Bell Digest v940413p1

From: RuneQuest-Request@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RQ Digest Maintainer)
To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (Daily automated RQ-Digest)
Reply-To: RuneQuest@Glorantha.Holland.Sun.COM (RuneQuest Daily)
Subject: RuneQuest Daily, Wed, 13 Apr 1994, part 1
Sender: Henk.Langeveld@Holland.Sun.COM
Content-Return: Prohibited
Precedence: junk

X-RQ-ID: Intro

This is the RuneQuest Daily Bulletin, a mailing list on
the subjects of Avalon Hill's RPG and Greg Stafford's 
world of Glorantha.  It is sent out once per day in digest
format.

More details on the RuneQuest Daily and Digest can be found
after the last message in this digest.


---------------------

From: paul@phyast.pitt.edu (Paul Reilly)
Subject: Re: Jaxxo's Tales
Message-ID: <9404122143.AA15698@minerva.phyast.pitt.edu>
Date: 12 Apr 94 21:43:30 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3616

----------
X-Sun-Data-Type: text
X-Sun-Data-Description: text
X-Sun-Data-Name: text
X-Sun-Content-Lines: 7


  Paul here.

  Another writing by Finula McCaul:



----------
X-Sun-Data-Type: default
X-Sun-Data-Description: default
X-Sun-Data-Name: Jaxxo
X-Sun-Content-Lines: 399

"Sir:

  Herein is contained our translation of the so-called Jaxxo letters, penned
by an Orlanthi spy resident at the White Bear Inn, Lindeholm Administrative
District.  The agent goes by the name of "Jaxxo" but as yet we have not
discovered his true identity; our best guess is that he is a half-brother
of the notorious Vastof 'Thunderfist' of Wintertop.  The letters were 
intercepted and copied, as far as we know without knowledge of sender or
recipient, by one of our agents in the area.

  A note on the Letters:  These missives were written in a strange and primitive
 code, with many letters written backwards or upside down, and words misspelled 
or misused in order to further confuse the reader.  Many code words were used;
we are still assigning meaning to some of these.  The author occassionally
switches language in mid-sentence or simply uses a single word from another
language - of course our analysts were not foiled by this simple trick.  
However, the margins appear to be filled with some form of hieroglyphics or
pictograms whose  meaning we are not yet sure of; work on decoding these
continues.  A copy of the pictograms is included."

Annelinde's comments - "Jaxxo always writes like that."
"Their 'agent' is probably a trollkin - and I think I know which one."
	"Thunderfist- The name was actually derived from his habit of
insistently pounding on the trestle tops until his beer was refilled. It
was his most noteworthy habit."

Jaxxo's Letter's



These letters are part of a file containing copies of letters sent by
non-Lunar spies at the White Bear Inn in northern Dragon Pass. The author
claimed to be a member of the Donander cult, and stayed on at the Inn as an
entertainer . The nature of the code is that they are written backwards.
The writing is clearly legible if held up to a mirror. This set of letter was
written over the course of a year, after which no more were written.



Letter 1   Sea Season



	Dear Boss,

	Here is my first report on the so called White Bear Inn. It's as bad as
you feared, and probably worse. I've never seen such a motley looking crew
in my life, and believe me, I've been around.

	They've got Lunar agents, Malkioni sorcerors, militant mercenary
thugs, Praxian slave women, scuttling trollkin, giant spiders and pet
demons. And that's just for starters.

	Believe me boss, this place boggles the mind. They're trying to pretend
that "it's just an Inn", but this place must be the central clearing house for
Lunar Intelligence in the whole of the border country.

	Every day somebody shows up from some strange place on a "business
trip". Some of them have come a day's travel out of their way just to
sample the so called "Local Hospitality". Then, often as not, they have a
few drinks, go off alone with the proprietress and get pumped for
information. Then money changes hands and they come back to the common
room, acting like nothing happened.

	I think your fears about a Lunar/Troll alliance are justified. At least a
third of the "clientelle", as they call them, are trolls. Most of them stay
downstairs. I tried to sneak down and spy on them, but the place was so
unnaturally cold and dark that I had to return.

