These messages are the accumulation of the messages that were sent out on the Blue Room email list between May 1995 and June 2000. A large portion of the information is directly from Professor M.A.R Barker. When the list members joined during the time the list was active, they agreed to refrain from sharing this data with non list members. When the list ended, it was urged that the data be made available to non-list Tekumel fans, and it seemed like a good idea all around. I only ask that if you download these digests, or have received them in some other way, please respect the agreements the list members made, and refrain from passing them around and instead point people to the Tekumel web site, www.tekumel.com so that they can download them for themselves, and see all the other material available on the Tekumel.com web site. Many Thanks. Chris Davis Moderator: Blue Room mailing list Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs CC BY-NC-ND BLUE ROOM ARCHIVE -- VOLUME 22 [3 January 1998 - 15 February 1998] 631: Tsolyani Weaponry 632: Kolumejalim I 633: Kolumejalim II 634: More on Ditlana 635: Chronology/History Questions 636: Tsolyani Weaponry Reply 637: More on the Cataclysm 638: Premonition? 639: Tsolyani Legion Questions 640: The Disposer of Meku 641: Lineage Names 642: More on Mayan Customs 643: Maya Info 644: More Ditlana/Sakbe 645: Kolumejalim Notes 646: How Much Is Known? 647: Penom 648: Miscellaneous Questions 649: Kolumejalim Notes Reply 650: The Hokun 651: City Guides? 652: City Guides Response 653: Hokun Reply 654: How Much Is Known Reply 655: Muresh's Notes - City Wall 656: More on Gestures 657: Mitlanyal News 658: Boundaries Of The 5 Empires 659: New Religions 660: Tsolyani Coinage ******************************* //631 [Moderator's Note: Peter Bismire submits the following on the weaponry of ] [ Tekumel. ] I have previously introduced my Jakallan friend Muresh hiPagartra. Recently he took me on a tour of his old legions' barracks and we discussed more on various weaponry of Tekumel. We were being carried on his palanquin when the talk turned to missile weapons other than bows- "You ask me about what you call a "bolas" but we name a chreghakh? In Tsolyanu only the Ksarul worshippers in Heketh's Purdimal legion use it as a war weapon, although it is popular for hunting in the swamps surrounding that city and in other places. "It consists of a cord, or thong, with a stone ball fastened to each end. The balls are either sewn up in pieces of leather which are fastened to the cord, or the latter is passed around a groove cut in the balls and tied. Usually a second cord with a stone ball attached is fastened to the middle of the first. In such cases the third ball is often smaller than the other two and is held in the hand when the weapon is used. "When used it is whirled around the head until the outer ball has attained sufficient velocity and then thrown so as to strike the legs of the target. The balls tangle the cords about the victim and thus disables it. "A chreghakh with two balls is referred to as a "gabunikh" (twin) one with three balls is nick-named a "nakome" (bastard). I think this last was named by someone who tried to use it for the first time and was more tangled than their target! "On the northern edges of the Tsechelnu Swamps the locals use a similar, but much lighter, weapon for fowling. It has from four to ten (usually six) bone weights fastened to cords four and a half to nearly six hoikh in length, the opposite ends of the cords being fastened to a short wooden handle. The weights are generally ovoid or spherical. I have been told that wealthier individuals have theirs carved in the shapes of animals and birds. They are carried, specially knotted, in a pouch attached to the hunter's belt and frequently a man has more than one set. "When a flock of birds is seen approaching, the handle is grasped in the right hand , the balls in the left, and the strings straightened by a quick pull. Letting go with the left hand, the balls are whirled around the head and let fly at the passing flock. This weapon is effective up to thirty dhaibakh. Muresh later showed me a chreghakh from the Legion of Heketh of Purdimal. It followed the "nakome" design having two large and one smaller ball. All the leatherwork had been dyed dark blue and the leather pouches in which the stones sat were painted with sigils in black. Muresh believed these were magical to aid the aim of the wielder and suggested that the stones themselves might be either blue or painted that colour and also be decorated. “I mentioned legion arrow colours before? Heketh’s use a blue shaft with black fletching. These fletching are the flight feathers of a large breed of crow that lives in the Swamps. Their bows are a local style which I consider to be underpowered but again they are decorated with many magical designs which are supposed to improve their accuracy and truth to tell the archers of this legion are good shots. During the tour of the barracks we visited the Legions museum, The Hall of Excellent Remembering's, and Muresh showed me the statue dedicated to the original Girikteshmu for whom the Legion is named. The statue itself was not as large as I had imagined, say about one and a half times man-height. It is cast in gold which is supposed to have been obtained from the earrings of the dead Salarvyani buried beneath it. It is centred on a large dais which covers these Salarvyani heads that were brought back in 1340 (3,023 according to Muresh). It is the centre of the Legions activities and special ceremonies are held here whenever it marches off to war and when it returns. Here also new recruits are "blooded" (literally) into the unit. I would have liked to have seen the Great Kaing from the War of 2020 but it was not permitted due to my not being a member of the Legion. Other trophies and monuments though existed in plenty. One in particular caught my eye. A group of half a dozen Hlutrgu heads decorated with masks grimaced from below an arc of alternating double-headed spears and arrows. "This I can tell you about," said Muresh. "It was about 20 years ago and I was a newly appointed Tirrikamu. The Hlutrgu had been raiding eastern Kaija particularly heavily. A mixed force consisting of several cohorts from different Jakallan legions, including two of ours, had been sent to back up the locals. "It was hard work as much as hard fighting as they contrived to be where we weren't and much marching would only lead us to already burnt-out and destroyed villages. "One day my Kasi called me and instructed me to take mine and another semetl and about a hundred local levies and investigate a previously raided area in case they had doubled back on us. "After marching all morning and much of the afternoon we were approaching a low ridge when suddenly one of my scouts came bounding over the top as if he was being pursued by demons - as he was! Over a thousand of the little horrors came over the ridge following him straight towards us. "There was an old walled villa nearby that had been destroyed sometime in the past but still seemed to be solid enough. Yelling orders I got my men sprinting towards it. Fortunately the creatures are not as fast out of water as we are and so we actually gained some ground on them. As soon as we were inside I set some of the levies to barricading the gateway and placed my archers in position on the walls. "Some of the levies were bowmen but most were armed with the local style of spear you see there. It is called a rijutha (paralyser) and is designed to handle Hlutrgu. It has two barbed blades of unequal length. When stabbed with the longer blade a Hlutrgu is powerless as he cannot withdraw on account of the barbed tip, and the sharp point of the shorter blade prevents it running up the spear and killing its user as has frequently been done. "Fortunately we had the gate adequately blocked by the time they caught up and the first rush was easily turned as they were out of breath with running and our archers shot down many as they rushed in, breaking the force of their charge. After this they drew off to a safe distance and reorganised while we strengthened our make-shift fortress. "After a while they formed up again and came racing in. The walls seemed to disconcert them and they made their main effort at the gate. Again we repelled them but not without casualties. "The villa itself was roofless but the ceiling of the ground floor was largely intact and again the place was stout walled and I resolved that if the creatures got over the outer walls I would make a stand there. One problem I soon had to face was water, as we could see no sign of a well and were rapidly parching in the heat. "Their next attack was more cunning, while one group again attacked the gate, others held back and rained javelins into the space behind. Have you seen their javelins? As vicious as their makers and barbed so the only way to remove them is by cutting them out or pushing through the head. "Despite this we beat them off again and took stock. The archers were rapidly running out of arrows and the water was all gone. To add to our woes night was starting to fall and they can see better in the dark than a man. "And then a small miracle for which I thank Lord Karakan! One of my men who had been instructed to make the villa ready for defence moved a fallen roof beam and discovered a trap-door. Opening this he descended into a cellar which not only contained a well but a large number of storage jars still full of oil! "Instead of attacking right on dusk the Hlutrgu had withdrawn again and seemed to be performing some sort of ceremony. A dull drumming could be heard and slow rising and falling cadence of noise. We feared that by the end of this night they might be making new drums out of our skins! "Guessing that they might not attack until the ceremony was complete I pulled all my men back to the villa and readied the oil jars on what was left of the roof with small torches set close by. "About midnight with Kashi the only moon visible, but low on the horizon, they attacked again. At first they must have been confused by no resistance at the walls or gate and hesitated. Then guessing we had pulled back they rushed forward again. "I then ordered oil to poured over their heads and torches to be hurled. This broke their attack and many were killed by the fire or my men reaching out and "tickling" them with their spears while they were distracted. "They now set down and tried the javelin rain on us but we were adequately protected so that few hits were made. Still we were rapidly coming to the end of our strength and wondered how much longer we could hold them. By this time about half my men were dead or wounded and many had at least a cut or two. “As the sun rose my legionaries and I sang our song of welcome to its’ rays, especially as we expected not to see it set. With the improving light I could see that the Hlutrgu were packed into the villas’ courtyard while again their “leader-priests” capered up and down in front of them building them up for an attack. While reduced by the fighting there still appeared to be nearly 800 or so left and I new a good solid charge would overwhelm my few remaining men. “Resolved to die bravely we had paused to put the aphorism “before fighting look to your helmet ties” into action, when suddenly the sounding of trumpets from outside the walls set the grey mass of our enemies seething. “Our troops had been led on by first the glow of the burning oil and then the smoke from smouldering fires until they had arrived and surrounded the villa. The Hlutrgu suddenly surged towards the gate only to be met by a volley of arrows. This drove them back inside but now our archers were being boosted to the top of the walls and were firing down into the creatures. With such a mass every arrow seemed to score a mark and the slaughter was fearsome. Eventually a cohort of Serqu’s “Swords” charged through the gate and the battle was won. “I received a Gold of Glory and this. . . . “ he pointed to a dark scar running along his forearm which was almost purple in comparison with his reddish skin. “If it was not for healing magic I would have probably lost the use, if not the whole arm. As it was many of us were severely afflicted or died from even minor wounds and I was delirious for about two weeks and weak as a kitten for two more months. Thank the Gods that the Weaver of Skeins had not made a deeper cut in my thread then. More to follow…… ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //632 [Moderator's Note: Bob Alberti provides us with Arjai's first hand report of] [ the Tsolyani Kolumejalim (Part 1). ] On the morning of 5 Hasanpor, 2369, Arjai hiVaisoner awoke in the Cloak of Azure Gems clanhouse to the excited chatter of persons in the hallway. He stuck his head out the door, and caught the attention of a passing clansman. "Lord, ah, Takan, isn't it? What is the commotion?" "Great doings, Lord Arjai! A procession is arriving at Payel's Wall!" "Then it's beginning! Come, escort us to a place of good viewing: I will rouse my wife." Lord Arjai turned, hair mussed and dressed only in a sleeping-kilt, to find Lady Chitlasha dressed, groomed and ready for the excursion. "Ah, good, you're ready!" he exclaimed. He swiped his hand quickly through his unruly locks, threw on a hmelu-wool kilt embroidered with symbols of clan and temple, pulled on a matching vest, and donned his sandals. By the time he was ready Takan and Chitlasha were already in the courtyard. No palanquins were in evidence, having apparently been commandeered by the early-risers in the clanhouse, so putting propriety aside the three joined the streaming throngs which headed south through Bey Su to Payel's Wall. Upon arrival, Lady Chitlasha's status and demeanor sliced an easy path through the crowd to the crenellated southern edge atop Payel's Wall. Only a single black Pe Choi blocked their view, apparently oblivious to Lady Chitlasha's