Mishaps in Mechanéno

 

The game has started to take on a life of its own, and has been a pleasure to DM. Given the chaotic situations that the party seem to continually find themselves in I have decided to name the campaign "Mishaps in Mechanéno."  

Some brief accounts of the last few game sessions...

 

August 8, 2020.

 

Events took a turn for the interesting last game. The two leaders(?) of Mechaneno's street urchins were found to be alive and rescued. Some interesting intelligence was revealed

–it  would seem that the Salarvyáni are meddling in the internal affairs of Pechano, again, and, maybe, with the help of locals; Lord Shemek seems to have other "agents," with access to powerful devices of the ancients, working on his behalf pursuing other threads of interest; and now, the party has decided to leave Mechanéno in pursuit of the Salarvyani that have apparently kidnapped a Pecháni princess from the East and are hoofing it to the border. Mayhem must surely ensue.  The game's afoot!

 

August 22, 2020

 

So, last night was a bit of a roller coaster. The party went out of Mechanéno in hot pursuit of some kidnappers, and ran into the more mundane obstacles that one can find on the Sakbé Road. Everything from greedy custom agents, to large bodies of troops on deployment seemed to be impeding them. They did find the kidnapped Princess Ja'alitle, and her loyal Lady in Waiting Nomantla metres away from the Salarvyáni border, and after a brief struggle and some efficiently cast spells the cowardly Salarvyáni fled or were incapacitated. After a hasty retreat, and many coins later/lighter the party find themselves safely back in Mechanéno, or are they? Very interesting session from a DM's perspective, and even in a little nation like Pecháno the intrigue and machinations seem to be at the forefront.

 

Sept 7, 2020

 

Due to some unforeseen developments at work I was forced to delay the game a week, but I think that we made up for it last night. Although not an especially long game, it was a productive one. The Rekhmel compound was assaulted by a mob of Pecháni determined to free the poor Mechanani girl being held by the wretched easterners, and their Rekhmel lords. The party was not willing to relinquish the princess to these folk, and a most successful casting of The Hands of Krá the Mighty by the worthy Kotaru, a priest of Qón, rendered the hapless Pecháni rabble-rouser into a gooey mess (34 points of damage delivered, a failed saving throw, and he only had 3hp to begin with). Not surprisingly the mob's resolve started to waiver, and many slipped away not wanting any part of this any longer. Some clever taunts and misdirection by the party confused the mob even more, and kept them distracted long enough for the Pecháni City Guard, and some soldiers, to arrive and disperse them. Unfortunately, it would appear that more powerful agents may be involved, as in the party's moment of victory a fiery red light appeared, melting the front of the building on whose roof they were perched, incinerating the slave Lobi, and frying poor Kemek and horribly burning him. It was only the quick jump of Beshmu, bum leg and all, that saved his life and spared him from a similar fate. Kotaru came through again, casting  a heal spell and saving Kemek's life.  The party was immediately surrounded by Rekhmel retainers and escorted to safety inside their compound. While walking to compound the party noticed  the Salarvyáni  "giant" encountered a few days earlier in the foreigner's quarter slipping into a back alley. It would seem that he was responsible for the mob's attack. After a good night's sleep the party was rewarded by the grateful Rekhmel representative by each member being given a finely crafted steel dagger and ornate sheath emblazoned with the Rekhmel Clan symbol. Afterwards  they were then escorted back to the Tsolyáni delegation's compound by armed guards, only to face the formidable Lady Jalessa hiViridame –the Major Domo of the Delegation. The party had much explaining to do…. Much mayhem was in abundance last night.

 

Sept 12, 2020

 

Last night's adventure was not as action packed as the previous week's was, but potentially significant things were begun by the group. The mysterious N'ek P'tek, an agent and friend of Lord Shemek, contacted the group and brought some troubling news.

