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, Sat, 23 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: rowe@soda.berkeley.edu (Eric Rowe)
Subject: The Cult of Gaming Evangelicism: David Cheng
Message-ID: <199404220750.AAA10073@soda.berkeley.edu>
Date: 21 Apr 94 17:50:28 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3757
DAVID CHENG
\*/ | |
| ------
/ \ | |
I. MYTHOS AND HISTORY
A. BEFORE DAWN
Sometime in the great darkness David Cheng came upon a secret tome
of knowledge. Purchased at great expense, the knowledge therein enriched
and enlighted the young mind to the glories of the Goddess Glorantha and
the World Machine, RuneQuest.
Years of toil and struggle followed as some rallied to the
RuneQuest cause, and as others fell away. Through the darkness David
continued to attempt to provide the light of knowledge to those who
followed other, perverse and wicked gods such as Awful Darn Dull,
Diceions, and Warchisel. David would go to centers of power, where many
gods were worshipped, and there he would spread the word of the goddess to
the unthinking masses.
Unfortunately, the chaos grew and the forces of evil surged
stronger. Then, David heroquested beyond the great sea, where he
found the seed for his great plan. He created his own center of
power, where those who worshipped the true goddess and sought to save
the world machine could come and share knowledge, as well as find
solace and companionship with other believers. This event was part of
the dawning which brought light back into the world.
B. SINCE TIME BEGAN
The goddess Glorantha smiled upon the work of David Cheng and
said that it was good. But, the burden of creating a center of power
is great, and so others have sprung up throughout the world to follow
in David's ways to create new centers. David Cheng has not finished
though, and in the world continues to be one of the great leaders of
RuneQuest evangelicism.
C. LIFE AFTER DEATH
Worshippers of David Cheng are assurred life after death. Not
in the usual method, but in written and oral memories passed from
worshipper to worshipper down through the rest of time.
D. RUNIC ASSOCIATIONS
The cult is associated with the runes of man and communication.
II. NATURE OF THE CULT
A. REASON FOR CONTINUED EXISTANCE
Those who follow the cult are those who understand the volitile
and changing world of gaming religion. They realize that new members
must continually be brought into the fold or the cult will die. Cult
members are the champions of Glorantha and RuneQuest.
B. SOCIAL/POLITICAL POSITION AND POWER
The cult is not widespread, even among worshippers of Glorantha.
Where the cult is strong though, members of the David Cheng cult are
greatly respected and deferred to. It is they who usually brought the
worshippers into the pantheon in the first place.
C. PARTICULAR LIKES AND DISLIKES
The cult likes all those gods and systems that resemble and are
allied with RuneQuest. All other sytems are considered evil and should
be ignored or destroyed. Often, perfectly good gods are enslaved by evil
systems and require liberation.
III. ORGANIZATION
A. INTER-CULT ORGANIZATION
There is currently no effective system in place to bind the
worshippers into a single organization.
B. INTRA-CULT ORGANIZATION
Some god-learner research has created a new god, internet. The
creation and growing worship of this god is slowly making possible a
previously unobtainable level of intra-cult communication and organization.
C. CENTER OF POWER, HOLY PLACES
The cult uses any center of power in its area to spread the word
of RuneQuest. A main goal of the cult is to create its own center of
power. The greatest holy place of the cult is the Chaosium, where the
high priest of Glorantha holds court.
D. HOLY DAYS AND HIGH HOLY DAYS
Holy days are any weekend where a center of power is created. This
is especially important during extended weekends. High holy days are
days when the center of power is one dedicated to Runequest and Glorantha.
IV. LAY MEMBERSHIP
A. REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN
Lay membership is open to all living beings.
B. REQUIREMENTS TO BELONG
Lay members must find a local cult of RuneQuest and participate
in its ceremonies.
C. MUNDANE BENEFITS
Meet interesting people and creatures and kill them.
D. SKILLS
All skills are available to members of this cult. Also available
are the special skills of Gamemastering, Con-running and Publishing.
E. BATTLE MAGIC
All battle magics are available to cult members at the usual costs.
