CHA4028 RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha – Chapter 12 Rune Cults Q&A

Official Answers from Chaosium

This covers the first part of Chapter 12, pages 268-288.

For the Cults themselves, see: Chapter 12 The Cults Q&A

Contents

    See also

    Fundamentals of Rune Cults (page 270)

    Divine Intervention: Procedure (page 272)
    Clarification
    Clarification

    In appealing for divine intervention, the adventurer must first permanently sacrifice 1 Rune point and then the player must state in a precise way what their adventurer wishes the divine intervention to achieve.

    *

    However, if the D100 roll is equal to or less than the adventurer’s POW if they are an initiate, or their POW + current unspent Rune points in the case of a Rune Priest, the god hears the appeal and intervenes as the adventurer requests. A successful divine intervention costs 1 permanent Rune point. For Rune priests and Rune Lords, this is part of any Rune point loss.

    *

    Rune Lord —Divine Intervention

    They lose unspent Rune points and POW equal to the number rolled in return for divine intervention. This always costs 1 permanent Rune point, and is part of any Rune point loss.

    *

    Divine Intervention cost

    If you have used all your Rune points, can you still ask for Divine Intervention by using your POW points?

    No. It’s powered by a rune point.

    It could be argued that at the time that the adventurer could sacrifice a point of POW for a rune point (providing they don’t exceed their CHA limit, and lose Rune rank) but that would be up to the GM, the situation and MGF.

    Lay Members (page 274)

    Are Lay members Worshipers?

    When the rules talk about a ”worshiper” (such as a CA worshiper having the ability to calm a berserker), how is this defined? Can a lay member do it, or do you have to be initiated? Same thing for ”cult member”.

    Do cult restrictions apply fully to lay members, such as Humakt ”cult members” not being resurrectable (it’s listed under Initiate, but then the main rulebook has no lay membership descriptions at all).

    The rules seem to suggest lay members. ”Simple worshipers are called lay members.” Temple sizes also count lay members equally.

    Per the Lay Members section (RQG page 274), membership is minimal and casual in most circumstances. Generally Lay members are not subject to the Benefits, Duties & Restrictions of Initiates unless specifically noted. For details on Lay membership for specific cults See the relevant Cults of RuneQuest volume:

    • Chalana Arroy:  see Lightbringers 42
    • Humakt: see Lightbringers 103

    Initiates (page 274)

    Initiated & Initiates
    Quote

    Most who belong to a cult are lay members, without any authority or position within the cult.

    Rune cults, Page 269

    Quote

    Nearly every adult is initiated into the cult of a specific deity.

    Adventurers, Step 6: Cult, page 73

    Which is it?

    Most cults may have many more lay members than initiates.

    For the purposes of player character adventurers, all are considered to be initiates, so the sentence on page 73 applies specifically to them.

    Orlanthi Initiate and Lay Member numbers

    In Orlanthi society (not the world) how many adults are Initiates? How many adults are lay members of cults?

    Most members of a cult are lay members, with a small portion becoming initiates, and an even smaller subset becoming Priests, God-talkers, Rune Lords, Rune Priests, and a tiny few becoming Rune Lord-Priests.

    As a rough guide, we use a rule of thumb that 1 in a 100 initiates are Rune levels.

    If you need something more specific than that? Exact numbers? Population distribution? You’re the GM. You can decide those figures.

    NPC Initiates

    What are the non-PC initiates like? That is, we know the PCs are “exceptional.” What are non-exceptional Initiates like? How many Rune Points do they have, for example?

    They’re not seasoned adventurers, and most likely are farmers, crafts- or trades-people. They likely have 1 Rune point and special Rune spell chosen based on personal or professional need, or something specific to their role, based on their cult and community.

    What are the qualities that define “exceptional” when it comes to being an Initiate? What are the qualities of being a non-exceptional Initiate.

    They’re not adventurers.

    The rules are written to establish the Player Characters — and so mechanically we only have the information for exceptional people. Imagine the GM wants to understand why the Orlanthi of Dragon Pass that are around the PCs are like so he can create the culture and society that the PCs live within. In terms of Initiation, Rune Points, and Spells, what are the non-exceptional NPC Heortlings of Dragon Pass like?

