipefulls of leaves. Furthermore the stamens burn completely in only one 
long drag on a pipe, giving a much more intense rush. 


The 64,000 Wheel question: Why did the Lunars make Hazia Illegal?

Here is my thesis: 

Hazia has been a rare and expensive drug in the Lunar Empire for 
centuries. As long as the only source was the Stinking Forest no large 
quantities were available and no problem was perceived. After the Lunar 
conquest of Prax much larger quantities were available from Sun County 
and the rest of the Zola Fel. This was sought out as a prestige drug 
back in the Empire by the Imperials in the region. They shipped much of 
it back and many developed serious dependencies on the drug. 

The sudden new influx of large quantities of the drug created a 
perception of a larger problem than really existed, the productivity 
losses due to alcohol consumption were and are larger than the 
losses due to hazia. 

The first regulations passed against it were internal policies by some 
members of the bureaucracy who found their subordinates being less 
productive because of hazia consumption. These first regulations 
were ineffective, and only lead to the affected users seeking out 
surreptitious sources of the drug. This lead them into contact with 
those ultimate suppliers of all things forbidden, the cult of Krarsht. 

Some unknown Krarshti had a brilliant inspiration for an entire new 
criminal industry. The cult leant secret aid and influence to the senior 
bureaucrats who wanted to ban the drug from the bureaucracy. It 
encouraged them to seek an Imperial edict banning the drug entirely. 
Between the honest men who thought the ban was a good thing and the 
corrupt ones working knowingly for Krarsht, the Emperor was convinced 
and the edict was granted. 

Now all the legal sources of the drug dried up and the addicts 
throughout the Empire had to get their supplies elsewhere. Most of these 
were controlled by Krarsht. The Krarshti have always been involved in 
smuggling, now they added hazia to the substances they moved through the 
Empire. 

The price of hazia in the Empire shot up, all that money now went to 
Krarsht. Honest people who might not be bought by money might fall to 
addiction. Important people with addictions were encouraged to defray 
the cost of their habit by selling to their friends and colleagues, and 
Krarsht's influence expanded. 

The effect of the ban was to provide the cult of Krarsht with an 
effective monopoly on supply and huge price supports for this highly 
addictive substance. Thus a small social problem has been elevated to a 
social and criminal disaster. 

The big question now is: How long will it take the Empire to realize 
what a serious mistake it has made? The second question is: How long 
after that will it take for them to admit that they made a serious 
mistake? ?????????????????????????????????????

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From: igorlick@bnr.ca (ian i. gorlick)
Subject: Moose
Message-ID: <_135_Tue_Aug_23_12:53:42_1994_@bnr.ca>
Date: 23 Aug 94 08:53:00 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5835

For those of you who are having trouble with the notion of moose riders, may I 
suggest a  novel by Sterling E. Lanier titled "Hiero's Journey". (There is at 
least one more book in the series, but the first is best IMO.) Hiero's steed is 
a specially bred bull moose who is a devastating weapon in battle. The book has 
some weak points but some of the imagery is great. Maybe it will help you think 
of moose without giggling. 

klaus@diku.dk in X-RQ-ID: 5773

Date: 21 Aug 94 14:34:40 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5836

All RQ Daily that I recieve are now available on Mac Tel BBS (0602-455444) in
the UK,
in the cultural/games/fun conference area. If you have access take a look,
leave a message,
 if you don't then I can recommend this BBS as one of the best (it's using the
FirstClass interface).

ps. To all those who I gave my internet address as bane@iconex.mactel.org - it
isn't - sorry!
It's Phil_Dexter@iconex.mactel.org

==============================
* from Mactel Iconex  -  Operating from Nottingham UK
* Voice Tel 0602-455077  BBS Tel  0602-455444  Fax Tel  0602-455121
* Reply via Internet ----> users_name@iconex.mactel.org   
* The views expressed in this posting are those of the author only 
==============================


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From: imlac@bu.edu (Eric Johnson-DeBaufre)
Subject: Forthcoming RuneQuest
Message-ID: <9408231938.AA02563@yelm.Holland.Sun.COM>
Date: 23 Aug 94 20:38:37 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5837


	Recently, I was leafing through a copy of the latest issue of
White Wolf and noticed an ad for a new RQ product called Lords of Terror.
It appears to be an updated version of Cults of Terror, and looks as if
it will be a terrific and long overdue addition to RuneQuest.  Does anyone
have any information on when this will be available, as well as any info
on any new releases for Runequest?

