The sixtth paragraph 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.
We are getting a lot of inquiries about the Middle-Earth playtest. A number of players have already sent in money for registration in the first games when they become available. We don't mind accepting these registrations (at present they are $25.00) but we cannot gaurantee when the games will start. We are currently running 2 playtests, one on a weekly basis, and one on a two-week basis. Our playtesters run the gamut from old-time GSI players to people who have never played any play-by-mail games before. The vast majority of the playtesters continue to express their enjoyment of the game, and we continue to fine tune the play balance as well as introducing those changes which our playtesters have suggested. We are hoping to open regular games to the public by the middle of the year. All subscribers to Whispers will be the first to know when the game is available. We intend to offer both 2 week and 3 week games. You can see from the personals that each of the playtesters is taking his/her role very seriously.
Pete Stassun
Game 1
Evil,
As a result of several conflicts currently taking place and few which may be pending in the very near future a dark and misty fog has covered ME. As one more evil nation is on its last lag with others, I'm sure, soon to follow. All that's left to say is,
Hail to the Free Peoples of ME
-H-
Dwarves,
Now that you have showed military action after making a peace treaty, you will dearly pay for your mistake. Allied with me are six other evil nations, all of which would like to see the temination of the little people. This is just the type of action we've all been waiting for.
The Dark Servants
Woodmen,
Maybe now, that you're on your last leg and your capital is going to be successfully destroyed by the joint efforts of myself. The Dragon Lord and Dark Lieutenants, you will think about your mistake of residing in the evil forest of Mirkwood.
The Dark One
Sinda Elves,
You have made the same mistake as your ally the Dwarves. Attacking one of the most powerful forces of the Dark Servants is bad, and if you're a little fuzzy on this good bad thing, I'll clear it up for you. You're dead! Don't expect your hidden population centers to be hidden much longer.
The Dark One
Game 2
Good attacks evil. Evil fights on. Neutrals still sit on the fence. The population centers give less gold. The war goes on.
This Whispers of the Wood issue was provided by Michael Blomquist.