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Scotty

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Posts posted by Scotty

    Mythology, subcults and clans

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    The mythology book has a new cult template, including some new text in the subcult section.

    it's updated to deal with the full writeups not available in the core rules.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    Heler is given as an example, but this presumably also applies to at least Odayla, Valind, Mastakos and Yinkin. And likely also Engizi, Voriof, Barntar,  Yelmalio (as Elmal) and Vinga (if you use the independent Vinga cult write-up from six paths).

    It can apply where you need it. As there's effectively no Odayla temples in Sartar, one of my players worships Orlanth Odayla.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    Somewhat confusingly the text 'the subcult has no existence independent of the larger cult' is still present,

    Yes, because where the subcult exists at a temple there won't be the full cult nearby.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    as is 'associated cults are deities worshiped as part of the cult that are also worshiped independently outside of the cult'.

    Yes, they aren't usually subcults. Take Barntar as an example. In Peloria he's a full cult, associated with Orlanth and Ernalda. In Sartar, he's a subcult of Orlanth, associated with Ernalda who worships him independently even though he's a subcult of Orlanth.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    The term 'subservient cult' isn't defined, and there is no explanation for how it is different from an 'associated cult'.

    The Mythology book isn't stand-alone, so the definition of subservient hasn't changed in the core rules:

    • A subcult is a smaller and often local version of a cult, which worships a local variant of the deity, a minor god subservient to the deity,
    • Associate cults are deities worshiped as part of the cult that are also worshiped independently outside of the cult.
    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    I don't think this is quite an issue for the corrections thread, but how is this supposed to work? Are those cults intended to be played by PCs,  or NPC-only? if a PC follows one, do they write it in the 'cult' section of the character sheet, the subcult, both, they choose, or it depends?

    It depends on your game, my Odayla player wrote Orlanth Odayla on their sheet. They have Orlanth Rune points.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    If, as i think the rules as written imply, that Yinkin as a subcult of Orlanth is different from Yinkin as an independent cult, then are the crippling penalties (i.e. all rune magic becomes one-use) really supposed to apply  to anyone who switches from Orlanth (Yinkin subcult) to Yinkin? Are GMs just expected to break the rules here?

    There's no penalties. Either keep a Yinkin runepool or switch it to Orlanth. Switch it back if needed. My Odayla player has asked what happens if they find an Odaylan temple - the answer is nothing. There's no need to penalise adventurers for subcult/full cult shenanigans.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    Furthermore, does that imply that in general there can be two cults for one deity?

    Yes, or even more, but they are usually geographically separate. 

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    And so Tolat and Shargash are in fact independent cults, not subcults, and asserting an identity between them is, for all the discussion it causes, actually meaningless in rules terms?

    Sort of, Shargash and Tolat have different subcults not available to each other. You won't find Alkor amongst the The Marazi or Uxoral Ecstasy amongst Shargash followers

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    Alternatively, which to me makes more sense, is a subservient cult just an associated cult that may or may not exist independantly? Then:

    This would also apply to worshipers of associated cults, such as a clan-based member of Chalana Arroy several days travel from the nearest full temple. In effect, they are worshiping Chalana Arroy (subservient cult at Bluetooth clan).

    No, they go to a local shrine in a temple where Chalana Arroy is an associated cult. (Note subcult = subservient cult). For the Lightbringer cults there is also the option of a Lightbringers temple such as the one at Clearwine.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    This way, a clan is actually a meaningful entity in Runequest rules terms; it is a shared temple between (typically) Orlanth and Ernalda. Anyone who has learnt a spell from a clan temple or shrine has a connection to the clan wyter, and so can be said to be an initiate of the clan. This happens at adulthood initiation, and also marriage ceremonies and adoption rituals. 

    The temples are usually separate unless one is missing. Have a look at the GM Screen Adventure book that lists all the tribal and local temples. There's also the following available in clan write-ups:

    Member of the clan, not initiate of the clan, is defined by Loyalty (clan). The connection to the clan wyter, is by having Loyalty (clan) and having given it magic points within the last season.

    11 hours ago, radmonger said:

    Then there is a distinct issue that some deities (Orlanth, Barntar and Vinga, and presumably Tolat and Shargash) are cognates, meaning those who initiate into cults to both of them can share a rune pool between them. in turn, this means they can keep it fully reusable while worshiping at only one temple and paying one set of tithers.