    Creating NPCs

    Are the character creation rules regarding Rune Points and Rune spells in RQG general principles for anyone growing up Orlanthi in Dragon Pass, or are they specific mechanics applicable to creating PCs alone?

    This is a rules question as much as a setting question, because the GM needs to know how to build NPCs. If a different set of rules apply to creating NPCs, what are those rules? (Even accepting the fact that in RQG every NPC is a living breathing individual, and so everyone is unique, are there any general principles are guidance?)

    Jason Durall

    We’ll be discussing this more in the Gamemaster Sourcebook and the Dragon Pass Sourcebook, but much of this kind of specific detail is really up to the gamemaster to determine. What role do you want an NPC to have? What function are they serving in your adventure or campaign? Why wouldn’t you consider those to be the primary concerns when creating an NPC?

    For specific examples, look to the adventures and source material in the Gamemaster Screen Pack, which covers a great many non-exceptional characters from townsfolk, guards, herders, farmers, and their ilk, all the way up to Queen Leika.

    This is the kind of general setting material the GM should be crafting based on their own needs, this not the stuff of rules clarification.

    Becoming an Initiate

    Does anything happens to cult status if an Initiate drops to 0 permanent Rune Points (again, due to DI or one-use spells, for instance)?

    No.

    Rune Point Cap

    “To use the god’s magic, an initiate must spend Rune points equal to the points of the spell. The initiate’s maximum Rune points are equal to their CHA.”

    Is this Rune Point restriction per character, or per cult per character? That is, if you’re “full” in one cult, could you join another in order to get space for more Rune Points through sacrifices in that cult?

    Per cult per character. You can have up to your CHA in Rune points per cult.

    The advantage of multiple cult membership is of course access to more Rune magic and more Rune points to cast those spells with (and common spells which can be cast from either pool).

    The disadvantage is that you are required to uphold the responsibilities of both cults, which can be pretty serious and potentially in conflict.

    Are God-talkers, Priests and Rune-Lords similarly restricted? On the one hand, it says “initiate” in the quote; on the other, nothing in the description of the higher ranks says that this restriction no longer applies for them. I’m assuming the answer here is “yes”, but I’m not certain.

    Yes. CHA is the human limit. Some special beings, such as Tarndisi the Dryad from the Adventures book in the GM Pack, have more, but this is on a case-by-case basis and restricted to very special NPCs.

    Membership in Multiple Cults (page 275)
    Rune magic

    A character is initiated in two runecults. One gives access to a VERY limited amount of general rune spells (let’s say extension and multispell), while the other cult gives access to the full spectrum of general rune spells.

    So, the character has access to Sanctify through one cult. Can they use Sanctify to sanctify the ground and then perform ceremonies for the other cult they are initiated into?


    No. Each version of cult Rune magic is specific to that cult, including Common Rune Magic. See RBM 8, How Does Rune Magic, Appear, Sound, and Feel? The specific manifestations of a Rune spell vary by cult.

    As it’s a blessing from the god, the sanctified area is a direct connection to that specific god.

    1 Point of Spirit Magic per 5 Years

    How does the free 1 point of spirit magic per 5 years for initiates work with multi-point, non-variable spells like Glamour or Vigor? Do you have to “save up” points,

    Yes.

    is the benefit really “one free spell”

    No

    or can you just not learn spells greater than 1 point for free?

    You can by saving them up.

    All of the cults in Lightbringers and Earth Goddesses have fixed and variable spells. I suspect most players would opt for the quick fix of bumping a variable spell, rather than the long wait. Note that adding to variable spells in manner is usually the only practical way of getting variable spirit magic at high levels due to the cost involved, eg Cost of a Chalana initiate learning Heal, 25L per point (half price)

    Heal 1 = 25
    Heal 2 = 50 (or 75 if buying for the first time)
    Heal 3 = 75 (or 150 if buying for the first time)
    Heal 4 = 100 (or 250 if buying for the first time)
    Heal 5 = 125 (or 375 if buying for the first time)
    Heal 6 = 150 (or 525 if buying for the first time)
    Heal 7 = 175 (or 700 if buying for the first time) etc

    In this example, it also provides us with a ballpark figure for a healers healing ability. A 60 year old initiate will have healing 8 (60-20)/5 =8

    Common Rune Magic Box (page 275)

    Change
    Part of Second printing corrections

    First bullet changed to “…Divination, Sanctify, and Summon Cult Spirit.”

