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Bahntah

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  1. Fascinating - I’m seeing undertones of Mao in this Argrath.
  2. My takeaway from the history of HQ:G is that Jeff Jeff's Jeff all the time.
  3. I found reading the RQ2 rulebook (available as PDF or POD) helped me understand RQG. It gives you the core of the system, and then you can appreciate the RQG bells and whistles on top.
  4. Do share how it goes with the new players! I really wanted to try RQ2 but I was afraid that it'd be less accessible than the more verbose RQG.
  5. Since it's so much easier to get a PDF/POD of RQ2, I think it would be easier to welcome new players. Tracking down a physical copy of RQ3 is not impossible but a higher barrier to entry.
  6. The main characters for 1604 are: Rana Allmother, Busybody and Terrible Cook, Charmer of Men and Vingans Forshator Quilwright, Scribe and Legalist Glenning Stoneheart, Cowardly Bard ----- 1604 Babies The Tenth entered the city of Furthest late last year. The Dark Season was temperate compared to Sartar, and the darkness less impenetrable due to the glow of the Red Moon. You hear tales of a Lunar defeat in the Holy Country, but war seems farther away now. Now it is Sea Season, a new year, and the Maboder welcome a large crop of new children. However, many of them emerged shimmering with Moon runes that fade after a few days. Rumors spread that either many were fathered by Lunars, or that these children were created by supernatural means, spread through the district. The Lunar army is happy with either theory, but some would like bring up the charge. Chaker, newly promoted to City Judge, is only too happy to oblige. He issues a summons for all new Tenth babies to stand trial for bastardry and chaos-spawn. Forshator takes the legal case defending the babies. Chaker says: "What evidence do you offer in the babies' defence?" Rana Allmother gathers several Earth priestesses from the Tenth and performs a divination to determine the parentage of the babies. The Earth priestesses gather over the babies and channel Ernalda recognizing her children. The faded moon runes flash again with no sign of Chaos. Instead, small suns are visible rotating around the moon runes. A bystander Lunar soldier gasps: "They are children of Yelm and the Red Goddess. Truly, they are twice blessed." Forshator submits this as evidence. Chaker responds: "I am satisfied with dropping the charge of Chaos spawn, but the presence of Sun runes is still irregular. The punishment for bastardry is exile unless you have further evidence." Rana suggests to Forshator that he petition to have the children's situation resolved according to Maboder custom, as a claim the mother's spouses may have against them for adultery, but not as bastardry, as they were still (mostly, anyway, I presume) born to wedded mothers. Meanwhile, Glenning is confronted by his (former?) lover Jemeel Greyeyed and learns that he has a child, a girl. But since Chaker has declared exile for any bastard children, she wants Glenning to step forward and claim the child. He agrees. Glenning goes to Forshator to explain the situation and ask that any claimed children be exempt from exile. Forshator puts together a case. He submits that their non-chaotic origin and birth to wedded mothers means that they are lawful residents of the Maboder Tenth on Tarsh. Furthermore adoption rites for the child wipes away any social disorder from Bastardry. This is also consistent with Maboder customs. Judge Chaker weighs the arguments and finds Forshator persuasive. A precedent is set in Tarsh law: a member of two communities may be tried under either set of laws as they choose. The children may remain, as Maboder children under Maboder law. Jemeel rejoiced and asks Glenning to take an active role in his baby’s life. New Bands and the Remainers A season passes, and the Maboder find new professions and trades. The Lunar empire is always in need for auxiliary troops that can serve its legions. The Maboder might also join one of the crafts in Furthest - although that would require negotiating with the Guide-Houses. Or will the Maboder find another route to economic security, legal or not? While Glenning is grateful to have his daughter in his life--her mother named her Iorba--he really, really wants to get away for a while. He itches to do something, something to inspire new poems and songs. Glenning asks among his people who would join him in forming a Mabdoer band in the Lunar forces. Glenning is particularly keen on getting Aralla to join, as he wants to follow her exploits and put them to song. During this season Helma seeks out a Tarshite herbalist to learn from, learning of local plants and practices. Glenning sways many youths to form "Glenning's Maboder Band" and pledge their service to the Lunar Army in exchange for gold. Among the Lunar soldiers, the Maboder Band quickly gain a reputation for their poetry. Late in Sea Season, they depart for Hendrikiland under the command of Fazzur Bookworm of Tarsh Clan Orindori. Most of the Maboder are left behind. Some are bitter for their partners leaving on a Lunar adventure, while others are envious of the opportunity to see Sartar again. A group of Maboder start to gather at night to share their complaints. They call themselves the "remainer clubs" and swear to keep the Maboder traditions alive and return to Sartar as soon as possible. Jemeel is known as one leader. Not everyone gets along with the remainers - folks like Raganor Redbeard left their homes willingly to join the Tenth and the remainers' exclusionary conduct offends them. Early in a mild Summer season, an incident sparks the growing conflict. A Morokanth artist, Vagar Steady-Toes, returns to Tarsh after a long time wandering the world. "The Lunar empire has recovered much land from the Telmori since the annexation of Sartar. These lands need people to settle and make them fertile. I plan to start a colony dedicated to art, beauty, and crafts. I wish to purchase slaves who will serve me on this colony, with manumission after ten years of service. Those who are familiar with the local terrain are especially helpful. What say you?" Some remainers are interested in Vagar's offer. Others are enraged by the idea of selling their own into slavery. Rana has been growing increasingly frustrated with the remainers' complaints and fantasies of returning to Sartar, for several reasons: 1. complaining openly to a bunch of other people is not how you solve your problems, 2. it's breeding disharmony among the Tenth, 3. the clan's elders agreed to send the Tenth to Tarsh, and going against that will be bad for the whole tribe, 4 (though she'd not admit it). she's annoyed that they're being mean to her spouse. She barges in one night on one of Jemeel's gatherings, and speaks to the group, berating them and scolding Jemeel like a disobedient child. She criticizes them for their not having the pride to handle their complaints properly (either personally or by appealing to the deputies for legal resolution), for wanting to renege on the tribe's treaties, and for some of their willingness to enthrall themselves to Vagar. "Don't you young ones know what Morokanth do to their human slaves? Do you want to be a beast of burden? A herd-man? Herd-men are like beasts, not even aware there's anything wrong with that! In Prax, where Morokanth come from, even the humans eat the meat of herd-men without giving the matter any thought! If you are fool enough to aspire to be the chattel of Vagar Steady-Toes, then maybe you should go, and the Tenth will be better off for it!" The Remainers club erupts in outrage. How dare Rana lecture them? Did not people tell the same scary stories about the Lunars? And now the Tenth are visibly