FRONTLINES

Some of you may have noticed that no Frontlines column appeared in our last issue. (An oversight on my part.) Consequently, there's quite a bit of news to relate. Both volumes of the new Arnor module are now in the stores, and the eagerly anticipated Northern Waste module should be out within another month, if not earlier. The Northern Waste will be inaugurating some significant new developments in the MERP series as a whole.

The first of these developments concerns maps: Pete Fenlon will no longer be rendering the color terrain maps we have all grown to know and love as one of the hallmarks of MERP. New artists (who have proved their mettle with work on the MECCG) will be preparing all future terrain maps in conjunction with the style of Jo Hartvig's northwestern Middle-earth map (which was first featured on the area cards for ME:TW). The good news is that the first fruits of their labor (to appear in The Northern Waste) are quite impressive, and ICE has intentions of extending these maps to cover the entire continent of Endor at a consistent scale of 1" = 40 miles. In addition, a new northwestern Middle-earth poster map (a blown-up version of Jo Hartvig's card map) is soon to be released.

The second new feature to be introduced with The Northern Waste is the inclusion of original MECCG expansion material with each new MERP module. This will take the form of card game scenarios set in the region (or related to the theme) covered by the module, accompanied by new cards. It is ICE's hope that such "crossover" material will extend interest in MERP to players of the card game and vice versa. If sales figures indicate a positive reception to this innovation, it could lead to some very pleasant consequences for those of us who are interested primarily in MERP. For example, it might lead ICE to commission new color card-artwork specifically based on characters, sites and artifacts described in the modules, which would certainly enhance their visual component. So keep your fingers crossed!

Another general MERP development (which, however, will not be represented by The Northern Waste) has been a decision to reduce the maximum page count for the modules so as to make them more affordable. The goal will be to keep all future MERP releases at $20.00 or less (though the inclusion of color maps will still push this figure up somewhat). This means a maximum published page limit of 144, which will still provide ample space for making Middle-earth the most richly detailed of fantasy role playing universes.

As far as the 1997 publication schedule goes, there will be a brief hiatus following the release of The Northern Waste. The two manuscripts currently contending for the next publication slot (August through September) are Hands of the Healer (a profession sourcebook on healers, healing herbs and healing magic) and The Inland Sea (which will be combining into a single volume what would have appeared separately as the Dorwinion and Rhûn realm modules). It is also hoped that Near Harad and The Grey Havens will be ready for late 1997 release dates.

New projects which have recently received approval from ICE include two revised/expanded citadel modules: Rivendell and Lórien. Meanwhile, work actively continues on Paths of the Dead, Minas Morgul, and the Southern Middle-earth Gazetteer. Contract negotiations are very likely to progress on the Middle-earth Language Guide proposal noticed in the last Frontlines column, and ICE has now begun to reconsider an already existing proposal for an Eastern Middle-earth Gazetteer. Finally, a new MERP/MECCG crossover product, Elrond's House, has just been approved (details on this will be forthcoming in a future issue), as well as the final chapters in the adventure book series accompanying the Lord of the Rings Adventure Game system.

Reporter: Chris Seeman