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Post by stevemitchell on Nov 10, 2021 13:45:00 GMT -6
Released today from Chaosium--the RuneQuest Starter Set. This comes with quite a bit of content--a rules booklet, a Glorantha booklet, a solo quest booklet, an adventures booklet, a set of pre-gen character folios, a set of blank character folios, a map pack, and a references pack. The four booklets range from 60 to 84 pages in length. The price for the print version is a very reasonable (at least in my view) $29.95, and if you order it direct from Chaosium, you get free PDFs of everything.
I've just purchased this, so all I have are the PDFs--print copies coming soon. But it all looks pretty nice to me so far. If you've ever been curious about the system or the setting, this might be the way to go.
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 11, 2021 5:19:02 GMT -6
I was going to see if my game store is going to get it, but it might be smarter to buy direct so that I get the PDF's. Not sure if my local store would have codes for the PDF files.
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Post by jeffb on Nov 11, 2021 8:14:24 GMT -6
It does look like a great value and is beautiful, visually (as are all the new NuChaosium products). I almost pre-ordered but the new RQ system is a hard pass for me, and I don't need any more shelf queens- so my better judgement won out (which is not terribly often).
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Post by stevemitchell on Nov 11, 2021 10:42:12 GMT -6
Well, I tend to favor the Chaosium second edition of RuneQuest myself, but for 30 bucks, I figured I could give this a try. If nothing else, I'll run through the solo adventure, so it won't be a total shelf queen.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 11, 2021 11:46:20 GMT -6
I bought it. The maps and adventures look like enough content to me to be worth the price. Yea, I don't need the rules, on the other hand, I WILL eventually get RQG just to have for comparison. Maybe I'll even add it to my comparison document (along with RQ3)...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 13:06:54 GMT -6
Just ordered this off Amazon. After some careful study of my FLGS and the types of games that might sell or play well there, I settled on Runequest, especially since the Starter Set is out and is such a well-received product. (The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. Seems logical and fair.)
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Post by ffilz on Nov 14, 2021 18:12:08 GMT -6
Just ordered this off Amazon. After some careful study of my FLGS and the types of games that might sell or play well there, I settled on Runequest, especially since the Starter Set is out and is such a well-received product. (The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. Seems logical and fair.) Does ordering off Amazon give you access to the PDFs?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 18:36:22 GMT -6
Just ordered this off Amazon. After some careful study of my FLGS and the types of games that might sell or play well there, I settled on Runequest, especially since the Starter Set is out and is such a well-received product. (The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. Seems logical and fair.) Does ordering off Amazon give you access to the PDFs? That's a good question. I'm under the impression it possibly does, via a code in the box itself. I haven't received it in the mail yet. I will get back to you.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 14, 2021 21:06:08 GMT -6
One advantage of buying the starter set directly from The Chaosiun is that you immediately get access to the PDF.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2021 16:36:00 GMT -6
One advantage of buying the starter set directly from The Chaosiun is that you immediately get access to the PDF. I was not aware of that. If the guy who runs the FLGS decides he likes the product, I will let him know that little tidbit.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 16, 2021 17:31:26 GMT -6
One advantage of buying the starter set directly from The Chaosiun is that you immediately get access to the PDF. I was not aware of that. If the guy who runs the FLGS decides he likes the product, I will let him know that little tidbit. And stores may participate in Chaosium's "Bricks and Mortar" program that gives PDF codes when purchased via a participating store. I don't know the details, but it's something that is available.
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aramis
Level 4 Theurgist
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Post by aramis on Nov 17, 2021 2:15:37 GMT -6
I was not aware of that. If the guy who runs the FLGS decides he likes the product, I will let him know that little tidbit. And stores may participate in Chaosium's "Bricks and Mortar" program that gives PDF codes when purchased via a participating store. I don't know the details, but it's something that is available. The store needs a login. It's free for them, or so I've been told by my FLGS, provided they haven't been caught giving away more codes than they've purchased dead tree. They then need to log in and enter your purchase & email on the B&M site. You then get a link via email. B&M does NOT guarantee replacement PDF, so once you grab it, back it the **** up! It usually is a no-DRM direct download. Occasionally, it's a store-code for either DTRPG or the publisher's e-Store.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 17, 2021 9:10:37 GMT -6
And stores may participate in Chaosium's "Bricks and Mortar" program that gives PDF codes when purchased via a participating store. I don't know the details, but it's something that is available. The store needs a login. It's free for them, or so I've been told by my FLGS, provided they haven't been caught giving away more codes than they've purchased dead tree. They then need to log in and enter your purchase & email on the B&M site. You then get a link via email. B&M does NOT guarantee replacement PDF, so once you grab it, back it the **** up! It usually is a no-DRM direct download. Occasionally, it's a store-code for either DTRPG or the publisher's e-Store. In other words, for Chaosium products at least, you're best off purchasing direct from them... :-)
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Post by Falconer on Nov 17, 2021 12:05:23 GMT -6
It does look like a great value and is beautiful, visually (as are all the new NuChaosium products). I almost pre-ordered but the new RQ system is a hard pass for me, and I don't need any more shelf queens- so my better judgement won out (which is not terribly often). Same. I am always happy to see Chaosium doing well and getting back in the business of making boxes, but my budget and shelfspace are limited to the classics.
