Reaching Moon Megacorp's Life of Moonson

Ul-Rika

The Still Voice of Molanni

Gloranthan Folk Tales

Gloranthan Songbook

Moonie Madness

• Life of Moonson

Carmanian Sources

Malkioni Scriptures

You are the Still Voice of Molanni, or as your thousands of fans and devotees across the Empire know you, Ul-Rika or "The Weather Girl". You lead the cult of Molanni, goddess of the calm air, and through it help control the weather in the Empire, ensuring that crops are given time enough to grow and ripen. Part of your role is supporting the annual Kalikos icebreaker expeditions, which do battle with the ice demons on Valind's Glacier and prevent Peloria suffering the freezing winters of old. You have won the affection of the people of Glamour by sending each night a gentle scouring rain to wash the accumulated grime and filth into the waiting gutters, leaving the splendid city gleaming and shining in the early light of dawn each morning. Your other major responsibility is controlling Moonboat access to the City of Glamour.

In your former life you were Johana, the only daughter of Princess Anderida of Raibanth, a powerful agent of the Provincial Overseer Appius Luxius (who you still affectionately call "uncle"). Despite being born of the blood imperial - you are the great great great great granddaughter of Moonson himself, after all - following the death of your father Anderida turned her back on the life of privilege and luxury in Raibanth you were entitled to and packed you off to a dull Deezola convent in the provinces while she travelled the borders of the Empire as one of the Lunar Coders. Though she wrote regularly, it was her yearly visits that brightened your growing up; that, and the interesting company she kept, including the strikingly handsome Count Julan, leader of the Coders.

On your eighteenth birthday, instead of the customary present in the mail you were surprised when your mother herself turned up, bearing news that was both joyous and dreadful: in recognition of her lifetime of service, she was about to be promoted to an honorary post on the Red Moon itself, effective immediately! Realising this would leave alone on the world below, your mother urged you to accept Count Julan's offer of marriage. What with your teenage crush on the dashing officer, with a giddy head and great sense of excitement you left the boring confines of convent and went to court as his fiancee.

That was 12 years ago; today, you are still not married, though Julan has been dropping hints again of late. However, you've now got a career to make! Julan was posted to Glamour at the same time as your mother's glorious accession to the Moon, and helped you secure the position of Still Voice of Molanni, for which you changed your name to Ul-Rika. Though it had always been a post for senators to put aside drab un-marriageable daughters, you have brought grace, poise, good fashion-sense and a bubbly personality to the role. Through your regular weather forecasts, sent by Moonboat to all ends of the Empire, you have won the hearts of the people, and see yourself as a role model for young folk everywhere.

You now see the Weathergirl as just a beginning: it's now time to move on (and up!) In your sights is the post of General Guide for the Lunar Spirit, currently held by dowdy old Icilius Overholy. Icilius's Army of Salvation are an ardent lot for sure, possessed with admirable missionary zeal. However, you're sure their activities among the uncouth barbarians of the south could only prosper if they had proper guidance about deportment, grooming and fashionable clothing!

Although General Guides usually hold that post for seven years, Icilius's named successor disappeared mysteriously in Sartar, and she has nearly served out all of an unprecedented second term. The true story of what happened has never got out, but if Icilius was implicated, you could use this information to your advantage. Julan knows what happened, but refuses to tell you anything about it because it is "classified".

Part of your success has been that as Weather Girl, you are always the bearer of good news: in recent years summers have been warm, winters mild and harvests plentiful. However, this hinges of the success on the annual Kalikos icebreaker missions, which you have always taken a measure of personal credit for. You have heard disquieting rumours that this year's expedition is in danger of failure. You must seek out the Red General and confirm if it is indeed true the navy has lost all contact with the icebreaker ship Red Storm Season, sent north several weeks ago. The consequences of failure for the Empire are disturbing and, even worse, would be embarrassing and potentially disastrous for you! You must ensure the mission succeeds at all costs!

