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, Mon, 31 Oct 1994, part 1
Sender: Henk.Langeveld@Holland.Sun.COM
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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.
X-RQ-ID: index
6786: erisie = (Sven *Erik Sievrin)
- Questions?
6787: T.J.Minas = (T.J.Minas)
- Priests, Books etc
6788: RobMH = RobMH@aol.com
- Gloranthan Trivia Question...
6789: ddunham = (David Dunham)
- Fetches; Rune Economics; Comata
6790: gerry = (Gerard Martin)
- Available RuneMasters
6791: fschiff = (Fred Schiff)
- RQ Adventures
6792: ppofandt = (PAUL POFANDT)
- Teaching spirits sorcery.
6793: PMichaels = PMichaels@aol.com
- Elven Trickster
6794: davidc = (David Cake)
- Peter's mad ideas
6795: alex = (Alex Ferguson)
- Troll Stuff
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From: erisie@utu.fi (Sven *Erik Sievrin)
Subject: Questions?
Message-ID:
Date: 30 Oct 94 16:41:03 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6786
I got the information that someone (Sandy? I do not remember) had a
writeup of RQing Empire of the Petal Throne. Where is it - I have scanned
older dailies and found only people commenting on it, no information by
itself? Anyone who knows where to get it?
Just to question anything NOT about Esrolia.....
To question something about Esrolia: How does Esrolian sound like? HHmm,
it is Theyalan, but most Theyalan names I have are from Sartar/Prax and
sometimes they seem to be able to have any kind of name. There's some
consistency regarding those indomitable Greydogs, but that is about all
that is consistent..... And please do not suggest anything Egyptian! I am
not so sure Esrolia=Egypt. Esrolia=Mediterranean, yes. Iberian-style
language? I'll hold my breath until someone helps me with this one....
Fetches: I think a fetch may be:
A, A part of the shaman
B, An ancestor spirit (ex-shaman?)
C, Another kind of spirit helping the shaman, totem style - could be
anything from Frog to Fire (no, I do not mean an elemental).
The rules suggest A, but why should there not be some differences?
Erik
---------------------
From: T.J.Minas@soton.ac.uk (T.J.Minas)
Subject: Priests, Books etc
Message-ID: <199410301535.PAA08197@willow.soton.ac.uk>
Date: 30 Oct 94 15:35:29 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6787
A few quick thoughts on some of the recently discussed topics.
I must add my recommendation to those of Nick on Tony Hillerman's books. A
very good read for Shamanic background (and indeed, simply as good books I
recommend them). Also Louis L'Amour's "Ghost Mesa" is set in the same area and
is a good tale. It is _NOT_ a cowboy book, either. Alan Dean Foster's "The Cyber
Way" is another book I would recommend, this features some good shamanic stuff
too, about sand-paintings, but would probably be more useful (IMO) to any
players of Shadowrun (TM etc) out there.
On Priests and their requirements to spend 90% of time/money on cult duties,
but no limits on Runespells. Well, a) on a Game level, you, as GM, always have
the option of declining to make a PC into a Priest. You can merely say that the
senior priests who are examining the PC do not feel he is worthy yet. b) On a
Gloranthan level, people who want to become priests will study hard from their
own priests etc, and usually follow thier teachers suggestions. For instance,
I am sure that if a priest of Orlanth feels that one of his initiates has the
potential to become a priest fairly soon, he will suggest that the would-be
priest sacrifices for Worship Orlanth, Spellteaching, Sanctify etc as part of
his 10+ points of Divine Magic needed.
If you have a priest who doesn't have these spells, have people pester him
for their cult spirit magic (remember, 1pt per 5 yrs (Magic Book) or 1pt per
10yrs (Players Book, initiate experience) a contradiction that needs resolution)
or to lead a worship service on a holy day, etc. Get the senior priests to
hassle him about not performing enough ceremonial duties (eg weddings etc, which
I am sure would be held in Sanctified areas at a minimum) I am sure he will get
the hint. And you can always dangle the reward of a POW gain roll in front of
the player at each Holy Day when he leads a worship service using Worship
(Deity) to nudge him in this direction.
