Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Swords & Glory, Vol. 2: Tekumel Player's Handbook

Hello, 14 year-old me...
I stumbled across this post on the Tekumel Foundation blog early this last week, on Facebook (I think I traced that back correctly...) This version of Tekumel, published by Gamescience back in 1984, was my introduction to The Good Professor's astounding vision so, needless to say, I was giddy as a novitiate of Dilinala, and eager to get my hands on it.

When I expressed my joy on Facebook, Victor Raymond, one of the, well, founders, I guess, of the Tekumel Foundation pinged me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing it if he sent me a copy. I've known Victor for five or six years now, and even played in a con game he ran, poking about in the Underworld of Jakalla, so I was more than happy to help him out. Plus, you know, BOOK.

I was 14 in 1984, and a friend of mine mentioned seeing this crazy game--I think a store employee gave him the low-down on the world. Somehow I had some money, birthday maybe, so I ran out and picked it up, opened the box and whole new horizons opened up in my brain.

So, back to the actual book. Physically, it's beautiful--a gorgeous full-color cover and a nice, clean scan. DTRPG's POD services have gotten quite good. The binding is tight is flexible, and the paper good quality. There aren't a whole lot of illustrations (not unusual back then), but the art that is there is excellent--clear line drawings, some by The Good Professor himself.

Before taking a quick look at the game-system itself, it's important to point out this particular volume is vol. 2; the first volume is an almost inexhaustible sourcebook. A third Referee's Guide was advertised but, tragically, never materialized. Maybe the Foundation has notes buried away somewhere...

The rules allowing you to step into Tsolyanu are, well, plentiful. Numerous as the official epithets for the Emperor of the Petal Throne. Is that a bad thing? Not at all--I certainly liked that kind of density when I was 14. Not so much now, but such is age. We did play it back then, a number of times, and my memory is of the system flowing along smoothly. And maybe that's it--there are potential rules for almost anything you can think of, though they're mostly in the form of modifiers. The core mechanic can be summed up as "cross-referencing": You have a number on one axis of a table; you cross-reference it with a number on the other axis, and you arrive at a percentage chance for success. That consistency makes the density bearable. And, of course, you could most likely jettison a lot of it if you wanted to without harming anything.

However, here's the other thing about the rules, something I don't think I quite grokked when I was 14: they add another whole layer of Tekumel, above and beyond the previous sourcebook. Not to wander off into game theory, but there's the idea that some games are built for Simulation, formally defined as facilitating the experience of actually being in a given milieu (this is not the same thing as theoretical Immersion). I bring this up only because easing into these rules (first and foremost the process of character creation) will soon find you on a sakbe road, heading north from Bey Su to Avanthar, hearing the bellowing of chlen, the chatter of merchants, the cursing of soldiers, the chanting of priests, the singing of children, knowing in your heart of hearts that you are destined for greatness, your deeds recorded forever in azure ink on pages of paper-thin gold.

Many thanks to the Scribe of Bey Su...

In the Scribe's own hand...


66 comments:

  1. Dang....now I'm going to have to dig out my Tekumel novels and re-read those. All two of them.... Good memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did that myself just a few months ago! The Tekumel Foundation just released (well, maybe six months ago?) a beautiful reprint of Man of Gold...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great game i have new Razer ProCPU so i can now play on another game but i love swords glory 2

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice post about great game :D
    _____________
    3D Fly

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very interesting post ;) I don't remember this game from my childhood. ;)
    ____________
    Systemy Reklamowe

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow.. I don't know this game.. Interesting post. Good :D
    ______________________________
    Wyƛwietlacze Reklamowe LED

    ReplyDelete
  8. The core mechanic can be summed up as "cross-referencing": You have a number on one axis of a table; you cross-reference it with a number on the other axis, and you arrive at a percentage chance for success.!!
    Texas Electric Company

