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 ARCHIVES -- VOLUME 5 121: The End of Alien Races 122: Announcements 123: Professor Barker Chats About the Inimicals. 124: Announcments 125: Hu'on, a Tsolyani Martial Art 126: LARP's 127: More on Hu'on Article 128: More on LARPs 129: Clan and Lineage Questions 130: Announcing Tekumel-Con 1996 131: The Worship of Dra 132: Questions on Tekumel and the Weaver 133: More on Blue Eyes 134: Dedaratl, Temple of Thumis Martial Art 135: Question about Pavar's Deities and the Pariah Gods. 136: More on Blue Eyes 137: Pavar/Pariah Resply 138: More on Pavar 139: More on Pavar/Pariah 140: More on Pavar/Pariah 141: Planes and Multiplanarness 142: More on Pavar/Pariah 143: More on Pavar/Pariah 144: The Blue Light Society 145: More on Pavar/Pariah and the True Nature of Ksarul 146: A User Contributed List of Persons in Pala Jakalla 147: Planes and Multi-planar-ness Reply 148: Who's Who Compendium 149: Yanaz Mittlamu: The Martial Art of Livyanu 150: Deeds of the Ever-Glorious released on the Net ****************************** //121 [Moderator's Note: Bob Alberti is throwing in the towel on this one, too. ] [ The figure napping in the corner has whispered into my ] [ ear that he has wearied of this topic, and that maybe we] [ should agree to disagree about it. He suggests that any] [ who wish to continue with it, send word of that desire ] [ to his overworked servant (the moderator), and he will ] [ be happy to provide a method for you to communicate. In] [ as much as this is his bedchamber (for now), let us ] [ defer to his wishes. :) ] >Genetically similar? Cannot communicate? See Mr. Alberti's precis on >counterfactuals. Well, I think my point is hereby proved: Alexander is talking about something *I* did, a coversation that he and I have already had, and I have no idea what he's talking about. If it's possible for two such similar creatures as Alexander and I to be unable to communicate a shared experience in a mutually understandable fashion, it does not seem unlikely that two inimical and alien species would be simply unable to communicate at all. >You and Mr. Alberti are both making assumptions about Ssu society, genetics, >and linguistics. That's fine, I genuinely don't mind. Both of you, however, >have failed to take into account, and explain, the empirical evidence >adumbrated by Prof. Barker in the source material. Well, uh, inasmuch as Prof. Barker IS the 'source material', and inasmuch as he has said that the Ssu and Humans can't communicate, then what are we arguing about? [Moderator's Note: Agreed! ] Really, no hard feelings Alexander. This thread has gone 'way beyond my ability to follow, both in terms of raw time and also technical ability. All I can do is give my patented "Alberti Flip Answer." Arjai hi Vaisoner, Priest of Ksarul, Cloak of Azure Gems Clan. Tarinu hiKirisaya, Warrior of Chiteng, Golden Bough Clan. Adlar hiFershena, Warrior of Karakan, Red Sword Clan. Bob Alberti, Priest of Ethernet, Programming Geeks Clan. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 5PM to 8AM Central Time //122 Announcements: I have finished my upgrade to Win NT and the ftp site should be working. Please check it out and let me know if you have any troubles. I have checked it out as well as I can on my end, and some have had minor troubles with it. I have some good news! Now that I am on NT, I will leave the ftp site running during the day... Ain't pre-emptive Multitasking wonderful! I should be upgrading the server software to be NT native soon, too. I have a new article to put in the articles directory. It is the Temple of Sarku, and listmember Floyd Brigdon provided it. Thanks Floyd! I am doing the final checking of spelling, etc against the original tonight, so the article should be on the site tomorrow. I have also received a new article by David Lemire on Hu'on, one of the Martial Arts of Tsolyanu. The professor has seen it and has approved it to go on the ftp site in the approved direcotry. I will also send it out on the Blue Room, too, since it is fairly short, just shy of 3 pages. I'll send out a text only version on the list, if you want the fancy version, you can get it from the ftp site. If any of you don't have ftp access, please let me know and I'll see what I can do about providing alternate access. I can probably even just mail stuff out. About writing/transcribing articles. David's article came complete with accent markings. While this is nice, it does have some drawbacks. I really need to have text, for numerous reasons, I have a writing guide to create text documents with accent markers, so that I can create the Word docs and .ps files that have the fully accented characters. Sadly, some of us don't have a way to read these, and I do send text files out occasionally. So, I do need documents without actual accented characters. I would most like them with the accent markers in text accord- ing to the afforementioned (sp) guidelines. Maybe I should put them on the ftp site? Probably a good idea. They'll be under GUIDLINE.TXT in the articles directory. (Dave, I'll send you a copy) ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 5PM to 8AM Central Time //123 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker speaks on Alien Races and the Hluss ] [ question generated by Message 118 and Bob Dushay, thus ] [ the book closes. ] > = Chris Davis >> = Sandy Petersen >I don't think Adam is too far off here. I think you can't say that it >is "so patently wrong as not to need falsification." In the first case, >it is very difficult to know what Ssu or Hluss can do or not do, since >they are imaginary creatures. In the end, the Professor will report what >they are and are not capable of doing/learning. None of us can really >say how wrong something like this is, because we don't have enough solid >information on the inner workings of the Ssu and Hluss and the way their >societies have evolved. In all likelihood the Professor may not even know. Right. I myself don't KNOW all that the Hluss and Ssu are capable of doing. Their societies are a closed book, even to me -- and please don't start writing a short history of the Ssu or a "Decline and Fall of the Ssu Empire!" I think that players ENJOY having mysteries and unexplainables, when it comes to otherworldly races and locales. I would have felt rather let down if H. P. Lovecraft had devoted a treatise to the reproductive habits of Yog Sothoth! My feeling is that some horrors are fun NOT to see, to know, to understand... >>A Ssu doesn't need >>group pleasure any more than does a rattlesnake, a sea elephant, or >>a spider wasp. Perhaps they do, within their own societies for the right cultural reasons...?? >>And all those species get together in bands at times >>for quite different reasons. The inimical races do indeed have gatherings -- groupings, festivals, conventions -- I don't know what they do or why. I would be more than a little nervous to try to find out. >Well, I haven't read the Orange adventure book in a long time. But in >message 118 from Bob Dushay, he refers to a part of an adventure where >the Hluss mother speaks to the adventurer. I believe it was voicing >anger at the killing of its brood. I don't remember if she referred >to them as her children or not... in any case, it does sound like there >is some grouping/attachment that appears on an evolutionary level above >creatures like bees and ants. In the end, I don't know. Only one >among us may possibly know. I'll continue to keep an open mind on whether >Ssu have family units, and whether or not they learn the same way we do >until there is absolute proof one way or the other. On p. 11 of the orange adventure book, the Hluss-mother uses a human captive (kept for food) to speak to the humans around her. She has him say, "You -- have -- slain my brood, human. You have slain my children. Now you are come to slay me too!" What I was attempting to describe was total neural control over her captive: Note that SHE did not utter a word but rather used her captive's knowledge and organs to make him produce her message. Ssu and Hluss are thus definitely able to communicate, if you have a human or two to act as speakers -- and are willing to accept damage done to the specimen! Notice, however, that the Hluss-mother's message was simple and expressed haltingly. Communication is thus not easy -- nobody can sit down and negotiate with these creatures or read them the comics page! They are clearly intelligent, above the level of bees or ants by a long way, but they are NOT able to -- or interested in -- communicating with their hated enemy (humanity) except in the direst of circumstances, and then only in short, simple words that can be wrung out of a helpless captive, expressing concepts the Ssu or Hluss clearly comprehend and which fit into their own cultural matrices. I would be a lot more comfortable if these species did NOT try to communicate with me in this unpleasant fashion... [Moderator's Note: As I read it today, I saw two possibilities. The human] [ used to communicate was in extremely bad shape. No ] [ skin on the skull, etc. Gruesome... As I said 2 pos- ] [ sibilities, 1) that the Hluss Mother had some type of ] [ telepathic control, or 2) that it was being controlled ] [ physically, such as a ventriloquist's dummy. ] [ It sounds from the description above, that it was more ] [ like #2. ] All in all, this discussion has been most interesting, with everybody making some good points. There is much here to think about, far more than the usual science-fiction "aliens" that are either mindless, murderous monsters or else humanoid enough to pass for humans with pointy ears! (Or, as in the case of some various recent TV series, humans with rubber noses or foreheads glued on to make them "alien"). Even given the rare and unusual example of the Hluss-mother in the orange book, I don't consider communication between humans nad the inimical races to be very likely, or even very possible -- not in any depth or with much sophisticated transfer of information. Given the best intentions and a clean slate on both sides, perhaps the Ssu and Hluss could have communicated with the first-contact humans who landed on their world, but it's a little late now for peace, love, and $24.00 worth of beads ... Let me think on this matter, and I may be able to come up with other examples of communication between the inimical species and our own. Sometimes I think Yog Sothoth would be easier to natter with. M. A. R. Barker ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 5PM to 8AM Central Time //124 [Moderator's Note: This is another announcement from your moderator... ] Hi everyone. A few listmembers expressed concern about the tone of the list lateley. We're all here to have fun, so let's make sure that we maintain the congenial way we commun- cate on the list. I want the list to be fun, and heavens yes, we can disagree. If someone's message really lights your burners, and you find yourself beginning to don your asbestos jammies, wait a couple of hours before replying. I'll try to do a better job of routing threads that get to philosophical, or to mired down in 20th Century science to personal email. We are all here because we love Tekumel. Lets enjoy it together. As the Prof opines, "We're here for fun!" Chris ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //125 [Moderator's Note: This information has been approved by Professor Barker ] [ as being compatible with "Real" Tekumel. Copies of this] [ document are on the ftp site, with included accent marks] [ and in all the usual formats. Thanks David! ] Hu'on in Action by David Lemire Cheku'unish Arodle, merchant of the Clan of the Bronze Oblong in Kheiris, was making his usual caravan rounds from Kheiris to Fasiltum when, while passing the Kurt Hills on his way to Bey Su, he witnessed the harrowing encounter below. The narration which follows is intended to serve as a springboard from which to discuss Hu'on, the system of unarmed combat taught in the clandestine monasteries of the Temples of Ksarul and his Cohort Gruganu. It was late in the month of Lasdara and I was despairing of making Bey Su by Dhahla tenth for the Tsolyani Feast of the Accession when I had a most unsettling experience. My caravan had stopped for the night at a Sakbe road tower near the Kurt Hills, their thickly forested heights had been tumbling toward our grey-brown ribbon of road all day. Now they stood just over the wall. The guard tower was larger than usual, almost a castle, thanks to the quarries they provided. In any case, I remember having left my caravan to my clan-brothers and gone on a rare search for diversion in hopes of curing the headache I had, worrying all day over the Arjashtra River crossing. I found a game of Kevuk being played by eight Kurtani tribesmen and a mild individual with bright, intelligent eyes, a quick wit, and an indefatiguable smile. Playing Kevuk with Kurtani cutthroats! Something compelled me to stop and watch. The Kurtani, with their leather jerkins and braided hair and beards, were quaffing ale by the khu'uma. They laughed, cracked weak jokes and shoved or clouted one another while the other man, who wore a faded black robe and odd ankle-length pleated skirt of thick Firya-cloth, smiled amiably or spoke as though he were amongst his closest clan-relations instead of a pack of up-country ruffians. Everyone called him Njumutokh, which means in Tsolyani simply "gambler". His initial resources lost, the nearly shaven-headed gambler then produced five Suor, the large golden coins of great Engsvanyalu. Betting reached a fever pitch and then suddenly the luck of the Kurtaniyal broke. The gambler threw "Ksarul - Black" three times in a row. With a wide grin, he reached out to scoop the Kumesukan toward himself. What followed took no more than a couple Si'ila [one Si'ila equals 4.5 seconds] to unfold. A Kurtani to the wanderer's foreward left, whom others called Tikkun, seized the Njumutokh's outstretched right arm just above the wrist. Instantly the gambler was on his feet, his left hand locking Tikkun's hand in place like an iron vise, his right hand rotating inside, up, across, and down in a savage open-hand slash that audibly, and horribly, broke Tikkun's wrist. He then executed three or four left backfist attacks to Tikkun's eyes, temple, and throat while holding the hapless Kurtani off-balance by pulling his still outstretched right arm (now broken at the wrist). His final backfist grabbed Tikkun's wicker bowlcap, his right hand flashed foreward to grab the Kurt-ani's beard, then, tilting the bully's head slightly back as he came, Njumutokh drove a thudding knee smash into his opponent's nose. Using a dead man's head for balance, he immediately unleashed a high side kick to his right rear (so hard it made his long skirt pop like a sail!). The kick struck the next nearest Kurtani just beneath the jaw; he dropped on his face like a stone. By now a third Kurtani had lunged wildly foreward with his dagger aimed at the gambler's stomach. But Njumutokh was ready. Still on one foot, he grabbed the attacker's knife hand in both his own. Arms stiffly foreward, he turned the Kurtani's attack momentum downward and then circled his knife hand out and up, pivoting inside on his left foot (having by now reset his right, which provided the step-through for the inside pivot). The low inside pivot torqued the Kurtani's wrist such that his thumb now pointed downward, his knife now pointed at his own belly. And there it plunged. The grab, pivot and plunge were absolutely seamless in their execution. The knife plunge's power had lifted the unfortunate Kurtani off his feet. As he fell on his blade yet another attacker lunged over his falling comrade with a wicked short sword thrust. The gambler merely continued his left circle. Allowing the sword to graze his ribs, he grabbed this Kurtani's wrist with his left hand, locked his right elbow under his opponent's