Whats the geopolitical situation?

[calle]

Runquest...for the first time in 20 years have i the chance to play it.

I found a book of Runequest on a bookstore shelf here in Sweden not to long ago.

Now i have collectet lots of these wonderful books, giving me info about the arts of combat magic and other stuff.

Also i learn lots of different cultures and cults and their impact on the individual.

All this and many more goodies is to be found in Mongoose Runequest rules.

I have recently startet to play with my players and we have lots of fun.

But where is the info about where the different orlanthi tribes i residing, or the political borders of Godlearners and EWF?

Its a complicated situation and it wasnt until i bought "Blood of Orlanthi" that i understood that there where Orlanthi tribes that far east.

In the book "Gloranta the second age" it says that Orlanthi mostly live in Hendriksland and on page 103 you have a map over that region. Nowhere on that map is Henriksland to be found...

For the subject of history you have these titles like, "Atlas if medieval history", cant you do some maps like those?

If not, how can i make myself a good picture of the dispositions of the different powers in Glorantha?

You have to excuse me for my bad english but i hope the message and question came through.

Yours

/Calle

 

[Rasta]

Hendriksland is in the Steal or "somethin . . . I forget" Forest, in the foothills of the Stormwalk mountains.

 

[Ilkka]

Check out the Issaries Website, Fan contributed maps.

http://www.glorantha.com/new/fan/maps.html

There you can find two maps by David Dunham, "South Peloria" and "Anadikki Clans", both from the Imperial period, i.e. Second Age Glorantha.

The first map gives you a general overview of the regions and Orlanthi tribes, while the latter one gives you an insight into Anadikki Clans, i.e. the clans of the Vesgaring and Nungaring tribes/kingdoms.

For a clear overview of the terrain, you might consider downloading or bying the 3rd Age Lunar Empire map:

http://www.glorantha.com/new/maps_lunar.html

If you compare the 2nd Age and 3rd Age tribes/kingdoms, you might get ideas of where there is action in later 2nd Age.

Also check out David Dunham's writings about Glorantha and his 2nd Age Anadikki campaign setting:

http://www.poppyware.com/dunham/glorantha.html

There should be enough material to inspire a campaign!

-ile

 

[calle]

So after buying all these resource books of Mongoose Runquest, i have to go to another website to get the important info about where the political powers are and where they act?

Or perhaps im missing something.

Please Mongoose give me some input about this.

/Calle

Check out the Issaries Website, Fan contributed maps.

http://www.glorantha.com/new/fan/maps.html

There you can find two maps by David Dunham, "South Peloria" and "Anadikki Clans", both from the Imperial period, i.e. Second Age Glorantha.

The first map gives you a general overview of the regions and Orlanthi tribes, while the latter one gives you an insight into Anadikki Clans, i.e. the clans of the Vesgaring and Nungaring tribes/kingdoms.

For a clear overview of the terrain, you might consider downloading or bying the 3rd Age Lunar Empire map:

http://www.glorantha.com/new/maps_lunar.html

If you compare the 2nd Age and 3rd Age tribes/kingdoms, you might get ideas of where there is action in later 2nd Age.

Also check out David Dunham's writings about Glorantha and his 2nd Age Anadikki campaign setting:

http://www.poppyware.com/dunham/glorantha.html

There should be enough material to inspire a campaign!

-ile

 

[soltakss]

Orlanthi tribes are not that powerful or important in the Second Age.

In the South of Genertela the Middle Sea Empire is the dominant player and that consists of Malkioni and their subjects. There are a few Orlanthi tribes under their sway, but not many.

In the centre of Genertela, the EWF is the dominant player and they have conquered or converted most of the Orlanthi tribes in their area. Between Dragon Pass and Peloria there are Orlanthi tribes but they are split between converted tribes and isolated hill tribes. Once again, they are not that important.

The Orlanthi tribes only really become important when they start throwing off the EWF and fighting against the Middle Sea Empire.

They were important before the rise of the EWF, but the EWF has become more important than the many peoples who originally founded it. The tribes have been weakened and draconised over the years to the extent that some of them no longer operate as traditional Heortling tribes (in my opinion).

