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Are there other Aeolian tribes in Southern Heortland besides the Bandori? So the Bandori are in Bandori county. But what about north of that. Since the Aeolians tend to be mainly urban in this area, would they be more of city factions in their cities? Like Mount Passant would be their tribe/faction while say Duchamp is theirs with each owing up to their ruling talar... as i believe the commoners elect their ruling talar, so there's probably loyalty there. I would then think the ruling talar would do what he could to remain in authority. Maybe his council, a talar ring for lack of better words, would already have the commoners doing what they want the result to be. Or maybe that city's talar caste turn into big but subtle political jockeying... (anyway, i'm digressing.)

This has been a great discussion to read and i've learned a lot and have some thinking to do on some house rules. I think a couple of you can write a Jonstown Compedium on some optional rules that go into shields, weapons, melee combat in general. The way GURPS will put out a small PDF on say ancient sword combat or close quarter battle or why a mace/maul has 2 points of armor penetration... It gives more insight and options and some explanation for those that wish to go a little deeper. From what i've read, you have it... and i'd buy it

I think many may have this problem and it's not really acted upon but i think it can be with minimal fuss. I experience 2 typical load outs 1) on patrol (the intent to engage) and 2) travel, getting from point A to B. On patrol, you are expecting combat (going to ambush, engage in contact, etc) and do not have all the food, rope, supplies, etc. So you're carrying a combat load. Your supplies are left in a designated stating area and you patrol out from there. I think most PCs assume they operate here and that may not always be the case. Travelling, you are geared up and definitely encumbered. If you do not have a mule for example, you are carrying all your food, water, mess kits, sleeping kit, torches, etc... (expected resupply can lessen food/water weight). If you engage with this load out, you should be penalized. On the small man patrols i've been on when carrying 65+ pounds of gear, the only thing you can do is put one foot in front of the other. If expecting combat, you store your gear and move to the patrol posture i mentioned above. It is very unbalancing to fight with a bayonet when you're geared up, you can't dodge really. So, in general, i would expect PCs on foot to be overencumbered (where a smart foe will know it's a good time to ambush.... and will ambush when the PCs are going up an incline or negotiation some sort of obstacle... that's because their eyes will be on the ground.)

As an update to The Sea Cave, i'm writing a hook for it in my Jonstown submission with a fleshed out setup to it (with the GM encouraged to purchase it in order to follow the hook.). I also suggested some changes in the setup and included an updated cave map since there were multiple. (It's in the Brackmarsh/Kenstone island area). PCs will definitely fear the water... (if you're armored anyways, or have a poor Swim... or actually if you have a fear of being pulled under even.) (FWIW, i'd still happily purchase the other scenarios in their raw or OSR format... it's new and i can tune it up then run it. I also think more would not purchase as RQG has gained a lot of traction since when this thread initially started.)

Would followers of the Invisible God have a percentage in Law Rune? In the core rulebook page 389 the Aeolians and Malkioni worship the invisible god (Aeolians thru personifications) and in The Glorantha Sourcebook page 195 it states the owner of the Law rune is the Invisible God, so that got me thinking. Looking in the Bestiary under chaos, i see followers of the chaos gods Malia/Bagog (broos/scorpionmen) with a % in chaos rune. Admittedly that can be because the creatures are actually chaotic creatures.

What is Free Inquiry? The GtG mentions that scholars and sages are attracted here because of the protection of Free Inquiry. What comes to mind is, there is a small temple of the Lankhor Mhy emanation of the Invisible God. Because of the Western influence of that, one can research things not normally allowed in traditional Orlanthi society? I dunno... forbidden magics or the abiding book... (is it related to the Jelenkev School in Duchamp thats about 15 miles up river?)

This sounds interesting, thank you. I think that translates to 11:30am Saturday California time (good time to grab a pint). I've never joined a twitch stream before so i'm going to try and listen to this. Thx, Gil

As suggested, give page 176 a skim. But it's an abstract way to do mass combat with your PCs involved... not really a skill for a party of PCs to use against another small encounter. Although, i can't see why you couldn't use that way if you wanted to. You can have both sides do an opposed Battle check with the winner having some sort of advantage and base that on the degree of success. I also play wargames and was a Marine back when i was young. So seeing this skill, using it at the squad level, or PC level, i'd say use it to: -Determine avenues of approach by the enemy or how you would approach. -What would be the best place to put your line of defense and would your opposition think this as well. Or best place to attack. -Is ambush possible or a chokepoint to impede movement... where would that be and would the opposition think the same. -In my overall goal of the engagement, would it be best for me to interdict, delay, observe, directly engage, etc. -Is there terrain i can use that would lend to what i'm trying to achieve. -If the enemy flees or if my forces flee, what is the best egress... can i force my opposition to retreat a certain direction, should i flee and also do i establish a fall back position. So, i'd go from there with Battle skill checks (let the GM roll it hidden). Then during the battle, an opposed Battle check (hidden) can obviate certain advantages/disadvantages. You or opposition gets +25% to attacks for this phase, or you or opposition get +3 armor points because of the terrain your in, or you get a free attack because of an ambush, or you get an ambush against you... anyway, have fun. Cheers, Gil

I always liked the walking land whale strolling about the Upland Marsh... this stuff is so awesome!!!