    Rune Priests (page 275)

    Can an adventurer be a priest of two Rune Cults?

    I have two PCs in my group that are ready to become priests, one of Orlanth, the other of Lhankor Mhy. They both have been initiates of Elmal as well.

    Both have asked whether they can become priests of both gods. I’ve told them they can get rune points and rune spells from Elmal (although he is not detailed in the book I someone did a terrific write up on the web) as initiates and also gave them access to the Oath rune spell as rune priests of an associated cult.

    However, they would like to become full priests of both gods. One already meets the requirements, the other is very close. Do the rules permit this? How should I handle the tithing? Technically they are already giving 9/10 of their income to their respective cults and 1/10 to Elmal, though in practice I have not made them pay the tithe to the cult of Elmal yet. (They did the local cult a huge favor in game.) They cannot really pay 18/10ths of their income to two cults. Should I just have them pay 9/10 and rule it goes to the two cults somehow? Or maybe that it is not even possible, since their duties to their main cult requires so much of their time?

    I’d like to say yes to the request. They have really thrown themselves into the Elmal storyline I gave them. And the third priest in the group, who worships Yinkin, is likely to ask for this in relation to Orlanth down the line.

    If I missed a rule that addresses this, can someone point me to it? Or is it something that will be addressed in Gods of Glorantha when it comes out?

    Look at Sora Goodseller in the GM Screen pack, page 28. She’s a Priestess of Issaries, and Initiate of Yelmalio.

    So how did this happen? Issaries and Yelmalio aren’t associated cults. Issaries is Friendly to Yemalio and Yelmalio is Neutral to Issaries.

    Friendly Cults (F)

    Even without formal arrangements these groups find each other supportive and agreeable. Meetings are likely to be pleasant.

    Neutral Cults (N)

    Such cults act according to present circumstance. Trouble may occur, but the spark must be deliberate, not caused by minor squabbles.

    Looks good to me so far. Neither steps on each others toes in any way. No weird geases saying never trust a merchant, etc.

    So they are compatible for Membership in Multiple Cults, page 275.

    Can she become a Yelmalio God Talker now – No!

    Neither are associate cults of each other, page 278, God Talkers, may even be Rune Priests or Rune Lords of a closely associated god.

    So let’s imagine she’s an initiate of Chalana Arroy instead.

    They are both Lightbringers and so closely associated (and associated cults). As long as she follows the restrictions on both cults, she’s fine and can become a god talker of Chalana Arroy and be a priestess of Issaries. But she spents 9/10 her time being an Issaries priestess and 1/10 as a Chalana Arroy God Talker.

    As for tithing – page 278, God-talkers must spend 1/10 of their time at the temple or on temple business. They must give 50% of their income to the temple. A God-talker who is also a Rune Priest of another cult must give 9/10 of their income to their primary cult, and then 1/2 of whatever is left to their secondary cult.

    Can she become a priestess of Chalana Arroy – No. Priests must spend 9/10 of their time at the temple, or on temple business. She’s already spending 9/10 of her time as an issaries priestess. Being a priest is a full time job.

    Overall the Priest / God talker combo will depend on the individual cults involved, there is no one size fits all answer here. Ultimately using 100% of the adventurers time and tithing 95% of their resources, may or may not cause obstacles (this may not be a problem for example with Sora as Issaries Priests aren’t supported by their temple).

    For your group

    • Orlanth / Elmal looks like a good combo, Elmal is an associate cult with Orlanth, and replaces the Yelmalio geas Never speak to or help Orlanth worshipers in any way with a re-roll.
    • Lhankor Mhy / Elmal is possible as Lhankor Mhy priest / Elmal initiate. Lhankor Mhy and Elmal aren’t associates, so they can’t become a God Talker.
    • Yinkin / Orlanth is a fantastic combo as Yinkin is Orlanth’s half brother (and is an associate cult), and it even says on page 310, Yinkin initiates can join the Orlanth cult merely by sacrificing 1 point of POW to Orlanth. So you don’t even need to pass an examiners test!

    I’d like to say yes to the request.