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Johnson-DeBaufre		"He who has nothing external that can divert
Boston University		 him, must find pleasure in his own thoughts,
(imlac@acs.bu.edu)		 and must conceive himself what he is not; 
				 for who is pleased with what he is?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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From: SMITHH@A1.MGH.HARVARD.EDU (Harald Smith 617 726-2172)
Subject: arcos valley and cosmos
Message-ID: <01HG981UG3Y8RLY0Q5@MR.MGH.HARVARD.EDU>
Date: 23 Aug 94 11:49:00 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5838

   - The Blue Wizard responds on my Arcos River question.
   
   Thanks for reminding me about H'har As Jing.  I forgot about it.  And 
   it does seem to fit the general pattern below.
   
      Z arkos
     Dzhar  st  ing
    H  har astzhing  (using a tzh for the j sound)
   
   - Joerg follows this same question up with a lot of good information 
   that I had not seen before.
   
   The area covering Rinliddi, Jarst, Garsting, the Hungry Plateau and 
   the Jord Mountains sounds like something that would have left some 
   interesting traces.  Perhaps this was overthrown by the Sable Riders 
   (or was this ruled by the Sable Riders if they were already present)?
   
   I would surmise an Old Rinliddic, precursor of the Pelorian Farmer 
   language of Rinliddic, with much closer likes to Jarstic.  I would 
   similarly think of an Old Kostaddic on the Oslir side of the Jord 
   Mountains which might also be related (especially if the rulers of the 
   Jord Mountains/Hungry Plateau were forced down from the highlands or 
   descended into empty land after the Dragonkill War).
   
   As for Balazar, Griffin Mountain says he came from the northwest with 
   his cult of Yelmalio in 1082.  Vanch is probable.  Of course, his name 
   may not have been BalaZar at that time.  The Zar may be a 
   title/addition to affiliate himself more closely with the natives.
   
   Darjeeb does seem to be positioned correctly to be at least on the 
   site of Senthoros.  The entire legend of Ovosto, son of Gerendetho and 
   steward of Senthoros, suggests that Dara Happan goods were sent there 
   in exchange for food and even that Ovosto ruled the empire (or part of 
   it).  Perhaps Ovosto started the transformation of the name Zarkos.
   
   Any thoughts on the Garstingian city of Poralals or the cities on the 
   Elf Sea later sacked by the southern prong of Sheng Seleris' invasion?
   
   - Joerg on the cosmos
   
   I like the images of earth/sea creatures on the bottom of the lozenge, 
   as well as downward or sideways growing volcanoes.
   
   I think it is appropriate that Dayzatar and his minions face the chaos 
   with Truth--it does imply an inner mysticism and enlightenment.  I 
   might suggest that the impact of chaos and truth is a release from the 
   cycles of life and death to become a seed perhaps for another 
   universe.  Of course, chaos could also turn the truth to illusion or 
   simply annihilate it.
   
   --Harald



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From: jjm@zycor.lgc.com (johnjmedway)
Subject: The David Switch
Message-ID: <9408232114.AA22664@hp0.zycor.lgc.com>
Date: 23 Aug 94 21:14:23 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5839

>>  From: Bob.Luckin@tiuk.ti.com
>>  Subject: Memory like a seive
>>  X-RQ-ID: 5774
...
>>  Nice idea !  But wait until next April before you try the David Hall/Cake
>>  switch (that's when I'm due to transfer to Dallas).  You'd also have to
>>  be careful an opposing group didn't try to meddle and substitute another
>>  David, or you could end up, say, switching Cheng with Gadbois instead...

WHOA! The latter would be tragic. Who'd I drink with?

Cheng would just laugh at me stumbling around (justifiably, I'll admit).
With Gadbois, at least I get to point and laugh at him too!


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From: scotty@olivia.cedar-rapids.ia.us (Scott Haney)
Subject: Re: RuneQuest Daily, Tue, 23 Aug 1994, part 2
Message-ID: <9408232221.AA0013c@olivia.cedar-rapids.ia.us>
Date: 23 Aug 94 22:21:27 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5840

& > 	I DEMAND Moose Hsunchen in my campaign. I just don't want 'em  

hello!  I am Baron von Moosehsunchen, and I have just had the most
amazing adventure.....



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From: sstair@cs.utep.edu
Subject: Orlanth's Darkwalk
Message-ID: <9408240024.AA08984@cs.utep.edu>
Date: 24 Aug 94 00:24:18 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5841

Keith wrote:        
>       On to another point, I would like to throw a question into the arena
>for debate.   In all available sources to me (i.e. RQ2, Trollpack, CoP, CoT,
> original rulebook, and RQ3 GoG, Trollpack, Trollgods, etc.)       Orlanth is
>given the spell of Darkwalk (which confers invisibilty AND silence), which
>all sources state he stole from Kyger Litor.  Although Kyger Litor has no
>such spell, Argan Argar does.  How does one account for this????  Also, in
>RQ3  the only god which confers an invisibilty-type spell is Annilla ( the
>spell is Conceal).
>       Any, explanations would be helpful.

