RuneQuest operates on many levels. It is a fantasy RPG where we can have fantasy adventures in a mythic Bronze Age world of tribes and empires, with gods, cults, and spirits. You can wander through this world like Conan, cutting a swathe of adventure. Take only what you need here and just enjoy the RQ experience.
Or you can explore the many cults and cultures, and discover how they interact to form a dynamic setting. The conflict between Orlanth and the Red Goddess, the frustrated hungers of the trolls, the White Bull unifying the tribes of Prax, and so on. There is so much here – and the setting supports you going as deep as you want.
Or you can go deeper – and explore the relationship between the divine and the mundane. This is the realm of the Hero Plane, of heroquesting and shamanic travels. This is the deepest level, and not for everyone. But for those so inclined, I think it can be incredibly rewarding and something no other fantasy setting even touches.
And you are perfectly welcome to jump between these levels. Maybe most of the time you operate at the first level – just having fun adventures. But then you decide to explore some of the big conflicts in the setting, and jump into the second level. And then at some point you might decide to dive deep into the third level and explore the realm of archetypes and magic. Only to jump back up to the first level and continue adventuring!
And it should go without me needing to say, all three levels are equally valid. What is significant is that all three are there for you if you want.
