From: "JOHN & CHRISTY THOMPSON" To: Subject: Chaosium Digest v35.09 Date: Sunday, March 17, 2002 12:41 AM Chaosium Digest Volume 35, Number 09 Date: Saturday, March 16, 2002 Number: 1 of 2 Contents * Godlike: Mechanics for Call of Cthulhu (CTHULHU) by Cedric Chin Editor's Note: My thanks go out to everyone who has submitted articles since last issue. Due to the large number of Announcements in this issue one of the smaller submissions is being used this issue. Cedric Chin presents a possible new game mechanic for Call of Cthulhu. The others will get their turn in the near future. Also, since there were such a small number of submissions for last quarter, those entries have been rolled over for the first quarter 2002 contest which ends March 31, 2002. Keep those submissions coming! Enjoy. ANNOUNCEMENTS * From Issaries, Inc. AND OUR LUCKY WINNERS ARE ... The winners of the second general GTA Observers drawing were Shawn Wilson and Janice Sellers. They each won a copy of the fabulous Lunar Map by Wesley Quadros and Martin Laurie. If you don't remember the map or want to gaze longingly upon the map, perhaps with an eye toward buying a copy, go to . The next drawing starts ... NOW! This time around, we will be giving away a set of the first 11 Gloranthan Classics miniatures produced by Dark Ages Miniatures. These miniatures, described elsewhere in this newsletter, are being cast from the original Archive molds in lead-free white metal. They are among the first Gloranthan miniatures ever produced, and are truly wonderful to see again or behold for the first time. Enliven your game (Gloranthan or otherwise) by throwing in the White Princess, Harrek the Berserk, the Master of Fire, or Cragspider the Firewitch! On March 1st, Issaries will select two non-paid GTA members at random to receive a full set of these eleven miniatures. To be eligible for this drawing, we must receive an email message from you by midnight PST February 1st to . To ensure that we do not overlook your message, please put GTA ARCHIVE MINIATURES DRAWING in the subject line of the message. If you have other correspondence for us, you must send it in a separate message to help avoid any confusion. SANDY PETERSEN APOTHEOSIZED After a time of great devastation, beneficent darkness descended upon the realm. Panic, depression, and despair receded, vanishing like the last embers of a fire as the shadows engulf it. Glorantha was saved. A god living among mortals, a mortal living among gods, Ezkankekko, the Only Old One, strode forward to bring unity once more to the shattered world. Uz, aldryami, mostali, humans, dragonewts, gold wheel dancers, and many others came together, and Ezkankekko was among them, healing ancient scars, settling ancient feuds, and showing similarities where people could see only differences. When Chaos came he was there, and the Unity People became one. When Gbaji came he was there, and the Unity People triumphed. When the dragons betrayed the world he was there, and the Unity People survived. He is with us even now, one among many, a bastion of strength at the Gray Shores of Despair. He will always be with us. No amount of thanks can be great enough for the many gifts Sandy Petersen has given to the Glorantha Tribe. From a fan hoping to have his submissions looked at by the High Ones, to one of the Gods of Glorantha creating the world, to a respected elder and an expert on all things ever present, his thoughts and beliefs have shaped all aspects of Glorantha, and always will. I fervently hope that he will always be with us. I am happy to have this opportunity to thank Sandy for the friendship, creativity, and support you have given to Glorantha and me. In recognition of this service, which truly cannot be measured, Issaries is honored to grant to you the most esteemed status in our Glorantha Tribe. I, Greg Stafford, am proud to announce this here, for all of the best to see: Sandy Petersen is a Demi-God of the Glorantha Trading Association With all honors and privileges granted thereto. GTA OBSERVER BENEFITS Although Observers are not paid members of the GTA, you are important members of the Glorantha Tribe. In addition to receiving a regular newsletter similar to this one, we send you most announcements that go to members. And, you have one benefit that paid members do not -- every few months, when we send out the Observers newsletter, we hold a drawing and give away a prize to one or two people. If you know someone who would like to keep up on all happenings Gloranthan, and maybe score a free prize sometime, have them contact us at with the