So, in the Second Age, the geopolitical position is that the Middle Sea Empire controls the areas around the Middle Sea and rules over traditional Kralorela; the EWF controls areas in central Genertela; the Carmanians control a certain amount of mid-western Genertela; the Brithini control their island and a few surrounding areas; the Only Old One controls the Shadowlands but his influence is waning as both the EWF and the Middle Sea Empire have exerted control over his traditional lands; trolls control Dagori Inkarth and most of the Elder Wilds and the rest is controlled by petty kings or smaller elder races. Orlanthi don't get much of a look in, except as petty kings.

Genertela the Second Age covers most of this very broadly. There aren't fixed maps as the situation changes with every conquest by the Middle Sea Empire or the EWF and will change in the future as lands rebel against them and allegiences change.

 

[Ilkka]

So after buying all these resource books of Mongoose Runquest, i have to go to another website to get the important info about where the political powers are and where they act?

Well, really, everything published is written by people. If other people haven't written an answer to your questions, they may have never asked the questions in the first place.

David Dunham's ideas are by a fan, and most writers for Glorantha are fans too. Perhaps you would like to write an article or a book, and Mongoose would like to publish it? For example in Signs&Portents.

And I now realize you were wondering there were Orlanthi that far in the east. The links I gave actually do not give any info on the eastern Orlanthi, but on the north-western. Sorry about that.

-ile

 

[richaje]

And I now realize you were wondering there were Orlanthi that far in the east. The links I gave actually do not give any info on the eastern Orlanthi, but on the north-western. Sorry about that.

-ile

OK, circa 910 the important independent Orlanthi tribes are:
1. Northern and Eastern Ralios (and soon Talastar and Aggar) - a large religious movement of Orlanthi traditionalists under the leadership of Alakoring Dragonbreaker. They are in open rebellion against the EWF and are allied with the warlords of Carmania (and even the new Emperor of Dara Happa). Best source: Dara Happa Rising.

2. Heortland - the Hendriking tribe of Heortland are now in open rebellion against the EWF, yet have a curious anti-God Learner alliance with the EWF against the Machine City. Whitewall is the cult center of traditionalist Orlanth worship for Kethaela and southern Kerofinela. Best source: History of the Heortling People.

3. Brolia and Anadikkiland - Orlanthi clans and loose tribes in open rebellion against the EWF and allied with the warlords of Carmania and Alakoring Dragonbreaker. Best source: David's website.

4. Umathela. Something is going on there and many of the Orlanthi colonists are embracing storm worship again in ways that will shock the God Leaners.

Keep in mind that Orlanth is still a very important figure within the EWF (although his worship is largely subsumed into various draconic rites and the cult of Isgangdrang).

Jeff

 

[Loran]

4. Umathela. Something is going on there and many of the Orlanthi colonists are embracing storm worship again in ways that will shock the God Leaners.

No consistent source there ? Umathela (and Pamaltela in general) is a main blank map in all Glorantha descriptions... but the fall of the 6 leggered empire is certainly a major event for the godlearners, don't you think ?

 

[Sinisalo]

No consistent source there ? Umathela (and Pamaltela in general) is a main blank map in all Glorantha descriptions... but the fall of the 6 leggered empire is certainly a major event for the godlearners, don't you think ?

If you last looked in 1984, yeah

 

[Sinisalo]

2. Heortland - the Hendriking tribe of Heortland are now in open rebellion against the EWF, yet have a curious anti-God Learner alliance with the EWF against the Machine City. Whitewall is the cult center of traditionalist Orlanth worship for Kethaela and southern Kerofinela. Best source: History of the Heortling People.

They've probably seceded because the EWF's attention is elsewhere and they are just strong enough to get away with it under the circumstances. The EWF may be letting them do so because it would be useful to have the savages throw themselves at the gates of the Machine City then clean up afterwards.

It's big international politics of the usual kind.

I was going to talk about the US's relationship with pakistan over afghanistan, as a means to illustrate, but I've been filibustered enough already for bringing in anything so vulgar as the real world to Glorantha. But isn't it funny how the Orlanthi are no longer compared to the mujihadeen like they were in the 90s?

 

[calle]

Well, really, everything published is written by people. If other people haven't written an answer to your questions, they may have never asked the questions in the first place.

I didnt mean what the fans write is not enough, its the other way around! What I mean is that the product dont deliver some important pieces of information.

MRQ delivers settings and bakground material on Glorantha. An overview of the political and physical positions of the powers in the world of Glorantha is not to much to ask when your investing your money in many volumes of bakground material.
It could easily be in form of maps and comments, in one volume or spread out volume by volume.

Im writing this because I really love this game and I love Mongoose products on Glorantha. I play it with my children and some friends.