    Yes. Keep it simple.

    • Helpful 2

    Spirit combat question

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    45 minutes ago, Jens said:

    That seems to be contradicted by both the core rules- "The physical attack is resolved normally, but opposed by the spirit’s Spirit Combat skill." and the Well clarification- "The player rolls the adventurers relevant weapon ability (with augments, magical bonuses, etc) and checks the result using that score for critical, special, success, fail, miss, fumble. If the adventurers weapon ability or the spirit’s Spirit Combat score is over 100%, reductions occur as normal." (bold added for emphasis)

    Apologies, this section hasn't had the rules updated, it's all spirit combat. I will review it

     

    • Like 4

    Spirit combat question

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    On 10/15/2023 at 12:53 AM, Akhôrahil said:

    This is correct, but as a Humakti, you may have enough of a skill advantage to both split the attack and drop the opponent’s Spirit Combat down to 0, at least if you’re running a decently-sized Sword Trance.

    Remember that this is all spirit combat, the Humakti isn't using their sword skill, but their spirit combat. I would allow their sword skill as an augment though. The higher spirit combat over 100% drops the lower, and there are no split attacks.

    Spirit combat question

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ChrisWentWhere said:

    So am I correct in thinking then that a spirit (or maybe just some spirits?) can just make itself visible to the corporeal being it is attacking, so others cannot attack it? 

    No, it's visible to everyone who is looking. However depending on the situation, others may not be in a position to see it - facing the other way, round a corner, etc.

    1 minute ago, Squaredeal Sten said:

    When the spirit actually does attack, it will englobe the victim, so as I interpret that, third parties attacking that spirit with a magic weapon (such as a sword with Bladesharp on it) are striking into melee with all the risks that indicates.

    There's no englobing unless that's its method of attack (per spirit ability), they are just close. Remember that a magic weapon attack is a spirit combat attack (not melee) and fumbles are treated using the the spirit combat fumble table (RQG 370).

    • Helpful 1

    Spells for Odayla

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    11 hours ago, kalidor said:

    Lightbringers book does not explain Bearwalkers benefits. What do we use? Standar benefits for rune lords?

    Always use the Core Rules Rune Lords section (page 278), unless contradicted or changed by the cult writeup. The same goes for other cult ranks.

    (added to Q&A)

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Bless Crops, duration and runepoints question!

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Akhôrahil said:

    One hide for an extended family or a substantial amount of other people under one roof seems to be the idea. Survival (admittedly a low bar) requires only something like two acres per person.

    Please remember that the hide is a variable amount, used to calculate the excess for the end of year costs.

    1 hide of land = 10 acres of apples = 20 cattle = 100 sheep

    See alo Quality of Land in W&E 102

    We caution against using the RQG rules for SimGlorantha. 

    • Helpful 3

    Bless Crops, duration and runepoints question!

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Malin said:

    My questions are:

    • When can this spell be cast? Traditional descriptions of rites seem to suggest Earth Season, but rules-wise, there is nothing to stop someone from using it the day before sacred time and have the same effect. In Bless Pregnancy, the first trimester is specified, and I am using this to have it be cast in Sea Season in my game, but it is not specified in the rules.
    • If it is cast, when are the rune points recovered? I assume it is during the harvest?

    and

    3 hours ago, Nick Brooke said:

    My answers are the same as yours: bless the crops in Sea Season when you plant them, then regain the Rune point(s) you used at the Earth Season High Holy Day. If someone really wants to explore winter wheat / multiple harvests, they can do the legwork.

    These are great answers, and clearly the right ones. Note that you can cast the spell on a variety of plants, so the growing season may vary a bit, likewise with trees such as apples.

    I will add this the the Bless Crops Q&A.

    • Like 2

    Healing trance use-case ...?

    in RuneQuest

    Posted · Edited by Scotty
    corrected

    22 hours ago, glarkhag said:

    Hi

    I was looking at the Healing Trance Rune Spell and I can't really see where the benefit of this would be given the existence of the spirit magic spell of Heal. I think it's a cool spell and without Heal I can absolutely see how good it is. But, A healer with 10 MPs could heal 10 points per day and not be in a trance.

