27 February 2020

the Taun Taun

The Guide to Glorantha only mentions ‘Hsunchen Bands’, but in My Glorantha there are several other semi-nomadic peoples, of mixed (but mostly Woki) descent, who also live on the slopes of the Hachuan Shan mountains between Teshnos and Kralorela (plate 32 of the Argan Argar Atlas). These wandering peoples use a variety of mounts, but the most commonly used one when raiding is the taun taun, a biped reptile native to this rather cold region.

Here are the taun taun’s stats for RuneQuest: Adventures in Glorantha (inspired by the ones that had circulated in the RuneQuest 6 Star Wars supplement some time ago), shown in the familiar Bestiary format.

TAUN TAUN
Arctosaurus Corniger
These large biped reptiles may trot or run on their two hind legs bearing a human-sized rider. These mounts are particularly adapted to the rugged terrain of the Hachuan Shan mountains, and will outrun a horse or any other animal that is not used to mountainous terrain.
They will fight only if cornered, but will carry their rider in battle.

Characteristics (Average)
STR 2D6+18 (25)
CON 2D6+6 (13)
SIZ 4D6+20 (34)
POW 3D6 (10-11)
DEX 2D6+6 (13)

Hit Points: 19      Move: 12
Magic Points: 11     Base SR: 2
Armour: 2-point thick fur, plus horns on head.
Skills: Dodge 35%, Listen 60%.

Taun Taun Hit Locations
Tail 01-02     2/6
Right hind leg 03-04     2/7
Left hind leg 05-06     2/7
Abdomen 07-09     2/8
Chest 10-14     2/8
Right foreclaw 15     2/5
Left foreclaw 16     2/5
Head 17-20     4/7

Weapon % Damage SR
Butt* 45 2D8+3D6 6
Kick* 45 1D8+3D6 6

*a taun taun will kick if cornered, but it will rather butt and then flee if it has a choice.

11 February 2020

OCR'd Wyrms Footnotes

Chaosium has made the old issues (No.1 to No.14) of Wyrms Footnotes available as cleanly OCR'd PDF files on their web-site. Issues may be individually purchased at USD 2.49, but the whole fourteen-issue bundle is available at USD 24.99. BUY 'EM; this is a fantastic set of boardgame and TTRPG history, and Greg Stafford's editorials give great insight as to how a gaming company was run during the golden age of our hobby — these fourteen issues cover the 1976-1982 period of time.

I have started reading them, and there are lots of nuggets of weird knowledge and exciting announcements of supplements that never were. Some of my comments appear in this thread.

In issue No.5, from summer 1978 (just after RuneQuest got released), there is the very first tentative list of RQ supplements:

RUNEQUEST SP SERIES
SCENARIO PACKS, numbered, by several various authors. Scenario Packs are mini-dungeons or short overland treks. They include appropriate maps, monster stats, treasure stats, and everything required to run an expedition of one to more nights.
#1, Kakston's Art Museum, by Warren James is for all beginning characters with no more experience than they might roll up on the Past Experience charts. Only $2.
#2, Balastor's Barracks, by Steve Henderson is tougher, requiring a party to have gained some skill at arms, and a few spells as well. Only $2.
#3, 4, and so on are also in the works, and will sell for various prices.
Both of these are Definite.

LOL... “Both of these are Definite”. Although Balastor's Barracks was eventually published as SP1, I have never ever heard anything about Kakston's Art Museum, not even as a draft publication.