7 Days early race edition

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   "7 Days in Middle Kingdom" is coming out early this week, to chart the progress of the Race to the Centre of the Universe"Castle" Hugie in turmoil
Under Starter's Orders
Beauty Tips for Runners
An Ode to the Runners
Update on the Prizes
"Castle" Hugie is in Turmoil
“The place is like a PigSty” Lilian complains, oblivous to Hugie’s correction 'Hog Sty'.  
“At least my library is all ship-shape - why we had an elf in yesterday taking an interest in the books.  We may be small, but we’re perfectly formed”
Sure enough, everyone is getting ready for the race.  We’ve decided to send Sam the Scout, mainly because Steve (the favourite) trained for the after race celebration instead of the race, and has a hangover that could last 4 days.  The farmers are out washing and shampooing the pigs - we’re going to go out in style, at least!
The philosophers of our patch of Middle Earth have been examining the map of the Illyriad.
“Fifdy-eid ‘ours do go - dat meand Duralia and Dallimbar should sdard jusd aboud dow” - Peter never did get used to the smell, so he’s still holding his nose.

Under Starter's Orders
The first runners from the outlying provinces have already started!  As they pass, new runners will join them forming a circle of runners all converging on Centrum!  It’s going to be colourful.

The rest of Wolcast, and Kal Tifikan should be joining the race about now.  Windlost, Ragallon, Taomist, Mal-Motsha, anyone from Keshalia who hasn’t already started, Turalia and Tallimar, Azura, Lan Larosh, should be under starters’ orders.
When you see the runners, wish them well on their way.  Bananas, Jelly Babies and drinks of water are always welcome - beer and rocks are NOT suitable gifts and will be treated as sabotage!

Beauty Tips for Runners
For those runners who want to look their best, our stylist has this to add:

Moisture under the armpits is never appealing.  Take plenty of changes of vests with your clan and alliance colours on, and a suitable deodorant - Aluminium Oxide for humans, Fullers’ Earth for Orcs, or Iron Oxide for dwarves.  Elves of course don’t perspire!
Remember to bring a hair brush or comb.  If there’s a photo finish, it is as well to be prepared.
Drink plenty of water and make sure your pores are open. And try to avoid those unsightly muscles in your legs!

An Ode to the Runners
We are very lucky that our Bard has offered to write a eulogy

For the glory of your alliances and your clans
Fleet of foot, Colours flying, faces terse
Go the 600, with their 43,000 fans
To the centre of the Universe

All Hail King Sigurd
Majestically bemused as these coloured runners pass
Wondering how a war could become so absurd
How the Illyriad could have become such a farce

But low, the time approaches at the flag
Runners jostling for position to the time
One runner thinks he has it in the bag
Another bemoans that this bard struggles to rhyme

An update to the Prize Pot
Many thanks to those who have pledged prizes, and more welcome.  Please be prepared to ship directly to the winners

GOLD - generous offers from Ander, Kilo and an anonymous donor bring the prize pot to just over 5million gold

BASIC RESOURCES (wood, clay, iron, stone) - generous donations from Nesse, Ander, and Bix bring this to 25,600 of each.  For new players, this will be shipped in stages so as not to overwhelm your storage

ADVANCED RESOURCES (beer, cows, horses, books, leather armour, plate and chain armour, saddles, bows, spears, swords) - generous donations from Nesse, Gratch, Ander, Qaal, Lorre, Silent, Hathaldir, our anonymous donor, and Neytiri, suffice to say the prize pot is big!

General Chat agrees that 50% of the prize pot goes to the winner, and the remainder will be split between up to 3 runners-up.  We’d like to award a prize to the newest Illy member to enter the race (regardless of place), just checking we can find this out.