That's about it for now,
Tim
---------------------
From: RobMH@aol.com
Subject: Gloranthan Trivia Question...
Message-ID: <9410301606005855025@aol.com>
Date: 30 Oct 94 11:19:32 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6788
Perhaps a couple of you can help identify a Gloranthan cultural note. In
Alarums and Excursions #231, Chris Murray commented that he'd noticed a
Gloranthan society that disapproved of polygamy: the penalty for polgamy was
having multiple wives.
I expect that's an old, old joke, but I hadn't heard it before. Chris
doesn't remember which culture carried the joke; can anybody place it?
--Rob Heinsoo
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From: ddunham@radiomail.net (David Dunham)
Subject: Fetches; Rune Economics; Comata
Message-ID: <199410302303.AA09578@radiomail.net>
Date: 30 Oct 94 23:03:18 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6789
Simon Hibbs said
>As a shaman, I would keep a copy of the 'visibility' spell handy
>at all times. Very usefull to cast either on yourself while
>discorporate, or on your fetch.
>
>>* What exactly a fetch is I'll leave for another message:
>
>I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. I would say it is an
>awakened part of the shaman. Although I believe there is a case
>for saying that about allied spirits and familiars too.
Actually, I'd say you think it's just another spirit, one you can cast
Visibility on.
Nick Brooke said
>If I were using an annual Economics table (like the Pendragon and PDP ones),
>the
>amount of Priests' RunePower spent for the benefit of the community would be a
>modifier to annual prosperity. Certainly for the Orlanth and Ernalda types. In
>fact, I'd set it up so having *no* Rune magic cast to benefit the people in
>normal ways (Cloud Calling, Earth Singing, etc.) was perceived as a *penalty*,
>not a "normal" position.
And you said you didn't want bookkeeping? The Ernalda acolyte in our
Riskland game casts dozens of points of rune magic each year in support of
the community, and probably an equal amount in support of our stead. I know
the player keeps careful track on a Gloranthan calendar; perhaps our GM can
provide more info.
Henk Langeveld
>>Nobody in my campaign can become a Priest or Acolyte without at least
>>having Worship, Sanctify, and probably Spellteaching. (Which, BTW, I
>>consider an argument against RunePower...)
>
>What about restricted RunePower, which splits the sacrifice
>for Divine Magic in POW sacrifice for RunePower and spell-learning
>as a separate procedure/ritual? It still requires people
>to acquire knowledge of a spell before they can spend their
>RunePower on it...
OK, I shouldn't have taken a potshot at RunePower. The Spirit Magic-like
approach you describe is an improvement. I think I still favor the
tradeoffs inherent in the current system. As it is now, our Ernalda acolyte
has to decide whether she wants to help the community more, or maximize her
adventuring power. (I think she's about 50/50, BTW.)
Mike Dickison suggests
>I think "hairy" is a term of abuse in Esrolia. It implies a boisterous,
>loud, crude, undisciplined, unwashed and so on person.
I like this; same term used by the Romans to apply to "uncivilized" Gaul.
>Incidentally, nobody seems to agree on whether it's Esrolian, Esrolite, or
>Esrolit.
When I saw "Esrolit," I thought it was a typo for Esrolite. Since English
is so inconsistent with naming peoples, I'm inclined to go with Nick
Brooke's little joke and call them Esrolites. After all, their neighbors
are Sartarites (and Tarshites).
Scott Haney asks
>To hold a spirit, does a RQIII fetch need to
>maintain a sufficient number of MAGIC POINTS
>or PERMANENT POW to hold all of the spirits?
ALthough the section is confusingly written, I think it's clear that a
fetch needs magic points, not POW, to hold spirits. See Magic Book, p.15
col. 1.
BTW, nearby is "The fetch cannot manifest if the shaman is not
discorporate." Thus, fetches are not like allied spirits. They cannot cast
spells while the shaman is in his body. And since in the description of
Second Sight, the fetch's POW is added to a shaman's, rather than being
treated as a separate POW source, fetches aren't independent spirits.
---------------------
From: gerry@clan.demon.co.uk (Gerard Martin)
Subject: Available RuneMasters
Message-ID: <9203261815.AA0003j@clan.demon.co.uk>
Date: 26 Mar 92 18:15:20 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6790
Are there any RuneMasters out there looking for a couple of players?
