Release [Chaosium] New for RuneQuest Classic: 1992's Sun County returns

[Michael O'Brien]

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Sun County in Prax is a small enclave of staunchly independent farmers. Their stubborn ways have resisted nomads, famine and drought for centuries. Strangers are not welcome in the Land of the Sun, but many are drawn there by the promise of gold, fame, and adventure. Do you dare enter the Sun Dome lands?

New for RuneQuest Classic – Sun County is a Gloranthan campaign supplement for RuneQuest's 3rd edition, first published in 1992. This fully remastered version is available now in three formats:

• PDF (which of course didn't exist in 1992) – $11.99
• Soft cover with B&W interior, like the original version – $23.99 (price inc PDF);
• and a new special hard cover version with color interior, thanks to talents of Chaosium 'head of nostalgia' Rick Meints and community ambassador/guru Nick Brooke – $35.99 (price inc PDF).

RPG historian Shannon Appelcline (Designers & Dragons) has written a new foreword for the book. In it he describes how Sun County was "an instant classic" on release. It ushered in a short-lived but brilliant 'RuneQuest Renaissance" for the game's third edition, with a further five well-regarded Gloranthan titles released from 1992-1995 under the creative auspices of 'Rune Czar' Ken Rolston. Shannon also notes that such is Sun County's influence on Gloranthan creators, the themes and settings of the "RuneQuest Renaissance" are still strongly reflected today in Chaosium's Jonstown Compendium community content program.

What the reviewers say

"It feels a bit ridiculous to sit here in 2024 and have to say nice things about Sun County. Telling you Sun County stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the greatest RQ game books (or heck, game books in general) feels like explaining that water is wet and chocolate is really good. It feels like something we just all know. Yet RuneQuest Roleplaying in Glorantha has initiated a lot of new members into the Glorantha Tribe, and they need to know how good this book was (and now "is")... Sun County is a must for Glorantha fans, particularly those who enjoy its spiritual successors like the Sandheart series or Life and Traditions under the Sun Dome." — Andrew Logan Montgomery.

"The new edition has been carefully crafted to maintain the integrity of the original while incorporating modern touches. Enhanced with color interiors in its hardcover version, it serves both as a nostalgic piece for long-time fans and an accessible entry point for new players. This edition includes scenarios, detailed cultural and historical notes, and contributions from a talented team of creators, including Michael O’Brien, Ken Rolston, and Greg Stafford, among others." — Tabletop Gaming News.

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Note: as with our other RuneQuest Classic titles, Sun County has not been updated to use the current edition of the rules. Conversion notes are in the back of the RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha Core Rulebook or download the free conversion guide.

Sun County cover art by Roger Raupp​

 

[Michael O'Brien]

We were delighted RPG Historian Shannon Appelcline was excited to write a foreword for our new RuneQuest Classic edition of 1992's Sun County. You can also read Shannon's foreword at his Designers & Dragons website:

Sun County & The RuneQuest Renaissance: 1992-1994 – Designers & Dragons

 

[Marc Radle]

Wow, this has such an old-school vibe ... I love it!

 

[Michael O'Brien]

Wow, my RuneQuest 3rd edition sourcebook Sun County got to #6 on DriveThruRPG's bestselling titles list (just behind our newest Call of Cthulhu release, Cthulhu by Gaslight). Pretty amazing for a reissue of a 32 year old book!



All credit goes to my Chaosium colleagues Nick Brooke and Rick Meints who, as part of our RuneQuest Classics line, did a brilliant job OCRing and restoring the 1992 layout. The original Sun County was softcover with a B&W interior, and is now, thanks to Nick and Rick, available as a glorious colour hardcover! It also predated PDFs, and you can now get it in that format too! What a fascinating modern age we live in.