Cult Spells

[frogspawner]

I wouldn't call the attunement process dangerous (although it is chancy in another sense - only POW% chance of success, right?).

But having a rune attuned/integrated would make you a target for 'Rune Questers'. The way I see it, integrating a rune forms a link which the gods (with that rune) could reveal via Divination to any priests who happen to ask (which I imagine they would do, from time to time). So the priests would send adventurer-types out to get 'em...

 

[frogspawner]

Then again, thinking about it, maybe the act of rune-crystal integration would be dangerous. You may, like for other crystals, be unable to tell what sort it is until you attune (integrate) it. And shouldn't there be a bad effect if you integrate a rune incompatible with any you already have (e.g. chaos-law, light-darkness, fertility-death)? Maybe integration would just be impossible (unless you're a member of one of those contradictory cults with both runes). Or maybe the newly integrated rune would force out the other, making it re-crystalize and losing you the ability to cast the related spells (though this would contravene the "integrated till you die" rule)? Or maybe the opposing runes would destroy each other, perhaps with a small (intravenous) explosion...
[Perhaps this should be a subject for another topic, if anyone's interested in debating it]

 

[duncan_disorderly]

Then again, thinking about it, maybe the act of rune-crystal integration would be dangerous. You may, like for other crystals, be unable to tell what sort it is until you attune (integrate) it.

This is the implication of "Rune of Chaos"... Although why you would call something a Rune if it wasn't is a bit of a problem with this approach...

 

[ninthcouncil]

Or maybe the opposing runes would destroy each other, perhaps with a small (intravenous) explosion...

"What was that bang, and what is that funny shaped cloud?"
"Oh Malkion's teeth! One of the stupid Orlanthi must have tried to integrate a Stasis Rune again..."

 

[homerjsinnott]

For many people they would learn heal spells from the local Grain Goddess or Ernalda, as heal is listed as one of their spells. and others could be taught by a local shaman also.

I always wondered why a Shaman needed money? and would they trust some filthy thief I mean adventurer? Why aren't they busy teaching one of their followers?

 

[Voriof]

For many people they would learn heal spells from the local Grain Goddess or Ernalda, as heal is listed as one of their spells. and others could be taught by a local shaman also.

I always wondered why a Shaman needed money? and would they trust some filthy thief I mean adventurer? Why aren't they busy teaching one of their followers?

Off the top of my head based on what I know/experienced of Animist worship:

Animist ceremonies often use wierd and wonderful things which please and attract (or drive away and disgust) the spirits.

Getting together the numbers of dancers and celebrants can be a problem - feasting IS required.

Sacrifice of animals and offerings are all 'sunk expenses' too. Summoning a little horse spirit might just require a horse-mask and burning horse hair. A big spirit might require sacrificing a fine horse. Summoing a Horse Founder might require a whole herd... C-ching!

Booze/weed/loud music required to reach the right ecestatic state takes time, money, and new guitars and drums every few weeks (the last set of drums were broken).

Ritual orgies are not cheap.

The homes for the spirits can often be pricey in materials or getting just the right craftsman to make it *just* so.

Shamans have to eat too.

This all adds up.

And probably most imporantly: the RQ paradigm has ALWAYS been cash intensive. The HeroQuest one not so much.

Just sayin'

Jeff

 

[Rurik]

I have always in RQ taken the prices as guidelines. In practice goods are often traded. Cults teach spells as rewards for doing stuff, etc.

Sometimes cash just changes hands, but I have always played up the alternatives.

I think money is used in the game out of convenience. It is often easier than playing out the alternative (You seek out a shamen in the forest to teach exorcise a spirit, and he demands a shrubbery in payment, so you have to travel all the way back to town to find a shribbery dealer, but he wants a parrot in payment...).

I have always encouraged the giving of 'gifts' in exchange for services outside of towns and civilised areas. The prices are just a guideline.

 

[Exubae]

For many people they would learn heal spells from the local Grain Goddess or Ernalda, as heal is listed as one of their spells. and others could be taught by a local shaman also.

I always wondered why a Shaman needed money? and would they trust some filthy thief I mean adventurer? Why aren't they busy teaching one of their followers?

Not sure if a Shaman Could teach a Spirit spell to a non-practitioner, if I'm reading it right the Spirit Magic version of Rune magic is limited by POW rather than INT - see pg 10. So unless the adventurer is an animist he is out of luck.

 

[weasel_fierce]

I tend to assume that the cash values are just the "value rating". Items of equal value would be traded in general.

 

[frogspawner]

This site has a great list for bartered goods: http://manzato.club.fr/pagepersocm/runequest/rq20.html
It's for Prax - anyone fancy doing similar lists for other regions?