Glorantha Wargames

From: richardc_at_sypte.co.uk
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 12:10:59 +0000


Alex wants to know about Hordes of the Things and how it works for Glorantha=2E

First of all some basics: HOTT is the fantasy version of DBA (De Bellis Antiquorum) which is WRG's fast play ancients rules designed for twelve element armies (but perfectly usable with bigger forces)=2E There is also DBM (De Bellis Multitudinis) and DBR (De Bellis Renationis - renaissance) which are designed for bigger battles and (contrary to a previous post of mine) have a new fantasy version called DBF (De Bellis Fantasticus)=2E

All of the rules are based around elements which represent a variable number of troops=2E The important thing is that all element bases have the same frontage and that you fight element against element=2E The rules are very brief and once you've picked them up the mechanisms become second nature=2E

Because of the use of elements the game scale is pretty variable and so is the figure scale - anything from 2mm or 6mm (one inch equals 100 paces) to 25mm (40mm equals 100 paces) works fine=2E I use 6mm Irregular Miniatures stips for non-Gloranthan games and 25mm (Old Citadel) RQ figures and various RW ancients for Glorantha=2E

If you regard Dragon Pass (the game)'s ancient warfare with nuclear weapons approach as the only true rendering of Gloranthan battles then HOTT is not for you=2E HOTT magic is not the mass destruction army killer of the Crater Makers' SS-20s=2E In fact to use two of the current buzzwords it's outcome-oriented=2E A magician element attacking an enemy force may destroy an element, ensorcell it (neutralizing it more or less permanently), disrupt the enemy unit's cohesion, or suffer some kind of backlash effect itself=2E In the game context it doesn't matter whether these effects are due to lightning bolts, spirit attacks, or blinding dust stirred up by thousands of summoned marmosets=2E

For a better representation of Glorantha you probably could do with adding in some troops types from DBA - Auxilia for Lunar peltasts, and the DBA division between Spears and Pikes is useful for Sun Domers and Lunar Hoplites vis a vis say Sartar City Militia=2E



Finally a question - is there an obvious Gloranthan home for Alternative Armies' Floppy-Eared Barbarian Bunnies figures and/or the same manufacturer's kilted badger bagpiper?

Sorry to have rambled on so long=2E

Richard Crawley
richardc_at_sypte=2Eco=2Euk=20=


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