Non-Glorantha MRQ...

[Vivamort]

No offense to the various Glorantha-philes out there but I stopped playing in Glorantha ages ago and haven't run a Glorantha based game of RQ since the early 80's. To be fair, I still buy Glorantha material and hijack some of the good NPC's and scenarios for use in other settings.

I would definitely like to see some non-Gloranthan based material.

Curious choise of nickname then V

You got me on that one. I played a lot of Glorantha back in the day and although I don't use it much anymore I'm still a huge fan. I've never found any other game system that IMHO handled cults as well as Mr. Stafford. I still use my Cults of Prax and Cults of Terror in my games. So in my case I would like to see both Glorantha and non-Glorantha material.

Hopefully using Gloranthan Gods in other settings doesn't qualify me for burning as a heretic.

 

[HyrumOWC]

I just would like to add my voice to the choir: I am interested in any kind of setting third-party publishers can come up with. I purchased Lankhmar. I actually think it's good for RQ to be used with something else than Glorantha. Too many people are just mixing up the two, IMO.

We have 3 products for MRQ, two of which are set in our fantasy world of Diomin. Danger in the City of Immer and Outpost Qether are available in both electronic and hardcopy format, and the City of Jershon (a location product) is available as a PDF. Electronic versions can be found on RPGNow.com (see the link in my sig).

I'm also just about finished with Taint and Sanity rules for MRQ that I'm hoping to release next week.

Hyrum.

 

[Halfbat]

I just would like to add my voice to the choir: I am interested in any kind of setting third-party publishers can come up with. I purchased Lankhmar. I actually think it's good for RQ to be used with something else than Glorantha. Too many people are just mixing up the two, IMO.

And if I can add a voice to the choir as well (bass), I'd like to point out that the Lost Isles campaign setting and scenarios should be out early February from Sceaptune Games.

 

[weasel_fierce]

I've found a lot of stuff in the Glorantha things that could easily be lifted into other settings as well, so its never wasted

 

[Rocketman]

I'm actually using the mongoose version to run a Middle_earth Campaign.

The magic system took a few tweaks to give it the appropriate flavour--and all i did there was to give each rune a short list of specific spells, amalgamated some and put them all into a framework where they are in opposition to one other--eg: Flame and water, light and shadow--

An automatic default in the world is that magic use is detectable at a range of characters POW + the mps invested in the spell--meaning a high powered spell caster is detectable for miles.

At the last--I simply had Mp's regenerate at 1/10 pow stat per day--making magic powerful--but tiring and of limited use.


But take a look at the feats-especially the legendary ones and tell me that they don't competely fit: system to story.

Honestly--I was knuckling around stats for Galadrial with the ring and just gave her the Rune of The Ascended as nenya.

The whole weighing the soul deal is a spot on rule mechanic for the meeting of the Fellowship with her in Lothlorien.

In fact i have been able to take any character in the story and through feats pretty much hit them spot on.

The story line is just before the war of the ring and will continue in during it--filling in the tale of the east and rhovanion--not interfering with the story as written with the wee folks and the ranger--

The group is jazzed. Everyone knows the background, geography and the history more or less--and on top of that--all that MERP stuff--the castles and maps and side adventures are prime goods--now that the game system is surgically removed and thrown into a toxic disposal unit.

Sure the characters start out seasoned or veteran--and certainly much of the moral ambiguity present in other RQ campaigns is absent --good and evil is the name of the game--but I and my group have played years worth of thieves, assasins, smugglers, doomed investigators of the occult, bounty hunters, jedi, dark jedi, the other guys who aren't jedi who stand around thinking " Well , till we get back on the ship so that I can make a piloting roll I'm pretty much stone useless," bedridden comatose eight year olds with the ability to project ultimately powerful psionic astral forms, pretentious vampires wondering if they should sneak a bite to drink or just mope until the sunlight puts an end to it all--especially the pretension, and oh god no more half elven giant zombie golem necromancer /ranger/paladin/ summoner--plane touched quasi-demons with the pit fiend familiars and a drow grandmother somewhere in their heritage-just because the new part of the RPG group has never played anything but D20 (DIE 20 DIE!!!)-and used car salesmen--I'm looking forward to a bit of high fantasy for a retro change.