Moonson recently granted you responsibility for the Moonboat routes that criss-cross the Empire, and you have enjoyed equipping the fleet with specially-trained and beautifully groomed hostesses. You control Moonboat access to the City of Glamour, and any Moonboat docking at the Citadel of Halfway needs a special clearance code from yourself. Unfortunately, you recently misplaced the scroll of clearance codes and frantically need it back. Alas, a Moon Boat crash has already been reported in Arrolia and though you do not yet know if it was due to a faulty clearance code, you must ensure that if the story gets out, the blame isn't stuck on you!

Several nights ago, an unscheduled Moonboat docked and then departed at the Moonport using the missing codes. You didn't say anything then lest the book's disappearance was noted. You lost the codes while visiting a, ahem, "friend" in the city, the brawny gladiator Hunter (aka Acutus, Prefect of the Mother's Guard).

As Ul-Rika, part of the people's love for you is your appealing combination of desirability, availability... and purity. For this reason, you have put off marriage to Julan. However, because he is far too decent to have his way with you before the wedding, you have had to find pleasure in the arms of others, often as not low-born types from the Circus. You find Hunter's coarse nature and wanton appetites an exciting alternative to Julan's often stuffy moral rectitude. However, you do harbour strong ambitions for your fiancee, who you feel is wasted as a mere Captain of the Imperial Bodyguard. You are sure he knows nothing of your amorous dalliances, and would like to keep it that way.

Background

The Nobles of the Silver Shadow

You were born into a family of the purest Lunar blood, within the mystical Silver Shadow cast by the Red Moon herself. Silver Shadow Sultanate is at the centre of the Lunar Heartlands, and its ruling families are descended from the Imperial House, through consorts and concubines of bygone Masks of Moonson.

The land is the throbbing, pulsating heart of Imperial power, glory and decadence. From your earliest youth, you have been observing the potentates of the Court, avoiding - or profiting from - entanglement in their intrigues, equally at home in the grand avenues of Glamour and the luxurious villas beneath the Crater's lofty crags.

There is no Sultan of Silver Shadow: this sultanate is ruled by Moonson himself.

The Cult of Molanni, the Calm Air

Daughter of Air Gods, Molanni joined her kinsmen's enemy Yelm and her cult remains part of the Sun God's pantheon. While her kin are changeable and violent, she is still, stagnant and calm. Whatever importance the cult might have in the Lunar Empire is subsumed by the Red Goddess's own struggles for the Middle Air. The cult helps control the weather in Peloria, and supports the annual expeditions to Valind's Glacier.

You lead the cult in the Lunar Empire.

Objectives

Personal

1. Increase your political power and prestige, whether through your own actions by gaining important offices, or those of a suitable (and malleable) male friend (or friends).
   
   
2. Continue your affair with Acutus, or find someone else young, virile, interesting, and discrete enough to keep you amused. If they can assist your ambitions all the better!
   
   
3. Stay with Julan for as long as his star shines (push him to be more ambitious). Only marry him if it will assist in your personal objectives. If he creates any problems for your career or prospects then arrange for the problem to be removed (tidily).
   
   
4. Why did your mother get kicked upstairs when she did? Was she involved in some sort of scandal?

Career

1. Make regular announcements about the local weather in Glamour and elsewhere. Work to provide the perfect weather for every occasion.
   
   
2. Ensure that the Moonport operates effectively, and only moonboats with the correct clearance codes land and depart. Getting that code book back would help!
   
   
3. Be a role-model and example to all by showing off your good deportment, grooming, fashion sense and perky personality.

Religious

1. Ensure that the Kalikos Icebreaker mission is a success at all costs.
   
   
2. Become an Examiner of the Moon. You will need to be voted in by the current Examiners.
   
   
3. Ensure Moonson declares next year to be a Red (Full) Moon year. People get so hot and bothered if they think things are going badly for the Empire.

Who You Know

Personal Acquaintances

Princess Anderida of Raibanth (former Lunar Coder, NPC): Your mother was received your glorious accession to the Moon about a decade ago. She was still in her prime, and you wonder why she was 'kicked upstairs' so young.

Acutus, Prefect of the Mother's Guard: he is also known as the gladiator Hunter. You secretly take comfort in his arms because Julan is too scrupled to sleep with you before your marriage. He once whispered in your ear that he and his men controlled Glamour and could "sell it to the highest bidder".

