Glorantha

[L2ghtBr2nger]

There's so much lore in Glorantha, the setting for RuneQuest. How much of it will be touched on in this game, or will just the names of the cultures from the game be utilized in the setting?

I know that the cultures are what stand out as developed fictional cultures with very detailed and somewhat realistic traditions, from the fiction and role-playing games.

Specifically, will maps, equipment and religions from the role-playing game appear in this game?

[bloodphoenix]

Hello L2ghtBr2nger! If your name refers to the Quest of the Lightbringers in Glorantha Lore, then you're obviously as big a fan as I am. If any of the information I include in my best guesses is obvious to you, don't take offense...it may be useful to some other readers new to the setting. Speaking for myself - I could not be more excited about this release.

I've always had a thing for RPG settings that break the mold, and create truly unique and highly developed worlds. Most fantasy settings are based on Dark Age to Medieval history with magical and mythological elements grafted on. The majority are cloned from the cells of Tolkien's wonderful world (which I adore, but don't always want to play in). As a result, I've had a long-term love-affair with the Glorantha setting from Runequest, which could not be more different than that. The technology and cultures are Bronze Age, but in a world where magic and magical creatures are common parts of everyday life. The heavily armored warriors are equivalent to Hoplites, not Knights. The many Cults of the various Gods (Cult in the original usage, not the modern connotation) feel like ancient faiths, not like the historical European Catholic Church with a fantasy God or Goddess name cut and pasted over the door! Its much easier to understand a tribal culture venerating their ancestors when those ancestors will come in spirit form to fight for the village when its threatened, like in Glorantha!

So, based on the information in the announcement post, it seems like the game is set in the region of Genertela called Peloria, specifically in the southwestern part of Peloria called TALASTAR. Even though its "about" (my best guess) 500 miles northwest of Sartar and the Dragon Pass area, there is a strong population of Orlanth-worshippers, who (naturally) are going to be opposed to the expansionist ambitions of the LUNAR EMPIRE to the north. But the followers of the Storm-Bull are going to also be a much needed bulwark in the area, because south of Talastar lies DORASTOR. Imagine any of the locales in the Dragon Pass area that are excellent vacation spots for those grown weary of living. Lets take "Snake Pipe Hollow", for example. Compared to Dorastor, the Hollow is like a 2 star Bed and Breakfast. Dorastor is a VERY BAD PLACE. It is a wound in reality that has become infected by a festering hive of Chaos creatures...something like 70,000 Broo alone! For those who don't know RUNEQUEST, "Broo" are the settings most common foot soldiers of evil - the orcs or goblins of Glorantha - in appearance similar to what some settings would call "Beastmen". Thanks to the fickle randomness of the Chaos Gods, their exact appearance can vary. To illustrate this point, those in Dorastor are led by the self-styled "Emperor" Ralzakark - an unusually powerful and intelligent Broo with a head like a Unicorn!

So, in answer to your question, based on the information in the announcement, it is likely we will see all three of those "factions" represented in the game, complete with their unique cultural aspects, magics, and heroes (or anti-heroes, as appropriate). Since the description seems to indicate you recruit various mercenaries or NPCs, I'm hopeful that we might get to see Aldryami (Glorantha's unique elves) or some Troll worshippers of Zorak Zoran signing on to fight Chaos (there are alot of non-humans in the mountains and forests around Talastar).