A New Face for Lanbrilhttp://home.primus.com.au/arkat/runeq.html
Ian Thomson's Unofficial Glorantha Site 
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The Lanbril Cult in Pavis 
There was a flurry of discussion on the Glorantha Digest in March 1998 about the 
infeasibility of the Lanbril cult in Pavis being structured as described in the 
original Pavis supplement. After reading some of this I reluctantly decided that 
some of these people were correct. Whilst a wide-ranging Thieves Guild could 
function in a large enough Gloranthan city, Pavis is not such a place. 
Therefore I have decided in my RQ world to design the Pavis Lanbrilites as 
follows:
Firstly the exceptions - These are foreign Lanbril cultists from large cities 
elsewhere in the continent. Presumably run out of their place of origin, or 
fleeing a few steps ahead of The Law. Such people in my campaign include 
Griselda and Wolfhead. These also illustrate part of the newer concept - that 
Lanbril is not usually a straight Thieves cult, but actually includes brigands, 
pick-pockets, bushwhackers, highwaymen, and all manner of low-life. Although, of 
course, certain Lanbril factions will embrace higher codes of ethics, even to 
being a sort of shadow side of Orlanth Adventurous. (Griselda and Wolfhead 
again.) 
Then, the majority - The Lanbril cult in Pavis is scattered groups of disparate 
individuals - from professional muggers and petty-theft orientated beggars, to 
seasoned brigands that dwell in the Rubble. The most organised branch is the 
group that deals with fencing stolen property (interacting with the local Arin 
cultists), and providing guides and body-guards for expeditions that are not 
quite above the law. Other Lanbrilites with a highish profile are those 
Confidence Men, drunk rollers, and Wide-boys who prey on gullible Pavis 
newcomers. Sometimes this is by promising aid and then disappearing into the 
crowd. And they were probably using the Face of Lanbril spell in the first 
place. Others are some of the outlaws hanging out in the Big Rubble, 
undesirables and neer-do-wells. They use their skills plundering old buildings 
and robbing adventurer parties, and paradoxically out in the Rubble is likely to 
be the only place where formal Lanbril ceremonies are held, with bandits and 
organised con-men/fences mingling periodically to renew Rune spells and practice 
tricks of the trade. A dangerous place at best. Quite a challenge for 
unsuspecting PC Lanbrilis. I contend that it is the prescence of the Big Rubble 
which allows the Lanbril cult to survive in any significance at all in Pavis. 
Paying to learn thieves' skills: 
In normal game terms you might expect these to be from the Lanbril cult 
directly, however I have just explained how such a cult does not properly exist 
here. It may be extant to some degree as close as Furthest or even Boldhome. 
Therefore such things as breaking and entering skills are NOT easily available. 
The Rubble Trackers (Flintnail Dwarves) will teach a variety of related skills 
such as sneaking, opening locks. A suitably specialised Donandar cultist might 
teach acrobatics, foiling restraints etc. Yes after due consideration and with 
great sadness I have relagated the majority of the Lanbrillis in Pavis to a 
bunch of opportunistic bully boys, wide boys, and bandits. You can pay to learn 
from them and to join worship ceremonies in the Rubble, but this is not 
recommended for outsiders and can be extremely hazardous. Technically a 
foreigner paying enough and able to prove cult loyalty should be able to join 
in, but many have had their throats cut just asking too many questions.  There 
are always exceptions: a scattering of Sartarite and Heortlander Lanbrilli from 
cities to the West.  These form a very small organisation that corresponds to 
more recognisable Cult structure, and charge highly for their training and other 
services. 
Lanbril Alchemy 
Over time the thief has stolen many secrets to help him combat magical defences, 
including those of alchemy. In Pavis the cult is in a degenerate form (with a 
few cultured outsiders), and no specialised Lanbril alchemist is known to exist, 
however some Rune Level cultists know rituals to create their own devices. These 
can also be used as template ideas for regular alchemy items. Raw materials cost 
over 100L usually for each item. If non-Lanbrilli can ever purchase alchemical 
items, add 50% to the cost.  Normally such precious resources are not sold to 
outsiders, however rare members of other outlaw cults, such as Arin, Eurmal, or 
Black Fang might form professional relationships and be allowed to purchase at 
an extra 50% of the price. 
Lanbril Special Alchemy Devices: 
Potions - knowledge varies by local cult. Each costs 1POW to activate, and 
around 150L per spell point to buy within the cult. 
Thunder Lung Dust - Cost 10,000L to learn, and the ritual costs 1POW but creates 
6 lots (8 on a Special Success, 10 on a Critical). Used by breaking a special 
flask. Anyone taken by surprise inhales unless rolling half CON or less as %. If 
aware that the Lanbrilli is up to something the full CON may be used, and if 
experienced in Lanbril devices 2CON. Coughing, sneezing and respiratory stress 
are caused in a large cloud of dust. The cloud dissipates at various rates 
depending on air flow, and may take several minutes in a still room. Escaping 
the dust the effects linger for minutes, with each minute allowing 2CON as % to 
fully recover. To buy within the cult is 1,000L 
Visibility Dust - Costs 5,000L to learn. Most details as Thunder Lung, but its 
effect is to cling to any invisible creature or item caught in the cloud, as 
well as reveal any areas of magical effect, such as Wardings. To buy within the 
cult - 1,500L 
Scent-Stop Dust - Details as Thunder Lung except it is sprinkled on a trail, and 
double the amount of portions is created for POW. Prevents any tracking by 
scent, blocking nasal passages. To buy within the cult 500L 
Stink Dust - As Scent Stop, but the reverse, and not pleasant. Very hard to wash 
out, like skunk smell. To buy within the cult - 500L 
Sleep Dust - as Thunder Lung, but costs 1000L per point of POT to learn, and 
puts victims to sleep for several minutes if they fail to resist. To buy within 
cult - 300L per POT. 
Smoke Bombs - Cost 7,000L to learn and creates a much bigger cloud that blankets 
an area. The duration is reduced to only a couple of minutes in an open area, 
but longer in an enclosed space. Cost within cult 1,000L for powders, 3,000L for 
throwable globe of liquid. 
Flares - 10,000L to learn process, as Thunder Lung but double the amount of 
items made. Can be made to burn in any colour, or even propel burning material 
into the air. Used to provide light at a moment's notice without worrying about 
MP, and the good ones last for up to 20 minutes. 
Masks - A Lanbril hero also invented protective masks. These are hoods that can 
be fixed inside a helm or other headgear and pulled down quicly to use. They are 
magical rather than scientific, and etched with various Runes. The most common 
masks protect from three types of Lanbril alchemical effect, others may protect 
from several, and a few rare items may protect from many. Lanbrilli may buy them 
from the cult (if available) for 500L per effect they work against. They are 
created at a cost of 1POW for each three effects that the mask shields the 
wearer from. Additionally the masks must be attuned to the owner in a Lanbril 
ritual, and will only function when within 15yds of the (living) owner. 
Alchemists of any cult are a branch of sorcery and spend the vast majority of 
their time in study and production, which means also a higher than usual rate of 
regaining POW. This makes professional alchemists a bad choice for PCs. Active 
thief characters will obviously be loathe to spend POW often, which makes 
Lanbril Rune Levels treat the items like precious Rune Spells. (Although of 
course the successful Lanbrilli in areas where the cult presence is notable can 
buy them at exhorbitant rates from cult alchemists.)