Category Archives: Runequest Glorantha

NPC’s Domio & Katalin- Redrock Orlanthi

These are two characters that didn’t make the final cut for Back to Balazar. They were intended but as the book grew, I had to make compromises and these were never fully written up, though mentioned in passing.

On there own and dropped into different settings they can be useful supporting NPC’s in any clan based campaign,with tweaks to history and relationships, but for the full effect and context they should be used with Details in the Back To Balazar supplement.

Description

This couple were part of the Redrock Clan, but have intentionally distanced themselves from the group led by Lan Stromson. They now dwell in one the few stone houses within the Citadel of Trilus. They stepped back from a life of adventure, conquest and violence. Subsequently they seek to raise their family in peace and a relatively safe environment. Relations with the rest of the Redrcok clan are still positive, but strained, with most of the clan understanding but feeling let down by their choices.  

They maintain excellent relations with the other Lightbringers and good relations with all in Trilus. They are notable figures on friendly terms with the Royal Family, and well respected at the Llightbringers hall.

About 5 years older than most of the other surviving members of the Clan, the couple were responsible for leading the group down into Balazar, connecting them with the Trilus Orlanthi and participated in the raids on Festering Isle and Griffin Mountain amongst others. However after the debacle at Tashford which saw the clan fractured and beaten, they returned to Trilus to look after their own, as well as Lan and Rahkals’ children. 

Residing in Trilus since that time. They have been living off substantial savings, supplemented by Domio providing occasional weapons training for the King’s troops, the Orlanthi and anyone else who can pay. They prefer a life of peace to that of violence and adventure, thus Domio will now only ride out with Torath s party if severley pressed. They were central to the Redrock’s clan as it regrouped within Trilus, but refused to leave as the rest of the clan headed for the Dangerground in 1624.

They are the parents of two girls Senka 9, Mishka 5 and two boys Timik 7, Oushka 4 who are friends with Yalarings youngest Mel and Gan-Gan amongst others. The players are very likely to encounter the family at the Lightbringers Hall, around the Citadel and even in the Royal Palace.

It is rare that they will initiate interaction with the characters, but if the characters do they will be polite, kind, helpful and supportive to Orlanthi and Balazarings until given reason not to be. Lunars will be treated with caution and suspicion, but can win them over. How players treat their children can be a key into developing a good relationship with the couple.

This couple could be a good source of advice, mentorship, common sense, and information to a party of adventurers. They are also well connected in Trilus, with the Redrock clan and across Balazar.

Domio

Human Balzaring, Male 32, Initiate of Orlanth

Unnerving, Insightful, Obtuse, Smart, Distant

A slight build and quiet demeanour, mask an intensity, quirkiness and restlessness in manner, that mean many people find Domios company disconcerting. He draws the eyes and holds the attention of those in his company, but he does not put them at ease.

A deep thinker, who is creative in his solutions to many issues and engages in intense bursts of creative energy before again settling into the background. Highly intelligent Domio enjoys bemusing and confusing other people, as his brain jumps quickly from one subject to another, he will happily embarrass the pretentious or ill informed. When comfortable and engaged he is charming, warm. articulate, funny and can unleash a devastating but good humoured wit. But those moods can be short lived.

His opinions are sought after by many Torath, King Yalaring, Lan, and Quintas have all sought his views, critique and  guidance on various issues.  He sees himself as a realist and his opinions are at odds with the Orlanthi virtue of honour, often advocating practical solutions others will see as dishonourable or immoral.

He is haunted by the amount of death he has seen and the amount he has dealt. Though understanding the violent nature of the world, he now seeks to avoid placing himself in violent situations when he can, but as a weapons master this can be difficult. He has no cause or dreams beyond raising his family in peace and prosperity, he is cautious of men with causes to kill and die for.

When in a situation he finds too uncomfortable or dangerous he will withdraw, without word, explanation or warning, heeding not social expectations. It then may be many hours or days before he seeks the company of others.

Though he has spent many years living in the wilds and is an accomplished hunter and woodsmen,  Domio now prefers life within the citadel and ventures out in the wilds rarely.

