A week or so ago, I had the fortune to receive physical review copies of the two new releases for RuneQuest that are debuting in GenCon 2023. Part of the extensive Cults of RuneQuest series of supplements, The Lightbringers and The Earth Goddesses cover in loving detail the various gods of Glorantha, and perhaps more importantly, how this can enrich your games of RuneQuest.
Today we’re taking a look at The Lightbringers. Named after the group of gods that took on the Lightbringers quest, this supplement is perhaps the most “entry level” as this collection of gods are the ones most likely to be chosen by players (save for Ernalda, who shows up in The Earth Goddesses).
The book opens up with quick primer of what to expect from the book, starting with a primer on the Lightbringers religion and their understanding of the world, a neat map of where the religion is prevalent and a mini-encyclopedia of the Storm Gods and the Lightbringers.
The book then launches into the meat of it’s content, the gods and cults (and subcults!) of the Lightbringers. This book contains no less than nineteen different gods. For the curious, these are:
- Orlanth
- Vinga
- Chalana Arroy
- Eurmal
- Issaries
- Lhankor Mhy
- Barntar
- Daka Fal
- Foundchild
- Gagarth
- Heler
- Humakt
- Lanbril
- Mastakos
- Odayla
- Storm Bull
- Valind
- Waha
- Ygg
- Yinkin
Each god’s chapter is broken down into a treatment of their Mythologies and Histories, the nature and organization of their Religion, and of course the initiations and benefits to Lay, Initiate, Rune Priests and Rune Lords. There’s also sections dedicated to subcults, associated cults and for particularly powerful cults like the Orlanthi, subservient cults.
Among the benefits of the cults are access to spells, and spells from subcults, and for special cases such as Lanbril, the God of Thieves: magical devices.
Each of the chapters is an eye opener for someone as new to the setting as myself, and it’s interesting to see that each Cult really does behave as it’s own religion, despite existing alongside so many others that are capable of their own spells. The writeups are vivid and lovingly crafted, clearly meant to seize the imaginations of players into considering characters for any of these Cults and make them cool.
I should be ashamed to make it this far in my review without mentioning the incredible artwork and layout of this book. Not only is it easy to read, but the colors and vivid illustrations are all powerful and attention-grabbing. I would be more than proud to have these around my home for guests to pore over and marvel at the artwork.
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As a new GM to RuneQuest: Glorantha, I have found The Lightbringers to be a solid addition to the RuneQuest line, easily fitting right alongside The Red Book of Magic as a “must-have” in the line.
It’s an easy volume to hand to players, especially if they’re stuck in bind when it comes to choosing what kind of character to play. Rather than picking a class, the Cult sort of takes that place, filling out so much more than what the character does… but the whys and hows and the morals that inform their choices.
If you’re in GenCon2023, you should be able to grab a copy over at the Chaosium Booth #509. Otherwise you can order a PDF or Physical Copy over at their website when it releases later this month!
Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer 
I can’t help feeling abit disappointed in the lightbringer book, Glorantha has always been about the myths, and the myths of some of the gods is so sparse you dont get much of an idea of their character.
Art work is excellent, and the supporting text good, but really needs some sort of narative to lift.
Saying that I l’d still score it 9/10.
Fair point, there’s not too many of their stories in the Lightbringer book, but I’m hoping the next one scheduled this year, “Mythology” will be more of what you’re looking for!
https://www.chaosium.com/blogreleasing-october-mythology-book-for-the-cults-of-runequest-series/