Over on the G+ Group @Steve has been reading the Guide to Glorantha. I asked if anyone was interested in taking part in a group read and discussion of the Guide to Glorantha, so here's my proposal.
I've split Volume 1 up in to 16 weeks worth of reading. I've tried to keep it even and not too taxing - this is reading an Encyclopaedia not a piece of roaring fiction. This will also help us in the discussion here as too much stuff will get lost if we read too much. Just like a book circle/reading group, every week we will read a section on our own. Please make some notes, you might like to base them on some that book circles use (i edited this down, but it should give you an idea):
- What is different from your own culture? What do you find most surprising, intriguing or difficult to understand?
- What are the implications for the future? Are there long- or short-term consequences to the issues raised in the book? Are they positive or negative...affirming or frightening?
- Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...? What was memorable?
- What have you learned after reading this section?
We won't be limiting the chat to just the text, it will cover art and maps too. I've also all the stuff that went into making the guide, not limited to just the sections I worked on. I may be able to show some scrappy maps, hand drawn art and bits that were left out along the way - no promises though!
At the beginning of the week, i'll start a new thread and list the sections at the top. If you want to comment / add you opinion / etc, all I ask is that you've actually read the section. Coming in from the outside without that is not the point of this, but you can of course just go and read the section or join later, drop in and out etc.
Here are the weekly sections (Page counts approximate!):
Week 1 17 Pages
World Structure 7
Introduction 8
Week 2 19 pages
Major Cultures 18
Hsunchen Culture 18
Doraddi Culture 22
Praxian Culture 26
Orlanthi Culture 31
Week 3 20 pages
Pelorian Culture 38 4 pages
Fonritian Culture 43 5 pages
Western Culture 48 6 pages
Kralori Culture 54 5 pages
Week 4 18 pages
Elder Races 59
Aldryami 59
Dragonewts 70
Dragons 77
Week 5 21 pages
The Mostali 81
The Uz 91
Merfolk 103
Week 6 18 pages
Lesser Elder Races 106
Time in Glorantha 111
Mythos & History 113
Week 7 24 pages
The Dawn Age 125
The Second Age 132
The Third Age 140
Week 8 12 pages
Major Pantheons 150
The Hero Planes. 154
Beyond the Middle World 158
Regions of Glorantha 163
Week 9 34 pages
Genertela 166
Dragon Pass 168
Sartar 172
Tarsh 175
The Grazelanders 175
Elder Wilds 191
Week 10 32 pages
Fronela 199
Kingdom of Loskalm 203
Akem 212
Junora 215
Janube River States 216
Jonatela 222
Northern Fronela 229
Week 11 14 pages
Holy Country 234
Caladraland 243
Esrolia 244
Shadow Plateau 244
Heortland 245
God Forgot 248
Week 12 31 pages
Kralorela 260
Boshan Province 268
Hanjan Province 272
Hum Chang Province 275
Jaubon Province 279
Puchai Province 281
Shiyang Province 283
Wanzow Province 285
Chen Durel, the Bliss of Ignorance 286
Week 13 29 pages
Lunar Empire 292
The Lunar Heartland 299
First Blessed 307
Darjiin 309
Doblian 310
Karasal 311
Kostaddi 313
Oraya 314
Oronin 316
Silver Shadow 317
Sylila 319
Carmania 322
Week 14 23 pages
Lunar Provinces 328
Aggar 331
Holay 335
Imther 338
Vanch 339
Talastar 341
Dorastor 342
Lunar Allies 344
Week 15 22 pages
Maniria 350
Pent 363
Week 16 24 pages
Ralios 373
Safelster 375
Vesmonstran 387
East Wilds 393 to 398
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I'll be reading my PDF of the Guide to avoid arm strain. If you don't have copy, you can get one here:
http://www.chaosium.com/the-guide-to-glorantha-pdf/
If you want the print copy in its lovely slip case:
http://www.chaosium.com/the-guide-to-glorantha-pdf/
I will give you all notice of the timings and we'll start in a few weeks - likely a week Monday - 26th July.
