Re: New devotees, starting feats

From: Paul Andrew King <paul_at_...>
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 20:26:37 +0000

>wrote:
>> >
>> >This is Glorantha. Of course it will. You might want to re-read the
>> >section on HeroQuests, particularly Practice Level quests.
>>
>> I was assuming tests outside a HeroQuest. A HeroQuest is
>different.
>> From what I remember even in a practice HeroQuest, what the
>Quester
>> sees is not necessarily exactly what happens in the mortal world -
>or
>> at least I have seen references implying that is likely to be be
>the
>> case (going back as far as Cults of Prax !). There will be a
>> correspondence, of course, but not always an exact match.
>
>Just go and re-read that section, please? You might find some of the
>hints to be useful for your dilemma.

Right now, it's not my dilemma - I've just been putting thoughts forward. My biggest problem right now is getting the group together so we can get through the current game BEFORE we play any HeroQuest (mutter, mutter :-().

Still the point about some at least of the encounters being set up in advance does fit in with the idea that "stand-ins" could be used.

But one issue is that HeroQuests are supposed to be reenactments - while much can vary there is still more room for surprise in a test carried outside a formal HeroQuest - even a Practice Quest.

>It might aslso be wise to then
>then re-read the section on initiation and devotion. Both are, in
>fact, heroquests. Fairly specific, easily defined and easily
>completed ones, but heroquests none the less.

Otherworld Journeys, to be precise.

>
>It has been said several times by Greg and others that any magical
>test brings resistance. The greater the magical act, the greater
>resistance. Devotion is an act of will and desire that will be
>opposed and not just by 'convincing the examiners' - if you choose to
>play it that way.

I wouldn't disagree - although it will depend on the nature of the God - and it may be important for getting support from the examiners for the Devotion Quest itself.

>
>A heroquest is merely the most *extreme* form of magic there is and
>generates extremely high levels of resistance - or mythic resonance.
>Take your pick.

-- 
--
"The T'ang emperors were strong believers in the pills of 
immortality.  More emperors died of poisoning from ingesting minerals 
in the T'ang than in any other dynasty" - Eva Wong _The Shambhala 
Guide to Taoism_

Paul K.