Wheel Shield
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Wheel Shield last won the day on April 20
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RPG Biography
Freelancer for other RPG games. Have been aware of Glorantha since around 1979, but not really an expert or particularly learned.
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Pathfinder 2E- Agents of Edgewatch, Gloomhaven
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I enjoy all Chaosium games, but am focused on Runequest Glorantha right now.
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Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
I took a break from the boards for a couple weeks. That said, I wanted to say that I ordered the hardcover just now directly from Chaosium. That is, I kicked up a fuss, but I bought the book, fair and square. I really look forward to perusing it in a little bit. And I look forward to what ever the next Runequest book will be. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
Thank you, MOB and Scotty, for this update. Appreciated. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
This was posted to Facebook an hour ago, as of this writing. I’ve said my peace about the announcement policy and I’ve dropped it now. I’m posting this as good news I’m sure others would like to hear. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
Fair. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
No worries, it was like a week and a half ago. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
Since tone doesn't always come across, I am asking this in a friendly way. No big deal. Could you ask over on the Pendragon forums? The reason I ask, is last time someone started asking about Call of Cthulhu releases (Against the Static) MOB made a point to update the status over here. Bereft of any information, I got my hopes up that CoG: The Lunar Way was arriving with it. I asked him to clarify but he never came back. And I hope those books are available for you soon. Appreciate it. EDIT: It is interesting that it's across product lines. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
Sorry, no. You’re held to a higher standard, at least by me. You don’t get to put on Clark Kent glasses and suddenly you’re divested of all responsibility. I can see why that might seem unfair, but that was part of the price of joining the company. If you’re an unpaid volunteer, I’d consider how much it means to you. Many vocations have a similar position; teachers, police, clergy, performers, etc. This company sells stuff, you’re part of the company. Your behavior matters. And here’s the important part, that isn’t your decision. It’s based on perception. But setting that aside, I have no great animus against you. I might like you in real life. After this I’m not going to try to maintain a grudge. You do good and worthwhile things for the game and community, and I appreciate The Well of Daliath. I can separate this from your other actions. But I was taking Rick’s post in stride. I wasn’t saying anything about the release. To take a cue from Frozen, I was letting it go. But what were you hoping to achieve with “weeping, gently”? Shame somebody, Emasculate them? Because you brought this thread to life. And no, you don’t get to say you didn’t because you used your personal account. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
I know buddy, it’s just the attitude Chaosium projects, sometimes. When I read Rick’s post it bugged the hell out of me. It’s not personal or objectionable on the face of it, but it’s condescending. As if to say, “Since no good deed goes unpunished we’re not going to tell you anything anymore.” WTF. When did they start? I appreciate having Runequest in publication and the high quality of the material they’re putting out, but what exactly is the good deed that we’re being so ungrateful for? They announced the book, and after 3+ months of silence, they’re going to punish us with more silence. So, it’s not really about not having the book in March. It’s the “blame the ungrateful customer” sentiment. And the snide “gently weeping” snark doesn’t really help either. There’s no place or any call for that from a company representative. They don’t have to tell me a damn thing, but don’t judge me for being curious. -
Cults of RuneQuest: The Lunar Way releasing on May 22nd
Wheel Shield replied to MOB's topic in RuneQuest
(Please spare me any jibes about post length. Just don't read it if it's too long for you.) There is what Chaosium thinks it does, and there is what actually it does, and it's not always the same thing. I'm not suggesting intentional falsehood, but perhaps a lack of self-awareness. Not everyone who asks about a release date expects the same thing from the company. Speaking for myself I do not want to: Tell them how to print or ship it. That's not my place and I'm not qualified. Tell them how they should release it (with or without PDFs), or when they should ship it (like when all the warehouses have it). Ask them to give me some weekly livestream to tell me nothing has changed. I read this characterization the other day and I'm just heading it off at the pass. Of course not, that would be a ridiculous waste of time. I do expect Chaosium to tell me when they expect a book to come out. I'm trying to avoid sarcasm, but that's how I see the majority of business conduct themselves along with most Kickstarters. I understand that is subject to change, and if that's the case, update that information... even to say "It's now TBD because of things outside of our control." I understand that @Rick Meints has said that is