At 11:52 PM 11/14/95 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Glorantha Digest Tuesday, 14 November 1995 Volume 02 : Number 205
>
>
>TABLE OF CONTENTS
>
>David Gadbois Good Times!
>Argrath_at_aol.com Lodril
>Argrath_at_aol.com The Tricky One
>Argrath_at_aol.com Whiskeypalians
>Argrath_at_aol.com House Zemady Campaign
>Argrath_at_aol.com martial arts, trolling
>D. Pearton Vile Chaos Abominations!
>Peter Metcalfe Lodril and Martial Arts
>
>RULES OF THE ROAD
>
>1. Do not include large sections of a message in your reply. Especially
> not to add "Yeah, I agree" or "No, I disagree." Or be excoriated.
> If someone writes something good and you want to say "good show"
> please do. But don't include the whole message you praise.
>2. Use an appropriate Subject line.
>3. Learn the art of paraphrasing: Don't just quote and comment on a
> point-by-point basis. When paraphrasing you demonstrate exactly
> how well you understand the point someone was trying to make.
>4. There is no number 4.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>From: David Gadbois <gadbois_at_CS.UTEXAS.EDU>
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 17:21-0600
>Subject: Good Times!
>
>Poor old Captain Tim has been had by the Good Times virus gag. It's
>only a joke. There is nothing to worry about. Don't panic. Especially
>don't forward it to all known mailing lists. Fnord. Check out
>ftp://usit.net/pub/lesjones/good-times-virus-hoax-faq.txt for more info.
>
>- --DGG
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Argrath_at_aol.com
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 20:42:27 -0500
>Subject: Re: Lodril
>
>In Digest V.2 #203, Will Johnson writes:
>
>> I was wondering if anyone had more
>>information on Caladraland or knew where I could look.
>
>The cult of Caladra & Aurelion has appeared 2 or 3 times in print, most
>recently (and maybe easiest to get ahold of) in TotRM # 7. There's
>background on Caladraland in the RQ Companion.
>
>>... Lodril. One of the cult skills is a craft. Craft
>>Metal immediately comes to mind due to Lodril's divine magic and the
>>association with volcanoes, but are there any other forms of craft which
>>would be commonly practiced.
>
>It depends. Lodril is the premier god for male peasants in Peloria, so he
>teaches all class-appropriate crafts. In Caladraland, though, he is a minor
>deity, possibly an import from the days of the You Know Whos. There, he
> teaches only metal skills.
>
>>Also, even though this will not affect my
>>character for some time if ever, how does an allied spirit of Lodril
>manifest
>>itself? As a flame, is it similar to a small salamander or more like a
>>simple candle flame?
>
>In the interests of MGF, I'd say it's a flame whose size depends on the
>amount of fuel available. For safety's sake, the priest tries to keep a
>good-sized flame going, but it could be as small as a single coal.
>
>- --Martin
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Argrath_at_aol.com
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 20:42:34 -0500
>Subject: The Tricky One
>
>In a message dated 95-11-14 00:33:55 EST, Erik Sieurin writes:
>
>>Talkin' Trickster with Martin Crim:
>>> In Digest V2 #198, Erik Sieurin complained of not having the official yet
>>> unpublished Trickster/Eurmal write-up. I happen to know it has made it to
>>> your side of the pond, Erik, so a little discrete asking-around should
>turn
>>> it up.
>>Uh, please explain further. "My side of the pond?" Does that mean
>>EUROPE or SWEDEN? "Made it?" Does that mean it has been A, published
>>in a 'zine, B, given out to some local dignitary (like, say, if you
>>MEAN Sweden, Jonas or Michael?)? Was my complaint that horrible?
>
>Pond = Atlantic. It's in Europe, circulated in the same form it has in the
>U.S., courtesy of the great god Xerox. Not a horrible complaint, but I try
>to avoid violating the copyright laws, since it's hard for me to argue that I
>didn't know it was illegal.
>
>>When it comes to Trickster shrines, I must rephrase my earlier
>>opinions: I now think that a Trickster shrine IS a Trickster Priest,
>>... I don't think they change aspects too often, unless the "priest" himself
>>changes his attitudes ...
>
>It's hard to generalize about a god who does his damnedest to avoid being
>consistent, but I think SOME trickster "priests" function as shrines. Then
>there are holy objects and holy places which function more like normal
>shrines, and of course the odd (very odd) random blessing/curses from those
>who emulate one of Trickster's aspects.
>
>>>Many Eurmali are involuntary initiates, having been forced into the role
>>> by the needs and prejudices of the community. ...
>>This gets interesting when the local bum suddenly knows spells and
>>strikes back at the community with nasty surprises. ...
>
>Excellent. It's one of the hazards of living in Glorantha. I'd divide
>trickster initiates into 3 groups: the defectives, who are mostly
>involuntary; the mean bastards, who are mostly voluntary; and the fun-loving
>(THEIR idea of fun, anyhow), who mostly inherit the job.