see assimilating and even joining their armies! Rana manages to sway a minority of the club, but many still accept Vagar's offer. The Tarsh courts also take the opportunity to make some money, and sell Targian Iron-Worker to Vagar. The Morokanth takes a few weeks to prepare for the south-bound journey. Meanwhile, Glenning's Band move south through occupied Sartar toward Hendrikiland. They take a boat down to the marsh and then continue on foot. The reception is frosty - many who fought against the Lunars thought the Maboder were traitors for not fighting, but now joining the Lunars? That is too far. Fight on the King's Road On the King's Road, a group of local Colymar toughs blocks the road. "You dishonor Sartar with your service, and your swords spoil the names of Orlanth and Humakt We challenge you to a duel of swords. The loser must yield their weapons. Name your champion." Fazzur says, "We have no time for these petty tribal politics. Kill them all or ignore them. I delegate to you." Aralla considers this. “Fazzur, We Are All Us. We may have no time for petty grievances, but tribal politics brought us all together under the Red Moon’s light. I sense opportunity.” Aralla addresses the toughs. “We are a busy war band, and no oath compels the duel you ask. But swear to us that if you lose you will join us for at least a season, and bring any kin you may speak for or command, and we will name a champion.” “Yes, we are honorable. Whoever wins gains both the swords and the arms of the loser, in service for a season.” A champion steps forward: Kielubok the Vegetarian, a giant hulking initiate of Storm Bull. “I volunteer for all loyal Sartar.” Glenning looks at the strongest members of his band. "We have many capable warriors here. But perhaps none so renowned as Aralla Brightspear. She entered the God-Time and returned! She is a chosen defender of our people! She bears weapon and armor of the gods! Let her prove herself once more." Glenning thumps the end of his spear on the ground and starts chanting "Brightspear! Brightspear! Brightspear!" Seeing that no one else is taking up his chant, Glenning slows to a stop. He sighs. "Right. 'Glenning's Band.' Okay. Sure." He peeks between two of his comrades to look at the hulking Kielubok. He takes a deep breath and calls upon Orlanth Adventurer and His boastful spirit, grasping the talisman around his neck. "IT IS I," he bellows to the Colymar, "GLENNING STONEHEART!! WARRIOR-POET OF GREAT REPUTATION, CRAFTER OF BALLADS, SKEWERER OF MEN, BELOVED OF ORLANTH ADVENTUROUS!" Looking directly at his opponent, he cries, "Take up your sword, Kielubok, and prove to the gods that your favor is greater than mine!" And he's fucking sweating bullets. Kielubok and Glenning take up their swords. Kielubok's stance is wild, unpredictable, dangerous. Glenning tries his best to stay calm - he paces his steps to the rhythm of an old song. The two duelists circle each other for a moment. They are surrounded by the Maboder and the Colymar. Even Fazzur is drawn in. Thunder cracks in the distance as clouds roll in. Kielubok attacks first. He tears off his cloak, revealing a naked body covered with Beast, Air, and Death runes. Dashing, almost running on all fours, Kielubok swats aside Glenning's parrying sword and tackles his opponent to the ground. The two struggle, hand in hand, too close for swords to be useful - and Glenning is clearly the weaker. Kielubok is all power and rage. He sees nothing but Chaos in Glenning, and Storm Bull destroys Chaos. With a great heave, he lifts and throws Glenning across the open ring, with Glenning barely holding on to his weapon. Kielubok is not the only one with Air runes, however. Orlanth Adventurous cannot be tied down, Orlanth Adventurous cannot be predicted, Orlanth Adventurous goes where he wishes. Glenning catches himself and rolls to his feet. There is another pause in the duel. Glenning narrowly avoided falling twice just now. He returns to the old song, which he is now singing aloud: a old story of Orlanth tricking Storm Bull, and an old story of the Maboder tricking the Colymar. Offer the bull an apparent sacrifice, and the bull will soon find itself the sacrifice. Glenning slowly approaches the gloating and confident Kielubok, keeping in step to the song. Kielubok tosses his head and his muscles ripple down his body. He begins to charge. Glenning also advances - he knows now that Kielubok tries to win by grounding or disarming his opponent As the two are about to collide, the poem changes meter. Maboder epics have this tendency - when the gods step into the story, time breaks. Glenning surprises Kielubok and leaps up at Kielubok with a hand in his face. With his other hand, he reaches behind Kielubok and cuts his hamstring. The bull roars. Kielubok catches the last two fingers of Glenning's hand and bites them off. Glenning screams and dives away. The circle is amazed. Glenning, now hoarse, blood dripping from his hand onto his sword, finishes the song. Kielubok's crys devolve into whines and whimpers as he struggles and fails to get up. Someone shouts: "The champion of the Maboder is victorious! We pledge our arms to Glenning's Band! For Glenning! For Glenning!" Glenning raises his sword to the air as the stormclouds edge closer. "For Orlanth Adventurous! For the Maboder!" He almost forgets to not include For Sartar! His heart is pounding still to the rhythm of the ancient songs, but he clutches his hand, now two fingers short. Glenning walks over to Aralla, trying to hide his exhaustion. "You, my friend, must learn to use the sword." Then he goes and takes a long nap. The two bands merge into one that night around the fire. Someone breaks out an amphora of Esrolian wine. People take turns composing poems about the day’s events - they get worse as everyone gets drunker. Kielubok trades a night’s companionship to the Ernalda priestess Montevo in exchange for healing his leg. The next morning, a very hungover Fazzur collects the band and reveals their mission: to raid and pillage Hendrikiland, as a diversion for the Lunar invasion of the Holy Country. The Colymar toughs cheer - raiding your neighbors for glory and profit is an old tradition for the Orlanthi! Glenning bandages his wound and picks up his drum, drinking and singing through the night's revelry. He's careful not to rustle the feathers of his new comrades by singing about today's events, or any exploits over the Colymar. Instead, he sings songs mocking the Hendriki. He eventually passes out and is carried to his tent by some friends. Wrapping Up Back in Furthest, a lunar duke from the Heartlands arrives in town with pomp and circumstance. He is a worshipper of Daka Fal and his agents begin selling ancestor fetishes to anyone and everyone in Furthest. "Feed the fetish and your ancestors will be full! Dress the fetish in fine robes, and your ancestors will be proud!" The fetishes take on a following among the Tenth. The Lunar hierarchy is unhappy - they would prefer the Tenth continue their march into worship of the Seven Mothers, not get bamboozled by some Heartland con man. They initiate a crack down on fetishes which sparks into isolated incidents of violence - and could grow into more if unchecked. Glenning's Band conducts a successful diversionary raid into Hendrikiland, with the aid of the Colymar toughs. They gather significant loot, including tribal totems, precious furs, and an ancient scroll from the time of the EWF describing how to construct artificial soldiers known as golems. A tight bond is also built between the band, the Colymar, and General Fazzur. On their way back from Hendrikiland, they encounter Vagar's company of slaves on their way to his artist colony. Glenning spots Jemeel and Iorba in the crowd, and Aralla notices Targian walking free.
