Idiosyncratic Reflections on Runic Popularity

From: John Hughes <nysalor_at_...>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 21:32:53 +1000

Reflections on the popularity of the runes chosen for the HQ hardcover, as reported at http://www.glorantha.com/products/1001H_runes.html

Yes kiddies, in growing acceptance of the ways of the Empire, we do the thinking for you! In order of popularity...

• Change/Mobility/Larnste/Mastakos 18

The wind is ever changing. This why Orlanth is great. A clear winner, and it brings a liddle tear to my eye. Cheaper than a tat, less painful, and takes less explaining to intimates.

• Magic (old), common magic 9

Interestingly, the most popular choices are about transformation. A subtle pointer to looming mid life crises? Cheaper than buying red sports car.

• EWF 8

Pavis, we love you. At least, that's the only reason I could think of for the popularity of this one. There's a lot of Pavis campaigns out there, despite it being virtually ignored in (official) publications of late. My own campaign included. Cheaper than getting your tongue split.

• Arkat 7

Interesting!!!!!! A tie with Humakt (who you'd expect), and a clear winner over Orlanth and Ms Spindizzy. Old turntraitor. I love 'im too - Helden was an Arkati. The sooner the arc brings him back the better. All seven of him.

• Humakt/Death/Conflict 7

Expected, but deserving of the honour. The lone outsider, comic book/samuri code of honour, he gets to dress in black and kill stuff. Geek heaven, ongoing arguments about death song berserk notwithstanding...

• Chaos (old) 6

Sigh, too many computer programmers among us. Still, sexier than disorder, and offering a wide career choice. For those of us as yet unable to firmly commit to Gbaji. Any goo is good goo... which may explain the map shading in ILH.

• God Learners 6

This one truly threw me, unless Sandy Petersen bought six copies.

• Truth/Orenoar 6

More closet humakti I suspect, or we've started to believe Issaries' propaganda. Bless 'em.

• Dragonewt 5

The Asian market? This was as popular as Herself and the Windbag? Bizarre, Inscrutable... Well actually, yes! :)

• Issaries/Equal Exchange/Trade 5

God bless the GTA. Or Goddess.

• Moon/Balance 5
• Orlanth/Air/Storm 5

A tie! Much turmoil ahead! Who wins? Well since the spoiler was published over ten years ago, they both lose, but the Hero Wars are between advertising and existentialism. With a big net.

• Mastery 4

If you *really* haven't taken sides yet...

• Sartar 4

Bless him. We still know nothing about him. Maybe the arc should bring him back as well. As one of the seven Arkats...

• Gloranthan Court 3

I hear Duran Duran are making a comeback as well.

• Illusion/Tylena/Eurmal 3

Hee hee. Nobody chose this one. And so did his brother.

• Nysalor 3

Consumate choice. Light and chaos, with an escape clause as well. I must use this rune more on my Sacred Time cards.

• Praxian Pantheon 3

The Beastie boys. Instead of a rune, this one shouts 'hey ladies!' when you open the cover.

• Storm Tribe 3

For the traditionist on the side of freedom who hasn't gotten round to choosing a deity yet. So many affinities, so little HPs...

• Urox/Storm Bull 3

Beer! Beer! Beer! The only rune that none of its cultists can remember.

And the rest, my friends, are ones and twos, and therefore infinitely more valuable on the resale market. :)

Cheers

John