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Post by mgtremaine on Nov 19, 2021 12:28:58 GMT -6
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 19, 2021 15:22:36 GMT -6
The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. I think that my local store is a little loose on this (as I think I could run OD&D there if I asked) but I try to follow this exact guideline. I have run DCC and C&C and 5E and stuff like that because he can stock/sell that product. I would feel guilty running too much that he can't sell. In fact, for a while the Pathfinder Society used to play at the store and then the manager caught them telling players NOT to buy locally but instead to use PDF copies of the rules, so the PFS was given the heave-ho. I felt that this was totally terrible for an organized play group to do and I would never do that to a store owner. In other words, for Chaosium products at least, you're best off purchasing direct from them... :-) Well, except for postage costs. At the store it's the same price but no postage.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 19, 2021 15:47:37 GMT -6
The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. I think that my local store is a little loose on this (as I think I could run OD&D there if I asked) but I try to follow this exact guideline. I have run DCC and C&C and 5E and stuff like that because he can stock/sell that product. I would feel guilty running too much that he can't sell. In fact, for a while the Pathfinder Society used to play at the store and then the manager caught them telling players NOT to buy locally but instead to use PDF copies of the rules, so the PFS was given the heave-ho. I felt that this was totally terrible for an organized play group to do and I would never do that to a store owner. In other words, for Chaosium products at least, you're best off purchasing direct from them... :-) Well, except for postage costs. At the store it's the same price but no postage. OK, good point... Of course if you have to separately purchase the PDF at half the cost of the Chaosium item, that may well pay for the postage... Also, having access to free updates and the comfort of knowing that you have some degree of backup may be worth something. On the other hand, Chaosium customer service is great and if you think you should have a PDF of something and ask, they may well place a free order for the PDF for you (I was confused about something and thought I didn't have the latest version so reached out to customer service and they made a free order for me for the PDF product so now it's definitely in my library with them). I see an errors and corrections thread for the starter set so there will likely be updated PDFs.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 19, 2021 19:04:39 GMT -6
Got my physical copy today... Very nice though I have an e-mail out to customer service as the map has some creases...
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Post by stevemitchell on Nov 19, 2021 20:17:23 GMT -6
My copy arrived yesterday--didn't notice any problems with the maps. I think Chaosium provided great value with this set--well worth 30 bucks, if you are at all interested in RuneQuest and Glorantha.
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
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Post by flightcommander on Nov 21, 2021 1:53:58 GMT -6
Quick question for those who own this, does it include any procedures for character creation? Or are you meant to just employ the pre-made character folios? Since blank folios are included I'd presume the former but wanted to ask, since the marketing verbiage doesn't elaborate. It does look like a very nice package in any case.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2021 7:49:18 GMT -6
The proprietor of the store has a policy - you can run any tabletop game there, as long as he can stock it on his shelf and sell it. I think that my local store is a little loose on this (as I think I could run OD&D there if I asked) but I try to follow this exact guideline. I have run DCC and C&C and 5E and stuff like that because he can stock/sell that product. I would feel guilty running too much that he can't sell. In fact, for a while the Pathfinder Society used to play at the store and then the manager caught them telling players NOT to buy locally but instead to use PDF copies of the rules, so the PFS was given the heave-ho. I felt that this was totally terrible for an organized play group to do and I would never do that to a store owner. This guy went to school with me, and he's pretty chill about advertising things in his store. I could advertise a home OD&D game if I wanted, for instance, but he'd rather I run something like OSE or Runequest at the brick and mortar establishment so he could draw people in with the game night and then support the store with the purchase, since it's free to browse or play at the tables. I think it's a pretty neat compromise. I've been looking for an excuse to get into Runequest for a while, anyway, and I'll eventually be running some OSE there as well, since it's the New Hotness of the OSR currently and I've had some success using it with co-workers.
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Post by stevemitchell on Nov 21, 2021 11:54:52 GMT -6
Flightcommander: The new RuneQuest starter set does not include rules for character generation. It does provide 14 fully statted and described pre-generated characters to use with the adventures in the set (one solo, three group). I'm not sure why the blank character folios were included, since you can't create new characters with this set--I guess you hold on to them till you're ready to move on to RuneQuest Deluxe.