    22 hours ago, glarkhag said:

    that's 10 per location per week. Sure using up all your MPs leaves you vulnerable but so does being in a trance!  Have I missed something?

    Healing Trance is used for healing total hit points (aka General hit points) without the addition of magic points. Heal Wound only heals wounds (locations) as well as total hit points and needs magic points. Likewise Heal is per location. Heal Body is expensive at 3 Rune points.

    This means it's main use is for Drowning and Asphyxiation, large area burns (eg Fire Elementals), poison, cold and heat exposure, dragging, and spells such as Safe, Sever Spirit (if unsuccessful), Sunspear and Thunderbolt, damage arising from shamanic effects such as Possession, and Extended Discorporation, and sorcery such as Create Wall of Flames.

    It's availability is limited to Chalana Arroy (and Ernalda as an associate), and Xiola Umbar (and Kyger Litor & Zorak Zoran as an associate). So for an Chalana Arroy and Ernalda initiates it's much cheaper than the 3 points of Heal Body. Xiola Umbar has no access to Heal Body.

    See Rune Magic by Cult and Associate Cult – H for cult availability of these spells.

    added to Q&A

    • Like 2
    • Helpful 4

    Runequest adventures & copyright

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Samuel808 said:

    Hi everyone! I’m thinking of creating digital RQ adventure books, and selling them for a small fee. Is this legal, if the material includes mentions about Glorantha, creatures of glorantha, and has pre-made characters etc.? Thanks!

    No. See our Fan Material Policy. To get your creations published, the best route is via our Community Content program on Drivethru RPG. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/cc/29/jonstown-compendium. There's a lot of support available for doing this.

    Associated cults questions

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ChrisWentWhere said:

    Can I just clarify something about Associated Cults. 

    I saw in RQG that you can learn any spirit spell from an associated cult (except special cult spirit spells like Sleep I have assumed).

    Yes

    1 hour ago, ChrisWentWhere said:

    So we have an Issaries player with Bladesharp from Orlanth for example.

    Yes.

    1 hour ago, ChrisWentWhere said:

    But looking through Lightbringers I am seeing that Associated Cults only provide specific spirit spells (like Ernalda providing Second Sight and Chalana Arroy providing Heal to Orlanth the cult for example). Am I reading that correctly?

    Yes. The new cults books provide an extra level of detail. You can of course ignore it. I'll be updating Spirit Magic by Cult and Associate Cult soon, to reflect that.

    If the associate cult lists no specific spirit magic spells, you can assume that they will teach any of their spirit magics to initiates (except of course specials).

    Note that you learn the spirit magic from Rune levels of the associated cult:

    Quote

    Spirit magic can usually be learned from an associate cult on the same terms as the associate cult provides for its own members.

    Note that one of your cult's Rune levels may teach you the same spell if they know it (at normal costs), as Rune levels may teach you any spirit magic spells they know.

    This also makes associate cults with shaman very useful. Eg Storm Bull Initiates can learn virtually any spirit magic from Waha shaman.

    (added to Q&A)

    • Like 1

    Proteus / Meld Form Rune Spell Questions

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Rodney Dangerduck said:

     1) If a PC turns into an animal, then back to their original form, what happens to their clothing and equipment?  Some spells, like Guided Teleport and Bears Skin are more specific, but this one (and Teleport) aren't.

    As these spells about changing form, you can decide what happens to their clothing and equipment. In my games i'd say it ends up in a pile under them.

    Treat Teleportation as Guided Teleportation.

    6 hours ago, Rodney Dangerduck said:

    2) If you captured, say, Vasana, and Meld Form with her, would your spell form always look just like her

    Yes:

    The user’s INT, CHA, and POW do not change, but all other characteristics become identical to those of the creature used in the Meld Form ritual.

    6 hours ago, Rodney Dangerduck said:

    (as for a T1000 terminator), or is your form more generic, like "red haired warrior woman".

    No.

    Note that as you will be killing Vasana, you will have to overcome her POW for the Ritual and spell to succeed, along with the other problems this will create.

