To ensure as smooth a game as possible, there have to be a few ground rules laid out prior to the start of the game. By playing in Lords 25, you agree to abide by the following at all times. Failure to do so can result in removal from the game.
Turns cost a $2.00 base plus $1.00 per point of BL.
If you run a negative account for one turn, there will be no repercussions. However, you must correct this prior to the due date of the second turn. After that due date, I will not process any orders for your position, and the position will be opened for another player.
I accept Paypal or you can send personal check or money order to:
Dave Mattingly
926 Quincy Ave.
Scranton, PA 18510-1120
My goal is to attain a 4-week turnaround on turns. You get two weeks to mull over the stats, connive with your allies, and return a filled-out order sheet to me. I then get two weeks to mull on the order sheets, process results, and write inspired tomes of Newsfaxes. However, if we want to keep to this regimen, we will have to proceed to our next point...
I would hope that two weeks would be enough time to fill out the turn's order sheet. If it isn't for one reason or another (i.e. procrastination), you can try to send in the orders a maximum of two days past the deadline if your orders have absolutely nothing to do with other nations, such as trade routes, transferral of GP, etc. Late turns with such orders on them will be ignored.
Please keep in mind that in the case you do not submit any orders for the turn, you will still be charged for the turn.
Players should subscribe to the email list to recieve turn updates, have public concerns addressed, and to shoot the breeze. You will need a valid Yahoo! ID to join.
Players may not, under any circumstances, play more than one normal position at any given time. Players may, if they wish, elect to play for a NPN nation, provided that that nation is far enough away. The benchmark I use is if the two nations can share a common trading partner, they are too close.
Players may submit articles for the Newsfax, whether it may be speeches from the leaders, suggestions for writeups, or what have you. Of course, I will not print anything that is an outright lie, is not keeping with the spirit of the game, or is downright offensive.
Players are strongly encouraged to name all of their leaders, children, and new cities. This adds to the overall feel and customizability of the game.
Players may question me about anything having to do with their turn or the game in general. Of course, I can't tell all the secrets. I will answer their queries with much expediency. So, if you think there's a problem with your turn, by all means, bring it to my attention.
Players must have fun with this. Please don't turn this game into a life-or-death situation. Don't pledge a blood feud against the family of the guy who murdered your King. Try to have fun, and be respectful of the other player's wishes to have fun with this game.
The GM has the last word on any in-game action. Assuming I didn't make a mistake in any calculations, whatever happens happens.
The GM will keep the players posted as to the progress of the turn, either through web page updates or through the mailing list.
The GM will process turns as fast as time allows, to further the flow of the game.
The GM will answer any and all questions about turns or about the rules in a timely manner. Of course, if you ask the wrong questions, my answer will be "Nope, can't tell you that."
The GM may implement any new rules or rule amendments as he wishes. However, any changes to the rules will be announced on the list some time prior to the induction of the rule, to allow time for discussion and debate.
Positions left Open for a Player are filled by lottery. If you are interested in joining the game, look for messages on the Lords mailing list and on this website for a listing of open positions, and a deadline for requests. Submit your requests for positions to the GM (if you submit requests for more than one opening, please rank your requests in order of preference), and a lottery will be held among all applicants to determine who gets the empire.
NPN nations are those nations which have some difficulty besetting them. These nations are often left vacant, requiring the GM to play them. To help motivate players to pick these nations up, players may play these nations free of charge for 4 turns. After the period of 4 turns has elapsed, the player may either abandon the position or pick the position up as a full, payable position. (Many thanks to Lorne Colmar (http://www.lordsoftheearth.co.uk/lote17/index.htm) for these rules) These nations are also available by lottery.