Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 07:21:12 -0300
From: Derek Baird 
Subject: W2WT: Let the War Begin!

[ Summary for the Impatient (read the following fun story first!):   ]
[ -> The Tournament is beginning!  The Practice Round is now         ]
[    underway!  We *finally* have a method to determine who is the   ]
[    Greatest Warlord!                                               ]
[ -> Gamefiles and instructions will come from your Moderator soon!  ]
[ -> Assistance will be given by your Moderator or Support Group!    ]
[ -> Rules Tutorial #1 ("Starting the Game") will be sent out soon!  ]
[    As well, Tournament Headquarters will send periodic messages to ]
[    clarify various points                                          ]
[ -> It is VERY important the all Tournament time limts be strictly  ]
[    adhered to! Player #1 must take his turn by 5 PM EDT on Sunday, ]
[    or the Remailer may automatically delete your game (very        ]
[    annoying!)                                                      ]
[ -> Subs (on List F) begin replacing no-shows over the coming days. ]

"Greetings Warlord!...."
reads the message on the signpost!

"You have arrived!"

As you enter the Outer Gate of the newly erected fortress, you notice
many things!  The first is the size of the Tournament compound - it is
massive!  Second is number of flags flying above the inner
fortifications - there are almost too many to count!  A quick estimate
is 200 flags flying above the battlements....

As you and your troops slowly move through the Outer Gate, you spot the
familiar Messenger coming toward you.  He directs your troops toward
the designated staging area in the outer ring - an area large enough
for all of your troops to camp, and more importantly to continue the
battle drills you have assigned them....

The Messenger then leads you off toward the inner gate....

You have entered!

The contrast between the outer staging area and the inner
fortifications is quickly noted!  Here there are no mock battles being
fought!  Here the there is not the hustle and bustle of armies readying
for battle!  Here there seems to be, in fact, little that would
indicate the ferocity of battle that will occur in the near future!  It
is calm, quite, and relaxed - with indications of peacefulness and
camaraderie!  This is sure to change, though!

You are quickly led to the Great Hall, where a banquet is taking place!
The Messenger leaves you at the door - another Warlord is arriving, and
he must continue with his duties!!!  You search the Great Hall, and at
the Head Table is your Standard!  You move to take you place, and are
greeted by the other assembled Warlords....  A servant quietly asks
what you will have - and moves off the fulfill your request.

The time has come!

You note the discussions at the table are of warriors and knights and
battles long since fought - but all are guarded in their discussions so
as not to give away any battle secrets!  You join in the conversation,
explaining how your armies have gained the recognition to be entered
into this Tournament - and why you feel you will win the Great Standard!

You eat, drink, and converse until all the seats at the table are
filled - and then there is a hush!  At the head of the Table, suddenly
a Warlord stands and begins to address the assembled:

"Warlords, We have assembled here; in this place, at this time and
hour; to determine who is the Greatest among Us"  A rousing cheer
greets the speakers last word, and he waits to continue....
"Preparations are complete; armies are assembled and trained;
assignments are made; ...." Again, the rousing cheer from the gathered
Warlords drowns out the words the Warlords speaks!  When the din dies
down, he continues, "BUT, there are Rules that have to be learned and
adhered to; these battles will be fought like none you have fought
before!!!  We are thus beginning the Tournament with a Practice Round
in which you will be taught these Rules and the methods with which they
are enforced!  Some among you have been involved in the development of
these Rules, and they will be assistants during this process - they are
the Moderators!"  You quickly look around you - but you see no
indication of just who these Moderators might be among the assembled
Warlords....

"Your Moderator, as your guide to this process will send you, soon -
very soon, a specially-configured game file for the Practice Round to
be played on.  This game file was configured for the Tournament, and
specificly for the Practice Round - you must use it to play, have fun,
and learn the Rules!  This message will include the specific
instructions for installing this game file - and since you should by
now have the scenario file installed you should be able to begin
practicing right away!"

You begin to think - "But there are many questions I still want to ask!"

"As well, Tournament Headquarters will be sending out specific
instructions at various points during your game that will address many
questions you may have!  These will include such things as Remailer
instructions, Tournament instructions, Hero instructions, WarBOT
instructions, and others which will be of importance during the
Tournament....  You may also at any time 'query' your Moderator with
any question you might have!!!"

"OK" you believe things are moving along - but you seem to feel the
anxiety of the others at the table....

"I know you are ready - and so we will now begin!!!" The great rousing
battle cry from the assembled Warlords is cut short by a hand waving
from the speaker....  "Wait, wait - before we all get too excited,
remember:  now that the Tournament has begun, things will no longer
be the same!  Time limits will be strictly enforced from this point on!
It should be noted that any player #1 in the Tournament will have only
until about 5:00pm EDT on Sunday August 3 to play their turn - if they
do not make their move in time, their game may be in danger of deletion
by the Remailer software....  Please - once this message is received,
it is time to take this Tournament as seriously as those who have put
their time and effort into Organizing it!!!"

After a brief pause, seemingly designed for effect, the Warlord
continues: "For now, it will suffice to enjoy the Banquet!  The
Moderator assigned to your Practice Round game will be in contact with
you and your armies - indeed, there may well be a message with your
Generals now - and very soon you will be made aware of these details!"

"And now, as your Official Round Starter, I say...  Let the War Begin!!!"
And a mighty cheer goes up!

"The Battle awaits!"
And another cheeer!

"May the Greatest Warlord Win!"
And now, there is pandemonium!!!

--

Derek Baird
Official Warlords II World Tournament Round Starter

c/o Ivan Baird, CET
ijb@unb.ca
Have a Good One!!!