Old RuneQuest Anybody still play?

[Evilroddy]

Reading over this forum it seems that older versions of RuneQuest are not played that much any more. I liked the old versions c. RQ II/III/IV and wonder why it was abandoned so completely in the 2000’s. It was a good system with some tweaks and revisions and it seemed a shame to throw that all away. Does anybody still use these old rules to run a campaign or am I really out in the wilderness, a sluggish dinosaur among nimble mammals? I just feel that Hero Wars and HeroQuest did not do it for me and my gaming circle. I loved the detail of older versions of RuneQuest and frankly do not want to change. So from one dinosaur to another is there anyone out there or did the mini-Cretaceous Extinction of the 2000’s get us all?
Old Fossil Rod Robertson.

[Emmanuel Ponette]

I plan to move to RQ6. I still have all my RQII/III books but I’d like to give RQ6 a try.

[Joerg Baumgartner]

I am still a RQ3 dinosaur, too (triceratops, to be exact), but I don’t get to practise my sluggish gait much. I have played RQ6 as a player, and given the choice between participating in a RQ6 or RQ3 game I’d choose RQ6, but when it comes to ease of handling the system, neither HeroQuest nor RQ6 come even close to the ease with which I can handle RQ3 mechanics. Even HQ gets more in the way of my narrating than RQ3.

[Evilroddy]

So one evolving to RQ 6 and one on the fence. That’s an interesting image – a triceratops balanced precariously on a fence! And me, the old fart who will not change. Well at least there’ll be a little more petroleum for the future! Come on, there must be more saurian reactionaries out there willing to speak up and move back to the future. Rise up Jurassic gamers and let the world know you are here! Forward in a backward direction! Advance to the rear! Make yourselves heard (or in the triceratops’ case “herd”). Don’t leave me alone in the wilderness.

[Niall]

Heres a forum for RQII
http://gringlespawnshop.proboards.com

I play RQII frequently online as it seems to be the one ruleset that I can attract lots of PBP players. I’m running one at the moment set in the Wastes.

To be honest HQII is the best rules for me when playing in Glorantha as it fits my vision of how everything should be, perfectly. I haven’t bothered with changing to RQ6 from RQII, though I might once they sort out it’s Glorantha side. My major problem with the RQ games is that I can’t be bothered with combats anymore and find one or two rolls of the dice far preferable to the handfuls and handfuls in RQ.

That said I have huge fun running my RQII PBP games, and they’re full of hitting things and taking folk’s loot. Though the dice rolling drives me to distraction as mentioned.

The fun has a lot to do with the players it attracts I think, as we’re all recapturing the Glorantha of our youth, filled with zany, oddball stuff. Whilst Heroquest’s Glorantha is far more esoteric for some.

[Evilroddy]

Niall: Thanks for the link. I find HQ and HQII to be difficult because the players argue incessantly about augments and whether certain skills and feats apply to any given situation. The game degenerates into a tawdry court-room drama and that drives me nuts.
Joerg “the Triceratops”: Pardon my slowness on the up-take, but I wish to thank you for your excellent work on the Heortlands and the Civil War of 1617 – 18. While my narrative was different, I readily admit to stealing many of your great ideas and personalities and adapting them to my game. Your work was an inspiration and a joy to read and tinker with. Bravo!
Cheers to all!
Rod Robertson.

[Simon Phipp]

We still play RQ3-ish, with a lot thrown in from HeroQuest/Legend/RQ6.

I like HeroQuest and we still play that, but out current campaign is RQ.

[Lawrence]

Evilroddy, the older versions of RQ remain fine games. RQ2 and RQ3 have their own pros and cons, carry special memories, and handle things in different ways that remain appealing even in the face of new editions. Don’t feel bad about sticking with the older versions: it all a question of works well for you and your players. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. And I say this as RQ6’s publisher!

[Evilroddy]

Well Lawrence, when the RQ6 are back in stock I will have a look at them and maybe, just maybe, I’ll see the light of enlightenment. Until then it’s RQ 2/3/4 for me!
Cheers.
Rod Robertson.

[Gil]

I play RQ2 and a little RQ3. I just wish new Gloranthan adventures/packs would come out… RQ2, 3 or 6. HQ doesnt quite do it for me.

[Evan Hughes]

I ran a campaign around the time of the RQ Renaissance in the early 90s, using RQ3. I’ve thought about starting it back up again, but I’m in two minds about which way to go.

I’d like to try HQ, but my friends are pretty much unreconstructed simulationists, so something with dice and measurable skill sets rather than a narrative style system is probably the way to go.

But if we do kick it off again, we’ll probably go with RQ3. Of course, assuming I ever get around to getting a copy of RQ6, I will definitely give it a go!

[Steve Quinn]

I recently started a new RQII campaign with non-Runequesters which has run swimmingly to date, although they are still trying to get their heads around a world with such a high focus on religion. I am going to the old standby of Pavis and environs in 1613. The players really seem to enjoy the grittiness of the system.

[Ralph Hayward]

Given half a chance, I’d play RQ2 till the Shadow Cats come home. Sadly, I’ve never found anyone in the UK/West Midlands with much interest in the Chaosium days.

I still do the odd mournful run into Scorpion hall for old sake’s sake.

Just got hold of RQ6, which looks good so far…

[Baron Eric Greystone]

Me, me! I am an unabashed RQ2 fan! I prefer its take on things to all that followed, although when I run it I dial down the rules somewhat to make things move faster.

And I have to say (again) that Loz’ attitude towards other rules systems is amazingly open-minded, and I really appreciate that. I’ve even joined a PBP RQ6 game as a player, although his take on the rules isn’t my preference. The success of RQ6 can only help the BRP/d100 family of games, and hopefully Gloranthan gaming as well.

[Steve Quinn]

I’d invite you to play in my campaign Ralph, but I live across the pond in the land of ice and snow, Canada. And I might add it is awfully icy and snowy today, a mere -25 or so centigrade.
I have seen now a site for online gaming which includes mapping, rolling, speech communication and other tools to allow you to play RPG’s online with others. It might be an option if you are lacking local players.
Roll20.net is the site, if you are interested. Nicest thing is it’s system neutral, although I haven’t really used much of it myself yet, not having the need.

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