	They're always bringing ice up from that basement. The rumour is is
goes stright down to hell. That must make it real easy for them to deal
with their demonic servants.

	About the so called Herd Men. Some of them may be for real, but I'm
sure that some of them are ensorcelled compatriots. Interrogated, tortured
and humiliated, they are stripped of their reason and butchered like
animals. As one was being led off for a troll feast, I swear he gave me the
secret sign. I tried to respond, but he was hustled off by those surly
trollkin and butchered before my eyes while I hid behind a curtain.

	My disguise as a Donander cultist is working flawlessly. I juggle and
do tricks in the evenings, and so far they seem inclined to let me stay.
However, they are starting to lean on me to make me pay for my feed, if I
don't move on soon. Lunar stinginess strikes again.

	The Storm Bulls seem completely deceived, as you said, they believe
that these are good Lunars. Time and time again they come in, get outfitted
at no charge and then go off to face death in Snake Pipe Hollow. She even
offers a bounty on Broo heads. They are so caught up in their futile
attempts to clean up the Hollow that they won't even consider helping to
raid enemy outposts.

	I am writing this in code because the trollkin are spying on me. They
think that I am writing to my mother but I will take no chances. They hover
about constantly. Cleaning tables, sweeping floors, taking notes. You can
hardly move without tripping over one. I have been told that they are like
rats, for every one you see there are ten others hidden away, waiting for
their chance to strike.

	I fear for my safety if I stay too long, yet I am learning too much to
leave. The ability She has to convert people to her side is nothing short of
chaotic. Rumours says that She is a vampire and I think it must be true as I
never see her(the proprietress) during the day. When I ask they say that she
is doing accounts, or inventory, or resting. I bet.

	I fear this to be a nest of riddlers and pray that Orlanth will protect
me. Of all the local populous, only the Earth Temple has remained
uncorrupted. All the rest have sold their integrity for some casual
comforts and cheap beer.

	                                  Loyally Yours, Jaxxo





Letter 2 Early  Fire Season



	The Storm Bulls figured out about me and Eurmal. I just couldn't
resist that hot foot any longer. In a way it's a relief to get it out of my
system. They have threatened to take me up to Snake Pipe Hollow and use
me for bait. Very funny. I think it's a joke.

	I have been forced to start paying for room and board but my routine
is good enough that I am still making some clacks. You know, they make
some really good beer here. The bartender is a Storm Bull with a funny
accent. At least he claims to be a Bull. I'm still suspicious of anyone who
hangs around with a rat.

	That Shadow Cat you mentioned is the real thing, though kind of weird
looking. I suspect it has been mutated by bizarre Lunar magics. It seems to
have it out for rats, and sometimes brings them into the bar to torture in
front of an audience. The bartender says she's trying to get them to talk.
And they say I have strange habits! His pal always make scarce when the
cats around, and I may too. I don't like the way it stares at me when I
shuffle cards.

	The game's man they've got here is definitely a Holy Country spy. It's
pathetic the way he huddles next to the cook fire in the middle of the
summer. He's a real pro, though. I still haven't been able to figure out how
he's cheating at those games he's got; but he wins too often for it to be
luck.

	One of those trollkin seems to have it out for me. It is the offspring
of one of the senior ones, but it's way too big and has too many teeth. It
even comes out during the day. I often catch it watching me with that
hungry grin. That's when it isn't hanging around with that bear kid. That
trollkin reminds me of pig farm stories. I think that if I fell and didn't get
up real fast, it would be curtains for me.

	About the bear kid. He isn't actually the proprietresses son, he just
acts like it. I finally found out the real story and it made me want to run. It
seems the kid's father was a were bear on the rampage, and old Annelinde
here fought him, beat him, and persuaded him to go visit Ikadz in Hell! I
want out of here before she decides to persuade me into something!

	Please send my relief soon, Jaxxo





Letter 3      Mid- Fire Season



	The Storm Bulls are really OK. They gave me a fist full of silver after 
I made that sage believe that a bar stool was his girlfriend! What a riot.
I'm gonna get fat if I stay here much longer.

