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, 27 Jul 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: JARDINE@RMCS.CRANFIELD.AC.UK Subject: How Vinga Became a Red-Haired Warrior Message-ID: <9407261231.AA05050@Sun.COM> Date: 26 Jul 94 12:31:00 GMT X-RQ-ID: 5302 Hi All Here is the story which I told at Convulsion '94. I originally started to write it for the digest in response to some of the views that had Vinga as a sort of watered down version of Babeester Gor. In the end I decided that it was a good story in its own right and I decided to save it for the story telling at Convulsion (then a couple of months off). So now I have told it there it is time to post it here, as I promised I would do at the Con, so here goes. How Vinga Became a Red-Haired Warrior Copyright Lewis Jardine Vinga was a daughter of Orlanth. She was tall and beautiful with hair the colour of ripe barley. When she was a girl she took the women's path and did womenly things such as cooking, weaving and caring for the stead. She was a resourceful cook, her nimble fingers could tie a secret knot and her strong limbs made light work around the stead. But Vinga grew bored with her proper tasks and would gaze longingly at Orlanth's warriors practicing in the fields. She admired the graceful flight of the arrow, the power behind the lofted javelin, the straightness of the spear and the sword whistling through the air. She also wished to be able to join the warriors after the feasts when they told tales of their acts of bravery in the battles they had fought. Finally, after the great kingship feast in Storm Season, Vinga summoned up the courage to ask Orlanth whether she could become one of the warriors. Orlanth was amused by the request as he did not think that women could become warriors. However, he pronounced a judgement to humour Vinga. He took her out of the hall and showed her a great stone, which only the strongest men could lift. He placed a sturdy bench beside the stone and told Vinga that if she could lift the stone off the ground, up into the air and place it on the bench then she could join the warriors. So in front of the clan Vinga girded up her skirts and squatted down by the stone. She took three deep breaths, wrapped her arms arround the stone and heaved. Vinga's face went red with the effort and even her hair took a slightly reddish tint but the rock only rocked slightly. Eventually she had to give up and everyone chuckled. It took three days for Vinga to get over the strain and embarrassment and for her face to finally return to its proper colour; her hair however retained a reddish tint. Vinga went back to her duties but she still yearned to join the warriors as they practiced and boasted after meals. To this end Vinga spent every free moment she had in the barn. There, safely out of sight, she would practice lifting heavy objects and performing other exercises to make her strong. She spent a year at this and by the end she was as strong as she was ever going to get. Her muscles were bigger and her walk became different. At the next great kingship feast in Storm Season, Vinga summoned up her courage again and asked Orlanth whether she could become one of the warriors. Orlanth was less amused by the request, as he still did not think that women could become warriors. However, he had been asked this in front of his clan and so he repeated his judgement despite his personal misgivings. So in front of the clan Vinga took off her skirts revealing a short tunic and tight trews. This shocked some people. Others noticed her large firm muscles which had been hidden by her dress. Orlanth was one of these and he wondered whether she might succeed this time. Vinga squatted down by the stone. She took five deep breaths, wrapped her arms around the stone and heaved mightily. Vinga's face went red with the effort and her hair became slightly redder but the rock only lifted a little way off the ground. Eventually she had to give up and everyone laughed, some with relief. It took five days for Vinga to get over the strain and embarrassment and for her face to finally return to its proper colour; her hair however retained its rudy tint. Now Vinga had reached womanhood and was very fair despite the rudy tint to her hair. Many men came as suitors and although she took some as lovers she rejected all their marriage proposals. Princes came from foreign parts with offers of great wealth, but these she rejected too. Finally Eurmal tried to seduce her with sweet words and intimate gestures. When these were rebuffed he became lewd and would have tried to force himself on Vinga but she picked him up by the scruff of the neck and shook, him as he was far lighter than the stone which had bested her. After lecturing him on his behaviour, Vinga kicked Eurmal on the behind so hard that he flew for a league. In the air he changed into a sheep and was mistaken for one of Heler's clouds, moving very fast and against the wind! Later, in order to soften his landing he changed into a lump of cow dung. Barntar was unlucky enough to be standing where Eurmal landed. Still Barntar had the last laugh as he ploughed Eurmal into the soil to fertilize his crops. After he had eventually wormed his way free from the fertile soil and pulled himself together Eurmal swore to trick Vinga into marrying him. Later he approached her in the guise