 Characteristics

STR 14   CON  14 SIZ 12    INT 18   DEX 16

CHA 13 POW 17 Hit Points:15     Move: 8

DEX SR: 1 SIZ SR: 2

Runes & Passions: Air 77%, Darkness 67%, Movement 84%, Illusion 63%, Devotion (Orlanth) 64%, Love (Family) 88%, Patience 89%. Illumination 14%, Hate Chaos 73%

Rune Points & Spells : 7 Orlanth – Dark Walk, Divination, Flight, Heal Wound, Lightning, Shield, Wind Words.

Spirit Magic: Befuddle, Disruption, Healing 4, Bladesharp 4, Silence

Magic Points: 17 + 9 + 6

Damage Bonus: +1D4

Spirit Combat Damage: 1D6+3 

Weapon%DamageSRPts
Broadsword96%1D8+1+1D4512
Medium Shield76%1D6+1612
Javelin106%1D1028
Dagger88%1D476

Armour: Usually none , but owns Heavy Scale Hauberk,(5pt), Light Plate Vambraces & Greaves (5pt), Closed Helm (5pt)  .

Skills: Animal Lore 72%, Battle 59%, Climb 55%, Dodge 87%, Hide 88%, Homeland Lore Balazar 78%,, Insight (Human) 86%, Meditate 74%, Move Quietly 87%, Jump 67%, Listen 84%, Peaceful Cut 76%, Orate 74%, Ride 82%, Scan 94%, Sleight 78%, Spirit Combat 79%, Survival 74%, Track 86%  

Languages: Balazaring 74%, Tradetalk 48%, Satarite 24%, Stormspeech 48%

Magic: Power Storage Crystals POW 9, POW 6. The following spirit charms: Detect Life, Detect Enemy, Demoralise, Hide Scent, Knockdown


Katalin

Human Balzaring, Female 31, Initiate of Orlanth & Hearth Mother

Independent, Wise, Nurturing, Sharp Tongued, Judgemental

Though warm, loud, friendly and gregarious with her friends, Katalin will be guarded and distant with strangers on their first meeting. She will be polite but will examine them to determine both are a threat and are worth my attention. 

She is the daughter of Rauel the former chief of the Redrock clan ,older sister of Rahkal and the Matron of the Redrock Clan. She is very defensive of her sister and her children, as well as being  maternal over all of the Redrock Clan. Holding a dislike for Lan for his treatment of her sister and his children. Her decision to remain in Trilus was for the safety of her children, she misses her sister and the rest of the clan and wishes they had not joined Lan in what she sees as a dangerous and unnecessary misadventure out in the wilds.

Though she has had 4 children Katalin maintains the toned physique of a warrior and much of the beauty of her youth. She sheares delicate features with her sister, but her eyes carry a gravity weariness which speaks of weight, responsibility and pain.

Through the myths and legends she has learned many stories of the cult of Ernelda and would be interested in worshipping the earth mother, but there are no priests to teach her and no cult to join in Balazar.

Characteristics

STR 12   CON  15 SIZ 11    INT 15   DEX 16

CHA 16 POW 16 Hit Points:15            Move: 8

DEX SR: 1 SIZ SR: 2

Runes & Passions: Air 77%, Earth 67%, Movement 71%, Life 63%, Devotion (Orlanth) 64%, Love (Family) 88%, Hate Chaos 76%, Hate Trolls 73%

Rune Points & Spells : 6 Orlanth – Analyze Magic,Heal Wound, Mist Cloud, Restore Health, Shield, Wind Words

Spirit Magic: Awaken, Befuddle, Detect Life, Dispel Magic 4, Disruption, Fireblade, Protection 3

Magic Points: 16 + 12 + 8

Weapon%DamageSRPts
Shortsword86%1D6+1512
Medium Shield76%1D6+1612
Comp  Bow93%1D8+128
Dagger78%1D476

Armour: Usually none , but owns Light Scale Hauberk,(4pt), Light Plate Vambraces & Greaves (5pt), Open Helm (5pt)  .