V. INITIATE MEMBERSHIP
A. REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIATION
Initiates must disavow all previous cult connections other than
those of associate cults. They must also vow to attempt to spread the
word of Glorantha and RuneQuest through any possible means open to them.
B. REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN INITIATED
Continued showing of good faith in spreading the knowledge of
Glorantha and RuneQuest. This is most commonly done by practicing the
Gamemastering skill, but those wishing to excel in the cult write and
post to the internet often.
C. MUNDANE BENEFITS
As for lay members.
D. SKILLS
As for lay members.
E. SPELLS
Initiates may purchase the following spells:
Reduced Cost (1/2X) - Control (Human), Fanaticism, Vigor
Normal Cost - All others
Raised Cost (2X normal) - Disruption, Demoralize
Prohibited - Lightwall
Initiates may sacrifice for one-use rune magic as normal.
VI. RUNE LORD MEMBERSHIP
A. GENERAL STATEMENT
Rune lords of the cults are called Con Lords, or sometimes
Storm Cons. It is the sacred duty of a Con Lord to spread the gospel
of RuneQuest. They owe obedience only to the gods.
B. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE
Candidates must have 90% in 5 basic cult skills, one of which must
be Gamemastering. They must also have run a ceremony at several centers
of power. Finally, they must have been recognized for spreading the word
in one of the official writings. This includes writings from the mystical
lands of Avalon and the Reaching Moon.
C. RESTRICTIONS
Storm Cons may worship no other gods except the associate
ones. They may only explore other worlds if planning to convert the
system to be like RuneQuest and convert the worshippers to the goddess
Glorantha.
D. BENEFITS
Storm Cons are much sought after for their wisdom and advice. It
is they who travel the realms searching out centers of power from which
to spread the gospel of the Goddess and RuneQuest. They are the arms and
the legs of the cult. Storm Cons may request special knowledge and
favors from underlings as well as associated cults.
VII. RUNE PRIESTHOOD
A. GENERAL STATEMENT
Rune Priests of David Cheng are called Sages. They collect and
study the rules of the World Machine and the lore of Glorantha. It is
their duty to provide material for Storm Cons.
B. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE
To become a Sage a candidate must have 90% in 5 skills, two of
which must be Publishing and Glorantha Lore. They must have spread the
word in at least five holy publications.
C. RESTRICTIONS
Same as for Rune Lords.
D. BENEFITS
If Storm Cons are the arms and legs of the cult, Sages are the
head and heart of the cult. It is they who create and analyze the holy
writings. Followers of the cult must sacrifice to them when they
request it. They are the keepers and obtainers of secret knowledge.
E. RUNE SPELL COMPATABILITY
Priests may use any spell which they have sacrificed for.
F. CULT SPECIAL RUNE SPELLS
One Point Spell
CREATE GAMING TABLE: Duration 6hrs, Range 8ft, Reusable, Stackable
This spell temporarily create a flat surface for a worship
service. It acts as a Warding spell for immature worhippers and keeps
them from disrupting the service. Each additional point of the spell
can be used to add an additional 6hrs to the table or create another
table.
Three Point Spell
CREATE GREAT CONVENTION: Duration Weekend, Range Hotel, One-Use
This spell creates a center of power where followers of the
good gods can find sanctuary for their worship. It also creates a
powerful warding to repel all false gods from the center of power.
Only the high priest who used the spell has the power to decide what
religions are allowed in the center of power. All with the radius of
the spell are enlightened and filled with joy for the duration of the
spell.
VIII. SUBSERVIENT CULTS
A. SPIRIT OF REPRISAL: DOOM DICE
When a member of the cult of David Cheng breaks their cult
vows by enjoying other religions or ceasing to spread the word of the
Goddess, the Doom Dice are sent after them. Thereafter, whenever the
member is gaming, the Doom Dice will wait for a critical dice roll and
then strike. The effect is to cause the dice to result in the number
with the worst possible effect on the cult offender. The Doom Dice
remain with the victim until they repent or are driven to take their
own life.
IX. ASSOCIATED CULTS
A. GLORANTHA
The Goddess herself, ruler of the cosmos. Her radiant glory
smiles upon us all. Her worshippers and priests live to explore her
infinite secrets.