elbow, and then drove further through his continuing left pivot, using his hips and shoulders to throw the poor tribesman while at the same time breaking his elbow and taking his short sword. The landing chipped his tailbone, but this was accidental. I had been able to take but one step backward, frozen as I was by the sheer intensity of the combat. There stood Njumutokh, a Kurtani short sword reverse gripped in his left hand, a relaxed, almost playful, expression of readiness apparent in his every form and feature. Across from him stood four surviving Kurtani, now wielding knives, swords, and staves. Two came on with a shout, one swinging a sword from the wanderer's foreward left, the other darting quickly around to the right rear while bringing a stout quarterstaff into play. The gambler melded suddenly and instantly with their converging momentums. He spun on the ball of his left foot toward the foreward Kurtani, intercepting his high arcing sword hand with his own uprising right -- there the iron grip. His reverse gripped Kurtani sword drove backwards while his grappled victim dove foreward across his back and over his shoulder. The backward drive of the gambler's Kurtani sword ripped into the belly of his assailant, whose foreward flip, and the gambler's savage return, tore out the Kurtani's spleen. Before the return, however, Njumutokh swung the grappled sword hand of his assailant down across the path of the other Kurtani attacker's quarterstaff swing, which had missed its target because of the gambler's evasive left spin. The sword bit savagely into the quarterstaff wielding Kurtani's foreward left arm just as his staff hit the hard-packed dirt of the market yard. Exploding in the opposite circular direction, Njumutokh ripped his reverse gripped Kurtani sword up diagonally across the staff wielder's throat while chopping down the other assailant with his own sword. He now faced the two remaining tribesmen, a captured sword in each hand. The two Kurtani turned on their heels and ran. No more than two Si'ila [just over 8 seconds] had passed during the entire combat. From this description it is clear that Hu'on is not simply a martial art style using kicking and footwork. Of the fourteen separate techniques employed by the Hu'on master in the above account, only two were kicks. Three or four were punches. Four were sword attacks. Five were grapple/throw/joint techniques. Hu'on is known as a kicking style because it does teach spectacular spinning, leaping, and double kicks, the hardest techniques in fighting to master and maintain, but in actual combat it is a very balanced style well suited to dealing with any life-or-death situation. Hu'on teaches ground fighting and grappling, open hand strikes, punches, and kicks, and even certain weapons, as an integral part of its training program. The short sword, quarterstaff, and assassins' weapons are its specialty. Beginners develop their coordination, balance, and flexibility through a variety of exercises; intermediate students work on increasing their agility, power, accuracy, and endurance through further exercises and sparring; advanced students command such things as timing, perception, speed, and mental strength/ endurance through numerous "secret" challenges. It takes about five years of dedicated training to master the basics of Hu'on, but even twenty and thirty year Huathudaliyal insist that the learning never ever ends. For short term espionage missions, for the Ndalu Clan or the other secret societies within the temples of Ksarul and Gruganu, there is a pared down, lean and mean, version of Hu'on which stresses only the most straight-foreward, easily mastered, and instinctively recalled techniques. Chokes, strikes, kicks, and locks that can be used successfully even when exhausted, wounded, or when the mission has gone really wrong: it is this version that is taught to the Omnipotent Azure Legion's political arm. The OAL, it must be said, adds further elements from Dedaratl, Charage, and just plain filthy brawling. The basic system, however, upon which OAL unarmed fighting builds, is Hu'on, and the OAL's many Stability worshippers care not one shred about this because they know Hu'on is much more realistic than Dedaratl or Charage when it comes to actual combat in some dark, cramped, space far from friends and the protection of the Imperium. Perhaps a return to the opening narration will further clarify the philosophy of Hu'on: There again stood the gambler -- two Kurtani lay behind and four more lay in front or to either side. His unassuming smile became for the first time dark with concern as he arranged the bodies of the dead and examined the condition of the wounded. He asked me for help as he attended the latter. Soon Imperial guardsmen from the castle arrived. They questioned the mysterious traveler briefly and then led him away to their commanders. He acquiesced with that same winning smile. To my utter amazement, he was back within a Thanmra [180 minutes] trying to scrounge up another game of Kevuk. He even wheedled my caravan guards! I approached, asked his lineage and clan, and complimented his warrior skills, saying that I doubted the great hero Pendarte could have done so much with so little in so short a space of time. He laughed, said people really called him Njumutokh, but failed to identify his clan or any other affiliation. He was so personable I hardly noticed. I agreed to play Kevuk with him, and in the course of our hours together -- the game lasted until dawn -- I learned a little about the philosophy behind his martial art. Njumutokh said, for instance, that combat is life and death, and that life and death are both "becoming" -- both "Change in its suchness." He said the great mistake of many styles of martial art, whether armed or unarmed, is the establishment of rigid forms students are required to practice constantly; this completely chokes off their ability to respond in a real, constantly shifting and changing, situation such as mortal combat. So Hu'on stresses the "change" in combat and most training consists of sparring with partners instead of learning forms by rote. More later, including Dedaratl and the martial arts of other nations, such as Livyanu. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //126 [Moderator's Note: Sandy Petersen talks about LARPs, and specifically notes] [ the existence of a Tekumel LARP. ] In a private conversation with Chris, I asked him if he was going to come to Dave Cheng's Tekumel LARP. Chris's response was the logical, but unexpected, "What is a LARP?" This posting is, frankly, only relevant to Tekumel inasmuch as the Tekumel LARP ought to be tons o' fun, so anyone who wants to discuss Engsvanyali grammar or something else can delete me now. [Moderator's Note: What Sandy doesn't say, is that I did eventually figger'] [ out what LARP meant. :) He did, however, confirm its ] [ meaning for me. ] What is a LARP? The major form in the USA consist of a sort of cross between interactive theatre, a roleplaying game, and a game of Diplomacy with about fifty players. When you show up at the game (which may last from several hours to a whole weekend), you are handed your character, described in more or less loving detail. Your character has goals, special powers (usually), etc., all laid out for you to utilize or ignore, as best fits your personality. Combat is normally _not_ acted out, but is symbolized in some manner (in the Cafe Casablanca game I ran, we used Rock Paper Scissors, and in the King's Musketeers, we used a variation on Simon). There are gamemasters, who answer player questions, instigate major plot changes, and so forth, but they do not dominate the play as in a tabletop game -- really, they're more like referees than "real" GMs. These games are exceedingly fun -- the most fun I've ever had fully clothed. Typically a large number of the players come in costume, though perhaps an authentic Tekumel costume is a bit much to expect :(. Still, a lot of mileage can be gotten with a simple cloak and plastic sword. Emotions run high, and treachery, deceit, as well as loyalty and honor are all plentiful. And you don't have to worry about being killed, since you're only playing for one weekend. The most fun I ever saw a player have in a LARP was a guy who was arrested, had a show trial, and was then publicly executed. He was the focus of attention of the whole game for a couple hours. [Moderator's Note: About costumes. I have seen some nice looking Tekumel ] [ costumes. I don't know who was in them, but at a con in] [ Biloxi, MS., sponsored by Zippy Disturbances, er, Zocchi] [ Distributors, (at least I think they sponsored some of ] [ it) someone was running about in a really nice costume ] [ of a priest of Ksarul. Nice mortarboard and everything.] [ Do you know who that belonged to Phil? You were there, ] [ too. There were some others too. Do you know of any ] [ other costumes floating about? Note: there _is_ a subtype of live action game in which combat is very much acted out, players go up in "level", play campaigns, etc. as run by NERO, for instance. This is NOT what I'm talking about here. In essence, LARPs provide another way to experience Tekumel. They don't replace tabletop roleplaying games, nor are they an adjunct to it, but a full experience in themselves. Anyone interested in more information on LARPs in general is welcome to contact me. [Moderator's Note: The only one I have ever been involved in was a loosely ] [ based in CoC. I didn't care for it too much. I can ] [ visualize far better when roleplaying, than Live ] [ Action playing... But that is just me! Thanks for the ] [ info Sandy, and good luck with your Tekumel LARP, David. ] [ Let us know what it was like. ] Sandy P. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //127 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker reminds me that David's article on Hu'on ] [ is told by a Mu'ugalavyani. This is by no means a prob- ] [ but some of you who have an eye for detail may have noted ] [ what you thought was some mistakes in month names and ] [ other details. Those are the Red Hat names. ] Very interesting article. I know nothing about unarmed combat systems, preferring the HK submachine gun line myself. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //128 [Moderator's Note: The Professor comments on LARPs. ] >In a private conversation with Chris, I asked him if he was going >to come to Dave Cheng's Tekumel LARP. Chris's response was the >logical, but unexpected, "What is a LARP?" This posting is, frankly, >only relevant to Tekumel inasmuch as the Tekumel LARP ought to be >tons o' fun, so anyone who wants to discuss Engsvanyali grammar or >something else can delete me now. I think a Tekumel LARP would indeed be tons of fun. I hope it comes to pass. I'll be happy to be on hand, if it occurs somewhere I can travel to easily -- like within a radius of 5 miles of my house! >[Moderator's Note: About costumes. I have seen some nice looking Tekumel ] >[ costumes. I don't know who was in them, but at a con in] >[ Biloxi, MS., sponsored by Zippy Disturbances, er, Zocchi] >[ Distributors, (at least I think they sponsored some of ] >[ it) someone was running about in a really nice costume ] >[ of a priest of Ksarul. Nice mortarboard and everything.] >[ Do you know who that belonged to Phil? You were there, ] >[ too. The person you saw, Chris, was Curtis Scott, who ran the New Orleans Tekumel convention. Alas, Curtis died in an automobile action while travelling to (or from?) GenCon a few years ago. He was a wonderful gamer and a good friend. May Lord Ksarul accept him directly into the Blue Room... [Moderator's Note: I had no idea that was Curtis inside all that black ] [ velvet and silver mask... Amazing! ] David Cheng wants to hold a Tekumel get-together in Minneapolis or St. Paul -- perhaps next year. I wish him well and promise to be there, if my health permits. [Moderator's Note: That sounds like fun. I'll do my best to be there as ] [ well, if he/we can make it come together. ] ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //129 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker answered these questions from someone ] [ who opted not to join the list. He still wanted to ] [ share the answers. ] I will happily reply to this person's questions. I'm sorry he didn't join. >I understand most of the listed clans are all of at least high >standing, and that within clans there are families, and lineage >is then passed to the children. The listed clans in the old Zocchi "Sourcebook" include a selection of high. medium, low, etc. They were all Tsolyani clans, and only a mention has been given here and there, of Livyani, etc. clans. The lineages cross over from one clan to another, although "high" lineages tend to be found only in "high" clans, etc. In vol. 1 of "Adventures on Tekumel," I included only high clans because most players want the independence and financial freedom to adventure -- and don't want to e ordered around, spat upon, or otherwise treated like scum. (As one of my friends always puts it: "I am a scuzz-bag in this world; I do not wish to be a scuzz-bag in somebody elses...") >Here comes the question. Is lineage within Tsolyanu passed via >matriarchal or patriarchal lines? Is this something that is negotiated >within marriage contracts? (The Clan member named in line 3c, will >join the Family of X Y and Z with the following conditions. The lineage >of X will be passed to the children born of union with 3c, economic >duties will entail blah blah blah, etc.) Or are marriages more standardized? Marriages tend to remain within the same or closely related clans, although LOTS of exceptions exist, particularly with second, third, etc. marriages that include one wealthy or higher class mate who marries "down" into a lower clan/lineage in order to get a beautiful wife or a handsome husband. The clan and lineage of the child is usually that of the father, but is he is the "lesser" member of the union, he may get his wife to negotiate membership in her (=higher) clan for the children. If the union is about equal, the couple may agree that a first child belongs to the husband's clan, a second to the wife's, etc. -- or ask an omen from the gods, roll a pair of dice, etc. Sometimes economic, familial, and other consider- ations come into play, too. >It is difficult for members of different social classes to mix, since >there is such cultural seperation. However, once you are of at least a >high clan, what is more important, clan or lineage? Who would give deference >in a social meeting, a member of White Stone clan of a very very old >lineage, and a good family, or a member of Golden Bough clan of a rich >family group, but which doesn't have as vaunted a lineage? The clan is what counts for "seating" at banquets, ceremonies, etc. Within the clan, deference goes to higher versus lower lineages, then to age. Gender does not play much of a part. >To get a specific. I probably am the highest Clan within our group being >Sea Blue clan. Our GM had us roll for a couple odd traits, and my character >'un'lucked out having blue eyes, but is quite handsome nontheless. What >would be reactions to such a character with such odd features? He is 15, >recently sent from the Isle of Ganga to Jakalla to study in the temple of >Ksarul. Two other characters are also studying there. Blue eyes opens a whole new can of worms (no Sarku pun intended!). Blue eyes are considered a curse and an abomination (read "Man of Gold"), and you may be shunned in spite of being Sea Blue. I dimly remember from my history lessons a prince who had blue eyes and was not allowed to compete in the Kolumejalim because he was likely to prove to be a misfortune for the Empire! My suggestion: since dark glasses don't exist on Tekumel, go to one of the better temples of Lady Dlamelish and see if they can fix the colour of your eyes with either spells or some kind of dye. (The latter