RQ Artwork

[khazwind]

There's something that's been bothering me about the MRQ books for a while, specifically the interior art.

Let me start off by saying that I DO really love the high production values, the page design and, of course, the new and simplified rules in the new edition.

I got into RQ at the end of RQ2/beginning of RQ3. Not that this makes my opinion somehow more important/valuable/correct. The thing I loved most about the game was that the world was not yet another pseudo-medieval Tolkien/CS Lewis/Morte d'Arthur rip-off.

Glorantha was (and is) a bronze age world. I loved the way the inspiration for the world came more from ancient myth than chivalric romance.

In the RQ2 books, the artwork was distinctive because it showed hoplites, bronze age celts etc.

I am asking, please PLEASE try to bring this feeling back to the game and world. Most of the artwork in the MRQ rulebooks would, to be honest, not look out of place in a D&D book. Let's see more artwork that shows bronze age clothing and technology.

OK, the clanking city produces flying machines and (essentially cyberpunk-style) implants. However, the Zistorites still use bronze as the main element in their construction.

Thanks

Caveat The above is my opinion, and that plus 50 cents will still only get you a 'phone call.

<Edit> Have to add a quick PS: MRQ artwork is still a thousand times better than the crap AH foisted on us with RQ3. Carry on the good work.

 

[Cleombrotus]

I agree wholeheartedly with almost everything you wrote, with the major exception of liking the rules.

I can get my head around the idea that the two major empires are depicted in a more high fantasy way because I think it demonstrates exactly how much 'civilisation' is actually lost to the third age after the destruction of the second.

I heard a distant and as yet unsubstantiated rumour (if someone could firmly unsubstantiate it for me I would appreciate it) that the move away from the 'ancient Greek' feel of RQ2 is kind of Greg led, since he's discovered many more obscure earthly cultures to base Gloranthan ones on and do our heads in with.

On the other hand, such imagery was very 'Pavis-centric', with the quintessential Greek Gloranthans being the Sun Domers. As the development of Glorantha has moved away from the Valley of Cradles...Perhaps 'Dara Happa Stirs' will contain something more to our taste?

I still go for the ancient Greek imagery, because, like you, it inspired me as much as anything else about the game when I first bought it. I spend loads of time scouring the internet and books for ancient artwork to put on our website.

Of course with AH artwork to contend with, Mongoose were always going to be on a winner, regardless...(although let's not forget Sun County and River of Cradles, which did more for Gloranthan imagery and atmosphere than any other piece of cover art that chaosium produced).

 

[Loz]

Perhaps 'Dara Happa Stirs' will contain something more to our taste?

I hope so. Have you seen the cover for the book? Its exactly what I was looking for.

I also gave some very precise art direction on the look and feel that needs to be captured. I haven't seen any of the interior art yet, but the cover is a very encouraging sign.

 

[Cleombrotus]

I've just checked out the cover of DHS. Looks on the money to me. Hope they go about the interior art in the same way.