EDITORIAL: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Did I say something last issue about being "behind schedule?" Welcome to the July issue of Other Hands! Yes, it's been a busy summer, but all for the good. Due to logistic considerations, we'll be passing up the October issue in favor of a double January issue; but it will be well worth the wait, believe me! Plenty to tell this time round, but that can wait for the "Frontlines" column.

Let's see now, where to begin? Ah, yes; we continue our "Taste of Things To Come" series with a long awaited word from Jason Beresford on the progress of the new Umbar realm module. Now you can find out what he's been up to all this time. There are currently several MERP projects underway, so it looks as though this feature is here to stay.

Next in line, David Woolpy, the amazing author of the Dol Guldur citadel module, has finally stumbled across us and has submitted a very nice piece on that ever popular topic: Magic in Middle-earth. As you will learn in "Frontlines," David is warming up for another evil citadel module, and we hope to be seeing contributions from him in future issues. Welcome aboard!

Anders Blixt returns to us after a lengthy hiatus (with some help from our new artist, Quentin Westcott) to offer improved illustrations of the Gondorian warships that were described in Southern Gondor: The People.

And then we come to our major feature for this issue: the triumphant return of "Arda Lore." These queries were compiled over the last several months (both solicited and downloaded from the now defunct MERPlist). Lots of lore to stimulate casual enthusiasts and hard-core Tolkien scholars alike.

Finally, just to prove that we don't have to be dreary and serious all the time, newcomer John Feil has contrived a highly amusing Middle-earth adaptation of the game Teenagers From Outer Space. Enjoy!

Chris Seeman
September 6, 1996