Shiningbrow

That I can get. Lots of tasks on the surface that they wouldn't need to handle themselves. It was the material objects I was wondering about. I suppose I should have been clearer... I'm referring to the traditionalists. Openhandists and Individualists I can understand trading more freely.

I keep hearing that the dwarves charge exorbitant rates... what does that actually equate to in real money terms? Also, what do the dwarves take in exchange? I would have figured that there's nothing they'd want from the outside world and races, and they're fully self-sufficient.

Oh please tell... I'm dying to see how you can turn that into some type of munchkinnery 😛

I believe it was Parry (or Dodge) 😜

One could almost make the case that that's why it failed...

Empower the unPOWered!

Awesome! Thankx!!!

I disagree with the 'ridiculous' part (obviously)**, and yes, I was thinking basically the same mechanics as Spirit Magic - except they don't last long (unless, say, the singing, chant or whatever is continued), has a small effect, don't take up CHA or INT, and thus, are unlikely to be something that most players are going to even worry about - but does add flavour to the world. True, but really I think those are far more Adventurer type magic than simple petty/folk magic or charms. I envisage not a Healing (Var), but Stop Bleeding (1pt - doesn't actually 'heal', and takes away the sting of minor (1pt damage) cuts, scrapes, bruises). Instead of Ignite, there'd be "Spark" (which replaces a flint, and only works to get the kindling to catch alight). Instead of Repair there'd be Mending (fixes small tears in cloth type materials, and therefore only 1-2pts). Instead of Strength (+8 to STR), there'd be Heave (+1-2 STR for 10 seconds). So, similar, but obviously lesser effect. Probably POWx5% still... Do they cost MPs?? Dunno! But would probably only cost a few L (or a chicken) to learn in an hour or 2. Players would be welcome to come up with their own charms if they wish After the initiation rites into adulthood, perhaps then they may have access to the more powerful magics we're all used to. Personally, I disagree. Mostly because I don't see that as magical (although, we could say something about Runic inspiration, but even then...). Why? Because we all have such Passions in RL. I presume most footballers will have Loyalty (Club), Loyalty (Fans), Loyalty (Teammates). When the crowd is cheering them on, they call upon their Passion to work harder, get that ball, score that goal... Definitely not the same thing as magically fixing that small tear in your shirt in 2 seconds... (of course, this is merely my vision of Glorantha). (** - Given that there are a couple of texts floating around that are specifically about such magics, obviously it's not as ridiculous as you suggest).

This is a good reason to introduce Folk or Petty Magic..

Especially if those are all combined with the end products of meeting a basilisk, and you're set!

Well, I'd answer that by saying - if you're in contact with the binding, then the spirit will get the mental impression of where you want the spell cast. It effectively is perceiving the world through the binder's senses. BTW, for Detect Gold (and some similar Detect spells), any gold in range will glow. However, there's also an element of direction and distance... perhaps the spirit tells the binder this information???

How would the spirit know?

I'll just point out that INT seems to be the hardest stat to increase (by Gift, it costs triple the geasa of most other stats), and there's not even a Spirit or Rune magic spell for it (yet, officially). That suggests to me that Enchance STR, DEX, CON would require a lower intensity than the Enhance INT.

Just a quick question, which I haven't quickly found the answer to... To use a bound spirit's MPs and spells, do you have to be in physical contact with the binding object? Corollary to that - what about commanding spirits? And telling those bound in animals to cast their spells? And, if you don't need to be in physical contact, what's the range?

It wasn't about learning new spells. It's about having an extra supply of them. I.E., about double your CHA worth (well, more... An extra xD6 CHA worth more per spirit).

I know there's a rule (I thought it was double, not full melee - my bad!), and I was trying to incorporate it. I was merely looking for the justification for the time difference. "Why does it take a week, when the spirit gives it instantly?" "The focus takes a week. If you don't have the focus, then it's really gonna hurt to heal yourself in the middle of combat!"

I've just had an idea. I disliked this 1 week thing so much I started a thread on it (sometime last year... or more). Someone suggested that it was because of the focus... My new idea is - you do learn the spell instantly, however without tthe focus it takes the usual double amount of time to cast. And I doubt many people would want that. (Could also introduce a negative to casting - which would actually make sense as well) Apologies for not being either egregious, or munchkinnerry...

I'm a bit confused... Are you showing me sheets for 1 character, or 2? The top one is a bit better (you've added the experience check boxes, but my innate anal-ness notices that it's formatted differently to all the other skills on the sheet. I think it largely comes down to whether you want as much as possible on one page (probably the first), or are ok with having it spread out.

Bestiary p185 - Thunder Brothers (which can manifest as a large Umbroli) "The Thunder Brothers are also summoned by Storm Voices as cult spirits.... This is an example of a minor Thunder Brother that might be found as a temple guardian." They have CHA full of spirit magic, as well as 4D6 Rune Magic from Orlanth Thunderous... thus implying Initiate status. So, although it might be seen as a little bit rude, I don't think there's anything overtly wrong with having a minor Thunder Brother as a bound spirit (if you're in good enough standing with Orlanth). Presumably there are similar spirits for other (major) cults as well. Similar could possibly be said for Wyter spirits. ETA: I could see being rewarded with such a spirit as a good Heroquest reward...And if you make it to Rune Lord, this spirit could become your Allied Spirit.

Odd... I know I replied to this... Thanks David, but I'm after something a lot more than merely a few extra lines. Specifically, I think the sorcery magic section of the character sheet should probably have - a) Runes and Techniques mastered, 2) each spell with its percentage (plus tick box), base MPs and MPs per added intensity, and c) a brief description (eg, # of Intensity per extra X). Elsewhere can have longer write-ups of spells, and the Runes and Techniques to go with it (not necessay for the short form, because knowing that is rarely necessary).

Why not simply bind a cult spirit? It'd have the added benefit from f being an initiate from the start... (I presume that that's actually one of the major uses of cult spirits... And the binding is less about control, and more about constant physical presence. After all, it's not a problem with elementals.)

Sheesh dude! Animal cruelty, much??? No wonder it was giving death stares...

I can understand there will be many reasons for not publishing a new version. That wasn't my point. My point is - if a new version is put out, then such fixes ought to be made. (Otherwise, what's the point of putting out the new version???) While not quite the same, I'm sure you'd agree that if a book is printed with lots of spelling and grammar mistakes, you'd expect any updated version to have them fixed (once their pointed out). Such things are usually very quick and easy to fix, and have little impact overall (ie, layout).

I'll go a step further, and say that not fixing errors, clarifying things that have obviously been an issue for players*, and not being consistent across products is a sign of care-lessness (as in, couldn't care less), and would be extremely unprofessional. I understand that there may be constraints and limits, eg layout, but not fixing those things that clearly need fixing is basically telling fans "we don't really care about you - just give us your money". (I'm not specifically referring to Chaosium - but any product in general) (*I don't necessarily mean each and every little nit-picky thing that comes up, but those things that are significant and a large number of people have confusion over).

So, less of a "glance", and more of a stare 😛