UK FtF Game Rules Fri 27th-Mon 30th December
I have had a few players get in touch about the next Face To Face (FTF)
game - with that in mind this is the plan that I have for organising it. I
have taken into account feedback about previous games and I have put forward
some suggestions below that I would like to get your feedback on. I am
specifically looking for ideas on how to change the game this time around,
so that we can add a bit of spice to the days proceedings.
What is a FTF game? It is a game held over a long weekend in Cardiff. Turn
costs are reduced, the pace is hectic, and it is excellent fun. Virtually
everyone who has played one of these games is dying to play another one of
them as soon as they can. It's a great way to learn a lot about the game,
chat to fellow players, and get to meet the GMs. Sleeping space is
available, but don't expect much sleep. ?
Interested?
If so, please fill in the following and return it to me.
? Your name and your Account number
? People that you prefer not to play with (kept confidential) Full name
please, not just "Rob"... 
? Nations you are happy to play, including number of nations (1 or 2):
(1650 both DS and FP options preferred, and as many choices as possible; for
12vs12 format)
? Payment details
(�15 deposit per nation)
? Players that you are journeying with. Full name again please.
? Format of game that you are happy with (see below).
Note this is different to the normal"request to be with team-mates" we have
tried before. I would like to split the "standard" teams a little - with a
random seeded choice for teams. Both teams will be even in experience and
capability. It's fun getting to know others in the game and I have always
found everyone pleasant and enjoyable to chat to.
The game will be held over a longer period of time (I.e. Fri-Mon) with more
breaks for food, as tiredness and stress can detrimentally affect play and
fun, giving time for drinking/chatting afterwards.
Players contacted: Oystein Tvedten, David Clemmensen, Kevin O'Keefe, Jerry
Mellerick, Mark Stuckey, Nick Barnes, Alan Greenaway, Chris Courtiour, Colin
Forbes, Tom Fyfe, Peter Clinch, Simon Dunsterville, Robert Glass, 108852
Damian Nicholls, Ulrik Bisgaard, Bryn Lloyd, Chris Littlejohn, Andy Wright,
Lewis Morton, Benny Engsig, Simon Proctor, Gary Hood, Richard Farrer, Paul
Roberts, Michael Kamine
- if you know anyone else who might be interested then please get in touch
with them and us.
Sleeping on "floor"/accomodation provided by us: We can probably offer space
to half the players, so get in touch if you want to book some space.
Format: I think I have covered everything that anyone has asked below. If
not please get in touch. I will not be sending turnsheets out - nor
informing players what nations or allegiance they are playing. On the Friday
I will give out the turnsheets and allocate teams (I will have done the work
before hand on it). The game will not continue after the weekend. I will
work out the team placements. I will give players the option of changing
when you get here on the Friday.
What I need is the confirmation from you and a list of nations (above under
the paragraph that says don't expect much sleep). If you can get that
information back to me by asap that would be great - then you get the
discount rate of turns. (I have a few interested parties at present) Sam
will run the turns, with probably myself (nation killer!) and another GM on
a team to push players into getting their turns in. I know it can be a
hassle but someone needs to keep the game turns being input (we'll be
gentle!) If you can bring Portable PCs that would be good, as we will
use them for the Automagic/MEOW inputting. We are hoping to have the turns
with your character information updated each time ready for use, easier than
last FTF, but we're not sure yet.
Game Details
It is very likely be 12vs12 which will have the pre-aligned Neutrals
allocated to teams. It's always useful if we can get a couple of players
running 2 nations to begin with just in case someone gets knocked out early
and needs another nation to play. I want to try a variant on the above
(suggestions welcome).
This time we would like to vary the game set-up a little to add some spice
to a tried and tested formula. I expect there to be some discussion on this
so I will get back to you with the agreed format - but I do need your
feedback here.
1) We would like to improve some of the nations at game start. Eg 1,2,16
(?), 18 (?), 24 - MINOR modifications. (Eg Emissary rank bonus to a
starting capital NM character. Artefact transfer from Noldo and other such
rich artefact nations to their weaker team-mates, maybe minor improvements
to PCs/fortifications added that sort of thing).
2) We also want to modify the nations that play and the side that they are
on. Possible ideas include,
i) removing the QA and replacing it with Harad as a dark nation,
Easterlings and Corsairs FP, Dun/Rhu DS. This would make the NW more of a
battle ground. I would be tempted to remove the Port/Harbours in the North
Harad at game start as well.
ii) Standard WChamps split of Dun/Cor FP, Rhu/Harad DS; with the addition of
a Fort on 1910 and 4217.
iii) Other - what would you like to see?
