The second through fifth 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.
Press Release!! Middle-Earth™ PBM registrations are now open to the public, with games themselves to start this summer. Already, players are sending in their requests for player positions and listing the friends with whom they wish to play. GSI has attempted to make the game 'state of the art.' Each ME-PBM turn includes roughly a dozen pages of laser-generated output - incorporating well organized text, descriptive prose detailing the results of each turn, graphics which will include a hex map presntation of each player's home region and showing icons representing armies, cities, harbors, terrain, roads, bridges, etc, and individual reports of the actions of the heroes, including a portrait and statistics for each character. Additionally, each registration includes a 2' x 3' four-color map of northwestern Middle Earth with a hexagonal grid overlay that will facilitate the plotting of players' actions and plans.
The game is broad in scope - one that will allow players to operate in the strategic arena as well as to role-play at the character level. The game encourages players to explore the rewards of economic activities via the market. Players also deal with the diplomatic theater and ultimately challenge their lore of Middle Earth as well. To this end, the game mechanics are focused on the heroes of Middle Earth. The goals and direction are provided by the player, but the actions are carried out by each hero under their command. These characters can lead armies, kidnap diplomats, manipulate the market, steal artifacts, solve riddles, or sack citadels. Although these actions influence different levels of the game, the heroes are still the focus of these actions.
Each player controls one nation. There are 10 nations representing the side of Good (Gondor, Elves, Dwarves, Men, etc), 10 nations representing the side of Evil (Nine Dark Riders and the Lieutenants of Sauron), and 5 nations that can choose either side, but must choose one side in order to end the game and win. Each nation has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, following the 'historical' records of their nation. To allow the plaers great freedom of play, and yet allow a wealth of reference material, a setting was chosen that is some 1500 years BEFORE the War of the Ring. This setting permits players to explore and ask 'what if', and also allows them to rewrite their own version of the Third Age of Middle Earth.
Registration for Middle-Earth™ PBM is $25.00. Includes a four color map, rules, 2 free turns, and a 3 month subscription to Whispers of the Wood! Turn fees will be $6.50 per turn.
Chris Strecker
Game 2
Rather than be enslaved to evil, the Easterlings have elected to be free. Therefore, they have joined the Free People, and now strive to rid the land of evil forever.
Archeantus
Leader of the Easterlings
This Whispers of the Wood issue was provided by Michael Blomquist.