Book Review: The Runestaff by Michael Moorcock

Book Review: The Runestaff by Michael Moorcock

Published 1969/1977 Revised Edition 1977
Cover art by Richard Clifton-Dey
Map by John Collier

The Runestaff The Fourth and Final Volume in the History of the Runestaff

In the final Volume of the History of The Runestaff, the fate of the Kamarg and all of the world rests on the shoulders of Dorian Hawkmoon, Duke of Koln, Servant of the Runestaff and a Manifestation of the Eternal Champion. Without his effortst the Dark Empire of Granbretan will conquer and consume the entire globe.

It opens with Hawkmoon and Huilliam D’Averc bound for Europe on the boat provided to them from the grateful inhabitants of the city of Nawleeen. On board the vessel, the two heroes were thought to be bound to that city at the behest of the Runestaff.

Events prevent their direct return to Europe, instead ending up at D'Nark and once more fulfilling the plans of the Runestaff as well as thwarting further Dark Empire Machinations. The Runestaff is revealed and more mysteries are indicated as well.

However our heroes do return to The Kamarg and preparatiosn are made for the return to Europe potentially in force to aid in battling the Granbretan advance, when the dark science of Baron Taragorm wrested them from the alternate world and back into the one they had fled from. The final battle with Granbretan would ensue, and not all the heroes would survive.

As the final novel in the History of the Runestaff it brings the short series to a conclusion. As with other Eternal Champion novels not all the companions make it. Life is dangerous being a companion to a manifestation of the Eternal Champion. Still in the case of Hawkmoon, it is a bit less dangerous than for others, such as Elric or Erekose. Still for the length of the novels, there is a wealth of superb ideas to dig into.

It is recommended for any steampunk fan as well.

RPG Note:
If someone is interested Mongoose Publishing has created the Hawkmoon Roleplaying Game. It is no longer in production per Sales at Mongoose Publishing. The author has not had a chance to pick up a copy so no impressions are available. There was another one based on the Runequest game system, which I had seen once many years ago. There are no RPGs currently in production covering this manifestation of The Eternal Champion.

Also is a revised Elric oriented RPG from Mongoose Publishing as well, for the updated Runequest II game system.

Links Section:
Michael Moorcock Online
http://www.multiverse.org/