> Hi, everybody!
>
> I'm running a game set in Chene Ho in early 2352. I wondered if anyone
> had any insight into a few "real Tekumel" questions I'm having trouble with.
>
> 1) To whom did the Atkolel Heights belong *before* 2353 AS? It seems like
> most material refers to them as being "lost" to the Yan Koryani at that
> time, but the official declaration of war wasn't until 2356. I'm confused.
> The border, more to the point, is unclear on several maps. Were the Heights
> actually part of Tsolyanu, or legally part of Pijena but defended by
> Tsolyani troops, or...?

Rather unsure; I suspect it was "disputed territory" that was potentially part
of what Mirsun Dlekkumine lost (or perhaps even earlier - when "The
Cloudspinner" was on the Petal Throne).


>
> 2) Anyone remember what happened to make the Empire think that General
> Kettukal was disloyal? The original EPT books mentions that it was some sort
> of intrigue by the Royalists to make the Empire believe he wanted to become
> ruler of the Chakas....
>

One of the ubiquitous intrigues around Avanthar, as part of the striving between
the Royalist Party (really those attempting to bolster the power of the old
southern aristocracy), and the Military Party (those Imperialists who favored a
warlike expansionist approach). If there was something specific, others might
know better than I.


> 3) Anyone have any insight into why the Empire never did anything about
> Princess Ma'in's lobotomy/conversion? A "Dispatches to the Imperium" article
> makes it clear that some sort of sorcery was suspected, and that the Emperor
> commanded an investigation into possible sorcery, but we all know that she's
> remained happily debauched for the rest of her (known) life. Princess Ma'in
> "the Chaste" is a notable NPC in my game; she's a scholarly, studious young
> woman of 18 who is popular with the temples of Avanthe, Thumis, and
> Belkhanu.... (I made up her personality decades ago, before I had
> information which suggested that she was rather spoiled and selfish even
> *before* her conversion, and figured that the "Eye" must have "inverted" her
> personality....)

It was, indeed, the Eye that inverted her personality. Beforehand, she was
known as a dutiful daughter of Avanthe, and something of a favorite with the
Emperor.

I would suggest that you post these questions to the moderated list, and we
might see if Prof. Barker or others could answer them for you.

Victor Raymond
vraymond@...