not going to happen. Still, nevertheless I think it would be reasonable to tell customers when a product is not going to be on sale. I'll anticipate a likely reply, "That's what they're already doing, you [possibly insert some insult or cheap shot]." No. Not really. Chaosium started it's drip marketing for Cult of Glorantha The Lunar Way on or very near to December 24th of last year. Since that date, Chaosium said nothing, nothing at all, except to acknowledge it didn't happen-in the first week of April. There was ample opportunity during the entire month of March to update us. If just to say, "We don't think March is happening, due to circumstances beyond our control." They didn't need to say April, just that it's not March. And if it came on March 30th, no one would be disgruntled if it wasn't April after all. Just communicate with people normally. No weekly update or livestream, just one post from a Chaosium designee. Preferably stickied so people can be referred to it. Then update it again, when there is an actual bona fide change (this is important too). I wouldn't even post a date until it was sent out-of-house. Chaosium doesn't need to incremental updates, just the rough monthly ETA. The Upcoming Publications thread does not serve that purpose. What would that accomplish? Speaking for myself I wouldn't ask about the book, saving my time and Chaosium's, and I'd have a reason to practice patience, other than being lectured by some forum helper. Something I have been in the past and now regret. (I know Jeff posted something in a comment to a post on Facebook, but I'm excluding that from being official. Plus his sharing of content previews are thoughtful and appreciated, so I am leaving that and him out of this). People have their reasons for asking. Like budgetary reasons, should they order a JC POD book this month or next? Or should they not have any expectations and curb their enthusiasm? When you ignore customers this is a range of possible reactions: They ask again. Maybe with the knowledge Chaosium ignored them the first time. (See below) Forum helpers reply on Chaosium's behalf, and they may or may not add misinformation. They may be well-intentioned, but they don't distract from the fact that Chaosium did not answer. Nor did Chaosium verify or correct anything. Chaosium could or already has seen people post wrong information on their forums on their behalf, and chosen to let it go. And it's definitely seen, explanation below. Forum users make up reasons for why something may happen or why it didn't happen, much like ancient cultures attributing natural phenomena to the Gods. Examples: "Maybe The Gloranthan Sourcebook was part of the same print order as The Lunar Way?" or "Since Against the Static arrived in Australia, The Lunar Way arrived with it?" That happens when people can't get any information from a reliable source. Everytime David Scott vanishes a post, it's a confirmation that Chaosium has read the post and chosen not to respond and/or ignored it. Sometimes that's warranted but inquires about products are not such an occasion. Just update the ETA. If the book has left Chaosium's hands, it's helpful to include that, to stem off further queries. I don't care if Chaosium ever entertains some customer notions about shipping and sales, just tell me it's not coming in March before it's actually April. That just seems like the civil and businesslike thing to do. Regarding JTown Compendium: I know there are many high quality works available, some by Chaosium freelancers, and I've bought some stuff and will buy more. It's not a catch-all answer though. If I go into a grocery store to buy some fruit.. say apples and oranges... it's of little help to say to me, "Well buy some pastrami or dijon mustard instead." I personally like pastrami or dijon mustard, but if I want some fruit, that's what I want. Not everyone is desperate to buy anything, this is not the '90's. Sometimes you want something specific and one shouldn't have to justify it to anybody. And JC authors and partners don't actually do what Chaosium does. They announce stuff, they respond to questions, they give updates. They're excited to share when they can sell it in print. It's fun to watch. They're very attentive to their customers. That said, with many of them doing some work for Chaosium directly, as well as being long term friends from conventions of just online interactions, I'm not surprised to see them liking or applauding Chaosium's stance on things. It is, however, a different way to engage with customers. I don't expect this post to change anything. It was just cathartic and self-clarifying. Plus, I like to define myself and/or not be mischaracterized. I tried my best not to make it personal or be overly sarcastic. I ask the same in return. And I do appreciate The Lunar Way video, sincerely.- 96 replies
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I did get this sorted! Thank you very much to those who responded
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I am beginning to wonder if the easiest and most straightforward thing would be to remove Phase 2 altogether. If a character is only moving and nothing else, they should have a fairly low SR and act early in the round anyway. A move being only +1 for 3m. If the player and the GM want to allow some more flexibility, for example drawing/preparing a weapon while moving, then default to the highest SR OR just combine the SRs but have them execute simultaneously. (Also make sure those "combo actions" are reasonable.) I can see that and think similarly. EDIT: Or I did until @PhilHibbs reminded me of this.
