This issue marks the public launch of MEPBM.
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, or as a link to a PDF for the article(s).
"THE HIT OF THE CON" was what one well known magazine editor called Middle-Earth PBM™ at the Origins '91 convention! I must admit that ME-PBM was incredibly well received by the gamers at the con. We took in a LOT of registrations and almost sold out of our rulebooks! (By the way, for those of you who haven't seen it yet, the ME-PBM rulebook is a thing of beauty - full color cover and easy reading.) The full color maps and rulebooks brought people in from aisles away, and after they had a chance to read the rulebook, they couldn't help but play.
When we returned, we imediately starting getting the new games ready for distribution. And, finally, the games went out on the anniversary of Bilbo finding the One Ring! For those of you who don't have that date forever memorized in your mind, it's July 24! So, by the time you read this, there should be a lot of happy players getting ready to do battle for the Free Peoples and the Dark Servants.
As you know, each new registration gives the players a courtesy 3 month subscription to our illustrious Whispers of the Wood. But you new subscribers should also realize that it entitles you to post a free 40 word insert into the next copy of Whispers. So get with it! Players are already plotting, so let's see your boasts, challenges, threats and other material ASAP. Just send it in on a piece of paper and indicate that it's for the Whispers Personal Column. Enjoy seeing it in print!
For those playtesters out there who have finished the playtest game (or those who haven't) just remember that GSI has standby positions available for the early turns in new games of ME-PBM. Only experienced players will be considered for these positions.
I want to thank all of you that managed to find their way to our booth at Origins. As usual, it was fun swapping stories, answering "secret" questions with even more evasive answers, and meeting new and old friends alike. Soooo, if you are planning to visit Milwaukee during the 8th to the 12th, come by and see us at GEN CON! Bill and I will both be there, and we'll both be glad to chew the fat with you about ME-PBM or any of our other games. If you have suggestions, bring them along. We're always willing to listen to any new ideas. As we did at Origins, we will again be sharing space with the nice people at Iron Crown Enterprises who have modules, books, and other games that contain everything you always wanted to know about Middle Earth. So come on by!
Finally, if you haven't guessed it by now, ME-PBM is now open to the public. Those of you who have winner certificates from our other games CAN use them for a free setup in ME-PBM, but remember that they can only be used by thr actual winner. For those of you who like to read the rulebook first, we offer it sat a very modest $5.00. As usual, the money will be credited towards your registration fee when you register. So what are you waiting for???
Good gaming!!
Pete Stassun
No MEPBM personals were included in this issue.
by Joe Playtester
Pages 1-5 of this issue include an article from an MEPBM playtester. This is included in PDF format.
NOTE: Due to the reproduction quality and fonts used, the OCR software did not effectively detect the proper text. At some point, this article will be entered into the wiki as plain text. Until then, please download and read the attached PDF of the article.
This Whispers of the Wood issue was provided by Michael Blomquist.