    Those are how the rules work, but as usual If you want to rule that it’s different in your games, go for it. It’s all covered by MGF (page 6).

    Easier POW Gain Roll (page 276)

    Are the +20% POW gain roll bonuses cumulative? As you can be both Rune Priest of one cult (+20% to POW gain roll) and God Talker of another (also +20% to POW gain roll), is the final gain +20% or +40%, benefiting of the help of 2 gods.

    No.

    Just for clarity, should you apply this to the “default” 5% so it always stays at 25%, or does it still reduce down to 5% as you go above the normal species maximum?

    As it’s a bonus, it will always stays at +20% so yes 25% chance. 

    Further Training and Experience (page 277)
    Change
    Part of Second printing corrections

    Page 277: Further Training and Experience topic, 2nd paragraph, last paragraph changed to “…occupational skills (see Experience Between Adventures, page 416).”

    Yearly cult spirit magic increase

    Rune Priests earn a 1 pt increase in cult spirit magic every year, does this mean Bladesharp 6 would ‘tick up’ into Bladesharp 7? Is this also the intent for how spirit spells are learned at increasing variables? You find someone with a Bladesharp 7 and they can improve your Bladesharp 6 to 7?

    The 1-point increase is determined by the player and approved by the gamemaster, and is applied to one spell.

    It might mean an existing spell increased by one level, or a new spell is gained from the list of existing cult spirit magic spells.

    You learn to improve your spirit magic by finding a teacher and paying them to teach you. Like any subject, they must know it themselves.

    The gamemaster should determine how available the teaching is and whether anyone in the desired area knows the spell at the desired level. It might be that some of the cost in Lunars is for this research. It might also be that in some cases, a spell’s higher level is only available from rare sources. Someone with Bladesharp 7 is going to be a pretty intensely dedicated warrior, and might not have the time to spend it teaching magic to newcomers.

    Allying a Spirit (page 277)
    See the separate page: Allying a Spirit (page 277 & 280)
    Spell Teaching (page 277)

    Does a Shaman, Priest, or Spirit teaching a spirit magic spell loose the knowledge of the spell when they teach it?

    No.

    Quote

    Learning Spirit Magic

    A shaman may learn any spirit magic spell desired (unless a specific spell is forbidden to the shaman for other reasons, such as a cult restriction or taboo) and without cost. The shaman merely goes to the Spirit World to speak with the relevant spirit, and then makes a focus for the spell. A shaman can do this once per day.

    How does this work for priests and cults without shaman’s?

    Rune priests, lords and god talkers may teach any cult spells that are listed under Cult Spirit Magic:

    Quote

    Cult Spirit Magic: These are the spirit magic spells taught by the cult, typically at a reduced price. An initiate can also learn spirit magic spells from an associated cult.

    Cult Spirit Magic, page 288

    Quote

    A priest can teach any spirit magic spell the priest knows to any member of the cult, including Lay Members.

    Rune priests, Spell Teaching, page 277

    Quote

    As with Rune Priests, a God-talker may teach other cult members the spirit magic spells they know.

    God talkers, benefits, page 278

    Quote

    A Rune Lord can teach any spirit magic spell they know to any member of the cult, including lay members.

    Rune Lords, Spell Teaching, page 281

    Do cults have specific spirits which are summoned by priests to teach spell to initiates as they did in the previous version of the game?

    RuneQuest Glorantha does not specify the mechanism of the week long ritual.

    Can a priest teach a spell he does not know, if it is a cult spell?

    No. please note:

    Quote

    Spell teaching is an important source of income for the cult. Most temples require that Rune Priests provide a certain amount of spell teaching for free to initiates and other members of the hierarchy.

    page 277

    It would be a rare priest that does not know a cult spell.

    Can a priest teach a spell that he knows if it is not a cult spell?

    Yes, it says any spirit magic spell.

    This seems wrong as it sets up a situation that a priest can not teach a cult spirit spell, but can teach a non-cult spell.

    If you don’t know the spell, you can’t teach it

    It would be a rare priest that does not know a cult spell and not provide an important source of income for the cult. Although there could be a group of priests at a temple who between them can teach them all. Alternatively you could just say that when building your temple hierarchy that all priests know their cult spirit magic.

    Jason Durall says

    This is the kind of general setting material the GM should be crafting based on their own needs, this not the stuff of rules clarification.

