Dragon Magazine #4

TSR Periodicals published The Dragon #4 in December 1976. It is 36 pages long and has a cover price of $1.50. This issue features Empire of the Petal Throne, android origins, and oddball D&D!

In the editorial, Tim Kask notes that this special issue is dedicated to TSR's latest game, Empire of the Petal Throne (EPT). Kask is full of praise for the game, describing it as "the most detailed fantasy game available; a genuine phenomenon. It is destined to become both a classic and a milestone in fantasy role-playing gaming, and deservedly so." He also notes the "inevitable" comparison between Barker's Tékumel and Tolkien's Middle-earth, saying, "In terms of development of detail, I think EPT has it over Middle Earth in the matters that most concern gamers."

The primary feature article is "Reports Submitted to the Petal Throne" by M.A.R. Barker. The article includes detailed reports from various campaigns in the EPT universe, highlighting the rich narrative potential and the complex political and social dynamics of Tékumel. Barker also discusses the ongoing development of additional materials for EPT, including miniatures, further rules, and a novel. He concludes with selected dispatches from the game's fictional world, offering readers a glimpse into the ongoing events and intrigues.

"Jakalla Encounters" by Steve Klein presents a random encounter table for the city of Jakalla in EPT. The encounters range from belligerent drunks to mysterious priests, offering a variety of challenges for players navigating the city's underbelly. I can find no other information about Klein, but he was likely part of Barker's home campaign.

"The Battle of the Temple of Chanis: 2020 A.S." by M.A.R. Barker is a detailed account of a pivotal engagement between the Tsolyani and Mu'ugalavyani forces in Tékumel. This battle, which occurred near a ruined shrine, illustrates the complexity of warfare in this universe, where strategic maneuvers, ritualistic elements, and the use of magic all play significant roles. The narrative starts with an overview of the battle and then shifts to a personal account by a participant, Chaeyan Tikkumeshmra. The article includes a map and a detailed key describing troop dispositions. It was, presumably, originally played out as a wargame.

There is an uncredited "Creature Feature" describing two formidable creatures from Tékumel. The Mihalli are an ancient, enigmatic race known for their powerful magic, shape-shifting abilities, and unpredictable behaviour, making them mysterious and dangerous adversaries. The Vriyagga, on the other hand, are terrifying, tank-like creatures with massive, treaded appendages and powerful tentacles patrolling the deserted streets of the City of the Red-Tiled Roofs.

Rounding out the EPT content is "Roads from Jakalla" by Jerry Westergaard. This short story follows a group of five adventurers recruited to undertake a dangerous mission to Fasiltum. As they journey through hostile environments, they battle deadly creatures and evade the powerful Priestly Party, who seek to thwart their mission. The story offers a glimpse into the treacherous political and magical landscape of Tékumel.

On to the other articles! "Notes on the Androids on the Starship Warden" by James M. Ward describes the origins and characteristics of androids in the Metamorphosis Alpha, which TSR had published the previous month. Ward was an English teacher who met Gary Gygax at a bookshop and became a regular player in his Greyhawk campaign. Ward joined TSR full-time in 1980 and worked on numerous projects, becoming Vice President for Creative Services. He passed away earlier this year (2024).

For D&D enthusiasts, "Misc. Oddball D&D Stuff" by Gary Jacquet offers a collection of new creatures, items, and spells. Jacquet, a journalism major, was a college friend of Tim Kask. Within a year of this article, he joined TSR as assistant editor of The Dragon and later took over editorial duties when Kask left.

The sole offering from Gygax in this issue is a list of books entitled "Fantasy/Swords & Sorcery: Recommended Reading." This collection is an obvious prototype of the famous "Appendix N" that Gygax would include in the forthcoming Dungeon Master's Guide. It includes authors such as Poul Anderson, R.E. Howard, and Michael Moorcock.

The cover art is by Professor M.A.R. Barker, with interior art by Dave Sutherland.

And that's a wrap! This issue was more successful in many ways than the previous two, providing the pages of quality gaming material readers were craving. But readers wanted articles about D&D, not EPT! In the next issue, we have the return of The Gnome Cache, a new Gardner Fox story, and Witchcraft!

An earlier version of this column originally appeared in EnWorld. Old issues of Dragon Magazine are available on the Internet Archive. You can view Issue 4 here.

* Recently, some unsavoury revelations about Barker have come to light. You can find more information at the Tékumel Foundation.