of a very hansome Prince Lameur, dressed in the richest and most elegant clothes. He formally asked for hospitality and when Orlanth granted it he gifted him with seven huge barrels of mead and seven huge oxen. Orlanth order one of the barrels of mead to be broached immediately and toasted the Prince with a foaming flagon of it. Lameur responded in kind although some remarked later that he wore a funny look as he downed the mead. After the meal Lameur approached Vinga in the Great Hall and showered her with rare and beautiful gifts. On the first night he gave her a dress of the finest silk with sparkling gems sewn into it. Vinga was taken in by this show and wore the dress when she danced with the Prince. She was surprised to the lust in his eyes when he looked at her despite the fact that the dress quite properly covered her from neck to knee. However, he did nothing improper and Vinga put his expression down to youthful vigour. On the second night he gave her a rare silver filligree and pearl necklace, but warned her not to touch it as it was very delicate. She was quite taken with Prince Lameur's generosity and wore the silk dress and silver necklace while she danced with him and even allowed him to kiss her at the end of the evening. Again she noticed the way he regarded her and his lusting looks at her body. Again she put this down to his hot-blooded temperament. However, on the following morning, while she was washing her face in a clear pool of water she noticed the reflection of the necklace in the water. It appeared to be no more than a daisy chain. When she felt it carefully she could feel the petals, cunningly disguised to look like silver filligree. When she bought out the silk dress and looked at its reflection in the pool she found that it was made of dusty cobwebs with the dried bodies of dead insects still bound to them. A closer look revealed large holes in embarrassing positions. That evening Vinga filled a wineskin from the pool thinking that the water held some magical property. She also put her short tunic and tight trews on under the dress as she did not fancy the Prince leering at her body again. That night Orlanth welcomed her remarking that she seemed to be getting on so well with the handsome Prince Lameur. Vinga coyly replied ``It would appear so.'' Later during the evening Vinga poured the pool water into her glass and rose to greet Prince Lameur. He glanced at her body and looked strangely, the lust of the previous days was replaced by a puzzled expression. People in the Great Hall were shocked to see her throw the contents of the cup she was holding over him. Fortunately, he dextrously dodged the worst of the deluge and came away only moderately damp. Vinga stared at him with a puzzled expression on her face. Nothing had changed, the magical water had not worked - he still looked the same! The whole stead stared at her. Vinga blushed very red, right up to the roots of her hair, which went slightly redder. Then Vinga spied his reflection in the puddle of water on the floor. She seized Eurmal by the throat and threatened to roast him over the fire. The others in the hall tried to stop her but she would have none of it. Orlanth reminded her of the Guest Laws, but she replied that this man was not subject to any laws. Issaries asked whether she might be persuaded to release him. Vinga replied that unless he showed people the truth she would cook him. Meanwhile she held him over the hearth to stop the warriors from trying to wrestle him away from her. Prince Lameur refused to comment saying that he was being foully treated and that he would take word of this to his kin in distant lands. No one dared approach the pair because Vinga firmly held the Prince and threatened to plung him into the fire if anyone came a step nearer. Her face was very red with anger and her hair went even redder. Lhankor Mhy was called to discover the truth and Chalana Arroy was summoned to treat Vinga who had obviously gone mad. Lhankor Mhy arrived in his usual unhurried manner, but Chalana Arroy ran to treat her patient and got there first. Vinga allowed Chalana Arroy to approach her as she trusted her and anyway, Vinga knew she was by far the stronger of the two. After examining Vinga, Chalana Arroy pronounced that she could find no disease or madness in Vinga, unless the disease was frustration and the madness was anger. Finally Lhankor Mhy arrived and begain to summon his great magics to find the truth. The air buzzed with the arrival of his magic, then the Hall vibrated as it searched out illusion and lies. Then there was a crack as it pierced the veil of deceit. Vinga was left dressed in her short tunic and tight trews, covered with dusty cobwebs and wearing a wilted daisy chain. She held aloft Eurmal who was wearing only dirty rags. Finally the clan noticed that they were eating dung and drinking piss. With a roar the warriors jumped up and tried to cut Eurmal to pieces. Vinga was too fast for them and blackened Eurmal's eyes, shoved his head up his arsehole and kicked him out of the door over the hill and into the muck heap by the barn. As Eurmal crawled out of the heap he swore to get even with Vinga. He decided that he must lay his hands on her body and sleep with her. Later he disguised himself as a piece of fine thread for the new nightdress Vinga was sewing for herself. Vinga was