jajagappa

4 hours ago, metcalph said:

What type of spell would a Loskalmi not cast (or that a Zzaburi or Rokari would?)

A spell that Taps others.

4 hours ago, metcalph said:

The sources are silent on this

Not completely silent.  Clearly Gerlant had his Flamesword.  And we know that Fronela in its campaign against war increasingly becomes like the Kingdom of War.  So perhaps they move from magics that use the elements to enhance their weapons to magics that create great damage (earth blasts, fire storms, feasting darkness) and then to weapons that even have the power to tap their foes (ala Elrics famed sword). 

9 hours ago, soltakss said:

I absolutely hate them and won't have them in my games

I'm completely the opposite and love them and my players enjoy the drama they create, whether individual or group extended contests.  That said, I also don't overdo them.  They represent critical points in the storyline - occasionally an opening scene, the central climax, the final resolution, but otherwise I keep them minimized.  Sometimes a key failure or action by a player will lead to one where their actions suggest that the storyline is shifting and it's important to see whether the prior failure triggers a significant dramatic change.

10 hours ago, Different Games said:

As the Essence Plane is the Source of Logic, dreams seem entirely an unlikely method of reaching it to me. Besides, the Lunars have a lock on the Dream World, don't they?

I don't see any specific link between Lunars and Dream World, at least no more than any other approach to magic.  If the Dream World has a natural affinity, it is to parts of the Underworld.

At least in my game, the dream world is one point of access to the Essence Plane.  Why?  Because at least some dreams have an inherent symbolism in them that are naturally akin to the Essence Plane/Source of Logic.  (Plenty of examples in Jung's work of the relationship between dreams and alchemical works which provide great sources to mine in exploring this aspect.)

Now, dreams could provide a more bizarre, "psychedelic" aspect which could lead to the spirit plane.  For a sorcerer, they would need to force their will over such contrary forces following tried-and-true sorcerous techniques that will naturally lead them back to the 'Essence Plane'. 

10 hours ago, Different Games said:

what was the GodLearner Vision for?

To realize that these 'planes' are simply different ways to look at the Otherside and that they connect together.

51 minutes ago, styopa said:

Who asserted that?

 

Monster Coliseum

Vikings

Land of Ninja

Griffin Island

Glorantha, Crucible of the Hero Wars

Gods of Glorantha

Elder Secrets of Glorantha

Troll Pak

Troll Gods

Into the Troll Realms

Haunted Ruins

Having lived through the 1982-1992 drought, I'd certainly assert it.  And I suspect that was the point being made.

Of the titles above, only Gods of Glorantha, Glorantha: CotHW, and Elder Secrets has a reasonable level of Glorantha content, AND NO SCENARIOS.

Troll Pak, Into the Troll Realms, Haunted Ruins -- all reprints.  Griffin Island - an annoying pseudo-reprint which lost its Glorantha context.

It is launched, live, and already funded. On to stretch goals.

2 hours ago, TrippyHippy said:

So, when is the kickstarter happening? I'm excited by this one!

 

Expected about noon EDT today.

9 minutes ago, M Helsdon said:

Augners are now found only on the Red Moon.

Assuming the Esrolia book is canon, then they have a broader range.

p.6 "Commoners in Esrolia walk. To ride upon a horse is a sign of wealth and prestige. Ownership of these is not restricted, and anyone can ride. Some other beasts are used as steeds, but very rare so that the appearance of the bird-riding Augner clan [Riding upon their large, bipedal augners] or the Inep clan [Riding their unique Long-legged Cows] always creates a sensation."

Granted that the Guide suggests that they are 'resurrected' and exist in Birdland on the Red Moon, but probably need Jeff to add a definitive comment.

Since I seem to like triads, here's a third piece related to Vanch.