It would seem that the kidnapping of the princess was part of a larger Salarvyani plan to destabilise Pecháno, and undo the alliance with Tsolyanu. N'ek P'tek, at the behest of Shemek, has been searching for some time to uncover the identity and location of  the agents responsible. Both Lord Shemek and N'ek P'tek suspected that the princesses flight to Mechanéno was related to this operation, and had hoped that by thwarting it they would be able to put a face to the name of  Gurrushégmesh, the apparent master mind and leader of the Salarvyáni, and flush him into the open. They did not achieve their goal, but the party has helped to identify some of the other players, a gang of Salarvyáni thugs operating out of the Foreign quarter, seemingly with the inexplicable ability to wander freely around the rest of Mechanéno, even after dark. N'ek P'tek feels that these thugs will be the surest way to Gurrushégmesh.

So, at the behest of the Lord Shemek, and perhaps the Imperium, N'ek P'tek has reminded the party of their duty to the Imperium, and "directed"  our brave heroes, and heroine, back to the Foreigner's Quarter of Mechanéno. He then instructed them to discretely find out what these thugs are up to, and report back to him everything they discover. It would seem that the party has been given a new purpose not related to the Delegation's mission….  

Return to Tekumel.

 

I'm back on Tékumel.  After a couple of years of inactivity I have recently had the opportunity to return and see what's what. I was fortunate enough recently to be able to start a game with a group of veteran Tékumel players and aficionados. I have decided to have the game take place during the reign of Hetkolainnen it is far enough away from the "real Tekumel" to give me the flexibility to do what I want whilst still being close enough to the events from the books to provide a sense of familiarity. The current game year is 2340 AS.

 Set in Pecháno, where else, the party is part of a Tsolyani delegation sent by the Imperium to establish closer relations between the lands. Being from solid middle level clans they are of course 'important,' but minor members of the group. Unfortunately, it would seem that they have been forgotten and have been cooling their heels in the mansion so kindly provided by the Pecháni Crown. Trying to keep themselves amused they have taken advantage of the travel documents so graciously given to them and started to explore Mechaneno, ultimately becoming involved in local politics at the behest of Shemek hiTankolel. Things are moving quickly and many things are being revealed.  

We have had 3 or 4 games already and I probably should start chronicling their adventures on this forum as a type of campaign diary…

 

 

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Although it has been quiet around here lately, I haven't abandoned the blog yet.

Merry Christmas

P.S.

Santa Ssu wishes everyone a Merry Christmas as well.

Remembrance Day, 100 years later.

A Canadian Soldier of the Great War

Today is Remembrance Day, a day that marks the end of  WW1, also known as the Great War, and commemorates the sacrifice of those British and Commonwealth troops that served in this conflict. Coincidently,  today also happens to mark the 100^th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities. The participants are all gone now, consigned to the pages of history texts, and yet it would seem that we are desperately in need of their conviction and courage these days. The familiar evils of tyranny, and suppression, are still very much alive and well these days. In fact some might say that they are thriving! Although we cannot say that the First World War was fought to end these patterns of behaviour, many of the participants surely felt that they were doing just this. After the guns fell silent at 11:00am  on November 11, 1918,  the Western world, so horrified at the slaughter of the previous four years, felt that this was a war so horrible that no other wars could be considered if one remembered the horror of the trenches. Sadly, how wrong they were.

Today I will spend the day with family and then, later, sitting in front of the fire, have a drink to the memory of those that served, and to those that I served with. I may even meet up with some of the lads and talk about the old days, but probably not. Lest We Forget…..

In Flanders Fields

By Lt Col John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

Still Here

Well, its been a very long time since my last post, but I'm still here. Stay tuned for more.

Some Miniatures

I recently came across a wonderful miniatures site that sells some truly unique 28mm figures –Hydra Miniatures. Based in the US, their inspiration is derived from the pulp science fiction of the 30', 40's, and 50's, some of the same stuff that MAR Barker was inspired by when creating Tékumel. The miniatures' aesthetics would be  perfect for Tékumel games set in the Latter Times, or during the Human Spaces Empire's epoch. I plan on purchasing some of these soon, and when I do I will be sure to post a review. I have included some images taken from their website below.

They can be found here:

http://www.hydraminiatures.com/

Leader Type/ Potential Player Character

Another Leader/PC

Another Leader/PC

Complete Unit with Leader/Guards

Magic User

Zrné?

