Hello Everyone
Thought you might like to know the status on the projects we're working on:
1) Automagic (AM): Pretty much sorted now. Thanks to all those players who
have taken the time to work out the intricacies of this, what I have found,
very useful program. The usual teething problems have occurred, as
expected, but we're pretty happy with the way it's going now. Mostly the
files that we have problems with are due to the way they come through due to
the way that servers deal with attachments (ie embed them in the main body
of the email). If you are able to use it then please do so.
2) Middle Earth Order Writer (MEOW) - We've just had the 1st version of this
through now. Lots of work yet to go on it but it's very promising. We
estimate completion date around September, so expect December... 
3) Jester - accounts program, has presently come to a near halt, but still
working through it all. Lots of little bits for that that will make your
life easier.
4) MAIN - our program that converts the AM and MEOW files so that we can
auto-input them. This is working well although we're still seeing some
interesting bits and pieces. It's working 99.99% of the time - please don't
put <provide> as a name - leave it blank! With games having around
1/3 of the turns by AM format we're not able to save much (if any) time with
this at present but we're working on it.
5) Graphical representation of the game. Looking quite good - it's capable
of reading turns and showing them on the map - but nowhere near release (so
don't ask). We might need playtesters for this - so keep an eye out (don't
contact us yet). This will be able to export the files to other players in
the team and help with order creation and the like. As a sub part of this
plan we're working on being able to import your nation so that you can use
MEOW and/or AM for easy turn creation at your end and lots of other very
useful bits and pieces such as Army movement, army sizes etc.
As a side issue to that we're looking for some people who can do Colour art
for this potentially though to represent the characters that you see in your
Portraits.
Thanks
Clint
The following new games are filling up. (Descriptions of the type of game
follow - please check this when contacting me with regards to playing in
that game).
Waiting List: When I get all 25 nations into the game I will allocate you
your choice of nation from the list of nations that you have sent me -
please send multiple nation choices. All nations are potentially available
until I set up the game.
Upto 2 nation game: You can play one or two Aligned nations, or one Neutral
nation.
2 nation game: You must play two nations.
Bofa: 2wk [Game 4] - Veteran or Beginners game - (Vet: ALL 1650 orders
available): 3 Nation taken, but FP nations available. (Please note FP have
been upgraded).
1650 1wk [Game 135] : Waiting List, Upto 2 nation game. 17 nations
available.
1650 2wk [Game 37]: 1-2,4-6,9 - 1 nation "any" in addition taken
2950 2wk [Game 236]: Email game. Waiting List. 15 nations available.
1000 2wk [Game 149]: 17 available 2FP 6DS taken - no format yet decided
(probably Normal though).
Note please ask for variant games we can try to get you opposition for them
if you are interested - mostly Grudge teams though - if I get 10 players for
any single type of game then I will put it up for general availability below
and push it;
Grudge Games we need opposition for:
2950: Matt Ashley (FP preferred), James (Group of prisoners)
1000: None
1650: None
Last Alliance: None
WoTR: None
World Championship team: None
I have drop-outs available - don't forget you get a free turn for taking
these up...
E [Early] = 0-10 turn, M (Midgame]= 11-20, L [Late game] = 21+ [A= Aligned
if a Neutral, N= not aligned if a Neutral, P = Postal and Email game, 1w =
1week game, 3w = 3week game]
Bofa: Veteran (NM - e)
1000: one (l)
2950: Rohan (l-P), Dwarves (m-P), Quiet (e - P), Fire (e-P), (e - P), Long
(e - P), Long (m)
1650: NortGond (l), South Gondor (m, m), Dwarves (l), Noldo (l), Dun (l,l),
East (e-N)
21/6 ME30 Player report: Tom Jaggard
Well, the long and the short of it was that they whooped our keisters. They
exhibited excellent team play and were extremely aggressive from the start.