  7. Year 2 / 1603: Entering Furthest The main characters for 1603 are: Aralla Brightspear, the Proud Huntress, Apostate Sun-Domer, Initiate of Mal (Daughter of Yelmalio and Sedenya) Rana Allmother, Busybody and Terrible Cook, Charmer of Men and Vingans Helma Quick-Handed, Herbalist, Healer, Doesn't Get Jokes Synopsis: The Tenth are camped outside Furthest under a terrible augury: Chaos, Moon, and Illusion. Mother Venethusa, the Tenth's Seven Mothers leader, is apparently killed at the hands of Jeno Tallteller. Furthest sends a nosy Lunar investigator, Lachool, to investigate the death and make sure the Tenth is clean before they may enter the city. Questioning Jeno and studying Venethusa's body reveals the culprit: a Chaos demon known as a spear-worm. A mysterious stranger called Matech appears and claims to have a solution to the problem - if the tribe can solve his riddle. Lachool is more interested in arresting the Tenth's Mal cultists. After another death in the camp, Aralla sets a trap and reveals the true killer: Rana's son Targian whose hatred of Lunars had turned him to Mallia worship. Meanwhile, House Merd invites the Tenth into the city under their patronage, in exchange for support in their ongoing dart competition, and a strange detachment of Lunar soldiers orders the tribe onwards to Dorastor. The community gathers together and decide to support the local Lunar army, under the command of Agar Warmaker, and move into the Military District.
  8. The main characters for 1603 are: Aralla Brightspear, the Proud Huntress, Apostate Sun-Domer, Initiate of Mal (Daughter of Yelmalio and Sedenya) Rana Allmother, Busybody and Terrible Cook, Charmer of Men and Vingans Helma Quick-Handed, Herbalist, Healer, Doesn't Get Jokes ----- 1603: Entering Furthest A Death in the Camp The Maboder begin 1603 in temporary camps outside the walls of Furthest, as parties within the city negotiate over where to settle the Tribe. At Sacred Time, the augury results are terrible: Moon, Chaos, and Illusion. On the night of the augury, after the people scattered to their tents to mull over the runes, a scream is heard. The deputies rush in to find Mother Venethusa dead of a spear wound. No one else is found in her tent, but someone heard that Jeno Tallteller made a visit to Venethusa's tent earlier. Aralla yells and screams as she mourns openly, pulling bloody streaks down one cheek with her nails. She was only just beginning to repair her relationship with mother Venethusa, and now she may never be able to. She also fears that she has further distanced herself from her own birth mother, who remained cloistered when Aralla was trying to convert the local and Maboder Sun Domers. Aralla may now be motherless twice over But now is the time for swift action. First, she approaches the local scholars of Lhankor Mhy and demands that they reconstruct what happened with magic. Second, she orders the deputies to investigate, but makes clear that they should follow the same procedures they would for anyone else. Third, she seeks out the local Seven Mother's cult house, and humbly petitions for Mother Venethusa's resurrection. If they deny her completely or ask an improbable price, she will go next to any clan Devotees of Challana Arroy, and if that is ineffective, she will seek the Bent-wing Herbalists of the Mothwing Clan. Fourth, she humbly asks that Taravor preside over the scene of the crime. In spite of their differences Taravor is a mighty warrior of unimpeachable honor. Aralla also goes looking for Jeno Tall-Teller. Rana also goes looking for Jeno Tallteller, who is of course, her third daughter's second son's spouse's mother's younger sister's firstborn child. Rana steps through her dense network of connections. She finally finds Jeno hiding and terrified in the Tent of Eavara Swiftwind. After some time, and gentle nagging, Tallteller begins talking: She and Venethusa had been debating the relationship between the Seven Mothers and Mal. Venethusa Then her memory fails - the next thing she remembers is seeing Venethusa dead and running away. Jeno swears that she didn't kill Venethusa. Meanwhile, the deputies are diligently searching through the camp. Their search, however, is interrupted by the arrival of Lachool, Tarshite Serjeant-Investigator. "You are in Tarsh now, not in Sartar. We believe in justice and truth, not clan vengeance. One of our citizens has been killed; we will handle the process." Cenkar, the local Seven Mothers Cult, accompanies Lachool. "We will not resurrect anyone until we get to the bottom of this situation. There are rumours that you Sartarites are heretics and spirit-possessed. We must ensure the purity of your cults before you pass into our walls." In the midst of the ensuing argument, a mysterious stranger steps into the circle. They introduce themself as Matech, wandering shaman and curer of all ills. "Do you need healing, my friends?" Rana tells Jeno that she can't run away, and she can't hide for long, or it'll reflect poorly on her family. "Here's what we're going to do. I know a sage who can be trusted. I will go to him and bring him here, and he will help you remember. When we know what you've forgotten, then we will know how to break the news to the tribe." And she leaves to go see Forshator Quillwright and ask him to sneak back with her to Eavara's tent. At the circle of assembled people, Helma speaks up in response to Matech. "The Mothwing Clan has many capable healers. But we would welcome among us any who wish to share their knowledge--or learn." She is careful to leave out the shamanic practices some in her clan use; Helma is worried that Cenkar's speech was a subtle threat against their ways. Helma is also worried that this Lunar investigation will not respect the Maboder way of doing things. The Mothwings are also responsible for preparing the dead body for the afterlife with herbs and oils. With permission from Petoria Weal-Bringer and Lamesh the Soother, leaders of the Mothwings and Bent-Wings respectively, she will approach Lachool and ask to be a cultural liaison for the Maboder in this matter; not to intervene, but to treat the body. In Eavara's tent, Forshator studies Jeno's mind. Little more can be gleamed from Venethusa's death - but he does find a memory from earlier in the day when Jeno ate a worm because she thought it would make a great story. Lachool is impatient, but Helma's words and political backing convince him that the investigation will be more effective if he accomodates the Maboder customs. The Serjeant-Investigator hands the body over to Helma. That evening, Helma prepares the body for the afterlife with the assistance of other tribal members. Cleo Peacemaker and other members of the Seven Mothers cult are present. When the holy oils are poured over Venethusa's body, a worm covered with Sun, Moon, and Chaos runes crawls out. Before anyone can catch it, it slithers away into the darkness. Matech walks in and says: "Friends, it