Ru'un?

Guardian Ru'un

 

 

 

Service Robot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shunned One?

Is Tékumel too hard to play?

I normally don't  bother such things on this blog, but recently, on a site that I have been known to frequent, the often voiced opinion that Tékumel is not a popular, or well known setting, because it is too complex to run successfully, unless you are MAR Barker, was repeated again

Tékumel as a setting is as playable as any other commercial setting. The failure lay in the foolish notion that somehow arose, and was perpetuated by many gamers, that the only/one way to run a game using this campaign setting was to follow Phil's "Tékumel Prime game" in order for it to work. All of the later affectations regarding pronunciation, immersion, etc stem from this desire to emulate the original campaign game, even though from the get go MAR Barker asserted that this was not possible, and people should make Tékumel their own. I have never understood this attitude. The complexity of the setting is not a prerequisite to playing a Tékumel campaign, but something that needs to be gradually developed over many sessions, if that is what the DM and players want. This is the crux of the matter. Do you want an Anthropological exercise, or do you want to play make-belief, "make some shit up," and push some lead figures around? From my experience, and probably the experience of the vast majority of regular Tékumel players, including  "Chirine baKal", "Gronan of Simmerya" (aka General Korunme), Dave Arneson (aka "Captain Harchar") and MAR Barker himself, the latter is closer to so-called "real Tékumel" than the former.

I am currently running a Tékumel Campaign that is in its second year, with two of the four players in the group not having a clue what the game world was like before they sat down to play. The remaining players in the group had, at best, a passing familiarity with the milieu but certainly were not "experts." They are now, finally, "getting" Tékumel. They have absorbed the background material and, to quote the above mentioned Chirine, have "gone native." The reality is that I could have easily had the same campaign set in Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, or my own campaign world and changed very little of the story. The complexity would have gradually developed except that you would have a faux medieval world to explore instead a fusion of Mughal, Meso-American, Egyptian and Barsoomian cultures. Both have their challenges if an immersive gaming experience is desired, but in both cases you can still enjoy yourself and not give a toss whether a name is pronounced a certain way, or someone should be greeted by a particular honorific. There is no need to understand the cultural nuances of Tsolyáni society prior to playing. I would be curious if anyone knows if such a requirement is even stated anywhere in the official literature.

The fact that many gamers feel that some type of major prep work is mandatory in order to play is too bad. They are missing out on a playing experience that is not a mere re-hash of the same Tolkienesque tripe.

Merry Christmas

Another year is almost past and Christmas is just over a day away. We have gotten a lot of snow and Christmas will most certainly be a white one. Although my posting has been sporadic again, this year has been a very busy and good one for gaming. My Tékumel group is going gangbusters and the guys have gotten into quite a pickle. Although we are only able to meet monthly at this time the games have been very productive for the most part. Unfortunately I’m located in the east end of the city and the rest of the group is closer to the downtown, which results in a long travel time to get to my place, even though everyone drives. I think that we will try playing on Hangouts in the New Year so that we can increase our gaming frequency.  I have been posting some of their adventures here if you are interested. http://actualplaysintekumel.blogspot.ca/ The Sons’ of the Vríddi are mine. A regular participant on the RPGSite, and someone that I consider a friend of mine, Asen G., created the blog as a venue for to share Tékumel adventures, and dispel the myth that it’s too hard to game on Tékumel. It really is worth taking a look at as there are some great session/game reports posted there.   

I have been enjoying RPGs since the autumn of 1982 when I first discovered D&D. As it happened I became the DM in my first gaming group. This has largely continued up to the present with two exceptions: a campaign run by one of oldest friends, Larry, and one which is being run by my new friend Ben. The first game was in the early 90s and lasted for about a year or so, on and off, and was where my alter-ego Shemek came into being. The second game has been progress or two years and is one that I joined only a couple of months ago. Both games have one thing in common –great DMs who are evocative and can paint a vivid picture with words. Their campaign worlds are quite different but both have (had) elements of what I would call the Weird in them, others might call it creepy. I for one love this type of game world, as the Tolkienesque tropes have become, for lack of a better word, stultifying. I just can’t stomach the thought of another orc, elf, or dwarf. It was the lack of these beings that first drew me to Tékumel all those years ago, and has kept me there. Playing is a blast and has been a welcome change. If anyone is interested Ben’s game-blog may be found here: http://maziriansgarden.blogspot.ca/

More tomorrow, and if not, Santa Ssü wishes a Merry Christmas to those reading this blog.

