Cults of RuneQuest: Mythology - Hardcover

Let me start by saying two things -- this is a great book, but it is not a book for beginners. This books brings together mythological threads from across Glorantha, albeit still focusing on Genertela and then more specifically in the known areas (Dragon Pass, Prax, Esrolia, the Lunar Empire). There is helpful information for regions beyond, but almost of necessity less so. This is not the book to start players with. This is a book for people who want to deep dive into mythology, history, and their intersection. Gloranthaphiles will find much to salivate over here, including the magnificent art. New players, conversely, might come away more confused than enlightened, as there is an assumption of knowledge about Glorantha that they might not possess yet. Still, this is an amazing and excellent volume for those wanting to know more about the deep mythology of Glorantha, and why the God Learners were such a back in the tukus.

Essential and magnificent.

Runequest has always been different. When the rest of the RPG world was deep into character classes and races to differentiate one player character from another, RQ let how players played their characters be the differentiation. Where other fantasy RPGs paid tribute to classic (and not so classic) medieval fantasy literature, RQ harkened back to earlier times and greater proximity to myth and legend. The gods were real and a fundamental part of the Gloranthan landscape. The Cults of Runequest series aims to provide the most detailed guide possible on the various gods and goddesses of Gloranth and this volume, Mythology, ties them all together superbly. Not to mention - like all of the Cults of Runequest books I've seen so far - it's absolutely beautiful.

Of the first four Cults of RuneQuest books, this is a standout volume. How can Gloranthan myth be both the objective truth that generates the world, yet also so rich and varied? This book is the best account of the relationship between cult and culture in the game world, with helpful accounts of the "Monomyth", beautiful maps of the mythic ages, a useful (and slightly clearer) universal cult format, and much more. While the other Cults books will become key reference material, I think Mythology is the one I'll enjoy reading, re-reading, and admiring the art, which is superb throughout.

One of the key takeaways I have from this wonderful book is the sheer amount of time an effort to collect and distill not only the myths of Glorantha, but the reason why they mean so much to the people who live there. When world building includes the fabric of existence you have your work cut out for you. The art and layout are superior to most of the books on my shelves. This book sings, tells tales all its own, and is a must have if you love the lore of RuneQuest. Stop reading and just buy it.

I purchased Mythology, Lightbringers and Earth Goddesses from a game shop. I initially thought they were pretty great. I was wrong. These are not pretty great and I apologize for saying that. These are hands down the prettiest, most beautiful game related books I’ve ever purchased. Just beautiful.

I've got a pretty long review which won't fit here, at https://beer-with-teeth.games/the-cults-books-mythology/ . The short version is this is an amazing work, which pushes at the boundaries of what we can do with Glorantha. It adds rich mythical underpinning without requiring that a new player or GM seeks out ancient sources. It's also systemless, meaning that it works for any version of Glorantha. It's one of those seismic shifts - the world's different now that I know this is what is underneath it, and it's one of the things you should buy to understand this game and its setting, which are rich and deep already. This improves them both.

A beautiful book with stunning immersive art, perhaps unequalled by any other game book. The PDF is visually impressive; the physical books, ordered but not yet seen, can only be even better.

Yes, obviously - look at the rating. But amazingly this book manages to pull together so many out of print books and maps and letters and internet postings to give a comprehensive basis for all us Glorantha fans to talk about the history of Glorantha. Someone new to Glorantha can buy and read this, and be able to hold their own in any conversation with the beardiest of grognards. Excellent publication both for old timers, and for those who want a summary of what makes Glorantha so unique. And it didn't need to SO BEAUTIFUL, but it really is - the artwork, the cartography and the layout just make this an incredible purchase. Have you thought about publishing it as a larger coffee table book? ;-)