She provides the cult with the spells Knowledge and Increase Lore.
One Point Spell
INCREASE LORE: Duration 15min., Range Self, Reusable, Stackable
For the duration of the spell the recipient's Glorantha Lore
is increased by 10% per point of the spell.
B. GREG STAFFORD
The current high priest of Glorantha, this demi-god is
worshipped as a hero-cult of the Goddess. He resides at the high holy
ground of the Chaosium. Everything he says is wrong.
He provides the cult with the spell Lie.
C. RUNEQUEST
RuneQuest is the World Machine. It is made up of the gears
and wheels that make Glorantha function. It is so great it has the
power to run other powerful worlds as well.
RuneQuest provides the cult the spells Summon and Control Dice.
One Point Spells
SUMMON DICE: Duration 6hrs, Range 2m, Reusable, Stackable
Like the other Summon Elemental spells, summon dice can create
dice of various sizes. Fortunately, all are still small enough to be
covered with one point of magic. Caster must state shape and size
during the casting ceremony. Each point of summon dice creates 1d6
dice.
CONTROL DICE: Duration Concentration, Range Sight, Reusable
This spell can be used to control any dice in sight. If the
magic points of the die in question are overcome it will roll whatever
number the caster desires. Effectively adds 25% to gamemastering
skill. Can also be used as an attack spell to disrupt the worship
ceremonies of infidel unbelievers.
D. CTHULHU
This malevolent abomination wreaks terror and fear everywhere
it goes. In the great darkness, it was defeated by the followers of
the Goddess and they have since learned to control its terrible
powers. The current high priest, Sandy Petersen, is also a priest of
the Goddess.
Cthulhu provides the cult Mindblast.
E. AVALON
This mightly land beyond the sea is the source of the truest
and most powerful of the holy writings. Only the greatest dare
venture upon her golden shores.
Avalon provides the spells Sanctify and Worship Rune Czar.
F. REACHING MOON MEGACORP
Several heros of the Goddess joined together in a tremendous
ritual of power to create the Reaching Moon Megacorp. It is a great
source of knowledge and Glorantha Lore for all its followers. Despite
the fact that it is made up of several heroes, it is worshipped as one
entity. The current high priest is David Hall.
The Reaching Moon provides the spell Publish.
Two Point Spell
PUBLISH: Duration Instantaneous, Range World, One-Use, Stackable
After a worshipper has studied deeply the lores and secrets of
the Goddess or the World Machine, they must find a way to communicate
it to the ignorant masses. Publish accomplishes this. A casting
results in the information being tranferred to one of the sacred
documents for general worship. One point of the spell is sufficient
to locate the information in some of the more general sacred documents
such as those produced by the Voracious White Wolf or the Mighty
Vortex. Additional points are required to place the information in
the more holy documents coming from the Reaching Moon Megacorp itself.
X. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
A. HEROQUESTS
Heroquests are re-enactments of actions taken by the gods before the
dawn. For instance, the Codex and RQAdventures scriptures are heroquests
re-enacting the apothesis of the Reaching Moon. The main form of heroquest
for the cult of David Cheng is a minor one. Seek out a center of power
and hold a worship service. This is easy and greatly strengthens the
World Machine. The major heroquest of the cult is to create a special
center of power specifically for RuneQuest and Glorantha.
B. RUNEQUEST CON 2
RQ Con 2 is a heroquest in the tradition of David Cheng and those
who aided him in the darkness. Ask me about RQ Con 2!
C. BAY AREA RUNEQUEST FEDERATION
Another type of heroquest is one to broaden the contact
between worshippers. BARF is such a heroquest. BARF will be an
e-mail list for announcing new services or openings in current
services. There will also be a list of addresses of worshippers
stored on the soda shrine. There people can find others nearby to
them who also wish to worship, but don't sacrifice power to the new
internet god.