message "Add Observer" in the subject line so that we can add them to the list of almost 1000 addresses. A NEW HOME FOR THE GTA After some constructive criticism, we have done some construction of our own on the Glorantha web site to better accommodate and recognize the members of the GTA, without whom there would be no Hero Wars. Now, getting access to GTA information and documents is easier than ever! Instead of having to locate files in different directories by following many links, beginning today you can access all GTA information from a single page. You can access this page in two ways: 1. Enter the GTA site URL: 2. Click on the new GTA Link from the main page, marked appropriately enough with the Recreation/Resurrection rune. This new link goes to a GTA Gateway page that allows you access to all things GTA. Links now take you directly to the Membership Info page, Restricted Library (for paid members), We Are the Tribe member listing, and more. In addition, we will soon give the Glorantha links page an overhaul. Among other changes, the personal sites of paid GTA members will be found under a separate heading, closer to the top of the page than they are now. In this way, we recognize and reward those members who have dedicated themselves (and their money) to Glorantha and the GTA. We want to make the GTA more than just an organization to help Glorantha: a true community. Visit the sites of these members, and take a look at their great ideas. And let us know if there is anything else you think we should be doing for the tribe! MAILING LIST BLUES: Because of the difficulties of sending out the newsletter via traditional email, Issaries, Inc. is considering moving the GTA Observers list to YahooGroups. Issaries would still maintain the database in-house, but would keep the mailing list on YahooGroups. This will enable me, your GTA Czar, to actually send out the newsletter and announcements myself, thus freeing up Stephen Martin of Issaries, Inc. for other tasks. It will also make maintaining the list simpler. Issaries and I would maintain the list directly, and would restrict mailing privileges only to a few people, so there is no fear of suddenly getting unsolicited emails. Only Issaries and Mark Leymaster would have access to the list, so the anonymity of GTA Observers would be ensured (we do not even maintain names in-house for Observers, only email addresses). But despite all these assurances, we understand that people will have questions and concerns about the move, so we want to hear from you. Email us at with "YahooGroups" in the Subject Line to express your opinion on the matter. It is your tribe, and you have a say in how it is run! TOP 20 GLORANTHA SITES Nominations are open now for all paid GTA members for the Top 20 Glorantha Web Sites. Issaries, Inc. and the GTA think it is time to recognize the best Glorantha web sites out there (whether or not they belong to GTA members or observers). Is there a site with great content? Amazing maps or artwork? More stuff than you can shake a trollkin at? We want to know which sites deserve special merit. Nominations will be listed on , and see voting mechanics for this posted at . Votes will be accepted by email from all GTA members AND OBSERVERS from March 16 to March 31, 2002, with the winners announced as soon afterwards as possible, both on the Glorantha web site and also on the RPGNetwork's Top Web Sites listings. BARBARIANS RELEASED Issaries, Inc. has releases of Barbarian Adventures, the first book in the Sartar Rising campaign series. This scenario book for Hero Wars details typical activities and unusual adventures for Heortling heroes. Seek the clan Lawspeaker's advice, fight Chaos monstrosities, become embroiled in a blood feud because of a horse, and escort a group of friendly (perhaps more than friendly) healers around the countryside. (The Clan Questionnaire originally planned for this book will appear in Orlanth is Dead!, due out soon.) Barbarian Adventures began shipping on Tuesday, January 22. GTA members who selected it as their patronage choice should already have received their copy. If you think you should have received a copy, but have not, please contact Stephen Martin at so that he can check on it for you. (This might be a good time for everyone to think about contacting us to update or confirm their address.) ISS 1401 Barbarian Adventures ISBN 1-929052-05-7, 72 pg. 8 1/2" x 11" paperback, US$ 14.95. For more information, see . MYTHOLOGIES REVEALED AND PREFINISHED WORKS CHANGED Issaries, Inc. has also released a new Prefinished Work: Revealed