In response to a request on basic roleplaying forums here is a quick guide to choosing a cult for new to Glorantha players.
These will by split by Culture
Orlanthi
The Orlanthi are a culture that worship Orlanth the Storm God and are usual clan or tribe based following chieftains and petty kings. They are an often violent , but loyal and freedom loving people.
They Can be found in the lands of Satar, Much of the Holy Country, Free Trash and Parts of Prax.
For an earth based equivalent think early european bronze age celts.
| Cult | Runes | Worshipped By | Notes | Good for Starting Character |
| Orlanth | Air, Movement, Mastery | Men, Warriors, Leaders | Default male of God of culture | Yes |
| Ernalda | Earth, Fertility, Harmony | Women | Default womens God of culture | No |
| Humakt | Death, Truth | Warriors, Mecenaries | God of honourable warriors | Yes |
| Issaries | Communication, Trade | Traders, Heralds, Travellers | God of trade | Yes |
| Lhankor Myh | Truth, Law | Sages, Scribes, Wise men | God of knowldge | Yes |
| Chalana Arroy | Fertility, Harmony | Healers | Total pacifists | Yes |
| Eurmal | Illusion, Disorder | Madmen, tricksters | Many faceted and complex God difficult to play | No |
| Vinga | Air, Movement, Earth | Warrior Women | All have red hair | Yes |
| Stormbull | Death, Beast | Chaos Fighters, Beserkers | Consider uncooth and more than slightly deranged | Yes |
| Elmal | Light, Truth | Warriors and horsemen | Minor cult | Yes |
| Banatar | Earth, Fertility | Farmers | Minor cult | No |
| Babeester Gor | Earth Death | Avengeing women | Scary ass women, minor cult | Yes |
| Heler | Air, Water, Movement | The obscure, sheperds | God of rain, minor cult | No |
| Odayla | Movement Beast | Hunters | Minor cult | Yes |
| Uleria | Fertility, Infinty | Temple prostitutes, Ladies of the night | Temple prostitutes, ladies of the night, minor cult | No |
| Yelmalio | Sky, Truth | Mercenary Soldiers | Distinct subculture, Conservative | Yes |
Starting RQ player here. Love what I’ve seen of Glorantha so far. Feel free to contact me about any relevent gaming stuff!
–Mark
I dont think Ernalda is a bad cult for beginning PC. Its a very good cult for cool spells and you can be a healer without being a pacifist. But its a cult for a mature PLAYER. Issues like sex and motherhood can be difficult and strange for some players. I am a GM in the game I am playing but the cults I would like the next time I have a PC is Ernalda or Babeester Gor.