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Author Topic: MAR Barker passed away  (Read 5455 times)

danbuter

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MAR Barker passed away
« on: March 16, 2012, 03:54:03 PM »
Professor Barker created Tekumel, a fascinating setting that I wish was far more popular. He was pretty old, and he got to pass away while at home with his wife. He knew how appreciated he was by Tekumel fans, and I hope he's in whatever heaven he favored. RIP, Professor!

http://tekumelfoundation.org/PressRelease-MARBARKER-1929-2012.pdf
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The Good Assyrian

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2012, 04:16:29 PM »
Just, damn...

Thank you, Professor Barker for the many hours of enjoyment that your creations gave my friends and I.


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Benoist

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 04:19:08 PM »
:(

One of the pioneers. RIP, Professor Barker.

Werekoala

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2012, 04:26:46 PM »
Ffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu......

:(
Lan Astaslem


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Melan

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 04:38:07 PM »
Rest in peace. Empire of the Petal Throne was not just a pioneering game, but it is a great game today (even my current campaign is influenced by it). Tékumel also remains as an excellent campaign setting whether you use it for deep-sociology cultural simulation, or colourful, grotesque pulp fantasy.
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The Butcher

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2012, 04:48:11 PM »
Another giant passes, and the world grows a less interesting place. RIP, Professor...

Silverlion

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2012, 05:32:39 PM »
Man, this sucks. I never got Tekumel. It seemed a bit to strange to be playable, but it looked and felt awesome.


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Simlasa

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2012, 07:08:32 PM »
Tekumel was had a big influence on me since the first time I read it. Those maps and the weird calligraphy and the exotic names. There is FAR more Barker in my homebrews than there is Tolkien.
I'm thankful for the gifts he gave us and sad to see him go.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2012, 07:12:15 PM by Simlasa »

Greentongue

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2012, 07:59:53 PM »
Yet another Founding Father slips away. His legacy continues as what he left us is unique.
=

Settembrini

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2012, 08:09:52 PM »
Quote from: Melan;521897
Tékumel also remains as an excellent campaign setting whether you use it for deep-sociology cultural simulation, or colourful, grotesque pulp fantasy.

That sentence made me question whether there is a dichotomy involved, actually. Instead, the one, if done right, must always produce the other.
Not bijective that would be, though.
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TheShadow

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2012, 09:52:39 PM »
Quote from: danbuter;521889
Professor Barker created Tekumel, a fascinating setting that I wish was far more popular. He was pretty old, and he got to pass away while at home with his wife. He knew how appreciated he was by Tekumel fans, and I hope he's in whatever heaven he favored. RIP, Professor!

http://tekumelfoundation.org/PressRelease-MARBARKER-1929-2012.pdf

Prof Barker marched to the beat of a drummer heard by him alone, and by all accounts lived a fulfilling life. May we all be so blessed!
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RPGPundit

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2012, 10:47:21 PM »
He's gaming with Allah now!

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DestroyYouAlot

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2012, 12:38:00 AM »
Sad to hear.  Minds like his don't come around very often.
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Melan

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2012, 02:45:05 AM »
Quote from: Settembrini;521936
That sentence made me question whether there is a dichotomy involved, actually.

There isn't, of course - they can be enjoyed as alternatives, or a synthesis of the two. But I note that some people into deep culture-gaming are turned off by too much "unrealistic" fantasy, while those who prefer the second often have no patience for too much cultural detail. Professor Barker could converse with his players in multiple made-up languages about Tsolyáni philosophy, and he could also run a mean dungeon crawl. So, he was at home in both worlds.
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selfdeleteduser00001

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MAR Barker passed away
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2012, 05:01:07 AM »
Sad but not unexpected news.
I love Tekumel and yet like so many of us, have never gamed there, but the books I own are amongst my most treasured and never to be sold.
:-|