Mythologies, a 110 page sourcebook detailing the core mythologies of the Malkioni (Westerners), Vithelans (Easterners), and Doraddi (Pamaltelans) of Glorantha, which previously have been obscured by the mythology of Central Genertela. Also included are an index, Godtime maps from each culture's point of view, and separate glossaries of important divinities, places, events, and philosophies. However, all Prefinished Works are produced on demand, so Issaries has sadly announced that the value of your copies of The Entekosiad, Glorious ReAscent of Yelm, Fortunate Succession, Missing Lands, & Revealed Mythologies are now worth/cost US $30 each. The good news for overseas Glorantha watchers is that Unspoken Word is able to ship Prefinished Works from the UK, much reducing shipment cost to many places. Check for details. GLORANTHAN LICENSES: BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY Issaries, Inc. has announced its license to Edge Entertainment of Spain to produce the Spanish edition of Hero Wars. Edge Entertainment will release their translation of Hero Wars 2nd edition later this year. Watch this space for details to come. Atelier THIRD of Japan released the Japanese edition of Hero Wars in Tokyo last November at SupplementCon, at which Greg Stafford was the Guest of Honor. The Japanese book combines Hero Wars and Narrator's Book, with added information from Thunder Rebels, Anaxial's Roster, and Glorantha: Introduction to the Hero Wars. Samples are available at . They May Be Miniatures, But They're Big News Issaries, Inc. has proudly licensed not just one, but two companies to produce Gloranthan miniatures. Long-lived addicts of everything Gloranthan may recall the splendid figures Archive Miniatures produced between 1976 and 1980. Now, just like Glorantha, they are back and better than ever! Dark Ages Miniatures and Issaries, Inc. just announced the 25th anniversary re-casting of the first-licensed Gloranthan figures, now in a lead-free white metal. Over the next two years, Dark Ages Miniatures will release 3 sets of 10 figures each. This is a very limited run, which will last from February 1st, 2002 to December 31st, 2003, after which the molds will be destroyed. The first set is available now; see for details (including pictures of the miniatures). As an added bonus, anyone who buys all 10 miniatures at once will receive an 11th figure free. These additional miniatures will not be available separately. The second and third groups will be released in April and June of 2002. (Two sets of the first group of miniatures will be given to two lucky observers; see "And Our Lucky Winners Are ...", above.) At the same time, Issaries has also licensed Lance & Laser's completely NEW series of Gloranthan miniatures for game use. Lance & Laser is well-known for their other lines, including the authorized Pendragon figures, and this Gloranthan line continues their high quality. Issaries has samples on display and is excited at the prospect of their first release in next March. Again, more information will be available soon. GLORANTHAN PRIDE: SOON TO BE SPOTTED AT A CON NEAR YOU Do clothes make the gamer? Have you ever wanted to show your allegiance to the Storm Tribe? Ever wanted to get drunk with Orlanth? Have the entire Lunar Empire on your desktop? Now you can! Issaries, Inc. has a partnership for on-line sales of t-shirts, caps, mugs, mousemats, and other products featuring splendid art and slogans from Glorantha. The merchandise is from the CafePress.com on-line store, who print to order using good quality materials. You can buy safely with credit card, check, or money order and have your purchases shipped anywhere in the world. (Shipping costs within the US and Canada are $4.30 for the first item, then $1.65 for each additional item; outside North America shipping costs $7.00 for the first item and $4.00 for each additional item. So, if you want to show your pride, it is cheaper to buy multiple items at once!) Find full details at , but the main store is at , with links to other stores. Note that some items will change over time, so that some mugs and shirts will feature different images each month or quarter. Don't miss out on capturing your favorite deity when his or her turn comes around. Most sites will be updated at the start of each month. Under normal circumstances, at least one month's notice will be given before a line is withdrawn from sale, but now Issaries Goldentongue waits to tempt you with his wares! More stores will be opened in time as the Goldentongue returns from his travels with new wares. Coming soon is