To:  Iridascius, Aide to Quinscion, His Most Excellent General of Procurement and Disbursement, Mirin’s Cross

Fr: Galacrustus, Geographer, Sage of Irripi Ontor, Temple of Knowledge, New Lolon

Dated: Crescent-Come, Disorder, Sea, 7/47

I received your letter but two days ago, undoubtedly crossing with my own last dispatch.  Apparently it was delayed by weather and the sacred time events, though I suspect it may have been intercepted in transit.  I gather from King Wearomon that there are many who seek out such correspondence, though I dare say there is little in ours to benefit such intrigue.  While I had hoped to rejoin my brethren in Mirin's Cross, I understand the needs of his most excellent general and shall depart for Bikhy shortly to begin my survey of the lands of Vanch, though King Wearomon counsels me to be cautious around King Gormoral.  In advance of my new journey, King Wearomon kindly allowed me to read some of the Annals of the Kings of Vanch, part of the famed New Lolon Gospel, though these annals clearly reflect a view from northern Vanch.

Yours, Galacrustus

The Vendorsvalings

1544-1547 Vingoryal Farseer, son of Torgaval and grandson of Vendorsval

1547-1568 Hastormal, son of Vingoryal and Zarissa the Golden-eyed Lioness

1568-1572 Angtiryal, son of Hastormal and Cynixa Red Woman

1572-1585 Tantaral, son of Hastormal and the Cynixa Red Woman

1585-1592 Ismaril, son of Tantaral

1592-1602 Pelramal, brother of Ismaril

1602-         Gormoral, son of Pelramal

Vingoryal Farseer, wielder of the Blackspear, was ever vigilant and ever wise.  With the aid of his brother Tundarkal, the loyalty of the Red-winged Eagles, and guided by the wisdom of the Sun and the Moon, Vingoryal reunited the mighty Kingdom of Vanch, drove back the wild mountain men of Imther, and secured the border against the onslaught of chaos.

Comment: Though Vingoryal carried the Blackspear and wore the famed Wire Cloak, it was his father King Torgaval of the Fenarth tribe who slew the Elder Horror of Tork, found the treasures of the Three-feather Nest, and married the Green Woman, Asdrestya, of New Lolon.  Vingorval lived long enough to stabilize the kingdom by marrying Zarissa the Golden-eyed Lioness and fathering a strong son, and by favoring the Crow's Bane in the Pond Land. Unfortunately, he was assassinated before he achieved any great deeds.

Hastormal the Walker brought peace throughout Vanch, never resting in his efforts to repair the land from the ravages and drought of the Little Suns.  Hastormal married wisely, uniting Vanch with the strengths and magics of the ever-glorious Red Moon, and aided both Tarsh and Sylila against evil usurpers.

Comment: Hastormal became King of Vanch after his father's assassination.  With the aid of his uncle, Tundarkal, he purged the Three Traitorous Tribes and raised the Blood Man and Shargrin tribes to power in the Ash Land.  Hastormal was famed for his many Tours through the land, staying as often amongst the many clans of Vanch as he did in Bikhy, and wore the Mask of the Forager.  Hastormal married Cynixa Red Woman, called the Voracious for her love of food and jewels.  He gave his support to Philigos in reclaiming Tarsh and later aided Phargentes and Algaratum Errio against the heirs of Hwarin in Jillaro....

Pelramal, Master of War, studied the many arts of battle and strategy and learned from the greatest generals and the warriors of the Sky.  His knowledge was legendary and he easily defeated all foes.

Comment: It is said that Pelramal was the greatest scholar of war of his day, and could readily quote from the works of Murharzarm, Urvairinus, Mahzanelm, Elmexdros the Conqueror, and even Kastok the Rider.  When his brother was killed he took the Mask of the Dutiful and mustered the northern tribes to avenge Isramil's death.  Pelramal followed the ancient rituals and strategies exactly in the manner of the greatest generals.  Surprisingly, he broke the Confederation of the Bull and gave rule to the Bright Eyes.  But uprisings and rebellions continued when Pelramal returned to his library.  The Provincial Administration was forced to act against the Governor of Thernan and lands were given to the Satrap of Sylila and the Queen of Holay to rule.

Gormoral, blessed son of Pelramal, has chosen the path of the Gatherer.  To him have come the wisest of the realm, and he has been granted great knowledge and prodigious skill.

Comment: Gormoral the Gatherer has proved a stronger ruler than his father, and has taken advantage of the civil war in Imther for his own benefit.  His favorites, men such as Elmenides Longbeard, Kestindoros Goldentongue, Urbayan Redcoin, and Laram Cooncloak, have all had their plans and schemes, but perhaps have not proved quite so wise as suggested. 