	Those mercenaries-This includes the Senechal Dale- seem to belong
to some fanatical anti-chaos cult from the North. I have seen them palling
around with both Bulls and Zoranis. They bring in more broo heads than
anyone. They have intimated to me that they are waiting for these Lunar
scum to overreach themselves. It seems that with the Bulls around, the
Lunars haven't used their chaotic powers at all. That's why these fanatics
haven't acted against them.

	They remind me of certain people. They're willing to get rich on the
enemies money while they're getting ready to strike. Eventually.

	I don't think your info on their sorceror is accurate. I don't see how
anybody who spends so much time painting flowers could be that
dangerous. He won't even punish his pet trollkin when it eats his paints.

	The rest of that band are scary enough, though. They had too much to
drink last night and I had a chance to eavesdrop. Remember that raiding
party that went out from Wintertop last Storm Season? They killed them.
All. It seems that one of the Adventurous types went into the Foul Slime
routine and those guys just went berserk and killed them all. I think I
recognize a couple of horses in the stable as some of ours. As for the
bodies; I now think I know what they feed to their Troll guests in the
basement. With herd men around. It's the perfect cover. I'm starting to get
confused by this place. I want to go home before it's too late.

	Jaxxo



Letter 4    Earth Season



Guess what, She's not a Vampire after all! I was examining the ripe oranges
in that glass building they have; looking for evidence of chaos or other
unnatural activity, and guess what! In comes Herself and that swarm of
children she has, to take a bath in that big decadent tiled pool they have in
there. As this was the middle of the day, with the sun shining down and
everything, I supppose she's not a Vampire after all. She just stays out of
the sun because Her skin's so white.

	I decided to find out just how white it actually was after I saw signs
of disrobing. After all, there were still all those rumours about her being a
bear, or a troll, or something. It was my duty to learn the truth, however
dangerous it might be to my person. It was the best opportunity I'd had yet,
as for once those uppity trollkin weren't hanging around.

	I was just getting ready to get wet myself, when who saunters in but
the foppish husband with his junior lackeys. He calls them Squires. He
made them inflate a bunch of those air filled balls the Esrolians make out
of giant fish bladders. Then he made them tie them together in bunches.
Then they threw them in the pool and jumped in after.

	As you know, a bladder filled with air will always float, thus proving
Orlanth's elemental victory over water. Here I found evidence that the vile
Lunars were corrupting even Orlanth's own breath for their vile purposes.

	They used the bladders as rafts to support themselves, and carried out
practice attacks in the water. The children(except for the real small one),
took the part of enemies and attacked them underwater. I'm sure it would
have been great fun if it weren't so evil.

	I figured they were too distracted to notice me so I decided to pursue
my investigation, despite the obvious danger. Unfortunately, I slipped on a
strigil someone had left lying around, tripped dramatically, and fell head
first into the pool, clothes and all. Fortunately I landed on Annelinde and
took the chance for some hands on investigation. Unfortunately, her
husband took offense. Fortunately, he was unarmed. Unfortunately, it didn't
stop him from holding me underwater until I almost drowned.

	 He had entirely too much fun pumping the water out of my lungs
afterwards. And can you believe it! He made the whole thing look like an
accident in front of his wife! Maybe I shouldn't have composed that
Limerick about him, but who'd have expected it?

	Eventually they were laughing so hard at my sad plight that I managed
to crawl away to compose this letter. I'll tell you what, though, it was
worth it. She sure felt human to me. She charges most people 8 wheels for
that.

	I shall continue in my duty to Orlanth. By the way, I have made a
contact who promises to expose me to the dark truth about the
Lunar/Vampire alliance. I hope to meet with her soon.



Letter five    2 weeks later



(This paragraph scratched out and written over)

	I just got a message from my contact. She's waiting for me outside
where no one will see us. I peeped out the window. What a babe. Once I turn
on the old charm, she'll be putty in my hands. Maybe I'll get some hard
evidence.