    (I will add this to the Q&A)

    • Like 3

    Can I use the Call of Cthulhu font for my fanfiction book cover?

    in Call of Cthulhu

    Posted

    Hi

    On 9/12/2023 at 9:51 PM, l_stowe said:

    I've written a short story inspired by the work of Lovecraft, which I would like to share with others on places like Wattpad, but I need to make a cover image. I'd like to show is set in the CoC setting so I wondered if I could use the font so that people know what to expect, if they know the font. Would this be possible? 

    Per the Fan Material Policy:

    Restrictions:

    3b You cannot emulate Chaosium or Moon Design Publications “trade dress”, including page templates, art styles or fonts.

    So as you stated I wondered if I could use the font so that people know what to expect, if they know the font. So sorry that's not possible as you're emulating trade dress.

    • Like 1

    Integrated Spirits

    in RuneQuest

    Posted

    17 hours ago, Godlearner said:

    It says "Through Rune magic and ritual, small animals can be awakened". Is there an actual spell for that?

    As it says, it's time consuming, and rare. I'd suggest that an animal be temple born, be included seasonal holy day ceremonies at the temple for a year then at the High holy day, the person who wants an awakened creature sacrifices the POW. 

    Adventurers can obtain an awakened animal as part of their Family Heirloom roll (RQG, 83, item 12)

    Large temples will have greater opportunity for this to happen. I imagine the Clearwine earth temple has at least a few breeding pairs of snakes, that produce a suitable candidate every few years.

    • Like 1

    A Cold Fire Within's Heart of Dreams

    in Call of Cthulhu

    Posted

    Apologies, it's in the password protected cult of Chaos forum. Here's the text:

    Quote

     

    A Cold Fire Within - Keeper of the Heart of Dreams - Question

    We have the stats for it in Chapter 1, but where does it come in?

    I'm assuming it's guarding the Heart of Dreams, but the closest thing I can find is the Crystals of Naphkon. Is it a Crystal of Naphkon?

    If the Keeper of the Heart of Dreams is guarding the Heart of Dreams, it looks very deadly and I can't see how the PCs can defeat it.

    What have other Keepers done with this?

    Ignore it? Have the Heart of Dreams without the Keeper? Drop both from the campaign?

    ---

    I've gotten further in the campaign and it looks like the Heart of Dreams is just another Crystal of Naphkon that's already been created. So, it looks like a short-cut for the PCs to get a Crystal of Naphkon. Also if you sleep with it you'd get dreams about the Lomar capital.

    Still no further info about the Keeper of the Heart of Dreams. Looks like it's not referenced anywhere else in the campaign.

    ---

    I think it comes in if they fail a POW roll or something when trying to use a crystal.

     

     

    Some questions about the interpretation of Characteristic and the definition of Temporary Insanity

    in Call of Cthulhu

    Posted

    Welcome

    I've used my browser's translate function and posted it below to aid in repling:

    4 minutes ago, coffeecat said:

    Before entering the main text, I need to apologize to everyone - I am not yet a proficient English user, so if there are grammar or vocabulary errors in the main text, please understand.But anyway,let's look at my questions first.

    On page 37, I found a chart that provides specific explanations for the eight attributes mentioned above, which are very clear and practical. But in the intellectual explanation, I found a strange point. The original interpretation of Smart99 is

    , stating that the human maximum is 99, meaning that numbers exceeding it are beyond human intelligence. However, the definition of intelligence 140 below this sentence confuses me——

    So, if a person's intelligence is between 99 and 140, how should we describe him?
    Another similar problem is the definition of the limits of human power, like this one.

    Does this mean that the human power cap is 139, or am I not understanding this correctly?
    The second question is about the definition of temporary insanity. The original text clearly states:

    In this paragraph, the conditions of its application have been clearly stated - results in a sane roll. According to its text, losing sanity points beyond that should not result in temporary insanity - they accumulate to one-fifth of the current sanity point, which in turn causes insanity indefinitely. However, the example on page 174 of Harvey's reading of the Book of Albon conflicts with the aforementioned condition.
     

    In this example, Harvey undoubtedly lost more than 5 sanity points, but did not make a sanity roll - which shouldn't result in a temporary insanity. But also in examples, we see that Harvey does pass the intelligence roll and goes crazy, in a temporary state of insanity.
    This confuses me. Is this example incorrect, or does the original definition of temporarily insane mean something like this?
    Hope you can clear my doubts. Thanks for reading.
     

    • Like 1
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