>
>> (BTW, consider the opposite, the son of the local
>>Trickster who wants to become something hideously SERIOUS and
>>DUTYFILLED, or simply NORMAL!! HE*LL have troubles, both from his kin
>>and other people! Remember the Monty Python sketch about the artist whose
>>son run away to become a coal miner?)
>
>Yes. "Get out, you LABORER!" A classic.
>
>- --Martin
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Argrath_at_aol.com
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 20:42:45 -0500
>Subject: Re: Whiskeypalians
>
>In Digest V.2 #203, Andrew Joelson writes:
>
>>Argrath_at_aol.com:
>>
>>> ... (OTOH, joining Orlanth Rex or Moonson
>>> IS exactly like joining the Episcopalians for social advancement. Thus,
>>> one finds more people in high-ranking cults who lack, shall we say, true
>>> zeal.)
>>
>> Not necessarily. In any Orlanthi 'royal' family (or perhaps even
>>that of a clan chief), if a particular child seems to have talents and gifts
>>that point him out as the probable heir; then he is going to be brought up
>>in a 'royal' fashion, and this would include initation into Orlanth Rex.
>>After all, isn't that the best way to insure he learns what he needs to
>know,
>>to rule well?
>
>This is a counter-example? Is Prince Charles, in line to be head of the CoE,
>a zealous member of that church? Were you agreeing with me, perhaps?
>
>- --Martin
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Argrath_at_aol.com
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 20:42:50 -0500
>Subject: House Zemady Campaign
>
>Folks:
> I've looked at all the House Zemady Campaign info on the Web
>(http://hops.wharton.upenn.edu/~loren/Carmania) and I just have to rave. I
>was thinking about it all day at work and when driving around. It creates a
>flavor very effectively, and looks like a very fun place to game. Loren,
>Nick, and Paul, I urge you to submit it to AH for publication. Everybody
>else, if you haven't checked it out yet, do so.
>
>- --Martin ("trying for an all-Martin issue of the Digest") Crim
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Argrath_at_aol.com
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 20:43:21 -0500
>Subject: Re: martial arts, trolling
>
>In Glorantha Digest V.2 #203, we get a letter From:
>TORRESTM.HQAMC_at_MHS.SAFB.AF.MIL (Torres, Capt Timothy M)
>about some variant Martial Arts rules.
>
>May I suggest that this is more appropriate for the RQ Rules Mailing list,
>also available through the long-suffering, hard-working Loren Miller. Email
>to majordomo_at_hops.wharton.upenn.edu with the word "help" in the body of the
>text for information on subscribing and submitting.
>
>Then again, that obvious troll about the "Good Times" virus and the bogus FCC
>warning make me think that Capt. Timothy M. Torres was just flame-baiting us
>with an inappropriate post in the first place. Just in case anybody is new
>to the internet, let me tell you that the "Good Times" virus is a hoax.
> There is no such thing. And Nieman Marcus doesn't even MAKE a chocolate
>chip cookie. And the voice of Bart Simpson is NOT the kid whom Michael
>Jackson allegedly molested.
>
>- --Martin "Did you know you can have all the gullible parts of your brain
>removed?" Crim
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: "D. Pearton" <pearton_at_u.washington.edu>
>Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 18:37:25 -0800 (PST)
>Subject: Vile Chaos Abominations!
>
>- --
>***********************************************************************
>Dave Pearton * ....As I was saying before I
>Biochemistry Dept. * was so rudely interrupted
>University of Washington * by one of my multiple
>Seattle * personalities....
>pearton_at_u.washington.edu *
>pearton_at_unpsun1.cc.unp.ac.za * Naked Lunch (W.S. Burroughs)
>************************************************************************
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Peter Metcalfe <P.Metcalfe_at_student.canterbury.ac.nz>
>Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 16:09:43 +1300
>Subject: Lodril and Martial Arts
>
>Will Johnson:
>=============
>
>>I have created a character for a game set in Dragon Pass that is a native of
>>Caladraland and worships Lodril. I was wondering if anyone had more
>>information on Caladraland or knew where I could look.
>
>The most information comes from the RuneQuest Companion and Different
>Worlds, April 1983. You could also try the Cult Writeup of Caladra and
>Aurelion in ToTRM#7 and whatever tidbits are in the Genertela boxed set.
>The Broken Council Guidebook is good for some historical details.
>
>Briefly for those who don't have some of the sources listed above:
>
>The Caladralanders are a bunch of slash-and-burn agriculturists dwelling
>in light jungle. They are a loose tribal confederation electing a
>'President' to particpate in the Pharoah's magics and govern the land.
>Since 1616, all he can really do is govern the land, but his rule is
>ineffectual.
>
>About 20% of the land (on the coast) is inhabited by foreigners and is
>called Porthomeka. These people are mostly civilized Holy Country
>Orlanthi.
>
>Lodril used to be the original god of the land and his people used to
>sacrifice live humans to the Great Volcano Vent. He was tamed and
>defeated by Argan Argar who incorporated the land into his Kingdom of
>Night. The land was briefly touched by Nysalor's Bright Empire but
>Arkat subdued them and gave it back to the Only Old One.