To:  Iridascius, Aide to Quinscion, His Most Excellent General of Procurement and Disbursement, Mirin’s Cross

Fr: Galacrustus, Geographer, Sage of Irripi Ontor, the Grey Court Inn, Bikhy

Dated: Dark, Stasis, Sea, 7/47

Once the rains let up in Harmonyweek, I readily found an Alakarma merchant, one Liritana who hails from the Laramite tribe, preparing to head north from New Lolon to Bikhy and who was willing to allow me to accompany her mule train.  Unfortunately, we took Tunoral's Trail instead of the Main Vanch Road.  The journey to Waterdog Crossing was uneventful, but the Aryael ran high and fast and no ferry, even with chains and winch, could make the passage.  For four days we sat waiting for the river to slow enough to allow the ferries to resume.  The locals regaled us with tales of thieving Tunoral, the great raider Gavaral, the blessed Green Woman, the fickle Aryael also known as Aryela, and the playful water dogs.   There were plenty of tales of the treacherous Saylyr tribe as well and how we best watch our wares, particularly when passing through the Traitor's Woods.  Liritana laughed them off, apparently well versed in both the customs of the Vanchites and the prejudices of the Afotharings....

Tunoral's Trail rises up from the Aryael Valley to wind its way through the Last Rest Hills.  It's unknown whose "Last Rest" it was, but at the Ridgeline sits the Saylyr village simply called Farewell.  At first glance, it seemed no different than any stead or village of Imther with a typical ditch around a wooden palisade to protect it and gates at both the east and west ends where Tunoral's Trail passes through.  But the main stead of the clan chief here was of stone caked with mud and straw, reminiscent of a Penkrathos villa though still retaining the form of a long house.  The doorway of this great hall was decorated with many raccoon tails as well as an old stone mask of a grinning and antlered man with shells for eyes.  The locals named this figure Ralvan the Scavenger.  Other steads proved to be equally odd mixtures of stone, wood, and thatch, some decorated with furs, others with feathers, one with some great crab shell of unknown origin.  Despite this mishmash of construction, the village was carefully aligned along three straight east-west paths and three straight north-south paths.  The villagers said these were the Spears of Elmharth, a great warlord of the past.

The Saylyrings are exemplary Vanchites.  Their tattooed eye masks of black, red, and gold dots are said to acknowledge their rich heritage and their many skills though I found it very unnerving to look at their faces after awhile.  The men kept their beards oiled and braided in an old Dara Happan style but their hair long and wild as if they were Orlanthi.  Short red togas were worn over rough spun tunics and woollen pants and belted with short ropes.  When it rained, as it was prone to do during my brief stay, they added cloaks of beaver or otter skin.  The women wore single, long and intricate braids, bound with green ribbons to gain the favor of the Green Woman.  Short dresses, of varied hues of green, were worn over leggings.  They said this was the style favored of Velhara, the Lady of the Wild.  Many wore scarves of varied colors (blue and red seemed to be preferred), most simply tied at the front, though the wives of thanes favored copper pins and clasps adorned with the face of their favorite goddess....

The Saylyr King was far more hospitable.  King Gavlyral was an older man in his 50's with greying hair and a long full mustache, but no beard.  A scar on his left cheek gave his smile it's distinctive look.  The king was boisterous, calling for good ale to welcome our arrival in the village.  Liritana was well-known to many, including young children, and Gavlyral asked her which dances she would favor them with this visit.  She indicated she had learned a new dance, the Passage of the Little Sun, that she could perform for them later along with other old favorites....  My gift of a bronze cup decorated with Jannisor wearing his coonskin cap and triumphant at Einar's Farm was well received.  Apparently, there is a tale among the locals that Jannisor was raised here as a boy and gained a raccoon as a friend, which is how he became such a wily hunter.

Prompted by Christopher Moody's note in the G+ forum

22 minutes ago, M Helsdon said:

Anaxial's Rooster includes several horse breeds, but I am uncertain how canonical they are now.