burning glare. "Greeticks, my laty!" he clicked, and then turned, "it hats bit a lok time sits I sensed you near." "Lord Mt'tk!" she beamed, taking an upper hand familiarly, "why it's been years!" "Come," he gestured outward, "I have setcuret a prime vatatge point!" Lord Arjai introduced Lord Takan, and then the four turned their attention the procession which was even now approaching. The column was led by a procession of green-armored warriors. "The crossbow legion of the Emerald Kirtle?" posed Arjai, but no one responded, too engrossed in the approaching palanquin. Borne by dozens of thick-armed slaves, it was pyramidal in structure and several paces square on each side. Atop the pyramid rode a woman, shrouded in an enveloping green veil. "Not Princess Ma'in?" began Takan, trailing away. It was certainly not she. In the retinue of this unknown Dlamelish candidate were the Lady Elulen, a high priestess of the Goddess, escorted by a familiar figure. Chitlasha made a gesture and held a hand before her face. "It is Lord Sunchan, the Copraphage of Jakalla -- he has come up in the world, escorting Elulen!" Next came ranked lines of black and white warriors, a legion of Pe Choi, followed by a waddling legion of greenish-grey Pachi Lei. These bore heavy casks which they tapped occasionally, hammering spigots into the sides and aiming the spraying ale into the outstretched mugs and skins of the crowd. Lord Arjai caught the attention of a member of the Clan of Delightful Repast who traded him several skins of fruit juice for an exorbitant sum. Next came a palanquin draped in indigo and azure, with silver trim. Lord Taksuru Tlakotani, seated upon a golden throne surrounded by a silver balustrade, held his hands up before the adulation of the crowd. From his palms a shining silver light overcame the bright morning sunlight to illuminate the faces of the populace with his blessing. "I lunched with him in the clanhouse here before he was revealed!" blurted Lord Arjai, "Who knew, who could have thought that he was an Imperial Heir?" Lady Chitlasha fixed her husband with an amused and tolerant glance which might, or might not, have meant "I did," and then turned back to the view. The booming kettle drums of the Legion of Red Devastation came next, along with the Legions of the Storm of Fire, and Searing Flame. On carts behind these legions were piles of the heads of their defeated foes, before which marched the legendary Karim Missum, showing no signs of the injuries which nearly felled him in the Taking of Avanthar. In a roaring voice Missum announced the arrival of "The God Himself, the Emperor Mirusiya Tlakotani!" The crowd roared its approval, although Prince Mirusiya was not yet, officially, more than the Emperor pro-tem until the High Council of the Priesthoods could complete their rituals. Upon a mighty burnt-orange palanquin stood Prince Mirusiya himself, and now the roar of the crowd rose like a great beast to its feet. The very air shook with the noise, and many clapped their hands to their ears for a moment in surprise before joining in the cry. Servitors scattered gold and silver coins into the crowd, and rubies and other gems. The powerful figure of Prince Mirusiya stood nobly gazing forward, seemingly oblivious to the commotion, gazing only ahead into his city. When his retinue had passed through the gates, then came the white palanquin of Prince Rereshqala and his wife, Lady Sogai. "There she is," murmured Chitlasha. "I did something right, didn't I?" grinned Arjai, "Getting the two of them together." Again Chitlasha favored him with a tolerant smile. The blue and white legions of Serqu, Sword of the Empire followed next, along with the smaller palanquins of further, anonymous Imperial Heirs. For now was the endgame in their hidden upbringing, now was when the Temples would play their final pieces on the den-den board, turning over black pieces to reveal more powerful colors. It was unlikely that these candidates would be able to wield any real power, or wrest any political support from their half-brothers who had for so long exercised their privileges. Still, the life of a former Imperial Heir was one of comfort, if the right alliances were struck, the right deals agreed to. And so they came to Bey Su, a young girl in the colors of the Temple of Dilinala, a shrouded figure in Hru'u's dark purple, and others as well. Finally came the Mringukoi and the Hehellukoi, the High Nobility of the Empire, in attendance only because of their ancient and noble lineages. By this time much of the crowd had departed for the Temples of the various Candidates and Heirs, where the feasting which would last many days was beginning. This was a strange time in Bey Su: after so many years of siege, privation and warfare, the Intercalary Days had begun with the heady announcement of Prince Dhich'une's defeat in the Golden Tower and days of riotous celebration. Now, only five days later, the celebrations began anew as the Kolumejalim was begun. In their clanhouse the next morning Lady Chitlasha and Lord Arjai received word that their friend, Lady Sogai, had requested their company for breakfast at the Governor's Palace, which had been turned over for the comfort of Lord Rereshqala while he visited. After bathing and donning the appropriate form for a festive evening, the palanquin arrived at the Palace and they were greeted by their companion. A great feast was underway, with guests of many high stations, but Lady Sogai spent some moments filling in Lady Chitlasha on the changes that had transpired while they were away. Prince Eselne was dead of a wasting illness, this they had heard, and both Princesses Aremala and Ma'in had renounced the Gold -- the former to pursue her artistic endeavors, and the latter upon the collapse of all her schemes and plans for power. It was clear following Ma'in's abortive attempt to seize power in Jakalla that none of her half-brothers and would be interested in allying with her upon the Petal Throne. The new candidates had largely followed the guidance of their mentors and chaperones and expressed their intention not to oppose Mirusiya for the throne, for to do so would mean only certain death for them in the contests of the Kolumejalim. And Lady Sogai assured them that the longstanding rumors of Prince Rereshqala's disinterest in the Gold were most likely true, although they did not discuss such things directly. Finally Lady Sogai drifted away to greet other guests, only to be replaced shortly thereafter by the resplendent figure of Lord Osumetlu, who had taken his place in the High Chancery here in Bey Su. After affectionate greetings, Lord Osumetlu offered his apologies. "I must proceed to Lord Aknallu's side with all haste, for the rituals begin shortly. If you wish to observe the activities, I suggest you proceed hence as well, for my power and influence can save a place for you within the hall for only so much time!" Lord Osumetlu hurried away, and Chitlasha rose, as well. "It's time," she said. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //633 [Moderator's Note: Bob provides us with Arjai's report (Part 2). ] From their vantage point in the balcony of the immense square chamber of the High Chancery, Lord Arjai and Lady Chitlasha had a good view of the Imperial Dais below, which was topped with the great golden seal of the Empire. Meeting, greeting and conversing with old friends and bitter enemies in a convivial fashion, the mightest persons of the Empire were gathered to observe the beginning of the rituals of the Kolumejalim. Few would stay for all the rites, which were lengthy and took several days, but none who could attend would risk their chance to be present at the historic presentation of the candidates. A hush fell over the murmuring crowd as ancient Lord Aknallu, the highest of the members of the High Chancery, stepped forth to address the crowd. "In the name of the Gods and in the Name of the Seal Emperor of Tsolyanu, who sits forever in the Golden Tower of Avanthar, let us observe now the Kolumejalim, the Rite of Choosing Emperors, as handed down to us through tradition and ritual from the mouths of the Gods themselves, as revealed by the Priest Pavar!" Then did the hidden musicians and cantors undertake the grand music heard only during the Kolumejalim, but for which they practiced every day of their lives for years. From alcoves hidden behind stonework came songs of glory and empire, nobility and faithfulness to the Gods of Tsolyanu. While the songs rang out, the various candidates entered and took up stations upon and around the great dais. When the music was complete, Korrikada hiKurrtashmu stood forth as the first speaker for his candidate Prince Mirusiya. He issued a brash and martial declaration, bestowing credit for the salvation of the Empire upon his Prince with unreserved grandeur. Around them in the crowd, Arjai could see displeased looks and whispered comments: all knew that it was the union of the Princes Taksuru, Rereshqala and Mirusiya which was finally victorious over the former occupant of the Petal Throne. Few wished to see that alliance fractured, and such partisan claims as Lord Korrikada were making did not contribute to the union. Next stood forth Kettukal, formerly High General of the Empire, and staunch ally of the departed Prince Eselne. About him were arrayed the finest surviving warriors of Eselne's army, who stood like gleaming statues, moving not a muscle. "We are here," barked the general, "We are loyal in all ways to the Emperor. All that is in the past is in the past. All that was between us is put aside. The Army of the Empire supports the Empire, the Army of the Empire is the sword of the Emperor!" The crowd roared its approval of General Kettukal's grace and diplomacy, which cast Korrikada's own brashness in stark relief. In one simple yet powerful statement, Kettukal had sealed the rift of civil strife between the forces of Eselne and the other Princes. No one present could doubt that at that moment Kettukal and all his men were ready to sacrifice their lives at the behest of whoever was named Emperor of Tsolyanu. Following Kettukal came a representative of the Temple of Belkhanu. Their candidate was not present, he claimed, and Chitlasha and Arjai exchanged meaningful glances -- Lord Kirchta was, they knew, presiding as Emperor in the Tsolyanu of an entirely different plane! He went on to speak in the uncharismatic fashion of his Temple of the establishment of good government, and the building of order. People began to stir restlessly, and some at the back filed from the hall. Sensing their unease, Lord Aknallu called a halt to the day's proceedings, and all retired to their palaces and temples for an evening of festivities. The next day, the seventh of Hasanpor, the presentations began again. First to speak was the representative of the Temple of Dlamelish, announcing the renouncement of the gold on behalf of their candidate, young Princess Nareshana. "She had an arrangement with the lad from Hru'u," whispered Chitlasha to her husband, "the two of them will renounce together in exchange for certain favors granted by Prince Mirusiya." Next stood the representative of Prince Rereshqala. "The words of the mighty Prince are these," he declared, "That he shall, at last, renounce the Gold, not in recognition of his own advancing years, but in truth out of a deep love of his Empire, that it should not be divided again." The crowd murmured its approval, for this was expected, but also welcome. In quick succession the representatives for Prince Surundano and Princess Asudlana -- who was hitherto unknown -- renounced their claims. Then stood forth a representative in the dark blue of the Temple of Ksarul. "Prince Mridobu," he began, and the crowd hushed. The Prince had been missing and assumed dead for over a year -- was he now to emerge and stake his claim? "Has no voice in these matters!" finished the representative. The Prince, then, remained missing. Prince Hehineshmu Tlakotani, of the Temple of Hru'u, stood himself to renounce his own claim. A scruffy and unkempt youth, he seemed entirely out of place among the high persons, and would likely follow timid Prince Surundano of the Temple of Thumis into a life of obscurity within his Temple. A banner was then brought forth, dark red with the emblem of Prince Eselne. No words were spoken for the fallen Prince, and after a time the banner was lowered and removed. Following the presentation of Prince Eselne's banner, a representative from the Temple of Dilinala announced that young Princess Ke'el Tlakotani did renounce the Gold in favor of Mighty Prince Mirusiya. Then Prince Taksuru himself stood forth. It was expected that he would renounce the Gold in exchange for the High Generalship of the Empire. But it was not to be so. "I stand for the Gold!" he cried, and a wave of shocked exclamations swept the room, "As is my right and my duty to the Empire." The shock of this announcement had hardly sunk in, when a tall figure in brown robes stood forth. Beneath the copper skullcap was the craggy face of Lord Jayargo. This was unexpected, for he represented Prince Dhich'une and was his very lieutenant in Avanthar. None could believe that he had made his way into this very hall, and all dreaded his announcement. Would he declare that Prince Dhich'une would stand for the Gold? "Mighty Lords and Ladies, I protest!" he cried, "Lord Aknallu, call off this charade! There is but one Emperor, and he is Eternal Splendor! This undertaking is illegitimate and illegal, carried out in haste and without notification!" "Enough Lord Jayargo!" barked Aknallu, his voice powerful despite his years. "This proceeding is more legitimate than that forced upon the High Chancery by your master following the passing of mighty Emperor Hirkane! If this undertaking is illegitimate, let your master file a grievance! If it is meaningless, let your master ignore it! But if he wishes to participate, let him