IMPERlAL CONQUEST IN THE AGE OF CONAN

(R)

SET-UP RULES

(c)1985 by Conan Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks of Conan Properties, Inc. Game design (c)1985, Reality Simulations, Inc.

"Know, O Prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars -- Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia, Hyperborea, Zamora with its dark haired women and towers of spider haunted mystery, Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered on the pastoral lands of Shem, Stygia with its shadow guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold." -- The Nemedian Chronicles

HYBORlAN WAR is a Play-By-Mail game of battle, intrigue, and diplomacy set in the unmatchable Hyborian Age of Conan. You will rule one of over 30 different Kingdoms re-created from the Conan legend. Each land is unique with its own armies, leaders, trade, culture and imperial ambitions (see pages 2-4). You will command Nobles, Generals, Wizards, Heroes, Spies and Priests who in turn will govern provinces, lead armies, cast magics, set forth to high adventures, spy far off lands, and call upon the gods as you decree. Raids, invasions, assassinations, diplomatic delegations, intrigue, treaties, counter-spying, prophecy, and much, much more will be the tools you will use to rule and advance your chosen realm.

Kingdoms are divided into three size categories: large, medium, and small, based on the relative strength and amount of game play (time and materials) involved with each particular Kingdom. Each Kingdom has its size denoted by the symbols (L), (M), or (S) respectively following the name of each Kingdom. In general, the medium size Kingdoms provide the best balance of playing time versus expense and are the most numerous of the Kingdoms available. Choose a Kingdom that you will enjoy and that is of a size tailored to your time schedule and budget.

Each Kingdom has unique victory conditions based on its relative size and power. Thus victory will depend on good play, not your Kingdom's relative starting power or potential. Conversely, it is very difficult to be completely eliminated from the game. In the Hyborian age conquered Kingdoms can be more dangerous than ever, like smoldering embers waiting only to flame into a firestorm of rebellion. Indeed, ruling a government in exile can be the most intense, diverse, and active play in HYBORlAN WAR.

Either from previous reading of the Conan saga or from examining the descriptions of each Kingdom following these set-up rules, you can begin to get a feel for the particular advantages and problems that each Kingdom has. Think about how you would rule each nation were you its King. Refer to the map accompanying these rules as you do so. Now choose three Kingdoms which you would enjoy playing and which begin the game in a situation that you find interesting.

Examine the set-up sheet. Clearly print your name, mailing address, and phone number in the space provided. Under the heading Kingdom Choices print your most desired Kingdom in the space labeled 1). Print your two other most preferred Kingdom choices, in the order that you prefer them, in the spaces labeled 2) and 3). IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FILL OUT ALL THREE KlNGDOM CHOICES. When you are set-up it is likely that you will be placed with your first Kingdom choice. However, in many instances you will be set-up with your second or third Kingdom choice. We believe that Robert E. Howard made all of the Hyborian Kingdoms intriguing, each with its own counter balancing strengths and weaknesses (see Kingdom descriptions pages).

Below the Kingdom choices are Rush Set-Up Options. This section is optional and is included only as a convenience to those who would like to get started with a minimum of delay. If you do not check any of the boxes in this section, you are guaranteed to receive set-up in a game playing one of your first three Kingdom choices.

Option A) -- Checking this box and filling out the three additional Kingdom choices labeled 4). 5), and 6), will greatly increase your likelihood of getting into the very next game being started. If your first three Kingdom choices are not available in that game, we will try and place you according to your 4th. 5th, and 6th choices in that order.

Checking any of the options B), C), or D) you elect to play any Kingdom in the category listed. If your first three Kingdom choices are not available in the very next game being started, we will try to place you in that game simply on the basis of the size of Kingdom you would like to play. Option E -- By checking this option you ensure that you will receive placement in the very next game being started. If your listed Kingdom choices are unavailable, you will be set-up as the ruler of whichever Kingdom that has not yet been assigned.

Option F) -- Oftentimes a few Kingdoms are still available or become available in games which we have previously started. If one of your first three kingdom choices is not available in the currently starting game and you checked option F, you are allowed another chance to receive one of your first three Kingdom choices, in a game already on its second turn. The Kingdom is guaranteed to be in excellent shape. Checking option F reduces your set-up time delay and increases the chances that you will receive set-up in your most preferred Kingdom.

You may check some, none, or all of the set-up options as you wish.

Below Rush Set-Up Option F is a box for electing the Kingdom maintenance service. In our experience with Play-By-Mail we know that it is possible for a player to inadvertently miss a turn. If you are on the Kingdom maintenance service and you miss a turn (for whatever reason), we will issue commands to your Kingdom to draft new armies, actively administer the provinces, dispatch spies, etc. It still won't help to miss a turn, but your Kingdom will not stand idle while other Kingdoms are progressing. There is no extra charge for the maintenance service, you will simply be charged the normal turn fee. We highly recommend that you elect to receive this service.

If you do not utilize the Kingdom maintenance service you will not be charged for missed turns. However, your Kingdom will be without active rule, unrest is common, no actions are undertaken, and only your unsupported provincial troops will be able to respond to enemy invasion(s). Also, you will only receive a one page summary report of how your Kingdom fared on the turn that you missed. What dost thou expect after abandoning thy subjects without even a regent to rule in thy absence!

At the bottom of the Set-Up Sheet please let us know where you first heard about HYBORlAN WAR. If this is not your first game with us, either of HYBORlAN WAR or of DUELMASTERS TM, then please write your account number in the space provided.

Mail your set-up sheet to:

If this is your first time requesting set-up in a game of HYBORIAN WAR, you will receive detailed rules, a rulership manual, your Kingdoms national map, a 20" by 25 1/2" Hyborian World wall-map, and your game set-up, FREE of charge and without obligation. (This is the RSI policy for welcoming new customers always!) For each HYBORIAN WAR game set-up that you request after your first, you will be charged a standard US$8.00 processing fee.

Turn fees for playing HYBORlAN WAR TM are US$5.00 per turn for a small Kingdom, US$7.00 per turn for a medium Kingdom, and US$9.00 per turn for a large Kingdom. Turn fees are payable in advance of each turn.