Shemek hiTankolel

(aka Evan N.)

Hó Hó Hó

Happy Birthday Firu baYeker!

  

Had MAR Barker still been alive he would have turned 88 today. Although I never got the chance to game with him, I was fortunate to have enjoyed an email correspondence with Phil in the mid 90's, and interact with him on the old Blue Room site. His creation has provided my group and I countless hours of enjoyment over the years. There have been many RPG settings created over the years, but none have held my attention as thoroughly and for as lengthy a period as Tékumel. I remember the first time I was introduced to the setting. One of my closest friends in High School, Harvey, showed me the Sourcebook –Vol.1 in the hallway, in between classes, one autumn day in the mid 1980's. I been exploring the world ever since! Over the years my groups have survived the Stews of Jakalla, and fought in the underworlds of the same city, tramped over the Chaigari Protectorate, been taken as slaves, and feted as heroes. They have thwarted nefarious plots and have had comrades die in ancient caverns far below the world –alone. Tékumel has provided my group and I a little bit of everything, and has kept me coming back for more.

Recently I had the pleasure of being invited to play in an online game. Those of you who have spent any time online looking for, or at, gaming blogs have no doubt come across Ben L.'s Mazirian's Garden . A wondrous and truly inspired work, it led me to leave a comment for one of the entries, something I never do, with the exception of Chirine's blog that is. One thing led to another and I was invited by Ben to join the group. Yesterday was my first game and it was great time for me.  I can honestly say that I felt much of the same magic that I experience when gaming on Tékumel in Ben's game. The same majesty and sense of wonder is present, along with an otherworldliness that makes it easy to immerse oneself in the environment. Not surprisingly I brought in a Tsolyáni to the Dreamlands, the brave Bashán hiTankolel. A devoted follower of Mighty Chiténg, he is a Kuruthúni of the 8^th Imperial Heavy Infantry, a member of the Red Mountain Clan, and a nephew of Shemék hiTankolel of Pecháni fame. His first session went well, and I look forward to the next game.       

Update

Spent a few minutes today cleaning up the blog, reformatting, and adding some new images ( pictures of the different types of  Pecháni coins). Going forward I will be including a lot more images in order to give a clearer presentation of what Pecháno looks like.

In the meanwhile, here is a small painting that Shémek showed me. As he said: "my scribe, Khóhesh Tsa'ankhél, completed this the other day. For some reason he insists on drawing me, and then with a ridiculously weak chin. That's supposed to be me behind the fellow in red, my Quartermaster Qu'méch Tuhéshmu Chelésh. I guess he figured that I wouldn't look in the ledger, or notice if he hid me behind Tuhéshmu.It's a good thing that I'm semi-retired these days or I'd really thrash him for his impertinence. A good whipping would do him a world of good and remind him where his place is! I don't know what his obsession is with drawing me? I've told him a dozen times that he shouldn't, but he continues. It's hard to get good help these days."  Shémek seems to be getting crankier the older he gets. 

Soldiers of The Nchésh of the Splendid Slayers of Ssü claiming their bounty.

Calendars

Calendars

            The Engsvanyáli year (and hence that of the Five Empires, and Pecháno) is divided into 12 months of 30 days each. Five intercalary days are added to bring the total to 365. every fourth year another day (Tsolyáni: Kolúmehagi) is appended to the account for certain orbital irregularities. In Tsolyánu the Kòluméhagi is dedicated to the glories of the Emperor, as its name implies, while in Mu'ugalavyá it is devoted to Hŕsh, in Yán Kór to Karakán, in Livyánu to Qame'él, and in Salarvyá and Pecháno to orgiastic festivities as an "empty day."

