Greetings, Warlord! You sit on your throne and reflect upon your recent activities. The recent exchange of messages with the emissaries of the upcoming Tournament has gone well, you think. You realize that every day brings you one step closer to the mighty battles that await you! You drink heartily from your royal tankard, and stride down from your royal pedestal, to climb the stairs to the battlement, and peer out upon the troops gathering for war - YOUR troops! You laugh. It has begun! Again in the distance you spot the thin trail of dust, led by the tiny speck of the Tournament messenger! The sun shines brightly over your lands as the messenger nears - and you slowly turn from your gathering troops to meet the messenger in your Great Hall. This time, his coming has been foreseen, and the lords and ladies of your kingdom are already assembled, eagerly awaiting the latest news. You smile. You are ready! Again the messenger arrives, still clothed in the same foreign garb as before, only much dustier from having travelled so much further. The Messenger is announced, and his lips curve upward in the slightest sign of pleasant surprise as he enters the hall and discovers the nobles of your kingdom gathered with you. Once again he bows before you. Although modesty and shyness are not part of your nature, something in his look encourages you to be silent. You wait. This is no time to show weakness! The Tournament Messenger speaks, loudly, so all can hear: "Warlord, thy kingdom has proven it is ready for the Tournament. I come to announce that your official Activation in the Tournament!" Applause resounds throughout the Great Hall. You give your nobles a moment to enjoy themselves, then wave your hand for silence, as you see the messenger has more to say. The Messenger continues, "It appears you have been ready for this day, but this is only the beginning. Yes, there is much to do! We will wait until we finish the certification process, and then the Wars will begin. If you wish, you can sit idly by and wait for our next message summoning you to battle..." You shake your head. That is not the way! "Or, mighty Warlord, thou canst prepare thyself!" the messenger finishes. "Give thy wizards the instructions in this scroll, and they shall be better able to aid thy warriors in their preparations. Good luck!" The messenger hands you a small scroll like the first one, nods to you, and strides off to deliver yet another message to another Warlord in another faraway kingdom. You open it. It is no time to wait! Your nobles creep closer in curiosity, and you read the message aloud: "Mighty Warlord, we must wait for the others to get Activated. The Practice Round will start as soon as possible after that!" A cheer goes up again. You smile, then wait for it to subside. "Warlord, prepare thyself! The Tournament Rules are available to all. Thy wizards shall bring them to you if you give them the address below. The rules will be explained - thoroughly - during the Practice Round, but the more you know beforehand, the better you are likely to do! Many playtesting wars have been fought and are being fought now, and these are available for thy sages to study. Have them explore the Warlords Remailer, at the address listed below. Remember: knowledge is power, and a little extra knowledge is a dangerous thing - to thy enemies!" At the bottom of the scroll you see the instructions for your wizards and sages, written in the ancient tradition: ************************************************************************ ** Tournament Rules: http://www.heeter.net/w2wt/index.html ** ************************************************************************ * Warlords Remailer: http://www.pixgen.com/elam/warlords/Remailer.html * ************************************************************************ You summon your lords. "Gentlemen, we have work to do!" And you relish once more the expectation of a coming battle... -- Tournament Headquarters