Hi
I think this should be added to the Glorantha website. Great stuff,
Regards
Rob
wrote:
> Friends,
>
> > From: "Jane Williams" <janewilliams20_at_y...>
>
> comments on
> >> Also, remember that Concentration is a rare thing, only used
> >> by Hero wannabees (like PCs), ...
>
> and asks
>
> > We've had various view-points on this over the last few months.
Is there
> > an "official" ruling on the percentage level of concentration
for normal
> > people in any of the various Homelands?
>
> I have always contended that most people do not concentrate. Most
people
> are extremely practical and perform whatever makes their survival
easier,
> so they go to their regular services, make offerings and sing
songs to Mr.
> Berry Bush and Old Man Acorn Grove, sacrifice when needed to
Sister Water,
> The Guy in the Pool, wave their spell sticks over the butter pot
to make
> that special cheese, pay the gal with the Healing Charms to get
rid of the
> flux, eat the "color shrooms" when they need to find their cattle,
go
> without food and water for three days when they want to find the
pigs lost
> in the woods, chant over the birds found dead in the woods, bake
special
> bread and leave it out for the things that used to come out of the
woods,
> lay aside a portion of the ale for the ghosts of those who died
near their
> creek, toss salt over their shoulder for good luck, cross their
fingers
> and knock on wood, offer their own blood when the baby is sick,
and so on
> and on and on, and never eve care a whit about Otherworlds, types
of
> beings, type of worship or the types of magic.
>
> Gloranthan people know there are several Otherworlds, but someone
who has
> read the HQ book knows more about the metaphysics that most
Gloranthans
> do. They do not know and they do not care unless it will help to
feed the
> kids and keep the fire burning in the winter. Concentration? That
is what
> we do when we are trying to figure out how to make three pairs of
boots
> out of one hide. Devotion? That is what I feel for my wife.
>
> It is an unfortunate fact that an unusual or rare thing
(concentration,
> devotion) takes up a lot of space in the rules, therefore giving
the
> impression that it is as important as the actually important
things.
>
> Most Sartarites are initiates because that is their custom, and
most
> Pelorians are not, because that is their custom.
>
> Concentration is rare, less than 30%, because it really restricts
survival
> opportunities. Devotion is rare, because it really restricts lots
of
> opportunities.
>
> But most important, YGWV.
> It is a game, designed for you to enjoy and to have fun with.
> There is no "one way" to do it.
>
> Enjoy!!
>
>
> =====
> Sincerely,
> Greg Stafford
> Issaries, Inc., publisher of HeroQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha.