The sixth and seventh paragraphs of the "Words from the Wood" editor's column on the inner cover is included below.
Due to the limited MEPBM content in this issue of Whispers of the Wood, we are not including the full issue as a scanned PDF. All of the content relating to MEPBM in this issue is included as text below.
News from Middle-earth™ – The task is done. The selections have been made. And allow me to tell you, this was no easy job to do! Out of nearly 300 applicants, only 75 could be chosen to participate in the three proposed playtests. Bill and Pete lost a lot of sleep and pulled out a lot of hair in making their decisions. Those who have been selected will be receiving their notification letters probably in the same mail as this issue! Along with the good-news notes will come player position selection sheets. Please fill them out and return them as soon as possible. First game materials are scheduled to follow around April 15th (including a large-scale, 3' x 3' map of Middle-earth™ prepared by one of the original artists who worked on Rankin-Bass' animated production of The Hobbit!).
To those who applied to play and did not get in, don't despair. Stand-by positions for the playtest will be accepted and letters to that effect will also be going out. So you never know. We will also notify you when the game is ready for general release. To everyone who did apply, thank's for your interest and enthusiasm. We are truly regretful that there wasn't a position for everybody!
Dennis P. Edelen
This Whispers of the Wood issue was provided by Michael Blomquist.