I think at least the Galanini horses of Ralios and the breed from Jillaro (don't have the name reference at hand) remain canon.  I don't know about the others, but don't see why not.

35 minutes ago, Ian Cooper said:

It's all about getting a statement of intent - what can those opposing missile combat credibly do: try to run away, try to hide under shields, or try to close the distance spring to mind (assuming one-sided).

That's why I noted that it was important in the initial example to understand who the PC's are and how they intend to fit into the overall picture.  Are they the attackers or defenders?  Are they a mixed group facing mixed targets or is one or the other side of a specific type?  And what is the GM's intent with the opposing force?

The goal is to ensure that the PC's are the key actors, not figures on the sidelines, even if they are part of a larger group.

I think Martin's numbers are good for regular Lunar army units.

The Diavizzi Guards were 200 (80 spearmen, 120 archers) plus another 175 for the rest of the Scorching Swords.  That's paper numbers and seems typical of the private vexilla (the Silverflames are another example at ~350).

Barbarian Adventures lists Arrowstone Cavalry at 500, Beryl Phalanx at 150 lines of 8 men (1200, which I'd say is high - I think Marble Phalanx elsewhere is at 1000), Lasadag Lions at 1000.

Barbarian Adventures also notes Tarshite warbands at ~70 men.  This may be typical of the Sartarite and Heortling warbands joining Broyan.

HQG p.88 notes the units.

Lunar

• includes seven Lunar regiments
• Vanguard: Arrowstone Cavalry, the Lasadag Lions, and the Raibanth Line
• Command Group: General Urtherion's bodyguards, priests, and three units from the Lunar Field School of Magic (composed of two Minor Classes and one Major Class). At least the Major Class unit is protected by the University Guards.
• Beryl Phalanx - one of the major units of the Lunar army
• Tarsh Native Corps: mercenaries and auxiliaries included the Sun Dome Templars, the Furthest Foot and the Talfort Foot
• noted in Orlanth is Dead: Diavizzi Guards from the Scorching Swords under Vatheria Scorchsword, probably in the vanguard

Heortling

• Command Group: King Broyan and his magician priests, his bodyguards, the Stormwalker magicians from Old Wind Temple, and several groups of adventurers and powerful volunteers
• Hendriki militia: militia skirmishers, although several kings command large numbers of heavy cavalry
• Sartarite volunteers: volunteers (i.e. rebels) following Kallyr Starbrow and other rebel leaders; Culbrea tribe follows/joins

42 minutes ago, soltakss said:

When I run HeroQuest, Missile Combat is either treated as an augment

That's generally the case for me as well, but that's usually because there are only 1 or 2 heroes not engaged in the primary melee action.  If you flip it over such that the majority are missile fighters that's when I'd take the different approach - otherwise augmenting/assisting NPC's is rather dull.

These would probably work well in the Right Arm Islands or other island/coastal areas around Choralinthor's Bay.

3 hours ago, M Helsdon said:

Would be interested in any information you can share. Is the Company divided into the Stags and Boars?

Here's a couple of the index references from the Nochet Guide that are pertinent.  I believe Sir Narib has largely hired Heortlanders and Esrolians to protect his sorcerers.

M22.Sir Narib’s Company’s Barracks.  Current residence of Sir Narib’s mercenary company when not out in the field in service.  Narib paid the Caprati family handsomely to take over this building.

M23.Sir Narib’s Hall.  An adventurer from Pithdaros, Narib was once a sorcerer in the service of King Rikard of Malkonwal. When his king fled from the Lunar Empire in 1620, Narib formed a “company” with the surviving sorcerers; Sir Narib’s company found its way to Esrolia where he has variously hired out his followers to those willing to pay.  Narib is indifferent to the local Malkioni and does not acknowledge the leadership of any local Talar, though he has found several recruits from amongst the local Esvulari including Tathorine, daughter of the Speaker of Aeol!

M27.House of the Stag.  The warrior society of the Stag meets here to learn and practice its skills.  They are known for their speed and maneuverability and serve the Caprati family.  Horali of the Stag regiment never sport beards or mustaches and keep their hair cropped.

