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News from Bree

News from Bree

NewsNewsNews fromfromfrom BreeBreeBree MEPBM Newsletter: Issue 29, September'05

"Strange as News from ..." Is this the best , chapter 9 1650 character? by Sam “Does Anyone Mind Talk at the If I Retire ?” Roads Is it Fatboy Elrond with his 70/70 vision? Is it Din what Tencom’s other stats are. However, ‘Commander 'Prancing'Prancing “Quick Kill” Ohtar or occasional army commander Tencom’ would very likely to be a 30/0/0/0 character Ji Indur*? Maybe the King of the Nazgul - Mumu? and therefore safe to challenge. If you’re planning on Pony... No, gentle reader, the finest character in 1650 is going down this path to victory, you might want to Pony... from Cardolan and hasn’t been created at the game pass over Tencom as a potential name and try something start. This lady has the following game breaking a little more Cardiff-city-centre-on-Friday-night, like The Best 1650 Character? stats: 10/0/0/0(0) ‘Mauler’, ‘Bloodhowler’ or maybe ‘Clint’. Sam is trying to retire Elrond again ... Whilst an initial comparison between this 10 · Tencom can hire for free. commander and Elrond might lead you to spot the · You will not be petrified of losing Tencom and thus An A-Z of Tolkien slight difference in power levels, there are many issue unneccessary 215 orders whilst ‘at risk’ in the Castamir, Elves, Frodo, things in favour of ‘Tencom’. forests of Mithlond. & · Your teammates will not laugh themselves silly** · Tencom costs 200 gold per turn. Elrond costs when Tencom eventually dies. Once command order Kin Strife! 3600. You could look at this as if Tencom and five grand a-la-banque later and Tencom is reborn! spontaneously creates two camps when you name A nice piece of fiction setting the scene for the upcoming MEPBM Scenario her. If you were wondering, you make the 10 commander · Tencom’s orders each turn are either 770; 408 by issuing a 728 (Name Commander) order with a Face to Face VII and 860; or 215 and 255. Recruiting an army and character who has only 10 command, you capturing a pop-centre is about the cannot do it with the more expensive 725 Two views of the Cardiff face-to-face most effect any character can have (Name Chaarcter) order. If you game back in May. on the game. Remember that nation doesn’t have a character assassination and cursing only with 10 command, its probably Fifty Reasons why LotR sucks matter so much because they not worth using a 725 order Top 10 ways to annoy a wizard can stop characters like solely to pump out 10 admitted to U.N. Tencom. commanders – just stick with Some humour to brighten up the · Tencom doesn’t glow like 30 commanders and put up end of summer! a beacon on enemy pop- with the financial wastage. centres. A member of the Good luck with Tencom Balancing your Budget enemy team doesn’t cast in your next game!*** Advice on MEPBM finances, updated locate character on Tencom every turn. · Tencom shows up as ‘Hero Tencom’. Due to the * No armies were actually led way the naming system seems by Ji Indur in the making of this to work, Tencom could be a 70 article. Bree Online mage as well as a 10 commander, but ** They might. News from Bree is now also is still called Hero if she’s leading an *** It is possible to win a game without available as Bree Online! army. This means that some Tencom. opponents will 215, not knowing Visit ... http://bree.flagshipmagazine.com for a regularly updated site featuring all the articles you will see here, and Hero Tencom more! Have you seen this ?

News from Bree & Bree Online will continue as sister publications.

News from Bree #29 © Colin Forbes & ME Games 2005 [email protected] Tolkien A-Z: Castamir Kin Strife! The aptly named "Usurper", usurped the throne of Gondor from Osgiliath c1437 TA, late Narbeleth Eldacar, ruling from 1437 to 1447 by John Davis of the Third Age, until he was vio- lently deposed. Standing atop the burnished tower of Osgiliath, Gondor’s realm from Eldacar’s hands, and claim its The great-grandson of the Orodreth held high his sword, catching the failing crown for Castamir, rightful heir to the throne? unremarkable king Calmacil, sunlight that flung wide his shadow behind him. In The moment should have been a glorious one. Castamir was not in line for the the plaza below, the people of Gondor stood And yet the knot that twisted his stomach was not of throne, but his royal background watching, a huge throng whose uncertain gaze rested excitement, of the thrill of victory, but the sour taste of had made him the Lord of Ships upon him. regret. For the blood which stained the hills of Gondor under the previous king, Valacar. The moment should have been a glorious one. and slickened the streets even of its fairest cities was His lineage and influence left him The culmination of five years of campaigning. Of not that of , or Variag, or Wainrider, but of the men, in a position to challenge the cur- bitter cold mornings after nights spent on watch, and and women too, of Gondor herself. The blood of brother rent king, Eldacar, who was only of bitter tears shed to mingle with the blood of loved spilt by brother, kin by kin, as the realm had torn itself half Gondorian. As King Valacar's ones staining the battle-ground. Of hard marches and apart. The war had not been one waged for survival, or only son, Eldacar was the legiti- harder waits, of blisters, sores, stale food and scant even for the cause of right over wrong, good over evil, mate heir to the throne, but his half sleep. But also of the thrill of battle, the exultation of but for...for what? Ostensibly for the purity of Rhovanion lineage angered citizens leading men into the fray, knowing that they lived, bloodline, to prevent the blood of the Lords of Gondor who believed that pure and would die, at your word. from being further diluted. Yet throughout the age the Númenórean blood must be main- And he had led. Born to nobility but not of blood of Dunedain and commoner had been so inter- tained. Capitalizing on what be- the royal line, nevertheless it seemed that he only mingled that few could claim with certainty that theirs came outright protest against the had to speak, and men would listen, only had to was a pure line. So that, in truth, he knew that this was current king, Castamir was able to issue an order, and the act would be done. At Linhir but a justification for the war, not its root. incite rebellion and besiege Eldacar he had been but a captain, yet it was his men who And that root? For some, no doubt, it was the within the city Osgiliath in 1437 had led the uprising, and when it was over, it was he quest for power, to advance one’s own family line, a of the Third Age. The city was set who had been toasted as victor. And from then on, goal which for centuries had sought through whispers on fire by Castamir's troops, de- through victory and setback alike, the men had and deals, alliances and politics, but which now over stroying the famed Dome of Stars. followed him. Not the sons of Castamir, not even, it spilled the boundaries of tradition and law to rage as a Shortly thereafter, Eldacar fled the seemed at times, Castamir himself. But him. And storm of blood and steel. But for every person who city and into exile in Rhovanion, surely, there could be nothing better, to be followed, fought with such dreams to warm their nights, another to the north. With the defeat of to be obeyed, and to be loved by the men for whom hundred took up arms without hope of power. And for the king, Castamir seized the