Does anyone know if M.A.R.(Muhammed Abd-al-Rahman) Barker's real/original name is actually Phil? I know he had a distant relative with that name, but I have a letter to David Sutherland(Oct. 15, 1979) on University of Minnesota Dept. of South Asian Studies letterhead mentioning EPT, Gygax, Zocchi, Brian Blume, etc. that is signed "Phil". I know that M.A.R. was a professor at U of M at that time so this is messing w/ my mind.

Any help would be appreciated.

-Devon

On the bottom of this page:
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Unless I am reading this site incorretly, I believe it is saying that his real name is John C Adams.

Credits
Based on the Science Fiction/Fantasy World of Tékumel, created by Professor M.A.R. Barker

High Priestess of Shiringgayi and "She Who Did Not Sacrifice Me": Maureen Pisani

Play-Testers (in the order of their devotions):
Dr. Stephen Wilson (Author of Wilson's Axiom: No matter what one's interest, there is always someone so obsessed with that subject that it makes one embarrassed to be associated with it.")
Ed Metheny ("He Who Inspires with Opprobrium")
Paul von Fisher ("He Who Advocates Computer Games that Eat My Life")
Maureen Pisani (see above)
Eric Bruer ("Son of the N'luss")
Matthew David ("Dojako of Haida Pakala")
James Johnson ("He Who Formerly Slept on My Couch")
Carl Brodt ("He Who Helped A Lot")
Tom Bauman (last heard from in Asheville)
John C. Adams (his real name)
Steve Lopez (a.k.a. "Pulgao")
Your Name Here (Play-Tester for Scenarios Two and Three)

I hope that helps.

I think the John Adams thing is a reference to the 2nd Pres. of the US

Yes Guido, please ask your contact at Pheonix Games.

Thanks

Howdy Devon,

burntwire wrote:Does anyone know if M.A.R.(Muhammed Abd-al-Rahman) Barker's real/original name is actually Phil? I know he had a distant relative with that name, but I have a letter to David Sutherland(Oct. 15, 1979) on University of Minnesota Dept. of South Asian Studies letterhead mentioning EPT, Gygax, Zocchi, Brian Blume, etc. that is signed "Phil". I know that M.A.R. was a professor at U of M at that time so this is messing w/ my mind.

Yes. Phil is an American caucasian guy. I believe he converted to Islam during his extensive Middle-Eastern studies of language and culture. Indeed, his real name is Phil Barker. He is now in his eighties and lives in Florida, IIRC.

During the height of his academic career he went by Professor M.A.R. Barker but now just goes by Phil (according to Dave Sutherland). I talked with him on the phone last year about Dave Sutherland's auctions.

In fact I just got a psuedo-legal letter from him asking if Rob intended to infringe on his copyrights with the EPT maps Rob had for auction. The blanket intellectual property rights blurb I put in every auction (even the dice!) to limit the inevitable publishing queries that come with the items up for auction. Specifically, "When I purchase this <miniature, painting, manuscript, game design, etc.> do I get the publishing rights as well?"


Futures Bright,

Paul

Stormber nailed it.

The M.A.R. stands for Muhammed Abdul-Rahman.  It's his conversion name, though in the gaming community he's still called Phil.

I ran this thread past Neil, owner of Phoenix Games in Minneapolis (who I have learned also co-authored some EPT material).   He confirmed each conclusion drawn above.    I suspect Neil will be joining the site soon!