Cult Intro

This section provides a brief introduction to the notation system used in our cult and spell write-ups. Most of the cults are written up in short form notation; descriptions of cult mythology and practices can be found in the relevant Issaries publications or by following the links provided. A brief introduction is provided for all cults, this also mentions ways (if any) in which our version of cult mythology or practices varies from the RuneQuest/Hero Wars/HeroQuest standard.

· Spells. Spells listed in italics are included in the cult write-up. Those spells in normal typeface can be found in the RuneQuest Magic book, or Gods of Glorantha, or have not yet been converted (few in this category, mainly heroquest spells).

· Skills. This lists cult skills. These are the skills tested at initiation and priesthood, and taught by the cult.

· Spirit. This lists the spirit magic spells available to cult members. Not all spells will be available at all sites. The name of a deity in brackets after a spell name indicates the source of the spell. Most spirit magic from associate deities is listed under associate cults; it cannot be learnt at a temple of the cult being described.

· Divine. This lists the divine magic spells available to cult members. Not all spells will be available at all sites. The name of a deity in brackets after a spell name indicates the source of the spell. Most divine magic from associate deities is listed under associate cults; it cannot be learnt at a temple of the cult being described.

· Heroquest. This section lists heroquest rituals known by the cult. If the cult being described is a subcult, it will often teach these rituals to members of other subcults of their deity. This is best judged on a case-by-case basis, certain cults are prepared to share mythic lore within subcults more readily than others. Generally speaking, a member of any subcult can attempt any heroquest path of their deity; some subcults have more chance of success at certain quests than others (closer mythic connections or better knowledge of the myths often being the reason for this).

· Associate Heroquest. This section lists heroquest rituals known by the cult which, if completed successfully, will give the heroquestor reusable access to specific divine magic spells from closely associated cults, through the recreation of these mythic links on the heroquest. An associate heroquest generally indicates a strong mythological connection between the two deities, often through joint participation in an important event (e.g. Vinga and Urox at Bull Flood), sometimes through a generally close relationship (e.g. Vinga and Babeester Gor, her sister).

· Associate Cult. This section lists the spirit magic spells and one-use divine magic spells that can be obtained from associate cults. Such spells can only ever be gained at temples of the associate cult, and indicate minor mythological associations between the two cults.

· Rituals. This section details rituals in common use by the cult.

· Subcults. This details any subcults of the deity that have been written-up.

· Hero cults. This details any hero cults of the deity that have been written-up.

· Notes. This section includes any points of interest.

The spell notation system is fairly simple. The first line outlines the spells RuneQuest game mechanics, a fairly standard formula that should be familiar to all. The second line provides a list of how the spell is accessed by cult worshippers (i.e. if it common to that religion, specific to a subcult etc) and the source of the spell if an associate spell (given in brackets). If the notation does not specify otherwise then reusable access is indicated. Most cults have all their spells listed, only those that are one-use are specifically noted as such. A few examples are given below, using the cult of Vinga as an example.

Defender Storm.

This indicates that the spell is available to members of the Defender Storm subcult; the lack of additional notation indicates re-usable access to the spell.

Spearwoman/Uzfighter (1 use, Finovan).

This means that the spell is a 1-use spell available to members of the Spearwoman and Uzfighter subcults of Vinga, and that the associate deity Finovan grants it.

Adventurer/Spearwoman (AssocHQ/Bevara, 1 use/Bevara).

This means that the spell is a 1-use spell granted to members of the Adventurer and Spearwoman subcults of Vinga, by Bevara. The notation AssocHQ means that members of those subcults can also obtain the spell re-useably by completing the heroquest associated with the spell.

All (HQ), DarkStorm, Uzfighter.

This means that the DarkStorm and Uzfighter subcults have reusable access to the spell, but that all other subcults of the deity (Vinga) can obtain re-usable access to the spell via heroquest.

Spearwoman (HQ).

This indicates that the spell is available to members of the Spearwoman subcult upon completion of the heroquest linked to the spell. This is typically the notation given to HeroWars cult Secrets converted to RQ.

Pathfinder (Hareva The WayMaker).

This notation means that the spell is accessible to members of the Pathfinder subcult who are also members of the Hareva the WayMaker hero cult.

One-Use and Re-usable magic

We define one-use magic differently to standard RuneQuest. It can be either One-use (which means a spell that can be regained on high holy days but not in any other way) or One-use (Ever), which means that the caster can use the spell once and then it is permanently gone.

Initiates can sacrifice for One-use of a divine magic spell from their deity. These spells are one-use annually, and are regained on the cult’s high holy day (just like reusable spells for priests). They may also sacrifice for spells that are One-use (Ever), once cast or used they are lost; these are either spells from associate deities or one-shot spells from their own deity (such as Earthpower, Swim Back From Death etc).

Priests can cast spells granted by their deity re-usably. They may obtain spells from associate cults on a one-use annually basis and regain them on high holy days, a measure of their close connection to their deity. They may also sacrifice for one-use (ever) spells; these are always one-shot, never re-usable.

This has meant that characters (both PC and NPC) have more divine magic than is normal for RuneQuest. This has not unbalanced the game (we still have nothing like the levels of magic use in Hero Wars/HeroQuest), and by and large players are still fairly cautious with their expenditure of spells. In the main campaign most of the characters are priests or rune lords and thus get most of their magic reusably anyway.

There are several reasons for our decision to change this aspect of the RuneQuest system, some point I will post a full discussion of the topic; for now it suffices to say that a major reason was to encourage characters to spend precious points of POW on non-combat spells, something players were reluctant to do under the old system, and which has helped to lead the group away from a combat-orientated approach.

GMD

The acronym GMD is used frequently in these write-ups. It means Gamemasters Decision.

Spell Creation Credits

Credit for creating the original version of a spell is noted in brackets at the end of each spells description. If the spell credits list two or more sources for a spell, then that spell has either been described by multiple sources or is a spell from one source that has been substantially modified or influenced by the other sources.

Thanks to all net sources of spells, especially Nick Eden, Jane Williams, and Simon Phipps.

Issaries HeroWars publications have provided suggestions/names for many of the spells listed, the sources in this case are referred to by publication name, not Issaries as a whole.