may affect your eyesight, so use it sparingly!) >Other questions if you have the time, might be how strict are temples with >acolytes, do acolytes normally stay at the temple if they have the money to >do otherwise? Do they keep slaves at the temple? Are the acolytes themselves >expected to do chores? Is this something understood socially? Or are these >considered 'beneath' someone of high clan? Answers: the temples are usually quite strict with acolytes. Acolytes usually live in the temple dormitories while in training, although wealthy kids do get to go home a lot, if their families live in the same city. Money may be wonderful, but where would you go to live? "Apartments" ("flats") are not common, particularly for young people who have clans and families. People WITHOUT clans/families may have to live somewhere in the city, but the quarters they may have to rent would not be very nice and might bring about a good deal of social eyebrow-raising. The temples have large contingents of slaves, many living in temple quarters. The priests can order these about, although acolytes can only give orders within permitted limits. Slaves do most of the "chores": dishes in the refectory, laundry, room-cleaning, etc. But don't command a slave girl to sleep with you -- unless your temple preceptor gives permission or orders you to do so first. (He/she may feel it is "healthy" for a young person to have such a bedmate -- especially in the temples of Avanthe & Dlamelish.) >Have I bombarded you with enough queries yet? If not, how blase would someone >of a high upbringing be about magic. Is there such a thing as 'common' >magics? No common magic. People know that magic exists, but not everybody has seen it. Thanks and regards, M. A. R. Barker ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //130 [Moderator's Note: Sorry David. I didn't mean to open the bag, as it were. ] The cat is out of the bag, so I might as well make it official. I am in the very preliminary stages of organizing a Tekumel-Con, in Minneapolis, for Summer/Autumn 1996. I've corresponded with Professor Barker and he has given his blessing. I see this event as 98% Tekumel. What that other 2% would be, I don't know. I saw people playing _Magic: the Heroin_ at RuneQuest-Cons past, so I guess I should keep an open mind. I expect to get about 100 attendees. We'll have many various RPG sessions (EPT, S&G, Gardasiyal, Tirikelu, or whatever you want to bring). I've already heard from a few folks who promise to bring minis, including John Medway & Rob Smith, who as you know are sculpting (and selling!) their own line of 15mm figures. They're also developing a custom set of minis rules (I've played, and they're maximum fun). We'll have several Tekumel-related seminars, to be chaired by Prof Barker, Bob Alberti, and other luminaries. I'll almost certainly steal an idea from RQ-Con, renamed as "The Tekumel Lore Auction." The biggest (and most suicidally ambitious) event will be the planned Tekumel LARP. I see this as a 100-player undertaking, with no other events scheduled concurrently, to take place all day Sunday. We'll see how things develop. Of course, we need volunteers. Please think about if you'll be able to attend, and if so, what you can do. We'll need a bunch of people to run RPG, Board & Minis events. We'll need some to work registration, etc. We'll need a few to help with the LARP, whether to write characters or just to be GMs/NPCs. This may seem like a strange request, but we need women. For the LARP, that is. It just won't be the same if we don't get enough females into the game. I don't know about you, but the thought of playing a seduction card on some guy wearing green silk veils just doesn't do it for me... If you have women in your gaming group, start getting them psyched up for the con now. At past RQ-Cons we had folks travel from around the world to attend. I can only hope Tekumel is capable of engendering a similar level of fanaticism. The very-preliminary contact I've had with the _Eye of All-Seeing Wonder_ group indicates that they'll be sending a delegation. Start saving up now. What I need IMMEDIATELY is someone in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, or someone a reasonable drive away, who can help me scout hotels. I've made some calls already, but flying from New York City just to look at prospective venues seems painfully expensive. If this sounds like something you might be able to help me with, please email me your phone number ASAP. You may think that travelling all the way to Minneapolis just for a gaming con is dumb. That's what I thought too, but then I went to England for _Convulsion of a Trillion Tentacles_, a mainly-RuneQuest/Glorantha convention. I came back psyched enough to organize RuneQuest-Con in January 94. I've been helping or leading cons for about fifteen years now, so I know what I'm doing. If you attend, I'm pretty sure you'll feel it was worth it. It could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of event. If you're interested in helping out, please email me directly. [Moderator's Note: David, this is a heroic task! Count me in for any help ] [ you need. Of course they'll be lots of Free Pub on the ] [ Blue Room, and on Nexus. You can count on my being ] [ there, too. ] More as things develop, * David Cheng drcheng@stern.nyu.edu cheng@io.com ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //131 [Moderator's Note: Floyd Brigdon asks about the worship of Dra. ] Dear Floyd, > 1) What is the nature of the worship of Dra? With the other deities, >it is pretty easy to see what the scope of their "influence" is and what >sorts of activities might be associated with them. With Dra, though, this is >puzzling. Aside from singing the Hymns of Hnalla's Praise, what activities do >priests of Dra engage in? What about the average (non-schooled) worshiper? Dra is indeed somewhat of a problem. His basic function is to focus upon the worship of the Divine Light of Lord Hnalla. He thus cares nothing for any of the Planes he is on, devoting himself so utterly to his Master that he is almost unconscious of what is around him -- or happening to him. His role in our lives is as an example: a paragon of divine concentration and singleminded devotion. Priests of Dra engage in rigorous denial of their surroundings. This is why others joke about them -- on Tekumel as people do here. These ascetics are in some ways akin to the Hindu Sadhus and Sanyasi who sit motionless so long that it is said that moss grows upon them! -- Or hold their arms up in the air until the arm atrophies and cannot be lowered again. This is NOT an easy life, nor is it one of porcine laziness, as understood by some players over the years. Rituals consist of Sufi-like chanting of verses from Lord Hnalla's traditional hymns. This is often done in solitude, but one also finds small groups of these priests (and a few priestesses) performing these rituals together. Temples to Dra are built not by his worshippers but by followers of Lord Hnalla, as a sort of charitable act: a gift to people who are considered holy and who cannot or will not build shrines themselves. The "average" non-ascetic Dra worshipper comes from a clan and lineage that historically worships Dra. There are very few converts, of course, and most of these are ascetics and zealots who wish to devote their entire spiritual and physical being to the worship of the Divine Light. Those who are not so spiritual-minded go on with their humdrum, mundane lives. They also serve as caretakers for their more ascetic brethren, arranging for food, cleanliness, lodging, etc. as their contribution to the worship of their strange, aloof god. > 2) What sort of temples does the Temple of Dra have? I seem to remember >someone (it was probably on the usenet) joking about a priest of Dra living >out of the Tekumel equivalent of a cardboard box. Is this impression correct >or do the Temples of Dra share the same lavishness as those of the other >Gods? As said above, temples to Dra exist in almost every large city. They are usually built and maintained by the temple of Hnalla (often adjoining or next door), and food, candles, sleeping mats, etc. are supplied by less- ascetic worshippers and well-wishers. After all, Dra is the Devoted One, the Lord of Hymns, He Who is Blinded by the Eternal Light. It is considered "noble" for others -- members of such temples as Avanthe, Dilinala, Belkhanu, Qon, and even Chegarra -- to sanction and support Dra's role, making small offerings of food, money, clothing, etc. to Dra worshippers who need these things. A temple to Dra is usually just a square room, sometimes with small storerooms attached, where supplies are kept. Sleeping mats are scattered here and there, and the most ascetic (and hence physically helpless) worshippers and "clergy" sit wherever they wish, facing towards the temple of Hnalla. Caretakers from the Dra-worshipping clans move among these people, feeding, washing, gently moving and massaging limbs, and caring for their charges. > 3) Does Dra figure in any of the epics in any function other than in his >praise of Hnalla? Did he, at some point, have a different "personality"? >(Perhaps he is an example of what happens to gods when they "burn-out"? :) ) Yes, he figures in several of the epics: he is mentioned as "with" Lord Hnalla at the Battle of Dormoron Plain; he praises Lord Hnalla in a rather beautiful Engsvanyali hymn during the hero Hrugga's battle against the Demon Qu'u. He is seen in a more active role in one of the Jakallan song-cycles about the Heroes of the Age -- but this seems to be apocryphal and not part of the canon. > 4) Does he have Aspects like the other deities or is he a >"what-you-see-is-what-you-get" kind of god? He has only one Aspect: himself. He never needs to appear in other forms, it is said, because he must always concentrate upon the Divine Light. This makes him quite insensible of his physical appearance. "Playing" a devotee of Dra has its drawbacks. One can play one of his less- ascetic devotees, of course, and go about one's human affairs normally. But to play one of the Devoted is like wanting to play a Hindu Sadhu: how long do you sit on top of the mountain peak before you get bored and decide to play something else? Dra is very important in the scheme of Tsolyani religion, but he is not a deity who lends himself easily to action- adventure-role-playing! [Moderator's Note: It sounds from the above information that those who ] [ are less ascetic, spend what would have been their ] [ time learning etc, in the temples of Thumis, and ] [ Hnalla... Especially the Sorcerers and their temple] [ spells. I imagine these fellows (the sorcerers) are] [ learning within the temple of Hnalla??? ] I hope this helps. Phil. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //132 [Moderator's Note: Bob Alberti and Professor Barker answered some questions ] [ about Tekumel and the Weaver of Skeins for someone reading] [ alt.games.frp.tekumel on Usenet. ] NET: So Tekumel's surface area is roughly 67% bigger than Earth's. BOB:And has been pointed out, Tekumel's land/water ratio is much higher than BOB:Earth's, so there's a LOT more land. NET: So, there are maps of the NET: land area of Tekumel? *slobber slobber* When do we Unwashed get to NET: see 'em? I'm dying to know what the long-fabled Southern Continent NET: looks like, what tane looks like, where the Nom come from, where the NET: Chima sail, etc. I'd also like to see cultural information for the above NET: places, names, maps, spells, laws, societies, etc. Of course, I know NET: I'm probably dreaming, but it would be great to see this stuff come out. BOB:The globe in question exists, but it by no means presents the entire BOB:surface area all nicely mapped out for inspection. The TOME maps BOB:represent about one- BOB:third of the northern hemisphere. The Southern Continent takes up (I think) BOB:about half the southern hemisphere. The "back side" of the planet is an BOB:array of island chains with a couple of larger islands but no major BOB:continents (if BOB:I'm recalling correctly). BOB:The southern continent is shaped roughly like a long oval or rounded BOB:rectangle and covers half the southern hemisphere. I've seen the map BOB:of it once or twice, but having not travelled it extensively it was pretty BOB:hard memorize it. MARB:Your memory is fairly accurate. It is a BIG planet, however, and MARB:- frankly - I myself have never completely exxplored the other side. MARB:A lot of that region is owned by the Hokun or the Chima -- and perhaps MARB:other races. There may also be some human enclaves over there. I know MARB:there's one just over the north pole on the other side of Yan Kor. MARB:Occasional ships make the passage. (I suspect a lot more do NOT make it.) MARB:I had originally planned to draw up maps, etc., but the complexities MARB:of THIS side of Tekumel were so many and demanded so much attention MARB:that I never got around to formalising the rest of the planet. Soon, MARB:I hope ... MARB:Re:the "Weaver of Skeins." He is a common figure in most of the Five MARB:Empires (I think the Salarvyani may not have him..?). No myths or MARB:legends are told of him, and in this regard he is rather like the MARB:"Sandman" or the "Tooth Fairy," although Fate or Luck might better MARB:represent his role. He is indeed a metaphorical construct, rather MARB:than a person. NET: The Tsolyani NET: seem to have a Death figure (Missum) who seems at once a metaphorical NET: figure (the Reaper of Souls who makes all things die) and an actual NET: Demon Lord who can be summoned, placated, etc. However, it does not NET: seem to be that Missum is actually responsible for all Death, just that NET: it seems to be an area of... well, let's say "interest" for that NET: particular worthy. MARB:This is correct. "Death" is a metaphorical construct quite apart from MARB:the demon Missum, who brings "missum" (death). NET: Is there an actual "Weaver" demon who can be summoned NET: to produce similar results? Perhaps a demon of Stability with an essence NET: or nature of Belkhanu (since an orderly death would seem to be his area NET: of specialty)? Anyone able to ask Prof. Barker himself? MARB:That's "Phil" to anybody on the Blue Room. But, I must reply that I MARB:have not heard of a Stability _demon_ called the Weaver. He is just MARB:called "Elitokoi" ("the (noble) Weaver"). BOB:A "Weaver" demon would have to deal out destiny: it would have to control BOB:the BOB:fates of all persons in a much more sophisticated manner than does Missum. BOB:People would have to be able to find mates, achieve glory, fall to financial BOB:ruin, make history or be forgotten by it, all due to the efforts of the BOB:Weaver. BOB:This is not as easy to arrange as simple death-and-eternal-servitude. So it BOB:is not the case that a convenient demon has come along to fill that function BOB:and hence "become" the Weaver. MARB:Oh, I suppose it's easy enough if the legends grant you all the powers MARB:you require to do these tasks: cf. the concept of an "Omnipotent" god. MARB:Your explanation is thus not really a "reason"; but the idea is essen- MARB:tially correct. Having one being in charge of all fate, destiny, etc. MARB:would infringe upon the powers of the (thoroughly jealous!) gods and MARB:would cause religious upheavals throughout the Five Empires! MARB:I think the Five Empires enjoys the visual, personalised concept of a MARB:(faceless) human who weaves a great tapestry, patterning the skeins and MARB:putting meaning and design into the universe. The Tsolyani in particular MARB:are great visualisers -- not abstract thinkers very much -- and the Weaver MARB:appeals to them greatly. