Each vignette is c. 1200-1500 words, and details contests, conflicts, mysteries, wonders, patrons, allies and/or enemies. So each hopefully provides the basis of a fairly meaty scene or two in its own right; or a platform for a longer/wider story when linked with other vignettes, or expanded by the Narrator's and players' own imaginations.
Part of the reason behind their inception was as to how I dealt with the "introductory scenario". While I obviously want to support indigenous characters and campaigns, I'd suggest that most folks who would be interested in such a book would be Gloranthan completists, folk interested in a read, and/or people who have their own campaigns and want to try somewhere a bit 'different'. Thus while the vignettes are meant to be as applicable for indigene and foreigner alike, some are tailored slightly towards the outsider.
By their nature, introductory scenarios can be a bit prescriptive and hand-holding. Rather than make too many assumptions in a scenario, I found that the vignettes allowed a good way to present a variety of options, and make every 'introduction' unique.
Do you make friends or enemies? Do you flee and escape into the forests, or are you captured? If the latter, are you cast into sulphur mines, the bubbling arena, or honoured as a sacrifice to the volcano god? In the forests, do you save a prince from a savage beast, or a beast from a savage prince? Do you find a lost temple, a Lunar base camp [JUNGLE MOON MEN!] or the SET OF THE LAVA BADGER WAZIR? That kind of stuff. By stringing three or four together, you can create your own 'scenario'. Furthermore, such vignettes are not just useful to an introductory adventure, but written so as to hopefully have relevance throughout any campaign.
Thanks for the comments, Tim. When? "Next year." :o)
Cheerio,
Stew.
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