Erebus Red
First Post
Has anyone had any experience of running a campaign in Tekumel. I'm just introducing this as a setting, and with so much to take on board I'd appreciate advice from any old hands.
Tekumel
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Erebus Red
First Post
http://www.tekumel.com/tekumel.html
Quote; 'The world of Tékumel, the creation of Professor M.A.R. Barker, is an incredibly detailed science fantasy world which, to my mind, is easily the match of the creations of J.R.R. Tolkein, Frank Herbert or Stephen Donaldson. However, in comparison, Tékumel remains largely unknown and unexplored by the general public. '
There were some articles for this setting in very early Dragon mags, and a version of it coming out later this year. Other than that mainly fan sites like the link above.
Quote; 'The world of Tékumel, the creation of Professor M.A.R. Barker, is an incredibly detailed science fantasy world which, to my mind, is easily the match of the creations of J.R.R. Tolkein, Frank Herbert or Stephen Donaldson. However, in comparison, Tékumel remains largely unknown and unexplored by the general public. '
There were some articles for this setting in very early Dragon mags, and a version of it coming out later this year. Other than that mainly fan sites like the link above.
Erebus Red
First Post
This really is a great setting if many of you are as unfamilier with it as I was until a few days ago - if anyone has played Phantasy Star Online - it's kinda like a D&D version of what that would be like 60,000 years later. This synopsis from the site really caught my imagination:
The story begins some 60,000 years in the future, when humans and their alien allies settled the planet of Tékumel. After extensive terraforming and clashes with the planet's native species, Tékumel became a residential planet frequented by the wealthy and powerful.
Then came the Time of Darkness, when Tékumel and its solar system suddenly and mysteriously fell into a pocket universe, shattering civilisation and causing humans, allies and enemies alike to fall back into barbarism. The sky was empty of stars and all lines of communication were cut; raw materials imported from other planets - particularly iron - became rare; the great machines fell silent.
For perhaps fifty centuries survival hung by a thread, but slowly civilisations emerged from the darkness and wars raged across the planet between empires and against the native species, the Ssú and the Hlüss. Mankind has climbed back up to a social and technological level resembling that of Earth during the European Renaissance, but the societies of Tékumel are different and unique. Now is the time of the Second Imperium of Tsolyánu, the other four major empires of the northern continent - Livyánu, Mu'ugalavyá, Yán Kór and Salarvyá - and many other lands, alien enclaves, vast deserts and endless seas. The learned can make use of a form of 'magic' - actually extra-dimensional energies from the 'Planes Beyond', or the magic-like effects of ancient technological devices. Contact has been made with a race of powerful extra-dimensional beings - 'gods' to all intents and purposes - that are worshipped with elaborate ritual.
Tékumel is a world of tradition, elaborate bureaucracies and heavily codified social structures and customs. They have mighty, well-organized legions like those of the Romans. Their gods are like those of the Hindus, with a heavy dose of the bloodthirsty Aztec or Mayan deities. Their legal codes and sciences are much like those of the Arab philosophers of the Middle Ages; they are obsessed with personal and family honor much like the medieval Japanese. The societies presented with the game are very intricate and very old, with histories, traditions, and myths stretching back some 25,000 years.
The story begins some 60,000 years in the future, when humans and their alien allies settled the planet of Tékumel. After extensive terraforming and clashes with the planet's native species, Tékumel became a residential planet frequented by the wealthy and powerful.
Then came the Time of Darkness, when Tékumel and its solar system suddenly and mysteriously fell into a pocket universe, shattering civilisation and causing humans, allies and enemies alike to fall back into barbarism. The sky was empty of stars and all lines of communication were cut; raw materials imported from other planets - particularly iron - became rare; the great machines fell silent.
For perhaps fifty centuries survival hung by a thread, but slowly civilisations emerged from the darkness and wars raged across the planet between empires and against the native species, the Ssú and the Hlüss. Mankind has climbed back up to a social and technological level resembling that of Earth during the European Renaissance, but the societies of Tékumel are different and unique. Now is the time of the Second Imperium of Tsolyánu, the other four major empires of the northern continent - Livyánu, Mu'ugalavyá, Yán Kór and Salarvyá - and many other lands, alien enclaves, vast deserts and endless seas. The learned can make use of a form of 'magic' - actually extra-dimensional energies from the 'Planes Beyond', or the magic-like effects of ancient technological devices. Contact has been made with a race of powerful extra-dimensional beings - 'gods' to all intents and purposes - that are worshipped with elaborate ritual.
Tékumel is a world of tradition, elaborate bureaucracies and heavily codified social structures and customs. They have mighty, well-organized legions like those of the Romans. Their gods are like those of the Hindus, with a heavy dose of the bloodthirsty Aztec or Mayan deities. Their legal codes and sciences are much like those of the Arab philosophers of the Middle Ages; they are obsessed with personal and family honor much like the medieval Japanese. The societies presented with the game are very intricate and very old, with histories, traditions, and myths stretching back some 25,000 years.
WayneLigon
Adventurer
There are also two excellent novels by Barker, Man of Gold and Flamesong . Both are on Amazon. Reading these will really give you a feel for the place.