Oops. 'Out there' is Glasgow (Scotland).
You can email me directly at :
gerry@clan.demon.co.uk
Cheers
Gerry
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From: fschiff@dorsai.dorsai.org (Fred Schiff)
Subject: RQ Adventures
Message-ID: <199410310042.AA13886@dorsai.dorsai.org>
Date: 30 Oct 94 14:42:52 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6791
Have there been any issues of RQ Adventures after issue #3?
Can anyone tell me sub info?
-- Fred (fschiff@dorsai.dorsai.org)
---------------------
From: ppofandt@ozemail.com.au (PAUL POFANDT)
Subject: Teaching spirits sorcery.
Message-ID: <1994OCT31.9919@ozemail.com.au>
Date: 1 Nov 94 01:53:15 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6792
Just an idea I had the other day (last night, 2:30am; staring at the ceiling).
What is there to stop a sorcerer teaching some form of spirit a sorcery spell
and then commanding it to
practice the spell constantly.
Since, presumably, spirits need neither sleep nor sustanance, they could
practice the spell 24 hours
a day continually. Given a resonable magic bonus (+10 or more), after a year or
so, they'd be well past
the 100% mark. (approx. 80% in 1/2 a year to 140% in 2 years)
This is particualy significant if you follow the 'max. manipulation=spell%/5'
school of thought.
Of course you'd have to teach it Intensity, and duration as well but then it
could cast some spells
for you at high intensity and duration.
On the subject of sorcery...
How is it taught. Where does it come from? Spirit magic comes from spirits,
Divine comes from the
gods, where does sorcery come from? Is it a written from of knowledge? If so,
that would imply a
fairly wide distribution of the 'common' or 'utility' spells. There would be
something like a set of spells
that all apprentices should have. Usefull but harmless spells such as mystic
vision, neutralise magic,
Enhance DEX, Form/Set water etc.
Any suggestions
---------------------
From: PMichaels@aol.com
Subject: Elven Trickster
Message-ID: <9410310000486107395@aol.com>
Date: 30 Oct 94 19:00:49 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6793
A story, and some thoughts...
Thrice-stranger-lover/Father of wildflower, pixie, and
sprite/Feeds on the songs of laughter, fear, and pain as others
feed on the songs of Light/All lost to him is regrown in
Aldrya's bosom.
When Yelm Flower Bringer came and taught Aldrya and
Shanassee the secret of making beautiful blossoms on the
trees, the Aldryami rejoyced as the World Garden flowered and
grew. After a time, Daughter-of-Grower and Son-of-Love
slowed their creating. It was then that a Stranger came to
Aldrya pretending to be her husband. The Stranger loved
Aldrya in the same manner as Shanassee, strong and long and
with tenderness, and so fooled Aldrya into thinking he was her
husband. The Stranger eventually left, but not before creating
new life with Aldrya. It was only when that life grew that the
deception became apparent. Instead of tall green trees, there
grew small colorful wildflowers. Aldrya was concerned, for
she knew all her other husbands, but did not know the
Stranger-Lover. Still, the World Garden had enough life and
love to include these Aldryami.
Later, the Stranger came a second time to Aldrya pretending
to be her husband. The Stranger again loved Aldrya in the same
manner as Shanassee, strong and long and with tenderness, and
again fooled Aldrya into thinking he was her husband. The
Stranger eventually left, but not before creating more new life
with Aldrya. It was only when that life grew that the
deception became apparent. From the wildflowers came the
mischievous Sprites. Although smaller than any of their kin,
they were smarter than the runners and the equal in
intelligence to the elves. Aldrya was concerned, for she knew
all her other husbands, but she still did not know the
Stranger-Lover. Still, the World Garden had enough life and
love to include these Aldryami.
Then, the Stranger came a third and last time to Aldrya
pretending to be her husband. The Stranger again loved Aldrya
in the same manner as Shanassee, strong and long and with
tenderness, and yet again fooled Aldrya into thinking he was
her husband. The Stranger eventually left, but not before again
creating new life with Aldrya. It was only when that life grew
that the deception became apparent. From the wildflowers
came fun-loving Pixies, the very souls of the flowers.
Although the same size as their sprite kin, they were almost
equal in power to the dryads of the trees. Aldrya was still
concerned, for she knew all her other husbands, but she still
did not know the Stranger-Lover. Still, the World Garden had
enough life and love to include these Aldryami.
And so the wildflowers, sprites, and pixies grew into the
hearts and lives of the World Garden. They covered the forest
floor with bright colorful flowers, and filled the forest air
with bright colorful laughter. Even Shanassee came to love
these children of his wife, and until the Great Darkness many
forgot that it was the Stranger who had fathered these
children.
_____
I think the Aldryami Trickster embodies the aspects of Fright,
Sexual Insatiate, and Destroyer.
The Elder Races book notes that:
"As elves are to trees, runners are to shrubs and bushes, and
sprites are to flowers and small plants." (p. 30)
I think that there also exist what I'll call "pixies." As runners
are to elves, so pixies are to dryads. And, pixies are the
"dryads" to the sprites "elves." Sprites are all annuals, while
pixies can be either annuals or perennials.
Humans call sprites and pixies "faeries," and believe them to
be a nature manifestation of flowering plants. (Where faeries
manifest in the spring, they can be found inside the opening
flowers.) Humans are usually unaware that "faeries" are
actually Aldryami. Humans get this impression because
sprites and pixies often reside far from Aldryami forests
(sometimes even in a human's flower garden), many elven
forests have none, and in some forests elves and runners hunt
and kill "faeries."
---------------------
From: davidc@cs.uwa.edu.au (David Cake)
Subject: Peter's mad ideas
Message-ID: <199410310555.NAA09196@cs.uwa.oz.au>
Date: 31 Oct 94 22:08:11 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6794
>This need not be traditional solitude, I have
>the vision of Humakti initiates praying for bladesharp holding their sword
>in their hands and lying in bed reciting 'this is my sword..' along the
>lines of Full Metal Jacket).
Perhaps
This is my sword,
this is my knife,
this is for killing,
this is for life.
would be an appropriately Gloranthanised version?
>I'll try and develop this idea if anybody is
>interested.
Please don't develop that particular example any further :-)
Cheers
Dave Cake
---------------------
From: alex@dcs.gla.ac.uk (Alex Ferguson)
Subject: Troll Stuff
Message-ID: <9410310754.AA04041@hawaii.dcs.gla.ac.uk>
Date: 31 Oct 94 07:54:47 GMT
X-RQ-ID: 6795
David Cake gets generally trollish:
> In other words, wether the clans in the tribe share common
> ancestors or not does not matter that much, as they are almost never
> invoked.
I don't think this is true, although certainly great^16 grandmother isn't
going to physically manifest every day of the week. But where these
entities are known at all (i.e., in "civilised" areas, with very large
meta-clans) they will be worshipped in a more "divine" manner -- as is
KL, after all.
> I am sure that among the Kitori humans
> can become lay members of KL - but they will find at least as difficult as
> a trollkin would, and probably more, so it is at least a great honour.
I wouldn't have said "at least", but that's the general level difficulty
I was thinking of. Greg's vague comments about some Kitori being neither-
one-thing-nor-the-other supports a less than totally rigid demarkation.
> Note that any trollkin born into the tribe is a tribe member.
I don't think this is true, which was the thrust of my point. Almost all
trollkin are slaves, so they are at the very least not "full" tribe
members, and probably not regarded as members at all. They don't appear
to be members of troll "families", judging by the Sazdorf genealogies.
> So I rephrase my comment as 'try telling the Elder Kin that all
> trollkin tribe members should be initiated!'.
That's what I assumed you meant.
> The two things (tribe and cult) should not be confused.
Among trolls, the cult forms the very fabric of society and it permeates
everything they do. Cult positions are identical to social positions.
Trolls do not differentiate between religious and governmental control.
> A troll
> understands that trolls of other clans are still members of the same KL
> cult, and many cults and sub-cults cross tribal boundaries.
I'm sure they'd not casually say the "same" KL cult. They'd probably
express some sentiment that a God Learner might interpret as "distinct
subcult of KL".
Alex.
---------------------