	Nothing much going on tonight. I scoped out the area looking for evil
deeds, but all I saw were trollkin hunting mice. Must have watched them
longer than I thought, it is nearly dawn. Boy am I tired- More later.



	I must have a cold, I've felt tired all week. Or else it's those insect
bites. I have the feeling I'm being watched by something outside, but when
I go to check I never find anything. I've got this craving for liver spinach
salad. Maybe I've been drinking too much.

	I have seen many different spies come in here. The general reaction is
for people to make fun of them. Only I have remained undetected. I can tell,
because all spies are forced to by a round of drinks for the House every
night. I think I'll go to sleep early.



Letter 6   End of Earth Season



	The Praxian cook is back and all of a sudden everything's got garlic in
it. I was never a big garlic man before, but it sure seems to be doing the
trick for me now. I feel better than I have in weeks. Annelinde Herself
suggested that the garlic soup was an old remedy that should cure my
problem. What a thoughtful babe. I hear she turns into a sex fiend during
fertility week. Don't you dare call me back before then.

	I tried to examine the underground maze where the trollkin conspire,
but it was hopeless. Sure, I was able to get past the poisoned spears, the
pit traps, and the guards; but once I got in I got lost. It's Dark in there! I
was almost eaten by those giant insects. I barely escaped with my life.

	I'm starting to get the hang of troll humour. It's actually quite
complicated, so I won't try to explain it in detail. It basically goes like
this. There are two kinds. 1) Somebody gets a part eaten off him. 2)
Somebody tries to eat something he can't. Get the picture?

	I decided to try my hand at this new venue and was a great success. I
found the best thing was to make sure that there wasn't enough food.
Without fail somebody gets their hand bit off. Switching rocks for
vegetables is good too. It gives them indigestion.

	The absolute best was when I put an iron nail in a rat and put it where
one would eat it. He was OK for about an hour. Then the heartburn hit. They
actually had to cut him open and stuff him full of ice. After they were done
laughing, that is. It was hysterical. I think this might be a good strategy
next time we have to fight trolls.



Letter 7  Beginning of Dark Season



 	I got dragged off to Snake Pipe Hollow by the Bulls. Nothing happened
and they said it was all my fault. They said they would never let me come
on a chaos fighting trip again as I was a jinx. Hooray!!!



	I added some giant insects to my act and everybody loves me. They've
even offered me a regular spot on the entertainment schedule. Right after
The Amazing Clairvoyant Trollkin and before Trollkin Puppet Theater.

	The new routine goes like this. There's me and this giant insect. They
call it a Ham Beetle. I dress the beetle up as a person. What kind of person
varies from day to day, but the most popular version is me in drag and the
beetle in diapers and a bib.

	The storyline is blind old woman misplaces child and thinks beetle is
it. Dresses it up and takes it for a walk, chattering away. Eventually she
looses it and sends the posse out looking for it. Trolls find and eat the
beetle(guest interaction here), and posse is left bewildered.

	It's great. The trollkin and local children all take parts. Even children
have money here.

	Another routine is the one where I dress a trollkin as my idiot
brother, or a dog, and try to get it to do tricks. The last trick is, of course,
get eaten. It is a laugh riot.



	Lunar soldiers have been showing up and hanging around here for a
while. Especially that female surveyor with all the lace. Woo! Woo! The
Bulls don't seem to mind the Lunar soldiers, some of whom tell stories
about fighting chaos.

	Some of these guys are even Sartarite! I met one whose related to my
third cousin Jack on my mother's side. Small world. Their generous with
their money, too. If my luck keeps up maybe I can buy me one of those Herd
Women they keep here. Sounds like the perfect woman for me.



Letter 8  End of Dark Season

	What's the big idea, ordering me back immediately! I'm not going! I
told you about Fertility week, and I put a down payment on that cow.

	

	I have not been corrupted by evil Lunar wiles; I should be so lucky.

	

	 know what? Come to think of it, I don't think I'm ever coming back!
This place suits me fine. I've finally met people who appreciate my talents.
Your probably just jealous. Mom always did like me better.