arrive and do so! Else," cried Aknallu, relishing the irony of his declaration, "if he cannot arrive in time to declare his candidacy for the Gold, he forfeits his claim to the candidates who are present!" His face purple with fury, Lord Jayargo stalked off the dais and disappeared up an aisle. Arjai watched closely, for he had been acquainted with Jayargo years before, when they sailed to Livyanu together. It did not surprise him that Jayargo's figure was never silhouetted in the doorway of departure, yet it was clear to all that he had gone. Finally Prince Mirusiya stood forth upon the dais, and all eyes turned to him. "I Mirusiya Tlakotani do claim the Gold, as is my right and is my duty to the Empire and to the Gods! I am the Emperor of Tsolyanu, my sword has been guided by the Gods, my feet are firm planted in the Empire's soil, my arms have wrested open the door to the Golden Tower! I claim the Petal Throne as the son of Hirkane Tlakotani, The Stone Upon Which the Universe Rests!" Despite themselves, some of the Prince's supporters roared their approval and beat the floor with their feet before being quieted by their comrades. After this unseemly breech of protocol, an unexpected event took place. Prince Taksuru Tlakotani stood, and marched up to where Prince Mirusiya still faced the crowd upon the dais. "In the interests of the Empire, and on behalf of my brother, I hereby renounce all claim to the Gold. I do this to prevent further war, to heal all divisions, and to honor the Petal Throne!" As the crowd discarded with propriety and roared its approval, Lady Chitlasha leaned over to whisper to her husband. "Clever," she spoke in his ear, "very clever -- they presented a divided front to draw out Dhich'une, to see what he would do. If he was going to challenge them at all it would have been when he thought them divided over the Gold. Once Lord Jayargo played his meager hand, once Prince Dhich'une's representative was forced off the field, the Princes once again closed ranks." "That was indeed clever -- a strategem with the handiwork of our Prince Taksuru upon it!" replied Arjai, "Did you know I once lunched with him in our..." But he was interrupted by the Prince, who had begun speaking again. "We are brothers," declared Mirusiya, and he stepped forth to embrace Prince Taksuru. "We are builders! We live together, we die together! Avanthar is the capital of the Universe because we make it so! We include a third!" and with this they turned to Prince Rereshqala, who nodded to acknowledge their attention. "Three beautiful lights are in the sky over Bey Su!" cried Mirusiya, "The Gods smile upon our Empire and upon the Emperor in the Golden Tower! Go forth! Celebrate! Let the festivities not cease until the Golden Door closes, and let them thereafter renew for many days! I have claimed it, we have won it, the Empire of the Petal Throne!" The roaring and cheering echoed throughout the audience chamber of the High Chancery of the Priesthoods in Bey Su in a manner most unbecoming its dignity and grandeur. But, for a while, even stodgy Lord Aknallu grinned like the lad he once was. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //634 [Moderator's Note: Some messages on the topic of Ditlana. Bruce Harada in ] [ Japan gives us some info about the Ise Shrine and its ] [ rebuilding. The Professor also responds to James' mes- ] [ sage about the Ise shrine. ] Bruce Harada writes... At 8:12 98.1.3 -0600, The Blue Room Mailing List wrote: >[Moderator's Note: James Eckman writes about Ditlana. The Tsolyani Primer ] >[ netbook is now up and available for downloading! ] > >As a form of small scale Ditlana, the Japanese rebuild the shrine at Ise on >a periodic basis as a form of ritual cleansing. I'm unfamilar with the Mayan >examples cited, but from my poor understanding of Mayan culture many of the >cities functioned primarily as centers of worship. Perhaps early Tsolyanu >post-holocaust cities were of a similar nature? As a footnote to the rebuilding of the Ise shrine - it takes place approximately every twenty years, one of the reasons for which being that if it's left for more than that, the artisans necessary for rebuilding it are usually dead. The skills required can only really be passed on by actually doing the rebuilding, making it hard to teach them to the next generation if the rebuilding is too late. Of course, the shrine at Ise is by no means an example of contemporary Japanese architecture, but I expect the same thing could be said for many of the temples of Tsolyanu - they aren't really 'normal' buildings, even on Tekumel. Considering that Japanese culture has traditionally placed great importance on the preservation of the status quo, just as Tsolyani society does, the fact that they can't leave the rebuilding of the Ise shrine for too long without forgetting how to do it properly would tend to indicate that Ditlana would have to be done fairly regularly, or it couldn't be done at all (at least not without a great deal of unnecessary time and trouble, anyway). -- Bruce Harada ----- Professor Barker writes... >[Moderator's Note: James Eckman writes about Ditlana. The Tsolyani Primer ] >[ netbook is now up and available for downloading! Wonderful! You chaps who want to learn Tsolyani "as she is spoke" can now go to the FTP site and dig in. >As a form of small scale Ditlana, the Japanese rebuild the shrine at Ise on >a periodic basis as a form of ritual cleansing. I'm unfamilar with the Mayan >examples cited, but from my poor understanding of Mayan culture many of the >cities functioned primarily as centers of worship. Perhaps early Tsolyanu >post-holocaust cities were of a similar nature? Theories about the great Maya cities have changed radically. When I began, back in ther early 1940's, the reigning "Chief Scholar" taught that the Maya were peaceful philosopher kings, who sat up in their tall temples and observed the stars. No wars. They also were said to have used their ceremonial cities largely for rituals and sacrifices, not for dwellings. I remember one archaeologue at Tikal telling me that they had not found any of the dwellings of the common people nearby, and he was thus puzzled. The glyphs have now been partially deciphered, and we know that the Maya did indeed have wars, rapine, pillage, and all the fun stuff that makes European history so joyous... ;-) We also now know from intensive investigations that each great city had smaller satellites around it, There were thousands of common dwellings, too, but these have not survived the rigors of the jungle and climate. I suspect the post-cataclysm customs of the Latter Times did have a residual memory effect upon the Tsolyani. It's likely. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //635 [Moderator's Note: Michael Schwartz and Charlie Goering ask questions dealing] [ with Chronologies and the recent History of Tekumel. ] Michael Schwartz writes... Hey folks, As I was browsing over various materials in preparation for my forthcoming campaign, I began mentally jotting down all the "current" dates which I discovered. The earliest is the default date listed in the "Swords & Glory" rules; second is the approximate year in which the events chronicled in "Man of Gold" unfold; third is the six-month span of time during which Trinesh and companions are AWOL in "Flamesong"; lastly, we know the dates associated with Dhich'une's reign. The Dates in Question ====================== "Swords & Glory": 2356 AS "Man of Gold": 2358 AS "Flamesong": 2361-2 AS Accession: 2361 AS Deposement: 2368 AS I do not recall any specific dates indicated in the solitaire books or "Gardasiyal", although all certainly take place during the Dhich'une's reign. Might I ask if the Professor, Bob or another of our stalwart scholars of Tekumelani lore may have perhaps assembled a *modestly* detailed chronology of the twelve year period between "Swords & Glory" and the current date in Tsolyanu, one which encorporates and accounts for the events occurring in the "Adventures on Tekumel" series? Michael Schwartz mschwartz@mindspring.com Ann Arbor, MI USA -- Charlie Goering writes... I am somewhat confused with the timeline for recent years given in The Known History (Rev.1) by Shawn Bond. The entry for 2364AS begins with the death of Emperor Hirkane, followed by East and West Front war news. The next item mentions Prince Eselne's death and revivification at Paya Gupa. 2364AS (early) speaks of the Mu'ugalavyani invasion of the Chakas and then the entry for summer 2364-2365 tells of Eselne returning and breaking the seige of Paya Gupa. Did Eselne leave the city after the assassination (if, to where) and then return, or did the Lady Sitlaya strike after the Red Hats were driven back? Also, about the heading "summer 2364-2365AS". Does this indicate a protracted operation in breaking the seige, for example with a counter-seige against the beseigers? Further, the entry for 2366AS (autumn) shows Eselne leading troops toward Bey Su and "bringing Hauma and Purdimal under hand". However, in 2376AS, he "takes Mrelu and Purdimal". What halted the advance of 2366, and what was Purdimal's status from 2366 to 2367? Lastly, does General Kettukal still control the territory our departed-but- greatly-mourned Prince held, or does he only control the immeadiate area of Paya Gupa. Thank you for yoru attentaion and assisstence. Charlie Goering ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //636 [Moderator's Note: The Professor comments on Peter Bismire's message about ] [ the use of the Bolas on Tekumel. I think some of this ] [ message was lost as there were some control type char- ] [ acters I couldn't deal with. I tried to fix them, but ] [ I couldn't fix all of them. So if you wonder what is ] [ going on, and there appears to be some gibberish, you'll] [ know why it is there. ] This is intensely interesting, Peter. It is also about 95% correct (i.e. "real Tekumel" that I might have written myself). Do say hello to Muresh for me; he may remember me from the Siege of Tleku Miriya. As I recall, he was one of the bravest fighters there. >[Moderator's Note: Peter Bismire submits the following on the weaponry of ] >[ Tekumel. ] > >I have previously introduced my Jakallan friend Muresh hiPagartra. >Recently he took me on a tour of his old legions' barracks and we >discussed more on various weaponry of Tekumel. > >We were being carried on his palanquin when the talk turned to missile >weapons other than bows- > >"You ask me about what you call a "bolas" but we name a chreghakh? In >Tsolyanu only the Ksarul worshippers in Heketh's Purdimal legion use it >as a war weapon, although it is popular for hunting in the swamps >surrounding that city and in other places. > >"It consists of a cord, or thong, with a stone ball fastened to each >end. The balls are either sewn up in pieces of leather which are >fastened to the cord, or the latter is passed around a groove cut in the >balls and tied. Usually a second cord with a stone ball attached is >fastened to the middle of the first. In such cases the third ball is >often smaller than the other two and is held in the hand when the weapon >is used. > >"When used it is whirled around the head until the outer ball has >attained sufficient velocity and then thrown so as to strike the legs of >the target. The balls tangle the cords about the victim and thus >disables it. > >"A chreghakh with two balls is referred to as a "gabunikh" (twin) one >with three balls is nick-named a "nakome" (bastard). I think this last >was named by someone who tried to use it for the first time and was more >tangled than their target! The term /nakome/ is slang. The technical name for a three-balled bolas is /bimilikh/. >"On the northern edges of the Tsechelnu Swamps the locals use a similar, >but much lighter, weapon for fowling. It has from four to ten (usually >six) bone weights fastened to cords four and a half to nearly six hoikh >in length, the opposite ends of the cords being fastened to a short >wooden handle. The weights are generally ovoid or spherical. I have been >told that wealthier individuals have theirs carved in the shapes of >animals and birds. They are carried, specially knotted, in a pouch >attached to the hunter's belt and frequently a man has more than one >set. > >"When a flock of birds is seen approaching, the handle is grasped in the >right hand , the balls in the left, and the strings straightened by a >quick pull. Letting go with the left hand, the balls are whirled around >the head and let fly at the passing flock. This weapon is effective up >to thirty dhaibakh. > >Muresh later showed me a chreghakh from the Legion of Heketh of >Purdimal. It followed the "nakome" design having two large and one >smaller ball. All the leatherwork had been dyed dark blue and the >leather pouches in which the stones sat were painted with sigils in >black. Muresh believed these were magical to aid the aim of the wielder >and suggested that the stones themselves might be either blue or painted >that colour and also be decorated. > >I mentioned legion arrow colours before? Heketh's use a blue shaft with >black fletching. These fletching are the flight feathers of a large >breed of crow that lives in the Swamps. Their bows are a local style >which I consider to be underpowered but again they are decorated with >many magical designs which are supposed to improve their accuracy and >truth to tell the archers of this legion are good shots. > >During the tour of the barracks we visited the Legions museum, The Hall >of Excellent Remembering's, and Muresh showed me the statue dedicated to >the original Girikteshmu for whom the Legion is named. The statue itself >was not as large as I had imagined, say about one and a half times >man-height. It is cast in gold which is supposed to have been obtained >from the earrings of the dead Salarvyani buried beneath it. It is >centred on a large dais which covers these Salarvyani heads that were >brought back in 1340 (3,023 according