Hall of Blue Illumination

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the fantastic world of Tékumel.  In this judiciously-timed episode, our hosts discuss and compare Tèkumeláni holidays.  Then they take up the “graduate level” Tékumel subject of the Undying Wizards. Show Notes: [00:00:30] Holidays in the Five Empires!  The Intercalary Days are five days at […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the fantastic world of Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss “Eyes”, a unique class of magical item commonly encountered by players in Tékumel.  Then James and Victor discuss the peculiar Tsolyáni institution of the clan house, its importance to Tsolyáni society, and how […]

This episode explores the relationship between the inimical nonhuman H'lüss and science fiction.

In this episode, our hosts discuss the use of languages in Tékumel games, before answering a question concerning the placement of Prof. Barker's novels within the “game” and “real” Tékumel distinction.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss EPT's divine intervention mechanics at length.  But first, James and Victor engage in a brief discussion about imperial heirs. Show Notes: [00:00:35] Children of the known Tsolyáni princes?  Victor found a reference […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel.  Our hosts begin this episode with a discussion of “demons” as they appear in Empire of the Petal Throne.  How do EPT's demons differ from Prof. Barker's later conceptions of them? Then, James and Victor finish their review […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss the enigmatic group of deities known as the Pariah Gods.  But before we get to that, Victor and James review the first twelve books listed in the magical tomes section of Empire […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel. In this episode, our hosts review each entry in the “Miscellaneous Magical Items” section of Empire of the Petal Throne.

In this episode, our hosts discuss “you.”  That's “you” the pronoun, and not “you” the listener, although I'm certain you're very interesting in your own right.  Tsolyáni has around twenty different words for the second person pronoun, and their proper use is determined by the relative social and cultural context of the speaker and addressee.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker's Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts welcome special guest John Till to talk about his adaptation of the Fate system to Tékumel. But first, Victor gives us an update on the publication of Flamesong, and the hosts discuss their […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss the term “the Five Empires.”  Who coined this label?  Is it a concept used by the Tèkumeláni, or is it merely gaming terminology? Much of this analysis involves how Tsolyáni ideas of […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  Our hosts begin this episode with a discussion of ways a referee can make Tékumel their own, with examples from James and Victor’s campaigns. This is followed by a discussion of the myriad creatures found in Tékumel’s underworlds, […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  After a hiatus, we’re back!  But wait, does anyone else smell cinnamon? This episode is devoted to a discussion of the Ssú, one of the aboriginal races of Tékumel.  These strange beings are clever, dangerous foes, who are […]

In this episode, our hosts interview special guest Bill Hoyt. Bill has been involved with roleplaying games since the early 1970s, and was integral in getting TSR to publish Empire of the Petal Throne.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this most-apposite of episodes, our hosts discuss sickness and disease on Tékumel.  Can magic fix everything?  No, it can’t.  But first, Victor discusses his recent experience running games at GaryCon 2020, which had to be moved online […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts return to their walking tour of Jakálla, a popular segment with listeners. But first, they discuss whether or not “Prof. Barker is always right” and how they approach what at first might seem as inconsistencies within the Tékumel corpus.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode, our hosts are joined by special guests Bill Acheson and Steve Braun, who talk about Tékumel miniature gaming on the East Coast.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. This episode was recorded on November 2, 2019 at GameHole Con in Madison, Wisconsin.  Special guests Jeff Dee, Karen Knight and John Till join regular hosts Scott and Victor to discuss their experiences at the con, and how […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts talk to Keith Dalluhn, who played Sanjésh hiKirisáya, Priest of the Temple of Thúmis in Prof. Barker’s Thursday Night Group.  Keith supplies numerous anecdotes and fascinating stories about gaming in Prof. Barker’s Tékumel. […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts continue their walking tour of Jakálla.  But first, Victor and Scott answer a listener’s email asking how to handle Tékumel’s touchier subjects, like slavery and gender roles. Show Notes: [00:00:52]  Our hosts read […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts invite Bob Brynildson to share his experiences on Tékumel while gaming in Prof. Barker’s Tuesday Night Group.  Bob played the famous Kárin Missúm, who ended his career as a General of Vimúhla’s Legion […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts begin a walking tour of Jakálla, “The City Half as Old as the World.”

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts consider méshqu plaques.  What are they and what is their place in Tsolyáni society?  After answering these questions, the discussion moves to the Swamp Folk, the next race in our Nonhumans of Tékumel […]

Welcome to the The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts continue their interview of Jeff Dee and Manda.  As mentioned in Episode 29, Jeff and Manda’s UNIgames has recently released the Kúrt Hills Atlas, a system-independent gazetteer of the Kúrt Hills region […]

Welcome to the The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. In this episode our hosts interview Jeff Dee and Manda about their Kúrt Hills Atlas.  This is a system-independent gazetteer of the Kúrt Hills region of Tsolyánu, created to supplement UNIgames’s Tékumel rule system, Béthorm. But first, […]

Welcome to the The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode our hosts are joined by special guest Ambereen Barker, the late Professor Barker’s wife.  She shares her memories of Phil, his work on Tékumel, and the succession of gamers and gaming groups that passed […]

Welcome to the The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode our hosts continue their discussion of the Book of Ebon Bindings, with a special focus on the nature of the Demon Planes themselves, and their place in Tékumel’s cosmology.  See episodes 19, 20 and […]

