New RuneQuest Novel Coming Soon from Creator Greg Stafford

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While it’s often been overshadowed by bigger games like Dungeons & Dragons, the RuneQuest RPG has been quietly going strong for almost 50 years under the banner of Chaosium. Now, RuneQuest is getting a novel entitled A Pyre for Gods and Heroes, which was written by the game’s late creator Greg Stafford.

The book marks the first time in decades that RuneQuest has appeared in novel form, following the 1992 release of King of Sartar, which was also written by Stafford. This new novel was written several years ago, but is now being posthumously published as Stafford passed away in 2018. A Pyre for Gods and Heroes will be released in late 2026 as a limited collector’s edition, but you will be able to pre-order it soon from Chaosium.

So just what can fans expect in this literary return to Glorantha? Below, we page through all the details.

What is the new RuneQuest novel about?

A Pyre for Gods and Heroes is written by Greg Stafford and is 440-pages long. It takes place in the First Age of Glorantha, a primeval period when mortals and gods dwelt together and powerful magic was everywhere. The main character is Harmast Barefoot, a legendary hero who defied the gods and is a key figure in the overall lore of the game. The official synopsis reads as follows:

A generation ago, the sun stopped in the sky. By the time it began moving again, the world had been changed. A new god had been born. A new empire risen…

In the barren hills between Dragon Pass and Prax, those who reject the new ways live scattered and hunted. Soon, they will be extinct. For the worship of their chief deity, Orlanth, is forbidden, and without him, an entire generation of boys will never become men. Any who attempt the ancient rites of passage die.

Against this stands an outlaw, Vargast Redhand, and a boy who will change the world of Glorantha forever.

That boy’s name is Harmast Barefoot.

When will the new RuneQuest novel be released?

An official release date for A Pyre for Gods and Heroe has not yet been announced, with Chaosium saying only that the book will be coming sometime in 2026. (We’ll update this page with an exact data as soon as it’s announced).

How much is the new RuneQuest novel?

A price point for A Pyre for Gods and Heroes has not yet been announced. So far Chaosium has only shown the Special Leatherette Limited Edition (which will likely be much more expensive than a typical hardcover or paperback novel) and it’s it not yet clear if the book will be released in a standard format or eBook. It’s also not yet clear if it will be available from sources other than the Chaosium website (such as Amazon and local game stores).

Is the new RuneQuest novel worth picking up?

If you’re a fan of Glorantha and the works of Greg Stafford

• A key piece of RuneQuest lore: The book chronicles one of the most important periods in the history of Gloranatha and follows the legendary hero Harmast Barefoot, making it
• A rare novel from an RPG legend: While Greg Stafford wrote hundreds of game supplements and sourcebooks, A Pyre for Gods and Heroes is one of the few pieces of fiction that the late creator ever wrote
• A major collectible: The new leatherette edition will be individually numbered and features cover work from designer Monika Godyń, so it will likely be a highly sought after piece for Chaosium and RuneQuest fans.

Final thoughts

It’s great to see Chaosium paying tribute to one of its oldest games and most influential creators. Notably, the company also said that this isn’t the only piece of Glorantha fiction that we’ll be seeing, and that in fact it will be the first in a new line of novels.

In the meantime, you can learn more and sign up for pre-orders now on the Chaosium website.