pleased to find the colourful thread in her sewing basket as it would brighten up the garment. She skillfully wove the thread into the dress and tied it in place with her secret knot. That night she tried out her new dress. It was slightly itchy and almost seemed to squirm against her skin. However, Vinga put this down to its newness and went to sleep. That night she had strange dreams of a lewd man caressing her body and while she seemed unable to get away from him, he seemed unable to do more than just paw her. In the morning she decided that the dreams were probably caused by the itching of the new nightdress and resolved to give it a thorough wash. She took it down to the pool and plunged it under the water, holding it down until it was wet through. Then she hoisted it out and scrubbed it hard with soap. She thought she heard a cry but there was no one there when she looked around. She continued scrubbing and then plunged the garment under the water again to rinse out the soap. That night the nightdress still seamed to squirm against her skin and she still had the bad dreams. The next morning she resolved to wash the garment even more thoroughly. During the process she again heard the crying and again could see no one. Also during the rinsing she heard a coughing; again, no one was there. That night the nightdress still seemed to writhe against her skin so she took it off and wore her old one. The next morning she awoke after a peaceful night's sleep and resolved to sort out her new nightdress once and for all. She started off by washing it as before, again hearing the crying and coughing. This raised her suspicions. Then Vinga pounded it with heavy stones from the riverbed during which she heard screams coming from the garment. Then she wrang it out eliciting strangled gurgling. Finally she took it towards the mangle to squeeze all the water from it. Before she could start the nightdress shimmered before her eyes and she saw Eurmal, bruised, half drowned, wrung out, his eyes red from soap, tangled and tied with her secret knot in the weave of the nightdress. Vinga laughed at his predicament and threatened to mangle him if he did not help her. Eurmal readily agreed to do anything if she would just let him go. She asked him to tell her how to lift the heavy stone in order to become a warrior. He thought hard and told her a scheme. Vinga then let Eurmal go but left his tongue tied so that he could not tell anyone of her plan. At the next great kingship feast in Storm Season, Vinga stood forth again and asked Orlanth whether she could become one of the warriors. The other clan members muttered ``Oh no, not Vinga again'' and Orlanth was even less amused by the request, especially after the trouble with Eurmal over the last year. However, he had been asked this in front of his clan and wanting to appear fair and consistent he repeated his previous judgement despite his personal misgivings. After all, he could not blame Vinga for wanting to wring Eurmal's neck after the trick he had played. Also, her quick action had saved his fool from being cut up into tiny pieces while at the same time giving him a fitting punishment. Additionally, Orlanth was fairly sure that she could not lift the heavy stone, although he was a little worried by Vinga's confident manner. Vinga errected three stout poles about the rock and tied their tops together above it. She then draped a sheet around the poles saying it was for modesty! Vinga then stepped inside with nothing but what she was wearing. There was movement inside the makeshift tent, followed by seven loud breaths and squeaking, heaving and grunting sounds. Some time later Vinga stepped out panting; just finishing recoiling her long braids, her face was bright red and her hair was scarlet! Everyone begins to laugh thinking that she had failed again. Then Vinga swept aside the sheet to reveal the stone had been moved on to the bench. The assembled warriors gasped with amazement, for only a few of them could have lifted the rock. And Vinga smiled her sharp little smile. Orlanth went white in sharp contrast to Vinga. He drew a deep breath and blew forth a strong wind in vexation. Eurmal chose this moment to walk up to Vinga gesturing for her to untie his tongue. Orlanth, sensing something unusual, demanded that she restore Eurmal's voice after realizing that his fool had been uncharacteristically silent throught the feast. Vinga untied Eurmal's tongue and he whispered the scheme to his chieftain. Orlanth then thundered forth his verdict that Vinga had proved her right to train with the warriors, even if she had used trickery. However, she had yet to earn the right to sit and boast with them at feasts. This she would be able to do after her first battle. Strangely enough, Vinga was always asked to stay behind and guard the stead rather than accompanying Orlanth to his battles. Eventually, Vinga got her chance to fight, but that is another story... P.S. I would like to thank whoever posted the Vinga helps Elmal at the Hill of Gold article, because while I disagree with the bit about Zorak Zoran scalping her the article served as the impetus which drove me to write this one. I also agree that she gets on well with Elmal as both of them get left to guard the stead while the other warriors go off to have fun! --------------------- From: Bob.Luckin@tiuk.ti.com