Plus --have you seen the fonts avalable? The Character sheets are looking fine as fine can be.

 

[weasel_fierce]

Hey man. Some retro high fantasy can be refreshing for the soul

 

[Loz]

The Gwenthia playtest resources are ready: full Character Generation, Magic and Religions/Cults, plus a complete scenario fully statted for MRQ.

PM me or drop me a line at loz@gwenthia.org if you're interested in joining the Gwenthia playtest.

 

[The King]

I would love a setting on ancient Greece.
There is already OGL Ancient but It's D20 system and there is only this core book with none other material.

 

[Halfbat]

As suggested above, the Singleton Scenarios based in the Lost Isles, a completely non-Gloranthan setting, are now rolling out. The first books are Sourcebooks/Scenarios with plenty of statt'ed NPCs as well as new source detail (Cults, creatures, spells, etc, as well as traits for flying creatures).

 

[Magistus]

As suggested above, the Singleton Scenarios based in the Lost Isles, a completely non-Gloranthan setting, are now rolling out. The first books are Sourcebooks/Scenarios with plenty of statt'ed NPCs as well as new source detail (Cults, creatures, spells, etc, as well as traits for flying creatures).

Any idea when this will be released as a PDF?

 

[Halfbat]

As suggested above, the Singleton Scenarios based in the Lost Isles, a completely non-Gloranthan setting, are now rolling out. The first books are Sourcebooks/Scenarios with plenty of statt'ed NPCs as well as new source detail (Cults, creatures, spells, etc, as well as traits for flying creatures).

Any idea when this will be released as a PDF?

Another couple of months, most likely. I can post to the US - email me or PM for details (to take it offline).

 

[Faelan Niall]

I have always liked the various incarnations of d100 (RQ3, Stormbringer, MRQ) and I have never even considered Glorantha. Something about it just never interested me in any way, and most of the people I have spoken to, or played with over the years felt the same way. With that in mind I have always used homebrew worlds for RQ.

I am very happy to see that Mongoose is pursuing other settings for the MRQ. In my opinion the single greatest factor that has affected the popularity of RQ has been a lack of a more mainstream setting. I realize that it is flexible and can depict any setting you want, but most people are lazy, and want it prepackaged and ready to go. Mongoose appears to actually be headed in that direction to a degree and with the OGL, it will be interesting to see where it stands a year from now.

 

[rmeints]

I have always liked the various incarnations of d100 (RQ3, Stormbringer, MRQ) and I have never even considered Glorantha. Something about it just never interested me in any way, and most of the people I have spoken to, or played with over the years felt the same way. With that in mind I have always used homebrew worlds for RQ.

I am very happy to see that Mongoose is pursuing other settings for the MRQ. In my opinion the single greatest factor that has affected the popularity of RQ has been a lack of a more mainstream setting. I realize that it is flexible and can depict any setting you want, but most people are lazy, and want it prepackaged and ready to go. Mongoose appears to actually be headed in that direction to a degree and with the OGL, it will be interesting to see where it stands a year from now.

Niall,

In short, I'm not sure there would have even been a D100, or Runequest system, at all without Glorantha. I realize and respect that Glorantha is not to everyone's (or even most people's) tastes, but without Glorantha, Runequest and the whole percentile based system of derivatives probably would never have been born. Runequest, in its Golden Age heyday of 1981-1983 (shortlived as it as), saw an unprecedented amount of world class and legendary (in the industry) product produced for it. Supplements such as Griffin Mountain, Borderlands, Pavis, and Big Rubble appealed exactly to the audience of "lazy gamers who want it pre-packaged" you speak about. Saying that Mongoose, with their solid efforts, is finally reaching that market, seems to miss the mark.

Chaosium is a legendary company that showed remarkable initiative and innovation, often before everyone else. Mongoose has picked up that torch with Runequest, but saying that they will finally get it right does not sit easily with me.

Hope that helps,
Rick

 

[RosenMcStern]

Good to see you post here once in a while, Rick!

