Jonstown Jottings #12: Geiron, Lord of Elephants

Much like the Miskatonic Repository for Call of Cthulhu, Seventh Edition, the  Jonstown Compendium is a curated platform for user-made content, but for material set in Greg Stafford's mythic universe of Glorantha. It enables creators to sell their own original content for RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha and HeroQuest Glorantha (Questworlds). This can include original scenarios, background material, cults, mythology, details of NPCs and monsters, and so on, but none of this content should be considered to be ‘canon’, but rather fall under ‘Your Glorantha Will Vary’. This means that there is still scope for the authors to create interesting and useful content that others can bring to their Glorantha-set campaigns.

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What is it?
Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants is a short supplement presenting a great beast akin to a ‘Terror’, but which is not Chaotic, for RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha.

It is an eight page, full colour, 2.16 MB PDF.

Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants is well presented and decently written.

Where is it set?
Geiron is rarely seen outside of the Spirit World and when he is, it is at one of the oases of Prax and the Wastelands. In particular, the oases of Eiritha’s Print, Greystone Well, and Agape, and once a century for Eiritha’s High Holy Day at the Paps where he joins in the celebrations.

Who do you play?
Geiron, Lord of Elephants, the King of the Elephant Tribe in Genert’s Garden, who sacrificed his tribe at the Battle of Earthfall, so that Genert’s army could flee. Thus, none of the Elephant Tribe survived to swear the Survival Covenant with Waha.
What do you need?
Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants requires both RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha and RuneQuest – Glorantha Bestiary. 

What do you get?
Behind its excellent cover, Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants describes a great spirit beast whose statures is that of a ‘Terror’, but associated with the Earth rather than Chaos. Full stats are provided for him as well a detailed background which explains why and where he appears in the Middle World. Two adventure seeds are provided, one in which the Lord of Elephants can be hunted and the other in which he must be placated. Lastly, the Geiron Spirit Cult is detailed for the Shaman wanting to worship a long lost great beast. This is supported the unique Rune magic and the specialised Spirit magic associated with the cult and a list of sample Elephant spirits.

Although Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants falls into the category of ‘Your Glorantha May Vary’, this is a nicely detailed addition. If there is an issue with the supplement, it is that the rewards for completing the adventure could have been discussed or included to help the Game Master out a little more.

Is it worth your time?
Yes. If you are running a campaign or adventure set in Prax, Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants is worth your time and interest. Plus in terms of the game mechanics, Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants showcases how to create a ‘Terror’ which is not associated with Chaos.
No. If your campaign or adventure is not set on the plains of Prax, then Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants is unlikely to be of interest to you.
Maybe. An encounter with Geiron might come about as part of a quest and mastodons, which are part of his domain, may be found elsewhere, plus in terms of the game mechanics, Monster of the Month #2: Geiron, Lord of Elephants showcases how to create a ‘Terror’ which is not associated with Chaos.