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.
Hello, once again, one and all! Gather 'round, cos' there's someone I'd like you to meet. Introducing Mr. Harold Ford, our newest wayfarer in the Wood. Harold is a graduate of the University of Florida and is currently attending Florida International University (my own and Bill Feild's alma mata), where he studies computer science. Harold has been with us for about a month and is coming on strong. Which is good, because we're gonna need all the help we can get pretty soon when the Middle-earth PBM™ storm breaks! We think the walls are going to come down on this one! Which leads me right into my second topic of the month -
Middle-earth PBM update. Many, many calls have come in from eager players desperate to know when their play-test game is going to start. I have a tentative schedule to pass on to you to relieve some of that tension you're experiencing. Here's the plan:
75 people were chosen among the many applicants as possible play-testers. Those 75 were then divided into three games, called Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 (no surprises there). Although Game 1 and Game 2 will definitely run, Game 3 is tentative. Time and manpower available - we hope to run the third game as well. Game 1 was comprised of local players (virtually all within state) and is being run at a 7 to 10 day turn around. This game started last month (as of this writing, two turns have been run). Our goal is to stagger the beginnings of the remaining two games. This means we want to run a good handful of turns for Game 1, ensuring everything is working smoothly before we start Game 2 up. Then we'll probably want to run a couple of turns for that game, before hopefully firing up Game 3.
Now, that's the planned schedule. Materials for Game 2, rule books and maps, and so on, should be on their way to those players right now. So waiting times are diminishing, things are happening, and no one, I repeat, no one has been forgotten. We can understand some impatience, and believe me, we feel it ourselves! Middle-earth PBM promises to be BIG, and we want to get it blooming as fast as we can. But we also want it to be right, and that's most important. Right for you, and right for us. The good Professor's vision deserves no less.
So, we think ME-PBM™ is gonna set the world on fire. But we'd also like our other great games to scorch some acreage, and for this, we turn to you. What we'd like you to do is to get out there and tell your friends about Game Systems. If you like our games, chances are your friends will too! Show 'em your turns and your rulebooks, brag about your game exploits. If you'd like catalogs to distribute to your friends, let us know and we'll send them to you. If you have a regular gaming group or club, at home or in your school, give the folks the good word about us. Imagine how much fun it would be to play some of our games with these guys! You'd sure teach 'em a thing or two, eh?! And don't forget that every new player who signs up in your name nets you a FREE TURN in your game: a $4.25 to $4.75 value, or more! If you want to play a challenging game with intelligent, crafty people, go out there and get them! We're putting your destiny in your own hands. Forge it into a great gaming experience!
Fast Words. Three week versions of State of War and VENOM are standing by. If you want to get in on the action, jump! An important note - Dawn of the Ancients is now "off line" for some revision work. Current games will continue to their ends, but no new games are filling. We'll let you know what develops. This month, we're happy to present our first ME-PBM personals. The column is open to all our play-testers, so don't hesitate to sound your horns! The deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month, and please keep all messages to the 40 word limit. Until then by chance we meet again, may the Old Ones smile upon you.
Dennis P. Edelen
Game 1 (Playtest game)
The Northmen send greeetings to all the Free People of the land. We are eager to open communications. May Oromë smile upon our endeavors.
Neval Brodda
Lord Protector of the North
Player #4
Official Courier for The Pirate Lords of Umbar
Dear Sirs,
The Court of the Havens of Umbar is pleased to announce that it would be delighted to receive the guests and dignitaries of the esteemed Lords of Middle-earth.
The courier bearing this parchment extends the full courtesies of the Corsairs and welcomes all parties wishing to spesk and discuss matters of concern to our mutual nations. You will find the Lords of the South both amenable to discourse, yet swift to befriend or defend. Let us hear how we can help each other!
Lord Moonshadow
Ren the Unclean,
Myself and the other members of my party have deemed thy foul presence unworthy of inhabitation of Mordor, or for that matter any area of Endor.
Translation: You just said goodbye to oxygen.
Scofus
Looking for information? I'm willing to trade it for more of the same. Contact: Wilwarin
This Whispers of the Wood issue was provided by Michael Blomquist.