---------------------
From: rowe@soda.berkeley.edu (Eric Rowe)
Subject: Bay Area RuneQuest Federation
Message-ID: <199404220751.AAA10170@soda.berkeley.edu>
Date: 21 Apr 94 17:51:22 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3758
Bay Area RuneQuest Federation
If you don't live in the Bay Area of California keep reading anyway,
maybe it will give you some ideas. We're forming BARF to promote
RQ in the area. I often hear complaints that people can't find other
RQ players in the area, and there flat out just isn't enough RQ going
on at conventions. It seems few people are following David Cheng's
advice on gaming evangelicism to any extent.
What we're doing here is forming two lists. One is an e-mail list to
make announcements such as players wanted, new games starting, and
Conventions coming up. The list will be moderated (very low traffic).
For now people can e-mail me to get added to it, but it will be
automated by majo-domo soon on another machine.
The second list is an address/phone list so people without e-mail can
be contacted. Just ftp the list from the soda archive site and call
up people in your area if you need a game. It can also be used to
mail appropriate things to local gamers. For instance, I will be using
it to add to the RQ Con 2 mailing list. If you want to be on this list
(and you should) e-mail me your address/phone at rowe@soda.berkeley.edu.
Here's the first BARF message.
What's up people. Plenty of Conventions coming up and no RQ on the plate.
Sparticon has no RQ at all (this coming weekend). Gamescaucus II is
coming up May 27-30 at the Oakland Airport Hilton. Stephen Martin is
running a Nomad Gods/MOLAD board game and I am running an adventure in the
Pavis Rubble, The Temple of Gak. (I'm also running the only Pendragon game)
There is no one else running RQ. Get off your duffs, sign up to run a
game or at least show up and play in someone else's. We can't bring new
lambs into the flock if we graze behind high fences. I even noticed the
big GAMEX con down in LA had only 1 RQ game (Hooray whoever you are!).
RQers, man your stations and thanks for listening.
eric
rowe@soda.berkeley.edu
---------------------
From: devinc@aol.com
Subject: Re: RuneQuest Daily, Wed, 20 Apr 1994, part 3
Message-ID: <9404220403.tn39637@aol.com>
Date: 22 Apr 94 08:03:45 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3759
Devin Cutler here:
Alex Ferguson writes:
"But were they on drugs at the time, or is there some rationale? On the face
of it, they have differents "parents", different associations (Spring vs.
the morning dew), and have only a vague `Youth' theme in common."
If one were to use a single day as a metaphor for an entire year, then noon =
summer, night = winter, twilight = autumn, and morning = spring. Voria is the
goddes of Spring and of beginnings. Certainly, morning dew is a sign of the
beginning of the day. In addition, Voria symbolizes Spring's fertility and
regenerative powers, and certainly the morning dew represents a source of
nourishment for plants and for animals (also, the Dew Maid in Prax possesses
healing powers).
Finally, I am not a meterologist, but isn't dew prevalant in Spring, when the
air is moist, and the temperature is not so cold to cause frost, nor so hot
as to burn the dew away before it can form?
regards,
Devin Cutler
devinc@aol.com
---------------------
From: MOBTOTRM@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Subject: R.Sole
Message-ID: <01HBHGMOQMYQ939IEP@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au>
Date: 23 Apr 94 04:10:53 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3760
__________________________________
The edifying arse/ass/awse/ debate.
[Much debate on how to pronounce this most descriptive phrase]
Here in Australia it's "arse" - the "a" sound at the beginning like when
you say "Ah" for the doctor.
A Brit writes:
>Persons saying "asshole" in this sceptred isle are subject to detention
>without trial under the Prevention of Americanism Act, while it's
>investigated whether they patronise Macdonalds, watch NFL games, or
>make loud whooping noises while in t.v. studio audiences. [*]
Same down here. However, I break this rule in an oblique sort of way when I
say to the kids in my class, "Move your donkeys" or "Sit on your donkeys".
It takes 'em a while, but they eventually figure out what I'm getting at...
It's also a good way for them to go home and shock their parents without
saying a naughty word!
And, while not entirely straying from the topic of arses, John Hughes informs:
>UNUSUAL BRITONIC FORMS OF MASSED CHORAL ENTERTAINMENT
>Yes MOB, I believe it is historical - I certainly didn't make it up!
