Uncle,

I have a quick question about Shen...Shén have three sexes: males ('egg-creators') about 40 percent, females ('egg layers') 35 percent, and 'egg-fertilisers' 25 percent(from the Tekumel website)...What "gender" are the "egg-fertilisers" considered? I would think male? It just crossed my mind.

Thanks,

H:0)

Quote from: AsenRG;943714Seconded;). I'm waiting for the finished variant with all the patience I can muster!

And then we'll start waiting for the second edition of Chirine's miniature rules:D!

And thank you for your patience, too! I get at the thing in fits and starts, depending on my schedule and energy levels.

The updated rules have been put aside for quite a while, as I dealt with other things. I had really wanted to get my play-by-email campaign going again a while back to provide a 'laboratory' for the revisions, but that kind of fell apart in the wake of the troubles I had over the proposed convention show I'd been asked to do. I'd like to move on the campaign again, now that the game room has assumed it's final shape, and that will - I hope, get me motivated to work on the rules once again.

It is my intention to make the new edition entirely 'backwards compatible' with the original version. No real changes, aside from I will now allow people to shoot into melee - with the chance of hitting their own troops! - as this was something that people said that they wanted to do over the years. What I want to do is update the technology of gaming, as there have been some really amazing things that I've come across over the decades that I've included in my gaming and which have been a lot of fun in games. Practical ways to run night battles; more detailed and accurate sea battles - Olympias has made a huge impression! - and there are all sorts of things that we could only dream about and which are now available for gaming.

And I've added so much to my own collection, too. E-publishing means that I can take color (!) photos of everything, to show you what I'm talking about, and I can also shoot video for you to have so that I can be there at your game table to show you how the game works. Amazing stuff, if you ask me...

Quote from: Hrugga;943755Uncle,

I have a quick question about Shen...Shén have three sexes: males ('egg-creators') about 40 percent, females ('egg layers') 35 percent, and ‘egg-fertilisers’ 25 percent(from the Tekumel website)...What "gender" are the "egg-fertilisers" considered? I would think male? It just crossed my mind.

Thanks,

H:0)

Ahhh... no. Their 'gender' is "egg-fertilizer'. Phil was pretty firm on this point, reminding people that these are alien people from an alien world. Human definitions and perceptions may not apply - and in our game sessions with him, they often didn't. Which is why I still think that the very best compliment that I got from him was:

"Chirine, you've gone native."

Quote from: chirine ba kal;943788Ahhh... no. Their 'gender' is "egg-fertilizer'. Phil was pretty firm on this point, reminding people that these are alien people from an alien world. Human definitions and perceptions may not apply - and in our game sessions with him, they often didn't. Which is why I still think that the very best compliment that I got from him was:

"Chirine, you've gone native."

Okay. How might an encounter with an "egg-fertilizer" go? Do they protect their eggs similar to Tharks? Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks,

H:0)

Quote from: Hrugga;943799Okay. How might an encounter with an "egg-fertilizer" go? Do they protect their eggs similar to Tharks? Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks,

H:0)

You'd treat them like anybody else, politely and respectfully. Humans don't make inquiries into the varying kinds of personal relationships other species have, as it can get one killed if offense is offered. With Shen, one usually is dealing with males, as they do a lot of the 'outside' work like a male human clan member would be doing, and the females tend to run the 'inner' workings of the household. If one does encounter an egg-fertilizer, one doesn't remark on the fact; like with Tinalya 'neuters', for example, it is what it is and politeness is in order. An expert might be able to tell gender by look, but it's not easy. So, we tended t keep our mouths shut and be nice when meeting Shen of any kind.

Shen are a lot more protective of their eggs then Tharks; there are special chambers in their homes where the eggs and hatchlings are kept, usually under reasonable security precautions. Because of their egg-group differences, they don't hire mercenaries of any kind to guard their eggs; this is a family thing, and visitors and strangers are very strongly discouraged. I think there's more on this in the Sourcebook, too.

Does this help?

Quote from: chirine ba kal;943803You'd treat them like anybody else, politely and respectfully. Humans don't make inquiries into the varying kinds of personal relationships other species have, as it can get one killed if offense is offered. With Shen, one usually is dealing with males, as they do a lot of the 'outside' work like a male human clan member would be doing, and the females tend to run the 'inner' workings of the household. If one does encounter an egg-fertilizer, one doesn't remark on the fact; like with Tinalya 'neuters', for example, it is what it is and politeness is in order. An expert might be able to tell gender by look, but it's not easy. So, we tended t keep our mouths shut and be nice when meeting Shen of any kind.

