> My point is that "good bits only if
> you're a Lunar" seems a bit narrow for a game that doesn't want to
> exclude parts of its potential audience.
Sure, but at the same time I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of tailoring Glorantha to the audience. This may sound surprising or even downright hypocritical given that I'm also involved in publishing on Glorantha and unashamedly in producing books which people want to buy. But if a key rationale for Vinga is marketing, then given the general trajectory of sales it can't be said to be much of a success. Surely on that principle, actually what Glorantha needs are hot anime magic-kung fu chicks a la Exalted, or umpteen splatbooks that each lay out keywords with even more kewl powerz (a la... lots!). Don't get me wrong, I'm not for a minute suggesting you or I are advocating this, but I think it is worth being clear about the three broad rationales for Vinga:
(a) it's miffically correct, in accordance with the deeper mythic truths communicated to Greg by unknowable knowings. This is, of course, rubbish. As John said far more elegantly, the myth is just what's created.
(b) it's going to attract more punters who will come and play in our games. But this is impossible to verify and while important to an extent could lead us anywhere.
(c) it's more personally satisfying that just leaving Heortling society in the hands of Orlanth and his breast-beating, dick-wagging woad-warriors. This is, of course, entirely right and proper. Of course we all want Glorantha to scratch our particular itches. For John it is providing positive options for women in what seemed a stultifyingly patriarchal society. exploring myth and making sure every duck has his havana. For Stu, it is cross-breeding Early Modern English history and the campest of pulp. And ducks again. For me, it is indulging in all kinds of other not-so-secret vices, from combating the shameless cat-love-in which characterised Bad Old Glorantha to working sly references that tickle me into my writing (anyone want to work out the connection between Pinugia the Protectress and the Blues Brothers?). But let's at least be clear what is driving us and revel in our solipsism!
> I realize that I'm treading
> on dangerous ground in that the Solar pantheon may (or not) be even
> more sexist than Storm pantheon, but the Solars are undermined in
this
> by their Lunar conquerors.
Oh yes, the Solars are more sexist. And conservative, racist, hidebound, inflexibly hierarchical... One of the challenges of the eventual DH book will precisely be how to make them at all playable to anyone who isn't a 100% SOB.
All the best
Mark
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