your word is law. So that when, finally, the walls of such as them, it was for glory, and for honour, that throne. Osgiliath had opened before them, who else but he they fought, so that the side they chose was merely For ten years Castamir could have led the men through the breach, from outer that, a side, chosen because friends, or family, had sworn ruled Gondor with an iron fist, keep to inner wall; to wrest, finally, the jewel of that way. while Eldacar quietly regained This truth had a bitter taste, but was, even Whether ’s hand was behind the uprising, as power.Stand-by Castamir ruled cruelly, and so, understandable. Generations of Gondorians had some rumours had it, or whether this new evil was committed many foul deeds, includ- been raised on stories of the old wars, of great deeds born in the hearts of men alone, Orodreth knew not ing PoSitionSexecuting Eldacar's own son, performed and great victories won. Yet for a lifetime and cared less. At his sword’s edge had the blood of Ornendil. At first the people of or more, there had been no wars to fight, no battles his own kin been spilled, and his word thousands had Gondor tolerated Castamir because to be won; with Sauron quiescent, the South tamed, perished, for nothing more than the false allure of of his pure Númenórean blood. and even the Easterlings withdrawn, all that remained glory, and a concept of purity that was probably no Then, in 1447, after a decade under was to keep watch on the borders and old places. longer anything but a myth, if ever it had been more. the wicked rule of the Usurper (as And what glory was there to be won in that? Scant So that as he glanced down, to where guards Castamir was now called), the peo- surprise, then, that, when opportunity arose, so held Ornendil, son of Eldacar, beloved Captain of ple of Gondor rallied around the true many took to arms. And the common soldier, the Osgiliath and his own kin, whom he was doomed to king, Eldacar. Castamir was slain by minor noble, they cared little for the power struggles slay else be labelled traitor, he knew that far from Eldacar's forces at the Battle of Erui, of the royal lines, of the Southern Kingdom’s greed, such a deed being beyond him, it was merely symbolic the decisive battle of the Kin-strife, or even the dark rumours which ever surrounded of all he had already done. Live now or die, be known as this period came to be known. At Castamir. They cared only for the chance to cover by history as hero or traitor, nothing could erase the the Crossings of Erui, Eldacar per- themselves in glory and in honour. And Orodreth deaths of those he had slain, or caused to be slain. sonally slew Castamir. counted himself among them. Not for survival, not for what was right, but for selfish Castamir's influence did not Yet now, standing on Osgiliath’s tower, he glory, at the bidding of greed. end there. Remnants of his forces, knew that there was no honour to be gained here, no For an eternal moment he held his sword aloft, and his surviving sons, retreated glory to be won. All the war had done was to water so that it seemed that the sun itself burned in his from the Battle of Erui to the port the fields of Gondor with the blood of her own, to blade. Looking down, he forced himself to meet of Pelargir and escaped by ship to satisfy the greed for wealth and power of a select Ornendil’s gaze, almost envying the man even as he Umbar, far to the south. These de- few who cared nothing for the people or the realm. murmured silent apology for what he knew he must scendants of Castamir became the But even as he cursed them for this, he knew that do. Then, as the world held its breath, he brought the so called "Corsairs of Umbar", fierce the blame was his more than it was theirs, that evil blade flashing down, and the Kin Strife took another pirates who terrorized the ports of was not merely done, but allowed to be done. victim. Gondor with the For a heart-beat there help of the men of was silence. Then, as the . They sun slipped beneath the were perhaps the hills and the dark greatest threat to shadows of Gondor for nearly spread across the city, so 400 years, com- a cry went up from the manding massive people as they poured fleets of ships. forwards, moving in There most infa- furious rage against the mous exploit was guards who sought to hold the Raid of them back. But for all Pelargir in 1634, their fury, fist and dagger in which a Corsair found little purchase on armada sailed up helm and shield, and at the river Anduin Castamir’s word, blood to the port of flowed through the Pelagar, deep in streets, the people of Gondorian terri- Osgiliath cut down, their tory. This raid co- final defiance silenced by incided with the steel. And as the night young king deepened, fires sparked Minardil's visit, and spread, so that those and he was slain who did not find death at in by the Corsairs the hands of Castamir’s as they attacked. men found it in the raging They re- fire that consumed the mained a signifi- city. cant threat until For a night and a day 1810, when King the city burned, and its Telumehtar re- razing would linger in the took Umbar for memories of men down Gondor. In this through the generations. battle the last de- And in that night’s dark scendants of hour, Castamir sealed his Castamir were fi- own eventual downfall, nally killed. So his true face revealed, as great a victory those few who survived was this, that both steel and fire swore forever after that they would neither Telumehtar was grieve or rest until known as Eldacar was restored to Umbardacil, the throne. The Kin Strife which literally was not over. It was just means "victor begun. over Umbar". Tolkien A-Z: Frodo Cardiff FtF was the son of Drogo Baggins and Primula A myopic view from a FTF newbie Brandybuck. His cousin, Saradoc by Mike Barber was the father of his good friend Meriadoc Brandybuck. Frodo This was my first FTF. Here is how it went for beaten on t3 and taken on t4) reduced those lived in Buckland as a child until me: armies quickly...... My personal battle with WK / his parents were both killed in a Rhu was made alot easier by all those troops exiting boating accident on the The FTF setup stage right - and by the Duns charging North and the Brandywine River. Frodo then Prior to the game, I had specified a couple of nations Noldo sending their starting forces too - but excitement moved to Hobbiton to live with that I didnt want to play, a couple of friends that I levels were high as I tried to work out what was going his uncle . Early in the Lord of the Rings, wanted to play with, and that I would run 2 nations on, guess what other rolls of the dice might be planned Bilbo and Frodo had a combined if available / necessary. On the day, I arrived to find by the WK while recruiting as much as possible...... birthday party. Bilbo was turning that I had drawn Arthedain and Cardolan - a solid 111 while Frodo was turning 33 pairing..... Cardolan I had played in my second ever Saturday: 9am - 8pm (6 turns processed) (an important age for a game 12 years ago, Arthedain never before. So, The day fell into two halves. Before the lunchtime which is the equivalent of a human Cardolan and Arthedain should beat WK / Rhu nine visit to the chippie, things went beautifully for the FP. turning 21). After that party, Bilbo times out of 10. I was determined to make this as Angmar was being crushed despite valiant attempts left and left all of his quick a victory as possible - while remembering that by the WK / Rhu to do what they could with what