It seems to me that since when Yelmalio's Heat powers were stolen,
he lost them (he now has light w/o heat), it makes sense that Kitty Litter
HAD Darkwalk but lost it when Orlanth took it.

Steve Stair

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From: guy.hoyle@chrysalis.org
Subject: OFFLINE READE
Message-ID: <9408240001.0010500@chrysalis.org>
Date: 23 Aug 94 22:01:11 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5842


This isn't about Glorantha or RQ, but it does have something to do with how I
get the Daily.

When I get the RQD, it's usually broken down into 25k chunks, which I download
in a QWK packet with my other mail.
 
I want to be able to use an offline mail reader (OLR) to read and reply to the
Digest, but I can't seem to find one with this capability.  I'm currently using
the SLMR v2.1.
 
How do the rest of you read the Daily? What programs or techniques? I hesitate
to use space on the Daily to discuss this, so please feel free to contact me at
guy.hoyle@chrysalis.org
 
GUY HOYLE
aka Fido Two-Big-Clubs
 
PS Sandy, I ran into someone on RED OCTOBER who says that Sean Summers is in
his campaign! I'm sure he'd want to say Hi!



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From: 100270.337@compuserve.com (Nick Brooke)
Subject: Entekos
Message-ID: <940824064638_100270.337_BHL26-1@CompuServe.COM>
Date: 24 Aug 94 06:46:38 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5843

_______________
Peter Metcalfe:

> This is of course Entekos who is according to Mr P. in the Gods wall at
> postion II-1.  In a commentary he cites her as Goddess of Calm, Lady of
> the Summer Air, Mother of Moons and Queen of the Air.  As is obvious to
> people with a faction of God Learnerism, this is in fact Molanni Calm
> Air.  Since Annilla was already old before Murharzarm was crowned and
> Umath young at this time, I do not believe that Molanni (Umaths grand-
> daughter via Vadrus) really is the mother of moons.

Once again the bollockly nature of God Learnerism is displayed. Entekos has 
four titles; for no good reason, the Blue Wizard promotes "Calm Air" above 
"Mother of Moons", then uses the spurious identity he has created ("Entekos 
IS Molanni") to reduce her interesting powers. Let's see who has the last 
laugh...

Plentonius knew of Molanni: cf. GRAY p.10.

And, remind me again of the difference between (sequential) Time and (non- 
sequential) Godtime, Big Blue.

> In any case, we will have to wait for the Lunar Book (any idea on its
> title, people?) for the answer to be settled.

Greg mentioned calling it "The Masks of the Goddess" a while back.

> I think that the Pelorians used a indigenous [runic/symbolic] system
> before being flooded by the EWF and/or the Carmanians.

Agreed. But the Carmanians are unlikely to be bearers of God Learnerism, 
given their antecedents. They could have brought pre-God Learner Western 
Runes (if such things existed), I suppose. Maybe Peloria is still to some 
extent "virgin soil" (in the runic field as elsewhere): the runes could be 
recognisable but not explicit in local symbolism.

______
Joerg:

> There aren't any temple defenses [in "Dragon Pass"] either, although I
> feel that temples ought to have immobile spirits as temple defenses.
> Something along the lines X - X - 8 - 0 in DP terms.

Or maybe allow any unit stacked in its own temple to use DSM (or double any 
DSM they already possess)? Creates more tactics, fewer counters...

____________
Keith Smith:

> Orlanth is given the spell of Darkwalk (which confers invisibilty AND
> silence), which all sources state he stole from Kyger Litor.  Although
> Kyger Litor has no such spell, Argan Argar does.  How does one account
> for this????

Simple, really. If I steal your wallet from you, then you will no longer 
possess your wallet. Look at Zorak Zoran and Yelmalio for more of the same.

====
Nick
====

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From: henkl@aft-ms (Henk Langeveld - Sun Nederland)
Subject: Aaaaaaarrrrrgghhhh.....
Message-ID: <9408240711.AA03686@yelm.Holland.Sun.COM>
Date: 24 Aug 94 08:11:37 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 5844

Scott Haney:
>hello!  I am Baron von Moosehsunchen, and I have just had the most
>amazing adventure.....


-- 
Henk	|	Henk.Langeveld@Sun.COM - Disclaimer: I don't speak for Sun.
oK[]	|	Single Point of Change, Multiple Points of Reference