    Compare Electric Rates

    Texas Electric Rates

    Power to Choose

    Compare Electric Plans

    ReplyDelete
  9. the other issue regarding the foundations, one thing i do not assume I quite grokked once I was 14: they add another whole layer of Tekumel, higher than and on the far side the previous sourcebook. to not get lost into scientific theory, however there is the concept that some games area unit designed for Simulation
    Compare Electric Plans
    Compare Electric Plans
    Commercial Electric Rates Texas
    Texas Electric Choice
    Compare Electric Plans
    Compare Electric Plans
    Power to choose
    Texas Electric Company
    Compare Electric Rates
    Texas Electric Rates

    ReplyDelete
  10. So, back to the actual book. Physically, it's beautiful--a gorgeous full-color cover and a nice, clean scan. DTRPG's POD services have gotten quite good.!!!
    Texas Electric Company

    Compare Electric Rates

    Texas Electric Rates

    Power to Choose

    Compare Electric Plans

    Texas Electric Choice

    Commercial Electric Rates Texas

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bardzo wartoƛciowy wpis z Twojej strony. Wydaje mi się ĆŒe mĂłgƂbym o tym wspomnieć na swojej przestrzeni w internecie, tj. Portal Apetyt Na Wiedzę

    ReplyDelete
  12. Compare electric rates USA Making an energy choice that is efficient can make a big difference in the cost of your energy bill. No need of a major investment in time or money to make sure you’re wasting less energy and saving more. Commercial Texas electric rates If your dryer isn’t providing enough heat or moving air sufficiently through the clothes, then you might have noticed they are taking longer to dry, and at times, not dry at all. Compare Electric Rates Making an energy choice that is efficient can make a big difference in the cost of your energy bill. No need of a major investment in time or money to make sure you’re wasting less energy and saving more. Texas Electric Rates place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In the winter, this will help heat the room instead of the wall. Texas Electric Company To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close window shades, and drapes in warm weather and also pay less for power in turn. Power to Choose but also to save water by scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading in the dishwasher.Compare Electric Plans Most dishwashers are designed to thoroughly clean dishes that have food scraps, as compared to rinsing off. Commercial Electric Rates Texas If your dryer isn’t providing enough heat or moving air sufficiently through the clothes, then you might have noticed they are taking longer to dry, and at times, not dry at all. Compare electric plans Texas summaries the inevitable bill shock into four stages! Best electric providers Texas its energy-efficiency and also to what kind of weather the home normally sees during the heat. So, choose energy, wisely!
    Compare electric TX

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great and useful article. Creating content regularly is very tough. Thanks you. I know how to get homework done fast.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sell and Buy or sell and buy stuff locally anything, anytime and anywhere with bid on used stuff. First online auctioning site powered by Dialog to solve all your buying and selling needs.
    It takes just a few easy steps to find what you are looking for or sell used or brand new products at competitive prices. Learn the art of local auction as you go through the hundreds of products listed on sell4bids.com .
    Here is the response for An online auction and shopping website. You have gone to the ideal place since this is the greatest network devoted to all Crossword Test Answers, Cheats and Arrangements. An exceptionally well known diversion created by Irregular Rationale Recreations (otherwise called Transformation LLC). The motivation behind why you are here is on account of you are having issues finding the response for online auction marketplace and shopping site. Our staff is working day by day with the end goal to give all of you the most recent answers, cheats and arrangements. In the event that something is missing or its wrong at that point please leave a remark beneath and one of our staff individuals will enable you to out. Much obliged to you by and by for visiting our site.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I guess, of the Tekumel Foundation pinged me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing it if he sent me a copy
    WORLD NEWS TODAY
    EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
    WORLD NEWS TODAY

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was giddy as a novitiate of Dilinala, and eager to get my hands on it.
    Power to Choose

    Power to Choose

    ReplyDelete
  17. keep it up...


