In a seemingly crazy turn of events, discussion on the RPR Discord about the fact that you can play Ducks and Baboons (and most other creatures) in RuneQuest has led to thought of offering a new Monday Night Roleplay session wherein Ducks go to Griffin Island.

Because I began my deepest explorations into fantasy roleplaying games with RuneQuest – that classic stalwart which birthed Basic Roleplaying and gave life to Glorantha – I am always attracted to conversations about what makes RQ so cool.

One of the things I like about RQ/BRP is the way that you could play pretty much any of the intelligent species without having to mess around with making up “character classes” or “races” (like in D&D). Because the creatures use the same stats as the PCs, the GM can allow (or not) any creature as a playable species.

In talking about Ducks and Baboons as playable, something which on the surface has always seemed laughable to me, the reality is that the RQ/BRP approach allows easy integration of such innovations. Which brings me to Griffin Island.

RuneQuest II gave us Griffin Mountain. RuneQuest III presented Griffin Island which many deride as a cheap knockoff of the former (which is a bit harsh). In a moment of delirium, I suggested that maybe it’d be fun for those interested in playing Ducks and Baboons to take ship to Griffin Island.

My simulationist mind rails at such horrifying mash-ups while my inner child grins with wanton glee!

Perhaps there is some wondrous combination of Gloranthan lore and generic fantasy which can deliver a joyful experience when we dream of such creations. The point, I suppose, is that with RQ/BRP such games are easily brought to life.

What is the point of this nonsense? The joy of playful imagination, the delight of doing the unexpected, and the agency that roleplaying games afford us.

Why are we always so poe-faced in our fantasy? For me, the opportunity to meet online friends for an additional Monday Night session might make this idea tempting enough.

Game on!