looks like you have spear-worm problem. Chaos demon typical used by heretic Lunar cults. You don't have a problem with that, do you? No matter. Find me tomorrow with anyone who might have been contaminated. I have a cure." Rana scolds Jeno for a fool, but she has the right angle. She drags Forshator (figuratively) and Jeno (literally) to the Serjeant-Investigator and tells them "My grandniece here was with Venethusa before she died, but she's been bewitched and her memory taken from her. She's here to cooperate with your investigation but she's done nothing wrong." Lachool interrogates Jeno and, with Rana's spin, clears her of immediate suspicion. "She may or may not have wielded the spear, but darker forces are at work here. That stranger, Matech, they mentioned heretic Lunar cults - but you Sartartites are all despicable Orlanthi Lightbringer cultists, aren't you?" Rana secretly takes offense, but plays it conciliatory. "Well, no, Serjeant, some of us have converted to Lunar cults. Why, Mother Venethusa herself was the head of our tribe's Seven Mothers cult. I don't think any of them are heretical, though. Well... I'll keep an eye on the grandniece here for you. You come see me if you need her, or if you want to have a chat, I know just about everybody around here, you know." Rana twists around Lachool's questions, until he finds an opening and pins her to reveal the rapid growth of the Mal/Yelmalio cult - especially aided with the addition of the Alda-Chur anchorites. When Lachool departs, Rana gets the impression that his investigation is going to focus on the Malites. Helma has heard whispers of Jeno Tall-Teller's visit with Mother Venethusa. She goes to Aralla and asks her to bear witness during Matech's examination--Helma knows that Aralla would do anything to ease the loss of Venethusa's death, and hopes being actively involved in solving the murder might ease her suffering. The next morning, Helma visits Jeno to convince her to see Matech. House Merd Elsewhere in the camp, an envoy dressed in luxurious red clothes (decorated with felt bats) seeks an audience with the local deputies. "I am Chaker the Chit-Chatter, of the Lunar Tarshite House of Merd. We have secured a place for your tribe within the walls of Furthest. You may begin packing - be ready in a week to move." Aralla acquiesces to see mother Venethusa's body prepared, deciding that confronting things head on is more appropriate to the aspirational virtues of her cult. Head spinning with the various responsibilities that have been thrust upon her, she prioritizes the audience With Chaker the Chit-Chatter, and asking Helma if the cult of Medenya has any resurrection rites. For the audience with Chaker she will be bold, and demand an explanation of of the source of his authority, as well as an oath that he doesn't know anything more about the recent death of Mother Venethusa. Chaker reveals himself as a low-level lackey. He's also a chatterbox and gives an extended description of the political situation in Furthest. Chaker and House Merd gain their authority as first among the four houses, with the highest share of blood descent from Honeel and the heaviest corn cobs as proof. Of course, the other houses contest this claim - they state that other features of their corn crops, such as height of stalk or number of ears, are the true measure of the favour of Honeel. This has descended into all-against-all dart competitions, known as the "Corn Wars." Merd offers your tribe a position within the walls, under their protection, if you agree to assist them with the famed Maboder warriors (they have heard good reviews from their contacts in Alda-Chur). To Helma, Aralla inquires if Medenya has any secrets of resurrection, or barring that, ways to speak with the dead. She is open minded to alternate ways of acquiring supernatural aid, as any good Lunar should be... Or so she tells herself Matech's Examination The next morning, Helma and Aralla bring Jeno to Matech. Matech performs an examination through a bewildering mix of shamanistic rituals and prayers from a dozen cultic traditions. Finally, they pronounce: "There is a spiritual infection passing through your tribe. Jeno here is one infected, but there are likely more. Ordinary magic is useless here. There is one way I can help you. I must first ask something of you, though. The disease gives messages of: "I fall and I rise, I rise and fell". What could it be talking about?" The words of Matech send chills down Helma's spine. She thinks of the old stories her father used to tell, of ancient dead crawling from their graves to haunt the living. The fallen, rising. She turns to Aralla. "Aralla, what do you think of this? I have my suspicions, but I beg the gods they are not confirmed. Can you or your god divine anything from this?" Aralla grits her teeth. “Mal is a god of the pursuit and execution of justice, of the hunt, and riding in defense of the righteous. With oaths, truth, and pathfinding I have some ability. Perhaps I could learn to detect chaotic influence, but chaos is notoriously good at hiding and few have the trick of rooting it out. But perhaps Rana, you or your ex husband could divine something? Lankhor Mhy or the earth itself could answer our plea.” “Helma, I had meant to be more delicate about this, but do you know of a way we might speak with mother venethusa?” Helma's brow scrunches in a frown. "There are ways to speak with those who have passed on. It is...not my area of expertise, though I have been taught. Lamesh would know better." She twists the amulet around her neck nervously. "But I think we had better move quickly. Especially with an infection spreading," she says, glancing at Jeno. "But I need some answers first." Helma turns to Matech. "This infection. What does it have to do with the spear-worm? How does it spread?" Matech: “Social infections - disorders in your tribe, such as kin strife - cause chaos creatures like the spear worm to manifest. The worm then causes more disorder, in a cycle of disease.” This unsettles Helma. Disease has spread through the Maboder before, but none of such origin. "We should speak with Mother Venethusa. If we can. Aralla, I will need some personal item of hers, something she valued in life." Aralla provides a worn copy of the writings of the first incarnation of the Red Emperor, with a forward by (possibly channeled through a priestess) Queen Deezola, one of the Seven Mothers. Helma mixes together a vial of alcohol and magical herbs. She sets it on the ground next to Venethusa's item, then scratches into the dirt magical sigils and the runes of death, illusion, and spirit. She chants for a few minutes, then drinks the contents of the vial, now (hopefully) charged with magic and a connection to Mother Venethusa. Venethusa's spirit is called and answers Helma's questions: "I was in the middle of a heated argument with Jeno Tallteller about the proper process into the Lunar Way. I saw a hooded figure step into the tent. They sent a bound spirit to disable Jeno Tallteller, stabbed me, and laid a spear-worm-larva in my wound to grow. I do not know their identity, but it must have been a shaman with connections to Chaos." Arrests Arrested Finally, Lachool makes his appearance with a cluster of Tarshite soldiers. "We are arresting all Yelmalio and Mal worshippers, under the crime of kinslaying and abusing Chaos." Rana is very concerned. She doesn't exactly care for the cult of Yelmalio or Mal, except for her kin who're in them, but they're still Maboder. She doesn't think her charms are working on Lachool, so the only thing to do is to go over his head. Chaker the Chit-Chatter's attire is disturbing, but maybe this House of Merd can intercede. She goes to Chaker, and tells them: "Youngling, my word carries great weight with many of the Maboder, and many of my children and grandchildren are leaders among us. If you're inviting us in, I'm sure you want something from us, and you're not going to get it if I speak against you. This investigator from the city is arresting many of our people, on the vague proclamations of some stranger. Now, it may be that your investigator is right to investigate the cult of Mal, or it may be that he's not, but arresting all of them, and the Yelmalions too, is not the right way to go about it. If you want the Maboder as your allies, you'll see that we're all free to actually go to you, and soon." With uncertain continuity Aralla will see that Chaker doesn’t heed Rana’s words: “Listen here you felt covered frumpy fop, listen to our honored mother here and delay the Sergeant a day or so at least or there will be no deal at all, and I will make it clear that it was your fault. If you can give us this we will consider your offer” Rana and Aralla confront Chaker. Aralla's directness surprises Chaker, and forces him to promise to delay the arrests for a week through back-channel politics. However, this request will weaken House Merd, and they will have to delay the entry of the Maboder into Furthest. Chaker mutters a prayer to the Bat before departing - he has much work to do today. Lachool's soldiers just begun to make their rounds, when they get some strange orders from deeper in the Lunar bureaucracy to pause the investigation. Lachool mutters about Dart Competitions getting out of hand - politics needs to be contained to prevent the spread of uncontrolled Chaos. The tribe has a moment of peace. Another Posting That afternoon, another detachment of Lunar troops arrives in Furthest, from some vague posting in the Heartland. Their commander, Palato Foodbringer, is decorated in war medals and Lunar finery. She proclaims: "Tenth of Maboder, you have new orders. The empire needs you to help pacify Dorastor. Begin packing." Agar Warmaker is bewildered - you can hear angry shouts in the Lunar tents between Agar and Palato. Aralla barges in to Agar Warmaker's tent. "What is this about us needing to pacify Dorastor? We have oaths to uphold that will not let that stand." Agar: "I do not know where these orders come from, but their seals are valid. I suspect politics and subterfuge in the Heartlands. My mission is to protect the Tenth in Furthest, and I will strive to carry that out until I get new instructions." Rana is horrified by this news of Palato Foodbringer's demands. That land of Chaos? We won't go there! We aren't soldiers to be ordered around! The Maboder tribal ring agreed to send us to Furthest, but we are free people! Some general can't just come here and tell us to pack up and go elsewhere! Rana goes amongst the Tenth and says her piece and wheedles and cajoles people into refusing to pack or leave. She invokes that classic Orlanthi law "No one can make you do anything." Rana rallies the people of the Tenth. They have decided to go to Furthest, and that is where they will go. In the face of many Sartarite warriors, united across divisions of clan and cult, Palato backs down. She shouts: "You stubborn Storm Tribe cultists have your reprieve. I shall return next year - and beware Glamour's fury then!" Her troops march off to the Northwest. Agar Warmaker is encouraged by the show of unity. The Lunar troops of Furthest (most of whom are actually Solar worshippers) invite the Tenth to lodge, at least in part, in the Military Quarter of the city. Rana Allmother is pleased with the offer, and with the warm reception her tribe has had to her call to action. However, this "at least in part" bothers her. She brings her second son Targian Iron-Worker and her grandchild Sarorth Shieldbearer, a steadfast vingan warrior, and pays a visit to Agar Warmaker, bringing an amphora of Maboder mead, and a steel armband Targian has made. She and her descendants express gratitude to Agar Warmaker and make a gift of these fine things. However, Rana shares her concern about dividing the Tenth, when we have all seen the good that can be done with the Tenth working together. Of course, there may be practical difficulties in lodging so many, but there must be an alternative to splitting us up ("There is always another way", as the Orlanthi say, but she probably does not say this to Agar). Rana’s show of force works - Agar is reminded of how useful the Maboder may be in supporting the Lunar army. He spends some political capital (already bolstered by the departure of the other Lunar army) to secure lodgings in the neighbouring Guild district - its not pretty but its close. However, the Guild district is also dominated by House Sanso, rivals of House Merd. When Chaker returns to the camp that evening, he is livid. House Merd called in the favours with the hope of gaining Maboder warriors for the dart wars - and now its ability to levy those favours is curbed. Setting a Trap Then shouts break out: the spear worm has struck again! A few assistants carry out Anogo Threelegs, bleeding from a spear-like wound. Matech chuckles - “time to get working on solving that riddle!” Aralla hearing of all the trouble that has been called feels torn in several directions. She throws silver tokens with her runes on a mandala in her tent: Truth-by-moon, Fire-by-moon. Aralla stares agape at what her Rune tokens reveal. The influence of the Moon Rune is present in her next action, but the lunar divination method says that for Aralla the majority of that moon influence will express itself through truth, with an unusual amount of fire influence as well. Meanwhile there is a touch of the illusion rune, and no movement. Aralla's mind whirls. The moon rune expressing itself mostly through through the truth rune, but with a stronger influence from fire than average but still... Balanced by the illusion rune?! How... Of course! The moon reveals the truth by telling a truth that seems a lie, or a lie that leads the way to the truth, and it is all dependent on what 'phase' the moon is--what is your perspective? To a hunter, a snare is a prayer, to prey, the snare is a trap. Aralla shouts to her deputies guarding her tent outside "Announce to the clan ring that I have uncovered the source of the spear worm, and I will prove this fact in a half hour [gloranthan units?] hence! And busy yourself letting people know and find some task other than guarding this tent, I need not your protection and must meditate until then! Go!" She extinguishes any candles or tapers in her tent and makes a quick mannequin bent in prayer out of her magically powerful armor and some bedsheets, and her clothes, difficult to distinguish in the low light. She whispers a command to the armor: A spear length is far, protect all without from who would your sheen mar. Aralla then covers herself and her spear in mud outside her tent (with the flap ajar). She has laid a potent trap--hopefully it will uncover the perpetuator! Aralla waits. A few minutes later, a hooded figure appears as in Venethusa's testimony. Aralla intercepts them before they are able to disable her, and unhoods the assassin to reveal Targian Ironworker. Before the assembled deputies and elders (clan ring is disbanded, remember), Targian shouts: "The Lunars are not our friends! They have only divided us against each other, and corrupted the minds of so many of us. Like a disease, it mutates and spreads. Orlanth and Kolat and our ancestors have abandoned us. Hail Mallia, the only one who can save us from the Lunar infection!" Lachool and his guards quickly seize him. With Targian's arrest, Lachool seems satisfied to admit the Maboder into Tarsh. The tribe settles into the Military District and the Guild District under the protection of Agar Warmaker. The dart competitions continue to rage, but this is less visible to the Maboder as they focus on finding new professions and new lives in Furthest. The Tenth end the year in much more comfortable and stable conditions than they began in, although some wonder whether Targian was the only devotee of Mallia.
  9. Any estimates on when the SRD might be out? Could take a long time, so earlier free BRP would be useful.
  10. Exiles of Sartar I'd like to share reports from an ongoing campaign of Questworlds. In this campaign, the players are playing as members of the Tenth: a portion of the Maboder Tribe who were deported to Furthest in 1602 to secure peace with the Lunars. Over the campaign, we will explore how the Tenth adapt to their foreign home, as well as their experience returning to Sartar in 1625. The main characters for the first year are: Aralla Brightspear, the Proud Huntress, Apostate Sun-Domer, Initiate of Mal (Daughter of Yelmalio and Sedenya) Taravor Wolflover, the Warrior, Exile from the Bright Hills Clan, Initiate of Humakt We're currently playing-by-post over Discord, and we are using a simplified version of Questworlds. Every two weeks in real-world time corresponds to one in-game year. The first year is the long journey from Jonstown to Furthest. ----- 1602: The Journey to Furthest Beginning the Journey The Maboder tribal leaders organized a great festival to ask the gods to bless this journey. The runic results were disturbing: Beast and Spirit and Disorder. When the Tenth left Jonstown, the long train stretched as far as the eye could see along the Royal road. The Lunar officials, Cleo Peacemaker and Agar Warmaker, positioned themselves at the fore and rear. For those in the middle, it was easy to break away. The Disappearance of Jeno Tall-Teller It has been a week since the departure, and the Tenth have just passed the bridge at Dangersford. Jeno Tall-teller, a worshipper of Vinga known for her excess of Air, disappeared yesterday, and before setting out the tribe gathers to decide their next step. Aralla senses an excellent time to show up the leadership of the tribe. She resolves to retrieve Jeno Tall-teller herself, and sets out in search of Jeno's trail. Taravor takes advantage of the delay to go wandering outside Dangersford. Taravor walks, avoiding the farms and households, walking in the wild places that the locals fear. The spirits plaguing the Tenth are, no doubt, there, but they pass her by. Perhaps their quarrel is with the Tribe and they see she bears no true tie to it, perhaps they fear her, perhaps she just doesn't appear as something alive to their eyes. She grows calm, and by the time she returns to the Tenth, she is at peace and even makes brief conversation with some of the others about what is happening with Jeno. While the elders argue, Aralla ventures into the wilds and quickly finds Jeno's track. The tracks slowly transition from bipedal to quadripedal. Finally, Aralla finds Tallteller - unconscious but alive - beside a forest stream. Aralla brings Jeno back to the tribe in the evening, just as the elders have decided to pause and send a search party. Conversations spread through the camp this night: How should we read the signs? Can the old ways of the elder circle still function? The Deputies Affiliates of Agar Warmaker pass through the camp, soliciting endorsements for an alternate system of tribal deputies (answering to him, of course). Taravor will speak with one of Agar's people, greeting them as a fellow warrior, and trying to get a sense of what sort of person they are, and what they think of the Warmaker. Everyone in the tribe knows that Taravor is a great warrior. The Lunar soldiers know too. In the late hours, Agar sends them to find the best warriors to establish discipline over the tribe, so Agar's lieutenant Staku Spearmaker finds Taravor and offers the rank of deputy. The two converse and develop a firm mutual respect. When Staku brings Taravor to Agar, however, Agar takes one look at Taravor's Humakti tattoos and dismisses her. "She will be good for killing, but do not let her into the higher ranks. She does not understand Yelm's order and resurrection from death." Outside, Derordros Ravenhair watches. Soon, rumours spread that the Lunars are favouring the Humakti and overturning the proper order of things. The next morning, tensions are high. Agar announces that his system of deputies will make decisions to protect the Tenth on their journey. The young Orlanthi cultists cry foul and demand to crown Derordros as tyrant for the journey. The elder ring is startled and paralyzed by the disorder. The next morning Aralla steals away to get a secret meeting with Jeno, hopefully while they are still sleeping (at least at first). When a private audience is secured Aralla will invoke Mal, Seeker of Justice and Crucible of Falsehoods, to shine the reflected moonlight of the truth rune on Jeno TallTeller in a Speak Only Truth spell. Aralla's tent is guarded by members of the Green Stones Clan, but they recognize her and make way. Cleo Peacemaker's cultists have spent the night spreading the story of her achievement as a model Lunar Maboder. Within the chamber, Jeno lies recovering on a makeshift sickbed. Aralla gently, but firmly, coaxes a story out of Jeno: Two days ago, she fled into the wilds to try and escape the