M28.House of the Boar.  The warrior society of the Boar is housed here.  Known for their tenacious and ferocious attacks, as well as their thick and bristly mustaches, they are sworn to the du Tumerine family.

4 hours ago, Nel said:

Using Jumpers as the Cardinal points would be perfect, but there is no Southern jumper

There is a southern Jumper, but simply not visible since it rises and sets while the Sun is in the sky.  The DH name it Erindamus, the loyal dog who joins his master the Sun (since noted in GRoY, I think it remains canonical).  And while recognized in Saird as well, the name really covers at least the Oslir valley/DH.

Now we know the Orlanthi hate dogs, so they are unlikely to call it that (if they even look for it).  But I don't see the Orlanthi referencing by star or pillar.  Their references would be to the winds, and if I remember correctly, the wind associations (Pentan reference from old Genertela book but likely applicable to Kolati) are:

North: War Wind (Humakt)

West: King Wind (Orlanth)

South: Rage Wind (Storm Bull)

East: Sting Wind (Gagarth)

2 hours ago, Byll said:

Balazar? They have a dog yapping at the unbutchered stag being brought home

Probably too many monsters in the Elf Sea to support it unless above the Monsterstop lines.

So, the first question to ask is which group contains the heroes, and how many heroes are there?  Why?

1) because everything else can be abstracted as an external event (i.e. GM choice whether any die rolls are needed to even determine what else is happening).

2) because you then need to determine who the heroes are actually interacting with and what else is going on around them.

Let's say you have 4 Yelmalion heroes: 2 with pikes, 2 with bows.  Have them determine what tactics they take (e.g. let's assume pikemen surrounding/guarding archers).

Now assume that the Sable Riders will attack with archers first, save lancers for when foes are whittled down.  You need to roughly determine the ratio of attackers to defenders and use that to determine # of foes per hero.  Let's say the Sable Riders try to take out Yelmalion archers first, while pinning down pikemen.  Make it 1 on 1 for Yelmalion archer heroes, and same for pikemen.  Make it a Hard/High Difficulty (e.g. 20 at the base level).

First round:

Yelmalion archers each try to take out 2 Sable Rider archers.  The goal is clear, whittle down the Sable Rider archers, which will drive them off.  If the Yelmalions fail, they get hurt, which weakens the archer unit.  First attack for each will be 1W vs. 20.  Second attack for each is penalized (-3) so 18 vs. 20.

Yelmalion pikemen try to protect the archers.  Goal is different here:  absorb the arrows in the shields.  If these heroes fail, then an NPC archer is hurt or killed (say that minor defeat = 1 archer hurt; major defeat = 1 archer impaired; complete defeat = 1 archer killed).  As archers are impaired or killed, the number of attacks against the pikemen increase in the next turn.  The attack here is also 1W vs. 20. 

Or, optionally, you could have two lines of pikemen with outer pikemen guarding against lancers and the inner group having a choice to deflect arrows (as above) or offering Assists to reduce points against your Yelmalion archers.

If both your archers fall, then say that the Yelmalion archer unit as a whole fails (e.g. runs out of arrows, etc.), and now up to the pikemen.  Or, if the pikemen fall but the archers going strong, the Sables bring their lancers to bear to try to ride through the archers.  Lots of various permutations possible here.

The important thing, though, is this:  do not play this as 30 vs. 30.  Play it as the heroes vs. X number of foes with their results determining what happens to the rest of the battle. Or alternately, let the players roll for the remaining groups of Yelmalion pikemen and archers as a collective vs. some collective group of Sable Riders where the results either add a one-time situational bonus or penalty for the heroes for the next round.

Others may run differently, but that's generally the approach I would take.

3 hours ago, Joerg said:

Peter confirmed the re-appearance of Sir Narib in the recent Nochet project

Yes, Sir Narib exists and, yes, his company still exists.  It was missed in the original army list and Jeff has a writeup for it.

7 hours ago, smiorgan said:

You weren't happy being a gear in the World's Machine. You wanted to be you, to be alive. You wanted to feel alive.  Now you are out in the big scary alive world out there. There is no place were you fit. You are a square peg in a round hole.