possessions to Frodo, including his should Dr Cockup come calling, there’s noone home. they had and all the Rhu pops were ours, the DS home Bag End and his ring. This About 90 mins to plan and input the first offensive was abruptly petering ring became the reason for Frodo's turn: gulp. out and Corsairs was fending off the long journey. So, each team met & started to rolling hordes of Harad When Frodo was 50 years old, plan. DS and FP each had together with all the DS told him to take the Ring a team room and an cavalry. SG had to . After several months input room. The crushed N Harad of preparation he set out with three input rooms had and NG still had of his younger friends - Sam, 3 workstations everything bar Merry and Pippin. During the each running 3124 and 3020 Council of Elrond in Rivendell, automagic, intact. The Frodo volunteered to carry the ring and in the cheers from to Mordor and destroy it in the team rooms the FP place it was made. He set out there was team room shortly after accompanied by 9 a big table seemed companions who were referred to with a louder as the Fellowship of the Ring. huge than the Frodo's mission became the most laminated ocassional important task in third age. He map, and cheer didn't fight in a lot of battles as some of his friends did but became laptop or 2 from the one of the greatest heroes of with DS lair - Middle Earth through his deeds. Palantir on though His deeds went largely un-noticed it. FP got they had in his home country of the Shire. lucky and had some good During the journey, the the upstairs successes in members of the fellowship became team room with a assasinating separated and Frodo continued the little more space some of the Noldo journey accompanied only by Sam. (and about 2000 books agents and were doing In the course of the journey, the and games lining the well on artefacts. But the ring began to gain power over Frodo walls). And one of my team general mood of the DS camp despite his immense willpower. mates was none other than Shaun seemed down, and our very own When they reached their Walker, who I’d play with in my first ever Chris “Goebbels” Courtier seemed to have destination the mission almost game as WK and had helped me hugely then / I’d enemy morale in tatters. However, something in the failed as the ring finally gained never come across since... lunchtime visit to the ChipShop seemed to help the control over Frodo. In an ironic DS team and their morale recovered after lunch - their twist, it was only the treachery of Friday 4pm - 12am (4 turns processed) pressure on Corsairs was being sustained and a couple which enabled the ring to So off we went.... DS revealed the first part of their of attempts by us to land in S Harad were being be destroyed. 2-stop strategy early, and hinted at the second part. thwarted. NG, who had been fighting Mordor nearly Frodo suffered some long Part 1 was a big push into Mirkwood with the Doglord single handed was being pushed back a little, and lasting wounds in the course of his cavalry, the DkLts all heading to 2715, and just about Dragonlord had managed to jump onto 3109 and burn journey. These combined with the ALL of the Rhudaur moving through 2209 on 2409 it. Anduin was running black with Orc blood: the effect of carrying the ring for so and beyond. Part 2 was diverting the CL cavalry dragon that thwarted by first attempt on 2006 was long meant that he was unable to and all the LR cavalry to go to attack Corsairs - this gone, and at the end of the day I stood unopposed on settle in to a normal life when he “hit” on Saturday- more later. The Rhu strategy the last 2 pop centres in Angmar: 2006 and 1804. returned home to the Shire. 2 years made things look tough for Woodmen - but a after returning home to the Shire, Frodo boarded and elven ship left combination of furious recruitment by him, funded Sunday: 9am - 3pm (4 turns processed) Middle Earth forever, along with largely by SG, and the Dwarven army, and the So this was crunch day. We the FP felt we were winning, Bilbo and others. Eothraim (Doglord and DkLts intercepted on t2, but we knew that the GMs weren't persuaded it was more Overall we had a cracking time. The GMs were of Tolkien A-Z: than a course very friendly (though Ed talked alot about his tie. Brazilian marshall art hobby which I took as a threat Targets should I tear apart his WK / Rhu too quickly) and the Gimli for the Saturday night curry was a v social affair with a bit of day: game banter but mostly some non game relaxation time. Gimli's father Glóin, was one ensure As well as having a lot of fun, I saw new tactics tried of the dwarves who 1804, out, and learned more than a little and got some new accompanied Bilbo on 2006 and ideas to try out in other games. Thoroughly his journey in The 2305 and 2703 recommended. Hobbit. He went with fell, being the last of the his father to WK pops, plus 2809, plus The final score in MTs lost was (by my memory): Rivendell, to report 3224 or 3221. 1804 and Woodmen: 2711 (recaptured) Northmen 3109 about a 2006 fell on t11, and to the biggest Eothraim: none messenger cheer of the day, Morannon fell on Arthedain: none from t12 (Kudos to the Eothraim who Cardolan: none Mordor NG: 3124 had created a mighty SG: none who had come warmachine and actually got Dwa: none to his both 2715 and 3221). Corsairs Sinda: 2908 homeland in was down 2 MTs but a Noldo: none Duns: none an attempt landing by SG on 2535 Corsairs: 2337 and 2236 (2337 retaken) to recruit interupted the Harad and the help of further Corsairs losses Total FP: 6, of which DS holding at game end 2 (2908 and 3124) the dwarves. Their king seemed unlikely. An attempt to beat up CLint - WKing: 1804, 2006, 2305 and kinsman Dáin sent them to playing the Nmen - failed as 4013 and 4217 churned Dragon: 2409, 2809, 2715 Rivendell for advice on what to out 800HC / turn, and 2703 fell to Dwarven emmies Dog: 3221 do. After the Council of Elrond, on t13, and we moved onto 2305 and 2809 (now a CL: none BS: none Gimli was chosen to represent the MT/ Castle) and 3000SG troops and 1700 Cardolan IK: none dwarves in the fellowship of the HI tried to move onto Vamag. T14 results.... 2305 QA: none ring. destroyed. 3329 and 3428 taken by emmy. 2809 FK: none At the start of the journey LR: 3329 destroyed.... but a dragon ate (most of our) Vamag- DkLts: none there was some tension between bound troops, and the DS niftly cursed our army at Harad: 2730, 2732 he and , due to the long 2908 and threatened it to restore some pride. With Rhu: 1910 and 2008 feuds between their people. Over much clattering, the rollercoaster ride of the last 48 Total DS: 12 time they became inseparable hours came to a halt. friends who spent much time travelling together in later years. After the War of the Rings, he led a group of his people to the caves of Aglarond behind Helms Deep ... and a GM's-Eye View in . There they laboured to shape the natural stone they way only dwarves could and transformed it into a place of FtF VII, Cardiff, May 2005 beautiful halls. After the death of by Clint Oldridge King Ellesar (), it is said that Gimli sailed with his friend The usual mixed bag of reprobates, sly characters one though) at the end of the day (IMO – but then I Legolas over the sea. They were and people of ill repute turned up at Middle Earth’s was a FP!) Just as the FPs thought the game was the last members of the offices mid-May, early and eager for a good w/end pretty much swinging inevitably in the favour of Fellowship of the Ring to leave of gaming. Not long after a rag-tag group of players themselves, the DS with a few well placed Middle Earth. started arriving – somewhat careworn from their assassinations on Saturday. travels (Chris flying in from the States, Ulrik from Saturday night and Chris Littlejohn, in inevitable Denmark [somewhere near Sweden] and Darren from style, manages to pay for his weekend with his usual Penarth), but all similarly tempted by the thoughts win at Poker (I adjudicate – things get a little rowdy of mayhem and malice; some of it upon their enemies. sometimes). 