    If you wish to have Rune priests that don’t know cult spells in your game, that’s fine.

    Rune Point, Rune Affinity and Passion loss

    What happens when you drop below a Rune Point requirement for a cult position, due to one use spells or DI, or below the 90% Rune affinity and Loyalty (temple) or Devotion (deity) of at least 50% requirements from a Rune or Passion Fumble? Reasonably, that should result in a suspended position similar to when a Priest drops below 18 POW, but it’s not in the rules.

    It’s covered in the rules, treat Rune affinity and Passion loss the same way:

    • God-talkers use the same rules as Rune Priests (RQG page 278).
    • Rune Priests use the rules as written (RQG page 278).
    • Rune Lords are unaffected as their status is CHA based, so no rule needed, but see the Rune Lord section Characteristic and Rune Affinity loss below.
    • Rune Lord-Priests are effectively treated as Rune Priests (RQG page 281).
    • Chief or High Priests have no Rune Point requirement for their rank.
    • Shaman-Priests use the same rules as Rune Priests (RQG page 278).
    Leave of Absence

    Is there a section which describes the effects of a leave of absence, voluntary or involuntary?

    Other than the usual description –  an authorised prolonged absence from work, they step down from their post and return when they fulfil the requirements again, no. Other than Divine Intervention and Rune affinity and Passion loss, this is likely an uncommon event, so the GM should improvise where needed, such as roleplaying opportunities and story hooks for this per MGF.

    Aging does not affect CHA & POW, but may affect minimum skill levels in some cults (such as Rune Lords 90% proficiencies and Priests’ 50% cult skills), adventurers may retire, many cults have a retirement path.

    Rune Lords (page 278)

    Requirements for Rune Lords (page 280)
    Charisma
    Quote

    They [Rune Lords] must possess a CHA of at least 18.

    Requirements for Rune Lords, page 280

    Do Rune Lords always need a Charisma of 18?

    No, but almost all human Rune Lord cults do.

    The core book deals exclusively with human adventurers.

    However, some cults (e.g. Humakt, Kyger Litor, and Zorak Zoran) mention this requirement specifically in their cult write-ups, suggesting that it may not be a requirement across all cults.

    It is clarified where it seems necessary.

    In particular, this requirement is a problem for Tusk Riders (and some breeds of trolls) who cannot achieve a CHA of 18 (due to having 1D6 or 2D6 for CHA).

    The requirements for the Leaders (Bloody Tusk Rune Lords) do not include CHA. See page 70 of the Glorantha Bestiary for more info.

    For Kyger Litor, becoming a Karrg’s Son (Rune Lord) requires a CHA 18+, which pretty much limits it to Mistress Race and dark trolls. It is much easier to become a priestess in this cult, with no CHA requirement.

    For Zorak Zoran, becoming a Death Lord (Rune Lord) also requires a CHA 18+

    In the adventure booklet, Xiobalg is described as “ready to claim Rune Lord status on his return to the Ivory Plinth”, yet he has a Charisma of 4, suggesting the CHA 18 requirement might not apply to the cult of the Bloody Tusk.

    See above.

    It’s not intended to be equitable: these harsh gods want the most charismatic leaders to serve in positions of power within their ranks.

    That said, it is ultimately your RuneQuest, your Glorantha. An exceptional character can potentially have the requirements waived through notable service to the god and/or the cult, or through some other exemplary attributes.

    Shields as another Melee Weapon

    Many cults’ Rune lords require a 90% skill in another Melee Weapon. Do shields count as weapons for this purpose?

    If one of the cult skills is Shield then yes, otherwise no.

    Characteristic, Rune Affinity and Passion loss

    A Rune Lord might drop below the skill requirements due to characteristic loss, such as from aging, or below the 90% Rune affinity and Loyalty (temple) or Devotion (deity) of at least 90% requirements from a Rune or Passion Fumble. Does that result in no effect once you’re already admitted, being put on probation, or getting booted out? Or is that a GM call?

    If an adventurer loses characteristics and falls below rune level requirements due to aging, they may retire, otherwise treat characteristic, Rune affinity or Passion loss the same way as POW loss for a Rune priest:

    Quote

    Priests cannot voluntarily reduce their basic POW below the 18 necessary to become a priest. If it happens to a priest involuntarily, treat the result as an involuntary leave of absence.

