The only one I ever saw auctioned was by Stormber - I believe Ralf Toth won it for around $50.

Badmike wrote:I found this interesting item in a lot of stuff I got awhile back. It consists of a 16 page booklet detailing the PBM world of "Talarn, Land of Challenge", and various rules for the game.  Included are copies of the 1st edition PHB reference sheet (on back cover) and spell lists (inside back cover), and it was published in 1985, so it's definitely a 1st edition item.  Cover is by Elmore, it looks like it was recycled from another product but can't be sure.  Does anyone have any info on this: Did you play in the PBM?  HOw long did it last?  I suspect these are very rare as this is the first one I have ever seen.

Mike B.

I always love little niche items like this.  The rarity must be high, but since they are so rare they are very seldomly offered for auction or not given the credit they deserve. Most of these PBM items I'm sure were tossed out. Below is another nifty item I'm surprised isn't more collectible, again I think most of these were tossed out after NWN was shut down in it's first incarnation:



Mike B.

FoulFoot wrote:Adding the PBM is on my list of things to do.  It's been sitting in the archives for, oh, like three years now.  

Foul

If you need any further info, Foul, let me know, the set I have looks pretty complete, or if you just want to compare copies.  Although I suspect you probably have all the info you need!

Mike B.

That darn thing is all kinds of rare.  It's been on my casual search list for quite a few years now and never seems to turn up.  I believe Mike Kuo had one or two copies many years back and I think one of our other Mikes picked one up a couple of years ago.  It seems the key to finding one is to not look for it.  

Badmike wrote:

Badmike wrote:I found this interesting item in a lot of stuff I got awhile back. It consists of a 16 page booklet detailing the PBM world of "Talarn, Land of Challenge", and various rules for the game.  Included are copies of the 1st edition PHB reference sheet (on back cover) and spell lists (inside back cover), and it was published in 1985, so it's definitely a 1st edition item.  Cover is by Elmore, it looks like it was recycled from another product but can't be sure.  Does anyone have any info on this: Did you play in the PBM?  HOw long did it last?  I suspect these are very rare as this is the first one I have ever seen.

Mike B.

I always love little niche items like this.  The rarity must be high, but since they are so rare they are very seldomly offered for auction or not given the credit they deserve. Most of these PBM items I'm sure were tossed out. Below is another nifty item I'm surprised isn't more collectible, again I think most of these were tossed out after NWN was shut down in it's first incarnation:

[ Image ]

Mike B.

*TERRIBLY SURPRISED*

What's this??? A gold-box labeled Neverwinter Nights by SSI? Please explain!

I've seen a couple Play-by-Mails. They're pretty rare.

I know i sold one of those PBM books on ebay years ago, i think to  Uwe Siebel. Can't remember where i got it from though. I'll try to locate the source by going through my old notes. Do you have the TSR item number of it?

The art is the same as the cover (and interior art) for the novel The Tainted Sword from the Penhaligon trilogy. (TSR8035)  Don't know of the pic was used somewher else too.   I did quite like the trilogy btw

FoulFoot wrote:* rummages *

Actually, I have nothing but the scan!  Thought I had some additional info around here somewhere, but it appears it was lost in the great hard drive crash of 1982, or something.

Your scan is identical to mine, but yours is a bit cleaner.  Mind if I use yours instead?  And any additional info would be appreciated.

Foul

I'll send you all the specs Foul as soon as I have the time...I'll also post here for anyone interested.  For what it's worth, the package seems to consist of a 16 pge booklet, a cardboard sheet entitled "The AD&D Play By Mail Game" which has the instructions by ECI (Entertainment Concepts); Fellowship position character creation instructions; Fellowship Postion character sheet; Hero Position character sheet.  Apparantly you got points to either create one bad ass character for adventuring (ala Conan) or a party of four characters of lesser ability/level (ala traditional adventuring type party, I guess you would get a fighter, mage, cleric and thief). The 16 page booklet contains the details and is firmly rooted in 1st edition AD&D.

Mike B.

blackdougal wrote:That darn thing is all kinds of rare.  It's been on my casual search list for quite a few years now and never seems to turn up.  I believe Mike Kuo had one or two copies many years back and I think one of our other Mikes picked one up a couple of years ago.  It seems the key to finding one is to not look for it.  

This one's discovery was indeed serendipitous. It was shoved into a Basic Box set blue expert box with some other goodies like monster treasure assortment, Dungeon Masters log, and Rogues gallery.

Mike B.