Publisher's blurb: This is the original manuscript for Empire of the Petal Throne, produced in the Spring of 1974 in a limited and confidential run of fifty copies for the World of Tékumel, the creation of Professor M.A.R. Barker. This is the first time this original manuscript has been published or made available to the general public. The rules contained herein are a precursor to the game published shortly later by TSR, Inc. and have a number of significant differences from that later version. However, this version in many ways is substantively similar to the later TSR version, and is being presented more as a historical document than as a different product. This netbook was prepared from a copy taken directly from Prof. Barker’s archive, and is presented with each facing page containing the text of the original manuscript. By purchasing this netbook, you will be able to enjoy some of the prehistory of Tékumel gaming.