Glorantha - The Second Age

[Lord High Munchkin]

I have just bought the book... interesting.

Of course I immediately skipped to the Umathelan sections!

There is a lot that is similar to the old MRQI book (and the 'Ralios' PDF/booklet), there is a fair amount that is new—I will have to read more of the book to get a handle on the exact ratio though.

At least there is a (brief) write-up of Ompalam, but no map of Pamaltela.

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

While there is no Pamaltela map in that section the Glorantha map in the front cover has more detail than most maps. I hope to be soon posting the Unspoken Word's Pamaltela Map on Drivethrurpg as part of a deal with Moon Design. BTW there is a much more complete version of Ompalam in the works, but the one in the book is a basic guideline. I will hopefully be submitting some of my Pamaltelan stuff to S&P.

Simon

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

Personally the map isn't a problem (I have, being in the past a professional cartographer, a much more focussed map anyway)—it was more a general comment.

Looking forward to the article. I hope you will illustrate it with some of your fine Gloranthan drawings, none of which are sadly included in the book.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

OK, there's a problem Houston!

Flicking through the book, where is the skill "Draconic Illumination" detailed?

One needs this skill to cast Draconic Mysticism... but it isn't detailed in the book (unless I have missed it).

It sort of stuffs being an EWF'er.

This situation could be fixed by a lengthy S&P article on the topic... actually I'm sure that's it.

It's INT+POW in MRQI, if I recall.

 

[Loz]

OK, there's a problem Houston!

Flicking through the book, where is the skill "Draconic Illumination" detailed?

One needs this skill to cast Draconic Mysticism... but it isn't detailed in the book (unless I have missed it).

It sort of stuffs being an EWF'er.

This situation could be fixed by a lengthy S&P article on the topic... actually I'm sure that's it.

It's INT+POW in MRQI, if I recall.

It is INT+POW. It will be in 'Cults' but its my oversight that its not where it should be.

What I'll do though, is post the skill on this forum someplace.

Worry not, EWFers won't be stuffed (although most God Learners and Orlanthi think they ought to be. Hence Delecti...)

 

[andyl]

Am I the only one who finds the Background and Profession tables hard to read? I would much prefer a dotted line (or alternate shaded sections) so as to easily see where one background/profession finishes and another begins. Or even a bit more vertical whitespace.

This is however a minor nit in an otherwise fairly solid book (at least on the surface - I haven't read it in detail yet).

 

[jolt]

I just got the book today and it seems fairly solid at a quick glance through. The style of greyscale maps used is a bit hard on these ageing eyes, however, as the grey seems very dark to me and I can't discern forested areas at all. Is it still possible to get other maps for any of these areas?

This is actually the only Glorantha sourcebook I have ever purchased. All my knowledge of Glorantha previously came from Avalon Hill's Dragon Pass wargame and the earlier White Bear, Red Moon/Nomad Gods games which take place in a different age. How much other information is there on the First and Third ages? Did Mr. Stafford (or anyone else) ever advance the storyline past the Lunar-Sartar wars?

jolt

 

[soltakss]

I almost bought this today, but plumped for Necromantic Arts instead, as Wayland's Forge had sold out of Deus Vult (already!).

How different is the new version from the MRQ1 version? I'm not that keen on spending money buying something that's virtually the same as something I alread have.

 

[andyl]

Well there is obviously a fair amount of crossover, but it also includes an extended Ralios section (extended over the MRQ1 Ralios I believe) including major NPCs. It also includes profession and background tables for each major culture - with lists of appropriate Divine spells for cults and grimoires for sorcerors.

MRQ1 Glorantha The Second Age was 160 pages (with colour)
Ralios was 40 pages

MRQ2 Glorantha The Second Age is 261 black & white pages

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

Just for the record I was involved in this project.

The book contains a revised combination of the original Glorantha the Second Age Book, the Ralios Campaign, large parts of the Gloranthan Players book, plus lots of new information. The backgrounds have each been given a lot of expansion, new profession tables and a rough outline of magic in each region. There was a lot of revision in the Pamaltelan section, which was heavily flawed in the first version of the book IMHO, and now Fonrit, Umathela and the Plains worshippers of Pamalt each have their own information rather than the original mash. The background information for Dara Happa is now also much more detailed as you would expect. Some missing sections from the original text have also been added, such as the Rightarm Islands

At the rear of the book there is a set of revised Draconic Mysticism rules, which despite a minor errata are a great improvement on the original rules. I find that the book is much clearer in general and more accessible. It has made me wonder wether to scrap my 3rd Age game and go second age. The inclusion of the Secrets of the Stones scenario, and the map of Dangk give another great city to explore in Ralios.

I do feel that more and clearer maps would have been a must for me. The art is simple and clear and generally fits with my vision of Glorantha. I would like to have seen some more information on travelling and trade information, but with luck a book covering the ships of the Jrusteli, Waertagi etc.

Simon

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

Maps have always been a conspicuously blind-spot in Mongoose products generally (i.e. sometimes not even seeing the light of day). Could be worse though, there is a whole, fully detailed and keyed chapter (yup, a whole chapter) in 'Necromantic Arts' that links to... ah, umm no map!!!

I certainly agree that the Pamaltelan section is better, although very brief (there are umpteen varieties of Barbarian Belters, but still almost nothing on the whole southern continent).

Actually I would have rationalised the amount of pages used for stat-blocks (whole sides being dedicated for only single stat-blocks is a tad extravagant...) and added the freed up space to many of the character-generation entries. These being likely to be far more useful to gamers.

The Draconic Mysticism section is better—although omitting the actual skill to let one use it was a major "boo-boo" (although one that luckily can be rectified by the upcoming cults book).

 

[JonGeere]

Actually I would have rationalised the amount of pages used for stat-blocks (whole sides being dedicated for only single stat-blocks is a tad extravagant...) and added the freed up space to many of the character-generation entries. These being likely to be far more useful to gamers.

Is the lack of respective Divine Spells and Sorcery from the stat-blocks a mistake? Korlof, Dhuren, Jaldorix, Muravius must all have the respective magic (to fit in the gap between Common Magic and Notable Skills)?

An annoying error. Mongoose failed to do stats properly again! Funny that.

Is it otherwise a great book? Yes! I would recommend you buy it if you have any passing interest in Glorantha. (Just ignore the lack of quality maps, another Mongoose blind spot.)

 

[Taavi]

Out of purely selfish interest, any chance of some sort of discount on 2nd edition sourcebooks for those of us who purchased first edition? I'd like to read this, but having invested in the first ed stuff, it's hard to justify rebuying much of the same information.

 

[soltakss]

Out of purely selfish interest, any chance of some sort of discount on 2nd edition sourcebooks for those of us who purchased first edition? I'd like to read this, but having invested in the first ed stuff, it's hard to justify rebuying much of the same information.

Chance: 0%

 

[dutch206]

I am a total RQ noob. I loved this book a lot. However, those greyscale maps have to go. They are way too dark to be legible. :shock:

Also, that frilly cursive script used for the story pieces made my eyes cross.

All in all, I have to say I was blown away by Glorantha. I've never seen a campaign world quite like it before.