Creating Experienced Player Characters in WOD:Glorantha

WOD: Glorantha

Recent around discussions round the development and play testing of RQG led to talk of what was the correct starting level power level for characters. One of the few features of MRQ2 which i liked and thought was worthwhile was the different levels of character experience that could be created of the with the system. This is something that is very easy to port over WOD:Glorantha so I thought I would implement it.

 

For Players Characters

A core concept is that players character are in someway exceptional and touched by fate, destined to be movers and shakers, with greater potential than the average person. So the stats for PC’s will be those of exceptional people at whatever stage of life they are at. These sames stats storytellers can also use for significant NPC’s and other characters in the world that are similarly touched by fate.

Continue reading Creating Experienced Player Characters in WOD:Glorantha →

Obscure Spirit Magics of Balazar

Background, General Glorantha, WOD: Glorantha

Hi I have a few new spirit magic spells which I believe would be part of the Balazaring hunter tradition. They are not Foundchild spells as such but are taught by many of the shamans that are part of the Foundchild tradition.

The spirits which teach these spells are not common in areas which are urban or have significant agriculture, and though not uncommon in Balazar would be considered exotic in many locations of Central Genertela.

Runequest Write Ups

Camouflage

Variable, Temporal, Passive, Touch

For each point of the spell the character will receive a +5% increase in hide roles and sneak roles in a external natural habitat such as woods, long grass, bushes, water, reeds , canyons but not urban areas or underground.

Continue reading Obscure Spirit Magics of Balazar →

Trolls & Trollkin WOD: Glorantha Stats – Part 1

Encounters

Hi looking back at numbers of the Troll encounters, when i first started to put the site together. Decided I needed some WOD:Glorantha stats for the Trolls. It also allows me look at how the system will work for none humans so looking at a range of trolls below.

As with the Balazaring archetypes post use these stats for quickfire ‘off the cuff’ stats or a starting point for more detailed and bespoke characters.

For RQ players there is a post on how to understand and convert these stats on the fly.

Dark Troll Raiders

The trolls as well as being competent hunters, see raiding and combat as part of there role for there family and clan.  They will be more aggressive than a normal hunters and will seek to use there size advantage and strength advantage in melee sooner.

Continue reading Trolls & Trollkin WOD: Glorantha Stats – Part 1 →

Trolls & Trollkin WOD: Glorantha Stats – Part 2

Encounters

Dark Troll War Leader

These dark trolls function almost exclusively as warriors and as such tend to be from the either the most civilised or warlike clans and tribes. As elite warriors they will wait for the skirmish to attack for a while before attacking with ferocious strength, when they will lead the charge.

Cult: Devotees of Zorak Zoran and/or Kyger Litor
Nature: Varied
Demeanour: Predator/Traditionalist/Bravo
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5
Mental: Intelligence 2, Wits 4, Perception 4
Social: Manipulation 3, Appearance 2, Charisma 3
Talents: Alertness 4,  Athletics 4, Brawl 4, Dodge 4, Intimidation 5 , Subterfuge 2
Skills: Archery 2, Leadership 4, Melee 5, Stealth 4, Survival 4
Knowledge: Culture 2, Medicine 2, Myth 4, Divine Lore 5, Spirit Lore 2
Essence 5
Quintessence: 19
Willpower: 6
Runes: Darkness 5, Death 5, Disorder 3, Man 2
Spirit Magic: Bludgeon 4, Protection 4,  Fanaticism 3, Demoralise 2
Rune Magic:  Zorak Zoran 9, Crush, Berserker, Create Ghost,Create Zombie, Create Zombie,Seal Wound
or
Kyger Litor 6 Darksee, Blinding, Counter Chaos, Crush
Virtues: Courage 5, Self Control 4, Conscience 2
Backgrounds: Cult Status 3, Family 2, Destiny 2, Ransom 2, Resources 2, Status 3, Witta 1
Racial Abilities: Extra Health Level, Darksense, Light Sensitive
Equipment: two or three spirit charms (3 to 4pts), 5pt club/mace/maul, 2pt sling,  3pt composite leather & bone armour

Continue reading Trolls & Trollkin WOD: Glorantha Stats – Part 2 →

Using WOD:Glorantha Stats in Runequest

General Glorantha, Runequest Glorantha, WOD: Glorantha

WOD:Glorantha is an in house system I have developed for Glorantha based off the white wolf storyteller system I used extensively in the 90’s.

Why I use WOD:Glorantha stats?

Ok why am bothering to publish Glorantha stats in a  bespoke in house system?

  • The stats are primarily for my own gaming so I write in the system I use.
  • The system used helps me define the character
  • I think the system used defines and explains characters very well
  • It‘s a decision based system so there is not a lot of sums or calculation involved so I can define quickly.
  • There currently is an not RQ system published i’m happy to use

Understanding the stats

For a quick understanding of all stats( bar quintessence and willpower) run on a 1 to 5 scale for normal human capacity. With 2 being an average stats for normal human.  However more detail below.