            The Pecháni employ the calendar devised by the Priest-King Kazhiloob during the last centuries of the Engsvanyáli Empire, and the current year is 9,932 AK (After Kazhiloob). The Salarvyáni also favours this era, but their scholars reckon the length of The Time of No Kings differently, and the "Era of Tsatsayágga" therefore adds 3,250 years, and it is thus presently 13,182 ET. Pecháno officially uses the former calendar, although in the past the Salarvyáni calendar was also used.

           

The Pecháni days are organised thus:

Days of the Week

1^st. Sárna, 2^nd. Múnnu, 3^rd. Zíkkuná, 4^th.Harása, 5^th. Takáhl. 6^th. Dúnnúlla.

Intercalary Days

1^st. Genérru, 2^nd. Turkkúm, 3^rd. Vurúmma, 4^th. Naguqqú, 5^th. Chatáshshu.

Months

1. Héshak, 2. Eshpíru, 3. Dómmu, 4. Varúttu, 5. Pessúrru, 6. Ójaz, 7. Péshru, 8. Prúddu,

9. Khillǘrra, 10. Muggtá, 11. Omuggtá, 12. Menmuggtá.

Pecháni Calendar Stone

Where has the time gone...?

Where has the time gone? Between work and prepping for my Tékumel game I have neglected Pecháno for the last seven months. So what has transpired since the last posting? My campaign is now in its second year, and shows no sign of petering out any time soon. I have toyed with posting campaign notes on this site, but the truth is the adventuring has all taken place in Tsolyánu and seeing as how this is a Pecháni blog… Well, if the party ever makes it to Pecháno then I will certainly post their adventures here. In the meanwhile, stay tuned as new content will be up soon. 

Teshkóa: Eastern Suburbs

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, from Pecháno.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and that Santa Ssü brought you lots of presents.

With Christmas fast approaching things are settling down at work, and that gives me some days off during the week. I was able to use today to actually paint some miniatures, something I haven't done in months.

I recently discovered this box, which I received as a Christmas present many years ago, and never actually got around to paint the miniatures. They are absolutely amazing sculpts with what can only be described as delicate details. They easily hold up to today's standards, even though the were made in 1991!

There's 10 in the box, in a variety of poses, and they will be great as NPC  Aridáni. I have decided that I will paint them as a different warrior/adventurer from one of the Five Empires, and possibly some of the smaller nations; the first one on the left, top row will make a fine  Pecháni I think.

The first one I finished was the second from the left, middle row, and it was done as a Tsolyáni. It really came out very nice. I'll post the finished miniatures shortly.

Commerce, Taxation, Trade

Commerce, Taxation, and Currency.
 

            Pecháno's main industries consist of mining and forestry. The two major clans of Pecháno, the Beneshchán in the west and the Rekhmél in the east have monopolies on both of these commodities. In addition to these two main industries there is also a relatively small, albeit well established, and high quality, arms and armour manufacturing trade. Located in Teshkóa some of the finest steel weapons and armour on Tékumel are produced in its narrow and winding streets.

Pecháni Merchant

            Pecháno, as with the other nations of the Five Empires, impose customs and tariffs on goods imported for sale. As soon as one crosses a border a horde of officious inspectors, guards, and scribes appears to demand their due. This procedure can be both costly and time consuming if the proper inducements are not tendered. Although the Pecháni are not as pedantic as the Tsolyáni nevertheless, duties must be paid unless one tries to enter Pecháno outside of the official border crossings. This is possible however, if caught one risks imprisonment, death, and losing all of one’s merchandise for trying to defraud the state. Officially, the Pecháni only collect tariffs (which consist of a percentage of the merchants purchase price for his cargo, as proved by his receipts and manifests) from Salarvyáni merchants, and charge an exorbitant 5-9%. Many revenue officers deliberately exaggerate the amount owed and pocket the difference. Other merchants are technically allowed to cross without restrictions, but reality is quite different, and bribes and unofficial tariffs are quite common.