UZ: The Trolls of Glorantha, a joint venture with The Unspoken Word featuring artwork from that book as well as the Dark Troll Joke of the Month series of mugs (featuring classic Gloranthan artwork by William Church). We would like to open stores offering goods for other cultures of Glorantha; let us know what you would like to see! The first new site is Gultha's Trade Tent to showcase art from the "Book of the Moment," whichever is the latest book released by Issaries, Inc. At present, it is Barbarian Adventures, so go and take a look at Gultha's goods. But Be Warned: once a new book is released and new products are in this store, the old ones will no longer be available. So if you buy, buy early, buy often! Also available for a very limited time is a hooded sweatshirt featuring the cover art from Hero Wars 2nd edition. This item will not be available after March 31st, so get one at while you can! Issaries, Inc. would like to thank Mark Galeotti of the Unspoken Word for designing, setting up, and maintaining these Glorantha stores. JOIN THE TRADE CLAN: More Glorantha from CafePress.com Issaries, Inc. is happy to see others establish CafePress.com sites to support the Hero Wars game and the world of Glorantha. Obviously, though, Issaries must also protect its trademarks and intellectual property rights. As such, Issaries will permit and encourage others to establish online sites selling Glorantha-related goods, so long as they meet a series of simple conditions intended both to protect these rights and also to ensure that CafePress.com sites selling items with Glorantha as their main or partial inspiration do so openly, fairly and within the bounds of appropriate taste. These conditions are posted at . Two approved Gloranthan stores are already open: King of Dragon Pass , featuring artwork from that award-winning computer game. The Unspoken Word , with artwork and logos from an outstanding Gloranthan fanzine. We hope to see more CafePress Glorantha on-line soon! THE LATEST ON CONVENTIONS Convulsion C02 is a UK games convention taking place from July 19th to July 22nd 2002 at Digby Hall in Leicester, England. There is a heavy bias toward Glorantha and Hero Wars, with guests such as Greg Stafford, John Hughes, Roderick Robertson, and Michael O'Brien. In addition look for staff of Tales of the Reaching Moon, Unspoken Word and Tradetalk. Expect organised Hero Wars tournaments, Gloranthan freeforms, Trollball, a Gloranthan games auction (the best in the "real-world"), GlorWar miniatures, and numerous Gloranthan seminars and panels. Join the mailing list at or email David Hall at . See the website for more detail. Tentacles 2002 is coming (slurp). Hero Wars, Elric! and Cthulhu Game Fest on 17th-20th May 2002 at Castle Stahleck, Germany, see . Guests of honor include Greg Stafford and Lawrence Whitaker (Sandy Petersen has a scheduling conflict, and will be unable to attend this year). You can register there for 85 euros for 4 days and 3 nights with breakfast and dinner before the March 31 deadline. Credit cards (but no cash payment) accepted at the door. Canada Glorantha Con, in 2003, is doing a fundraiser book, like most of the Gloranthacons of old. If you want to contribute, write to Jeff Kyer . BUT WE NEED EVERYONE: Are you going to another local convention? If so, consider running a Hero Wars game or two. Along with a prize,Issaries can also provide a scenario for you to run: just contact Stephen Martin at for assistance. If the convention is a large one, we might want to deal directly with the convention staff to give prizes in exchange for advertising space, but even small cons can benefit from the presence of one or two dedicated Glorantha fans. If you plan to go to a convention, whether or not you plan to run a game, tell us! Local cons are a great place to meet each other as well as non-member fans of Glorantha. A little word of mouth is all it takes to help keep the tribe growing. Contact us at with your name and the convention name, dates, and location, and we'll do what we can to make it a great experience for you. When possible, we will put an announcement on the Issaries Conventions page , so that other fans can find you. WORDS NOT ENTIRELY UNSPOKEN UZ: the Trolls of Glorantha is out! This full-sized 64-page book features a full-color cover and more new material from James Frusetta than you can shake a value trollkin at. Get histories; racial, occupational, and magical keywords; a wonderful new map of Dagori Inkarth by Darran Sims; players' & narrators' notes; lavish illustrations; and everything else you need to start