    Rune priests, Duties and Restrictions, page 278

    For Leave of Absence see Rune Priests above for more details.

    Note that CHA isn’t lost through aging (see page 425), but should be treated the same way.

    Benefits (page 280)
    Divine Intervention (page 280)
    Clarification
    Clarification

    When a Rune Lord checks for divine intervention (see page 272), they roll 1D10 rather than a D100 to determine if the intervention occurs. They must roll less than their POW plus their current unspent Rune points. Rune Lords lose their unspent Rune points first, then POW. 

    *

    Allying a Spirit (page 280)
    See the separate page: Allying a Spirit (page 277 & 280)
    Improved Resistance to Magic (page 281)
    Replace
    Part of Second printing corrections

    First sentence replaced with “A Rune Lord always resists magic with their species maximum POW and not their current POW.”

    Spell Teaching (page 281)

    Does a Shaman, Priest, or Spirit teaching a spirit magic spell loose the knowledge of the spell when they teach it?

    No.

    Further Training and Experience (page 281)

    Rune Lords earn a 1- pt increase in cult spirit magic every year, does this mean Bladesharp 6 would ‘tick up’ into Bladesharp 7? Is this also the intent for how spirit spells are learned at increasing variables? You find someone with a Bladesharp 7 and they can improve your Bladesharp 6 to 7?

    The 1-point increase is determined by the player and approved by the gamemaster, and is applied to one spell.

    It might mean an existing spell increased by one level, or a new spell is gained from the list of existing cult spirit magic spells.

    You learn to improve your spirit magic by finding a teacher and paying them to teach you. Like any subject, they must know it themselves.

    The gamemaster should determine how available the teaching is and whether anyone in the desired area knows the spell at the desired level. It might be that some of the cost in L is for this research. It might also be that in some cases, a spell’s higher level is only available from pretty rarefied sources. Someone with Bladesharp 7 is going to be a pretty intensely dedicated warrior, and might not have the time to spend it teaching magic to newcomers.

    Chief and High Priests (page 281)

    Becoming a Chief or High Priest (page 282)
    Change in requirements
    Correction

    Qualify to Found Own Temple of the Cult: To do this, a Rune Priest or Rune Lord must have a minimum of 15 Rune points and 90% ability in three cult Knowledge skills the support of at least 150 lay members and initiates that will follow them to the new temple. This often requires the permission of the High Priest, which is easy to get if the Priest goes somewhere else to set up the temple, and has sufficient funds to do so.

    *

    Subcults (page 282)

    Subcults
    Clarification
    Clarification

    Subcult is short form for subservient cult-  sub(servient) cult.

    Joining a Subcult (page 282)
    Change
    Correction

    A candidate for initiation not familiar to the temple hierarchy must pass a test equivalent to that of initiation. All candidates must sacrifice 1 point of POW to establish a link to the subcult (note that this increases the Rune point pool to the main cult), and may choose a special Rune spell provided by the subcult.

    *

    Cult Rune Spell Use Box (page 283)

    Change
    Part of Second printing corrections

    Example, second sentence changed to “She has gained the Summon Air Elemental special Rune spell directly from Orlanth.”third sentence changed to “…from that subcult, and gained Increase/Decrease Wind as a member of the Orlanth Thunderous subcult.”

    Associated Cults (page 283)

    Gaining Access to Associated Cult Skills

    What does it mean when an associated cult provides a skill, such as Waha for Eiritha? :

    Quote

    Waha: Provides the Peaceful Cut skill.

    Waha page 306

    Everyone already has it at base chance, and I can’t see that you gain any additional chance at it, so it doesn’t seem to do anything by the rules.

    “Provides” as in “Provides training in” as per cult-based skill training.

    Gaining Access to Associated Cult Spirit Magic and Cults of RuneQuest: Lightbringers

    In RQG you can learn any spirit spell from an associated cult (except special cult spirit spells like Sleep).

    Yes

    So we have an Issaries player who learned Bladesharp from Orlanth for example.

    Yes.

    But looking through Lightbringers I am seeing that Associated Cults only provide specific spirit spells (like Ernalda providing Second Sight and Chalana Arroy providing Heal to Orlanth the cult for example). Am I reading that correctly?

