The RuneQuest core rules offer a pretty flexible “fatigue-lite” system based on encumbrance (ENC) for how much stuff an adventurer can carry. While writing a new RuneQuest adventure which occurs through most of a single night, I found I wanted an additional tool for describing an adventurer's weariness. Artificially adding ENC based on how long … Continue reading Weariness in RuneQuest
Category: Articles
RuneQuest’s Unwritten Rules
I love RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha (RQG), but it's hard to claim that the game is "simple." With features such as two task resolution systems, three magic systems, and inconsistent circumstantial bonuses or penalties, any argument for "simplicity" would be based on my familiarity with the system rather than its actual properties. That said, rules … Continue reading RuneQuest’s Unwritten Rules
Magical Traditions on Akhelas
Last week's article introduced the fundamentals of magic in the Endless Lands, the fantasy setting which constitutes my "private vice" for fiction stories. Continuing on that theme, this week I'll describe how that abstract bundle of metaphysics illuminates my cultural worldbuilding in the setting. Differences in culture and perspective generate tension, which leads to story. … Continue reading Magical Traditions on Akhelas
Three Elements of Magic
Earlier this year I returned to writing publicly about this site's namesake: Akhelas, the First Land. This is the primary region within which I write fiction about the Endless Lands. Previous posts have discussed Creation and humans. I've been in a metaphysical mood of late, so let's chat magic. A little light reading, for inspiration. … Continue reading Three Elements of Magic
Truth and Fiction
An obsession with Truth is a central concern of the human experience. This fundamental need is expressed in various ways. Anglo-American culture—the West—expresses this concern through our Aristotelian emphasis on precision and analysis. The Truth is what can be perceived, measured, and quantified. Extending this definition of Truth to non-physical phenomena frames many other experiences … Continue reading Truth and Fiction
The Old Gods in RuneQuest, Part 2
This week's article is a continuation from last week exploring the Old Gods in RuneQuest. Last week focused on defining and describing these entities. This week explores ways that adventurers can interact with them. If last week was 80% lore, 20% gameplay, I'd say this week is closer to 50/50. As a reminder, this article's … Continue reading The Old Gods in RuneQuest, Part 2
The Old Gods in RuneQuest, Part 1
[Tosti Runefriend] quested to climb the primeval Spike, seeking the secrets of the Runes from the very feet of the Celestial Court. Glorantha Sourcebook, page 44, "Companions of Argrath" In Glorantha's mythology, the Old Gods are those early deities of creation which are recognized as fundamental aspects of the cosmos. However—like Ouranos of Greek mythology, … Continue reading The Old Gods in RuneQuest, Part 1
Lay Membership in RuneQuest
In Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity, anthropologist Roy Rappaport says that rituals "are public, and participation in them constitutes a public acceptance of a public order, regardless of the private state of belief." Being the sort of person I am, Rappaport's work has been doing an awful lot to poke my brain … Continue reading Lay Membership in RuneQuest
Experiencing ADHD Medication
Despite the claims of South Park's Mr. Mackey, not all drugs are bad. M'kay? I've recently been trying medication following a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. The experience has been interesting, and largely beneficial. However, when I tried finding stories sharing the subjective experiences of other adults trying this type of medication, I was … Continue reading Experiencing ADHD Medication
The Beautiful Art of F*cking Around
Whether you're a reader, a writer, a gamer, or a game designer, pretty much everyone in this sphere is fascinated with figuring out how creativity works. Where do ideas come from? How did this turn up? What's the secret interplay of ideas, how do creatives blend themes just right to create the desired intellectual or … Continue reading The Beautiful Art of F*cking Around
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