running games among the irrepressible (and hungry) Uz. UZ is available from the Wizard's Attic and also directly from the Unspoken Word . Additional support materials, including a sample uz clan and cave complex, will very soon be available on the Unspoken Word website. Unspoken Word #2 is coming soon, a bandits and outlaws issue. It contains an optional story arc set in Dragon Pass, linking the different groups, cults, adventures, and locations together, culminating in a mob war in Furthest that could leave half the city in ruins. This issue also includes Greg's Secret Lowdown on Lanbril -- don't miss the official word on everyone's favorite Thief God! UW3 will focus on Aldachur and the Far Place. Meanwhile, more regional books are in the works. Also coming is at least one book on Imther by Harald Smith and Martin Crim, adventures among the Exiles 'In Wintertop's Shadow' by Ian Cooper, the CharUn nomad book 'Sons of Kargzant' by Wesley Quadros and Martin Laurie, and a Dragon Pass scenario book. GLORANTHAN SHORT TAKES King of Dragon Pass, the Best of the Best of Glorantha 2001, and a nifty and award-winning computer game, is now just $19.95, if ordered from the publisher's website or select retailers (such as Wizards Attic). It runs on a Macintosh or under Windows, so my niece can run it just like me. If you want to keep up with Tradetalk subscriptions or back issues, visit Tradetalk's wonderful site which sprachen English as well as Deutsch. Snappy mail service to the U.S. and personal attention if your order needs it. Kalikos, the North Star, is on the rise in Finland. We have heard that a group of Finnish fans have started a Finnish-language association called Kalikos, which among other things plans to publish a Gloranthan fanzine. For more information, email them at or visit them at . ORLANTH WANTS YOU ... TO CALL HOME Volunteers are the lifeblood of Issaries, but they sometimes go missing. If you know how to contact Geoffrey McVey, Darrell Jay Cook, or Joe Lannom, would you let us know or ask them to email us ? If you want to volunteer, let us know what you'd like to contribute, or just ask and we'll find something for you to do. PARTING SHOT The more I do in Glorantha, the more I find that kinship and family matter, much as they do in the real world. Getting the detail for this is not always easy, but I've found a nifty website that helps: the Pendragon Family Generator , which produces custom family trees on demand. The author of this marvel is quite willing to add Heortling names to the culture options. Can someone mail a good list to Mark Cummins ? (Great first name.) More ambitious help with this marvelous tool: anyone care to explain to him how mixed maternal-paternal clan inheritance works? Anyone care to explain it to me? Mark Leymaster aka Hawkbear * AND OUR LUCKY WINNERS ARE ... "...the Observations email said I have to enter by Feb. 1, but the email didn't go out until Feb. 22..." The actual final date for entries was supposed to be March 7th, and the drawing on March 8th. Mea culpa! Also, Shannon Wright was the second winner of the Lunar Map Drawing, not Shawn Wilson. Sorry Shannon! Stephen Martin * To All: Because the GTA-Czar and I will both be out of town until near the end of the month, we have made the decision to extend both the Best of Glorantha 2001 and the Top 20 Glorantha site nomination deadlines. Nominations for Best of Glorantha 2001 will be accepted from GTA Heroes and Runemasters to through midnight March 31st, Pacific Standard Time. Voting will begin immediately after. Votes will be accepted from any GTA Hero, Runemaster, or Initiate through midnight PST, Thursday April 18th. For more details, see . Nominations for Top 20 Glorantha sites will be accepted from GTA Heroes, Runemasters, and Initiates to through midnight March 31st, Pacific Standard Time. Voting will begin immediately after. Votes will be accepted from any GTA Hero, Runemaster, Initiate, or Observer through midnight PST, Thursday April 18th. For more details, see . So, those of you who have been meaning to make a nomination and despaired of getting it in by the deadline, take a look at the current nominations and then send us your nominations! Cheers and Happy Voting! GTA-Boyer Stephen Martin (continued) -- To unsubscribe from the chaos-digest ML, send an "unsubscribe" command to chaos-digest-request@chaosium.com. Chaosium Inc., Call of Cthulhu, and Nephilim are Registered Trademarks of Chaosium Inc. Elric! and Pendragon are Trademarks of Chaosium Inc. All articles remain copyright their original authors unless otherwise noted.