Thank you. It's helping paint the picture in my head. With the henotheist Aeolians in areas with Orlanhthi, I was having a hard time trying to picture how things worked come worship time.

Who would you think oversees the Orlanthi services then?

Right on, keep it up. I like that you promote RQ and bring new players in... i think it's good for the RQ community. I remember when i first played RQ in La Habra CA (there was no internet back then), it felt like I graduated. I was like, where has this been all my life. Anyway, cheers and keep charging forward!!

Good topic. Myself, i don't fudge rolls in CoC... the universe or mythos is unapologetic, cold and uncaring. The dice bring what may. You roll good, goody gum drops for you. You stem the inevitable for another day. You roll bad, that's it, game over, you're worm food... if you're lucky. PCs die and that's just the way it is.

So I’ve asked many questions about the Aeolians and thank you all. You’re really shed some light. There is still one notion I can’t seem to grasp. What is the difference between the Aeolian house of worship vs the Wind Temple (Orlanth)? I assume they’re different buildings in a town that has a good amount of Aeolians. The Aeolians are henotheist and many (nobles and commoners) worship Orlanth (the Invisible God being too remote to worship directly). They become rune lords and priest and most likely preside over the wind temple... just like their Orlanthi hill brethren. The Aeolian priest however are the sorcerors. Well, what do they do if the Invisible God is too remote to directly worhips? (Maybe except for them). Then if most others are worshipping in the wind temple, would there be an Aeolian temple in town as well? (which may sit empty for the most part because everyone is in the wind temple). (Vizel, Mt Passant, etc.) Thank you in advance for helping me understand, much appreciated.

I think these would be pretty cool. We're always flipping thru pages on various spells to look at details. I'd rather look at cards while playing.

How would you roll one up? Probably use the Warrior occupation and determine if the unit is cavalry or infantry. They don’t cast magic or have a god, so no spirit/rune spells or passions to a god. Probably Loyalty Talar. Would they have runes on them, like the Law rune? I also wonder how they would heal themselves (since warriors tend to get wounded). Is it maybe their zaburi caste has unguents or potions for them to use? Also, since they're a warrior caste and that's all they do, i would think their skill sets would tend to the higher side and with better quality of weapons and armor... but i really don't know.

Yes, but it doesn't have to do it where the PCs can see it. It may do it in the air above them, in the ground below them or behind them.

Hot damn, i actually just downloaded this yesterday and planning to listen today when i run... thanks man.

This is a very interesting thread and i dont know how i missed it. Anyway, great comment which brings up a good point. If i capture someone, I can just destroy their foci to prevent them from casting spells that would help them escape. Which means i wouldn't need expensive slave collars... i think that's what they were called. And if someone wants to be very mean, they can burn off, or scar off, any tattoo foci... really causing an immediate challenge for the victim. I need to ponder this some, great comment, thanks.

I love the cover!!! That guy is hosed!

These are both really well done. The guide is very handy and just solid. I really liked it for the naval information.

Oh man, that sounds brilliant! Would love to see that hit print some time.

I hear ya, and thank you for the good conversation. I did allude to a spirit being inside... and what i mean is, it's all situational. I think spirits can vary in SIZ and I base it on how i envision the spirit and the encounter. A wraith being humanoid in SIZ and can easily seen if in spirit combat or a disease spirit in animal form of a flea when it manifest (i got that idea from fleas carrying the plague). Anyway, said flea is simply not going to be seen (in my case). I'm attacking you and you simply can't see me because of my SIZ or i am inside you 'cause i'm a spirit and i can do that and i'm so small of a spirit you engulf me. Now i admit, i'm being very specific, but in general that's what i'm referring to. I try and craft my spirits in line with the encounter, their background, and their contribution to the scenario. Taking that a step further, when my players say they cast bladesharp and attack, that's not good enough for me. I'll typically want more than that.

Totally understood. But why can't a spirit surprise attack? I mean if i'm going to ambush someone, it will be from the rear or from the dark, etc... or from above? I had a party crossing a wooden bridge in a marsh, the spirit attacked from under it (manifested below, then attacked). The PCs never saw it. In same said marsh, another spirit appeared under the water, then attacked. During same trek, another spirit (this was the first attack actually) simply appeared behind them, and attacked... you're not going to hear a spirit manifest. Of course there could be environmental tell tales, but there wasn't in this case. I guess what i'm saying is, why can't a spirit attacked intelligently you know? Why would i purposely appear where i can be seen right before i attack, when i dont have to. I don't do it just to do it, but if i have a spirit with INT, whose been around the block,... then i try and play them that way. More in character for them for lack of better words.

In my experience, the whole implementation of attacking a spirit with bladesharp/other-magic-melee weapon is a bit too meta for me, in most cases, but hear me out. For those spirits with INT, they're not dumb (assume a decent INT) and most likely have been in combat before. So they engage in spirit combat. How do you hit it with your bladesharped sword? I ask the players what they're doing instead of them just saying i cast bladesharp and attack. I'll ask them, you don't see anything so who or how are you attacking the spirit you think is attacking your friend? That usually generates silence. Do they just lay their sword against the person engaged in spirit combat? If yes, okay, which body part. I'll probably say, you don't notice anything happening on that attack (Why would the spirit be sticking out of that body part? But it could). This is just a general description of how mine go. I need to hear something substantial and pretty good.