Yes, the products that Chaosium published for RQ2 were of that quality that could compete with, and often outclass, AD&D supplements. As were the last generation of AH supplements for RQ3 of the late 80s-erly 90s (River of Cradles, Strangers in Prax, etc.). The problem is what was in the middle (Adventurer sheets, Monster Coliseum, etc.) :roll:

I started playing RQ around 1987, so I am more familiar with the second line of products, the so-called Renaissance. But it would be unfair to state that the previous Chaosium-AH lines did not do it right. Let's just say that there were supplements that were not worth killing a tree to print it. And that the Kyger Litor cult writeup alone caused the downfall of approximately one small grove

I think the real difference betweeen MRQ and earlier version is mainly that it is OGL, enabling small publishers to create a lot of nice stuff (non-Gloranthan) that adds to the RuneQuest ecosystem, while Mongoose deals with the licensed settings that require some funding to acquire the rights. The Vikings and Ninja supplement of RQ3 were really useful, for example (we learned how to correctly roleplay an Orlanthi by rolepleying Vikings), but they somehow diverted AH's attention from Glorantha. If third parties can now provide this kind of support for "public domain" settings (Ancient Egypt, Rome, Japan), like Mark Galeotti did with HeroQuest and Mediaeval Russia, this can provide excellent sources of inspiration for the RQ mainstream books without requiring too much effort on the part of the official publisher.

 

[Faelan Niall]

I knew some would jump forth to defend Glorantha, and past products. I got into RQ with second edition in the early 80's but moved onto RQ3 the second it came out. Over the years I have played in a very large number of different systems, so I can't say RQ just rules and everything else can jump in a lake. I approach RQ from the point of view, that I want something specific. RQ is and always has been my favorite Sword and Sorcery style game. Deadly, brutal, with magic that is mysterious, but not overwhelming in power. Conan, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, The Book of Swords, all had incarnations in campaigns I ran over the years, it naturally lends itself to that. It is for this reason I have always liked RQ, but I don't care where it came from or what reasons the original creators had for making it.

The d100 system has survived because of its catering to niche markets. No matter how good the product, it has a limit as far as market appeal. Call of Chthulhu, Stormbringer, Hawkmoon, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, and especially Glorantha are all niche markets in a niche market. Part of this is being solved by making it OGL and allowing others to develop material for it. It may actually increase their market share, but the sad thing for me is that Glorantha continues to be the flagship of the RQ line. It has had its chance, and though there are many out there who love it the amount of new blood attracted by it is most likely going to continue to be at the anemic levels it has maintained over the years. Not a great way to insure profit, not just survival.

Though I am sure a significant portion of MRQ sales has been because of RQ die hards, the portion they need to be concerned with is everyone else because that is where growth is. I am not suggesting that the die hards don't count, you do. What I do suggest is that the die hards have been there from the beginning and the publishers of RQ have had medium success. They could pay the bills, pay themselves, get things printed, but I assure you none of them are rolling in dough because of it. I want to see the system continue to survive, and OGL is a step in the right direction.

Major support for a non Glorantha fantasy setting would go a long way to converting some of the d20 crowd, and finding new players in greater quantities. Continuing down the Glorantha road is like a comfortable exercise in futility. You have done it before, you know where it is going, but you continue to go there because it has proven to be moderately successful.

P.S. Vikings just proves my point, excellent product with a more generic plug and play where you like style. It was not Glorantha specific.

 

[RosenMcStern]

RQ is and always has been my favorite Sword and Sorcery style game. Deadly, brutal, with magic that is mysterious, but not overwhelming in power.

Agreed 100%.

It may actually increase their market share, but the sad thing for me is that Glorantha continues to be the flagship of the RQ line. It has had its chance, and though there are many out there who love it the amount of new blood attracted by it is most likely going to continue to be at the anemic levels it has maintained over the years.

I do not think this is true. Glorantha is growing at a slower pace because Pen & Paper RPGs are growing at a slower pace IMO. If you ask the average guy what a RPG is you'll probably get the "Diablo" or "Ultima Online" reply, with D&D being regarded as the "Ancestor" or the "Setting for the Neverwinter Nights series".