In this episode, Victor and James discuss their respective long-running Empire of the Petal Throne campaigns, and share several referee tips they learned along the way. Our hosts also introduce the first entries in two new segments; “Nonhumans of Tékumel” featuring the Ahoggyá, and “Nations of Tékumel” featuring the Empire of Salarvyá.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this very special episode, the illustrious personalities who once comprised the Thursday Night Group have graciously reassembled for your edification.  Along with host Victor, these guests played in Prof. Barker’s Tékumel games for over twenty years.  Interesting anecdotes and bits of Tékumel lore abound as they discuss their old characters and the events in which they participated.  Strangely enough, this includes more than one explosion.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts cover several topics, including Tékumel activity at this year’s Gary Con, and an update on James’s players’ activities on the unnamed southern continent.  Then we return to the use of social distinctions in […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss the role of social status in Tékumel.  Unlike other roleplaying settings, Tékumel places a heavy emphasis on a character’s position within the social hierarchy, and the rights, privileges, limitations, and obligations relating thereto.  We touch on how this emphasis effects adventuring on Tékumel, how players’ characters can find opportunities for advancement, and give examples of notable personages who rose to (and fell from) the highest rungs of Tèkumeláni society.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss various media and other sundry things belonging to our world that for them, evoke aspects of Tékumel.  Sit back and enjoy as they move from 1930’s newsreels, to the DMV, through pyramid nomenclature, and discuss a scene from one of the greatest films to ever grace the silver screen -- The Wizard of Oz Big Trouble In Little China.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our estimable hosts continue their discussion of The Book of Ebon Bindings.  Points referenced include the significance (or the absence thereof) of humanity’s interest in the nature of the gods, the power of secret names, the existence of thieves and underworld communities, and ultimately, why a demon lord (and its evocators) might have good reason to fear an ancient planetary defense battery on one of Tékumel’s moons!

I, Uqétme hiTetengkáino of the Clan of Black Mountain, Senior Scholar Priest of Lord Ksárul, the Doomed Prince of the Blue Room in His exalted refuge of Hauninngákte Monastery, Distinguished Functionary of the Refulgent Blue Curtain Society, Master of the Secrets of the Strider unto the Encroaching Nullity, do make these notes for those of […]

WARNING!  THIS PODCAST CONTAINS SORCEROUSLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL. Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel. Double-check your diagrammes and sharpen your sacrificial daggers, because in this episode our hosts discuss The Book of Ebon Bindings.  This legendary, out-of-print work is a fascinating and unique piece of […]

In this episode our hosts welcome special guest Dave Morris.  Dave is a legend in RPG circles, and among other things, the author of Tirikélu, a rule system for roleplaying on Tékumel.  Dave relates some of his experiences with Tékumel, as well as some of his thoughts on roleplaying systems in general.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss Prof. Barker’s now-infamous declaration, “There are no NPCs on Tékumel.”  Essentially, what the Professor meant is that the players’ characters aren’t particularly special as far as the greater world of Tékumel is concerned.  Our hosts examine ways to follow this approach in your own games.

In this episode, our hosts consider how much knowledge players should have of the larger “meta” aspects of Tékumel’s setting.  Should referees discuss the deeper secrets of Tékumel at the outset?  Or, should they instead keep more esoteric matters to themselves, and reveal them over the course of play?

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss wargaming and its history with Tékumel.  We consider ways in which player characters can become involved with the legions, how to set up military-based campaigns, and issues referees should consider before surrendering […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts plumb the depths of Tékumel’s underworlds.  How do underworlds differ from traditional dungeons?  How can a referee entice players into these perilous places? And what will brave adventurers find once they’re down there?  Answers to all these questions, and more.

In this episode, our hosts discuss an article written by Professor Barker that appeared in Dragon magazine #9. In his introduction, the Professor draws a distinction between the “game” and “real” (i.e., non-game) settings of Tékumel.  He then answers several questions regarding the world of Tékumel and the rules of Empire of the Petal Throne.

In this episode, our hosts discuss several subjects, including the origin of the podcast’s name, Victor’s new Tékumel campaign, and how to handle any incongruities that arise between your own material and that of the canonical setting.

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss Gary Con, answer a listener’s question regarding the use of Tékumel’s languages at Professor Barker’s gaming table, and talk with James about the latest issue of The Excellent Travelling Volume.  We finish […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to M.A.R. Barker’s world of Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss straightforward ways to begin running a campaign in Tékumel.  We end with commentary on the Five Hlimékluyal (Cohorts) of the Gods of Stability. Show Notes: [00:00:55] As Scott stated in Episode 7, Tékumel’s […]

Episode 9:  “Moving Off The Map” Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, our hosts discuss a variety of topics, including an upcoming EPT release, an interview Victor gave about Professor Barker’s invented languages, and how referees deal with players who move […]

Episode 8:  “Professor Barker’s Basement” Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, Victor regales us with colorful anecdotes about gaming with the renowned Professor himself. Victor also recaps his experiences gaming at Con of the North, and Scott is excited about John […]

Episode 7: “Empire of the Petal Throne, Part 2” Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In this episode, we continue our discussion of the rules system of Empire of the Petal Throne.  Our hosts wrap things up with some notes on the Tlokiriqáluyal, the […]

Episode 6:  “Empire of the Petal Throne, Part 1” Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  Scott has recently started an Empire of the Petal Throne game, so in this episode we discuss some of the more abstruse aspects of the 1975 rules set. Our […]

Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, a podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  Chné màsunbrupílukh…er…in this episode, our hosts stoke their inner pedants with an exploration of language in the world of Tékumel. Show Notes: [00:01:15]  Language shows up in everything Tékumel.  A frequent complaint is the difficulty of pronunciation, but […]

Episode 4:  “Jeff Dee” Welcome to The Hall of Blue Illumination, the podcast dedicated to the world of M.A.R. Barker’s Tékumel.  In our longest episode to date, veteran game designer and illustrator Jeff Dee joins our hosts to talk about his experiences with Professor Barker’s setting.  Jeff is one of the two-person creative team behind […]