Shiningbrow

What does "pro-Lunar" actually mean? That the heads are deciding to bow their heads to the Red.Emporer? Or that it's lip-service? Or full religious conversion? Or...? How do the individuals feel about all of this? Are there desertions?

The Gods of Glorantha are totally against such things! Look what happened to the Clanking City!

I find this totally confusing and baffling!!! I've never seen "Orlanthi" in any English dictionary. Nor any of the other words I've cited. Then you say "Keep using English, like Greg did", probably in reference to non-English names (e.g., Sultan, Khan). I'm not saying "don't use English terms in the English books". I'm saying, "don't use non-English words to invoke a particular imagery - and especially then don't say - "oh, but they're not *really* like that!". Otherwise, you may as well just say "Dara Happa is actually Persia". Then, looking at the castes of the Malkioni, we have Talars, Zzaburi, Horali, and Dronars - none of which have English cognates (nor am I easily finding anything from other languages). Noble = Talar. Simple! (Sure, dronar does look like 'drone'). So, obviously it's something that's already been done in RQ, and I'm not actually suggesting anything outlandish. We had this basic discussion on Kralorela. So, as I said - I'm confused and perplexed by this need to use the names that have been...

Because... Emperor/Empress and king/Queen are "English" words (obviously, not diving into etymology here, just modern usage). The others are not (typically seen as, although actually may be!) To say "Sultan" is to evoke imagery... Mostly for the sake of convenience. And that's probably going to create confusion (as per @lordabdul's post - Sultan Remilius). Despot and tyrant aren't quite in the same category as Tsar and Kaiser. (although, that does beg the question - why not use those latter two? Or others like it from around the world if it's not supposed to be truly representative???) One of those words which does that for me is "hoplite". Looks Greek. Called Greek. Not Greek.... I think it's pretty disingenuous to say "oh, but they're not X (earth culture)", while still using the same images (especially names). Wasn't there a *huge* debate about Orlanthi not being Viking? We have all these wonderful new terms like Orlanthi, Esrolian, Praxian, Pavisite, Lunar Tarsh, Fronelan, Ralios etc etc etc (which probably don't conjure any images, except to the experienced Glorantha-file). So why not take it that one tiny step further???

If you want to have lands and cultures *based on* but different to earth stuff, why not have titles etc based on, but different to?

Leave them in. And include preferred tactics! Some advice on how GMs should play an NPC with that sort of power...

I agree with @Sir_Godspeed, but would make what would obviously be an insane suggestion... Why not just come up with your own terms, instead of relying on earth history? If done well, there will be zero baggage attached. And the descriptions will be descriptions of Glorantha, not pseudo-earth.

As long as there's no MP in them.

I have no idea who I'm referring to by name 😛 Don't worry, I'll be purchasing in time! I know that face next to Harley's, but don't recall where (Frank Thring???...) And I was thinking that Cate was actually Alice Cooper... 😛

Or Danny DeVito?

You're suggesting that wasn't most people's first thought...

Irrelevant. The fact something can consider the thought shows there is existence of something. Doesn't actually matter what that is (for the purposes of this topic)

Sorry for my confusing confusion emoji... 😛 There's no "srsly? That sounds weird, and interesting" emoji... edit: although I went to a Catholic high school, I was never Christian, and have read the Bible. The snippets I have read scream paganism, lucid dreams, OOBE, etc.

Meditatio ns 1-3 were ok. 4, introducing God who wouldn't try to trick you, was a let down. But, if you can think, then surely there is something that exists in some form...??? (Is all it really means)

Cogito ergo sum

I think you've got your moon-coloured glasses on again...

Ummm, wouldn't that be the God Learner Empire??? is the Red Emporer Elvis?

Babs would be so not happy!!!

Darius is obviously epitomising the Moral Absolutist position. That was clear when he (?***) expressed his views about Moral Relativism. Cultures do actually allow for the killing of its members without suffering punishment - it just depends on the individual situation. Stealing property is perfectly ok - depending on the specific situation. To say that killing in-members is bad, but out-members is ok is just way too weird for me, from an absolutist position. Probably because it always falls to the "they were wrong" - but only from the position of the person saying it! Moral Absolutism requires one absolute source.- and "I think we all agree..." isn't it. I see morals as community mores, and ethics as personal codes. Often the same, but obviously not always. The Illuminate doesn't really care about the morals anymore, as they are for sheep who don't take responsibility for their actions, but submit to the will of the community (heads)... Often with a "do as I say, not so as I do" attitude. The Illuminate chooses their own right and wrong... (a wise Illuminate chooses carefully 😛 ) One last question - is existence actually better than non-existence? (***not assuming too much, excellent from the name )

Slightly... I'd allow (suggest) having 1 more year to go, and overriding the God Talker requirements... And use the following year of adventures etc to see if they actually *do* perform as an RL should - the passions, the Rune Affinity (and personality, etc)... Or merely a supercharged murder-hobo. Ie, the player is actually showing they can do it - not the character. The player having a character, say, look for ways (or be highly interested in) what should be taboo should rule out the RL status. Personally, I think Passion (Devotion) should automatically reduce if you do something that diametrically opposes your god's tenets...

Her parents read this thread before conceiving! That's Planned Parenthood!

Having a GM say "yeah, sure, no problem", only to then change it because it suddenly means something they didn't count on is a bit mean. Standard rules should apply - if you agree to something, don't back out later because it becomes inconvenient! As for the Wind Lord or Sword requirement... You forget that you must be an initiate *in good standing* for at least 5 years. Easy "no" for a GM at character creation.

Thx! I was thinking of the South Koreans in particular when I posted that, but wasn't aware (maybe... My memory is starting to suck more) of the walk out.

Have them fail the Dance roll... Have the ancestor refuse, and not raise their hands... As for the 3 options, you aren't the only one confused! The word "down" (and others) had me confused as well... And since there's been sufficient errors elsewhere in Chaosium products, and need for another set of eyes, I just presumed this was another!

Perhaps your edition is different... God-talker Requirements: As per Rune Priestess (below), except that males may become God-talkers, but must be eunuchs. Notes: Female God-talkers of Maran Gor need not be celibate, but may not be married. (my emphasis)