A note to the readers: this column has tended to consist primarily of letters addressed to me as editor of Other Hands. However, there is no reason that it has to be that way. Communications is not meant to be my "daily affirmation column"—criticisms of the journal are also welcomed and, as Nathan Smith rightly points out, should be encouraged. At the same time, I should also note that for the most part I do not determine the content of Other Hands (I receive far too little material to enjoy the luxury of rejecting pieces); so if you have an alternative viewpoint than that expressed in one of our articles or adventures, you might consider addressing your response to the author of the article rather than to me. After all, the main purpose of Communications is to get our readers talking with one another and exchanging ideas.
Dear Chris, Greetings. First off I would like to say that Other Hands is an excellent journal dedicated to Middle-earth gaming in many aspects. Lately I have been enjoying the articles on religion in Middle-earth. I would also like to commend Gary Hunnewell on speaking his mind in a letter published last issue. As a fanzine enthusiast myself, I think it is nice when journals receive praise. Yet, I think it is even more helpful when it receives opinions and friendly criticism which gives it a better idea on how to produce a more interesting publication. Keep up the great work. Nathan Smith
Dear Chris and Other Hands, First let me say that I am glad to see a more optimistic editorial about the future of Middle-earth gaming in OH 9. If I may comment on the subject myself, I have to say it appears there really is no need to be concerned just yet. After all, ICE has been able to make a business out of selling Middle-earth Role Playing products for the last thirteen years or so. I doubt if they would have committed to the revision of almost their entire line (in which you, Chris, are playing such a large role) unless they felt there was a future for the hobby. With over 300,000 copies of the MERP rules sold (and that's only the English language version), it seems we only need to locate each other. Other Hands might just be the vehicle for this endeavor. Such contact will not only strengthen the hobby but will in turn cause Other Hands itself to grow. I also wanted to say that the correspondence from "the playing Tolkienists" in Russia and the Ukraine was most interesting to me for several reasons, not least of which is that my rather complicated family history has left close relatives in Siberia; although I have never met them and they are quite a bit older. I hope we hear more from the people in these groups in the future. Finally, I wanted to respond to Gary Hunnewell's letter in OH 9. As we all know, everyone has their own tastes and preferences, but I just wanted to state for the record that Anders Blixt's article on Sauron's daughter in OH #5 was my all time favorite article. Bernie Roessler
Dear Chris, In all seriousness, Other Hands is great stuff. My first thought about an article is "The Recurrent Ringwraith," an idea that I have used in my own campaign, but is also one of the more "heretical" concepts to ever appear in your publication. (Hey, I thought Sauron's daughter was cool...) The Recurrent Ringwraith postulates that the position of a Ringwraith, a bearer of one of the Nine Rings, might change over time. That is, that one of them might die and be replaced with another. While this is certainly contrary to Tolkien's vision, it has many advantages during a game: 1) heroes can confront the Ringwraiths and have a real opportunity to defeat them. The Nazgûl are such well-remembered villains from LotR, it's really a shame to keep them locked away from the players, 2) long-running villains can be made into Ringwraiths, and this dire fate can even serve as a temptation to players. Galadriel and Gandalf both were well tempted by the One, surely the Nine might tempt mere mortals, 3) this reconciles the supposed might of the Nazgûl with their occasional incompetence. (This far away from four terrified hobbits! These are Sauron's mightiest servants?) Obviously the rare blunder on the part of the Nazgûl must be due to a new person under that cloak. Someone thousands of years old wouldn't make that kind of mistake, 4) it allows the Nazgûl to be from Mannish cultures other than those prevalent during the middle of the Second Age, when they were all formed. Cultures which rise to preeminence during the Third Age, for example, might have given rise to sorcerer-kings who later become Ringwraiths, replacing the occasional fallen. Well, there's a lot more, and I don't want to bore you with all the many details, but I thought that I would run it by you. Do you think that something like this would be appropriate? In any case, thanks again for the mailing and for staying with OH long enough for this wanderer to come along. Jason Tondro
Dear Chris, Just got Other Hands 6/7. Thanks much. Well, what a difference a year makes. Arnor and The Kin-strife are distinguished veterans, and the next generation is standing proudly forth. I read a review of the Hobbit boardgame in a magazine this weekend. Along the way, the reviewer noted that ICE's Middle-earth Role Playing material is doing well in its new incarnation. Feel free to take some credit. A number of interesting pieces in the issue. I'll be copping the adventures for my own campaign, of course. Jason's evaluation of trade with Eriador matches my own. Note, however, that Eriador is never completely depopulated, so a few Umbareans and Gondorians can make the difficult trip around the Cape of Andrast when the urge strikes them. The rest of the articles seem to have wound up in The Kin-strife, as promised. Your review of Arnor made some salient points. The worst of the art is being corrected in the second printing. That is all I know about it, as I don't think they are putting much editorial time in correcting the typos and I certainly wasn't consulted. I thought the sketch maps were abominable in Arnor. I sent them in six pages of corrected maps for the second printing, and I had to beg Jessica to let me do it! Your description of coming events in this Other Hands (dating to the summer of 1994?) reminded me of a curious phenomenon. When I went to GenCon that August I found that Dean B. and her crew had never heard of The Shire module. It was on its way to editing at the time, but I don't recall hearing a rumor or blurb about it until it was practically at the printers! I do recall hearing about The Kin-strife about that time. The Shire seems to have been the best-kept secret in role playing. I wonder why? Wesley Frank