3pm arrived and we started giving out turns, Sunday, exhausted, but generally happy the players there was the usual high level negotiations over nation left feeling satisfied. swaps, the occasional smile as players realised what I’m pretty happy with the way things are going nation they had received and groans when they for the FTF events now and look forward to realised who would be opposing them. Snacks were Copenhagen and Chicago. It’s a great learning experience placed carefully (well okay spread liberally) over for players (new and old to the game) and going back to the maps and the gaming begun. It’s surprising how 2wk turnaround is difficult – you grow used to a turn much food you can eat in a weekend! every hour or so. Many players now vow not to try Mike Barber’s report gives a good insight into assassinating at a hidden pcs! the game itself (from the FP perspective) but it’s There’s an excellent atmosphere with some good interesting to note how players perceive the game. natured joshing of your opponents and it’s nice to Set backs occur in both teams and morale was high meet up with old allies and make some new friends. for the FPs but seemed low for the DS and that To finish: a few diehards decided that 4 hours sleep seemed to impact on the play somewhat. However was too much each night, decided to play Carcassonne, it was all pretty even on the first day of gaming, Brit Rails and finally History of the World until 5am with the FPs getting the advantage (not a winning Monday morning. Gondor Accepted into United Nations Fifty Reasons why The United Nations announced yesterday that the kingdom of Gondor has officially been granted Lord of the Rings Sucks member status effective September 1, 2005. by Dr. Albert Oxford, PhD London Film Institute ** "We are very excited about 1. Fellowship of the Rings and Two Towers were shoved 16. The Asbestos Wizard: We all saw Gandalf fall into bringing this stalwart nation into down our throats: I've heard some students are even the molten core of Middle Earth after his battle with the the fold," said Secretary General forced to read some novelization of the movie in their firebeast thing in part 1. Well, I guess the Gandalf action Kofi Annan. "I think this is a great literature classes. Ridiculous. Does Hollywood run our figure must have sold well, because in the slap-together day, not just for Gondor, but for classrooms now? sequel Two Towers, Gandalf is back. Perhaps it was all nations." 2. Greed: Hollywood can't make a movie these days voodoo, a la the corpse in Weekend at Bernie's II (look Gondor is a relatively small without crapping out a sequel the next year to squeeze closely and you'll notice LOTR steals several elements coastal kingdom which has more money out of the sheep. Guess what; there's from the WAB films). received considerable media ANOTHER LOTR movie coming this Christmas. Gee, 17. Invisible Implausibility: Every time Frodo or Bilbo attention recently due to the Peter I wonder what will bring Rocky out of retirement this went invisible with the ring they should have also gone time? BLIND. Your eyes cannot function unless light is reflected Jackson docu-drama. Although it 3. Quality Control at New Line: Millions of copies of off the cornea. If light passes through it (as must be the claims a history thousands of the LOTR DVDs have thick black bars at the bottom case with invisibility) sight is no longer possible. Also, years old, this marks the first time and top of the screen throughout the film. Didn't rings do not turn you invisible. it has been officially recognized anyone catch this? You know what happens at the end, 18. The Asbestos Wizard, II: The giant fire beast thing at as a sovereign nation. in the extreme foreground and extreme upper sky? the end of part 1 was breathing a firey breath hot enough Neither do I. Bush league, guys. to send heat-distortion waves through the air. The sheer 4. They switched Darrens on us! Look closely in temperature of the air should have burned off Gandalf's Fellowship and you'll notice the human member of beard and eyebrows. None of my reading on evolutionary their party is played by two different actors at different biology reveals a single reason why a particular race of points of the movie (it takes a sharp eye to notice, but humans would develop unflammable facial hair as this one of them has red hair, one black). would provide practically no advantage in either survival 5. Quality Control at New Line, II. In the massive Mt. or mating. Doom battle scene at the beginning of Fellowship of 19. I'll have to rent that one: The rushed-through story the Ring, a DVD pause reveals at least half a dozen of the screenwriter threw in as the first ten minutes of the 50,000 Orc Warrior extras are wearing modern Fellowship of the Ring looked a lot more interesting tennis shoes. than the movie we were forced to watch. Why didn't Some member states objected 6. Speaking of : The Orcs were obviously stolen somebody make a movie off that instead? to the admission of Gondor on the from PC game maker Blizzard and its Warcraft series. 20. Magic Mechanics: Experts on the occult say in order grounds that it is not a real country. Too bad Blizzard is apparently too scared to sue New for a wizard to floorspin a fully-grown man like Gandalf, Annan brushed aside these Line over it. he'd need three magical staffs, not two. concerns. 7. Racism: Percentage of protagonists in Fellowship 21. Finders, keepers: So Bilbo, who we are supposed to who are white: 100. Meanwhile the black antagonists identify with as a protagonist, finds a piece of someone "Come on now," he replied. and their black crow spies and their black glass seeing else's jewelry and just keeps it for himself? That's funny, "Neither is Luxembourg, but we ball inhabit their black towers and perform black magic. because I would expect a good man to submit it to the let them in. Besides, after seeing Gosh, I wonder if there's some symbolism there? local Lost and Found so it could be claimed by its owner. the magnificent infrastructure in 8. Gold: The Stretchy Element: The ring, which is seen It makes me wonder if he bought that hillside house or if the capital, Minas Tirith, I have to be at least two inches in diameter at the beginning to he was just squatting. no doubt that Gondor's dues, fit the polish sausage-sized finger of Sauron, suddenly 22. Go-Go Gadget Arrow Sprouter: Legolas shoots arrow which will be based on its total fits Frodo's child-sized finger later. I guess this movie after arrow at his enemies, and yet the number of arrows GNP, will comprise a welcome takes place in a world where rings magically change in his quiver never decreases. I guess elves have glands on addition to the U.N. budget." sizes on their own. their back that secrete arrows. Others speculate that the 9. Violence: Give me one reason that story couldn't 23. Watch out! He's going to explode! The heroes are have been told without all the fighting. shown eating again and again, and yet no one ever goes U.N. has other motives for 10. Horse sense: Why didn't they take horses on their to the bathroom throughout their entire quest. admitting the reclusive kingdom. quest? Or even better, why didn't Gandalf's giant flying 24. Meesa gonna make theesa movie suckah! The "They really want a more bird friend haul them into Mordor? Watch out, Frodo! character of Gollum in was entirely effective peacekeeping force," said All of your methods of transportation have been computer animated (a cheap effort to cash in on Jar Jar government affairs analyst swallowed by the Dark Lord of the Plot Hole! Binks Mania) but was just a dim shadow of George Lucas' Marshall Pepin of the RAND 11. Retracted.