Subject: Convulsion - quick impressions Message-ID: <9407261413.AA19828@ibrox.tiuk.ti.com> Date: 26 Jul 94 14:13:19 GMT X-RQ-ID: 5303 Hi from Bob Luckin ! Well, Convulsion 94 is over, with the weeks of anticipation succeeded by two and a half days of gaming, gophering and generally having a good time meeting people. I got home at 4 am on Monday; in places on the drive home the M1 was almost as foggy as Kahar's Sea... Spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep and rushing into town to get my photos developed before the shops shut. Unfortunately I'd run out of film by the end of the trollball session, so I couldn't take any pictures of Alex and Joerg squaring off (this took place immmediately afterwards). Got a nice one of Joerg at the start of his trollball match though; also one of Sam Phillips lumbering down the pitch on a breakaway, hammer in one hand, and trollkin (well most of it) in the other. He was stopped just before he could score... I understand the weather for the game was a little bit warmer than at RQ-Con, although conditions were most un-troll like (ie. Yelm was about as glorious as he gets in the UK). I missed a lot of How the West was Won as I was running a Cosmic Encounter tournament during the second half, but I did get back just in time to see Gaiseron the Mystic being elected as head of the unified church. He was played by David Gadbois, looking like Ken Rolston's twin after whitening his beard... There were some excellent costumes - and hats. The turnout at Geo's was a little disappointing; I guess there were too many conflicting events (some of tournaments were still running). But the tastiest food was without doubt the Sartarite (not Scottish) haggis supplied by Sam Phillips, which deservedly won the prize in the savoury category. Lewis Jardine won the storytelling contest with a fine tale about Eurmal, Orlanth, and Vinga, which he has promised to post here soon. Remind him if he forgets ! Nick Brook was second, and Oliver Dickinson got an honourable mention. It was great being able to meet old friends, and just as good to put faces to some of the more respected names from the Daily. Henk presided at the "meet the Daily/Digest" session, and I have photos which prove he has gained the doubled communications (Issaries) rune ! Thanks to all the organising committee for putting together such a great event, and to all the guests for making it such fun. Now I wonder if I'll be able to make it to California next year... Cheers, Bob PS to Mark Foster - David Gadbois does read the Daily, and no doubt will contact you when he gets back from the UK and sees you want to get in touch. -- Bob Luckin voly@tiuk.ti.com "Able was I ere I saw Corflu" --------------------- From: JARDINE@RMCS.CRANFIELD.AC.UK Subject: Missing people Message-ID: <9407261510.AA26429@Sun.COM> Date: 26 Jul 94 14:51:00 GMT X-RQ-ID: 5304 Hi All There have been a number of messages recently looking for various people such as StePHen Martin and David Gadbois. They are in England after Convulsion. I can't remember who they are staying with at the moment but a number of them read the digest so messages should get through. Other poeple over here are Greg (for 2 weeks), Sandy, MOB, Mike Dawson (will be home soon) and David (I'll work my socks off at ANY Convention) Cheng (thanks for all the hard work David). If no one replies and your need is urgent mail me personally and I'll try to find out where they are. Also Henk, Joerg, Hans, Alex and many other digesters it was great meeting you all at Convulsion. It was one of the few bits of the Con, apart from the auction which I can remember. I look forward to your write ups of the Con so that I can find out what I missed! Remember those of you who took part in How the West was One we want your character write ups for the Con Report. All the Best Lewis --------------------- From: jarec@cix.compulink.co.uk (Simon Basham) Subject: == No Subject == Message-ID:Date: 26 Jul 94 18:09:11 GMT X-RQ-ID: 5305 Well Convulsion has come and gone so move over and let us Brits back on the list. Greg was as always captivating, eloquent and funny whenever he spoke. He revealed the answers to many Glorantha questions and raised many others. I hope they see there way onto the list or at least into TotRM, I believe David Cheng was taping them. On Heroquesting >Jon Green says: >>Endorsed! Please, peeps, where's the material on HeroQuesting? GREG? >Well, I was at the Con and I am pleased to be able to tell you that Greg >said that he will write them 'next year' ;-) >All the best, >Peter I also remember him saying 'maybe' afterwards so that's a double ;-) ;-). At least now we all know who Arachne Solara is.......... JAREC "Is all we see or seem, but a dream within a dream" E A Poe --------------------- From: joe@sartar.toppoint.de (Joerg Baumgartner) Subject: Overstating Message-ID: Date: 26 Jul 94 20:43:34 GMT X-RQ-ID: 5306 "Andover" in X-RQ-ID: 5244 > >In the great God debate I am closer to Joerg's position than to Devin's. > But Joerg is overstating his position a bit Of course I am. I do agree with your interpretation almost fully and will take this as my closing words on this topic. Of course, if anybody wants to challenge me, I'll be ready next Convulsions, or earlier, to defend my views like I did versus Alex. (BTW, I'm a Lutheran) -- -- Joerg Baumgartner joe@sartar.toppoint.de