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That's not what I took away from my reading, but what you have written makes more sense to me (so thank you). Again, not trying to be passive aggressive against the Q&A, which Chaosium was considerate enough to provide. Having a d20 familiarity, engagement feels like a different sort of "attack-of-opportunity" or "threatened area." That makes sense with the example the Q&A uses about a ranged combatant being engaged. There may not be a way for the shooter and the target to interact, but they're engaged because they're focused on each other (to you use your words). That sort of parallels the d20's concept of being a missile combatant being threatened by an adjacent enemy, even if their distant target can only dodge (or whatever). Yeah, I'm starting to take away that Phase 2 is specialized for people who aren't going to be the focus of an enemy. But! If that's the case, what would their starting SR be if they only intend to move a specific distance. Is it their Dex SR + 1/per 3 M? So it's based on the movement you intend to travel? To all who responded, thank you, this is helping.
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Thank you for this. I'm not sure I follow the rest of your post, but it's probably my confusion. I would assume all the combat participants would make a statement of intent..?
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Partially I did it because of the definition of engagement which keys in on attacking and defending. But you're right, those are just words and it's the meaning behind them that is important. I didn't mean to be that literal. The other reason being partially because the Q&A examples sort of emphasize it. But I'm going to stop there, because I don't want to blame the Q&A. I think I understand SR well enough, it's that differentiation between Phase 2 and Phase 3 actions. The posts that followed yours helped as well.
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I've been running my first game for a little while now. My GameMastery has been kind of weak and before last session I leaned into the combat rules to understand them better. My session went just 'okay' by my standards but the players said they had fun, so there's that. But everything seemed really laborious and complex. Now I played 20+ years ago and I know the game is not that different from the first couple editions (barring Passions and other tweaks), so I figure the problem must be how I'm approaching it. I went through the Core Book combat chapter paragraph by paragraph and outlined it, while going through the Q&A on Well of Daliath. This to pare it down into concrete steps and statements. Jason and David offer the advice (paraphrased), 'don't think of SR as a step-by-step choreography of the melee round, just think of it as who goes first (or in what order).' That makes sense to me, but when I pair it with the rules I'm studying, I end doing exactly that. That is interpreting the choreography of the round, which slows the fight/gameplay right down and actually ends up confusing the players (and me truth to be told). Thinking about it, I think it's the definition of engagement and how it interacts with Phase 2 of the Melee Round. As I understand it, engagement can be defined right in statement of intent, and it hinges on the magic words "attack" and "defend." If you avoid describing those actions, your actions happen before Strike Ranks are considered. Such that you can prepare your weapon, cast bladesharp, and close with your enemy- as long as you don't state you're attacking or defending (assuming you have the ranks available to you, for the sake of argument lets assume the player does). I ran that past the players (who are really rusty too) and they were fairly speechless. There's another wrinkle in there, in that you can deviate from from your state of intent in response to what happens on the battlefield. Like healing an ally before the end of the round when that ally might otherwise die. Which sounds fine, but it opens up the question, "Can I just avoid saying I'm attacking and then alter my plans in response to the evolving situation?" I don't think my players would do that, but I'm seeing the loophole clearly. Anyway, I ended up doing what we are advised not to do, which is treat it like a breakdown of the sequence of every action. In conclusion, I know I can run the game however I like. I'm not trying to make an editorial statement about the core book. Is there a common practice or perspective that I'm missing? Am I making it harder than it needs to be?