journey. She encountered a great mass of animal spirits who descended upon her and possessed her. Her memories while possessed are patchy - and you can tell how she earned her epithet by her attempts to add more colour. Occasionally, she comes up against the barrier of the Truth. Anogo Three-Legs, the Green Stones' shaman, thanks Aralla for her aid to their clan. "Are these our spirits, coaxing us to return to our homeland? Or the hostile spirits of the land we pass through? I do not know - there is great uncertainty." On the strength of her newfound respect for Staku Spearmaker, Taravor does accept the position, though she will be cautious about what oaths she swears. Agar disrespected her, and, although disrespect toward Taravor doesn't mean Agar necessarily is unworthy of her own respect, he has given her little reason to believe him worthy of her loyalty. Aralla will give Jeno a polite invitation to attend a seven mother's worship, just to watch if she wants. Afterwards, put in mind of her by the recent business and Jeno's transformation, Aralla will seek out Taravor to ask her what she knows about spirit possession, and then politely try and sway the conversation to the existence of new deputies. Who do they respect? What do they think of Cleo Peacemaker? The conversation grows hot, then turns cold. Aralla and Taravor depart convinced that the other is aligning themselves with the "wrong" Lunars. Bitter griping spreads among the Seven Mothers Cultists and the Lunar soldiers (of whom many are Pelorians). Agar is cheered when he hears of the falling out - perhaps Taravor will be more useful than she appears. He offers her a simple oath: "I will obey my officer and protect the Maboder Tribe." Cleo is disappointed at Aralla's impatience. She lets Mother Venethusa know. At the morning meeting, Agar reveals his deputies. They are folks known for competence, but also tend to be deviants like Taravor. The Derordros faction protests, but the Bright Hills vote with Agar willingly and the Green Stones back Cleo. The council of elders remains in place, but the deputies are in charge for the journey. Finally, the deputies gather to discuss how to best protect the Tribe as it continues the road to Alda-Chur. Aralla goes to meditate in mother Venethusa’s tent and face her ire directly. Her truth rune abilities don’t provide directly for oracles, but the ambit of the moon rune does include self improvement. She seeks counsel and insight. Taravor advocates for a policy of keeping the Tenth moving even if somebody goes missing. The more sensible people will take fewer risks, and those too careless to stay with the group aren't worth delaying the others to try to rescue. Mother Venethusa informs Aralla that Agar’s position is less steady than he thinks. As a committed Pelorian, he cannot offer the correct Lunar Army worship. Taravor speaks at the meeting of the deputies. She is unpersuasive, even with Agar’s approval. Far Point The Deputies decide on a slow and safe course, bunched up rather than stretched out. Of course, your supplies will not hold out, so the tribe must forage from the surrounding farms as you travel. It is a month before you reach Alda-Chur, and the reception is hostile. At the gates, the city ring demands: you have taken much from Far Point. What do you have to offer? Taravor proposes to the other deputies that the Tenth should offer a handful of our warriors to serve a year as a force of mercenaries, as either town guards or in battle, for the city of Alda-Chur. Taravor's oration is crude and direct, but the Alda-Chur warmly welcome the offer of Maboder warriors. They open the gates. The Deputies enter first as guests of honour; everyone else follows. Agar is impressed: Taravor has intuited the Lunar policy of occupying lands with soldiers from other Tribes. Inside, the city is visibly bare and hungry, but hospitality demands a celebration. The sun worshippers in the tribe - and the Pelorian soldiers - find easy company. Around the feasting tables, you hear that a strange curse has fallen upon the local cattle: cows grow twisted horns and fur, curse vocally at their owners, and escape into the Woods of the Dead. Many Far Point warriors have been lost trying to retrieve the possessed cows. At a high point in the feast, Tangabo the Blind - a Far Point princeling of the cult of Danfive Xaron - leaps upon a table and shouts: "Your presence here is an omen! Help us recover our cows, stay and join our confederation!" That night, the tribe is caught up with the question: Who, and how many, will stay in Far Point? Taravor argues to the other deputies and to others of the tribe that will listen: we have sworn to go to Furthest. A temporary term of service for a few warriors before they join the rest of the Tenth in Furthest complies with that oath and preserves our honor, but to abandon the journey part-way would be shameful. Seeing a window of opportunity, Aralla goes forth to the cloistered Sun Dome women (and whoever else the Sun Domers cloister) and attempts to convert them to the cult of Mal. She exhorts them to rise to the task of defending the Maboder now that some of their warriors are staying behind. Simultaneously she also puts herself forward as another candidate for deputy, bringing along her new converts. The Maboder spend a week in Alda Chur, during which a tense negotiation occurs between the local officials and Agar's deputies, while Peacemaker and the Orlanth Cult are marginalized. Finally, the two sides reach an agreement: the Maboder will accept a population of troublesome Sun Dome anchorites, while the Far Pointers will accept a share of the Maboder warriors. The transfer will last for five years, after which the transferred members may return to their original communities. Aralla burns her already-frail relationship with Mother Venethusa to take on the role of deputy for the Sun Domers. Agar's faction is clearly ascendant over Cleo's. Bad Spirits On the first day of Fire Season, the Tenth begins the journey again. The heat begins to rise. The Tarsh Road descends steep steps from the Sharl Plateau down to Dwarf Ford, and the tribe moves slowly. When about two-thirds of the train is at the bottom of the cliff, shouts are heard from the top: spirits have possessed some of the stragglers, and they are attacking and consuming the others! Derordros Ravenhair cries, "Storm Bull strikes us for cavorting with Chaos!", and rallies his loyalists to leave. Taravor argues to the other deputies that Derordros is an unreliable coward who is dishonestly seizing upon this misfortune to serve his predispositions, and that she intends to briefly declare to Derordros' followers that that's complete nonsense and Derordros knows it and then get to work subduing the possessed people until we can exorcise the spirits. Taravor lost the contest, and as consequence, Derordros denounces her as Chaos-tolerating wolflover and attacks her. She fights back, trying to kill