Thread: Questioning chirine ba kal

From Big Andy:
I know that in the early days of our hobby, almost everybody started as (and I suspect continued to be) wargamers. I know you, the Glorious General, and the Good Professor were and I think you mentioned that pretty much all the other group at least played Diplomacy (most misleading name for a game ever. no game starts more fights than Diplo) but it seems like there was a wider mix in your group. How did the Professor round them up? Students of his?

It was all 'friends of friends' in our group. Phil never, ever had any of his language students in for a game, even as observers. He kept his gaming life very, very separate from his academic life.

Also, what did the non-military characters do when the game shifted to military engagements? Did the non-wargamers have problems (become unhappy) when the game tilted that way? Did you guys run big battles on "off" days?

Most of the time, they were just as much in the thick of things as the troops were. Tiketl was an example of this - everybody fought. Third Mar, they were all in the baggage train, to try and keep them as safe as possible. It all depended on the tactical situation.

No. Everybody had their turn; we military types would sit back and watch them play, and they'd do the same for us. Phil made sure that everyone got face time, and had something to do - no matter how dangerous...

Depended on how long we thought that the game would take. We had about five hours to game on Thursdays, so anything longer got played on the Saturday immediately following.


Did the groups that played later, after you guys left, lose or ever have that war game connection?

Yes. They were power gamers, and wanted personal adventures that would benefit them personally.

Some military questions. In the Army book 1, Missum is listed as leading the Storm of Fire and not the Red Devastation. When did he switch? Was it a reward of some type? I know the book came out in 78 and was reprinted in 81 (and later).

After the stalemate in the NW Frontier campaign. The general in command of the Devastators was getting too close to retirement, so Karim Missum got the post as a reward for his service.

I did the '81 edition; Carl's later edition is a reprint of that.

It also lists that the Glorious General's Legion is "good not outstanding." Was this before or after Third Mar?

Before.

You mention that your Legion is Engsvanyali. How does that work? I know they are your personal troops but how did you get a "dead" Legion? Was there a body of troops carrying on old traditions, unpaid and uncontrolled by Imperial command? Did you get some dormant "charter" to start your own legion?

Yes. Tekumel is littered with 'lost' legions and units; see also "Deeds of the Ever-Glorious". In this case, All-Consuming Flame was a garrison unit that got forgotten when the Priest-kings' empire collapsed. They stayed in place near Hekllu, and were not on the rolls like Translucent Emerald was. When I got sent out to Hekellu as military head, I was given a 'form letter' to post calling all legions back into service. I posted this, and reactivated the 32nd Mediums, Translucent Emerald. My aide pointed out that there were also several cohorts of heavy pike in flame-red, and it turned out that they were All-Consuming Flame, rallying to the colors. As they were not Imperials, I wound up paying for them, and so they became my personal army; not an unusual thing, in Tsolyanu. They don't exist in the Imperial army list, but they were authorized by Prince Mirusiya. (I always do my paperwork.) I also got two cohorts worth of Vriddi mediums - clan troops, also not Imperials - so I have a nice little army to work with. I even have a photo of the legion's troops...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jvXCqf5B_...0/DSC00116.JPG

Which also reminds me- you mentioned earlier that you have the invoice/bill of sale for the terraforming of Tekumel for the Hokun. Is that something the Professor made that you have in your Great Archive or was it something you found in game? If it was in game, where did you find it and how did anyone read it?

Found it in Phil's files, and made a copy for my archives.

Originally Posted by Shemek hiTankolel

Congratulations on the award!
Those drawings are great. Looks like the "Flamesong" tubeway car is about 25' in diameter or so; that kind of jives with what I pictured. Judging by the seats the interior of the cabin seems to be about 10' or so. They are pretty darn big inside. I didn't realize that so little of the car protruded from the shaft. That troop transport is massive from what I can see from the picture. Thanks for the posts.

Shemek

You're welcome! Yeah, they are pretty big. I'm working on a model of one; I'll do a second with an interior. Maybe a station, too...

I think I'm all caught up. Did I miss anyone?

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

I think I'm all caught up. Did I miss anyone?

I think I posted while you were posting, too, but now I can add a follow-up question, too.
Do any of the inimical races have stasis fields?
And do they have access to at least limited precognition, not necessarily an easy one?

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

I like doing games on the water; it adds a lot to the fun, I've found!

I'm jealous. I wish my current players were more interested in military style adventures.

Originally Posted by chirine ba kal

Don't let Phil see this; he'll be all over it...

I never met Phil, but from your descriptions of what he enjoyed, I'm certain he was already familiar with the Saturnian tube cars. I had forgotten how small they were.

I think you'll be very amused by my Braunstein adventure. At one point I literally had Dave Wesley sitting at a table cradling his head in his hands.

Also, what in Sarku's Hells ever happened to "we're playing some games to have fun?"

Rhetorical question, truly. But Crom almighty, it wearies.

Originally Posted by AsenRG

Right, and that's exactly why I said the parallels with organised religions,and with some "schools", are strong.
Also, what makes you think I haven't done my research? But enough of that topic.

Last comment... sometimes it seems like Tekumel was born under an ill-favored star. Ever since TSR bought the license from Bill Hoyt it seems like there has been one kerfluffle after another.

Originally Posted by Hrugga

Ohhh Boy!!! A few examples of some stations would be great!!! Maybe a hub...?
Thanks in advance.

H:0)

The bulk of the stations are the 'private' ones; a chamber with a hole, and the three plates that you step on to summon the cars and which also indicate the station's status. These are also above ground, in some ancient locations, but the basic layout is the same. Stations that can take the big cars are laid out a lot like our train stations, with a horizontal platform - the spherical cars can line up at these. The hubs are huge underground chambers, multi-story, generally circular with a huge open floor and walls with many tube openings in them. Repair machines, cargo handling robots, and security androids are all over, and come to life when a car arrives. I do not advise getting out, but if you must...