* See below. effort. Thank you, . Thank you right to Institute. "The only nations 12. Return of the Living Dead:In FOTR, if you watch Hell. willing to send troops anywhere closely during the Inn scene, Frodo and his crew are 25. Propaganda: The Elves, clearly the most advanced under the United Nations flag are shown getting stabbed by the Ring Wraiths. Then, five and wise species, are also clearly gay. seconds later, they are fine again. Note to the director: 26. Speaking of Elves: Elves are beautiful and wise and places like Belgium, which try proofreading your movie before you release it to tall? Great warriors? Makers of fine lightweight weapons? maintains an "army" solely for the the public. Our modern knowledge of elves has observed only an purpose of sending on U.N. 13. Did someone say plot hole? Liv Tyler's character ability to make cookies and toys. All the elves in the film missions. America has made it is seen easily defeating nine strong supernatural beings, are portrayed as living in a warm paradise (Rivendell) but pretty clear it doesn't like playing even though she is clearly a woman. our own information tells us the aforementioned group by anyone else's rules. Now, 14. The Battle Droid Syndrome: The mutated muscular of toymaking elves work and thrive in the arctic. Hey, Gondor may be small, but one soldiers of Mordor turned out to be hilariously Mr. Jackson: Research is half of writing. thing it does have is a crack ineffective fighters, a dozen of them held off by a 27. Homage or theft? The "happy village of little people" military. Their equipment may single dying human. Apparently they made the beasts idea was stolen from Willow. not be as advanced as the by crossing Orcs, Goblins and the French. 28. Homage or theft II? The wise old wizard character 15. Sloppy CGI: Gandalf's smoke boat at Bilbo's party was stolen from Harry Potter. Americans, but there's no denying is pretty impressive, but smoke cannot be made to 29. Homage or theft III? The "travelling on our quest they get the job done." travel horizontally, thus revealing it to be nothing but through a corn field" scene was stolen from Shrek. The White House has been a cheap special effect. 30. Homage or theft IV? The character of the rebellious- cautiously receptive to the notion, but-helpful Ranger was stolen from Val Kilmer in 41. Too many notes, II: I just want to re-emphasize the although President Bush has Willow. above point. There is no reason entertainment can't be expressed some reservations 31. Homage or theft V? The concept of the violent concise. about the addition. was based on Al Pacino. 42. Too many notes, III.: Too many characters to keep "Well, we're lovers of 32. Homage or theft VI? The "old man looking through track of. The dwarf was clearly only there as a token the door hatch at the approaching little people" scene dwarf character to sell tickets to lucrative movie-going democracy here in the United was stolen from A Clockwork Orange. dwarf demographic. Lose him. States, and that's something I'd like 33. Homage or theft VII?The cantina scene with a 43. Rationalization for violence.Why, in part 1, is the to see brought to the Gondorian noisy bar filled with a mix of otherworldly species was black octopus creature painted as the bad guy when it people," said Bush. "They've got stolen from Cecile B. DeMille's One Night in an Alien attacks, when one of the Fellowship had clearly been a monarchy like Britain, but Bar. throwing rocks at it? without the prime minister, which 34. Homage or theft VIII? The incident with the flock 44. The Shoeless Land: The Hobbits both 1) refuse to you really need. We'd be happy of evil magical spying crows serving the All-Seeing Eye wear shoes and 2) run a livestock-based farming economy. to send them some American was based on an actual incident. Wouldn't they constantly be stepping in crap? Why history books if they want." 35. Homage or theft IX? The character of the Giant doesn't the movie address this issue? Evil Flaming All-Seeing Eye was based on former 45. Casting: Why couldn't Frodo have been played by President Jimmy Carter. Christopher Walken? 36. Homage or theft X? The character of Elrond was 46. Casting, II: Why couldn't Gandalf have been played based on Agent Smith from The Matrix. by Bruce Campbell? 37. Weighty issues: AKA "Plot Hole No. 273." Even 47. Casting, III: Why couldn't Bilbo have been played by with all that walking and light eating, the character of Vin Diesel? Sam only got fatter. 48. Casting, IV: Why couldn't Strider have been played 38. Realism, schmealism: Liv Tyler's immortal by a monkey? volunteers to give up her eternal life for a single romance 49. The Score: The background music wasn't nearly funky Gondor could not be reached with a human man. Could any man really be that well enough for me. for comment, because this endowed? I find it unlikely. 50. What's that smell? As bad as the Lucasfilm leaks were reporter never actually finished 39. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: The most advanced with his last film, the filmmakers of Return of the King and he civilization is that of the elves, which are long-haired, already have the novelization out in paperback. I've seen assumes the phone number is at new-age types? Sorry, Mr. Jackson, but modern science it at Barnes & Noble already. As if we needed any less of the end of the book. has proven that in any modern civilization, hippies a reason to go see it. The most enthusiastic nation would be extinct. * 11. Damn you, gravity! The giant firebeast thing is defeated by about the admission is New 40. Too many notes: No movie should be over two hours long. Did we need that whole thing in the mine in Gandalf when he destroys the bridge, sending the creature plunging Zealand. to its death... despite the fact that it has wings. This was retracted part 1? What about that almost-infinite battle scene in "We're all for it," said Prime when a reader pointed out that the wings, like the rest of the beast, part 2? Didn't it seem like they were just adding pointless were made of shadow and fire and thus would be useless for flight. Minister Helen Clark. "Gondor's scenes in the middle to pad it? It's like they decided Thanks for the tip! done wonders for us; it's time the beforehand they wanted three hours for each film and ** Dr. Albert Oxford, PhD, London Film Institute does not exist. If world got a bit of the action as used filler to flesh them out. you are offended by this article, please visit: well." www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/film/50reasons.html