Appius Luxius, the Provincial Overseer: "Uncle" Appius still dotes on you, and has the ear of Moonson himself. Exploit this connection for all its worth.

Count Julan, Captain of the Imperial Bodyguard: Your dashing, splendidly handsome fiancee. So upright, so virtuous, it's no wonder he has not made much headway in his career in a court where the skills to get ahead are those of gossip and petty intrigue. You have no such scruples however, and dream of one day being his consort when he has achieved greatness (only then might you consent to marrying him!)

Through your Career

Deneskerva, or Great Sister: She is the sister of Moonson and daughter of the Red Goddess. She wields incredible power. Her daughter the Lunar hero Inandana is on board the Red Storm Season.

Jar-eel the Razoress, Lunar Hero: Your idol. You see her as a kindred spirit, and would love to impress her and win her affection and support.

Paulis Longvale, millionaire senator: a charming man who interests you greatly. There is something about him, perhaps a sense of danger or an aura of power?

Through your Religion

Icilius Overholy, the General Guide of the Lunar Spirit: Her term is coming to an end and you want to replace her. Be careful you don't suffer an "accident" like the last person chosen to succeed her.

The Red Dancer of Power, Directress of the Seven Year Plan: The General Guide reports to the Red Dancer, who is Chief Missionary of the Lunar religion. It would be useful to get her on your side.

Through your Culture

Other Knowledge

The Icebreakers are enchanted vessels which carry the Kalikos Icebreaker missions across the White Sea to face the ice demons of Valind's Glacier and keep the Lunar Heartlands fertile and free of bad weather.

The Moonboats are magical aerial craft, propelled by the moonlight. Within the Empire, they are used for rapid transport of troops and supplies. Their use beyond the Glowline is more limited, as the cyclical phases of the Moon and the untamed forces of Storm can leave them grounded or even damaged.

The Crimson Bat is a monstrous Chaotic demon, the Empire's ultimate deterrent. Once unleashed, it devours all who oppose it, a terrifying weapon of atrocity which has greatly aided the peace-making efforts of the Red Army. The Chief Feeder of the Crimson Bat controls this demon, taking orders from the Director of the Field School of the Lunar College of Magic.

Beatpot's Moonrock Café is a chain of fashionable eating houses based upon the culinary genius of Beatpot Aelwrin, the notorious rebel slave turned loyal soldier of the Empire. These establishments are noted for their garish decor (usually celebrating Jar-eel the Razoress) and ostentatious exteriors (complete with a glowing and revolving Red Moon). They have spread from the original restaurant in Dragon Pass (now closed) into the Empire. The flagship restaurant is in Glamour, and often boasts the presence of Beatpot Aelwrin himself in its kitchens.

Unfortunately, the restaurants have recently come under attack from some elements of the religious establishment who regard the restaurant's concept and execution as blasphemous and disrespectful to Rufelza. In addition, close supporters of Great Sister have also questioned the culinary and nutritional value of many of the dishes served.

Secrets

• Ul-Rika is the daughter of the ex-Coder Princess Anderida.
  
  
• Ul-Rika is having a secret affair with Acutus, Prefect of the Mother's Guard.
  
  
• Acutus, Prefect of the Mother's Guard is also the masked gladiator, Hunter.
  
  
• The secret to success is proper grooming and fashion sense.
  
  
• Ul-Rika controls Moonboat access with her landing codes.

Special Items

• Molanni's Magic Wand. This magical pointy stick allows you to influence the weather.

Reaching Moon Megacorp's Life of Moonson was written by Nick Brooke, Chris Gidlow,David Hall and Kevin Jacklin, with Rick Meints and MOB. The lead author for Ul-Rika was David Hall.

Glorantha, HeroQuest, Hero Wars, and Issaries are trademarks of Issaries, Inc. The contents of this page are copyright by David Hall , 2001; any material derived from Greg Stafford's world of Glorantha is also copyright by Greg Stafford. Glorantha is the creation of Greg Stafford, and is used with his permission.