Though I am sure a significant portion of MRQ sales has been because of RQ die hards, the portion they need to be concerned with is everyone else because that is where growth is.

I am not so sure about this, too. Most of the die-hards did not appreciate the new system at all and stopped buying the books. Others have simply embraced the HeroQuest religion. I think the fair amount of sales is due to product quality (ok, it's not perfect, but it is good!).

Major support for a non Glorantha fantasy setting would go a long way to converting some of the d20 crowd, and finding new players in greater quantities.

Nope! Making it playable online like WoW or Warhammer Fantasy or whatever would. It is the media that has changed in the choice of players, not the setting! How can you beat the Warcraft setting that has cultural depth 0% or the like and some 4.000.000 players?

Apart from Lankhmar and Hawkmoon, that have their fanbase, producing a new Fantasy setting would do no good for RQ. It is changing the media that will do the job, exactly what was done thirty years ago when Glorantha was moved from boardgames to roleplaying games and RQ was born.

P.S. Vikings just proves my point, excellent product with a more generic plug and play where you like style. It was not Glorantha specific.

It was Fantasy Earth specific, instead. You can play it as it is (it works fine), or plug it into another fantasy world. It is Gateway supplement, or let's-see-if-i-can-design-yet-another-fantasy-setting worlds that do not work well any more.

 

[Exubae]

sad thing for me is that Glorantha continues to be the flagship of the RQ line

I assume Glorantha must be selling well as they wouldn't bother supporting it, Mr Sprange
(oops sorry for the Sprague) must have a pretty good grasp of the market to keep a monster like Mongoose solvent.
Personally I like Glorantha and it has a great deal more depth to it than most RPGs, but I also have used and plan to use MRQ for other settings in particular Lankhmar and Judge Dredd.
I'ld also like to see the resurface of Land of Ninja and Vikings, had some pretty good mileage out of both of them.

Major support for a non Glorantha fantasy setting would go a long way to converting some of the d20 crowd, and finding new players in greater quantities

Why would another setting fare any better than Glorantha? Youl'd be starting from scratch with out an established fan base, sales if anything are going to be poorer.

 

[simonh]

I'd just like to point out that even back in the days of RQ2, Chaosium actively supported non-Gloranthan RQ gaming through the Gateway series supplements, and larger supplements such as Questworld and Thieve's World.

Interestingly, they were also planning on releasing a Lankhmar supplement at one point until TSR outmaneuvered them, so it's good to see it finaly come to RQ (even if Thieves World has now been annexed by the D20 camp).

 

[Quire]

...Mr Sprague...

The Czech connection?

- Q

 

[rmeints]

Faelen comments on someone jumping forth to defend Glorantha...

I'm not sure if you are referring to me as that Defender, but whether you are or are not doesn't afftect my take on Runequest. I'm sorry that you are saddened that "Glorantha continues to be the flagship of the line", but I fail to see why you see it as causing problems. First off, Mongoose's Main RQ Rulebook, RQ Companion, GMs screen, RQ Monsters, Legendary Heroes, Arms & Equipment, and Rune of Chaos books are all very generic, with only a MINIMAL tie to Glorantha. Glorantha has its own separate RQ books, of which there are 4 currently in print, with another 3 or so coming out later this year. Secondly, weighted against that you have the Lankhmar book, soon to be followed by Nehwon and Swords Against Sorcery, and the upcoming Eternal champion line of 3+ books. Considering that different writers are working on each of these books, you don't have any tradeoffs ala "writing for Glorantha at the expense of writing for Lankhmar", so to speak. Mongoose has plenty of capacity for editing, layout, art, and printing, so there's no tradeoff there either. I feel Mongoose is taking a very even handed approach to supporting many game worlds.

I also feel that Mongoose will increase or decrease the number of book titles they publish for any game world based on how well it sells. If Lankhmar starts outselling Glorantha you can guess what Mongoose will do (more Lankhmar in relation to Glorantha).

Why worry about whether "continuing down the Glorantha road", when Mongoose is going great guns of so many other systems, and also allowing others to develop stuff via OGL.

That's how I see it.
Rick