So i will try to do my part and not only criticize, im slow, but you will see, in a while i will come back with a suggestion for fan material on how I think it can look like. :roll:

/Calle

 

[Darran]

So what information is missing? :?:

 

[calle]

So what information is missing? :?:

A summary of where the different powers/cultures are on the Glorantha map.

With the information in the source books today you have to put the pieces together and and its hard to get a coherent picture of the geopolitical situation.

/Calle

 

[calle]

Ilkka wrote to me:

Check out the Issaries Website, Fan contributed maps.

http://www.glorantha.com/new/fan/maps.html

There you can find two maps by David Dunham, "South Peloria" and "Anadikki Clans", both from the Imperial period, i.e. Second Age Glorantha.

The first map gives you a general overview of the regions and Orlanthi tribes, while the latter one gives you an insight into Anadikki Clans, i.e. the clans of the Vesgaring and Nungaring tribes/kingdoms.

For a clear overview of the terrain, you might consider downloading or bying the 3rd Age Lunar Empire map:

http://www.glorantha.com/new/maps_lunar.html

If you compare the 2nd Age and 3rd Age tribes/kingdoms, you might get ideas of where there is action in later 2nd Age.

Also check out David Dunham's writings about Glorantha and his 2nd Age Anadikki campaign setting:

http://www.poppyware.com/dunham/glorantha.html

There should be enough material to inspire a campaign!

-ile

My answer was blunt, because I forgot to write:
Thanks Ilkka for giving that information, it was of great use to me!
/Calle

 

[richaje]

2. Heortland - the Hendriking tribe of Heortland are now in open rebellion against the EWF, yet have a curious anti-God Learner alliance with the EWF against the Machine City. Whitewall is the cult center of traditionalist Orlanth worship for Kethaela and southern Kerofinela. Best source: History of the Heortling People.

They've probably seceded because the EWF's attention is elsewhere and they are just strong enough to get away with it under the circumstances. The EWF may be letting them do so because it would be useful to have the savages throw themselves at the gates of the Machine City then clean up afterwards.

The Hendriking didn't secede - they were never participants in the EWF. However, the EWF seized Whitewall, making it impossible for the Hendrikings to acclaim a proper tribal king and reducing them to being a wandering band of mercenaries. Orvamarth was acclaimed king in 872 with stealth and trickery, and was not eaten by the dragons (although he had to pay tribute and the Hendriking did not invoke Orlanth at Whitewall). His successor Androrfin reestablished open worship of Orlanth at Whitewall and in 907 he refused to pay tribute and offered sacrifices to the Two Year Winter.

The EWF had bigger fish to fry than the Hendrikings, and Isgangdrang always had a curious blind spot about them.

Jeff

 

[Loran]

No consistent source there ? Umathela (and Pamaltela in general) is a main blank map in all Glorantha descriptions... but the fall of the 6 leggered empire is certainly a major event for the godlearners, don't you think ?

If you last looked in 1984, yeah

Do you have any official source to indicate, Sinisalo ?

 

[richaje]

No consistent source there ? Umathela (and Pamaltela in general) is a main blank map in all Glorantha descriptions... but the fall of the 6 leggered empire is certainly a major event for the godlearners, don't you think ?

If you last looked in 1984, yeah

Do you have any official source to indicate, Sinisalo ?

I probably count as an official source. Robin included about two pages of material about several of the cities of Umathela in Second Age, although nothing on the storm worshippers of Umathela or on the non-Jrusteli colonists. Sandy speculated that they will perform a Lightbringers Quest at some point in this century, although that is just speculation (then again Pamaltela is Sandy-land).

Jeff

 

[calle]

I found an exellent example of what I mean. A map of what the situation is on the political and military front!

http://www.celtic-webs.com/glorantha/graphics/middle/maps/political1634_download.jpg

Continuing with the search for a suitable map of whole northen Glorantha to show how the situation may look like in the 2nd age as I promised.

/Calle

 

[GianniVacca]

For what it's worth: http://tinyurl.com/2fxs4l
Red: EWF
Blue: Middle Sea Empire

 

[calle]

For what it's worth: http://tinyurl.com/2fxs4l
Red: EWF
Blue: Middle Sea Empire

I thought it was very informative! Its something like that and in more detail im thinking of. Havent found a decent map yet to have as a base for a geopolitical map, but maybe my daughter will help me to edit a map.

/Calle