An ancient prophecy describes a time of change,
and the time of the prophecy is coming.
Welcome to the world of Hamarc. A world similar to our own, but one in which magic powers, forces of light and darkness and races of myth and legend walk the land. In this world of wonder something is stirring.
It is the third millennium of the second era, and this era is coming to an end. As foretold in the prophecy, the world is thrown into chaos and the races of the world muster their armies to ensure their survival into the next era. Yours is the task of guiding your people through these dark times.
The known world consists of island continents reaching from the frozen wastes in the north to the sun burned desert in the south. But most of the surface is covered by turbulent sea. Mighty currents make the waters between the continents almost impossible to navigate and sea monsters drag down ships that try.
Many races inhabit the lands of Hamarc. The most numerate are the humans. They live in their
cities and castles in the central kingdom, populate the wilderness of the north and build villages
under the scorching sun of the desert. The elves, slight of statue but strong of spirit, live in
cities of light and wonder in some of the densest forests. The bearded and stocky dwarfs
carve a living and a home out of the mountains and hill. Tribes of orcs and goblins live on the
plains, raiding their surroundings. Scaly reptilemen make the rivers and marshes dangerous places
to tread, and ratmen thrive among swamps and the ruins of human endeavour.
And others roam the land. Forgotten tribes and creatures of light and darkness make the world a
wondrous and dangerous place, and groups of adventurers and mercenaries seek fame and fortune.
Although the interaction between groups has not always been peaceful, no one has ever been able to gain the upper hand. Now, things will change. Only one will rule Hamarc in the coming era as has been foretold in the prophecy.
"The power of old will return to the world,
It will come to earth riding the spear of the hunter,
It will descend on the world as a fiery rain,
It will come to the place of worship of those most devout,
It will arrive in the shape of the vessel,
The vessel that contains the five elements of the world,
In this form of mind and body it will rule a thousand years."
More than a thousand years ago this prophecy was revealed and interpreted. According to the priests and learned creatures of the world, a god will come to earth and visit the grandest temple erected in it's name and there take shape in a statue or vessel that contains the five elements. The first four elements are those of earth, air, water and fire. The fifth is that of life.
The god will merge with the statue and the life form into a single entity known as the Unity. The mind of the Unity will be shaped by the life form and the shape of the statue. It is believed that the person or creature in the merger will retain much of its personality if the statue is of similar form, giving it ultimate power. In this form it will rule the world. Therefore in the shape of an elf it will be a benign ruler, compassionate and fair. In the shape of an orc a cruel tyrant, murderous and vile.
As to the time of the Coming nothing was revealed. The only thing that was clear is that the Hunter is a star constellation, stalking his game in the northern sky. Now a fiery spear has appeared in his fist and the day of the prophecy is at hand. The spear is crossing the starry void and according to the astrologers the Coming is expected within a month.
The megagame the Day of the Prophecy will be run as part of the gaming convention Murphy Mania 98 on Sunday, September 27, 1998 in Delftstede, Delft, the Netherlands. It will be a single game with approximately 50 participants.
Players will be formed into groups each forming the ruling body of one of the realms of the world of Hamarc. Yours is the task to ensure the survival of your people in the next era, by ensuring a sympathetic Unity, such as yourself.
Several things must be done in order to receive the Power. You must gather the elements needed in the construction of the vessel; the statue that will become the body of the Power. And you must construct a grand temple in it's honour where the ceremony will take place. However, you are not alone in this pursuit and the world is riddled with peril.
This is the time of the prophecy and doom will come to all that fail to rise to the task.
If you would like to participate in this battle for the future of Hamarc, contact Hans Goosen. You can participate either as a player or as an umpire. Watch this page for more specific information.
The cost of participating in the game is expected to be fl. 15,- (Dutch Guilders; approx. £ 5,- UK, $ 8,- US.) for players and fl.10,- (£ 3,-, $ 5,-) for umpires. For this you will receive everything you need to play the game including a rules booklet, background information, etc. (This money is used to cover the cost of running the game. We are not out to make a profit.)
We hope to see you for this grand battle.