Pecháni Tax Collector takes his due.

            Tax collectors are among the most venal people on the planet, and the officials of Pecháno are amongst the most oppressive; the naïve and illiterate are frequently hoodwinked into paying as much as five times the correct tax. All too many tax gatherers treat their assigned areas as fruitful farms, which can be joyously harvested over and over. It is hard to get one of these scoundrels removed; witnesses and evidence are needed, and a tax collector is invariably accompanied by an entourage of scribes, guards, assessors, etc., all of whom are in his pay. Occasionally a powerful clan or temple can have a particularly high-handed official transferred or arrested, but most average folk simply pay and remain silent. The government is satisfied as long as it receives its revenues and the economic base is not depressed to the point of ruination. The post of tax collector is therefore a much sought after, although it carries strongly negative social prestige. 

            Pecháno, like the other nations of the Five Empires, charges every resident, citizen and non-citizen alike, a percentage of his yearly gross income, and the temples, the clans, and private individuals commonly offer inducements for reduced assessments. The taxation rate in Pecháno is 1.5%, and 4% for any Salarvyáni. All income is susceptible to taxation, and includes: wages, business profits, interest, ‘inducements’, treasure finds, spoils of war, loans, gifts, and bequests –in short everything! Not surprisingly, much of the revenue of the state is derived from this simple form of income tax. Technically, non-monetary income –works of art, weapons, jewellery, magical devices, land etc., –is also liable to tax, no matter how acquired. The base used is the likely price were the item to be sold at once, and this amount is added to the individual’s gross income. This is usually imposed upon acquisitions worth over 1000 Nzúggesh, and most tax collectors accept a rough estimate rather go to the trouble of having things appraised. There is thus considerable room for bargaining.

            The Pecháni divide their currency like the Salarvyáni, in the following way: 1 Nzúggesh, which is the equivalent of 5 Tsolyáni Káitars as a comparison, is divided into 4 silver Nzái, and each Nzái contains 50 copper Vrél. Even though the Pecháni have and mint their own currency they will of course accept coins from other nations for a nominal fee or exchange rate, usually 3-4%. It should be noted that the Pecháni use the Salarvyáni names for their coins.



 

Pecháni Nzúggesh

Pecháni Nzái

Pecháni Vrél

Update

Ok, things are beginning to calm down in the "real world" and I'll be putting up some new stuff in the next couple of days. I just updated my post from July 23, 2016. For some reason I didn't include the section on Tomb Police in the initial posting and I have rectified that now.

 In the mean while, I have included a most curious image that was presented to the Chægósh. Recently an expedition returned from Ssuyál, and they brought back with them several functioning devices of the ancients, including one which was able produce an exact reproduction of what we normally would only see with our eyes. The image below is of warriors from the Nchésh of the Protectors of Life, and the Nchésh of the Dragon outside of the Royal Palace in Mechanéno. This device is currently being examined by the Lord Pogórto Nradésu, Patriarch of the Temple of Tsómeq, to determine what else it may be able to do. 

Pecháni Royal Guard.

The last few months have been quite hectic in the "real world" and what little free time I have has been mostly spent on prepping for my game. The campaign that I started in April has continued to gain momentum. We had a new player join the group recently and he has really gelled with the rest of the party. He has never gamed with our group and he brings an interesting approach to the table. As a result of this addition our sessions have been a lot more boisterous than usual and he really is a wild card as far as what his character's motivations are. All in all a great infusion into what was already a steady and creative group of players! 
I am still debating whether to keep this a purely Pecháni blog or make it a Tékumel blog. We'll see...
I recently found a blog, which has sadly become defunct, called The Shen Blog. http://theshenblog.blogspot.ca/
Created by one of MAR Barker's players, who also happened to be one the illustrators of Swords and Glory, this blog is hilarious. His game reports, which I believe are from one of Chirine ba Kal's old campaigns,  had me in stitches the first time I read them. Certainly worth a peak in my opinion. It really is a shame that he walked away from it.   

t

Medium Infantryman, Nchésh of the Ever-Present Power