Getting Started in Glorantha: A Beginner’s Guide to RuneQuest

I first discovered RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha nearly two years ago, starting with the acclaimed Six Seasons in Sartar campaign. Since then, I’ve dived deeper into the world of Glorantha, a rich and mythological setting that sets RuneQuest apart from other fantasy TTRPGs. It took just one session to get me hooked. Now, we have completed that campaign and are onto its sequel.

So what was so appealing that it hooked me right away?

It was Glorantha as a setting. The over 50 years of lore (beginning with Greg Stafford’s earliest writings in the 1960s), lovingly dealt out without overwhelming you. It is a world where things are truly fantastical; the gods do exist and influence the world around you; you are a hero from the first day, and somehow become even more powerful as you go. Magic is part of everyday life, and mythology is the basis of reality.

There are too many things I find fascinating about Glorantha to share here. My goal is to highlight the things that have caught my attention and made me want to explore the world of Glorantha further. I’ve only been a player; however, after working on getting the Starter Set onto Quest Portal, I feel more confident in running a game set in Glorantha.

The knowledge required to run a game of the RuneQuest TTRPG might seem intimidating at first. However, the RuneQuest Starter Set has done a fantastic job of simplifying the setting and the important parts of the lore.

A World Shaped by Myth

Glorantha does well in shaping the individual as much as shaping the world. People hold allegiance to a tribe, city, and cult, and it’s there that your hero starts to take shape. Each cult has its devotion to a god, yet there is room for multiple gods in a tribe. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the central theme in Glorantha is religion and the magical relationship between the people and the gods.

Image from the RuneQuest RPG Wiki - fantastic resource!

So, where does that leave you, the hero? In Glorantha, you are spoiled for choice in what type of hero you want to play. Do you want to lean more into fighting, magic, knowledge, leading, healing, soothsaying, smooth-talking, or doing deals? You can easily go deep into one area or combine them for a bit of everything. It all comes down to the cult you choose, the tribe you belong to, the city you grew up in, and the decisions you make for your character.

However, during the six seasons in the Gloranthan calendar, you also have a role in society. Be it farming, herding, scribing, leading, law enforcement, managing a household, crafting, or performing other Bronze Age duties. The dichotomy between everyday life and your life as a hero is one of the things I cherish the most about this world.

No setting comes near Glorantha in its diversity and richness. It’s truly a unique place, and it's no surprise that it has influenced works like A Game of Thrones, The Elder Scrolls, and Warcraft.

The Bronze Age Aesthetic: Glorantha as a fantasy setting

Glorantha is not just a fantasy setting; it evokes a world rooted in deep myth and ancient history, more like prehistory than classical antiquity. Its societies reflect a Bronze Age civilization, where bronze, not iron, is the dominant metal used for tools and weapons. Writing is rare and prestigious, practiced by a small professional class, most notably the scribes of the Lhankor Mhy cult (my first cult!). Urban life flourishes in cities like Nochet, Boldhome, and Furthest, which serve as cultural and political hubs.

In Glorantha, allegiance is personal and cultural, not ideological. People are loyal to their tribes, cities, deities, and cults, not to abstract principles or universal religions. An adventurer's place in the world shapes their birth, social role, or profession, connecting them to a specific cult. The idea of "conversion" in the modern religious sense is alien here. Instead, joining a new cult usually means adding a god, not replacing one.

Initially, I was struck by Glorantha’s familiarity. It might be the Nordic feel to the Orlanthi tribes presented in Six Seasons in Sartar. However, after playing beyond that adventure and reading more about the world of Glorantha, I can confidently say that the familiarity is born out of the level of detail put into the world.

The Magic of the Mundane and Mythical: Rune Magic, Spirit Magic, and Sorcery

Magic is as much a part of Glorantha as the people there. It’s everywhere, within everyone. Magic shapes people's lives, from the rituals to ensure better crops to the lightning called down to strike enemies. There are three distinct types of magic: Rune, Spirit, and Sorcery. The Runes are the ultimate source of power for all kinds of magic.

