RE: HQ Opinions

From: bernuetz.oliver_at_...
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 13:04:33 -0400


Mark asked:
General opinions? I like it. I like the changes I've noticed. I like the bump downs. I like the two contest types. I thought I wouldn't like the loss of edges for most people but I actually think I don't mind them being bonuses instead. I like the format except that I would have preferred the rules first. I understand the philosophy behind the create characters/rules/magic approach though, i.e. creating interesting characters is more important than rules squeezes/mechanics, so it doesn't bother me that much. I'm not sure that I like iron always causing a penalty to magic. That's a fairly big change to Glorantha as I see it. On page 174 it talks about Heavy Gold and then goes on to state that one ounce of gold is equivalent to an armband. This seems low to me but I'm not sure. I think a really big ring might be around an ounce, especially if it's "heavy" gold.
The layout's great, the examples are good, etc. And yes the cover is much nicer in person than in photos. I'm not even that embarrased to be seen reading it on the bus:-)
I'm pretty uninterested in relationship roleplaying so the whole relationship emphasis doesn't do much for me. I'm not crazy about followers either but I can live with them. I haven't read the HeroQuest section in detail either since I'm not that interested in them either.

>1. What do people think of the Homelands approach? Is there enough
>of a basis there to start you off?

I like the Homelands in HQ. I think there's definitely a good start there though that's hard to really tell since I've got a idea of what all those places are like already. Now would a novice get enough, that I don't know. I think so though.

>2. Do the changes in animism and wizardry make these characters more
>interesting and playable? Are they clear and comprehensible?
Yes definitely. I felt with my first read through that I didn't get the distinctions but I feel much more comfortable with a re-read. Minor quibble "spirtist" and "practioner" lack panache as titles. Common magic is pretty confusing at first.

>3. The original sample adventures in HW came in for a degree of criticism
-- what do you think of the ones in HQ?
They're okay.

>4. Treat the current book size as a constant: who else would you have
wanted to have seen included, and what would ou have sacrificed to make way for it? The
>answer 'nothing, it's great as is' is an acceptable one, BTW!
I would answer Nothing. I think what's there is pretty good and I can't really think of anything I'd want taken out or added. (Though I must say that I hate the phrase, "that's outside the scope of these basic rules." Good work.
Oliver

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