    Yes. The new cults books provide an extra level of detail. You can of course ignore it. I’ll be updating Spirit Magic by Cult and Associate Cult to reflect that.

    If the associate cult lists no specific spirit magic spells, you can assume that they will teach any of their spirit magics to initiates (except of course specials).

    Note that you learn the spirit magic from Rune levels of the associated cult:

    Quote

    Spirit magic can usually be learned from an associate cult on the same terms as the associate cult provides for its own members.

    Associated Cults, page 283

    Note that one of your cult’s Rune levels may teach you the same spell if they know it (at normal costs), as Rune levels may teach you any spirit magic spells they know.

    This also makes associate cults with shaman very useful. Eg Storm Bull Initiates can learn virtually any spirit magic from Waha shaman.

    Gaining Access to Associated Cult Rune Spells

    Can an adventurer go to the temple of an associate deity and sacrificing for the associate spell there?

    e.g. Can Ernaldan visit an Argan Argar temple and sacrifice for the associate spell?

    Ernaldans can visit a temple of Argan Argar and obtain access to the associate spell of Create Shadow, through the usual method of exceptional service, pay, or by GM fiat.

    It’s a super story hook, meeting the chief priest, if there’s an Ernalda shrine, leaving offerings, etc.

    Or would they sacrifice to Argan Argar but somehow gain the runepoint in their Ernalda rune point pool?

    No POW sacrifice is needed to gain a rune point to gain access to a spell:

    Quote

    At the gamemaster’s discretion, an initiate can gain access to the cult’s special Rune spells in return for exceptional service to the cult, by donating the equivalent of 100 L per point of the spell, or for other reasons that further the cult’s goals and standing.

    Benefits, page 275

    The downside of this is you are doing service or paying the Argan Argar temple.

    Casting Associated Cult Rune Magic

    When casting a Rune spell acquired from an associate cult. For spells listed with the “R” Magic Rune, it says (RQG page 317) these spells can be used “with any cult Affinity rune”. Same page, in the table “Common Rune Magic”, it says, “Any Rune of the cult providing the spell may be used to cast a spell indicated with the R Rune.”

    So if I’ve gotten a Rune spell from an Associated cult, marked with the “R” Magic Rune in its description, do I use one of my cult’s Runes to cast it … or a Rune of the Associated cult?

    Shield is currently the only spell this affects, if there is a common rune, use that, otherwise one of the associate cults runes. eg.

    • If a Storm Bull member receives Shield from Orlanth Adventurous, they would use their common rune – Air.
    • if a Chalana Arroy member receives Shield from Orlanth Adventurous, they would use their Air or Movement rune.

    There are two more that are not common with the Magic rune, Axis Mundi & Discorporation – neither are given to associate cults.

    Example
    Correct spelling
    Correction

    On the other hand, Lhankor Mhy worshipper Sorala also has Orlanth Adventurous and has gained access to the Wind Words Rune spell.

    *

    Temples (page 283)

    Temple Sizes (page 284)

    Change
    Update from Mythology

    Sites:

    though no POW checks are available for worshiping here.

    Mythology, Sites, page 137

    Setting up a new shrine for a Rune cult?

    The book talks about this being a thing one might be asked to do by one’s cult but only details of how to start a spirit shrine are given.

    This is a task beyond any hard-and-fast rules set. You’ll need to work with your gamemaster to determine the costs of the physical location, the social/civil negotiation required to build it, the procurement of labor and materials, and the process of having a Rune Priest or God-talker come in and Sanctify the place. If in doubt, consider it a case of casting a multi-point Sanctify with Extension to last at least a year. The particular god may have requirements above and beyond these, such as Ernalda demanding an underground chamber, Yelm an eternal fire, etc.

    Weapons and Equipment, page 110, contains some more about temples and shrines, with some ballpark prices, but does not go into great detail.

    Increasing Temple size by sacrifice

    Can you get a larger temple size with fewer worshippers if the worshippers sacrifice more than the required minimum of magic points?

    No, but there are likely other magical reasons this may be possible.

    Wyters (page 286)

    See the separate page: Wyters (page 286)

    For the Cults see : Chapter 12 The Cults Q&A

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