[Glorantha] Authority and Official

[Orlanth Umathi]

If we strim down the word Authority we see at its root, Author.

The potential problem of fan publications is the possibility that 
someone with real cynical business acumen could steal the whole thing 
from right under Greg's nose. Leaving him unable to publish anything 
Gloranthan ever again. You may think this could never happen, I can 
assure you that this has happened to many creative people throughout 
history.

There is and always will be a conflict between the world of free 
creative authorship and the world of publication.

Plus, a published world needs at least an agreed solid vision. Think how 
angry trekkies get over inconsistencies!

I don't think you can accuse anyone currently related to Glorantha of 
profiteering, we are all too far down the creative authorship side to 
really 'get' the cynical business world, this leaves us vulnerable.

If HQ was attempting to make money it would have jumped onto the D20 
bandwagon 3 years ago and would now be spinning off its own system 
before d20 self destructs in the face of a possible, pure profiteering, 
non-d20 D&D4.

That my friends is the world where role-playing equals profit. And, to 
be cynical, that is the only way to make roleplayers part with cash in 
sufficient quantity to keep a business going. Recycle and rewrite and 
market like crazy.

Why do you think Avalon Hill reprinted everything (in its own way). 
Contrast with current Gloranthan publications, the only reprints are the 
stuff that newcomers are desperate to get hold of but are almost 
unavailable on the second-hand market.

Your Real World May Vary.

Jamie