Caught in the Act! The moment when Clint stole the Palantir program from Gandalf ... Top 10 Ways to Annoy a Tolkien A-Z: Elves The complex history of Elves is described in full only "pointy ears" in The Lord of the Rings or The Wizard in , and it is mentioned tangentially in Silmarillion. We know that Tolkien's Elves did, in fact, The Lord of the Rings. Elves were the first inhabitants have pointed ears only because of Tolkien's letters and 10. Insist that someone with “in- of Middle-earth who were able to speak. They are a passage in the Etymologies (published in The Lost telligence” must be included in the sometimes called the Firstborn or the Elder Kindred Road and Other Writings, corrected in Vinyar company (and unfortunately you (as opposed to Men, the Second Ones). The Elves issue 45), where Tolkien states that, "the Quendian mean yourself . . .) named themselves Quendi ("the Speakers"), in honour [Elvish] ears were more pointed and leaf-shaped than 9. Complain about the rations of of the fact that, when they were created, they were the Human." However, practical considerations, including food at Minas Tirith, the “small only living things able to speak. (This name is no acci- a number of occasions where Men are mistaken for loaf” of bread, and the “inadequate dent — Tolkien was a linguist.) Oromë was the first Elves, suggest that the points must have been subtle, pat of butter.” Never mind the dev- who called them the Eldar ("Star People") because quite different from the large ears of Elfquest or the astating siege going on – a hobbit they were born under the stars, but the name is gener- extremely long, narrow elf-ears in some anime such as deserves a decent breakfast! ally considered to exclude the Avari. Record of the Lodoss War. Elves are described as the fairest and wisest of Another oversimplification is the notion that 8. Take part in encouraging a usu- all creatures in Middle-earth, lovers of art (particu- all Elves were blonde: in fact most of the Elves in Mid- ally “un-hasty” group of to larly songs, which they sing dle-earth during the pe- rise up against their unpleasant in beautiful voices). Many riod of The Lord of the neighbor. Elves are also stronger Rings were probably 7. Map? Who needs to memorize a than Men and have far dark-haired. Lúthien map? Sure, there are tons of them sharper senses. The Tinúviel and her re- here in Rivendell, but why waste Ñoldorin Elves in par- mote descendant my time on something boring like ticular possess skills Undómiel, that? Who cares that I will prob- and knowledge which described as the ably travel all over Middle Earth to Men appear to be most fair of all before all is done, I’m sure to al- "magic." Their Elves, were both ways be with someone responsi- memories and dark haired. In ble, like Gandalf or Strider . . . right? dreams are as vivid general the Vanyar as real life. Their Elves were blonde, 6. Greet your long lost friend, who most notable feature and the other has transformed into the awe-in- is that they are im- Elves (including spiring White Rider, amid the ru- mortal and do not age Ñoldor, Sindar, ins of , hardly able to utter and catch disease. and Avari) had dark a sound due to your great joy. (Ok, However, they can be slain. If this happens their spir- or even black hair. This is however a great oversimpli- perhaps this doesn’t deserve an ir- its go to the Halls of Mandos in . After a certain fication: the younger Ñoldorin princes and their de- ritated response, but bear in mind period of time (probably inspired by the Catholic doc- scendants (such as ) had blonde hair on ac- can be quite temperamen- trine of Purgatory), they are re-embodied, and stay in count of Finwë's second wife Indis of the Vanyar. Even tal. Especially during tense mo- Valinor forevermore. An exception to this was the sons of Fëanor, the eldest Ñoldorin prince, were ments on the battlefield.) . not all dark-haired: at least Maedhros and the twins 5. Steal a secret stash of pipeweed Tolkien's Elves were a representation of what Amrod and Amras had red hair, from their mother (Longbottom leaf – the 1417 crop, human beings might have become, had they not com- Nerdanel. Additionally a silver hair colour existed in mind you) and proceed to mock- mitted the original sin. They were mostly morally just, the royal house of the Sindar, with , Círdan, ingly enjoy a smoke amid the ruins as no Elves willingly joined or Sauron, the and Celeborn all described as having silver hair. of the Isengard fortress. Enemies, although they could be deceived. But excep- Galadriel displayed an extremely rare hair colour no- tions exist like that of Maeglin, who betrayed Gondolin where else observed: "silver-golden" hair, said to be 4. Request the names of all the to save his life and for the love of Idril, his cousin. dazzlingly beautiful ("blending the light of the Two stars, and all of the living things, Further, the invulnerability to diseases were granted Trees, Telperion and Laurelin"), which may have been and the whole history of Middle to them and that they could recover from wounds a result of her unusual mixed -Vanyar-Teleri her- Earth, and Over-heaven, and of the which would normally kill a mortal Man. However itage. Sundering Seas to quench your in- this also made the Elves less flexible in terms of ad- The stories of the First Age deal mostly with quisitiveness. justing to an otherwise fallen, ever-changing world. the Elves, especially those who did not heed the call of 3. “But I still want to know . . .” It should be noted that Tolkien's Elves differ the Valar and stayed behind in the various kingdoms of greatly from elves of older folklore, as well as most , and those who later returned, as Men only 2. On a whim, drop a stone into a modern fantasy elves. His Elves were very much hu- appear in the later stories. Elves are here in their youth, really deep well and wait to see man, if Unfallen. (A reference to the Fall of Man.) and are powerful enough to actually challenge Melkor, how long it will take to hit the bot- Aside from being equal or greater in stature to a being of angelic might. After the end of the First Age, tom. Make sure that you are in a Men, the now clichéd special affinity with forests and the Elves of Middle-earth are still powerful enough to dark, deathly still place, preferably bows is largely an accident, resulting from the fact that hold off Sauron, and create which can long deserted by any goodly folk. the most prominent Elven character in The Lord of the actually slow the effects of time. However, by the Third An ancient dwarf kingdom long Rings, Legolas, is a Wood-elven archer. The trip to Age (the time of The Lord of the Rings), their impor- overrun by orcs and would Lórien furthers the perception that most Elves live in tance in affairs of the world is diminishing, and only a be ideal. trees and carry bows, while we learn from Tolkien's few of them are left in the refuges of Rivendell, 1. Maybe I’ll just take one peep other writings that his Elves were just as likely to live Lothlórien, and Mirkwood. Many of them can be seen into that cool looking stone. I can’t in caves (Nargothrond) or mountain fortresses walking west, towards the Grey Havens, to leave Mid- sleep anyway. I’ll just put a stone (Gondolin), and the Ñoldor are more often known for dle-earth forever. Therefore few of them are to remain under his arm in its place. Yeah, their mighty swords. in Middle-earth after the end of the Third Age, when that’s it! Just one look. No one will In addition, there are no explicit references to the was destroyed. ever notice . . . " Tolkien A-Z: Hobbits Balancing Your Budget by Erving Bolinski, additional material by Colin Forbes. "Hobbits on the other hand were in nearly all respects normal men, [Editors