You say you’re tired of the usual European D&D fantasy settings?

Empire of the Petal Throne is neither “usual” nor “European”. And it dates back to the beginning of Dungeons and Dragons itself.

“… it was the first roleplaying game to come with a setting, the first roleplaying game to come with its own languages, the first roleplaying game not to be based upon West Europe mythologies but rather Asia, Central America, and Egypt, and the first to come with a campaign concept.” –Reviews from R’lyeh

The rules of EPT are derived from OD&D, and while the setting is exotic, the gameplay will be familiar to old school gamers.


Empire of the Petal Throne box set 23

Empire of the Petal Throne [BOX SET]
1975 … M.A.R. Barker … TSR 1005
“Tekumel, the world of fantasy and adventure. The setting for this fantasy campaign game is an alien planet, Tekumel, where a cosmic cataclysm stranded human and extra-territorial invaders eons past. A hostile world of poisonous flora and fauna, with intelligent and vengeful native races! Mankind and its allies must battle for survival with nothing save Medieval technology — but magic aids them . . . and there are certain supernatural powers which may intervene.”

Tekumel items available in the shop

Check eBay

Empire of the Petal Throne at DriveThruRPG

The box set became a collectible a long time ago. If you just want a copy to play, DTRPG has you covered: PDF, paperback ($20), and hardcover ($30) available.

Tekumel publications listed at my reference site

There has been a long string of companies and authors of Tekumel background and adventures over the years. I hope this page makes sense of it.

Dyson’s Dodecahedron: A few observations after 175 sessions of Empire of the Petal Throne

Dyson talks about the long-running campaign he’s in, and how to make the setting your own.


The Rulebook

EPT rulebook
All the rules and background are contained in a plastic comb-bound book
EPT Forward
Foreward by Gary Gygax

DSCN7728

DSCN7729

DSCN7730

DSCN7733
Equipment list
DSCN7734
Encounters on the Sakbe Roads
DSCN7735
An Ahoggya by David C. Sutherland, who will be familiar to old school players

DSCN7736

DSCN7737

DSCN7738
Eyes are techno-magical artifacts of mischief and wonder
DSCN7740
Tsolyani script
DSCN7741
A snapshot of early TSR releases in the back

The Maps

EPT maps
The EPT set has three glorious maps. The first 2 form a continental area, much like the World of Greyhawk maps.
EPT map Tsolyanu detail
Tsolyanu is the presumed adventuring area for the player characters. Note the port city of Jakalla, which is the subject of map 3
DSCN7744
Mu’ugalavyá
DSCN7745
Shenyu

DSCN7746

DSCN7747

Jakalla map
Jakalla map

DSCN7749

DSCN7751


DSCN7752
The box set also comes with a set of reference charts. Early games often had no promo text on the box bottom, instead using a sheet for that purpose. I often see this with old SPI games.

Tekumel items available in the shop

Empire of the Petal Throne at DriveThruRPG


See also: Tekumel: Excellent Travelling Volume

Adventures in Fantasy (1979): A Post-D&D project for Dave Arneson

Youtube: UNBOXING the Original Dungeons & Dragons Premium Wood Reprint Box Set (2013)