the rival warrior, and demands of the gods "Humakt, Orlanth! Let live the one of your warriors who speaks the truth! Strike down, through our swords, the one who lies!". Aralla is aggrieved and rootless, since her plan to advance the lunar cause has distanced her from her adoptive mother and temporarily emboldened the Yelmian faction of the lunars. When the evil spirits strike she feels a black despair, on the day of the dying moon she feels powerless, with only the barest hint of the moon's power flowing from Tarsh. In the pit of her despair, she has a realization. The black moon is the phase associated with Illumination, and Rashorana, and the phase Illuminates use to adopt other moon phases. And there is one more kind of magic that she can draw on when her glamours are at their weakest. She hastily gathers her new Mal cultists and attempts to enter the god time, invoking a dangerous and untested combination of Heroquests--the Hill of Gold, The Goddess Quest and Elmal Woos Redalda. She ventures into the God time with her spear, armor, a stolen horse and the encouragement of her naive acolytes. Aralla as Mal meets the goddess While she Frees Nysalor from Gbaji, and receives their blessing Orlanth Ambushes Yelmalio on his way to fight chaos at the hill of gold. He steals His Bright Armor and Lightning Spear Mal Meets her father Yelmalio and hears the tale of Orlanth's cruel assault. Yelmalio gives her his Cloak of Brilliance and seeing the goddess's wisdom on her he passes with it his authority. Mal Rides down Orlanth and though she does not defeat him, she forces him to leave behind the Lightning Spear and Bright Armor. Now burdened with armor and a heavy spear, Mal seeks Redalda, the pole star and her mother, for aid in taking Yelmalio's place fighting against chaos on the winter hill. Redalda provides Mal with the horse she gave birth to after her wedding night with her father Mal rides the horse to victory against chaos on the hill of winter The gods are present today. At the floor of the plateau, Humakt is seen taking Death back from a deceitful Orlanth. At the roof of the plateau, the people witness Mal unmask the pretend-ancestral-spirits to reveal Chaos Beasts which she drives away. At the end, Derordros and a few others are dead, but the tribe survives and manages to complete the descent. That night, the deputies acclaim Aralla as defender of the tribe and first among deputies. Jeno Tallteller spins an epic of the day’s events as a sacrifice to Yelmalio/Mal. Agar Warmaker and the lunar soldiers slink around the outside of the celebratory circle. They did little to protect the tribe - Yelm appears to descend as his children ascend. Without the leadership of Derordros, the Orlanth faction flounders. Dendrogi Pass Under the Malite leadership, the Tenth cross Dwarf Ford and enter into the limits of Tarsh a month later. Here, they must choose: take the longer route along the Tarsh road, or cross the mountains at Dendrogi pass? The former risks the journey extending into a later season, while the latter would require negotiating with the Bear-men who control the pass Taravor convinces the other deputies to travel the shorter route. We negotiate a deal with the Rathori to travel through their pass in exchange for a bit of work from some of our artisans and blessings from our earth priestesses. A small group of Rathori lead us through the pass and keep us warned of the dangers. Along the way, a young (30-something) bear-woman among our guides by the name of Raganor Redbeard (so-called for reasons not apparent in most circumstances) befriends Rana Allmother. By the time we make it through the mountains, Rana has convinced her to marry. The bear-woman joins the Tenth for the remainder of the journey after two quick marriage ceremonies according to the customs of each tribe. After the mountains, the remaining journey through Lunarized Tarsh goes relatively smoothly. We arrive at Furthest before Dark Season can begin, at just about when we were originally expected, and the remainder of the year is taken up by the administrative work of settling however many new people in an existing city.
  11. Thanks - I'll move this there. EDIT: Moved the full writeup to the blogs and replaced with link & synopsis.
  12. Exiles of Sartar I'd like to share reports from an ongoing campaign of Questworlds. In this campaign, the players are playing as members of the Tenth: a portion of the Maboder Tribe who were deported to Furthest in 1602 to secure peace with the Lunars. Over the campaign, we will explore how the Tenth adapt to their foreign home, as well as their experience returning to Sartar in 1625. The main characters for the first year are: Aralla Brightspear, the Proud Huntress, Apostate Sun-Domer, Initiate of Mal (Daughter of Yelmalio and Sedenya) Taravor Wolflover, the Warrior, Exile from the Bright Hills Clan, Initiate of Humakt We're currently playing-by-post over Discord, and we are using a simplified version of Questworlds. Every two weeks in real-world time corresponds to one in-game year. The first year is the long journey from Jonstown to Furthest. Year 1 / 1602: The Journey to Furthest Synopsis: The Tenth set out for Furthest under an inauspicious augury: Beast, Spirit, and Disorder. A Vingan bard, Jeno Tallteller, disappears around Dangerford. Aralla finds her and discovers that she was possessed by beast spirits. Agar Warmaker, the Lunar army commander, establishes a system of deputies for the Tenth to govern themselves. Taravor is recruited as a great warrior. The city of Alda-Chur blocks entry, but Taravor negotiates passage in exchange for a loan of Maboder warriors. For fair compensation, Aralla finds some Sun Dome radicals to adopt into the tribe, with the population exchange set to revert in five years. As the tribe descends the cliffs of the Sharl Plateau, the beast spirits possess tribal members and attack each other. The Orlanth cult, led by Derordros Ravenhair, revolt and move to abandon the exile, but Taravor kills Derordros in single combat. Aralla goes on a Hero Quest to channel Mal defeating Chaos with the help of Yelmalio, and she reveals that the beast spirits were really destructive chaos creatures (and not angry ancestral spirits). The tribe safely makes it to Furthest with minimal losses or defections. They also meet some bear people. Link to Blog Post for full writeup:
  13. I am reading through RQ2/RQC and trying to understand all the options in character creation. If a character joins the mercenaries, the book lists the weapons and armor of their company. They gain skills relevant to those weapons, but no details are provided about the armor. Do they start with all the weapons/armor of that mercenary company? Or do they still have to buy them? EDIT: If I can add a second question, can you take credit from only one guild, or can you take it from both (eg) the fighters guild and your cult?
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