note ... This article was first published in the benefits of improved/restored loyalty as well as but of very short stature. They were 'Whispers of the Wood', the GSI newsletter. A lot of that of skill rank improvement for the emissaries involves called 'halflings'; but this refers to water has flowed over the Falls of Rauros since then, since the order is automatic. the normal height of men of and consequently I would consider the original article Númenorean descent and of the to be rather out of date - certainly in terms of the way [Let's be honest here. The majority of nations should put Eldar (especially those of Ñoldorin the game is played these days. In general, this article, their taxes up to 60%, it won't make any difference except descent), which appears to have as originally written, does not allow for the team-play for the immediate, one-off, loyalty loss. At that level there been about seven of our feet. Their that is such a feature of MEPBM these days. will be no turn-on-turn loss of loyalty. If you decide not height at the periods concerned was So why re-publish? Well, to be honest, back in to put your taxes up, then you may as well put them down usually more than three feet for those days people seemed more willing to write! Rather to 39% and go for the turn-on-turn loyalty gain in return men, though very few ever exceeded than emailing me, or posting on the mepbm forum for a piffling loss of income. There are of course some three foot six; women seldom ex- about out-of-date articles, why not write something nations who demand (or allow) more radical taxation ceeded three feet. They were not as new? Or alternatively, go to the extensive Whispers of policies!] numerous or variable as ordinary the Wood or Mouth of Sauron archives and use an Men, but evidently more numerous existing article as a source of inspiration. (Don't forget Building population centres and adaptable to different modes to credit the original author if you use his or her This option can take on many forms and results in an of life and habitat than the Drûgs, material). almost immediate revenue increase. One method is to and when they are first encountered Comments in italics below are mine. The rest is have emissaries influence the loyalty of foreign pop in the histories already showed di- Erving Bolinski. My own comments are cursory and centers, bringing them under your nation's control. vergences in colouring, stature, may well not cover all the necessary points. By all Another is to simply capture the pop centers of other and build, and in their ways of life means write in or post on the forum!]. nations. This method is particularly effective for and preferences for different types aggressive militarily-oriented positions, such as the of country to dwell in (see the Pro- Death and taxes; the only certainties in an uncertain Eothraim. A third possibility is to post or create camps logue to The Lord of the Rings, p. world. Even in the realm of Middle-earth, there's no in unoccupied hexes. 12). In their unrecorded past they escape from this troublesome duo. The trick lies in must have been a primitive, indeed learning how to keep the one from leading all too Placing camps 'savage' people, but when we meet quickly to the other. A bankrupt nation is just as dead This extension of the above option can offer numerous them they had (in varying degrees) as one that's been conquered and razed. benefits. For example, strategic placement of camps can acquired many arts and customs Each of the twenty-five positions in ME-PBM work to hinder your opponents' economic and military by contact with Men, and to a less must face the challenge of bringing income and outlay growth, cutting them off from needed resources. extent with Dwarves and Elves." into balance, some more pressingly than others. This option can be used to increase gold reserves (JRRT, Peoples of Middle Earth, Generally speaking, each nation possesses enough directly by securing hexes containing gold. Gold HOME 12) gold reserves to support their campaign for roughly production is independent of taxation and is only affected two to three months, assuming no significant expenses by the changing seasons. Location other forms of "The Hobbits are, of course, really occur (creating a lot of characters, improving pop production can be useful as well, allowing a nation to meant to be a branch of the specifi- centers on a wid scale, etc). Strong early decisions sell their valuable surplus of high-cost products. cally human race (not Elves or must often be made to determine the best use of Successful use of certain mage spells or effective agent Dwarves) -- hence the two kinds available income and to minimize unneeded expenses. scouting can provide hints for the best camp locations. can dwell together (as at Bree), and But what strategies are best for your position? In this It can take some planning and patience to ensure the are called just the Big Folk and Lit- article, we'll take a look at a number of the options success of this option, but the immediate and long term tle Folk. They are entirely without that are open to you to help keep your nation running rewards can be significant. non-human powers, but are repre- in the black. Please note that not all these strategies sented as being more in touch with will work equally well for all nations, but you should Improve population centres 'nature' (the soil and other living find enough financial advice to point you in the right This option provides more of a long term solution to things, plants and animals), and direction. revenue problems because it requires up- front gold in abnormally, for humans, free from order to raise the pop center levels. This will compound ambition or greed of wealth". [Realistically speaking, there's no way that a nation a revenue shortage at first, but in the long run will provide (JRRT, Letters # 158 footnote) such as Rhudaur has enough resources to support a solid increase, particular if the tax rate is raised. Thus, their campaign for two to three months - that's four to this amount of revenue over an extended period. "It is plain indeed that in spite of six turns. Technically they could disband troops, but Additionally, the improved levels can result in a boost later estrangement Hobbits are that's suicide. Did Erving mean two to three turns? to victory point rankings in the area of population relatives of ours: far nearer to us The same goes for nations such as the Eothraim, Witch centres. than Elves, or even than Dwarves. King, Dragon Lord and others.] Of old they spoke the languages of [The what? Oh yes, the individual victory conditions on Men, after their own fashion, and Increasing taxes the front page. I remember them now. Well, I suppose liked and disliked much the same This option has the advantage of immediately that piece of advice remains true in a Gunboat game, things as Men did. But what exactly increasing revenue and is often the simplest tactic to but don't let your team catch you using emissaries to our relationship is can no longer put into effect. However, it also has the negative side boost your own population centres when the emissary be discovered. The beginning of effect of lowering your pop center loyalty. If there's could better be used elsewhere!] Hobbits lies far back in the Elder a danger of other nations benefiting from your lower Days that are now lost and forgot- loyalty, yet still allow for increased revenue. Further, Sell your stores ten." to compensate for the period of higher taxes, the