Shen are a lot more protective of their eggs then Tharks; there are special chambers in their homes where the eggs and hatchlings are kept, usually under reasonable security precautions. Because of their egg-group differences, they don't hire mercenaries of any kind to guard their eggs; this is a family thing, and visitors and strangers are very strongly discouraged. I think there's more on this in the Sourcebook, too.

Does this help?

Great!!! Thank you. My first order of business after the 23rd of this month will be to annotate my copy of the S&G sourcebook(cover to cover)...I'm sure I will plague you with questions then!!! My battle with the Demons from another plane will soon be over and I will get back to a more normal life!!! So S&G sourcebook, Lord of Light, ADoK to start. Then a reread of the earlier works of The Professor. Not to mention a recent acquisition of some old issues of the Journal of Tekumel Affairs(at a reasonable price at that)!!! So thank you again. Be well.

H:0)

Quote from: chirine ba kal;943803Shen are a lot more protective of their eggs then Tharks;

Is such a thing even possible;)?

I've got a question for you, Chirine. I'm implementing some rules for my existing gaming group (teenagers) involving resource management. I'd been glossing over supplies and encumbrance up til now. So, I'm figuring the temperature in Jakalla is normally well over 90 degrees F, which is going to require someone engaged in strenuous adventuring to consume two gallons of water per day. (Maybe 1.25 gallons per day between 50-70 degrees, as in the sewers, tombs or Underworld.) And going with a one-gallon waterskin per player, in a world without mules, we're talking bearers with water kegs for extended forays. All this begs the question of where fresh water comes from. The waterways are awfully polluted, adventuring in the sewers precludes the possibility of fresh water being available, the dead don't need water in their tombs. But, where does the city populace get their water? Upstream? Wells dug in what I assume is soft, shifting ground (estuary) can't be very reliable sources of fresh water, can they? Also, those Underworld complexes that have all those living guards and living high priests, and the monsters wandering about, will need fresh water too. Just assume underground rivers and streams for that? Are there fountains, pools and wells scattered about for ease of access down there? Did any of this ever come up with the Professor? Thanks!

Quote from: Baron;943884I've got a question for you, Chirine. I'm implementing some rules for my existing gaming group (teenagers) involving resource management. I'd been glossing over supplies and encumbrance up til now. So, I'm figuring the temperature in Jakalla is normally well over 90 degrees F, which is going to require someone engaged in strenuous adventuring to consume two gallons of water per day. (Maybe 1.25 gallons per day between 50-70 degrees, as in the sewers, tombs or Underworld.) And going with a one-gallon waterskin per player, in a world without mules, we're talking bearers with water kegs for extended forays. All this begs the question of where fresh water comes from. The waterways are awfully polluted, adventuring in the sewers precludes the possibility of fresh water being available, the dead don't need water in their tombs. But, where does the city populace get their water? Upstream? Wells dug in what I assume is soft, shifting ground (estuary) can't be very reliable sources of fresh water, can they? Also, those Underworld complexes that have all those living guards and living high priests, and the monsters wandering about, will need fresh water too. Just assume underground rivers and streams for that? Are there fountains, pools and wells scattered about for ease of access down there? Did any of this ever come up with the Professor? Thanks!

Haha!!! I was thinking about water on Tekumel today as well(pun maybe intended)!!! I was thinking about fountains, wells, running water in cities let's say Jakalla...Uncle, can you shed some light into waters availability around city, town, village, and wilderness?

Thanks,

H:0)

PS Can Hma be used as pack animals such as llamas? Or maybe even large dogs?

Quote from: AsenRG;943872Is such a thing even possible;)?

Considering that Tharks hide their eggs and abandon them for five years, yes.  Shen don't hide their eggs, they collect them and put them in the midst of their deepest enclaves and guard them fuss over them constantly.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;943923Considering that Tharks hide their eggs and abandon them for five years, yes.

I was thinking more about a certain scene where John Carter is found on top of the incubator of the Tharks, and a certain Thark attacks him, Glorious General;).

Quote from: Hrugga;943813Great!!! Thank you. My first order of business after the 23rd of this month will be to annotate my copy of the S&G sourcebook(cover to cover)...I'm sure I will plague you with questions then!!! My battle with the Demons from another plane will soon be over and I will get back to a more normal life!!! So S&G sourcebook, Lord of Light, ADoK to start. Then a reread of the earlier works of The Professor. Not to mention a recent acquisition of some old issues of the Journal of Tekumel Affairs(at a reasonable price at that)!!! So thank you again. Be well.

H:0)

You're welcome! It all sounds good; let me know what you're missing. I have lots of spares sitting on the shelves, and I'd like to reduce our paper holdings in favor of our digital ones.

Quote from: AsenRG;943872Is such a thing even possible;)?

Yes...

Quote from: Baron;943884I've got a question for you, Chirine. I'm implementing some rules for my existing gaming group (teenagers) involving resource management. I'd been glossing over supplies and encumbrance up til now. So, I'm figuring the temperature in Jakalla is normally well over 90 degrees F, which is going to require someone engaged in strenuous adventuring to consume two gallons of water per day. (Maybe 1.25 gallons per day between 50-70 degrees, as in the sewers, tombs or Underworld.) And going with a one-gallon waterskin per player, in a world without mules, we're talking bearers with water kegs for extended forays. All this begs the question of where fresh water comes from. The waterways are awfully polluted, adventuring in the sewers precludes the possibility of fresh water being available, the dead don't need water in their tombs. But, where does the city populace get their water? Upstream? Wells dug in what I assume is soft, shifting ground (estuary) can't be very reliable sources of fresh water, can they? Also, those Underworld complexes that have all those living guards and living high priests, and the monsters wandering about, will need fresh water too. Just assume underground rivers and streams for that? Are there fountains, pools and wells scattered about for ease of access down there? Did any of this ever come up with the Professor? Thanks!

Great question, and one that we did ask, back in the day. Sources for 'city water' are 'upstream', wells - which are usually private and guarded, and aqueducts. There are also underground rivers and streams, like the underground portion of the Missuma in the Jakalla underworld, and there are also the individual plumbing systems owned by various temples and clans; these are very localized, and near the surface, and usually watched over by the owners with their own guards. 'Poaching' and 'water wars' are not uncommon in the Underworlds, where just about anything goes.

As for extended forays into underworlds, we tried really hard not to do them - for the reason you give, as well as for other reasons. Trailing a bunch of torch-bearers and luggage-carriers is not a very good way to sneak around down there, and usually attracts all sorts of really unwanted and unwelcome attention. Not to mention what happens when the bearers panic, and run off with all your supplies and gear. (I would never even consider using a pack animal, for the same reasons.) The water and food issue is why worshippers of Avanthe are particularly useful and well-protected members of any exploring party, as they have a temple spell to create food and drink on demand. So, we used to have somebody in the party with this spell, and then everybody would keep their packed supplies in reserve for emergencies.

Out on the surface, we marched with water carts (big barrels on carts, really) in the legion's baggage train. I made sure that we had water barrels when we walked from Meku to Fasiltum, and we changed out the water regularly.

We always figured encumbrance in very practical terms. A lot of us had done re-enactment marches and the like, and so we knew pretty much to the nearest pound what we could carry. It was one of the reasons why we first built my suit of armor, and then had a fun day comparing what I could and could not do with Gronan, who was kind enough to wear his for the day as well. Wearing backpacks while in armor isn't all that practical, as it's hard to get them off when trouble looms. So, I use - and still have, in my collection - a pair of leather carrying pouches that are slung from shoulder straps; left pack slung from right shoulder, and the other the opposite way. It's easy to carry, easy to drop off, and allows me to carry a good twenty-five pounds of stuff. I have a pair of water bottles, one in each pouch, and I can carry a good gallon, gallon and a half, that way.

My actual 'belt pouch' was slung from my belt more or less at the rear, to allow me to have the weapons load-out at my sides, and I only carried 'reserve' items in it. As I say, we did a lot of very practical research and experimentation back in the day.

Quote from: Hrugga;943891Haha!!! I was thinking about water on Tekumel today as well(pun maybe intended)!!! I was thinking about fountains, wells, running water in cities let's say Jakalla...Uncle, can you shed some light into waters availability around city, town, village, and wilderness?

Thanks,

H:0)

PS Can Hma be used as pack animals such as llamas? Or maybe even large dogs?

Sure; see also my other reply. Water out in the countryside is from streams and lakes, and from locals' wells if they exist. There are fountains in cities, ut you do pay for the water you draw either to the city prefect or the people who own the fountain.

No. They are just like sheep, and just as dumb as well. Large dogs, especially ones that could carry a load, are rare and very expensive. Humans are much cheaper, which does keep the slavers in business.

Chirine has his own staff of hired/contract bearers, who carry things and mind the carts in his baggage train, but he'd never use them in an underworld; too risky for them. Better off hiring mercenaries (player-characters, really) and have them share the load, as they can at least defend themselves with some degree of survival.