Rules for converting folk to EWF beliefs

[cj.23]

HI chaps, made up a bunch of pre-gens for my players. Just quickly wondered is there any rule mechanism anywhere for converting folks in say a day or weeks preaching in a town, or do I have to roleplay it out in detail each time?Obviously they need converts!

cj x

 

[weasel_fierce]

Maybe an influence roll, if you make it you convert people equal to your skill divided by 10.

Or make opposed rolls.

Of course that'd just be to get them interested.. some wont really care too much, and some can become faithfull believers.

Maybe give each player 3 "hopefulls". People they really find potential in... but secretly note that one is actually hostile or subversive, one is on the fence (will decide based on the PC's actions) and one will be a loyal little drone.

 

[Mage]

Threaten them with violence like so many other religions do. Crusades anyone? Or terrorism?

 

[Voriof]

Threaten them with violence like so many other religions do. Crusades anyone? Or terrorism?

Ah. Right. The crusades were not about conversion - you might want to read up on them. Fascinating time period. However, for the spread of religion you could always look at the missionary work of the Celtic Church after the collapse of the Western Empire. Or the charitable work of the B'nai Brith (and others) who seek to inspire others to their religion through a worthy example.

Fear does not generally beget faith - only rote obedience at best. And without faithful worshippers, particuarly in a place like Glorantha, a nascent god or spirit, or saint simply cannot survive long. Yes, this is a horrific generalization of a complex subject.

As to the mechanism, the EWF "Hunting and Waltzing Bands" revealed draconic influences and motifs already present (supposedly) in existing ceremony and social practices. This sounds sort of like a successful HeroQuest to me - these things do tend to change the recipients.

But at this late date? Conversion would probably require persuasion (a very good influence test, probably several over the course of time) and getting the convertee to pay up the HP/POW/whatever to form the links needed to be a part of the draconic cults they favor.

Jeff

 

[cj.23]

Threaten them with violence like so many other religions do. Crusades anyone? Or terrorism?

Violence is rarely used in conversion as far as I can see. It was not really a feature of Christianity till when, Charlemagne's campaigns against the Germanic tribes? An earlier model which certainly lasted till the Reformation was "the religion of the Prince is the religion of the people". That might provide one model for conversion...

cj x

 

[TRose]

Most conversion took place because of economic factors. for example in many Muslim countries Muslims paid lower taxes then non Muslims.
And I know in the Philippines the Spanish rarely put a sword to anyone throat and say you had to be a Catholic, but if you wanted to have your child go to school, or have you land registered , or receive a license to trade or engage in any profession you had to have your baptismal record.
I would say the same would apply to converting to EWf or Godslearnerism. Their should be physical benefits to go along with converting such as better spells, trade rights ,admission of your child into Wizard school etc.

 

[cj.23]

Unlike our history though, the EWF is an expansionist military religious power. I just realized that Islam in the early days make a good model, in that many conversions followed military conquest. It's an interesting subject anyway - are there plans for an EWF book?

cj x

 

[Mongoose Gar]

I've been pushing for an EWF book...

 

[Voriof]

Unlike our history though, the EWF is an expansionist military religious power. I just realized that Islam in the early days make a good model, in that many conversions followed military conquest. It's an interesting subject anyway - are there plans for an EWF book?

cj x

From what Greg has said, its not really that militaristic - at least not as a primary method. Defensively, it is extremely so but my understanding is that during its expansion period, it used non-miltary methods. Only later did it turn to the War Dragons and other such 'entangling' methods. That said, by now, the empire is far more militaristic than it was in the past (and this contributes to their upcoming Epic Fail in non-understanding).

Jeff

 

[The Greek]

Most conversion took place because of economic factors. for example in many Muslim countries Muslims paid lower taxes then non Muslims.
And I know in the Philippines the Spanish rarely put a sword to anyone throat and say you had to be a Catholic, but if you wanted to have your child go to school, or have you land registered , or receive a license to trade or engage in any profession you had to have your baptismal record.
I would say the same would apply to converting to EWf or Godslearnerism. Their should be physical benefits to go along with converting such as better spells, trade rights ,admission of your child into Wizard school etc.

Although largely true there certainly have been individuals who have converted at the point of a sword. Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred when he put himself between the moghul ruler of Delhi and the Hindus, saving them from what would have pretty much have ended up as a genocide.

I would imagine being a hold out against any particular missionary religion when said religion had all the power was not a very pleasant thing.

 

[Cleombrotus]

When I saw the rules for advancement of EWF followers through the religious ranks I cringed.

I'm not arguing with the gameworld concept of how you advance - I just couldn't imagine any way of running it without gross abstraction that would reduce the character to a Draconic door to door salesman.

This is presumably because the whole 'pyramid scheme' idea was taken a little too far as a model.

If they are NPC's then it's fine - you can extrapolate many facets of character and ability from their relative success as proselytizing priests.

But a PC? I think that Magic of Glorantha is one of the better sourcebooks, but I can't help but feel that it's real use was to provide GM's with background for EWF/Godlearner NPCs.

 

[Sinisalo]

When I saw the rules for advancement of EWF followers through the religious ranks I cringed.

I'm not arguing with the gameworld concept of how you advance - I just couldn't imagine any way of running it without gross abstraction that would reduce the character to a Draconic door to door salesman.

That's for those who wish to advance in wyrmfriendism. You can still involve yourself in the whole draconic mysticism thing without getting above wyrms face believer level. You will still be taught draconic illumination at that level and from what I can gather you can practice the martial arts also (i may be wrong on the MA here). You can advance through the draco-orlanthi cults without recruiting anybody because on the mundane level those cults are little more than the old cults modified.

VERY SMALL BLOOD OF ORLANTH SPOILER ---- LOOK AWAY ----------







In Blood of Orlanth people spontainously exhibit draconic effects through their passion and insight.

--- END SPOILER

To gain dragon magic you are going to have to recruit 100 believers which isn't all that hard. For example you could persuade everyone in your stead to recognise the draconic elements in their Orlanth myths and you're in.