>Surprisingly though, it doesn't crop up in too many sources
>(wonder why?). I came across it in a novel by the historian (and
>Merlin freak) Nikolai Tolstoy. The novel - The Coming Of the King
>.... [stuff deleted] ....
>The err, entertainment is described on pp 99-100 of
>the Corgi paperback edition for those desperate enough to seek it
>out.
I want this book!
Cheers
MOB
---------------------
From: henkl@aft-ms (Henk Langeveld - Sun Nederland)
Subject: Re: INITIATION, CULTURAL OR OTHERWISE
Message-ID: <9404220844.AA15714@aft-ms.Holland.Sun.COM>
Date: 22 Apr 94 12:46:10 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3761
In reply to: john.hughes@anu.edu.au (John P Hughes) in X-RQ-ID: 3754
>
> I'm off like a krashkid at a Stormbull temple bash...
>
> WHAT EXACTLY IS INITIATION?
>
> My main point being, its not primarily a test, but a change in the
> way you look at the world.
The best definition I've seen so far.
> So... the 'non-abstracted interpreted-interaction heroquest-
> transformation low initiate pantheon initiation' faction? Am I a
> party of one?
>
Count me in if this is the faction that supports the above :-)
---------------------
From: appel@erzo.berkeley.edu (Shannon Appel)
Subject: RQ-Con 2 Announcement
Message-ID: <199404220910.CAA06326@erzo.berkeley.edu>
Date: 21 Apr 94 19:10:23 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 3762
Plans are now well underway for RuneQuest-Con 2, the sequel to last
year's successful Baltimore convention. RuneQuest-Con 2 will once
more focus on the game of RuneQuest and the mythic world of Glorantha.
When? January 13-16, 1995
Where? San Francisco, California
Guests of Honor will include the RuneQuest 2 authors:
Steve Perrin
Ray Turney
Steve Henderson
Warren James
and Greg Stafford, the creator of Glorantha. In addition, many more
Gloranthan Illuminates from all over the globe will be present.
Two exciting LARPs will be featured at RuneQuest-Con 2, shedding light
on previously shrouded areas of Glorantha.
HOW THE WEST WAS ONE will be the story of the Seventh Malkioni
Ecclesiastical Council. For the first time in centuries, the sects of
the West will be brought together, to face the many threats which are
arrayed against the Malkioni religion. Be among the first to learn
the secrets of the West!
THE BROKEN COUNCIL will be the tale of the Second World Council. In
the depths of Gloranthan History, the people of the world will gather
together to discuss the creation of Osentalka, the god who will bring
back the golden age. Discover the true nature of Nysalor, one of the
most mysterious figures in Time.
Players of RuneQuest & Glorantha will find also find many more things
of interest at RuneQuest-Con 2, including:
* Lots & Lots of RuneQuest
* Dragon Pass & Second Edition Nomad Gods games
* Open Gaming
* Eat at Geo's 2
* Live Action Trollball
* Orlanthi Storytelling
* Gloranthan Cultural Exchanges
* Many seminars by RuneQuest & Gloranthan authors
However, there's more than just Glorantha at RuneQuest-Con 2. Other
featured game systems will include Call of Cthulhu, Elric!, Pendragon
and Chaosium's newest game, Nephilim.
In addition, RuneQuest-Con 2 will spotlight two other games with
strong, exciting backgrounds.
On Saturday, January 14, Chessex will be present to run seminars and
games concerning the Skyrealms of Jorune.
Wizards of the Coast will be present on Sunday, January 15, to
spotlight one of their role-playing games, either Ars Magica or
Talislanta. When a final decision is made, an announcement will be
sent out.
Right now, we're still looking for people to run lots of RuneQuest,
Gloranthan, Call of Cthulhu, Elric!, Pendragon and Nephilim games at
RQ-Con 2. If you'd be interested in running something, please drop me
a line. People running games will be given discounted admission to
the Con.
Shannon Appel
appel@erzo.berkeley.edu
(510) 649-7467
PS: If you're not already on the RQCon2-info mailing list, drop me a
line and I'll be happy to add you.