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //133 [Moderator's Note: David Bailey adds to the Professor's reply about blue ] [ eyes. ] In-Reply-To: <199508241930.OAA27048@spectre.prin.edu> MARB comments, in respect of having blue eyes: >My suggestion: since dark glasses don't exist on Tekumel, go to one of the >better temples of Lady Dlamelish and see if they can fix the colour of your >eyes with either spells or some kind of dye. (The latter may affect your >eyesight, so use it sparingly!) I have the strong feeling that this is one of the reasons that one of my gaming friends has chosen to play a priest of Ksarul. That mask sure comes in handy as a reason to hide ones eyes. Maybe he really does have a rare skin complaint, or maybe he has hit on a replacement for ray-bans. As a general rule, having one really awful problem does tend to help players find a reason to act in the game, and the Professor's idea of going to the temple and asking for a favour is splendid indeed. "As it happens, there is a shortage of that particular dye, sir. If you could just run over to M'morcha and pick a few kaitar weight of the pretty red anthers from the 'fnishtet' bloom, I'm sure we could help you. Next, please!" ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //134 [Moderator's Note: David Lemire expounds on yet another Tekumelani martial ] [ art. (Great Stuff David!) The Professor has approved ] [ this material as compatible with "Real" Tekumel. I'll ] [ put a copy of it on the ftp site soon. ] Dedaratl: Temple of Thumis martial art by David Lemire Dedaratl Inaction Dedaratl, the martial art developed by and taught in the temples and monasteries of Thumis and Ketengku, seems almost the opposite of Hu'on, the other martial art now practiced in Tsolyanu (which was described in my last dispatch to the Blue Room). Whereas Hu'on stresses external actions, such as striking with initiative, strong combinations and counterattacks, and advantageous evasions, Dedaratl concentrates on the esoteric spiritual condition of having all parts of the self in complete and utter coordination. The Hlakme, "the conscious mind", acts as perceiver. The Baletl, the spirit-soul, acts as the center of 'Stability'. The Pedhetl, the "reservoir of raw emotion", acts as the power source. The Chusetl, "the shadow-self or unconscious mind", acts as the mind-body coordinator. And finally the Bakte, "the physical body," acts as the instrument of response. Dedaratl seeks to fuse these elements together through "a stringent, continuous program of mental as well as physical application," quoted from "Dedaratl lel Qadarkoi Prazhurin" (Dedaratl and the Eternal Struggle). Once fused, any aggressive solicitation causes an immediate, and more importantly "unimpaired", circle of response which includes perception, evaluation-decision, and reaction. According to Dedaratl's theory of attack and defense, the problem with most martial arts is that emotional, intellectual, and environmental interferences disrupt even trained combatants in high stress situations so that their reactions are either weak or excessive. These disruptions take a variety of forms: some fail to perceive an attack until it is too late; some are paralyzed by the very fact of the attack or are too focused upon just one of its elements; others poorly assess its speed, direction, or developmental momentum; finally, some lack the physical conditioning to effectively respond. Dedaratl seeks to remedy these shortfalls through the fusion of the five selves mentioned above. "It is meaningless and self-defeating to concentrate on the outer factors of a martial art", says Horu hiVrazhimu, who studied Charage as an adolescent under his famous grandfather's direction but has since become one of the greatest devotees of Dedaratl in recent centuries. He goes on to stress: "The body has its all too obvious limitations, but who can describe with any certitude the mind's limits or its developmental possibilities. Combat, in reality, begins in the mind! And the domain of the mind is limitless and ever-expanding. To develop the imaginative and controlling powers of one's mind, to fuse all the powers of the five selves -- only one of which being the functional capacities of the Bakte, the physical body -- means the possibilities of that self-same body will be enhanced and its general functioning improved, while the character and personality is developed and matured. Without inner growth, the rest is nyelmekh -- illusion!" Dedaratl thus pursues what in the literature is called a "noble" defense strategy -- one in which the combatant instinctively selects the proper techniques for neutralizing a particular attack, reacts so swiftly that these techniques are applied while an attack is still developing or, at higher levels of practice, before an attack has even been fully launched, responds so consistantly that Dedaratl has become a part of the combatant's overall self, and acts so powerfully that the entire combat is controlled from beginning to end. Four principles have evolved over time to achieve the above: the "Belkhanu"-principle (centralization), the "Avanthe"-principle (extension), the "Karakan"-principle (leading control), and the "Hnalla"-principle (sphericity). The first refers to a condition of centeredness or "Stability", both inside and out, whether in combat or not. The second refers to channeling the Pedhetl's vital force into one's techniques to produce an immovable stance or irresistible action of defense. The third refers to "leading" the potentially dangerous and concentrated force of an attack into harmless channels (i.e., toward the outer edges of its intended line of development, or beyond its intended point of impact). And the fourth refers to the innumerable horizontal, vertical, and diagonal circles into which the Dedaratl master leads his opponent's attack(s). The principles of leading control and sphericity make it very clear that Dedaratl is a combat art in which the bilateral strategy dominates. In other words, Dedaratl is about responding, defending, reacting and counterattacking rather than attacking. In fact, in its most traditional form -- that taught in the famous Hauninggakte Monastery -- there are no strikes at all! According to Dedaratl theory, direct attacks, especially committed ones where the attacker is oblivious to anything other than striking his target, render the attacker vulnerable at every stage of their unleashing. Attacks cause an inevitable widening of the attacker's defensive perimeter as hands, elbows, knees and feet move to bring the weapon to its target. This "widening" creates numerous opportunities for countermeasures: strikes, sweeps, grapples, throws, locks, bars, etc. The Dedaratl stylist thus waits for his opponent to attack, and then slides in toward, out beyond, or along side the line of his attack, and once there he uses his opponent's own momentum to defeat him circularly. Some traditions of Dedaratl refer to this as "gathamikh naikh" (lit., taking the spear). There are other traditions of the art, however, which eschew all such talk of strategy. Dedaratl, according to its grandmasters within the monasteries of Ka'alur and Hauninggakte, becomes a part of one's nature. Once the fusion of the five selves has been achieved, it flowers without strategy, without thought. One reacts with no conscious intent when attacked. Dedaratl happens spontaneously. It harmonizes opposing forces, thus preserving "Stability". Attacks flow naturally around the "fused" individual. The attacker, never knowing exactly how, finds himself flying head over heels, or facedown in the dust with his arm and wrist locked 'just so.' This fusion of the five selves, it must be said, is achieved through exercises similar to those taught in sorcerous acadamies for sharpening Psychic Ability, so there is some question as to whether non-psychic persons can ever truely master Dedaratl. Horu hiVrazhimu reports that he can "see" an attack before it even begins. This level of pre-cognition cannot be expected of general practitioners. Dedaratl, it must also be said, is not a unified art. There are numerous branches of Dedaratl, ranging from what is thought to be the most traditional and least aggressive (that style taught in Hauninggakte, Ka'alur, and the temples of the far northeast) to the least traditional and most aggressive (that style currently popular in Bey Su and other major cities). As was said before, Hauninggakte Dedaratl has no strikes. Modern versions of the art (those developed after A.S. 1000 roughly) simplify the complicated techniques of traditional Dedaratl and include so-called "finishing" or streetfighting moves: defenses designed to counter the most common grabs, punches, chokes, kicks, and strikes of all kinds. These include kicks, punches, strikes, and breakings that were never part of Dedaratl before the religious wars of the ninth century. This spectrum merely gives one an idea of the range of Dedaratl practice. Individual masters further specialize. The priest Kerrune hiChuyon, for example, emphasizes in his acadamy at Urmish the use of pressure points and other physiological softspots within human and, where known, non-human anatomy. The use of nerve secrets, knockout pressure point attacks, and potential death blows clearly departs from the ease and spontaneity of traditional Dedaratl, but many of his students argue that these innovations, along with other more straightforward techniques to finish an aggressor, make Dedaratl much more useful than it was previously. They also state that, in many acadamies, time once spent on "the fusion of the five selves" is now spent on strenuous athletic preparation and training in "every possible principle of strategic application" because opponents are increasing in their skill and power. This seems to be a tacit recognition that the bilateral strategy is not applicable in every circumstance. For instance, when the opponent feints, draws a Dedaratl counter, and then himself counters that counter! ----- //135 [Moderator's Note: Adam Levine looks for comment on the following... ] One of my players and I recently had a discussion about the Pariah gods and what they might represent. The thrust of this conversation was that while Dlamelish is in some ways opposite to Avanthe, from an animistic point of view, a god that embraced the concept of total destruction by disease, defilement and decay would in fact be more representative. I could easily see the worship of these concepts associated with one of the Pariah gods. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with thoughts on this matter. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //136 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker follows up to David's message. ] >I have the strong feeling that this is one of the reasons that one of my >gaming friends has chosen to play a priest of Ksarul. That mask sure comes >in handy as a reason to hide ones eyes. As I have said somewhere or other, the masks of the Ksarul priesthood are worn only for ceremonial reasons: certain rituals demand them. One doesn't wear heavy robes and masks in everyday life -- there would quickly be a lot of deaths from heat exhaustion! Ksarul priests (and priestesses) wear their fancy (hot and airless!) masks during various temple ceremonies and then strip them off (panting) and go about their usual businesss attired in no more than a kilt, tunic, and sandals! Same reason why full plate armour is NOT worn when out for a walk, or when marching along a Sakbe road. More player characters have dropped along the wayside because of this than I can count. >As a general rule, having one really awful problem does tend to help >players find a reason to act in the game, and the Professor's idea of going >to the temple and asking for a favour is splendid indeed. "As it happens, >there is a shortage of that particular dye, sir. If you could just run >over to M'morcha and pick a few kaitar weight of the pretty red anthers >from the 'fnishtet' bloom, I'm sure we could help you. Next, please!" Good adventure idea! The dye is found in Jannu, however, and is made from the crushed root of a vine that has deep violet leaves. I don't know the Jannuyani name, but the locals will probably know what you want. A tincture of this stuff is used like eyedrops. As I said, it is not particularly good for one's sight. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //137 [Moderator's Note: Professor Barker responds to Adam's Question. ] Dear Adam, >One of my players and I recently had a discussion about the Pariah gods >and what they might represent. The thrust of this conversation was that >while Dlamelish is in some ways opposite to Avanthe, from an animistic >point of view, a god that embraced the concept of total destruction by >disease, defilement and decay would in fact be more representative. I >could easily see the worship of these concepts associated with one of >the Pariah gods. Pavar's pantheon does not necessarily include only "opposites" (in human terms). The principle of stability/fertility/fecundity/cycles seems to the Tsolyani to be quite opposite to change/personal-pleasure/ephemerality/. The Pariah Gods, if they can be understood at all, seem to seek total NULLITY, rather than just the opposite of some human emotion/concept. They are not interested in any single aspect of Being but rather in Non-being. They thus seek "Non-existence" as opposed to "Existence" (at least in our human terms). They are hard to fit into human concepts at all, and their only appeal is to greed (for wealth, power, etc. etc.), which they are willing to help their followers achieve for a time, until they finally decide to make their move and end all matter on the Planes they invade. This is not a happy fate, but their human adherents are willing to risk the chance that this horrible denouement will come later, rather than sooner. Millions of their followers, it is said, live out their lives, achieve wealth and power, and die perfectly natural deaths without ever having to face the invasion of their monstrous deity and the erasure of all being on their Planes. The Pariah Gods are an interesting bunch. They are not, strictly speaking, "opposites" of any of Pavar's deities, however. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //138 [Moderator's Note: Keith Tillek adds some more to the Pavar/Pariah thread. ] Professor Barker writes: The Pariah Gods are an interesting bunch. They are not, strictly speaking, "opposites" of any of Pavar's deities, however. I would argue that the pariah gods ARE opposite to ALL of Pavar's deities. All of Pavar's pantheon deals with existance. Even Sarku deals with continued existance after death. I have always looked at the pariah gods (as a player anyway) as the ultimate in badness. The "normal" pantheon seems to have it's own checks and balances between themselves. The Pariah gods seem more likely to just come in and do what they want without these restraints. You also have to realize we are talking about gods, not just your friend down the street. I don't think that the Professor will disagree when I say that even he is not privy to all the machinations of the gods. -Keith ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //139 [Moderator's Note: Sandy Petersen adds to the Pavar/Pariah topic. ] I think I understand the Pariah Gods now. You want the gold. The Ksarul priest wants the gold. You're willing to kill each other over it. Both of you might be considered "bad" by an Earthly onlooker. Along comes the Pariah God and he wants to _destroy_ the gold, so you and the Ksarul priest, and even non-humans, will unite against such a threat. [Moderator's Note: The Pariah Deity also wants to destroy you and the Ksarul] [ Priest, all your other possessions, the ground you're ] [ walking on, the whole planet, in other words, everything ] [ and then some! :O ] Presumably even the inimical races, if they understand the concept of a Pariah God, are more or less hostile to them. Though that doesn't mean they'll ally with humans vs. the threat, of course. [Moderator's Note: As you note, the enemy of my enemy is not always my ] [ friend. While the inimicals might fight the Pariah ] [ deities, they would still probably not cooperate with ] [ humans, but who knows. Comments Professor? It might ] [ make them more irritated at us, knowing that they had to ] [ ostensibly side with us against the Pariah deities. ] Sandy Petersen ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //140 [Moderator's Note: Adam has some questions about Planes and Multiplanar- ] [ ness, and describes some of his excursions on Tekumel. ] [ I spoke with the Prof this morning, and he hopes to ] [ have some commentary before I leave at 3:00 PM. Other-] [ wise, we'll have to wait until 9/17, when I return. ] [ Sorry Adam, and everyone, but vacation is calling me, ] [ with a bullhorn! ;) ] Professor Barker, I had the good fortune to know the late Curtis Scott and some of his associates from New Orleans. They were the ones who first introduced me to Tekumel in the early 80's. Based on various conversations and events that occurred during the game many years ago it is my understanding that: 1. The College of Ever-Living Wizards (Ever-Whizzing Lizards) is located in a bubble plane/dimension artificially created by it members and with primary nexus in Avanthar. 