    WEB EASY is a leading Web Development Company in Pakistan.They are well known in this field SEO Services Pakistan. Their services include WordPress theme development, Custom web development, and Digital Marketing services.WEB EASY is Digital Marketing Agency Pakistan specializing in web design, web development, e-commerce.
    SEO Agency Pakistan
    SEO Provider Pakistan
    SEO Packages Pakistan
    Web Development Company

    ReplyDelete
  18. State-funded schools are experiencing strain to accomplish more with less cash while enhancing understudy execution, all while obliging the requirements of an extensive variety of understudies. RFP search engine is available which will give you the education bids and other RFPS for digital learn. This has prompted an ascent in government contracts for advancing computerized realizing.

    RFP Bid sites
    RFP Bidding sites
    RFP Sites
    best rfp database
    RFP Aggregator

    ReplyDelete
  19. Modal kecil bisa menjadi jutawan lohh !! untuk informasi Lebih lanjut Silahkan hubungi kami .
    WA : +6282143134681
    WA : +6282143134681
    TELEGRAM : Bolapelangi8
    INSTAGRAM : Bolapelangi_01 - Bolapelangi88
    TWITTER : Bolapelangi88
    LINE : Bolapelangi_

    ReplyDelete
  20. BOLA PELANGI - BANDAR MIX PARLAY TERBESAR DI INDONESIA HANYA DENGAN 1 USER ID SUDAH BISA BERMAIN SEMUA GAME.
    Join US ! klik link di bawah ini ?
    Prediksi Bola dan Togel
    Bola Online
    Mix Parlay
    Bola Jalan
    Bandar Bola

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great with detailed information. It is really very helpful for us.
    Village Talkies a top-quality professional corporate video production company in Bangalore and also best explainer video company in Bangalore & animation video makers in Bangalore, Chennai, India & Maryland, Baltimore, USA provides Corporate & Brand films, Promotional, Marketing videos & Training videos, Product demo videos, Employee videos, Product video explainers, eLearning videos, 2d Animation, 3d Animation, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard Explainer videos Client Testimonial Videos, Video Presentation and more for all start-ups, industries, and corporate companies. From scripting to corporate video production services, explainer & 3d, 2d animation video production , our solutions are customized to your budget, timeline, and to meet the company goals and objectives.
    As a best video production company in Bangalore, we produce quality and creative videos to our clients.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You've done an excellent job with this article. It's not only informative, but it keeps the reader's interest and it's just plain smart. Thank you.Lahore 42 news gives latest breaking news and information from Lahore city. We provide lahore news live with fastest live broadcast. Lahore city 42 news Live.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The car service you picked represents an essential role in your time management. You can focus on your schedule while Daisy Limo caters to you around the city.

    Booking Car service

    ReplyDelete
  24. When you use a genuine service, you will be able to provide instructions, share materials, and choose the formatting style.
    Very interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
    car shipping quote
    car transport solutions

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
    car shipping quote
    car transport solutions

    ReplyDelete
  26. I do not know who you are but definitely, you’re going to a well-known blogger in case you aren’t already Cheers!
    quantum Transport solutions offered impeccable service, easy and prompt. If I ever need such services again, I’ll definitely call. car transports solutions
    the quantum company arranged for a truck to arrive the very next day. The price was good, and I didn’t need to pay any deposit. He took my calls every time throughout the shipment, so I always knew where my cars were. They all arrived in perfect shape on the earliest day they were estimated to arrive.
    car shipping quote

    ReplyDelete
  27. Prompt reliable service. Very competitive cost. Dropped off the car without any hiccups. Always gets me service quickly at a great cost.
    Door to Door Auto Transport
    InOperable Auto Transport

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Awesome link thank you for sharing. I will get great information from here.
    Superb Developer

    ReplyDelete
  30. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a medical procedure that involves injecting a single, live sperm into the center of the human egg. It was developed to help couples who had failed to conceive using traditional IVF methods. This technique overcomes many of the barriers to fertilization and enables couples to produce a viable embryo. The Best IVF Center in Pakistan is Australian Cocept.

    ReplyDelete
  31. That sounds like a wonderful journey back to your teenage years! Your review captures the depth and richness of the Tekumel world and its game system really well. I'm sure other fans of the setting will appreciate your perspective.

    Buy monopoly go partner carry

    ReplyDelete