nation This is the easiest option to pursue, but frequent use of (FOTR, Prologue) could instruct its emissaries to focus their attention it can result in a product-poor nation that must on increasing their own pop center loyalty - providing eventually buy back needed products at a higher cost, or else be forced to do without them. Consequently, it Borrow from other nations ME GaMES is often the last refuge of the desperate. While the The team nature of the game often encourages one side promise of quick cash can be tempting, moderation to help support the continued existence of their weaker dEtailS and careful planning are really the keys to successful nations, or even of neutral nations that may join their utilization of this option. Remember that everything cause. This option takes advantage of this characteristic UK: Office A, 340 North Road, you sell can fall right into the hanks of your opponents. by suggesting that a nation may be able to secure Cardiff, Wales, CF14 3BP You must balance the short term reward with the additional gold as a loan or a foreign aid directly from TL: 029 20913359 possible long term damage. other nations. A very specialized and risky tactic, but [dial code 011 44 2920 for US This option works best in conjunction with some one could greatly benefit a weaker and/or neutral nation. players. of the other options (#3), or when you need an 10am-6.30pm UK time (BST - immediate temporary shot in the arm. [Borrow? It's been years since I saw anyone expect to be British Standard Time); 5am- repayed on a gold transfer to an ally (ie Teamwork), or 1.30pm (EST)] [Frequent use can result in a product-poor ... er, well even to a neutral (ie Bribery). I would certainly not FAX: 029 20625532 my own advice would be to sell as much as you can characterise this as a 'risky tactic'. It's a run-of-the- EM: [email protected] every turn. It's no good having nice stores of timber, mill, everyday occurence.] leather or mounts if you have gone bankrupt.] USA: PO Box 280, Medford, Reduce maintenance costs OR 97501-0019, USA Trade with other nations. This frequently overlooked option actually can be an Phone & Fax: 541-772-7872 Frequent communication between allies, neutrals, or extremely effective means of accomplishing several goals (10-5pm weekdays) (fax24hrs) even enemies can reveal material needs and allow a and can provide a very quick and sure way of balancing nation to find new markets for their surplus products, the budget by reducing costs rather than trying to increase WEBSITES ones that avoid the market price overhead and limits. revenues. www.middleearthgames.com Of course, one must be trusting that the other nation Army maintenance costs can be reduced by retiring www.harlequingames.com will pay up once the goods have been delivered. troops, or even better, by launching a military offensive. The latter results in the capturing of pop center ( option EMAIL LIST [I've sat here for the last few minutes, trying to #2) AND in the loss of troops, which reduces Check out the websites (above) remember the last time I actually did something like maintenance cost. Retiring unneeded warships and for more information. this. As a neutral, yes you do trade for favours, gold transports also reduces costs. or whatever - but selling goods to an ally? Er ... well Population center maintenance costs can be reduced PAYMENTS maybe it worked like that in the dim and distant past, by removing unneeded harbors, ports, or Payments to ME Games Ltd. 5% but no new player should expect anything like that to fortifications.Character maintenance costs are usually charge for UK Credit card happen these days. As for trading with an enemy, I always on the rise as characters improve their skill ranks. payments & you can pay directly think I've done this by accident a few times ...] However, costs can be reduced by retiring character through our website (World Pay that offer minimal benefits terms of their skill ranks and [WP] will appear on your Offer services to other nations types of skills offered. The cost to create new characters statement). This option is frequently overlooked and is more can be avoided by more effectively using those already You can also set up a monthly specialized in nature than most of the ones previously in existence. payment with us for a SET discussed. However, it is easy to implement in amount taken from your credit conjunction with any of the other options. What kinds Deciding which options are best or most effective is up card at the beginning of each of services one could offer are limited only by the to each player and his or her style of play. Some nations month. Ask for more details if imagination of the nation's ruler: kidnappings, will find some more suited to their plans and needs than interested. assassinations, spell castings, information dealing, others, and furthermore, these plans and needs could If your account is low funds thefts, military operations, artifact sales, etc. Of change over the course of the game. The common goal is there will be an administration course, one must be trusting that the other nation will to determine which options provide the most advantages charge of £1 for the first turn, and pay up once the service has been provided. and the fewest disadvantages and which hold the greatest 50p for subsequent turns on Low promise of short and long term gain. funds. [As above really. The game has moved on since this One final item to consider: Combining more than Note that CC payments are sort of thing happened, if it was ever common-place - one of the above options often allows the nation greater accepted in the following which I don't recall it being in UK games.] flexibility in dealing with unforeseen future events - currencies: UK£, US$ & AUS$ as frequently a critical and deciding strategic factor. well as some other currencies. Threaten nations This option is most suited to strong militarily-oriented [The two major omission from the original article are positions and can be of mixed benefit. Often the mere stealing gold, and market manipulation. The first option threat of an attack, particularly against crucial pop is self explanaroty really. Any agent ranked 40 or above brEE 29 artwork centers, can motivate your opponents to cough up can easily steal from lower level population centres. the cash to keep you away. Call it extortion, call it Market manipulation takes teamwork (and thus wasn't Anke-Katrin Eissmann (p1, 2, 7) payola, but if you can make it work, call it financial discussed by Erving) and is something of a black art. Joel Lopez (p5 top) security. However, keep in mind that exercising this You see, to do it right, this is what you should do ... Neldorwen (p5 bottom) option will make you a lot of enemies who may just CENSORED BY THE AUTHORS BETTER JUDGEMENT !] Perkan (p3) ban together to rid themselves of the financial drain. John Stewart (p8) A variation of this tactic is for a neutral nation to "threaten" to join one side or the other if not paid to stay in the middle.

brEE contact [ No! Don't do this, ever! Neutrals only lose out by threatening potential allies, they are quite likely to get Please send submissions for Bree attacked in response. And if you ever find yourself in to ME Games and/or the editor. the position of threatening an ally, then you should probably think about finding a new team. Though ... Editor: Colin Forbes, there have been times ... ] 2A Guinea Street, Exeter, Devon [email protected]

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