Continue reading Using WOD:Glorantha Stats in Runequest →

Runequest Glorantha – Hopes, Dreams & Fears

Runequest Glorantha

OK RQ Glorantha is coming out soon and we have seen peeks, we have had numerous design & teasing posts, many have played it at conventions, we have had the teaser released and we have debated about it at length on the forums.

I’m really excited about the project, some of new design are awesome, other bits I am worried may end up a missed opportunity. So, I thought I’d do a post on my thoughts on what we think we know so far.

What excites me.

These are things I have seen that I’m sure are going to be great.

  • Runequest without Glorantha is like an acoustic motorhead show, interesting but lacking its prime appeal. Wrapping Runequest and Glorantha together again has been essential, Runequest has always struggled commercially when removed from Glorantha. Top marks for making them intrinsically linked.
  • The new rune magic system. Love it, great games design, simple effective make sense, fits the settings and fixes significant issues in the older systems.
  • The desire for a simpler lighter system than RQ6, I like a few bits of RQ6 but it was starting to feel a little rules heavy for me.
  • More realistic monetary system. RQ2 money was just nowhere near right. In RQ2 the entire world economic system was based round getting treasure from adventures and then spending it on training and spells.
  • The Sartar focus. Sartar was never fully explore in supplements till HQ era, opening up RQG with this amount of dragon pass background is awesome.
  • Greater range of cultural options and deeper looks at Esrolia, & Grazelander culture than in any other edition of RQ.

Continue reading Runequest Glorantha – Hopes, Dreams & Fears →

Compatriots of King Yalaring Monsterslayer

Balazarings, NPC's

Just over 15 years(10 years ago in the Griffin Mountain Campaign as written) ago King Yalaring Monster Slayer was an upstart adventurer making his name across Balazar. Like most with a group of compatriots, friends and hangers on.

These people were key figures Yalarings campaign when he usurped the Gadaringer dynasty and formed his inner circle.

What happened to Yalaring is well known , but his friends and compatriots have had different fates, Some still live in Trilus others will visit from time to time. Let me introduce them;


Karani Bluestone
Head of the Citadel Guard, Initiate of Foundchild

Karani was King Yalaring’s closest friend when they were growing up and remains so.  Born a balazaring hunter in the Impala clan he is a small and wiry man, who is competent in battle but by no means the greatest of warriors . However he is brave, tenacious and absolutely ruthless. Continue reading Compatriots of King Yalaring Monsterslayer →

Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 1

Balazarings, Encounters, Setting

After Clint Hills brilliant posts on the big rubble (see here) I have risen to challenge and started to create some miscellaneous encounters and plot hooks with a Balazar feel. I also did first come across these kind of encounters in Griffin Mountain many years ago.

The following are ideas for one off colour encounters or maybe hook and starting points for a whole story or campaign theme. I would suggest not rolling using random dice rolls in gaming session to select but perusing the ideas and choosing what would work for your group, or using these ideas just to spark your own.

I have intentionally left many loose ends and unexplained details to allow some creativity from both players and GM.

1. The Lost Child – Repeatable, Balazar
A small Balazaring human child can be found alone, crying and wandering in the wilds. The child is about 2 years old and understands the Balazaring tongue but is not able to speak yet. Continue reading Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 1 →

Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 2

Balazarings, Encounters, Setting

The next set of miscellaneous encounters which may be found in Balazar numbers 11 -20.

11. Lost Pack Beetle – Repeatable, Anywhere
A tired , drained but fully laden pack beetle of a troll merchant is mooching and hiding in a shaded corner. It’s owner or guards are nowhere to be seen. If approached it will attempt to ram players, knock them over and run  away. However if chased it will soon tire as its in an exhausted state.

There are a large range of troll goods which are mainly disgusting,  but may include something useful or appealing to for humans.

Continue reading Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 2 →

Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 3

Background, Balazarings, Encounters

The next 10 miscellaneous encounters for Balazar;

21. A Localised Frost – Repeating, Anywhere
A heavy and unseasonal frost falls in the night. Characters wake numerous times in the night with teeth chattering, and the sounds of distressed animals calling out in the night. Even in the night the whiteness of the frost can be seen spreading. Those who watch carefully maybe able to see white figures floating through the night, the frost emanating from there silhouettes.

The players will gain no power or recover from any wounds that night, they will have to make a constitution (or stamina) role to not be significantly fatigued for the next day.

The next morning the frost covers a area with a radius of a couple of miles. The players will also discover a wild animal standing still which has been frozen completely solid, with a terrified look upon its face.

22. High Falls – Once, Anywhere
The players find a beautiful waterfall where a stream plunges 60 foot into a deep pool, behind the waterfall is a cave which is secluded and dry apart from it the rainiest of seasons. Continue reading Balazaring Encounters & Happenings – Part 3 →