05-15-2013, 07:36 AM
Havard Wrote:D&D is easy because you can start out just knowing that you should walk through dungeons, kill monsters and take their treasure. Compared to that, the complex cultures and societies of Tekumel with their own languages and dress codes etc can seem a bit intimidating to some.
What's your advice for a newcomer trying to get into Tekumel?
-Havard
First off, don't worry about 'getting it right'. What I do for new players is tell them that we'll work out way into the thing slowly - and then get then started with something familiar like going down in the dungeon and killing some monsters. The very best source for this is the original 1975 "Empire of the Petal Throne", which I still think provides the best introduction to the world. Once one feels comfortable, work as much - or as little! - of the 'source material' into your games as you want to. I think that the simplest and best way to play Tekumel is with EPT - or the various rules adaptations like for GURPS - and have a copy of the Professor's "Sourcebook" to use as a reference.
Do not - and I mean DO NOT - obsess on the 'fine print' and cultural details. We've done a lot of material on Tekumel since Phil started writing back in the late 1940s, and you do need to figure out what you want to do in your games before you start reading everything. Think "John Carter of Mars" as a source, and you are off and running. Once you feel comfortable in the setting, then - and only then - should you introduce the more 'advanced' stuff.
Play the game - roll the dice! Have adventures! The rest will come, over time, and you won't feel intimidated.
(Shameless plug - I'm writing a book about my adventures on Tekumel while playing with the Professor, and I'm giving it away to people just to introduce them to the place. E-mail me...
)yours, chirine