And now you realize that the uz want to eat you, the humans want to steal what you know, and the mostali are coming for you for you are broken and must be repaired or recycled.  And worst of all, the chaos of growth is everywhere around you.  There is chaos in every single part of the World Machine!  And you are very, very alone.

6 hours ago, Ian Cooper said:

So there are connections that easily allow storylines where Orlmarth characters visit the Red Cow and vice-versa.

Marriage alliances are a good way to make these connections (i.e. who was your hero's mother? or who is your hero's spouse?).

In my Orlmarth campaign, one of the players added an ability to his hero:  Retainers: The Twin Blue-Clad Healing Women 17

Working with Ian's material, I expanded on this: 

Kerene and Penene, known by many as the blue-clad healing women.  Blue-clad reflects as much the slight blue tinge to their skin as their typical garments.  In the sunlight, the twins' hair sparkles silver, common amongst Helerings.  The twins are distant kin, great-granddaughters of Ondurvale, sister of Old Starkorval, who married into the Red Cow clan of the Cinsina tribe (a distant but friendly clan).  The twins fled the clan when their home was burned in the Righteous Wind insurrection, coming to live in Oranesstead.

While this has not yet led to any specific interactions with the Red Cow clan, the heroes are on their way to Jonstown, and such a connection may come into play there.

19 hours ago, Jeff said:

So in Imther, the Yelmalio cult of Kereiston's Temple preserves some interesting local variations in myth from the Yelmalio cults of Dragon Pass and the Mirin's Cross network of temples. We call that god "Khelmal" (likely just the local name of the god) to distinguish the variations, but it is unlikely cult members make the same distinction! Locals call him the "God of Kereiston's Temple" (or what-not), and give him lots of epithets including "Little Sun" or "Son of the Sun" or "God of the Sky Dome" or "Cold Sun". Outlanders likely find the Imtherite practices and stories as exotic (and perhaps as fascinating)

Yes, very much so.  And added into the mix are ancient heroes of Kareiston's Temple, whether part of its founding, it's resurrection in the 2nd Age, or it's restoration post-Dragonkill, whose names and epithets may be conflated with or distinguished from the temple's deity.

Sadly James Polk, one of my collaborators on New Lolon Gospel and original participant in my Imther Campaign, passed away last week.  In his honor, particularly with his love for music in mind, I thought I'd post one of the Imtherian songs he helped pen for NLG #1.

The Song of Hypasia

This sentimental (some say maudlin) song about the singer’s lost love, Hypasia, has become very popular around the hearth fires. It was supposedly brought to Imther fairly recently, but has spread rapidly since the civil war.  The tune itself, according to bards of the Valusi clan, is far older.

Verse:        When I was but a wee lad

                    I wandered far from home

                    I saw those men a’fightin’

                    And thought that I would roam

Chorus:     But*, my sweet Hypasia

                    I’ll never see you more.

                    I’ve gone across the Empire,

                    To fight a bloody war.

Verse:        I hear your name a’spoken

                    In distant southern lands

                    I wonder when I’ll have you

                    Again in my worn hands.

Chorus:     <as above>

   Verse:        I hear your voice a’speakin’

                    In wind-whipped battle cries

                    But where you are my darling

                    I cannot hope to ride.

Chorus:     <as above>

Verse:        I hear your name a’called

                    In distant northern climes

                    I cannot hope to see you

                    Where metal cakes with rime.

Chorus:     <as above>

Verse:        With Jannisor beside me

                    I never thought I’d fear

                    But now I’m lost and lonely

                    Without Hypasia dear.

Chorus:     <as above>

Verse:        Cross mountain peaks I ventured

                    With cliff toads at my heels

                    I stopped and prayed for mercy

                    And bright Lokarma’s wheels.

Chorus:     <as above>

Verse:        Along the river valley

                    I ride my tired steed

                    But were I headed north again

                    I’d ride with wond’rous speed.

Chorus:     <as above>

    Verse:        I often sit in tavern halls

                    They hold me in disdain

                    But when I think of your brown eyes

                    I drink up once again. ^**

Chorus:     <as above>

* The initial word in the chorus can also be ‘Oh’ or ‘So’.

  **This is the traditional last verse, sung when people are ready to end the song.