2. Similarly, it is my understanding that a plane of the Mihalli exists and that it was created by these beings a half-step removed from our plane. Professor, can you confirm or deny the above and provide any additional details? On to another topic ... Given the five bodies described in the teaching of Pavar as well as stories and observations, I have a few thoughts on multi-planarness that I would like to submit for feedback. Two stories by way of background ... I was once called upon to travel back in time through nexus points located in the tubeway to deliver a message to the High Priest of Vimuhla in Fasiltum (his name escapes me now). This priest was also a very powerful sorcerer. In order to prove to me that he was authentic, he split/duplicated himself before my eyes. Thomar the Ever Living was once seen at the foot of a wall which surrounded a besieged city. At the top of the wall stood a large contingent of combat sorcerers. Individual sorcery is generally thought to be impossible in the vicinity of combat sorcery. However, Thomar was not only able to magically defend himself against the contingent, he was also able to fire back spells that killed may of them and eventually led to the fall of that city. It is my thought that beings that exist on more than one plane are somehow able to duplicate at least the Bakte, Hlakme and Pedhetl. I have no opinions at this point on whether the Chusetl and Baletl can also be duplicated; it's possible that these bodies are shared by all of the multi-planar bodies. For Thomar to perform magic in the above situation, I can see five likely possibilities: 1. He had a device that acted as a magical battery 2. He had previously cast a spell that acted as a magical battery 3. He had found a way to magically insulate his Pedhetl (in this plane) from being drained 4. He somehow tapped into the extra-planar energy used by the combat sorcerers 5. His Pedhetl was located on another plane making it immune to the effects of combat sorcery but still accessible to him It is this fifth option that I find the most intriguing. Is it possible for one or more of the bodies to exist on other planes and still be able act effectively with the others as a whole entity? If each entity (combination of bodies) can perform independently and have its own personality, this might explain the existence of the different aspects/manifestations of the Gods. To a being that can replicate itself, death of one duplicate body would seem to become meaningless. If the knowledge of all of Hlakmes is somehow shared, this might explain the ability to know about events occurring simultaneously in other places and planes. Und tzo Professor, am I completely whacked in the noodle or am I more or less on target? Any clarification on how multi-planar entities exist would be appreciated. Cheers ... Adam :) ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //141 (NOTE -- APPEARS TO BE DUPLICATE OF 140) [Moderator's Note: Adam has some questions about Planes and Multiplanar- ] [ ness, and describes some of his excursions on Tekumel. ] [ I spoke with the Prof this morning, and he hopes to ] [ have some commentary before I leave at 3:00 PM. Other-] [ wise, we'll have to wait until 9/17, when I return. ] [ Sorry Adam, and everyone, but vacation is calling me, ] [ with a bullhorn! ;) ] Professor Barker, I had the good fortune to know the late Curtis Scott and some of his associates from New Orleans. They were the ones who first introduced me to Tekumel in the early 80's. Based on various conversations and events that occurred during the game many years ago it is my understanding that: 1. The College of Ever-Living Wizards (Ever-Whizzing Lizards) is located in a bubble plane/dimension artificially created by it members and with primary nexus in Avanthar. 2. Similarly, it is my understanding that a plane of the Mihalli exists and that it was created by these beings a half-step removed from our plane. Professor, can you confirm or deny the above and provide any additional details? On to another topic ... Given the five bodies described in the teaching of Pavar as well as stories and observations, I have a few thoughts on multi-planarness that I would like to submit for feedback. Two stories by way of background ... I was once called upon to travel back in time through nexus points located in the tubeway to deliver a message to the High Priest of Vimuhla in Fasiltum (his name escapes me now). This priest was also a very powerful sorcerer. In order to prove to me that he was authentic, he split/duplicated himself before my eyes. Thomar the Ever Living was once seen at the foot of a wall which surrounded a besieged city. At the top of the wall stood a large contingent of combat sorcerers. Individual sorcery is generally thought to be impossible in the vicinity of combat sorcery. However, Thomar was not only able to magically defend himself against the contingent, he was also able to fire back spells that killed may of them and eventually led to the fall of that city. It is my thought that beings that exist on more than one plane are somehow able to duplicate at least the Bakte, Hlakme and Pedhetl. I have no opinions at this point on whether the Chusetl and Baletl can also be duplicated; it's possible that these bodies are shared by all of the multi-planar bodies. For Thomar to perform magic in the above situation, I can see five likely possibilities: 1. He had a device that acted as a magical battery 2. He had previously cast a spell that acted as a magical battery 3. He had found a way to magically insulate his Pedhetl (in this plane) from being drained 4. He somehow tapped into the extra-planar energy used by the combat sorcerers 5. His Pedhetl was located on another plane making it immune to the effects of combat sorcery but still accessible to him It is this fifth option that I find the most intriguing. Is it possible for one or more of the bodies to exist on other planes and still be able act effectively with the others as a whole entity? If each entity (combination of bodies) can perform independently and have its own personality, this might explain the existence of the different aspects/manifestations of the Gods. To a being that can replicate itself, death of one duplicate body would seem to become meaningless. If the knowledge of all of Hlakmes is somehow shared, this might explain the ability to know about events occurring simultaneously in other places and planes. Und tzo Professor, am I completely whacked in the noodle or am I more or less on target? Any clarification on how multi-planar entities exist would be appreciated. Cheers ... Adam :) ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //142 [Moderator's Note: Sandy Petersen continues on the Pavar/Pariah thread. ] >One would think that the inimical nature of the Ssu/Hluss/Hokun >might be exploited by the servitors/agents of the Pariah Deities to >gain entry/passage into Tekumel's plane. This blade cuts both ways. I have had a small insight as to just how the inimicals may view the Pariah gods. Consider: the influx of the alien humans, shen, etc. has destroyed much of Old Tekumel. The majority of the Pariah worshipers are almost certainly human. Whether or not you accept my hypothesis that the inimicals are social-insect cognates, there is strong evidence that they do rate collective survival above personal power (i.e., they are less "selfish" than humans), which indicates to me that they would be highly unlikely to accept the selfish, short-term Pariah worship on a regular basis. This is not so for the notoriously solipsistic humans. [Moderator's Note: Note that the professor said that greed was only one ] [ motivator of Pariah worship. He did not say that ALL ] [ worshippers were thus motivated. There are indeed many] [ other motivations for Pariah worship, including the ] [ ancestral influence, just plain nuttiness :), etc. ] Obviously, the humans are the major wedge the Pariah gods have stuck into Tekumel's world-system, and they must be wholly expunged, not only for the more obvious reasons, but because they present a dire threat to the entire cosmos so long as the Pariah Gods exist. Sure some humans fight against the Pariahs, too, but will their kids? How about their grandkids? You just can't trust the future generations. Imagine the disaster if the Emperor of a major state was a Pariah-worshiper, and managed to instigate his cult throughout his nation! [Moderator's Note: I don't think the humans are the only tools the Pariah ] [ deities use. I think they would be around if the ] [ humans weren't. It might even make their job easier. ] Anyway, I rather like the idea of the inimicals knowing all about the Pariahs and being actively hostile to them in a way that _encourages_ them being even more hostile to humans at the same time. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //143 [Moderator's Note: Sandy replies to my comments on his message. Just ] [ which message will be the last of the day? :) ] Our Heroic Moderator >the professor said that greed was only one motivator of Pariah >worship. He did not say that ALL worshippers were thus motivated. >There are indeed many other motivations for Pariah worship, >including the ancestral influence, just plain nuttiness :), etc. Of course there are other influences. As a man steeped in the Cthulhu Mythos, it's obvious that greed is only one motive -- maybe not even the most important (fear springs to mind -- "Oh Goddess of the Pale Bone, please kill us last!") [That's true...mod] Regardless of motivation, it is clearly counter-productive to species survival to worship these dudes in the long term. Whether humans worship the Pariahs through greed, kookiness, stupidity, or fear, I was just implying that less self-centered races may have few Pariah God worshipers. I suspect, for instance, (with absolutely no evidence on hand to back it up) that the Pe Choi harbor comparatively few Pariah worshipers per capita. [Moderator's Note: Well, I wouldn't have expected the Pe Choi to have a ] [ large portion of their population devoted to Sarku, ] [ until I read the Prof's article on the Pe Choi, and ] [ learned about the Wild Pe Choi in the Chakas, and their] [ favored deity appears to be Sarku. So, can we say that] [ the Pe Choi don't worship the Pariahs? even per capita?] [ When I say large above, I guess I mean sizable. I ] [ don't know how big the Wild Pe Choi population is. ] >I don't think the humans are the only tools the Pariah deities use. >I think they would be around if the humans weren't. It might even >make their job easier. But think how much fun it is to have humans be the bad guys in this regard! The joy the GM can have as he extolls the heroism and selflessless of the Shunned Ones as they do their bit to save the entire cosmos by mopping up on this particular fragment of the human cancer (i.e., the PC party). [This is an interesting idea... mod] And then think of the drama if our PCs have managed to hunt down a band of Pariah worshipers. Just before we spring our trap, a horde of screaming Hluss pour out of the woods and attack the Pariahs, trying to kill them all. Hmm. Whose side do we join, if any? [Moderator's Note: I think the Hluss would not find any difference between ] [ the two combatants. They would probably wait until one ] [ side wiped the other, and then wipe the survivors. Good ] [ sound tactics. ] ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //144 [Moderator's Note: This message came via Bob Alberti and the newsgroup. ] From: lfiction@crl.com (Jonathan Zamick) Newsgroups: alt.games.frp.tekumel Subject: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Million Spheres Date: 14 Sep 1995 09:37:08 -0700 Page through, look up the Blue Light Society Blue Light Society: Mostly Harmless. -- Now I find that as much can be guessed by an intrigue world such as Tekumel by what is not said, as by what is said. In reading up more on the factions within the various temples, the temple of Ksarul in general and the Inner Societies, I was struck by something odd. In many stories and games it is the very most skilled intelligence group of which little is said. As I read through the postscript file on the Temple of Ksarul, the Ndalu clan, the Refulgent Blue Curtain society and the Blue Lights something just didn't feel right in the dynamics. The Ndalu clan is rather influential, people are scared of them, there is a lot known, because they take an active role in things. The RBC society is more secrative, but again there is a good amount known about them. They are respected, and feared for their influence behind the scenes. The Blue Light society has about one paragraph of information, no members are listed, it seems better able to cooperate with other temples (being seen as more open in the sharing of knowledge) and is considered 'harmless'. Is there no suspicion here? Of all the societies of the Lord of the Blue Room, the Blue Light society has the capability of working with members of other temples (outside the more 'sinister' Trinity.) They thus have access to information that the other groups don't. Despite the fact they probably work with other temples more often, still either very little is known about them or they are considered minor enough not to have people wonder about their actions. I have been thinking of writing things up more completely regarding the Blue Light Society and how the dynamics may show that they (or a group within their membership) are the true secret society within the secret societies of the Temple of the Lord of Secrets. Anyone interested? Anyone thought the same? Or are they mostly harmless. Btw, if you hear of me getting into an accident or my accounts all closed before I manage to get the next posting up, you'll know where to look for answers. :) Jonathan [Moderator's Note: Any info to share Professor? ] ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //145 [Moderator's Note: David Bailey responds on the Pariah/Pavar subject. ] So, the pariah gods are interesting because they are not the opposite of the twenty, eh? I wouldn't normal mention his name, as this jumped up techno-deity already gets more than his fair share of bandwidth, but Ksarul isn't the opposite of his counterpart in the twenty either. Many more worthy people have speculated that he is quite different in essence to the other gods, some have gone so far as to suggest that he is linked with the pariah gods by language, worship, history and the stories of his binding into the blue room. In the last few years the GMs in our local game have started rumours that Ksarul is: - a man who became a god - a computer based artificial intelligence - a pariah god - a rather dangerous demon - the intrusion into the pocket plane currently occupied by Tekumel of 'real universe' rescue efforts - one of the