by Dustin Wright
Welcome to Starry Wisdom, the journal of the Cult of Chaos! You hold in your hands, or tentacles, our premier issue. This journal is a quarterly publication of Chaosium and is available to all Cult of Chaos members as part of their membership. This first issue will spread far and wide so that we may introduce ourselves, and the Cult of Chaos, to a broader audience. As some of you may know, Chaosium has tripled in size over the last year and quadrupled its efforts to continue producing quality games. Over the next couple of issues we’ll introduce you to the entire Chaosium tribe, show you what itıs like around here, and keep you up to date on all the latest Chaosium rumors. If you would like to receive future issues of Starry Wisdom, join the Cult of Chaos!
Know ye, readers, that I am Dustin Wright, High Priest of the Cult of Chaos, Keeper of Spider-lore, humble Scribe of Starry Wisdom, displaced Texan, and rancher of mammoths.
Er, I suppose that begs an explanation. I’ve only recently become a mammoth rancher. This occupation isn’t one I actively sought out. It just kind of happened out of the blue. I walked into my office just before sunrise one morning and there they were, nearly a hundred of them. Tiny little mammoths frolicking about my desk, merrily sliding down my phone, and playing king of the mountain on my office chair. Tiny, little rainbow-colored pixie mammoths (or is that mammi)? It was certainly unexpected. As my 5 in the AM morning senses overloaded three thoughts clamored for my attention. My first thought was this is impossible. My second thought, which was only one synapse behind the first was: this is Chaosium; finding ones desk over-run by tiny pixie mammoths is simply improbable. That’s what it’s like to work here. Nothing seems impossible. King Arthur holds court here, a wizard lives in our attic, and trollkin lair in our loft. Things Humanity Was Not Meant To Know can be found in every room and the Plateau of Leng is right upstairs. Gremlins haunt our computer network and a byakhee guards our warehouse. Worlds are created here and stories are told. In this and future issues weıll give you a peek of the inner workings of Chaosium, starting with Greg’s article “Why Chaosium Is” in this issue.
In support of MYTHOS we offer the Pick a Card feature, by Shannon Appel. Shannon is one of our steadfast production folks whose unflagging energy keeps us afloat in a sea of Chaos. In each issue of Starry Wisdom Shannon will spotlight a card or two and give us some cunning suggestions on their use and how to thwart your opponent. Shannon will also provide the occasional rules clarification and field questions. You can e-mail questions to Shannon at Chaosium@chaosium. com.
The Artists’ Bazaar proudly presents the folks who make our games look so good. Contact information is provided for many of the fine artists that we’ve had the pleasure of working with who have prints or original pieces of art for sale. Hereıs your chance to become a patron of the chaotic arts.
Starry Wisdom will also bring you articles and insights upon our roleplaying games as well. This month’s contribution is by Rob Heinsoo, our Glorantha line developer. Rob will let you in on some of our plans for the world of Glorantha. The fantasy which began Chaosium is returning!
So here it is! Our first issue. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. If there is anything you would like to see in future issues let us know! This your journal as much as it is ours. Welcome to the Cult of Chaos!
Oh yeah, that third thought inspired by the rainbow mammoth festival: on whose desk will the next festival be…?
This article was drawn from Starry Wisdom V1 #1, Winter 1997. To regularly receive the newest Starry Wisdom magazine, join the Cult of Chaos