Skills: Animal Lore, Dodge 76%, First Aid, Ride 87%, Hide, Insight Human 78%, Listen 78%, Manage Household 73%, Move Quietly 67%, Plant Lore 65%, Survival 64%, Scan 84%,  Spirit Combat 56%, Track 62%, Treat Disease 45%

Languages: Balazaring 82%, Tradetalk 44%, Satarite 16%, Stormspeech 41%

Magic: Power Storage Crystals POW 12, POW 8. Matrix of Healing 6 in silver broach. The following spirit charms: Bear Pain X 2, Countermagic 4, Farsee, Mobility, Second Sight

Elmal – The Warrior Sun – Cult Write Up for Runequest Glorantha

By Dave Butler & Michael Dalzen

Runes: Fire & Truth

Elmal is the sun. He is a weapon companion of Orlanth and a member of the Storm Tribe. He unblinkingly executes any deed needed for the tribe. During the Darkness, he defended the stead from all foes while Orlanth was on his Lightbringers Quest, and so Elmal helped keep the world together so that Orlanth could recreate it at the  Dawn.

Holy Days

Every Fireday is a holy day, and in addition, there is one seasonal holy day per season other than Sea Season, as follows:

  • Victorious Sun Day(Fire / Fertility / Fire)
  • Husband Day(Fire / Mobility / Earth)
  • Truth Day (Fire / Truth / Darkness)
  • Thane Day (Fire / Harmony / Storm)
  • The Long Night (Freeze / Luck to Gods / Fate)
  • Survival Day (Fire / Luck)

Continue reading Elmal – The Warrior Sun – Cult Write Up for Runequest Glorantha

Old Times Sake – Part IV NPC Information

Cast

The following are the write-ups of the cast members found in parts 1-3;

Entale Golden-Cup –A pretty sweet yet slight sassy young lady of the tender age of 19. Very good looking with a sweet personality which makes her excellent at selling charms and wares to unsuspecting populace, she is streetwise and strong, but despite her dubious dealings she sees herself as kindhearted and wishes no real ill to anyone.

She is incredibly loyal to Taralor, who raised her as a father would, and will go considerably out of her way to protect or avenge him.  Her name comes from a Gold cup that she owns with a heal 4 matrix, which is activated by pouring water into it, spending the power and then drinking the water from the cup.

Continue reading Old Times Sake – Part IV NPC Information

For Old Times Sake – Part III

For Old Times’ Sake Part III

Dorasa’s  Hut

If sensible the players should decide to visit Dorasa, the Gottir brothers will claim it is a wild goose chase as they have the culprits here and refuse to go as they are guarding the actual source of the chaos disease.

Kendrella will send Komasal a hunter from the village who is a capable tracker as a guide to Dorasas  hut. If the players have expertise in this area don’t add him to the party.

Dorasa is known to live in a crofters hut set back a few hundred yards from the main road, is empty and quiet when the players arrive, no smoke comes from the hearth and everything seem deserted, the small hut appears empty.

As players approach they will smell the stench of death. It won’t take them long to find the body of Dorasa starting to decay slumped against the outer back wall of her hut staring vacantly into the distance. The body fits the description of Dorasa given by Kendrella and not Entale.

Continue reading For Old Times Sake – Part III

For Old Times’ Sake – Part II 

The 2nd part of a mini scenario set in Glorantha.

The Village of Swaton

Swanton is a small hamlet of around 35 steads and houses centred around a small open green, next to an Inn called the Swan.  A low & irregular palisade surrounds the village, but it has not been well kept of late.

Statues that function as shrines to Ernalda, Hiord(Ancestor Worship), Safeela, Orlanth and Banatar all lie on the north side of the Green.

Usually, the hamlet holds a small market in the green every clayday and a redsmith, potter, weaver and carpenter have their dwellings within the settlement.  An oxen-powered millstone sits unused at the south side of the green, harness empty with no oxen in sight.

The village is surprising quiet there is little sign of life,  no one is moving around and the Inn is open but there is only one visitor in the inn described below.

Continue reading For Old Times’ Sake – Part II 

For Old Times’ Sake – Mini Scenario for Runequest Glorantha – Part I

Authors Note

These adventures are never quite as sequential or direct as written, so I would suggest reading the scenario as written, taking the flavour and letting the players attack the plot in the order of their own choosing, ( or more likely to get distracted and do something else).

I have created plot, setting, characters and storyline here. I leave many of the stats open so it can be played with whatever Gloranthan system takes your fancy, but has been created with RQG in mind so key stats will be provided for that system.

