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).
We here at GSI become involved every day with the turns of current games, with new registrations, and with the design of new and upcoming games. There are times when we tend to forget that there are other important activities which lie outside of the office and outside of games as well. It is nice to note once in a while that both we, as a company, and our employees take time from our busy schedules to try to give back to the community some of the delight that we have taken from it. With that in mind, I would like to mention that GSI was proud to be a sponsor of the Armed Forces Chess Championship held over the past 90 days and our hearty congratulations are offered to those winners who are now continuing on to the NATO Chess Championship in England. Congratulations are also in order to one of our own employees, Harold Ford, who has been accepted as a Big Brother in the local community. Harold not only goes to school and works here at GSI, but he is now taking time to bring some care and understanding to the less fortunate children in our neighborhood. Our hats are off to you, Harold.
For those of you who have asked, three week games are now available for ME-PBM. This is primarily utilized by our players in Canada and by those people who just need a little more time within which to get their turns delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. If you wish to be in a three week game, just let us know. Please also understand that three week games traditionally fill somewhat slower than two week games, but we will get your new game out to you as soon as possible.
Those of you who are new to ME-PBM, please don't forget to get a copy of the Whispers July and August issues for this year. There is a good strategy article in there as well as some questions and answers for some common problems affecting new players. Further, if any of you have any inquiries with regards to the "whys" and "why nots" about the design of the game, please send them in and address them to Bill's attention. If there are enough inquiries, we will be glad to put a section in Whispers to answer them.
ONLY TWO MONTHS TILL CHRISTMAS! If you are like me, this year has just flown by. I can not believe that Christmas is only two months away. Now is the time for those of you who wish to give a present to other players to order your GSI Gift Certificates. They can be used for any product which GSI sells and can be in any amount. Please see our ad at the back of this month's issue for details.
Finally, some of you have asked about acquiring back issues of Whispers. we are presently selling Volumes 1-7 for a total of $6.00 each. We can not guarantee that each monthly issue of that volume will be available, but we will supply you with all of the issues that we have in that volume. Monthly issues alone are sold for a $1.75. Please note that the costs for the volumes are only for volumes 1-7.
Good Gaming,
Pete Stassun
Game 3
In the cold wastes of Angmar, the Lord of Morgul, garbed in black plate, sat atop his great warhorse surveying the lands beyond. His thoughts were many, but all came to one end, "Soon, it will all be mine..."
What happened? I win SK#33 and I get turned into a dwarf! So far, I am neutral with three Dark Servants. Are there any in Mordor who wish to fight? Who brought all the steel?
Baaltroc
Hey, you! Get off my cloud!
Psyco Pirate
The Cloud Lord, #14
Game 4
Free peoples beware!
The Nazgul are using false identities to gain information. As Great King Ronnie once said, "Trust but verify."
Aldric of Eothraim
Game 6
Beware the shifty eyes of Angamaite. May the corpses of Arthedain, Cardolan and the Dwarven Knaves rot upon the battlefields. The Noldo and Angmar are fair but unjust. Can a weak nation have true friends?
Prince Arfanhil of proud Rhudaur
Game 7
"Shadowking has come to Middle Earth. And it seems like a fine place for a backstab., Bwah ha ha ha!"
I hope all of you free peoples believe in reincarnation. That's the only way you're going to continue living. Thus speaks the Cloud Lord.
Greetings to both allies and worthy opponents (or unworthy as the future will dictate). The game is proving to be most fascinating.
Mûrazôr
Lors of the Nazgul
rínaqualmë
Game 8
To all Good Nations,
I, Akhorahil, the Blind Sorcerer, hereby declare war upon all of you by command of my beloved master, Sauron, Lord of the Rings.
Akhorahil
The Blind Sorcerer
Please note that in our September issue it was published:
"A Mage can not use two Mage skill orders in the same turn, except for casting two spells, and even that can be dangerous!"
Hoewever, a Mage can 'Prentice Magery' and 'Cast' in the same turn.
On page 20 of "Whispers", question 3, it is stated that a fortified population center can be destroyed by an army with no war machines. In the rules on pg. 59 and 60 it is stated that the attack will be repulsed if fortifications are not eliminated. These seem to contradict. Please advise.
Page 20 of the September issue of "Whispers" is correct. An army with no war machines can attack and may eventually take over the population center, but your army will have no effect on the fortifications.
ME-PBM: Early Economic Strategy by Michael Curry. This is included in PDF format.
NOTE: 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.