original EPT characters gamed by MARB's Thursday group, who became a god 'because its so easy using AD&D rules :-) [Moderator's Note: That wouldn't have been ADnD rules, but the original ] [ White Box DnD rules. FYI. The original EPT was re- ] [ leased way ahead of ADnD. ] So, is there a definitive answer to the nature of Ksarul? [Moderator's Note: Let's hope not.... I'd miss all the fun speculation. ;) ] ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //146 [Moderator's Note: David Bailey has offered up some color, in the form of ] [ persons in the area of Pala Jakalla from the campaign ] [ he is a part of (it may be his campaign, I wasn't sure).] [ This material is not part of Professor Barker's "Real" ] [ Tekumel. Thanks for sharing this, David! ] There have been a few mentions of Pala Jakalla in the past, and I thought that you might like the latest list of notables in the local temples. It is meant as a quick aid, not as a complete directory, and is complemented by similar list for the clans, palaces and foreigners, (some of which have previously been published by Richard 'Jack' Bramah) THE LEADING LIGHTS OF THE TEMPLES OF PALA JAKALLA Hru'u 55 known members The Chief priest is Taithokle hiVriddi, born in Chene Ho from an Aridani mother. This man is practically ostracised by his original clan, but makes up for this with immense charm and cunning. His personal wealth is rumoured to be substantially greater than the temple. He takes a monthly trip into the local swamps, and always returns with fewer female slaves than he went in with. The leading sorcerer is Gepetkal hiSsanussanu (19th level sorcerer, artist, poet and painter.) a specialist in crafting dreams for clients. He knows a high level of Nightmare of Terror which he has modified to be non-lethal, some consider this to be the most intense experience one can have without visiting the Garden of Weeping Snows. The client is left believing that he has truly experienced the events of the dream, which has lead to a few, accidental, misunderstandings between local nobles. His standard charge is 500k a night. Other spells of the temple are not spoken of, but include at least T5 versions of Vindication of Instability, Congelation and Transfusion. The temple is moderately wealthy, about K60,000 in liquid assets, and has recently come into possession of several rare books dedicated to change. Strong local societies include Cusp of Night, the allies of the N'dallu Society, they have 15 members; obviously none are 'open' about it. They have the ear of the chief priest, and have grown more active recently. They have donated, through an intermediary, a hoard of weapons to the Legion of Deep Purple Dark. There is representation of the Elect of Purple, a group of Theocrats, numbering 28 including the Chief Priest. Secretive but not fanatical. Wuru 19 known members. Ramissum hiDlelequ, Cloak of Azure Gems is the current chief priest. A fanatic and declared homosexual, he maintains his position by posting all likely successors to far flung places. He is at present serving out a period of notice before moving to a position in a monastery near Do Chaka. Considering the current situation in the Chakas, he is trying anything he can to delay this posting. Jaimuli Ito (17th sorcerer. and 15th demonologist), a recent appointment forced on Ramissum by the Ito clan has taken the role of Chief Sorceror. Jaimuli is patient and personable, but has a reputation for being overly familiar with his superiors. He is struggling financially, as he has several dozen relatives staying with him after they fled their homes in the West. He often says that only a fool would want a spell from a Wuru priest, but T7 Liquefaction is openly advertised, for engineers one assumes. The second most potent sorcerer is Midori Ito, a wild and unpredictable character. (Even his renu has a reputation for insanity) He has, on one occasion, demonstrated his ability to cast Eater of Souls, and rumours abound that he once used the awful Grey Hand, on a rival for a lover. As he is immensely wealthy it is unlikely that he could be bribed into casting such spells for others. It is a relatively poor temple, only about K25,000. They attribute this to the expense of the joint ceremonies with Hrihiyal every year. The societies are the same as Hru'u, with 3 members known in each. The only unusual one is Masters of the Sixth Indigo Eye, activists and adventurers, the most infamous of whom is Midori Ito Ksarul 48 members, so it appears. Surimalal hiMarunusani, Cloak of Azure Gems. A profound scholar and respected warrior, has the role of Chief Priest. He earned his position through military service, having previously served in a Lightening Bringer unit. At 48 he is enjoying this sinecure. Changasa hiNazusa of the Dark Fear clan (21st level) is a technocrat and well known author of fictional tales. he carries the scars of an appalling accident which has resisted healing by any means. He denies persistent rumours that he travelled to the unstraightened city, yet spent several years missing prior to becoming Sorceror here. T10 spells to understand and recharge devices are offered. T5 Replication and most G spells can be found. The temple has expanded its fiefs and holdings of town houses recently, thanks to the extreme generosity of Kurshetl hiSsanmirin, a noted demonologist and researcher. (Noted because he is never seen without a mask of one sort or another). There is currently building work on the east corner, where a small windowless round room is being built with very think walls. The temple has a superb collection of ancient books, believed to include pre-Time of Darkness works. The temple is rather insular, and has hoarded artefacts over millennia. Over 50 eyes are held. The Society of the Blue Light, secretists, hold sway in the temple at present. Their 28 members include the Chief Priest. They also hold the majority of library rights, a constant source of irritation to others. Refulgent Blue Curtain certainly has members in the hierarchy. The key searchers are highly secretive, but have recently come into dispute with the temple of Thumis over the discovery by one of their sponsored expeditions of an ancient Miyalun and a Flute. N'dallu Society of political activists have declared 28 respondents at the temple, and others outside it. The true elite within this group are obscured. Gruganu 12 known members. Pagsha hiTumitolat, Great Stone clan. 37 years old, a scholar and ritualist. his Aridani wife is one of the Governors advisers. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Rasnara hiDhitchansa of Golden Bough. (22nd level) and technician of national repute. He is credited with repairing at least one ru'un for the Emperor, and is working on another that has just been recovered from a sunken metal house in the swamps. He offers T7 Scrutiny of the Omniscient Eye and others can find about 80% of G spells. WEALTH: Rich. About K85,000 MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: 5 in Blue Light, and 1 in Blue Curtain Sarku 45 plus unknown recruits from the dead CHIEF PRIEST IS : Masune hiKiqu of Domed Tomb. He took over from Thontem Ito who was slain by a Demon of the Dark recently (along with several honoured Jadgi). Masune is 51, he prepares to take on his immortal form in the next year or so. Not before time according to many. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Nochikor Ito. At 49 he is around 21st level with some demonology skills. Quiet, slightly built and handsome, Nochikor is a famed animal trainer. All levels of Sarku spells can be found from the temples inhabitants, although a week's notice is preferred. Only Speculum and Amber Bulwark are freely offered. WEALTH: The temple is crowing about the discovery of three tomb complexes, one in the swamps, one near by and one a secret. The temple has vast reserves of metals and gems 'liberated' from tombs. It has spent a fortune recently on supporting Dhitchune, but this has stopped. There is rumour that a powerful local politician is about to launch a claim for shamtla against the temple after he found a cohort of undead walking across his fief in the north of the province. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Copper Tomb Society continues to rise in wealth, if not in public prestige. It has links with the tomb robbers and the N'dallu. Victory of the Worm are catacomb searchers and historians. They are open about their affiliation, and include Masune. They control the most recent find, and refuse to divulge its location. (Servant say that Masune is expecting Dritchansa to visit, and wants all the Glory for himself) Duritlamish MEMBERS: 21, including 9 on secondment from Purdimal. CHIEF PRIEST IS : Kherunal hi Imoni. Never seen in public. is about 65 years old. His clan is not recorded in the public record, but he has convinced everyone that it is noble enough. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Tsaqune hiZana of Dark Moon. It is said that he poisoned a son who dared joined a Vimuhla Legion. At 33 he has gained his 20 levels of skill in the hard school of the underworld. They don't advertise spells, but can obtain all levels of Necrofacture and up to T7 Domination. WEALTH: Modest. About K35,000 MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: The Angels of Inimitable Demise, a group which is heavily into Necrofacture, and has links with the Hrihiyal Orgiasts/Demonologists. Its tastes are a little too sadistic for most. The League of the Putrescent Hand, activists and adventurers have just recruited their eighth member. they sponsor many minor expeditions and have a good reputation for ridding areas of unwanted inhabitants. They lost several members to 'food poisoning' whilst on a hunting trip recently. Vimuhla MEMBERS: 53; 26 in admin, 13 scholars, 13 ritualists, 1 military. CHIEF PRIEST IS : Mikolum Vriddi was sent from Fasiltum 6 months ago to smooth over the problems caused by the insurrection in this province. He is 38 and an astute politician and administrator. He has successfully divorced himself from his predecessors attempts to corner the grain supply in the area by way of granting monopolies to his cronies. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Tludimlal hiMarunal, a 25th level practitioner of the Red Mountain Clan. He too came from Fasiltum recently. They have T8 Demonolgy, T8 Revivify and T5 Perfected Gems of Obliteration available commonly. WEALTH: Perhaps K100,000 MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Incandescent Blaze, a highly influential group with 7 open members, of whom Chungketl hiMalotke of Red Moon at Dawn is leader. He is a local man and assumed the figurehead position of 'First Flame' when Pironketl had a seizure aged 58. The Order of the Devouring Conflagration, supporters of the main ritual sacrifices. Zantlan hiEvegaz ( Red Sword ) a 23rd level mage, and the Aridani Mitoloni hiSerekal (Red Sword) frequently adventure to raise funds for the huge rites. The Faithful of the Purifying flame are a local sect headed by the ex-Chief Sorcerer, Kutung hiKutang. They strive to create new rituals with which to bring greater glory to their lord, and to encourage the day of Final Cleansing. As yet they have had limited success, despite several sealed caskets sent by Mirusiya himself. Chiteng MEMBERS: 38 at present CHIEF PRIEST IS : Kopurdal hiMakigani of Blade Raised High is also a replacement designed to calm down the locals. 41 years old he has bought his family with him, including two sons and two daughters. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Sumikeng hiKhiteng, a notable flame demonologist who has survived assisting Baron Jadthek several times. 22nd circle. They can obtain Barring and Broaching and Punition to most levels. WEALTH: K60,000, most of which is now pledged towards a new tungkel gong. The expected increase in noise levels is the source of about twelve law suits in the Palace of the Realm. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Links are close with Incandescent Blaze. There is no comparative for Devouring Conflagration, Chiteng priests tend to join the Company of the Orange Band. They are devoted to personal sacrifice, frequently joining with the Hrihiyal groups at secret local shrines. They are lead by Aridani Aranandu hiMashkolar of Rising Sun. Dlamelish MEMBERS: 65 CHIEF PRIESTESS IS : Dhupal hiKorunumissa of White Crystal is nominally in charge. She is of immense physical beauty, but short tempered. She served 10 years in the temple Legion serving groups fighting in the Deserts. CHIEF SORCERESS IS : Tlathiyala hi Korunumissa, lover of Dhupal and equally stunning on the rare occasions that she leaves her rooms, is head of rituals. She could be 19th level. Tlathiyala has recently taken on an assistant of 18th level who fled from Liviyanu and required a new body after surviving assassination by burning. Rumours are the girl is a historian and has phenomenal aptitude for magic. Healings, and Empowering are available up to T8 (higher sometimes) Rejuvenation is not advertised but has been given up to T10 in the past. WEALTH: K95,000 or so MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: The demonist Order of Argent have 5 women members and are supposed to be involved with the temple of Ksarul. The orgiastic Society of Emerald Radiance are rumoured to use demons, technomagical devices and even the undead in bizarre rituals. The Sisters of the Emerald and Silver Crown are activists and foster links with the Chiteng and Wuru activists. Through their grip on temple treasury, via Arikoyani hiNimosa they effectively run the day to day affairs of the temple. They also run the various retirement homes and brothels in the town. Hrihiyal MEMBERS: 55 CHIEF PRIESTESS IS : Among the somewhat anarchic temple rankings Paipagel hiMeshu of Green Kirtle and Hiperdal Se'eqel ( a convert from Tsatssayaga ) are usually put forward to speak for the temple. They are frequently outspoken and outrageous, for instance in the ornate burial mound that they commissioned for Pathiqeng hiSsayunanu a notorious libertine. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Both Paipagel and Hiperdal are equally competent at magic, being 20the level. Many spells can be found from the temples practitioners, but they prefer to cast them themselves WEALTH: Never discussed, but probably K75,000 MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: All of the Dlamelish societies have at least observer members from Hrihiyal. The Maidens of Hidden Knifes are activists and adventurers with links into Company of the Orange Band and Masters of the Sixth Indigo Eye. Many members are concubines to wealthy nobles and military officers. Abasudaste hiMeshi, an albino courtesan of national fame, sets up groups of Maidens in every city she visits, Pala Jakalla is the second oldest such group. Belkanu MEMBERS: 42 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Tiervazha hiHrugginash, 63, of the Amber Cloak clan. A compromise candidate 22 years ago, he has been surprisingly successful, attracting considerable gifts from the Might of Ganga clan. One of his clan-sons married a nice Gangasa clan-girl. Cautious and well mannered. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Yaliemra hiGangassa, 37 who shocked the town when he revealed that he had been in disguise as Kirrikmoi hiSsughano for four years, is registered as 23rd level ( but has petitioned for the awesome 25th recently ) and the Chief Sorcerer. A relative newcomer to Pala Jakalla he is rich and fat, and he is a little indiscrete on occasion, especially after too much of his favourite brandy. Spells available: U/G Inscription, T9 Re-embodiment, T9 Viaticum of the Yellow Robe and various G/T others. WEALTH: About K90,000 in liquid assets. A square tsan of land has recently been added in the Mssuma valley. A substantial number of TMD's are apparently in their possession. That the wealth is a recent thing is evidenced by the repairs instigated to the temple fabric this year. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Society of the Yellow Robe, performers of traditional funeral rites, of the dead. 19 members, all of whom tend to be middle aged or older. The chief income generators for the temple. Light Above the Tomb are undead slayers and make forays into the underworld and tombs. Led by Kirrikmoi they have a high turnover of members. Only 5 or 6 are active today. Cloak of Feathers, who's 12 members are stability supporters, forming closer links with other temples. Their most surprising success has been in making links with a few priestesses of Hrihiyal and Dlamelish. Qon MEMBERS: 30 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Elrenu hiGangasuru, 33, of Might of Ganga. he is known to be the figurehead of the Assistant Temple Commandant, Hareske hiDarmatek, 42, of Joyous of Vra. Hareske is an ex-adventurer and a potent sorcerer (20th), he is not only wealthy but eligable. His donations to the temple have earned him rapid promotion. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Fazhu hiDzhertikoi, apparently transfered from the main temple on Ganga at the personal request of Hareske. ( Not to be outdone by Belkanu ) Fazhu is 36, reserved and ascetic, but courteous and able to inspire respect. He came registered to 22nd level but has lodged simultaneous petitions for 23rd and 24th levels. Fazhu is about to shock the Chief priest, and indeed the whole town, in much the same way as his twin brother Yaliemra hiGangassa, because he is really Emra hiGangassa, his twin. Yaliemra and Emra have been in hidding for four years after being accused of attempting to kill Arsemqoi Jadthek hiVriddi General Tlangten, but have recently been pardoned by Avanthar. Hareske and Fazhu are alone capable of the majority of T spells, besides calling on the other 20 sorcerers in the temple. This makes the temple of Qon in Pala Jakalla a popular centre for sorcerers. WEALTH: K45,000 plus 'interesting devices' MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Golden Refulgence, devotees and theological activists, have 13 members. Simialar, but not identical, to Cloak of Feathers Society of Release from Eternity. Linked to Light Above the Tomb, possibly including Fazhu and sponsored by Hareske. Avanthe MEMBERS: 61 CHIEF PRIESTESS IS : Berushme hiBedlenta, an Aridani of Golden Bough. She is 58 and a traditionalist who supports the Imperial party. She recently won a case against Chaihellu hiSsanmirin, who suggested she was bisexual. ( she is a declared lesbian ). CHIEF SORCERER IS : Arkin hiSengele, 44, of Blue Sun. He is 16th level. His taste in women is expensive beyond his ability to manage his forest estates. He is rumoured to be heavily into debt and to be seeking buyers for certain hunting areas. There are few good sorcerers, most people travel to Jakalla to obtain anything above T5 Healing.. WEALTH: K150,000 plus considerable estates of farms on the flood-plain. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Sapphire Bough, blessers of crops. 27 members of this popular group, mostly low level sorcerers. Wellspring of Life are traditionalists who hold that priests should not interfere in politics except to uphold the status quo. Berushme is a member. Harmony in Blue are back to nature extremists. They seek to restore Tekumel to the 'primordial balance' before man interfered. (Their knowledge of the true history of the world is obviously poor !) The group are naturists and have retreats in the nearby lowland forests. Dilinala MEMBERS: 20 CHIEF PRIESTESS IS : Suronqui hiDelonuash, 29, of Topaz Girdle clan. She is competent, ruthless and rich, as well as being exceptionally beautiful. Political leanings are not known, and she has taken no partners. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Suronqui again. There are few ( good ) magic users in this temple. WEALTH: Despite persistant tales of potent technomagical items none have been seen. The temple has evidence for K90,000 of liquid assets. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Girdle of Purity, certainly zealots, possibly demonologists. They include Suronqui who has personal links with the temple of Hrihiyal, although none can be traced to the group. Karakan MEMBERS: 68 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Kurrishmoi hiPejikhel, 58, Aridani of Blade Raised High. She rose to her current lofty position by a successful diplomatic carreer in the Palace of War. She is regarded as diplomatic and able. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Hirjan hiFashulara the 46 year old chief of Fist of Iron is 17th level. He teaches children of noble clans but is rumoured to be a little greedy. He is also a very capable warrior and was a champion athlete before he 'settled down to a bit of mind bending'. He strongly encourages magic and the temple can find a good range of T spells. WEALTH: K180,000 in ready assets, more in armour and arms. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Rent Curtain. These anti-Ksarul fanatics are frequently in trouble for their activities elsewhere in the Empire. There could be one or two of them in the city. Glorious in Scarlet, Imperialists and politickers. Kurrishmoi and 39 others are avowed members Crimson Brothers have few members, they seek to propagate the (nearly heretical ) view that Karakan and Vimuhla have a closer relationship than current theology admits. This is a violent belief, which leads its followers into wild excursions in search of any scrap of proof that they are right. Ancient tombs and old texts are a favourite target. Chegarra MEMBERS: 35 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Chaihellu hiSsanmirin, 49, of Sea Blue. An active supporter of the Userper Eselne, he narrowly avoided impalement after the Rectification of the Emperors. A 'bluff, honest soldier', his own description, he is famed for the number of shamtla cases he has had raised against him. Since the Rectification of the Emperors he has conceived of a hatred of sorcery, and of Kashu hVorodu. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Vacant, and has been for two years. Applicants should be prepared for disappointment. The previous incumbent took his skills to Jaikalor, along with almost every talented mage over 11th level, following an ill-fated trip into the small underworld beneath the town. WEALTH: Only K25,000 declared on the last tax round. the temple is believed to owe large sums to the temple of Karakan. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Glorious in Scarlet, 21 members Ruby Hawk, a group of orators and publicists, have 4 people active in the area, they recount tales of glorious battles and assist in recruitment for Legions, thereby squeeking past the laws on proselitising. Thumis MEMBERS: 35 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Herenru hiMriku, of Sea Blue. A dynamic 38 year old who is rumoured to be a powerful socerer as well as a capable scholar. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Surprisingly the local temple lacks any declared ability to perform T level healing or allieviation, only G level known. They can repair Eyes and have a text on the subject. They buy any damaged items. WEALTH: They have recently spent large sums on new inner temples and repairs to their estates. Despite donations from influential foreigners they have only K15,000 in cash now. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: Ketenku MEMBERS: 25 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Haija hiBaruni, a 59 year old, not dynamic, but an excellent manager of people and money CHIEF SORCERER IS : Spells up to T5 are available, they certainly have some knowledge spells above this. WEALTH: K100,000 and substatial property interests. Hnalla MEMBERS: 50 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Hitolek hiGangasa, a 51 year old with a reputation for getting to the top through sheer ruthless politicking. Donmikoyel hiGangasa has been appointed Assistant Temple Commandant. No-one has complained of nepotism. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Capable of Revivification and U10 Inscription WEALTH: Approximately K70,000, has increased recently from two sources; Donmikoyel and a sudden burst of generosity from the Ahoggya Legion of Dancer Without Eyes. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: A local sect, Opal Scintilation, a group of magical specialists who rejoice in restoring the damage done by others to the glorious works of the ancients. Dra MEMBERS: 15 CHIEF PRIEST IS : Tchaala hiEtele of Sweet Singers of Nakome is 58 and has not been seen in public for 4 years. CHIEF SORCERER IS : Never declared. WEALTH: Unknown. Last tax return is 8 years out of date. MAJOR SOCIETIES ARE: None. ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //147 [Moderator's Note: The Professor responds to Adam's question about ] [ Multi-planar-ness. ] >1. The College of Ever-Living Wizards (Ever-Whizzing Lizards) is located >in a bubble plane/dimension artificially created by it members and with >primary nexus in Avanthar. This is not certain. It is located at the end of time" on a plane that seems to be at the very apex of the Tree of Reality. This is the way it is phrased, but I have no idea whether this represents "reality" or is just a metaphor for the interplanar location of the College. This is not something I myself know -- I just deal with the College whenever it comes up in our games. I can't "explain" it. >2. Similarly, it is my understanding that a plane of the Mihalli exists >and that it was created by these beings a half-step removed from our plane. The Mihalli do have a plane of their own (or many planes?). I don't think they "created" it necessarily, however. It may be that these are natural (?) planes along the Tree of Time and the Mihalli just happen to have adapted to living on it (them). It's very hard to discuss all this -- this is not something I have ever worked out in detail. >I was once called upon to travel back in time through nexus points located >in the tubeway to deliver a message to the High Priest of Vimuhla in >Fasiltum (his name escapes me now). This priest was also a very powerful >sorcerer. In order to prove to me that he was authentic, he split/duplicated >himself before my eyes. Could happen. I have seen odder things. Did you get his name? >Thomar the Ever Living was once seen at the foot of a wall which surrounded >a besieged city. At the top of the wall stood a large contingent of combat >sorcerers. Individual sorcery is generally thought to be impossible in the >vicinity of combat sorcery. However, Thomar was not only able to magically >defend himself against the contingent, he was also able to fire back spells >that killed may of them and eventually led to the fall of that city. This is possible only for sorcerers of Thomar's level. Even then, he can't always be certain of success. >It is my thought that beings that exist on more than one plane are somehow >able to duplicate at least the Bakte, Hlakme and Pedhetl. I have no >opinions at this point on whether the Chusetl and Baletl can also be >duplicated; it's possible that these bodies are shared by all of the >multi-planar bodies. This is a possibility. The dynamics of other-planar space are extremely difficult, and it may not be possible to put them into neat rules that humans can comprehend. >For Thomar to perform magic in the above situation, I can see five likely >possibilities: > >1. He had a device that acted as a magical battery I doubt this one. >2. He had previously cast a spell that acted as a magical battery Possible... >3. He had found a way to magically insulate his Pedhetl (in this plane) > from being drained Doubtful. More likely he just had developed his talents over the centuries. >4. He somehow tapped into the extra-planar energy used by the combat > sorcerers Possible. Hmm... >5. His Pedhetl was located on another plane making it immune to the > effects of combat sorcery but still accessible to him This is also possible. These solutions are all possible, of course, but I don't have a clue which one is correct -- if any. >It is this fifth option that I find the most intriguing. Is it possible >for one or more of the bodies to exist on other planes and still be able >act effectively with the others as a whole entity? The Mihalli claim to do this. It is impossible for limited creatures such as we humans. >If each entity (combination of bodies) can perform independently and have >its own personality, this might explain the existence of the different >aspects/manifestations of the Gods. To a being that can replicate itself, >death of one duplicate body would seem to become meaningless. If the >knowledge of all of Hlakmes is somehow shared, this might explain the >ability to know about events occurring simultaneously in other places >and planes. Again, possible but who knows? These are matters beyond the ken of humans who lack Thomar's experience and skills. >Und tzo Professor, am I completely whacked in the noodle or am I more or >less on target? Any clarification on how multi-planar entities exist >would be appreciated. I wish I could be of more help, but I honestly do not know the answers to these and similar questions. My own interests on Tekumel have always tended towards the social, historical, anthropological stuff and not so much towards the underlying workings of the Planes Beyond. Your theories are good ones. They are logical and fit well into the matrix. I have never thought out the ramifications of many of these ideas or tried to codify them. I am rather like a tourist who watches a snake-charmer: it sure is exciting to watch, but damnedifino how they do it! Regards, Phil ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //148 [Quick Note: I'll be gone Fri 10/6 to Sun 10/8. cld ] [Moderator's Note: David and I have been talking about this idea for the ] [ past month plus. The Professor approves, but wants to ] [ warn people that not every person could be folded into ] [ "Real" Tekumel. It may be possible that there were 7 ] [ Ritual High Priests Avanthe in Jakalla if we weren't ] [ careful. He has agreed to authenticate people's char- ] [ acters, if there is a managable group. If we get a ] [ voluminous number of submissions, we'll have to pass on ] [ authentication. The Professor is most concerned about ] [ Tekumelani names (and position stuff mentioned above) ] [ being correct. So, submit your favorite Character, if ] [ you wish. ] As you may have noticed, Chris is collecting names for the Blueroom visitor book. I have been corresponding with Chris and offered to prepare a survey of the player characters that we have. ( I was dumb enough to suggest it in a message last month) [Moderator's Note: Great way to get volunteers! :) ] I would like to collect a little portfolio of the key characters that you have played over the years, and from this compile a sort of 'Avanthar Debretts Nobility' or something similar to 'Who's Who In Tekumel'. The product would be put on the ftp (or best WWW - if anyone prepared to take it?)in order that people could: [Moderator's Note: I have a Web server running. Anyone want to help me ] [ create some pages to handle the files on the server? ] [ I know virtually nothing about html. ] i) refer specific 'in game' questions to the appropriate character ii) use us as 'archetypes' when in need of npc's iii) realise what a great place Tekumel is. I promise to compile it, index it, and to spend an half an hour a week keeping it up to date for births, deaths and marriages. Questions 1-Would you support an initiative along these lines? 