That, coupled with our having a dropped player who didn't notify anyone that
he wouldn't be playing even the first turn of his two nations and having a
rookie player who couldn't fill out his turn form properly put us behind
from the start. The Dark Servants started with a sickness/curses squad that
they positioned at Osgiliath on the first turn. By killing off an army each
turn they were able to achieve local superiority in the Ithil Valley. We
had below average luck in our artifact searches. During the course of the
game, we never had an accurate 'locate artifact' spell. Due to their
aggressiveness and our incompetence, they steamrolled their way to victory.
Game report: ME 72 by Paul Romaine: [17/6] A great team effort by all the
FP. Good job everyone.
Early game: In Angmar the forces of Arthedain <Benny Ensig> and the
Dwarves <Brian Ensig> put heavy pressure on the WK early. Rhudaur joined
the DS a little too late and he faced the same fate as that of the WK.
Thanks to additional aid from the armies of Cardolan <Kevin Given> and the
Noldo <Ulrik Bisgard>. In Mirkwood the DrL faced a brutal assault from the
Eothraim <Lorenzo Ricagni> at Dol Guldur and the Dwarves at Goblin Gate.
Followed by the Woodmen troops <Pelle Stine> at Mt. Gundabad, Mirkwood was
secured very quickly. The Northmen <Drew Carson> did a fine job of
thwarting the DogL cavalry, so the DS were unable to take advantage of the
opening in Rhovanion at this point. Around the Rhun sea, the LR got off to
a slow start, but he did manage to take a few minor population centers which
were quickly recovered. NG <George Martinez> and SG <Jim Carson>
launched a massive military assault into the Ithil pass, which failed to
break Barad Ungol, but was successful at eliminating most of the DS
starting armies in Mordor. Great artifact coordination by the Noldo led to
the FP gaining control of every major unowned artifact. Except for
Miramarth, which was pried out of Khamul's cold, (un)dead grasp by Sinda
agents <Paul Romaine>.
Mid game: Clean up of the WK and Rhudaur was left to Arthedain.
Surviving FP armies in the Great Wood rushed south into Mordor. The
Eothraim had several substantial military victories including the capture of
Thurwingwathost, Barad-Dur, and Durthang. Sinda, WM, and Dwarven armies
followed, and took control of the Morannon. Dunland <Rob Pegg> joined the
ranks of the Free and launched a military thrust which ended in the
destruction of Kal Nargil (3630). NG did an excellent job holding the hordes
of Sauron inside Mordor, not a single troll, orc or goblin set foot
on the west side of the Anduin (although Barad-Ungol withstood the storm
time and again). SG managed to intercept the first wave of Corsair
marines. A large number of Corsair troops ended up at the bottom of the
ocean. The mutual destruction of both fleets left us at an advantage.
Donations of timber were contributed from all over Middle Earth, allowing
the FP to rebuild the lost fleet quickly. Sinda, Cardolan, SG and NG took
the war into north Harad. The NM continued to play cat and mouse with the LR
navy and eventually it was destroyed. The Sinda/WM agent company was
unopposed in Haradwaith and Umbar. Noldo agents also had great success in
the east and south. Curiously absent were CL assassins. The Easterlings
join the DS.
End game: The Easterlings sweep most of the NM holdings near the Rhun
sea. The weight of the Harad, Corsairs and Easterlings puts a strain on FP
resources and the DS enjoy a brief resurgence. The Easterlings are pushed
back by a combined effort from the NM, Eot, Dw and Arth. The Sinda and WM
agents' unrestrained access to south-west DS recruitment centers opens the
door for a SG/Card/Sinda naval invasion which devastates the
Harad/Corsairs/QA. (Kudos to Kevin Given for his outstanding strategic
planning in the south-west theatre.). The CL makes an appearance at the FK
capitol in the first (and only) real agent shoot-out and assassinates two
key Noldo agents. But with help from Noldo/Dun agents, Barad Ungol finally
falls to NG. The LR and Easterlings continue to fight fiercely but cannot
withstand the combined might of the FP and fall to a combination of armies,
emissaries , agents, and mages. The BS emerges as a powerful nation with a
sickness squad and strong emissaries, but with only the DkLt left as an
ally. They both struggle vainly until they are overwhelmed by a massive FP
military and character campaign that engulfs all of Mordor.
Clint
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