to Muresh). It is the centre of >the Legions activities and special ceremonies are held here whenever it >marches off to war and when it returns. Here also new recruits are >"blooded" (literally) into the unit. I would have liked to have seen the >Great Kaing from the War of 2020 but it was not permitted due to my not >being a member of the Legion. > >Other trophies and monuments though existed in plenty. One in particular >caught my eye. A group of half a dozen Hlutrgu heads decorated with >masks grimaced from below an arc of alternating double-headed spears and >arrows. > >"This I can tell you about," said Muresh. > >"It was about 20 years ago and I was a newly appointed Tirrikamu. The >Hlutrgu had been raiding eastern Kaija particularly heavily. A mixed >force consisting of several cohorts from different Jakallan legions, >including two of ours, had been sent to back up the locals. Poor Muresh! He still wonders who paid the bribes to get him "exiled" to Kaija on that expedition! He must have a really serious enemy! >"It was hard work as much as hard fighting as they contrived to be where >we weren't and much marching would only lead us to already burnt-out and >destroyed villages. Sticky mud and deadly plants -- and always the Hlutrgu all around. This was not a fun trip, to hear Muresh tell it. >"One day my Kasi called me and instructed me to take mine and another >semetl and about a hundred local levies and investigate a previously >raided area in case they had doubled back on us. > >"After marching all morning and much of the afternoon we were >approaching a low ridge when suddenly one of my scouts came bounding >over the top as if he was being pursued by demons - as he was! Over a >thousand of the little horrors came over the ridge following him >straight towards us. > >"There was an old walled villa nearby that had been destroyed sometime >in the past but still seemed to be solid enough. Yelling orders I got my >men sprinting towards it. Fortunately the creatures are not as fast out >of water as we are and so we actually gained some ground on them. As >soon as we were inside I set some of the levies to barricading the >gateway and placed my archers in position on the walls. > >"Some of the levies were bowmen but most were armed with the local style >of spear you see there. It is called a rijutha (paralyser) and is >designed to handle Hlutrgu. It has two barbed blades of unequal length. >When stabbed with the longer blade a Hlutrgu is powerless as he cannot >withdraw on account of the barbed tip, and the sharp point of the >shorter blade prevents it running up the spear and killing its user as >has frequently been done. > >"Fortunately we had the gate adequately blocked by the time they caught >up and the first rush was easily turned as they were out of breath with >running and our archers shot down many as they rushed in, breaking the >force of their charge. After this they drew off to a safe distance and >reorganised while we strengthened our make-shift fortress. > >"After a while they formed up again and came racing in. The walls seemed >to disconcert them and they made their main effort at the gate. Again we >repelled them but not without casualties. > >"The villa itself was roofless but the ceiling of the ground floor was >largely intact and again the place was stout walled and I resolved that >if the creatures got over the outer walls I would make a stand there. >One problem I soon had to face was water, as we could see no sign of a >well and were rapidly parching in the heat. > >"Their next attack was more cunning, while one group again attacked the >gate, others held back and rained javelins into the space behind. Have >you seen their javelins? As vicious as their makers and barbed so the >only way to remove them is by cutting them out or pushing through the >head. > >"Despite this we beat them off again and took stock. The archers were >rapidly running out of arrows and the water was all gone. To add to our >woes night was starting to fall and they can see better in the dark than >a man. > >"And then a small miracle for which I thank Lord Karakan! One of my men >who had been instructed to make the villa ready for defence moved a >fallen roof beam and discovered a trap-door. Opening this he descended >into a cellar which not only contained a well but a large number of >storage jars still full of oil! > >"Instead of attacking right on dusk the Hlutrgu had withdrawn again and >seemed to be performing some sort of ceremony. A dull drumming could be >heard and slow rising and falling cadence of noise. We feared that by >the end of this night they might be making new drums out of our skins! > >"Guessing that they might not attack until the ceremony was complete I >pulled all my men back to the villa and readied the oil jars on what was >left of the roof with small torches set close by. > >"About midnight with Kashi the only moon visible, but low on the >horizon, they attacked again. At first they must have been confused by >no resistance at the walls or gate and hesitated. Then guessing we had >pulled back they rushed forward again. > >"I then ordered oil to poured over their heads and torches to be hurled. >This broke their attack and many were killed by the fire or my men >reaching out and "tickling" them with their spears while they were >distracted. > >"They now set down and tried the javelin rain on us but we were >adequately protected so that few hits were made. Still we were rapidly >coming to the end of our strength and wondered how much longer we could >hold them. By this time about half my men were dead or wounded and many >had at least a cut or two. > >As the sun rose my legionaries and I sang our song of welcome to its >rays, especially as we expected not to see it set. With the improving >light I could see that the Hlutrgu were packed into the villas >courtyard while again their leader-priests capered up and down in >front of them building them up for an attack. While reduced by the >fighting there still appeared to be nearly 800 or so left and I new a >good solid charge would overwhelm my few remaining men. > >Resolved to die bravely we had paused to put the aphorism before >fighting look to your helmet ties into action, when suddenly the >sounding of trumpets from outside the walls set the grey mass of our >enemies seething. > >Our troops had been led on by first the glow of the burning oil and >then the smoke from smouldering fires until they had arrived and >surrounded the villa. The Hlutrgu suddenly surged towards the gate only >to be met by a volley of arrows. This drove them back inside but now our >archers were being boosted to the top of the walls and were firing down >into the creatures. With such a mass every arrow seemed to score a mark >and the slaughter was fearsome. Eventually a cohort of Serqu's Swords >charged through the gate and the battle was won. > >I received a Gold of Glory and this.... he pointed to a dark scar >running along his forearm which was almost purple in comparison with his >reddish skin. If it was not for healing magic I would have probably >lost the use, if not the whole arm. As it was many of us were severely >afflicted or died from even minor wounds and I was delirious for about >two weeks and weak as a kitten for two more months. Thank the Gods that >the Weaver of Skeins had not made a deeper cut in my thread then. > > >More to follow Great stories! Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //637 [Moderator's Note: Tom Robertson replies to my comment about the Cataclysm] [ from message 603. ] Great see our local gaming being of interest. I couldn't let you get away with the below comment in message 603: [Moderators Note: It was pointed out to me by another reader that the scale ] [ mentioned by Tom would mean that there were millions (if ] [ not more) planets in pocket universes. I would have to ] [ defer to the Professor on the number of planets that dis- ] [ appeared during the Cataclysm. I would think that this ] [ would be more appropriate confined to a region of space ] [ rather than the whole galaxy. A humble opinion. ] The group here put their minds to it came up with a very simple solution - there may have been millions of planetary systems affected, but most were destroyed as a result of the shift? or what ever caused the pocket dimensions to form. Thus leaving a limited number of functioning pocket dimensions - but why did these survive and the others get destroyed?? Seems strange that the surviving pocket dimensions (in our gaming system) all seem to have access to "magic"?? Just a contribution - never to be solved?? Regards Tom ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //638 [Moderator's Note: John Bailey offers the following snippet... ] Those of us with a general dislike of things un-alive were glad to hear of the sudden departure from the capital of the Pretender. It's too bad poor Eselne couldn't have lasted a bit longer to provide an interesting contest for the Gold. Anyway, I had a vague premonition of the way things turned out. Last October, while working at a customer's site, I stepped outside the office and noticed a restaurant which made me think of all of you. The Red Flame Coffee Shop is located on 44th Street just east of Sixth Avenue. The food is good and the prices incredible. And I just kept thinking, wouldn't it be nice if . . . Anyway, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you all!! (does the Concordat hold between those of us not in Tsolyanu?) John T. Bailey ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //639 [Moderator's Note: Daniel Rybowski asks questions about some of the Tsolynai] [ Legions. ] >Some of the legions listed in 'Growing of age in Tekumel' are missing >from the Deeds of the Ever-Glorious. I would like to know of the (no >doubt) glorious history and heroic feats of arms of these legions: >Legion of the Blue Peak (26th HI), Legion of the All-Consuming Flame >(24th HI), Legion of the Helm of Night (24th MI). >Also, has the Legion of the Translucent Emerald received a number? To answer briefly: the three legions mentioned in your second paragraph are now defunct, although one, the Legion of the Helm of Night, may still possess a legion headquarters and a (bored and lonely) liaison officer. The other two are, to my knowledge, gone. I suppose you could dig out their histories if you can consult the great library in Avanthar. Bey Su's library also has a set of historical legion histories that I have never had time to study. Translucent Emerald has no number as yet. Dhich'une put off giving it official status, although it already had historical status. I am sure Emperor Mirusiya (likely throne-name: "The Flame that Burns Eternal") will remedy this. Princess Ma'in wanted to keep this legion in Tumissa as her private guard, but this won't happen. The legion will probably be sent down from Tumissa into Pan Chaka to roust the Mu'ugalavyani invaders out of there. Regards, Phil ----- //640 [Moderator's Note: James Snead asks about the Disposer of Meku. ] >While all Tsolyanu is breathing a sigh of relief over the recent >suspension of hostilities, I remain confused about a key event which >precipitated the civil war, vis. the destruction of the temples of the >Dark Trinity in Meku by the Disposer. As I understand it, the Clan of the >Iron Helm, from which the Disposer is traditionally selected, is firmly >associated with the very temples which were destroyed. Can this be >clarified? Who was the Disposer, and where in all Meku did he find >troops to conduct the act? And what of the famous and ancient temple of >Wuru, also in that city? The Disposer's full name is: Zu'ine hiVazhu. (accent of the "zu-" and upon the "-zhu"). He is somewhat of a maverick: he is a fanatical Chiteng worshipper, although many (not all!) of his clan favour Hru'u, Ksarul, or their Cohorts. He was apparently just waiting for an opportunity to turn the Sarku temple into hot ashes. Things got out of hand, and the Hru'u and Ksarul temples (which stand nearby) went with it. Most of this has since been repaired, although the Sarku temple is now closed -- Prince Mirusiya's orders. The Disposer is youngish, about 48, thin, gaunt, and dark-visaged with a spade beard. He is not known for his kindness but rather for his occasional losses of temper, and the excesses he is then likely to commit. He used his palace guard to start the rioting against the dark temples, then paid the city guards, the tomb police, and other units with "loot" to encourage them to join in. He's been carefully selecting these people for a number of years, and they did just as he asked. The temple of Wuru is a little farther down the street, and it was not touched, although it remained under guard for a couple of weeks. Rumour has it that the Disposer is on his way to Avanthar to pay respects to the new Emperor. He had not yet arrived by last week, but a suite inside the fortress is being cleared for him. Should be interesting. Mirusiya doesn't particularly like him -- he's too single-mindedly fanatic to suit the new Emperor! My advice: do not cross this msn! Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //641 [Moderator's Note: Joe Saul asks about lineage names and how people in the ] [ same lineage, but differing clans treat one another. ] Lineage relationships are *almost* as good as being "family." Your two characters will feel the same bond that brothers have, although less strongly. >Two of the characters in my campaign are >* Akhan hiKetkolel of the Might of Ganga clan >* Arkhane hiKetkolel of the Golden Sunburst clan >Yes, those personal names are *awfully* similar, and only a completely twisted >player would do such a thing to a GM. But disregard that. Note that the two, >though they come from different clans, have the same lineage name. >Based on communications from Professor Barker, lineages exist across clan >lines, especially at the highest levels of society [Chris, I can dig up the >relevant message # if you want -- it's the one in response to my character >generation story]. Many -- perhaps most -- lineages exist across clan boundaries, certainly across class boundaries. There are "poor" Tlakotani, who farm the fertile region just east of Bey Su. There are rich and successful members of other clans, whose clan-brothers are rather poor. Only the highest of the high and the lowest of the low do not seem to mix, as may be expected. >My question is this -- what, if anything, does it mean to have the same >lineage >name as someone but be from different clans? >"As a fellow Ketkolel, your actions reflect upon me. I'll help you pay > your debts." This is a commonly expected reply from a lineage-brother/sister, provided that the first person is not known to be a fool or profligate. >"Ah, you're a Ketkolel too! That makes us related! What happiness!" Another common response. This carries less enthusiasm. >"Another Ketkolel? Well, I can't marry your sister, even if we are from > different clans." Possible. Usually clan marriages are made with equals or superiors (if one is available). Hence, it is neither necessary nor surprising to find someone who is already committed to a mate but has not yet married him/her. This reply might be given to a semi-formal request to arrange a marriage. THe answer given above is not a hostile one. >"Ketkolel? Well, at least I won't forget your lineage name." Now you're starting to get rude and obnoxious. The addressee will respond with a frosty smile and walk away. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //642 [Moderator's Note: The Professor answers questions from Scott Maxwell about] [ some of the other Mayan customs and if they have been ] [ absorbed into Tekumelani society. ] >With the discussion of Sakbe the notion of Maya influence in Tekumel >has come to my mind. I have been contimplating various other practices >that might be common to both the Maya and the inhabitants of the Five >Empires. After so much time has elapsed, there are very few real influences left. Many are coincidences -- or just half-remembered ancient stories from the Latter Times. >As I have made factual errors in the past -- e.g., declaring that Mayan >is a dead language -- I must put a disclaimer on here. Most of my >knoweldge of Mayan history is largely "old school" so one must be kind >with me. By old school I reffer instances where murals have shown >prisoners with their finger nails pulled out as being interpretted as >prisoners with their fingers dipped in red paint and other such bits of >nonsense. With that stated, here goes nothing... Join the club, Scott! I am no expert. >1. I have been fascinated by the concept of head binding, which is the >practice of binding an infant's head to give it a more pleasing shape. >In the Mayan case it was a long narrow skull. Does this practice exist >on Tekumel? (Now I'm not sure if this idea is no longer valid the case >of Mayan studies, but I think it would be neat nontheless.) Yes, head-binding occurs in certain groups in the far northeast (on the big terrain map) and in Chayakku. It is unknown (today) in the Five Empires. >2. In regards to naming of children, is there a practice of giving a >"childhood" name and then an "adult" name in the Five Empires? If they >do, is there any system of naming, like the Aztec tradition to name >children after their birthday until a more "suitable" name could be >found from some learned expert of naming. I have recently finished >reading Swords & Glory Volume 1 and I cannot seem to remember if this >was adresed or not. Yes, children tend to get "pet names" that are abandoned when the person reaches adulthood. A good case is Qarras hiVriddi, the brother of Lady Elara. He went quite made some years ago and ended wandering around Mrelu, begging for a living. (The Imperial troops who occupied Fasiltum searched for him but never did find him -- and now don't care.) Qarras' mother nicknasmed him "Dazhu," which is the name of a sweet and aromatic little pink flower that grows on the plain west of Bey Su. He still uses this name and can't recall much of his time as "Qarras." Someone of stature (Arjai hiVaisoner?) should ask Mirusiya to pardon him and have him cared for. Perhaps Prince Rereshqala's gentle wife, Lady Sogai, could do it. Mirusiya's troops are still searching the underworld below Avanthar for the block of adamantine stone that putatively contains poor Elara hiVriddi herself, frozen by a Ruby Eye. After having nearly been tricked by s Sarku-sent demon (who pretended to be Elara), the Prince is understandably cautious about new "Elaras." I think he still cares, however. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //643 [Moderator's Note: Joe Saul provides some Maya information. Not really ] [ Tekumel, but it seemed generally interesting. ] [ Glenn Fuller is looking for gamers in San Francisco. If ] [ you are there and want to hook up with him, drop him a line] [ at gauchoglen@aol.com and let him know you are there. ] (I don't know if this would be more appropriate for the list or just to the individual -- your call) >1. I have been fascinated by the concept of head binding, which is the >practice of binding an infant's head to give it a more pleasing shape. >In the Mayan case it was a long narrow skull. Does this practice exist >on Tekumel? (Now I'm not sure if this idea is no longer valid the case >of Mayan studies, but I think it would be neat nontheless.) I'm not a Maya expert, but I can tell you that many skulls have been recovered which show the same artificial cranial distortion depicted on vases and in codexes (codices?). The Maya area is not kind to human remains, but these skulls can be put back together by experts, and the distortion is unquestionably present. I have witnessed it myself; my parents are physical anthropologists specializing in the Maya. (Heck, I've cleaned and numbered skull fragments and occasionally even gotten to glue stuff...) If you want a picture, I can get them to let me scan one and post it. Joe Saul ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //644 [Moderator's Note: Patrick Brady offers more on the Ditlana/Sakbe thread. ] I'm terribly behind on reading the mailing list, but I would like to say two things relating to the Ditlana/Sakbe thread. re: Ditlana. We tend to concentrate on Ditlana as a cultural oddity, as something which has to be explained by psychology and history, but it may be that there is a strong functional element to it. The cities of Tekumel are extremely old as continuously inhabited urban areas when compared to cities on Earth. The great cities on Earth have been either fairly young as true cities and/or have regularly suffered destruction by fire, warfare or urban redevelopment programmes. If you live in London, as I do, the problems of maintaining the physical structure of a city after a few centuries becomes very obvious. Repair becomes increasingly inefficient. In London, new drains are difficult to site because you have to delicately remove miles of decrepid old stone drains and road repairs can be delayed for months while "who owns what" along a route is investigated. A city is like a house, after a few centuries the foundations will shift slightly and the walls will buckle and there will come a point when repairing it in small sections is actually more expensive than tearing it down and building a new one. It is (in my opinion) plausible that after 500 years or so the infrastructure of a city may be so degraded, with patch on top of repair, that it is beyond the point where it can efficiently repaired any further and major restoration (Ditlana) becomes neccesary. If you think of Jakalla as a 500yr old house built on a good site, if you think about drains and roads rather than cultural imperatives, then I think it can be explained to any reasonable player. Maybe the Tsolyani are not being extravagant at all, it may be cheaper to Ditlana in the long run than to have your cellar flooded every rainy season and the road subsiding outside your door. One thing the Clan system does is to allow for long term planning. (2) Sakbe roads. I was brought up next to Hadrians Wall, which I think is as close as you'll get to a Sakbe in Eurasia. What I wanted to point out is that a "sakbe" that ran from one side of England to another didn't take the romans very long to build even though the conditions are notably harsh in places. The structure itself has been extremely durable, basically holding well for centuries. The main damage to the wall was actually done intentionally by locals who used it as a source of building stone for their farms. General opinion seems to have been that most of the 20ft high wall could have survived intact for a thousand years after the last engineers departed. So Sakbe may be relatively good designs which only require maintenance at very long intervals. If the Romans could do it, why expect anything less from the Tsolyani ? best wishes, Patrick //645 [Moderator's Note: Paul Snow writes in response to the Kolumejalim notes. ] Recently I found a note written, some time ago, by my Tsolyani friend Nikun hi Sayodla which simply said, Find out about the Marek. Unfortunately I have been rather too busy to follow his request but today after reading the following passage, >"I lunched with him in the clanhouse here before he was revealed!" blurted >Lord Arjai, "Who knew, who could have thought that he was an Imperial Heir?" >Lady Chitlasha fixed her husband with an amused and tolerant glance which >might, or might not, have meant "I did," and then turned back to the view. I found another note which says, Now is the time. So, can Phil or anybody help Nikun and me? I hope Nikun's little schemes don't get us into too much trouble. Best wishes, Paul Snow ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //646 [Moderator's Note: This had some game style issues, so I did send it direclty] [ to the list. Professor, why don't you let us know what ] [ the common man knows about the Flora and Fauna of Tekumel.] [ I'll collect responses about the game mechanics part of ] [ this message, and summarize them in about a week. ] While rereading my copy of Empire of the Petal Throne, I stopped after I read some of the creature descriptions. Would players know about how to deal with certain kinds of creatures. Mrur, for instance, must have their bodies burned after they are defeated in combat. Would a player know that? A priest of Ksarul or Sarku might know that, but what about a warrior who worships Karakan? I know all of this stuff is up to my discretion when running a game, and an NPC hireling might be able to help out the players with information like that provided the information was well compensated for. I guess the question is how much about the world should beginning characters know? If rules or conversion rules are used to create "Real" Tekumel characters, then I suppose a certain ammount of information would all ready be in the hands of characters, depending on their background. Empire of the Petal Throne characters might not have this information, as they are assumed to be foreigners from smaller countries, or travelling nonhumans. Not that a Shen is to likely to worry about whether or not a bunch of Mrur is going to get back up and slug out with him in two rounds.... Just some wonderings about the balancing act referees must contend with. Sincerely, Dwight Grosso ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //647 [Moderator's Note: Peter Bismire asks about Penom. ] >a question, >Has Penom always been a pestilential hell-hole fit only for bugs, >moulds, fungi and Imperial rejects? >Any idea how long the Tsechelnu Swamps have been there? >thanks When Engsvan hla Ganga sank, Penom was apparently higher and drier than it is now. This is true all along the southern coast -- cf. the Fortress of Ngala in the swamps opposite Jakalla. I don't know *how much* higher and drier -- accounts differ -- but enough so that in some places there were houses and fields and even towns. When Ganga sank, the great tektonic plate to the north seems to have sunk somewhat with it, inundating the Swamps of Tsechelnu and parts of the plain northeast of Jakalla (since dried up and now excellent arable land again). Penom has been singled out as a hell-hole for diseases and bugs since Bednalljan times, in spite of its being a little higher and drier, as noted in the preceding paragraph. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //648 [Moderator's Note: Ah the Miscellaneous question topic. Joe Pizzirusso covers] [ a bit of ground here. The Professor apologizes for not ] [ answering in more detail. ] >Some questions..please disgard anything inappropriate. Would I get more >complete repsonses if they work broken into seperate posts? Thanks! > >1. What does the bulk of the pollenating of plants on Tekumel? Terran >bees or the equivelent? How many varieties? There is a species of bee mentioned in the Bestiary. There are many other, smaller insects distributed regionally all over the continent. I think there are also little birds, like humming birds, that pollinate the vegetation. >2. In light of the importance placed on correct behavior and a great >tradition of codified manners, I don't think I remember seeing >anything about what a person does when they flat out want to insult >someone. Aside from the not so subtle misuse of a pronoun or manner of >address, what might one see when someone wants to deliver a deadly >insult? I assume this may be stratified by class. It doesn't seem as >likely that it would be much use commenting on the sexual activities >of someones parents. What woould you say to someone of equal rank that >would guaruntee that they would challenge you to a duel (assuming a >personality and position as a warrior that would not go for shamtla). >What hand gestures would be used? What gestures or taunts would be >used by defenders on the walls of a fortress under siege. (especially >if the attackers were leaving in defeat or if you wanted to draw in a >rash attack) Being of Italian descent I'm particualary interested in >gestures. ;-) THere has to be a large selection based on nation and >district. (ANyone ever do a treatise on the hand gestures of the >Engsvanyali period? Anyone want to take a stab at a title? ;-) ) The usual mortal insult is based on the clan status of the insultee. To say that someone is "Nakome" (clanless) is about as bad as you can get. Membership in low clans, those that clean out toilets and dredge sewers, are also excellent sources for rude and disgusting comments: e.g. the Black Mat clan. When people from this clan are nearby, most Tsolyani turn away and affect to hold their noses! This gesture alone can indicate this, and it is often used as a "silent" insult. On a higher level, "lack of noble action" makes for a good meaty insult: e.g. to a Vimuhla worshipper, you might try saying, "You flout your little fat bum like an Avanthe virgin!" Or to a Ksarul worshipper: "You spew 'knowledge' like a Thumis priest!" [Moderator's Note: See appended messages below between the Professor and me ] [ dealing with insulting gestures. ] >3. Could someone elaborate on how status, prestige, and deferential >behavior works in the interaction of people in the hierarchy of a diety, >and people in the hierarchy of that deity's cohorts. I see in general that >there is no assumed subservience or deferring of a cohort priest to a >priest of the deity...the example of a deity's priest requesting a temple >spell from a cohorts temple, we've seen the temple of Wuru telling them >the polite equivelent of "go pound sand". What I'm curious about is: Tsolyani use deferential pronouns and honorific verb forms more than I can indicate in English. In our games we have had to cut out the fulsome compliments, noble allusions, and flattering metaphors. Once in awhile I may say to a player, "That isn't how a Tsolyani would say that -- or think it. You can't go around insulting your comrades just because it is funny in American society!" >Is there an "official line" that may or may not be followed. ie: yes, we >who serve Gruganu exist, ultimately, to serve or master of the blue room. >BUt how does this work in practice? Is it always a matter of trading >favors? How does it flex, based on the temple? Seems like the Dra >worshippers would have more of a devoted outlook towards Hnalla, than say >the temple of Hrihayal to Dlamelish. This is a tough one because practice differs from preaching, and individual responses vary widely. There *is* indeed more connection between the temples of a God with his/her Cohort than with other deities. Trading favours is always useful, as is simple cash bribery. If it gets you killed by an irate temple priest, then you will have brought this on yourself. >Would a higher status priest of a chohort ever defer to a lower staus >priest of the deity? WHat about when status and rank is equal? If a need >arose, would a temple of a deity feel any right to call on worshippers of >the cohort to serve on a mission? Or has much of this "game of the gods" >been muffled and turned into window dressing over the centuries? What >would my duty be as servitor of a cohort, if my aid was requested by an >official of the deity's temple? Answers: no; equal deference; yes; yes and no; with the permission of your superiors in your own temple, go and do as you're told. >4. A couple of people have hinted at areas where Tekumel might have >affected the developent here on good ol' Terra. Soneone in an official >campaign mentioned a short visit to Mexico circa 1943. A couple of >other things got me thinking: first of all my last name, Pizzirusso, >translates to Red Mountain. Obviously a coincidence? Then I was >reading a collection of translations of Aztec literature (A Scattering >of Jades) where some of the historical background repeats the stuff >about the Aztecs being a nomadic tribe that appeared in the area of >what became their capital, and what is now Mexico city. Seems they >claimed to have come from (bear with any errors, this is from memory) >an area they called THe Place of The White Bird. No record or info >lets on to where this place was. Conveniently vague? The people were >described as a strong warrior culture, from a land so hostile that the >local swamps were paradise to them. The locals (the Toltecs, if memory >serves) decided to buy them off by pawning off the local swamps on 'em >since noone else wanted it. These warriors, new to the area, hired out >as mercenaries, and soon were running the place. Most of the people >they then went after surrendered immediately rather than fight, so >ferocious were these new people. Sounds like anyone we know? Terribly >efficient it seems to me. Is it possible that some backwater Tsolyani >tribe, or clan, or one of the lost legions, from the main plane or one >of the ones close to the Professors, found their way thru to our >world, 60,000 years in their past, to found the people that would one >day help colonise Tekumel? Maybe its a stretch, but it suits my taste >for temporal weirdness. Comments? Good supposition. Food for a novel? Love to see you write one. >5. Better end this with one last one for now. I'm still wondering >about the concept of ghosts and spirits on Tekumel. I've seen many >side comments about ghosts and hauntings in the novels and the >sourcebooks, and some posts here, but nothing solid. (Perhaps as it >should be, but I want a little more before I'd feel safe running >anything that touched on this.) I would like to attempt a modest >treatise on the nature, behavior, history, etc. of ghosts/spirits on >Tekumel. Maybe in the voice of an ancient text or a modern work from >someone in a priesthood: Thumis, Ksarul, Belkhanu, or Gruganu seem >likely. Topics like: what hauntings have been examined, how these >spirits came to be, what they are capable of, ways of appeasing, >banishing, or destroying them, etc. I have some ideas, but I'd like to >start with an actual grounding in official Tekumel. To that end, I beg >of anyone who has first hand accounts to share them with the group, or >with me (jpizzirusso@dttus.com). Any sightings, interaction, >conflicts, family histories, texts apocryphal or beyond reproach, >would be greatly appreciated. This is too large a subject to be tackled in one posting. The theory is that "ghosts" are interplanar emanations from particularly strong or emotion-driven minds: the Shadow-Self of a murdered man, or of someone who so dearly loves a living person that he/she cannot leave him/her, the mind overflowing with hatred or a desire for revenge -- all are supposed to be good sources for ghosts. There is no supernatural connection, according to most temples (and particularly that of Lord Belkhanu, who knows about these things); it is "other-planar" energy seeping through between the Planes. >My initial research is pointing to the idea that when certain parts of >a person are destroyed and others remain for one reason or another, >you can be faced with different types of ghosts. What happens when the >dream-self and the pedhetl survive and combine? (not gonna try to >spell some things without my sourcebooks.) The intellect and the >pedhetl? THe soul and the dream-self? Wouldn't this create different >reflections of the original personality? Would pure pedhetl be like >our terran poltergeist? etc, etc. >Thanks for any help on this. > >Joe Usually the temples teach that ghosts are other-planar emanations of the Shadow-self -- not combinations of other parts. There are other theories, of course, and over the millennia there have been minor religions that based all of their contact with the "Spirit World" on "ghost-speech": communication of the priest's Shadow-self with one from another Plane. Regards, Phil ---- The following was part of an exchange between me and Professor Barker. I wrote... >I am trying to remember, but don't know if I dreamed this or what. Isn't >there a gesture that implies the person is nakome? I thought it was >something like touching then ends of your thumb and forefinger and forming >a circle and raising it up to your eye and looking through it at the >individual. >Am I nuts, or did I remember that correctly? You remembered it correctly. That gesture is mostly used in Jakalla and upriver to Bey Su. It is unknown in Fasiltum, Sokatis, and the east, while in the west (Tumissa, Paya Gupa, etc.) it is sometimes used and sometimes replaced by another gesture: the left hand is held out, palm down, at about chest height. The gesturer then moves the hand back and forth in the air a few times, signifying "nothing" = "*you/he/she/etc. is/are nothing!" Phil >I also remember that there is an insult where you call a person to you like >a slave. Hand held out straight from the body, palm down, curling finger >toward your body. Kind of like an upside down "come here" gesture. Is >that the same as you are referring to above, or is it different? The >insult was that you were summoning them like you would a slave and thus >equating them with a slave. The summoning gesture is as you describe: palm down. One then curls one finger or all four under the palm several times. Sometimes people snap their fingers to attract a slave's attention. Do not try this on your wife. The insult gesture uses the same palm down feature to symbolise "negative, low-class, ugnoble," but the gesture is different: the whole hand is held out rather stiffly and waved horizontally from side to side (usually with verbal insults, etc.). This same general idea is found in the gesture-language of various Terran societies. Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //649 [Moderator's Note: Phil responds to Paul's and Nikun's notes... ] >[Moderator's Note: Paul Snow writes in response to the Kolumejalim notes. ] >Recently I found a note written, some time ago, by my Tsolyani friend Nikun hi >Sayodla which simply said, > Find out about the Marek. >Unfortunately I have been rather too busy to follow his request but today >after >reading the following passage, The Marek will not -- perhaps *can* not -- talk about their own roles in the society or in Tsolyani religious thought. That is why Lady Chitlasha just gave Arjai a pleasant, knowing look, like a wife who knows she is pregnant but doesn't want to inform her husband quite yet... >>"I lunched with him in the clanhouse here before he was revealed!" blurted >>Lord Arjai, "Who knew, who could have thought that he was an Imperial Heir?" >>Lady Chitlasha fixed her husband with an amused and tolerant glance which >>might, or might not, have meant "I did," and then turned back to the view. >I found another note which says, >Now is the time. If Nikun *knows* someone who *may* be a Marek, the best thing is to stay away from the problem. Marek have been known to defend their secrecy and hidden roles in society very handily. Try talking to Iena, Lord Arumel's pretty and very wilful wife, and you may end up as fuel for one of her incandescence spells! >So, can Phil or anybody help Nikun and me? I hope Nikun's little schemes >don't >get us into too much trouble. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //650 [Moderator's Note: Nuno Flavio asks numerous questions, primarily about the ] [ Hokun. Feel free to answer Professor, but I know that ] [ the Thursday night group has had experience with them, so] [ I opened the question up to everyone. ] I would like a little information the Hokun, so far i only know they are crystaloid beeings that are said to enslave humans. Are they native to Tekumel ? Do they posess any multi-planar abilities like the Mihalli or the Chima ? What about technology. If possible i would like some input from players that have runned into them on their adventures. What are the better known planes of existance that Tekumelian travellers are prone to end up in ? Scanning trough old Blue Room messages i found one about the "Buffalo" plane, but that was it. Also, can you tell me if there are any new developments on the Prof. fabled third novel "The lords of Tsamra" ? Can we hope for it to be released soon ? Nuno Flavio ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //651 [Moderator's Note: Robin Jones asks about references on the cities of ] [ Tekumel.] Are there currently any plans to publish a collection of essays describing the cities and countryside of Tekumel? ("Lonely Planet Guide to Yan-Kor" anyone?) Failing that, is there any information published on Hekellu or Vra that it would be possible to purchase or download? Bin aka ... Irrikt Len Clan of the Fourth Eye Lay Priest of the Black Old One ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //652 Moderator's Note: Joe Saul responds to Robin's guide question. ] On Sun, 8 Feb 1998, The Blue Room Mailing List wrote: >[Moderator's Note: Robin Jones asks about references on the cities of ] >[ Tekumel.] Given that the question's being directly asked, I feel that courtesy demands that I break silence. >Are there currently any plans to publish a collection of essays >describing the cities and countryside of Tekumel? ("Lonely Planet Guide >to Yan-Kor" anyone?) I'm writing a City Guide to Jakalla. It's going a lot slower than I had hoped (minor issues like finishing law school can interfere), but when finished it will have a fair amount of never-before-published information from the Professor in it. I also hope to include a Jakalla solo adventure, in the spirit of the AoT books. Joe Saul jmsaul@umich.edu ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //653 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker expounds upon the Hokun. Hope that Bob ] [ and Keith (and any of you others out there) pop up and ] [ share your knowledge about the Hokun. ] >[Moderator's Note: Nuno Flavio asks numerous questions, primarily about the ] >[ Hokun. Feel free to answer Professor, but I know that ] >[ the Thursday night group has had experience with them, so] >[ I opened the question up to everyone. ] There is some information on the Hokun in the "Tekumel Bestiary." It is not very much, but it does give enough to deal with wandering parties of Hokun met while adventuring. A complete description of Hokun society is very hrd to imagine; it would be quite large, with varied nation-states and interactions with human neighbours. >I would like a little information the Hokun, so far i only know they are >crystaloid beeings that are said to enslave humans. Are they native to >Tekumel No. They're from one of the star systems that were just beginning to exchange delegations with Humanspace when the Time of Darkness came. >Do they posess any multi-planar abilities like the Mihalli or >the Chima ? What about technology. Not very much interplanar skill -- far less than the Mihalli. They're about on a par with the Chima. They have maintained a little technology but not much, and not very consistent, Mostly they use items scavenged from the ruined cities on the far side of Tekumel. I hope some of the Thursday Night people will speak up here. >What are the better known planes of existance that Tekumelian travellers >are prone to end up in ? Scanning trough old Blue Room messages i found >one about the "Buffalo" plane, but that was it. This is a *very* hard question since nexus points are often "pointed" towards specific Planes or complexes of Planes. One nexus point may open into only one Plane, or it may open into a black velvet void where human senses perceive routes to many Planes as a sort of staircase hanging in black otherness. The steps look like ivory plaques, and they are attached to nothing at all -- very unnerving. These staircases wander, branch out, and even turn upside down so that a traveller farther ahead may appear as walking on the underside of a staircase and hanging head down in nothingness! >Also, can you tell me if there are any new developments on the Prof. >fabled third novel "The lords of Tsamra" ? Can we hope for it to be >released soon ? Alas, I haven't done much with it lately. Wish I could... Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //654 [Moderator's Note: The Professor answers Dwight's questions about how much ] [ people know on "Real" Tekumel, and some methods for lim- ] [ what characters know, even when the players know quite a ] [ bit. ] The average Tsolyani urban dweller knows more about flora and fauna, perhaps, than many of his Terran counterparts. His life is much more "back to nature" than that of a citizen of a large European/American city. The Tekumelani are closer to their ecology than Terrans might be. Every Tekumelani knows about Hmelu and Hma and Chlen-beasts. As long as an animal or plant occurs in the local environment, it will be familiar and known to all but a very few. One thus knows enough to avoid an Alash snake, or certain of the uglier insects of Penom. I would say that the average person, thus, is able to function as well as a Terran in similar circumstances, although the flora and fauna of a new and different region might initially be unfamiliar and require guidance from a local. For example, a Tsolyani travelling to Shenyu would have to learn to avoid the Shen delicacy, the Chr-melon. Just as you might rely upon a local or an exerpienced fellow-countryman here, so it is the same there. It is the same for a European who is introduced to that stinking but tasty fruit grown in Indonesia-Malaysia (I've forgotten its name), or somebody who tries to eat Manioc without processing all the potassium cyanide out of it! A month or two in a new place, and you learn enough of the ropes to survive. >[Moderator's Note: This had some game style issues, so I did send it direclty] >[ to the list. Professor, why don't you let us know what ] >[ the common man knows about the Flora and Fauna of Tekumel.] >[ I'll collect responses about the game mechanics part of ] >[ this message, and summarize them in about a week. ] > >While rereading my copy of Empire of the Petal Throne, I stopped after I >read some of the creature descriptions. Would players know about how to >deal with certain kinds of creatures. Mrur, for instance, must have their >bodies burned after they are defeated in combat. Would a player know that? >A priest of Ksarul or Sarku might know that, but what about a warrior who >worships Karakan? I know all of this stuff is up to my discretion when >running a game, and an NPC hireling might be able to help out the players >with information like that provided the information was well compensated >for. I guess the question is how much about the world should beginning >characters know? If rules or conversion rules are used to create "Real" >Tekumel characters, then I suppose a certain ammount of information would >all ready be in the hands of characters, depending on their background. >Empire of the Petal Throne characters might not have this information, as >they are assumed to be foreigners from smaller countries, or travelling >nonhumans. Not that a Shen is to likely to worry about whether or not a >bunch of Mrur is going to get back up and slug out with him in two >rounds.... Just some wonderings about the balancing act referees must >contend with. This is a somewhat different issue. Does a person know about Mrur? About Kayi, Hra, and other critters of the Underworlds? About fish and sea-life -- what's edible, and what are *you* likely to be edible to? About caves and their dangers? About climbing a mountain? One assumes that the person has not grown up in a vacuum. The temple schools teach about many of these things: not the inner doctrines or the nitty-gritty of the fauna of so faraway place, perhaps, but all that local citizens need to know. Stories and anecdotes circulate on Tekumel, just as they do here. Everybody has heard that Tsural buds will drive off a Thunru'u, even though some folk have never seen either one. The legends (many untrue) about Mrur, Shedra, and Jajgi are too numerous to recount here, and the feeding habits of the mighty Sro are discussed in the playgrounds of the temple academies of Bey Su. Burning an Undead to keep it from regenerating is pretty common knowledge: many students have heard of this, while peasants have some likelihood of knowing it. Referees, in my experience, often have a different problem: the players know *too* much. They know, for example, which chemicals must be combined to make gunpowder. They know they can hide underwater and breathe through reeds. They recognise a spaceship or tubeway car and automatically know what knobs and dials do. So what does one do? Give each person a background and then devise dice rolls when an item of information is needed. This *has* to be fairly arbitrary. Does a boy raised in a palace in Bey Su know much about Zrne? He has no skill in zoology or animal training, let's say, and thus can only have heard the tales and rumours of this terrible beast in school. He will have seen the word "Zrne" in school texts, perhaps, but he won't know much more than that. It is probable that he will have heard more stories about Mrur. If his family follows Lords Sarku or Durritlamish, he will likely have heard a lot about Undead, and may even have met a few at various ceremonies in the temple. A graduate of the Sarku-temple school will have heard about Jajgi, too, but this is a bit higher than most "common folk" go. The dice roll for a person to know about a given animal, plant, etc. must thus be adjusted: say, 01-85 for an urban Tsolyani to know about Hmelu, Hma, etc.; 01-70 for him to have read about Zrne; 01-30 for him to have heard that Tsural buds repel the Thunru'u; 01-20 for him to know something (some fact and some fiction) about Jajgi and the creatures of the lower Underworlds; 01-20 for him to know what a tubeway car is; and perhaps 01-05 for him to be able to insert one of the golden "destination discs" into the tubeway car's console. This all assumes that the person does not have a logical background that will automatically provide these facts (i.e. he/she is not a Tsural-bud grower). A traveller from Livyanu may not know even the commonest Tsolyani fruit (Mash), but in his own homeland he'll know just about everything in his environment. A peasant would have more knowledge of Chlen, Hma, and Hmelu -- including hands-on experience -- than a spoiled noble lad from Bey Su. One should perhaps handle this arbitrarily: look at the person's character-history; add in the levels of schooling he/she has had, figure out which items would be familiar and which would be alien; then set up a dice roll and go to it. Each character might thus get one (and only one) roll to comprehend a new creature or artefact, modified by the factors jsut mentioned. The temples do teach about many items not in one's immediate environment, and many libraries contain manuscript copies of comon texts on zoology, geography, and animal husbandry. There are travellers' accounts, too, and compendia of the wildly incorrect stories told by guides and tourists (cf. Herodotus on our own planet). Somebody who had read one of the latter might thus believe in the Flying Golden Zrne that is said to dwell on an island in the southern seas, or the Mud People of the Tale of Narkodlan -- both apparently quite without basis in reality. That's about the best I can do with this constantly knotty problem. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //655 [Moderator's Note: Peter Bismire sends another installment of his notes ] [ from Muresh. The Professor sprinkles in comments. ] >I was intrigued to see Joe Saul's mention of lineages crossing clans, as >I had just been through this experience myself! >Muresh introduced me to his "little brother", Dlamuz hiPagartra of the >Clan of the Iron Fist (Muresh is from the Clan of the Red Flower) Kasi >in the Legion of Mengano the Jakallan; 12th Imperial Artillery was at >the contrast between the two while Muresh is tall and broad shouldered >Dlamuz is short and stooped. The two are of an age with Dlamuz in fact >being about a year older. While not physically prepossessing Dlamuz >seems to have an almost instinctive feel for trajectories and the >accuracy of siege engines under his command seems to be almost >legendary. >In contrast to Muresh's chauvinistic view of archery (Give me a legion >of well armoured archers and I'll march to Tsatsayagga!) Dlamuz talks >of the proper intermixture of troops to make an army invincible. He also >cites Sa'alur of Jakalla frequently. >I first met Dlamuz when Muresh had taken me to the barracks of Mengano's >legion. The barracks in fact seem to be as much a workshop as anything >else and were humming with activity. A strong smell of sawn wood hung in >the hot air and I felt sorry for the poor slaves in the bottom of the >saw-pits. Hammering sounded from all around and a work-crew of slaves >chanted as they dragged a large log towards another mill. >In front of what I later found out was a storage shed a team of soldiers >in what had been originally white tunics were sweating and heaving at >the beam of a large trebuchet while a stocky little officer called out >instructions. >Seeing Muresh he sent his men for a rest and walked over. Muresh >introduced us and I complemented him on his men. >La! Many thanks, the quality of recruits these days leaves much to be >desired but as Sa'alur says "A good officer makes poor recruits better >and a poor officer makes them useless." >We wandered over and I examined the trebuchet. It was a large machine >but not as large as I had expected. Dlamuz explained that the size of >the machine had to be based on the available beams and the best of these >were normally rafted down the river from Gilraya. The civil war had >dislocated the supply and what Dlamuz regarded as inferior logs had to >be used. >"Ebzal trees supply the best main beams but tiu trees are also good for >this purpose. I am unfamiliar with the Ebzal tree, but this is not unusual -- I have next to no botanical training! I always thought Tiu wood made the best beams. >In both cases the timber must be fresh when trimmed but >given time to season if you are to get the best results. If need be you >can assemble a trebuchet from any local trees as long as you have the >fittings but the machine is likely to shake itself apart if you're not >careful and not give the best results." >Anyway, this particular device is not intended as a wall batterer but >to counter them. It was built when we anticipated the Salarvyani might >be at our gates and commenced construction of these wall mounted >trebuchets to destroy the attackers machines. Now that the civil war is >over and the Salarvyani seem to have evaporated we are dismantling them >again and putting the parts into storage." The danger from Salarvya is not over but only postponed. They'll be coming again. >The trebuchet was an interesting type called shaolekh (flowing-haired) >which instead of using a counter-weight was powered by muscle. At the >opposite end to the payload are a large number of hanging ropes. When >pulled in unison they can fling a projectile a good distance. One of the >advantages is that a small team of artillerymen can run a war-machine >supported by large teams of slave pullers. In the defence of a city >both public and private slaves are requisitioned to form these teams. I thought this type of machine was obsolete! Counterweights are the usual thing nowadays. >Dlamuz described even smaller trebuchets consisting of little more than >a pole with a pivot in the top in which goes a beam. These are powered >by two or three men on ropes and are used to deliver small rocks, pots >of burning oil and bags of quick-lime and other noxious powders into the >ranks of attacking troops. Field trebuchets are used by several armies on Tekumel. Even the Shen use them -- and those are *big* ones. >The talk continued in Dlamuz's chamber at the barracks. The walls were >decorated with drawing of siege engines and several models were >scattered about the room. >We had been discussing sieges (and yes Professor, Muresh does remember >you from Tleku Miriya. He thanks you for your comments about his bravery >but says it is merely lan to remain calm in the heat and excitement of >battle.) When the subject of city walls came up. Immediately my two >informants waxed lyrical over Patyel's Wall at Bey Su and I finally >learnt why this is such an obstacle to attackers. It also makes a fine place from which to view the arrival of the candidates for the Kolumejalim as they sail up river and disembark. >To begin with it is not one wall but three! This is correct, although the pressures of crowded housing and people building businesses and villas has made it a little difficult to see the three separate parts in some places. >The first part of the defenses consists of broad, deep ditch flanked by >a balustrade. These keep the enemy at a suitable distance to remain >under the fire of the main protection. >The ditch is more than five dhaibah deep and thirteen and a half wide. >It is filled by diverting part of the flow of the Missuma River and is >divided regularly by stone dams which hold the water from flowing away. >Along the back wall of the ditch is a low crenellated balustrade about >the height of a man, from which archers can fire across the ditch. This >also provides shelter to troops who might be mustered in front of the >outer wall. >Behind this is a terrace about ten dhaibah wide which can be swept by >fire from troops on the outer wall. This outer wall rises six dhaibah >with its towers a half daibah higher. Behind the outer wall is a terrace >about fifteen dhaibahh wide. The terrace is only four dhaibahh below the >outer wall and thus the first two dhaibahh of the wall are backed by >solid fill making it next to impossible to batter down. The outer wall >is studded with towers which have two fighting levels. The first is a >protected room from which ballistas can fire. The roof of each tower >provides a platform for small catapults, archers, slingers and >javelinmen. All the towers are open to the rear and thus if occupied are >exposed to the shooting of troops on the great wall. In addition every >third tower has a postern-gate on its right allowing troops to sally >while protected by shields on their left side. >The space between the walls, where troops can be mustered for sally or >defence, is over eleven dhaibah broad, and the great inner wall stands >ten metres high, with its crenellations reaching another one and a half >dhaibah, its towers rising to a height of almost sixteen dhaibah. The >wall is almost four dhaibah thick. >The wall is high and includes two fighting levels. The first is lined >with loopholes for archers and crossbowmen and is machicolated with >holes in the floor for pouring or dropping items on to troops at the >foot of the walls. The upper level is crenellated with a sloped roof >affording protection to the men beneath. >The towers are each mighty fortresses with three fighting tiers. The >lowest is used by crossbowmen and archers and is again machicolated. The >second houses ballistas and extra heavy crossbows. The third acts as a >platform for trebuchets as is described above. >Outside Patyel's Wall are the suburbs that have grown since its >construction. These are a constant source of difficulty as they include >not only ordinary housing but some of the higher clans have extensive >clan-houses. There is a constant surge and eddy as officials and owners >use their influence to remove or protect property that has encroached on >the open space in front of the ditch. >Outside these suburbs are the Walls of Hejjeka V, the Open Handed, which >was built to protect them. Despite the plural this is in fact only a >single wall some seven and a half dhaibah high but once again reinforced >with turrets and towers. >During the war of 2020 the Mu'ugalavyani took this wall quickly as the >Tsolyani forces were judged too weak to hold the full circuit and >concentrated their efforts in holding Patyel's Wall. The intervening >suburbs were fired to try and provide an improved field of shooting for >the engines on the main wall. All correct. >Despite the Tsolyani's best efforts the Mu'ugalavyani came close to >taking even Patyel's Wall. Possibly the decisive event was when >Mu'ugalavyani siege engines had started fires within the city and their >great siege towers were being pushed and dragged over the filled in >ditch and rubble of the outer wall. Suddenly clouds gathered and a >massive rain-storm swept the area. The rain doused most of the fires in >the city and the run-off attempting to follow the designed drainage >turned the ditch to mud then over-flowed and flooded the Mu'ugalavyani >camp. This Miracle of Avanthe according to her priesthood did much to >undermine the morale of the far-stretched Red-hats and a rising tide of >sickness and the cutting of their communications, due to the Battle of >Chanis, forced an exhausted retreat. Many of their troops were abandoned >as too ill to march and stragglers fell out all the way back to Pan >Chaka. It is said that their track could be easily followed by bodies >and abandoned equipment. Very well done, Peter. Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //656 [Moderator's Note: Brett Slocum reminds me that the very same gestures that] [ have negative meanings on Tekumel also have negative ] [ meanings here! ] >The following was part of an exchange between me and Professor Barker. >I wrote... >>I am trying to remember, but don't know if I dreamed this or what. Isn't >>there a gesture that implies the person is nakome? I thought it was >>something like touching then ends of your thumb and forefinger and forming >>a circle and raising it up to your eye and looking through it at the >individual. >>Am I nuts, or did I remember that correctly? >You remembered it correctly. That gesture is mostly used in Jakalla and >upriver to Bey Su. It is unknown in Fasiltum, Sokatis, and the east, while >in the west (Tumissa, Paya Gupa, etc.) it is sometimes used and sometimes >replaced by another gesture: the left hand is held out, palm down, at about >chest height. The gesturer then moves the hand back and forth in the air a >few times, signifying "nothing" = "*you/he/she/etc. is/are nothing!" > >Phil The circle with thumb and forefinger is a bad one in many Terran cultures as well. I seem to recall that this (essentially the American 'OK' sign) signifies 'you are an asshole' to many Latin cultures and the Mediterranean and South America. This should also be a reminder to world travellers to be very careful of any hand gestures when travelling in foreign lands. You might get yourself beat up. Last week's 'Savvy Traveller' radio program on NPR mentioned this. A woman living in Brazil was having a piano lifted into her apartment. After the workmen hard long and hard pulling on the ropes, she leaned out and gave them the OK sign. They were very insulted and she had to find out what she had done and then apologized profusely. They couldn't understand why she would insult them after working so hard to help her. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //657 [Moderator's Note: More news on Mitlanyal. Some bad (kind of) and some ] [ great! Thanks for keeping us informed, Bob. ] The pre-publication reading copies are SOLD OUT. One copy, destined for Nicky Lane in Virginia, is in the mail. Two copies have been held for persons intending to send orders immediately. No further copies can be sold. If you are not one of the three people listed above, and you have ordered Mitlanyal and not received it, please let me know immediately. If your check has cleared and you have not received your copy of Mitlanyal, please let me know immediately, as your copy is likely lost or delayed in the mail. Otherwise... you'll have to wait for TOME! Regarding TOME, two bits of news: TOME has returned to the plan of publishing Mitlanyal in one volume. Additionally (and I might add much to my surprise) they have requested additional content in the form of character sketches for each remaining chapter. So there will be one small reason for those persons holding the reading copies to purchase the final volume when it is published. [WooHOO] ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //658 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker answers a question from Rick Sauter ] [ about the current boundaries of the Five Empires. ] >I am interested in determining the boundaries of the Nations of the Five >Empires at the time of the ascenscion of the new Tsolyani Emperor, formerly >known as Prince Mirusiya. That is, which cities and provinces are under >Tsolyani control or are allied, and especially in the state of Livyanu. Thus >may advisories be given to travellers. > >Many thanks, The boundaries of Tsolyanu have been somewhat fluid during the past several years. THe Mu'ugalavyani have taken Pan Chaka but are apparently about to give it up in the face of the new Emperor's vigilance. Do Chaka is much as it has been for a long time: Tsolyani rule but with enclaves of "wild" Pe Choi occupying the hinterlands. The border with Yan Kor is now vague and constantly changing. Eastern Milumanaya has practically become part of Tsolyanu, with a powerful Imperial governor in Sunraya. The east has not changed too much: the Salarvyani have retreated out of Kaija (they couldn't stand the Hlutrgu either) and Kerunan and are nervously watching Bey Su for signs of a renewed interest in Mmillaka and the Gilraya Forests. The little town of Ru is still part of the Prefecture of Koyluga, but Emperor Mirusiya has indicated to the Salarvyani in Tsatsayagga that they must give it up. He's giving them a few months to turn over the government there quietly; otherwise comes the deluge! Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //659 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker answers a question from Evan Nitsopoulous] [ on how "new" religions would be handled on Tekumel. ] >A player in my group has brought up an intersting question. What would the >response of the Temples be if someone claming to be an agent of some new >deity, which could not be explained by the Temples as merely being just >another aspect of some already existing god,started going around the >streets of Jakalla(for example) and tried to spread the word? Would the >Temple Hierarchies react to this possible threat to status quo, and the >apparent abandonment of traditional values and beliefs? >Would they try and pigeon hole this new faith into some type of convenient >pre-existing structure. >Or would they ignore the person, merely brushing him off as some type of >quack? >What would they do if he started attracting a large body of followers? All of the above, depending upon the circumstances. In the first place, it would be hard to imagine a new deity who could not be fitted into the Aspect system somewhere. His followers, being Tsolyani, would already have this system strongly ingrained and would tend to make him an Aspect of somebody. When the British brought Christianity to India, they found that the Hindu priests were quite willing to make Jesus an "Avatar" of Vishnu, the God of permanence, continuity, and cyclical change. The missionaries reacted strongly and managed to keep Jesus out of the Hindu pantheon only by stubborn denial. The same thing had almost happened to Muslim Allah 600-700 years before, but the Islamic insistence on *one* and *only one* God made it impossible to put Allah (or His Prophet, Muhammad) into the pantheon. The Hindus had no trouble including certain kings (e.g. Tiruvallu Naik of Madurai), other prophets and great people (e.g. Mohandas K. Gandhi), but they couldn't get either Christians or the Muslims to accept roles as member-gods of a large group! On Tekumel, it would be likely that this "messenger" would find himself preaching to only a few people since the "gods" are demonstrably real, material, and immanent. The "new religion" cannot match the miracle plays and demonstrations of "magic" that any average priest can drum up. Traditions are strong, too, and it is easier to fit in as a gifted preacher or "reviver" of older values than it is to start something new. If the new preacher did get a foothold, by some means, the priesthoods would quietly cut off his funds, convert his followers back to the fold with bribes or threats, keep him from setting up temples (zoning laws?), and generally discourage him legally. Sentencing him to death is an option that probably need not be tried, unless he committed a real legal crime somewhere. Another and common solution is laughter: jeer at him and prove he is "insane" and should be cared for by his clan and original temple. Ridicule works about as often as capital punishment. Only if he really started to gain power would he be "offed." Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable. //660 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker answers a question from Charlie Goering] [ on Tsolyani coinage. ] >Can you shed some light on what images may be found on modern Tsolyani coins, >for example the kaitar? Also, are dates used on these coins? Thanks. I recall there was an article on Tekumelani coinage published in the old Tekumel Journal. I can't lay my hands on my copy right now. Perhaps someone else can help? Chris, if you have a copy of the coinage article, you might just quote the section on Tsolyani currency. Thanks! [Moderator's Note: I'll check into it. ] The Kaitar is a small gold coin, usually with a much-simplified image of the Imperial Seal on one side, and the throne-name and a date (in Tsolyani numerals) on the other. Some previous Emperors have tried adding mottoes (like "In God we trust"), and a very few have put their protraits on the coins they issued. This hasn't happened in recent reigns. The coin is just too small for great portraiture! Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: http://nexus.prin.edu or ftp://nexus.prin.edu Available 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down, or unavailable.