I’ve set it in Swaton next to Apple Lane, but location could be moved to any small village in Sartar. The scenario will be in 4 posts all of which will be made over the next week. All character writes up and stats will be in part 4

The adventure is not one that should test the characters combat abilities, but social, discernment, spirit combat and magical powers should be to the fore.

Backstory

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

27 years ago Garanth Oakfriend married for love, Aresta  Landottir though a well disposed and pretty girl was an orphan from one of the less significant bloodlines in the Hiording clan, he was a prominent young man from the clan chieftains family. His family was not keen but the couple were smitten and all seemed good.

12 years later the couple were still childless, Garanth put aside Aresta to take up a new younger prettier, more fertile wife from a well-connected family. Aresta was given a cottars holding on clans lands, but no one was surprised when she slipped away and out of the clan lands. Alone, spurned and shamed she had little to stay for.

In the intervening years’ things went on as if Aresta had never existed, Garanth and Kendrella are happily married but never had children, the clan has neither prospered of suffered more so than any other through recent upheavals and troubles.

But it now Aresta has returned and she seeks retribution.  She has been slowly twisted in bitterness and regret towards the whole clan which she blames, and has come back as a disease mistress of Malia, to wreak havoc on the community and people that spurned her.

She is well aware of the ways and personalities in the clan, as well as her vulnerability in direct conflict, so she has come up with a way of infecting the clan and delivering a little payback with little personal risk to herself.

Authors Note: It is very possible that the ruthlessly efficient players will never find out the who or why here. The threat can be dealt with no understanding why. However, Garanth and Kendrella always did have a sense of guilt in how Ernala was treated, which will turn into a sense of shame and self-blame if details become apparent.

A Roadside ConfrontationThe Gottirs Brothers

If you characters are based in Apple Lane we can move this encounters into apple lane itself, as it would work easier.

The party is travelling on the in Hiording lands on the road towards Swaton.  The party hear a female scream from the next bend around the road.

As they move towards it 3 young fit aggressive men The Gottir brothers local Stormbullites ) standing over a bloodied girl on her knees, an older peddler lies on the floor in a pool of blood his wares scattered about him.

The older man is unconscious, with a badly bruised face and three broken ribs.  The warriors are demanding the girls tells them where the “Chaos Witch” she serves is?  The Girl is obviously has been struck more than once and is terrified and is claiming to know nothing. The warriors are three Stormbull worshipping brothers, from the village of  Swaton.   Hopefully, the player characters will intervene ( if not it will be a short nights gaming.

When questioned The Gottir brothers claim, the couple have been spreading chaos diseases within the area and must be the service of a Chaos Witch to do so.  The two older brothers seem keen to kill both of these accused chaos cultists on the spot, the younger seems to be pushing to spare them to investigate and catch the chaos witch.

The brothers claim to have had a vision from Stormbull that the disease attacking the comes from a chaos witch, and this pair must be her servants.

If the girl is questioned she will state her name is Entale and the figure on the floor Taralor. She will claim that they are merely peddlers selling everyday items as well as herbs, medicines and charms of protection.  After sickness broke out in the village the brothers started to blame them so they then left. She also claims the accusation is because she turned town the younger brother at the tavern two nights ago.

This will be met by laughs and a couple of uncouth comments from the older brothers and a red blushed faced from there ‘Virgin Little Brother’, before saying it doesn’t matter as they can tell these two are ‘Servants of Chaos’.

The brothers can be threatened, cajoled, persuaded or bribed into not killing the couple on the road, but insist that they must be taken to the village of Swaton to face the village elders. The brothers a will refuse to pick up the items, touch them or heal or aid either of the accused. The older man  Taralor has been badly beaten and will need successful first aid or travel to allow him to travel. Entale will use her magic to heal him if the players can convince the brothers to let her do so.

If attacked the brothers will fight till they think they can’t win. If it seems obvious that they are outclassed Broamast will fight a rearguard action and allow his brothers to run. However, the brothers have an inflated view of the own abilities seeing themselves as Bullsmen  and warriors when their capabilities are those of yokel bullies.

Players examining the wears spread over  the floor will find a mix of small bronze utensils, dried healing herbs, useless ointments and potions, a number of useless charms, but three of the charms contain disease spirits(Soul Waste) containing spirits are in forms sacred to Malia, which wearing them will release spirit to attack the wearer.