>
>The land was apparently conquered by the God Learners who made a new
>cult, the Volcano Twins, to civilize the land. This survive the Doom
>of the God Learners (although other places under the Aegis of the Twins
>suffered as well). The Twin Priests are the ruling cult in the land
>having displaced the Lodril Priesthood.
>
>Lodril has been relegated to an subserviant position in Caladraland. Only
>the wilder tribes see him as the ruling god anymore. The Lodrilites do not
>see anything wrong with the current social order for the Great Vent Who Must
>Be Appeased is quiet which is a Good Sign that All Is Well. I think that
>Lodril is worshipped among the Caladrili as a War God (ie Firespear) rather
>than the Peasant Crafter God Playing With Fire depicted in Gods of Glorantha.
>The latter I feel is a Dara Happan cult.
>
>Your Lodril charcter will know that the peasants of Dara Happa also claim
>to worship Lodril. Their customs are strange but they appear to be okay.
>
>>I also have a couple
>>of questions regarding Lodril. One of the cult skills is a craft. Craft
>>Metal immediately comes to mind due to Lodril's divine magic and the
>>association with volcanoes, but are there any other forms of craft which
>>would be commonly practiced.
>
>Pam has already mentioned Stone and Pottery. I feel that in the Jungle,
>Craft Wood would also be deemed a valid skill. After all, it springs
>from the earth, which lodril rules, and burns easily which is also a mark
>of favour with Lodril. Only Stoopid Elves see things differently.
>
>>Also, even though this will not affect my
>>character for some time if ever, how does an allied spirit of Lodril manifest
>>itself? As a flame, is it similar to a small salamander or more like a
>>simple candle flame?
>
>I don't think the flame will extinguish naturally (or via the extinguish
>spell). I'd put it in a lamp or a candle and feed it with fuel. If
>starved of fuel, it will diminish.
>
>Tim Torres:
>===========
>
>I have written a thorough (but "work-in-progress") Martial Arts rules
>expansion, complete with designer notes for designing unique martial arts
>styles (Yes, I'm acquainted with martial arts rules in other game systems
>such as I.C.E. and "the other game company."
>
>>Is there an "Eastern"
>>location in Glorantha where an oriental culture exists (or could exist).
>
>Kralorela and Vormain being the Gloranthan analogues of Cathay and
>Nippon are good places to start. The Gloranthan Beastiary mentions
>that the Morokanth know a form of martial arts (which is not
>transferable to humans and was invented to make up for the lack of
>thumbs) and the Dara Happans(!) also have one too. Fonrit, I feel,
>has a yoga system but this is not quite the same thing.
>
>>For a martial arts campaign, I would prefer a Gloranthan
>>oriental culture with limited magic. Then the characters might
>>eventually come into contact with other Gloranthan cultures.
>
>I did some thinking on Martial Arts a while back and its connection
>with magic in a gloranthan context. The main problem, I thought, was
>that you had all this multiplicity of schools (Dragon School, Centipede
>School) and I was wondering about issues like compatibility. Like if
>you move along to another teacher, do you have to start again from scratch?
>
>I dunno how you handle Martial Arts but I felt that each M. artist still
>has the Martial Arts score to represent his spiritual mastery. The Artist
>would cast magical effects through application of his Martial Arts skill
>(details not yet worked out). The lore is transmitted down through the
>masters who would have mastered one magical discipline (like Ironhand)
>and know a few others (like Healing Hands). A student can obtain
>instruction from the master in how to perform a magical techique but he
>will never be as good as the master until he researches, practices and
>mediates. (In game terms, I figure that the Master would be something
>like Ironhand 10 etc).
>
>In Kralorela, the effects are more like spirit magic as the Government
>Bureacracy tends to snaff up the more magically talented people for its
>State Philosophy of Mysticism. Martial Arts there is more like old
>spirit magic cults radically changed to fit within the Kralori World
>View. ie in ages past the spirit of the Oak Tree used to teach Protection.
>Nowadays the Master of the Secrets of the Oak Tree teaches his disciples a
>Special Dragon Move that allows the body to be more resilent.
>
>In Vormain with its caste system, the martial artists are mainly concentrated
>in the peasantry, although the warriors have similar arts. Thus their magic
>martial arts has become more refined (in that its effects are sorcerous).
>
>The Morokanth is relatively unsophisticated magic wise, as they have their
>own magic which is quite ample. The Dara Happans, I am trying to grok:
>Is it like the Greek Pankration (anything goes save for Biting and Eye
>gouging) or is it a more mystical art, a Glorantha Tai-Chi: Red Moon for
>the Heart, Yelm for the Mind, Shargash for Blood etc?
>
>All IMO. Hope it helps.
>
>- --Peter Metcalfe
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of Glorantha Digest V2 #205
>*******************************
>
>
End of Glorantha Digest V2 #208
WWW material at http://hops.wharton.upenn.edu/~loren/rolegame.html