2-Should I limit the characters to, say, three per person? [Moderator's Note: Keep in mind that there are ~70 people on the list. Any ] [ more than say 1 per person for authentication would be ] [ too much for the Professor to handle (That is my opinion ] [ He may feel otherwise -- ie fewer than that may be too ] [ many) In any case, it will take time. ] 3-What other details would you like to see? You all appear keen players, and have been pretty ready to offer advice and criticism, so I would value your help. ################Proforma of survey:############### Name of character : Clan and lineage name : Religious alignment : Born (date and address) : Current address : Profession/Legion/Branch/Circle : Honours and decorations : Main skills (note1) : Main languages (note2) : Last estimated wealth (note3) : Family names (wife, children?) : Major domo's name (note4) : A brief physical description : : : : A list of hobbies, interests and pursuits: : : : A very brief precis of key adventures undertaken: : : : : I am happy to accept 'passport photos' if you want to attach a tiny *.gif or *.tif! note 1 - i.e. those that you would be prepared, as a character, to teach or to write about, say at 10th circle or higher. note 2 - i.e. those that you could offer translation services, in game only, for such things as old scrolls, arrest warrants, etc. note 3 - as per Imperial tax return ;-) note 4 - after all, you don't answer your own post, do you? I already have four wonderful pieces from a test mailing, please make this your chance to a permanent part of the wonderful world of tekumel! Mail your submissions to: cgilby@cix.compulink.co.uk ----- Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu The Blue Room's FTP site: nexus.prin.edu Open 24 hours a day, except when my PC is down or unavailable. //149 [Moderator's Note: Wow! Another of David Lemire's awesome articles on the ] [ different martial arts of Tekumel. Thanks a ton, David! ] Yanaz Mittlamu This third in the series of Blue Room articles on Tekumelani martial arts explores the highly secret unarmed combat system taught in Livyanu, mysterious land of the dread Shadow Gods. Yanaz Mittlamu is taught in five principle styles, each similar to but also somewhat distinct from one another, by the temples of Qame'el, Kirrineb, Guodai, Ru'ungkano, and Kikumarsha. Only members of the Vru'uneb, that Livyani religious society charged with enforcing the policies of the theocracy, today receive instruction in the core techniques of Yanaz Mittlamu. Others, however, have through the years picked up certain basics of the system through diffusion down the security structure of Livyani society. Yanaz Mittlamu means, literally, "hand of destiny"; and, as its meaning suggests, it is primarily a siezing and controlling art whose techniques cause agony, numbness, sudden loss of consciousness, and even death. At the hands of one Yanaz Mittlamu's masters, one is brought to his/ her final destiny -- be it arrest for later interrogation, torment, and sacrifice; or simply death. The emphasis in Livyani unarmed combat arts on close quarters striking, grappling, and take-downs, however, has developed only recently (at least by Livyani standards!). Two thousand years ago, before the region's many warring principalities were subsumed by the rise of Livyanu's monolithic and theocractic state, unarmed combat arts closely resembled a combination of Tsolyanu's two systems. Styles divided by geographic region rather than by religion, however. In the south and west, roughly below and beyond the Kanash, Li'uz, and Kapraz rivers, long range kick-oriented styles dominated. In the north and east, through the heart of Livyanu and across the Tlashte Heights, closer range strike-enter-grapple styles held sway. Once Livyanu as we now know it arose (under the semi-mythological Dumuz Melunez Chi'una), however, it was ordered that all unarmed combat arts be brought under the perview of the dire Vru'uneb. This had a profound effect. The styles were consolidated and those techniques least useful to the Vru'uneb were abandoned, while those techniques most helpful to the Vru'uneb and its multifarious missions were advanced and systematically improved. Many kicks were abandoned (only low-line, rapidfire, nerve destruction kicks remain). Several throws were dropped (especially those designed to send the opponent sailing away from the thrower). But almost all grappling skills designed to control or lock an opponent's joints, muscles, and tendons were retained, reviewed, and developed. Thus, two millenia later, Yanaz Mittlamu looks quite a bit different than its distant ancesters. The purpose of Yanaz Mittlamu is to control and/or kill quickly. Its grappling skills are designed to lock an opponent's joints or to tear his muscles and tendons, destroy-ing his movement and his will to resist. Its kicks, strikes, and jabs are used to numb an opponent's limbs, make him lose consciousness, or even to kill him. All techniques cause extreme pain, attack nerves and arteries, and exploit human physiology with the precision of a high-circle surgeon. There are rumored to be over one-thousand Yanaz Mittlamu techniques. They fall into five categories: 1) dividing the muscle/tendon; 2) misplacing the bone; 3) sealing the breath; 4) sealing the blood; 5) attacking the nexus (i.e., nerve center). Each of the temples responsible for instruction in Yanaz Mittlamu specializes in one of these categories of techniques, but by no means exclusively. They all know a certain number of techniques in each category, enough to base and broaden their distinctive styles, but have advanced knowledge in only one or two. Dividing muscles, misplacing bones, and stopping an opponent's breathing are relatively easy, external techniques which rely upon muscular strength, physical agility, and practice for success. The Temples of Guodai and Ru'ungkano specialize in these techniques. Techniques designed to collapse an opponent's lungs, explode internal arteries, destroy important nerve centers, or shock vital organs require a detailed knowledge of human anatomy, the theory and timing of internal and other-planar energies, and other esoteric sciences whose mastery takes years of patient application under qualified tutors. The Temples of Kirrineb, Kikumarsha, and Qame'el specialize in these rare, frightening techniques. Vru'uneb members chosen for instruction in Yanaz Mittlamu begin with the easier, external techniques usually, and advance to the more esoteric "internal" techniques only if they demonstrate physical talent, psychic ability, and honor, which in Livyanu means a total committment to the state and to the temples of the Shadow Gods. If everything goes well, a student of Yanaz Mittlamu moves from city to city, temple to temple, tutor to tutor as his/her mastery grows. Some continue learning throughout their whole lives; others reach a plateau and are then posted as espionage agents, interrogators, bodyguards, ritual tormentors etc., depending upon their particular skills. Like both Hu'on and Dedaratl, Tsolyanu's unarmed combat arts, Yanaz Mittlamu tends to be executed with a circular motion. This conserves energy and enhances the element of surprise. Surprise is important. Only surprise guarantees accurate joint, bone, artery, and nexus attacks. Witnesses report that opponents often find themselves controlled before they even realize they've been set up or angled for a technique. Also like martial arts in Tsolyanu, training with and against weapons (i.e., weapon control/ disarming) is central to the teachings of Yanaz Mittlamu. The secret masters of Yanaz Mittlamu stress, in their teaching texts (which resemble ritual scriptures more than anything else), that versatility is essential to victory in combat. How one acts depends upon how one's opponent reacts. Criminals against the laws of the Shadow Gods are desperate! They refuse to be controlled, so Vru'uneb officers and/or agents must adapt their Yanaz Mittlamu to fit the situation. Often they feint or strike their victims before applying a core Yanaz Mittlamu controlling technique. For example, a technique called "Arm Engulfs the Dragon's Neck" involves striking at an opponent's center. When this strike is blocked, the blocking wrist is grabbed and pulled so that both its shoulder and elbow strain against the puller's chest as the striking arm continues up, across, and around behind the opponent's neck. This seals his breath, tears his shoulder, and breaks his elbow. Another technique, called "Chi'inneb Extends Her Neck for Water" involves striking at an opponent's abdomen. When this punch is blocked, the right hand grabs the blocking wrist while the other arm snakes down under the elbow and then quickly reverses up and foreward, over the upper arm, locking the arm behind the opponent's back. The locked elbow is leveraged higher to increase pain or prevent counters. The left hand is then free to attack the near shoulder nexus, lift the victim's chin upward, tear his neck tendon, or grab his hair to knee smash his face. Sometimes angling a powerful or skilled opponent to apply a Yanaz Mittlamu control technique is impossible, in which case kicks and strikes, aimed at causing unconsciousness or even death, are used. These precision techniques are the most demanding and feared in all Livyanu. Death blows which shock or destroy internal arteries and organs are only taught to those persons in whom the Temples of the Shadow Gods place incredible trust. A man can easily kill with one finger once he has mastered the skills of sealing the breath, sealing the blood, and attacking the nexus. These "advanced techniques" of Yanaz Mittlamu are taught in highly ceremonial fashion, with the student getting the feel of the nexus strikes or presses slowly, as though he were acting out some deeply religious drama (often elaborate costumes and jeweled masks are worn, so as to improve visual learning and remove mental blocks). Students recite ritual verses which contain key concepts written with Kenemuz, whose meanings provide insights into the deeper secrets of Yanaz Mittlamu. It is up to the student to interpret them correctly, however. Concepts such as "'ail", ascend, "shanz", break, and "'opu", seize, are examples. The Temples of Kirrineb, Kikumarsha, and Qame'el routinely dedicate several years when teaching these techniques; those of Guodai and Ru'ungkano spend relatively less time because their advanced techniques are "external" and therefore simpler. Students in all five temple-styles learn that there are four general methods for controlling a person: to numb a part of his body, to cause him to faint, to take away his breath, and to kill him. Numbing part of a person's body involves striking nerve centers, utilizing either external or internal power, causing paralysis and loss of function. Making a person faint from pain also involves striking nerve centers, but usually more vital ones closer to the spine, important organs, or the brain (sometimes fainting can be produced while tearing tendons and breaking bones, but only in cases of weak-willed individuals). Taking away a person's breath is done in either of two ways: externally by damaging his esophagus or carotid arteries (i.e., with a punch); internally by collapsing his lungs with a deep nexus attack. Infinite are the ways in which someone may kill a person: weapons, Onumish-poison placed beneath the fingernails, or the secret death strikes of Yanaz Mittlamu. These involve destroying internal organs through primary (the liver explodes), secondary (the brain dies after strikes to the temple burst blood vessels), and tertiary (the heart stops when a certain nexus lying along its meridian gets hit hard) modes of attack. All advanced techniques target four general areas of man's anatomy: the head, the spine, the nexus points, and the internal organs. These attacks may be either direct or indirect, and their effects immediate or delayed, depending on their target and the circulation of bioelectrical energy through the body. Training methods for Yanaz Mittlamu's advanced techniques demand much from those who would master them; they must develop highly detailed esoteric knowledge and extremely powerful hands. Mind and body. The original theory for these methods derive from "Li'ob Mikkul Shirudanaz" (The Book of Becoming Shadow), which the Livyani claim was written 40,000 years ago. The practitioner must develop external penetration ability and internal power. The first step, however, is to strengthen the hands and fingers for striking with various weapons in a variety of forms (such as the Secret Sword Hand). There are five stages in strengthening the hands: finger push-ups, striking into kettles of raw beans, volcanic sand, and then iron filings, and developing concentration, accuracy, impulse power, and penetration. After extensive training a Yanaz Mittlamu master's fingers resemble thin steel rods moving at great speed; no wonder such persons cause extreme damage when hitting their target. Fantastic stories of Livyani assassins killing their victims with a touch become more realistic and less fantastic when one considers it often takes ten years to reach this level of proficiency. The methods of developing internal power are too complex to be gone into here, but they are similar to those used in sorcerous acadamies for building psychic ability. They involve relaxed visualization leading to high mental focus, physical movements initiating the generation and concentration of energies, and then methods of channel-ling these energies into various techniques, not all of which are strikes necessarily. A different sort of energy is used to strike, to take down, and to grapple; another sort is used to sense or perceive an opponent's momentum. Highly skilled Yanaz Mittlamu practitioners can enter close combat in total darkness, sense their opponents' moves while masking their own, and deliver a death blow that destroys a nexus (the nerve center at the base of the throat?) with precision and ease. Directing energies along the line of an attack is a sure way to achieve deep bodily penetration; this is how internal organs are destroyed. The spell "Missile of Metallja", which launches a bolt of psychic force toward a target, is a phenomena related to the applications of internal power described above, but it requires a spell, is more powerful, and draws its energies partially from the Planes Beyond. In Yanaz Mittlamu, internal power extends at the same time external physical force is applied; it becomes instinctive and immediate and no spell or other-planar energies are required. Nor do metals adversely affect internal energies: one can wield steel weapons and still accomplish feats of martial ardor. The non-psychic can achieve nearly the same results with the right nexus attack, so Yanaz Mittlamu is an unarmed combat system available to nearly everyone. Athletes tend to concentrate on those techniques taught by the Temples of Guodai and Ru'ungkano. Esthetes tend toward those techniques taught by the Temples of Kirrineb, Kikumarsha, and Qame'el. Whichever one or combination of several styles a chosen agent of the Vru'uneb pursues, the greatest glory of the dread Gods of Shadow is served. //150 Well, it seems fitting that this announcement falls on a milestone message number. This message, number 150, is an announcement of the first available Internet released printings of Deeds of the Ever-Glorious. It is available on the Blue Room FTP site. Deeds is a copyrighted work, and it is being released as shareware. Please register by sending $5.00 (US) to the Professor via me, Chris Davis 711 Pebbleshire Lane St. Louis, MO 63122-5015 I will do the legwork of cashing checks and getting them to the Professor. This work was brought to you by the Professor, of course, John Bailey (setnaffa@ix.netcom.com), who did the scanning, and yours truly, who did the editing. Thanks a ton John, for all your work! Deeds has been under construction since August, so this has been a major effort for us. We will NOT be taking any of the registration fee, since we feel that any money should go to the creator of Tekumel. The Mac 5.1 version is currently messing up on me, so I will release some- thing as soon as possible on that front.