Powerful magic, special roles on treat disease or very specialist knowledge skills will be needed to determine the nature of the items.

Authors Note: Playing this scene initially with a hint of the ‘She’s a Witch’ scene from Holy Grail would give the scene a sense of the ridiculous, which will then juxtapose very strongly with the very real threat that becomes apparent through the conversations.

More to come in part 2…..

Advanced Professions for Runequest Glorantha

Advanced professions are professions are those taken up later in life, they can be a senior or advanced versions of more basic professions or something much more unique and esoteric.

These are written to work with the extended character profession and experience system I posted a couple of weeks ago.

image ©Chaosium 2018

Actor

Actors can be found only in major cities of most cultures performing either classic or religions plays for the nobility or the faithful, or sometimes more rumbustious comedies and morality plays for the general public in the market squares and taverns.

Continue reading Advanced Professions for Runequest Glorantha

Extended Character Profession’s and Previous Experience for Runequest Glorantha

Detailed Character Career and Skills for Runequest Glorantha

OK inspired by ways I used to play with RQ3 Character Gen system, and a little bit by the old Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay System I have created an advanced option for character professions and skills in RQ.

Let me first say is I don’t think the character creation system in RQG is particularly flawed, difficult troublesome or lacking when it comes to skills. It is a very good system for those who want to create characters quickly, effectively with a good balance of skills, and a sense of culture.

Picture ©Copyrightt Chasoium 2018

However, some of us may want to spend longer to craft our characters and NPC’s previous experience, in ways where we sacrifice time to get some advantages in terms of outcome.

The advantages which I hope the extra time required  delivers is the following;

  • Previous experience system that allows characters multiple previous roles
  • A greater sense of your character’s story to date
  • A system that reflects character progression and movement between roles
  • Greater levels of player choice in both professions and the consequences of those professions
  • Characters with more diverse and graduated skills sets
  • A better system for dealing with more experienced characters
  • The avoidance of spending points of skills which would not be right but are demanded by broad categories used in standard RQG character creation.
  • Avoidance of skills gaps which are not believable and leave characters vulnerable
  • Having fewer characters generated which are skills masters by the age of 21

Continue reading Extended Character Profession’s and Previous Experience for Runequest Glorantha

Extended Profession Lists for Runequest Glorantha

A list of basic professions for Runequest Glorantha to be used with my extended professions and previous experience , These have no entry requirements and the skills in bold are considered Key Skills for the profession.

Assistant Priest
Any cult skill, Lore (Cult), Dance , Read/Write (Own) , Charm, Orate, Insight (Human), Manage Household , Sing, Play Instrument, Worship (Deity) , Meditate , Prepare Dead

Assistant Shamans
Speak Spiritspeech , Sing , Animal Lore , First Aid , Manage Household,  Plant Lore, Prepare Corpse,  Spirit Dance, Spirit Lore , Spirit Combat , Spirit Travel, Meditate, Play Instrument

Picture © Copyright Chaosium 2018

Bandit
Animal Lore, Conceal, First Aid, Intimidate, Hide, Plant Lore , Scan, Survival , Shield , Track, Primary Weapon, Secondary Weapon, Shield, Fist, Kick, Grapple, Dodge

Bodyguard
Dodge, Ride, Intimidate, Intrigue, Battle, First Aid, Insight(human), Listen, Scan, Primary  Weapon, Secondary Weapon,  Shield , Fist, Kick, Grapple

Continue reading Extended Profession Lists for Runequest Glorantha

Runequest Glorantha – Cultural Skills;

The following is a slightly modified list of cultural skills for the major and minor human cultures in the Dragon Pass area of Glorantha;

© Copyright Chaosium 2018

Satar:
Customs (Heortling), Dance, Farm ,Herd, Ride, Sing, Speak Own Language (Heortling), Speak Other Language (Tradetalk), Spirit Combat, Battle Axe, Broadsword, Composite Bow, Dagger, Javelin, Sling, 1H Spear, Medium Shield, Large Shield, Fist, Kick, Grapple, Dodge 

Continue reading Runequest Glorantha – Cultural Skills;