OK this is a character which I initially wrote up for Pavis in 1621 last year, mainly using the STG rules. So I thought id update for RQG and bring up to the 1625 time period.

Tulina

Senior Apprentice & Initiate of Lhankor Mhy

Human Female, Aged 20,  Senior Apprentice of Lhankor Mhy

First impressions of Tulina depend upon where she is met. If about official temple business she comes over a diligent slightly stressed apprentice with many things to do and neither the time or the organisational ability to fulfil them all.

If met in the evening at Gimpy’s she looks like one  of a small number of Griselda wannabes.  With no sign of her grey robes or leather beard,  she sports leather amour a short sword.  Holding a cocky attitude, but a softer easier manner.

Continue reading Pavis NPC’s for Runequest Glorantha: Part 3 – Backstreet Evaluator →

The Art of being a Better RQ Player

Unlike most people who write about RPGs I would consider myself much more of player than a GM, and after nearly 40 years playing RPGs on and off I think I’m starting to get the hang of becoming a better player.

The majority of the following advice comes from me at my most reflective and self-critical, examining times when I could have been a better player, companion and friend. So if elements of this may make you feel a little uncomfortable, be assured than lots of this make me feel much more uncomfortable. The best advice comes from people who understand and can reflect on their own mistakes, plenty of mine can be found detailed below.

What makes a great RQ player?

Before we can progress we need to define what makes a great player.

Which, in my opinion, is someone who adds the maximum enjoyment to the gaming experience of everyone else at the table.

Continue reading The Art of being a Better Runequest Player →

I’m back to gaming with my guys so, inspired by MOB’s Casino Town rumours I created a list of rumours/plot list and silly fun for my guys as they explore Pavis again. I hope you enjoy.

Key

• (t) – True
• (f) or (u) – False or Untrue, unless you think it makes a nice plot hook
• (b) – Broadly True, but has untrue, embellished or imprecise elements
• (p) – Possibly true if it makes you game more fun
• (a) – To awful to even contemplate
• (m) – so vague its meaningless

General

• Bobs Bison Burgers contain unsavoury meat which is more Bob than bison (a)
• The Blood Knives of Badside are feuding with the Fine Fellows, from rich hill (t)
• Fist fights have broken out between elderly Lankhor Myh and Irripi Ontor scholars about access to the library(b)
• Anti Lunar Graffiti has been appearing round town in badly written New Pelorian (t)
• The ‘Magic Needle’ is a hidden reference to Byrgga Scissortongues elicit but very talented lover……. *insert name here* (f)
• 2 promising Pavis Initiates have recently died whilst searching Near the Balistors Barracks for his Axe (t)
• The Lanbril guild has infiltrated a number of city cults (p)
• A trickster has been publicly flogged, after assaulting lunar guards with 2 bananas and a finely pointed mango (p)
• The free Pavis faction has split into 3 rival factions which are fighting amongst themselves (f)
• Moonlighters keeps an ice demon in its cellar to chill the wine (b)
• Benderri, Son of Pavis is pro lunar because they provide for his many various vices (f)
• Pavis will return to point out to his priests that he doesn’t want to marry the Red Goddess (a)
• There is an ancient alliance between trolls and the giants (t)
• Cyrilius Harmonious is an assassination target for radical Orlanthi factions of the Free Pavis Movement (p)
• Fleeter Nemm will pay well for any incriminating information of Hargan the Dirty (t)
• The Blonde Pipers songs have mystical meaning and she is performing a very long trickster ritual (f)
• Sakuro the Conjurer is a God learner Come to find the secrets of RobCradle (b)
• Many of the robberies in the city are being performed by a family of intelligent raccoons from Dragon Pass (p)

Continue reading Pavis 1618 – 1621 Rumors →

Within the RQ and Glorantha community, posts, forums and online discussions are often full of experts(many genuinely well informed and reasonably intentioned individuals) informing us that because it wasn’t like that in earths bronze age, Glorantha can’t be like that.

• “2 handed swords didn’t exist in the bronze age”
• “Stirrups were not invented till much later”
• “The hilt on the sword wielded by the two-headed great troll didn’t exist until the late Roman period, so breaks my suspension of disbelief and Glorantha is forever ruined for me.”

OK, I may have exaggerated the last point.

I find the lengths that many would have us go to tie Glorantha directly with a period in our worlds bronze age history to be questionable, both in understanding the function of Glorantha and also as an exercise in believable fantasy world building.

Continue reading Why do we expect that a Gloranthan “Bronze Age” to be so similar to our own? →

I created this list for when my PC’s visited Gonn Orta’s Castle a couple of weeks ago. Thought it’s not the full rewrite up on Gonn Orta I was after ( it may come later and its concepts underpin some parts of the list.), but in the spirit of sharing I thought id share this list of items and agendas as it may help, inspire or just save people bit of time.

I have also in a spirit of generosity described things in a away that works best for RQG, but they should translate into most Gloranthan Systems very easily.

Prices are not included as money works differently in everyone else campaigns, and I think for the big exciting stuff Gonn Ortas Agneda is more than cash, and barter will be the name of the game.  Smaller items with be traded for cash without question.

Crystals

• Power Storage Cystals: POW 4,4,4,6,6,7,8,9,11,13,14,18
• Healing Focus Crystal: POW 1,2,3,3,5,7
• Sensitivity Crystal: POW 2,3,4,5
• Power Yielding: POW 2,3,4
• Power Enhancing: POW 3,4,5
• Spell reinforcing:  POW 3,4
• Spell strengthen: POW 1,1,4
• Spell resisting: POW 2,2,3
• Spirit Supporting POW 3, 4
• Spell Storing POW 3, 4

Continue reading List of Magic Items for Sale at Gon Orta’s Castle →

When in worked potential mercenary companies that could be stationed in Elkoi I worked through a wider range of possibilities, and looked at a range of mercenary companies(smaller than regiment sized) working in the Holay region which the lunar government could send on garrison duty in Elkoi, or would just be in the operating in an around the province.

The Grey Lancers

A mercenary unit which traces its history back to the independent kingdom of Holay, and its place as an elite unit of the queens household. It is still is associated with nobility of Filichet and many younger sons of noble houses will serve a 7 year stint in its ranks.

Mounted exclusively on Grey horses, based out of Filchet. The five companies of 20 heavy cavalrymen are exclusively in the employ of the provincial army, it is rare but the provincial army may rotate two companies at a time through Elkoi.

Continue reading Mercenary Companies of Holay →