The game is Empire of the Petal Throne, actually the second RPG published by TSR, created by Linguistics Professor M.A.R. Barker of the University of Minnesota. Not surprised you never heard of the book, as it was independently published, though he did have two other books set in the world published (I think under DAW) It was arguably the first published Game Setting, and, interestingly, not inspired by western mythology or Tolkien. It is an ok book, however, with a few really nice touches and a rather Deus ex Machina ending. Next up. I am America and So Can You..