Rune magic relies on the power supplied by the gods to cast spells. The adventurer sacrifices permanent power to gain Rune points, which are then used to cast powerful divine magic. Rune magic is powerful and comes in limited supply.

Spirit magic involves communication with the spirits that reside in the natural energy currents of the world. Spirit Magic is common and basic compared to Rune magic. To cast spells, the adventurer concentrates upon the spirits they have a focus with and alters the spiritual energy currents to create their desired effects. Powerful spirit magicians can travel into the Spirit World to directly interact with spirits.

Sorcery involves the study of the Runes as permanent and indestructible laws of the universe. This logical approach imposes the caster’s will upon the material world. Sorcery is less common in the lands of Dragon Pass.

I was pleasantly surprised that there is no division into spellcasters and others. Every fighter can channel their spirit magic to become more powerful and lethal in combat. Similarly, a person tending their farm can use innate magic to influence the world around them. Then, some delve deeper into the magic and become shamans or sorcerers.

It is easy to fall in love with the approach to magic within Glorantha, a highlight of the setting and the RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha system.

Can you make it more mythical, please? The Elder Races of Glorantha

Humans are the dominant species in Glorantha. You’ll also encounter the Elder Races, ancient peoples who predate humanity and still hold great power in Glorantha. They are unique and distinctive, often portrayed with more mythological nuance than in other fantasy settings. The Elder Races predate humans, and some among them are powerful enough to dominate significant parts of the world, though some live alongside humankind.

Aldryami are Glorantha’s elves, but are closer to plants than mammals. The Broo are foul creatures of Chaos, brutal beyond belief, and take on various forms, though most that survive are vaguely humanoid. Dragonnewts are enigmatic beings on a path of spiritual draconic evolution, linked to True Dragons, and are said to be the eldest creatures in Glorantha. They have their type of magic and are quite secretive. Merfolk are water-living but air-breathing creatures with finned feet, arms, and hands. The Mostali, commonly called dwarves, are underground dwellers, crafters of unparalleled skill and mortal foes of elves and trolls. The Trolls are a matriarchal society that doesn’t bother with civilized niceties.

Alongside these powerful Elder Races are many smaller, less significant species such as Centaurs, ducks (yes! fully sentient ducks!), giants, and even intelligent baboons.

In my exploration of Glorantha, I’ve had limited experience with the Elder Races. After being a long-time Dungeons & Dragons Game Master, I’ve come to view the different races/species as just humans with different flavors. That’s why the Elder Races feel so special in Glorantha. They are rare and unique.

How to get started with Glorantha: The RuneQuest Starter Set

I was lucky to get introduced to Glorantha through a very experienced Game Master. Their knowledge of the world, the myths, and the magics allowed me to get hooked. The knowledge required to run a game of the RuneQuest TTRPG might seem intimidating at first. However, the RuneQuest Starter Set has done a fantastic job of simplifying the setting and the important parts of the lore.

Two short books are provided as part of the Starter Set: Book 1, which focuses on the rules, and Book 2, which dives into the world of Glorantha and the city of Jonstown. Both do an excellent job of making it feel doable to get started.

In Quest Portal VTT, we have made it even easier to get started by making the three adventures in the Starter Set accessible with a click of a button. All characters and NPCs are set up for you, and scenes with soundscapes are ready. This allows you to focus on the story and not worry about data entry. If you want to get a grip on the system before running it with your group, the Starter Set includes a fantastic SoloQuest that you can run alone. It is meant to introduce you to the rules and the setting of Glorantha.

If you want to try it, you can get a copy of the RuneQuest RPG Starter Set, which includes access to all the books, all adventures, and the SoloQuest.

Checkout our blog on creating characters in RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha.

Images from Chaosium's website.