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This illustration is from my Kickstarter project to create drawings of all of the unique creatures of the underworld from Professor M.A.R. Barker's wonderful Tékumel (aka Empire of the Petal Throne) world setting. It is based on one of the professor's own drawings, graciously provided to me for visual reference by the Tékumel Foundation.
"These are animated manlike bronze demon-automotons some seven feet tall. They were set to guard certain certain dimensional nexus points long ago by the ancients and also to watch over various treasures.They are highly intelligent, although they will not communicate with men. Their bodies are covered with a fine network of hair-thin wires which impart a powerful electric shock. They fight with a sword in one hand-like appendage and a kind of throwing device in the other which casts steel bolts 30 feet. The Ru'ún obeys only the "Incomparable Eye of Command" and the Amulet of Ruling the Ru'ún (and the creature is allowed a saving throw against these). The Ru'ún can also see invisible planes and hear sounds inaudible even to Pé Chói; it cannot thus be surprised."
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My next Kickstarter project has launched! This time around, I'm returning to M.A.R. Barker's classic Tekumel / Empire of the Petal Throne RPG and creating new illustrations for the inimical nonhuman races and sea creatures from that game: [link]
"These are animated manlike bronze demon-automotons some seven feet tall. They were set to guard certain certain dimensional nexus points long ago by the ancients and also to watch over various treasures.They are highly intelligent, although they will not communicate with men. Their bodies are covered with a fine network of hair-thin wires which impart a powerful electric shock. They fight with a sword in one hand-like appendage and a kind of throwing device in the other which casts steel bolts 30 feet. The Ru'ún obeys only the "Incomparable Eye of Command" and the Amulet of Ruling the Ru'ún (and the creature is allowed a saving throw against these). The Ru'ún can also see invisible planes and hear sounds inaudible even to Pé Chói; it cannot thus be surprised."
---
My next Kickstarter project has launched! This time around, I'm returning to M.A.R. Barker's classic Tekumel / Empire of the Petal Throne RPG and creating new illustrations for the inimical nonhuman races and sea creatures from that game: [link]
Image size
2550x3300px 940.07 KB
© 2013 - 2026 JeffDee
Comments1
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Brilliant work. I'm liking how the weapons seem to merge into the figure's limbs-- it IS the weapon. Also, the four-point splayed feet for greater stability; I would imagine, in a combat situation, these creatures would be difficult to knock off balance.
These creatures are described as intelligent-- would they possess their own sentience, or are they simply well-programmed automatons?
These creatures are described as intelligent-- would they possess their own sentience, or are they simply well-programmed automatons?