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Post by ffilz on Nov 22, 2021 9:01:36 GMT -6
Flightcommander: The new RuneQuest starter set does not include rules for character generation. It does provide 14 fully statted and described pre-generated characters to use with the adventures in the set (one solo, three group). I'm not sure why the blank character folios were included, since you can't create new characters with this set--I guess you hold on to them till you're ready to move on to RuneQuest Deluxe. My guess is that they took the opportunity of the starter set to put some blank character sheets into peoples hands. Also, if a player decided to play one of the pregens in a campaign, they might want to copy the pregen over to a blank sheet so as to not mark up the original. Given the complexity of character generation, I'm not surprised it isn't included. And "quick" character generation wouldn't be helpful. In some ways the starter set seems to be a confused product, with a book of adventures, and maps, so it's aimed at GMs, but it could also be a player reference with a reasonable rules reference (though apparently some sections are simplified) and a nice "Glorantha" introduction, and nice regional and city maps. The solo adventure and pregrens is a great way for players to try out the game (they could even run through the solo adventure with several of the pregens just to see how different character types work). In the end, I think it's a carefully curated set of materials to give people a taste of RuneQuest and Glorantha, and will remain useful after purchasing the core book and more with usable maps, a booklet of adventures, and a nice short Glorantha reference which can either be used in play as a first reference or maybe a group might never get the Sourcebook or the Guide.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2021 9:32:08 GMT -6
My Runequest Starter Set arrived just before Thanksgiving. Haven't had a lot of time to read through it yet but it's a beautifully packaged and presented product. I can already tell this is going to be fun to GM. I think it's also the perfect type of physical product to stock a game store shelves with. Unlike with the various D&D starter sets I've seen, there's no empty space in the box. It's dense. Chock-full of beautiful physical products, including about a dozen pre-gen characters, and appropriately bronze-colored dice. So far I've just read the "read this first" and half the first book. There's a few annoying typos a big company like Chaosium should have caught, but that's a minor quibble.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2021 11:05:28 GMT -6
I'm studying the section about the Runes themselves now, and the fundaments of this setting and how magic works is "clicking" in my brain in a fun way. I like how the Runes are so integral to the setting and how the art in the starter set accentuate them. When you first crack it open you notice the runes in all the art work but don't have the full context yet. After reading through the rules, you go back and do it again, and say "Okay, this character displays the Rune for Death on her shoulder. What is she signifying with that?"
To me, that's pretty cool and organic. That intersection of a mechanic and the world itself. I'd like to see that more in RPGs. It makes "grokking" the game easier and more fun. It's easy to see the D&D roots of the game in some of the residual names and spells. There's a language called "Pelorian" for instance and some of the spells are straight from OD&D, but the mechanics of how these deities and runes operate in the world is unique here.
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Post by jeffb on Nov 27, 2021 7:48:23 GMT -6
It's easy to see the D&D roots of the game in some of the residual names and spells. There's a language called "Pelorian" for instance and some of the spells are straight from OD&D, but the mechanics of how these deities and runes operate in the world is unique here. Peloria in Glorantha was a thing before Pelor was in D&D. Keep in mind that Stafford, like Greenwood and MAR Barker, had been creating their worlds before D&D saw print.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2021 9:08:26 GMT -6
It's easy to see the D&D roots of the game in some of the residual names and spells. There's a language called "Pelorian" for instance and some of the spells are straight from OD&D, but the mechanics of how these deities and runes operate in the world is unique here. Peloria in Glorantha was a thing before Pelor was in D&D. Keep in mind that Stafford, like Greenwood and MAR Barker, had been creating their worlds before D&D saw print. Right. That's cool. Kinda like Tekumel. Sounds like the arrival of RPGs gave a lot of these fantasy worlds a medium to reach a wide audience. Previously, I only knew Glorantha from the old King of Dragon Pass computer game. The Starter Set wisely narrowed the scope of the world to that same area, it seems. Kind of a sandbox with four or five adventures that don't stray beyond Dragon Pass. Apparently this area is a melting pot of the wider world and hence a good "sampler" of the cultures and races.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2021 9:22:06 GMT -6
By the way, I have to compare this aspect favorably to the 2014 D&D Starter Set, with the map of Phandalin and the Sword Coast, because Neverwinter is on that map but no details are offered in the text. It just assumes the players will take the quest hook, be ambushed along the road, then continue on to Phandalin. When I was reading that, I thought "Really? You have this iconic big city right there on the map, even the player-only map, and you write this railroad adventure that just assumes none of the players will want to visit it?"
The RQ set at least has a true sandbox feel to it. There's enough details and lore on the setting that players and Gms ought to feel comfortable when a party veers left instead of right. It feels like exploration is a base expectation and not a nuisance that's given lip service but not encouraged in any way.
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aramis
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Post by aramis on Nov 27, 2021 16:40:03 GMT -6
Keep in mind that Stafford, like Greenwood and MAR Barker, had been creating their worlds before D&D saw print. And portions of Greg's saw print in non-RPG form before RQ was written... White Bear & Red Moon, 1975. Board wargame.
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Post by jeffb on Nov 27, 2021 16:55:42 GMT -6
Keep in mind that Stafford, like Greenwood and MAR Barker, had been creating their worlds before D&D saw print. And portions of Greg's saw print in non-RPG form before RQ was written... White Bear & Red Moon, 1975. Board wargame. And Nomad Gods which was 77- before RQ1 was published as well, IIRC.
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