Zottola Publishing is going to be releasing some new novels, as well, at least two of which star the young Priest of Thumis, Harsan, who appears in the first novels.
Prince of Skulls
Hársan, linguist and priest of the god of wisdom, is sent on a diplomatic mission beyond the frontiers of the Empire of the Petal Throne. He and his companions are caught in a skirmish with ferocious foes, both human and alien, and flee in an ancient underground tubeway car in order to save a spoiled and petulant N'lüss princess. Arriving in distant Ghatón, they discover a plan that could change the very future of Tékumel.
Lords of Tsámra
Korrúkka is part of a Tsolyáni political mission to find a peaceful solution to the war between the Livyáni and the people of the isolated Tsoléi Archipelago. After seeing the wonders and secrets of Holís Isle, the talks break down and the Tsolyáni delegation becomes mysteriously ill. Left to die from the fearsome Plague of the White Hand, the mission appears destined for an untimely end. Waking up on the shores of Livyánu, the remnants of the delegation must find a way to stop the spread of this deadly plague before it spreads and destroys all of civilization.
'A Death of Kings'
This novel continues the story of Hársan, as he voyages out to the Far Eastern coast of Salarvyá. The country is in chaos as various factions fight for power after the death of the '"Mad King," Griggatsétsa. Hársan and his companions struggle through the riot-torn streets of the capital, Tsatsayágga, and then on to distant Jækanta and obtains new insights into the mysterious College at the End of Time and the Unstraightened City.
Tita's House of Games also has hard-to-find and out-of-print Tekumel stuff you can't get elsewhere. And cheap!
Zottola Publishing is going to be releasing some new novels, as well, at least two of which star the young Priest of Thumis, Harsan, who appears in the first novels.
Prince of Skulls
Hársan, linguist and priest of the god of wisdom, is sent on a diplomatic mission beyond the frontiers of the Empire of the Petal Throne. He and his companions are caught in a skirmish with ferocious foes, both human and alien, and flee in an ancient underground tubeway car in order to save a spoiled and petulant N'lüss princess. Arriving in distant Ghatón, they discover a plan that could change the very future of Tékumel.
Lords of Tsámra
Korrúkka is part of a Tsolyáni political mission to find a peaceful solution to the war between the Livyáni and the people of the isolated Tsoléi Archipelago. After seeing the wonders and secrets of Holís Isle, the talks break down and the Tsolyáni delegation becomes mysteriously ill. Left to die from the fearsome Plague of the White Hand, the mission appears destined for an untimely end. Waking up on the shores of Livyánu, the remnants of the delegation must find a way to stop the spread of this deadly plague before it spreads and destroys all of civilization.
'A Death of Kings'
This novel continues the story of Hársan, as he voyages out to the Far Eastern coast of Salarvyá. The country is in chaos as various factions fight for power after the death of the '"Mad King," Griggatsétsa. Hársan and his companions struggle through the riot-torn streets of the capital, Tsatsayágga, and then on to distant Jækanta and obtains new insights into the mysterious College at the End of Time and the Unstraightened City.
Tita's House of Games also has hard-to-find and out-of-print Tekumel stuff you can't get elsewhere. And cheap!
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Erebus Red
First Post
Thanks Wayne, I'll look out for those.
Have you read them? If so were there any particular interesting themes that emerged that might be useful in my campaign?
Have you read them? If so were there any particular interesting themes that emerged that might be useful in my campaign?
WayneLigon
Adventurer
Erebus Red said:
I think the best thing about them is how they can convey this alien world (alien in more than one way to most of us, because of the conscious use of themes other than Western ones) to players.
Erebus Red
First Post
Thanks for expanding on the novels.
Yeah I can see what you mean about the themes already - I ran my first session in this setting today, and to add to the alienation the players arrived in Tekumel from the Realms!!
They've just began exploring a city - and it's already proving a fascinating (and potentially perilous) exploration at every turn. As you can imagine I'm over the moon to have these 'non-traditional' themes to introduce.
Yeah I can see what you mean about the themes already - I ran my first session in this setting today, and to add to the alienation the players arrived in Tekumel from the Realms!!
They've just began exploring a city - and it's already proving a fascinating (and potentially perilous) exploration at every turn. As you can imagine I'm over the moon to have these 'non-traditional' themes to introduce.
PA
First Post
http://www.guardiansorder.com/schedule.php
Look on the bottom right. Tekumel comes back in July (hopefully) in a new version published by one of my very favorite companies. More info in the forum:
http://pub175.ezboard.com/fguardiansoforder44269frm9.showMessage?topicID=3.topic
http://pub175.ezboard.com/fguardiansoforder44269frm9.showMessage?topicID=64.topic
Look on the bottom right. Tekumel comes back in July (hopefully) in a new version published by one of my very favorite companies. More info in the forum:
http://pub175.ezboard.com/fguardiansoforder44269frm9.showMessage?topicID=3.topic
http://pub175.ezboard.com/fguardiansoforder44269frm9.showMessage?topicID=64.topic
Erebus Red
First Post
Thanks PA
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