Jenx

My argument here is that there is no such thing as "isn't magical". Due to the nature of Gloranthan reality being an endless re-iteration of the events of the Gods War, with mortals being able to add new things to the mix, but definitely not in ways that change the overall situation (though Argrath does fix that at the end of the Hero Wars), my argument is that all actions of mortals are, ultimately, a form of ritual. You say that it will have magical properties if it's used by a Star Captains worshiper or a Jannnisor worshiper. My argument here is that nobody would even use a shield like that to begin with if they weren't. The same way I don't see an Orlanthi warrior fighting with a square shield, not unless he or she has a strong connection to the Earth. That quote from the Guide basically sums it up quite well too. "Superficially", it says. Meaning that while a "hoplite" in Glorantha might look like a hoplite from our own world, the way that person actually fights might be completely unrelated to our own history, and the reasons for their choice of gear probably goes in entirely different directions than pure practicality. (Although one could argue that wearing the appropriate armour, shield and weapon that will allow you to perform your combat magic is a form of practicality, just a different one from what a warrior from our world might have in mind)

This is just me going deep into YGWV territory, so take it as nothing more than simply my own views on the subject, but I personally don't think terrestrial warfare should be used as much when thinking about Gloranthan warfare, and I most definitely do not thing distinctions between "practical" and "ceremonial" weapons and armour even exist in the setting. As far as I'm concerned, all weapons are ceremonial. Every single weapon has very strong ties to either a specific deity or, at a minimum, a specific rune, to the point where, for example, in HQ: Glorantha "fighting with a sword" is given as an ability Orlanth initiates can use their magic for. All weapons and armour in Glorantha are ultimately ritual tools used to either emulate a god or a specific ritual structure (for example specific regiments fighting in a specific arrangements using very specific arms because that is simply how they are capable of fighting), and because of that all arms in Glorantha are ultimately ritual tools, which means they can be as impractical or absurd-looking from a "real life" point of view without that diminishing their capabilities in any way. Can that spiky ,star-shaped shield block attacks from axes? Of course! It's a shield, so a shield protects you.

I can give an example from a character of mine (the campaign he was in sadly died just as it was beginning. Oh well): Companion: Three Horns of Iron, The Magical Chariot A beautiful chariot, decorated in gold, bronze, blue and white. On its front it has an iron head of a three-horned beast and appears to be drawn by four rams made out of bronze. The chariot doesn’t have a driver, but seems to move on it’s own. - Magical Chariot, drawn by four bronze rams 7W - Three Horn, a protective spirit 18 - [ ] 13 (Note: I never did come up with a third ability for the chariot)

Oh I don't think my stuff is anywhere near display quality. To be honest I am not particularly aiming at something with these, I started painting miniatures for fun, and have almost no interest in becoming some amazing miniatures painter. As long as I can get something to look in such a way that I'm happy with it, I figure I've done a good job with it. (Also, I do like playing as well, so if they look decent on the tabletop, that's about as much as I can ask for) As for having a good eye - I think my eyes still hurt from painting this guy.

At the risk of flooding this thread with multiple posts, here are some more finished pieces - a Bloodspiller (in this case, Macedonian Companion cavalry) and a Marble Phalanx standard bearer.

Potato cam incoming: Finished two Full Moon Corps warriors a while back.

Well yes, but this now means that both of the images would have to have been intentionally flipped around, for no adequately explained reason, and that's before the artist had put his signature on the piece in the bottom there. All of which sound like quite the stretch, compared to just the Troll Windlord being left-handed. I'm not saying this couldn't happen, I'm saying that it's just a small thing to get hung up on.

It's not - the Troll's tattoos are not symmetrical, and their placement is consistent between the two images.

So, I've finished the Wolf Pirates to accompany the previously shown Harrek and Gunda. They turned out fine, although I am really not enamoured with Warlord Games and the quality of their metal miniatures. Also, finally got some time to start painting the Lunar forces as well, and so far it's just one archer down, lots more people to go.

Wha there, the forum is SFW, you can't just post images like that!

A-yup. That's basically it. After all, so many people love to bemoan "historical inaccuracy" in fantasy games when it comes to weapons and armor, but the moment someone just starts walking around naked, you get reactions about how that person needs to cover up.

The people complaining about a bit of underboob on the cover better not see the kind of art that Jeff and I would create for Glorantha, because they'd have a heart attack. Tits, cocks and just generally naked people everywhere.

I still am not entirely convinced New Orleans isn't a fictional place, and these maps are not helping in convincing me otherwise

David, you ever need a pink version of the RQ logo, drop me a line and something can be arranged.

Nah, I never managed to work my way through the Entekosiad, I'll admit it. I've given it a try several times, and it just doesn't work for me.

Funnly enough Orlanth in most of the in-universe depictions I've done of him tends to have a beard, no moustache. Guess Michelle just felt like balancing that out with her own take?

In short - less geography and important people, more myths and stories.

Just some notes on this - Yes, in general most Air gods are depicted as blue-skinned by most Heortlings. This is also why heortlings tend to favour blue tattoos and body paint. it's an effort to emulate ancestors like Vingkot, who were also blue as a result to their close connection to the Storm Tribe. As for having multiple arms...I don't know how to say this, but that's just an artistic depiction. The reason a lot of Earth cultures depict such beings with multiple arms is because you need some way of showing all the symbols of a god's power, and..well, he has to be holding those somewhere, right? So you just give him extra arms to hold them.

The Genealogies, you have to remember, come from Notchet in-universe. Also, I am not sure who's "him" that you're asking about? Orlanth?

As the person who drew all of those halos, there are two simple answers: 1. They look cool, I like drawing them, so I put them on people. 2. In-universe, I'd say it's a visual representation that the Pelorians use in their religious artwork, so it is included in this as well. The Halos on the Solar pantheon are a sunburst, and only important figures in that pantheon have them, usually some the highest ranking one or the most important in a grouping. Yelm is basically all halo on there. The Lunars probably use that instead to signify a direct connection to the Red Goddess - notice how none of the Seven Mothers (save for She Who Waits, of course), has a halo, but everyone who comes from the Goddess does.

Not quite. That's Arkat himself.

In general the Sourcebook has more stuff about actual myths and genealogies of various pantheons, while the Guide focused more on places and people. I'd say it's worth it in addition to the Guide, although of course nothing can match it's enormity.

It would be a representation closer to home, yes. However listening to a Trickster to get a somehow "truer" opinion on something is futile, to say the least.

I'd go somewhere in the middle and make bronze chainmail be quite possible, but kind of rare and maybe only found amongst specific cultures. So if your Dragon Pass character has a chainmail it might be an interesting character hook as to how on earth they got a hold of it.

Just to make sure everyone is on the same page - that illustration is not how a Praxian would depict Eiritha. It is, ultimately, an outsider's view of the goddess.