Harn -- You know, this rates up there as something I'd
really like to like, but can't. The background never did anything for me. But those maps, WOW!
Traveller -- One of my all time favorites. I have to agree with Sarah on the 2-dimensional aspect, yet that can be fairly easily explained away thanks to jump drives. It really isn't "2 dimensional" it just appears to be that way.
EPT -- I probably should take offense at the comments against it.
But as I'm still not sure I can run a game of it, I can't very well take offense.
Rust, renaming it is actually an interesting idea. Just starting out with easier names, and slowly adding in harder ones would be an interesting tactic.
Sarah, how well did the "off the boat" start work? The way I see it is that such a campaign would be a stepping stone to a follow-on campaign where the players are actual members of Tsolyani society. I like your pulp idea, I know the Professor has taken trips Earth's past at least once.
I think the problem is the vast amount of knowledge needed by both the GM and the players. It is also worth pointing out that Sandy Peterson did a Runequest for Tekumel conversion years and years ago that is floating around the net.