	I think I'll just take that job offer and stay on here. The money sure
looks good to me. Almost as good as the food and the women. You can keep
on sleeping out in the cold and wet if you want.

	Don't even think about coming and grabbing me. I disappear; and some
very incriminating info is going to surface. So don't even think about it.

	I think I'll add a trollkin to my act, and dress him in blue. What do you
think of that!

	I don't expect to be writing any more of these letters now that I have
a real job. So I'll just say goodbye and good riddance. It took the Lunars to
make me realize what a stuffed shirt you are.

	Your Brother, Jaxxo


---------------------

From: MILLERL@wharton.upenn.edu (Loren J. Miller)
Subject: Geography
Message-ID: <01HB3035OCFS8WXBUF@wharton.upenn.edu>
Date: 12 Apr 94 04:43:46 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3606

I agree with Sandy and Ken, et al, that we should mention geographical
similarities between Glorantha and Earth when they are helpful. I
think that people find the game to be much more satisfying when it
partakes in a large part of the real world. When a world gets too
bizarre and alien it just isn't any fun. Frinstance, Ormsgone Vale is
a cool idea, but if every single hill and mount is a sleeping dragon
or giant with its own peculiar lice or dust-mites to menace travelers
then it gets old pretty fast.

whoah,
+++++++++++++++++++++++23
Loren Miller            internet: MILLERL@wharton.upenn.edu
"Enough sound bites. Let's get to work."        -- Ross Perot sound bite

---------------------

From: f6ri@midway.uchicago.edu (charles gregory fried)
Subject: anthropologizing
Message-ID: 
Date: 12 Apr 94 14:02:24 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3607

Greg Fried here.

Devin Cutler worries about Glorantha becoming too anthropologized.  Devin,
you make your point clearly and it is well taken, but I simply disagree. 
Perhaps this is a matter of taste and sensibility.  However, there are few
things to point out.

You cite the example of Pamaltela's Doraddi being an amalgem of African and
Australian culture.  This didn't bother me at all.  FIrst of all, I think the
fact that the Doraddi are inspired by these cultures is something likely to
stand out because it is so completely unusual for a fantasy gaming setting to
BE inspired by African or aboriginal culture.  After all, we don't bat an eye
at the Genertelan cultures that are very clearly inspired by European
analogues (monotheism and rationalism of the West; "saints" etc in some of
the 'churches'; Sartar, tho not Scottland, is a lot LIKE Scottland; Prax and
the American plains Indians; I could go on and on).  And then there are still
all the fantasy elements which, though appropriated in a uniquely Gloranthan
and Staffordian manner, are still recognizably of Western fantasy origin. 
This all makes Genertelan 'anthroplogizing' SEEM more natural to us.

Finally, though the writers of the TotRM #11 issue on Pamaltela surely have
done a lot of fruitful research on RW Earth cultures, there are enough
elements of Gloranthan uniqueness which make it work for me AS GLoranthan. 
What is the RW analog for the Kresh, frex?  

Anyway, I guess I really liked the Pamaltela issue -- I think it is one of
the best examples of how Glroantha can inspire us to learn more about our
world through GLorantha and NOT lose GLorantha.

-- GF out.

---------------------

From: watson@computing-science.aberdeen.ac.uk (Colin Watson)
Subject: How many elves in a forest?
Message-ID: <9404121452.AA17120@condor>
Date: 12 Apr 94 14:52:04 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3608

This talk of nomad populations reminded me of a question which arose in a
game the other week:
We (elven PCs & others) were planning some pre-emptive action against the
empire to protect our wood. The GM suddenly realised that he didn't
have much of a clue how many elves lived in the forest. We needed to have
some idea of what size of force we could muster if the worst came to the worst.

So I was wondering if anyone out there has a feel for how much woodland is
required to "support" an elf?

(I think the figure we settled on was something like 1 elf per 10 sq km, but
that was simply working back from the sizes of known temples in the area which
is maybe not the best way...)
___
CW.