3) Strategic objectives: thoughts on this? Attempt to get a completed game
by the end of the w/end. Objectives can include PCs captured/destroyed,
enemy characters kidnapped/killed, certain artefacts gained, nations wiped
out, X number of enemy capitals captured/destroyed, that sort of thing.
Directions and our availability:
Players are welcome to turn up Friday 27th from 5pm. Please do not turn up
early, we will not be in the building before then.
Scandanavian Players: Travel advice, get to London - take a train or coach
to Cardiff. Get a taxi or bus to North Road, asking for Gabalfa Flyover
(near the Cross Inn). When you go over the flyover you need to come back
into the main city (see directions below). You don't need to book
tickets - trains leave London on the hour every hour throughout the day
(best to check). Get in touch with us if you need more advice.
UK based players: By car on the M4: As you come upto Cardiff on the M4 come
off on junction 29 (not 29a or similar) onto the M/A48. The 5th turn off
along that road (some 15-20 minutes drive) is the one you want to then take.
(You will pass the Heath hospital on your Right hand side where you will
have to slow down to 30mph and it is the next turning on the left).
This will bring you to Gabalfa Flyover (signposted as Caerphilly/Merthyr
Tydfil turning) and you take the 4th turning on the roundabout out of the
city (you will now be on North Rd travelling North). Go around the pub
called the Cross Inn, and travel BACK towards the roundabout (don't continue
North onto Caerphilly Rd). MEPBM office is around 100 yards past the Orange
Mobile Phone shop and Chinese take-away on the left -hand side. A small
lane leads off just past Turners the Photographers (a large green blind is
outside the shop), I would advise you to park there. Limited parking is
available in the back and in the lane leading up to it (340 is numbered on
the wall facing you).
Extra bits: On the day, any Riddle that requires an answer we'll put in for
you (though not the "Demand Obedience" and similar responses for Dragons,
etc.). No major edits will be done, but if we have time we'll do small
"quicky" edits. We'll likely use the quick version of the print program
which is not as nice to look at, but is quicker (we can then get more turns
out).
Bed and Breakfast-
Albany Guest House (recommended, nice owner, 10 minute drive)
191 Albany Rd
Roath
029 20494121
The Haven Guest House (30 second walk)
330 North Rd
Heath, Cardiff CF14 3BP
0290 20691635
Mob: 07974 972073
jbmallett@tesco.net
Single Rm �25
Dble and Sing Be �40
Dble �35
Payment details
For those interested a deposit of �15 will be charged to your account with
your permission (which you must explicitly give us). If you are then unable
to make the event that money is not refundable. For those that do make it to
the event you will have that money refunded to your account. In addition we
will reduce the turn costs to �4.00. If you play a second nation, it will
only cost �3.50
If you are able to make the event but don't authorise and pay the �15
deposit then you can still turn up but we'll charge you at the normal costs
of running turns. Last time I had to send out around 5 emails to some
players to get this. If I don't get it this time with this note then I
assume no authorisation of deposit. (It takes me around 2 weeks work to get
a FTF game organised). This way we can get a guaranteed player base for the
2 days with a financial incentive to get everyone in. Closing date for the
deposit is Monday 18th November.
To reiterate: No turns will be sent out before hand. Nor team information.
Timetable
27th Dec Friday 5pm onwards - anyone who wants to turn up at the office is
allowed to.
Friday 5-8pm - chat, play games, have a drink, be socialable.
Friday 8pm - give out turns and teams. Everyone disperses if they want to
and chats about team tactics and provisional plans made. Rooms allocated at
this point.
28th Dec Saturday 9am start - turns input (if not done the night before) and
turns process. Aim to run around 6-9 turns before 7pm. Drinking allowed
after 6pm. ME stops at 7pm (or there-ish depending) and chatting, food,
socialising, planning, board gaming/cards played.
29th Dec Sunday - same as Saturday
30th Dec Monday - 9am start - run around 4 turns. Finish mid-afternoon.
We are undecided as to whether to run turns on Monday or not. We could
finish the event on Sunday night. Please give feedback on this question.
I think that covers everything for now; if you have any questions, please
get in touch.
Clint
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Middle Earth Games
Mailto: me@MiddleEarthGames.com
Website: www.MiddleEarthGames.com
UK: Office A, 340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP, UK
USA: PO Box 280, Medford, OR 97501-0019, USA
Phone times: 10am-6.30pm UK time (BST - British Standard Time); 5am-1.30pm
(EST), 8pm-2.30am (AEST)
UK: 029 2091 3359/ (029 2062-5665 can be used if the other is engaged) [Dial
Code: 011 44 2920. for US players]
UK Fax: 029 2062 5532
US: Phone & Fax: 541-772-7872 (10-5pm weekdays) (fax24hrs)
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