Shiningbrow

Is there a good scenario or 3 in which new players are slowly introduced to various cults, in a way which is clearly described for GMs (and players) new to Glorantha can find relatable? Like a Biturian Varosh campaign... But one that *doesn't* require a lot of knowledge about the cults. The ones I've seen require a lot of presumed knowledge... I'm guessing they're out there, but I don't recall reading any.

I'm going to disagree a bit. But certain not that everyone needed to vocalize, or sub-vocalize. As mentioned previously, there are many good reasons to do so. Only *one* of them has something to do with the person doing the reading. And, that is that literacy wasn't as common then as it is now. Having sentences without spacing for words, or punctuation, does mean it's easier to understand but trying to sub-vocalize. Especially with poor materials, lighting, etc.

As an ESL teacher, trust me - it makes a difference! Regularly (every class??) seeing students struggle with a word on a page, trying to pronounce it in various ways - finally getting the 'ah-hah' moment when it clicks... that is, words they've heard and said before (Speak Other) they now recognise on paper (R/W Other).

My bad. I'm thinking RW here...

Ok. I certainly don't want to seen as though I'm discounting it. I did actually mean *I* don't know of any... I do know some Japanese characters are the same as Chinese, with the same (or similar) meanings, but different pronunciation. Sort of like Mandarin and Cantonese.

But, it's cold because the sun doesn't go there... If it did, there'd be myths about the sun destroying the cold. Also, east and west would be cold instead... It's almost like north and south are words that mean "where the sun don't shine... Much"

Associated Cults• Aldrya: Provides Heal Body. • Ernalda: Provides Bless Crops. • Yelm: Provides Sunspear (one-use) to High Priests of Yelmalio. My version... I'm not sure what you're looking at, but mine has cross associations. Yelmalio gives Cat'seye to his father...

I'm agreeing I with you. I doubt many players would play that way. Certainly not all the time. That last bit is really the main point!

I'm fully aware of the LBQ. And I had thought Orlanthi called that big thing in the sky Yelm. What I don't get is why that big thing in the sky that provides heat, warmth, crops, livelihood, enjoyment, etc is not worshipped by the Orlanthi, who so clearly rely on it's powers for survival. Apparently, not even in a propitiary way. Orlanth as King of the Gods and Yelm somewhere down the line - sure. Not at all - baffling! (This is true for all agricultural societies) I get the mythic reasons. Not the pragmatic. And I'm clearly not the only person with this issue.

I like that you do that, but losing a focus doesn't mean losing the spell. It just takes longer to cast. And foci can be re-inscribed...

I understand what you are saying. But I'm after the god that has the Light and Fire/Heat powers that the sun actually has - not merely a name. A god of the air and wind with no wind powers would be ridiculous. A god of the earth with no earth powers would be ridiculous. So, why isn't a sun god with no fire/heat powers ridiculous? The "there's a myth that explains how they were lost" doesn't help when the big ball in the sky still has them...

WAAAYYYYY too true!!!!

You can't. (Unless it's an extremely loose "wrap"). (And it coats 4 MP - so that had better be an important enemy, or you've got lots on MPs to space. But, yeah, normal usage is good! And this (as well as the above attempt) require a Resistance Roll. Besides which, just because a cult doesn't offer up a certain spell doesn't mean you can't buy them elsewhere... Yelmalio doesn't list Heal or Bladesharp or Protection - but bet your boots cultists will have them!

Yeah. I know. Just slightly harder. Especially if the cutting of all other ties is actually taken seriously! Humakt shouldn't really be seen as the "warrior" cult, but more as the "scary, death" cult. (Runic associations should really be a roleplay thing, and people with a high Death Rune should feel really unnerving to be around).

You're thinking too deep. The sun does rise in the north and set in the south, or NW - SE, or any other pairings. The cardinal points are based on this rising and setting pattern, not the other way around. It would follow that the mythology inserted itself into this - that is, if the sun sets in the West, then obviously that's where the door must be! I know, I'm breaking Glorantha by being a heretic... But, if humans (and other races) can change the real world by Heroquesting, then it would make sense that this happened for the doorways too... (I'm reminded of 1984 - Doublespeak and the sudden change of meanings of words, and of history, and the acceptance of the new now was how it always was...)

It sounds like you are defining "shamanism" (of its many and varied types) as well as only being about curing (and succing). No. Shamans are kept at arm's length because muggles don't understand what they do. Talking to "things that aren't there" freaks people out. Yeah sure, there is some fear. But there's also awe, confusion, respect, reverence... Many who walk that path prefer the relative isolation - so it's not merely the society pushing them away. After all, when you're trying to focus on a task (meditate, talk to an entity, do a ritual, etc), you really don't want the muggles hanging around, getting in the way, asking questions, etc.

Isn't that two jobs?

@Akhôrahil why limit your PCs to just 1 cult? Sure, for starting characters you might, but if you're looking for a longer campaign, I'd mention that they can join associated cults. Looking from that perspective, Yelmalio gets Yelm, Elmal gets Orlanth (+). Humakt perhaps gets nobody!

One of the examples I use with my students* is from the song "Nobody" by the Wonder Girls... I want nobody nobody bah choo... (But you) Pronunciation features!! Awesome (* ESL & IELTS teacher)

I don't know of any languages that are that completely phonetic...

If so, then Elmal clearly hasn't lost fire/heat... (Unless it's colder in the day than at night).

Well, Elmal is most strongly worshipped by Hyalorings, so yeah, that makes sense. But, as I've said, I still don't know who "the sun" is....

I have a feeling that if it was done all properly and correctly, there'd be a mix of skills, depending on whether the written form was phonetic or not. Some could therefore be restricted by Speak (x), while for others that could be irrelevant. Also, if it's deemed a written language is completely phonetic, then once you've learned the basic script, then your R/W should be about the same as Speak.

Perhaps my version of Glorantha is different, but I thought most people would think that "the sun" was comparable to our sun - giving off both light and heat. I confess it's possible that it only gives off light. Or perhaps the Orlanthi live in a region where the sun, even at it's hottest, is barely lukewarm. (Which then makes the myth of Elmal & Heler vying for the hand of Esrola worse, because Elmal couldn't heat up an ice cube). If, however, the sun in Sartar does actually give off heat, and does help the crops grow, Orlanthi would be stupid not to acknowledge that in their pantheon... Stupid, because the relevant God would take away said warmth as punishment.

I think... Most people new to the game and actually thought about the role of cults and community etc (as RQ is supposed to be about, largely) would be a bit baffled as to why that big hot ball in the sky that's great to be out in during the summer, and is so important to an agricultural society like the Orlanthi.for making the crops grow, don't worship it for the life-giving powers it's so obviously has. I believe it was Greg who pondered this extremely obvious question, and I'm now asking it again... Who is the Orlanthi god of the bright, hot, firey thing in the sky, that any sensible person should be giving thanks to? (Not just the slightly bright cold thing at night ) The Orlanthi have numerous gods for agriculture, so it really is odd and out of place. Barntar is important. Ernalda is important. Heler is important... Not the actual sun. If that is supposed to be Elmal, how do the adequately explain his lack of fire powers given that the sun gives off heat (still). If it's not Elmal, then at the very least, I'd expect some form of Yelm worship.