Skip to content
The Well of Daliath
Menu
Menu

Personalities of Glorantha – Blueface the Shaman (1999)

originally published in Griffin Mountain
Location: The Elder Wilds

Illustration by Dario Corallo

There are many shamans in Balazar, but there is only one Blueface. Balazarings say that shaman Blueface is centuries old. Obscure tales place Blueface at the founding of Elkoi and at other ancient events. It is known that the shaman was legendary even when the fathers and grandfathers of the current tribal elders were but children. He is rumored to be nearing godhood.

The truth of the matter is that Blueface, the original Blueface, was an unnamed son of Dykene who took the shaman path. The vigor of the gods ran in his veins and he had an extremely long life, aided by his shamanistic powers. To ensure that the qualities of long life and vigor remained in his offspring, Blueface always abandons his children (begat upon Balazaring tribeswomen) to the wilderness, unaided by humans. It is cruel, and most die, but any survivors unerringly grow in power and strength, and eventually seek out their father. One of these children eventually becomes a shaman and takes the place of his father when the older shaman joins the spirits. The average lifespan of the Blueface shamans is 100 years.

The current shaman bearing the name Blueface is the most powerful of the line since its founder. He is over 200 years old. He appears as an incredibly ancient, physically powerful man with a long white beard. His face is tattooed with stylized runic whorls and swirls, all in brilliant blue. Blueface has HeroQuested many times in his long life. Successful trips have gained him special abilities such as his Possession and Endurance powers, along with magic items like the Eubuck staff.

Blueface is above tribal bickering. He goes wherever special healing or curative powers are needed in Balazar, appearing only when he wishes; otherwise he cannot be found. He is highly respected and feared, even by the Lunars. He is likely to be found wherever some poor hunter is ill, doing his traditional curing for the tribe, Often he may employ others to do tasks for him.

The Priest of Tharkantus [Yelmalio] at Dykene, Sylvanthi Brighteyes, is a son of Blueface. He is ready to become a shaman like his father, but Blueface is not ready to pass on his title.

GREYRUNNER RUNEFANG

During an early HeroQuest, the original Blueface met and aided a great, unique creature known as Greyrunner Runefang. Greyrunner was a huge tiger with flashing fangs which protruded down from between his lips. After the quest, the two made many blood-pacts and declared each other friends and allies, and the pacts have extended to Blueface’s descendants. If Greyrunner should be slain, Blueface will hunt the slayers with undying hatred to avenge his friend.

Whenever Blueface wishes, he need only speak the great cat’s name aloud, and Greyrunner will appear within a few minutes. Blueface may then attempt to possess the body of Runefang, and can remain in that form for up to 24 hours at a time.

Related Pages

  • Personalities of Glorantha – Count Julan (1999)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Cragspider the Firewitch (1999)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Fazzur Wideread (1998)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Gondo Holst (1999)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Joh Mith (1999)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Londra of Londros (1998)
  • Personalities of Glorantha – Ruric Runespear (1998)
  • Personality of the Month – Granny Keeneye (1998)

Sections

  • Search Tips
  • Current RuneQuest Glorantha Publications
  • RuneQuest Glorantha Corrections and Q&A
  • Catalogue
  • References for Glorantha
    • Gloranthan Canon
  • Gloranthan Documents
  • RPG Systems & Versions
  • Gallery
  • Role-playing in Glorantha
  • About This Site
  • Get involved!

Latest Posts

  • Boldhome Embassies

    In general, Gloranthan kingdoms and empires send representatives to each …
  • Yanioth the Red-Haired Huntress

    Yanioth Two-Sight was born in 1577, the daughter of Arene …
  • The Founding of the Colymar Tribe

    Colymar was the son of a farmer of the Orshanti …
  • Chaos and The Great Compromise

    The Spike held Glorantha together in the Gods Time. The …
  • Notes on The Red Goddess and Chaos

    In 1220 ST, great stirrings in the world centered in …

Links

  • Chaosium
  • Glorantha on BRP Central
  • RuneQuest on BRP Central
  • RuneQuest Glorantha on MeWe
  • Glorantha Wiki on Fandom
  • Prince of Sartar Webcomic
  • Glorantha G+ Archives on Tapatalk
  • Search mailing list archive

Latest from BRP Central

  • Timeline Please
  • Out now in hardcover: The Meints Index to Glorantha, 3rd Edition
  • Hyalor Cult?
  • Active sorcery spells
  • Request for info: The "taming" of the Telmori
  • Why would a Golden Bow shaman be adventuring in Sartar? (Alternate question: How old should a shaman be to have an assistant?)
  • help with heroquest idea?
  • Monster Empire
  • Kallyr was busy
  • Adventures in Nochet, Esrolia

Popular Tags

2007 Avalon Hill Boldhome Chaosium Chaos pantheon Cult demographics Cults of Runequest (preview) Ernalda Esrolia (homeland) FR G+ post Greg Stafford Guide to Glorantha (preview) Humakt Issaries Jar-eel Kralorelan pantheon Lunar Empire Lunar Pantheon Magazine Malkioni pantheon Map Maps Michael O’Brien Mongoose Nochet (metropolis) Nomad Gods Oriflam Orlanth Orlanthi pantheon Photo reference Population demographics Prax (homeland) Praxian pantheon RQ3 RQG Sandy Petersen Sartar (homeland) Spirit Cult Subcult Tales of the Reaching Moon Troll Pantheon Yelm Yelmalio Yelm Pantheon

Recently added or updated

  • Boldhome Embassies

  • Yanioth the Red-Haired Huntress

  • The Founding of the Colymar Tribe

  • Chaos and The Great Compromise

  • CHA4032 RuneQuest Glorantha Bestiary – Q&A

  • Protected: CHA4042 – The Prosopaedia (2023)

  • Zaytenera

  • Zotulla

  • Zong the hunter

  • Zzabur

  • Zorak Zoran

  • Zaktirra

  • CHA4028 RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha – Chapter 16 Sorcery Spells Q&A

  • CHA4034 Red Book of Magic – Chapter 02 Rune Magic Spells Q&A (A-M)

  • CHA4028 RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha – Chapter 04 Homelands Q&A

  • CHA4028 RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha – Chapter 07 Combat Q&A pages 206-225

  • London Calling… A wonderful presentation on the Guide to Glorantha project (2013)

  • CHA4035 RQ Starter Set – Book 1 Rules – Q&A

  • CHA4039 The Smoking Ruin and other Stories – Q&A

  • Teelo Norri

©2023 The Well of Daliath | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme