TEXT: 4
  Greetings friend,
  For whatever reason this book has found its way into your hands and here you sit (or stand as the case may be)
  reading these words. I call this a fortuitous meeting. As you read on, I want you take a moment and consider
  something.
  Consider that the volume you now hold in your hands is no common book.That it isn’t by mere chance you are
  now reading it and that what I’m about to convey to you was meant to happen. Be it by fate, destiny, a touch of
  magic or the beckoning call of strange forces unknown to you, consider the possibility that with a purpose this
  document wound its way through the torrents of time and history to seek you out and land in your path.
  You are holding it now and reading these words because it was meant to be. You are being summoned. The
  heart of a true hero beats in your chest. For years you’ve sensed it. You’ve been quietly waiting for the call. That
  tap on the shoulder by fate that bids you, “Come!”
  And now that summons has arrived — it’s time for you set aside the life of a mundane and to step up and stand
  face to face with your destiny. Embrace it. Savor it, come what may.
  Sound crazy?  Yeah, maybe. But as you’re about to find out, this is no ordinary tome.
  It is a magical key — one that unlocks the heretofore impenetrable gates to your imagination and swings them
  open wide — their creaky hinges threatening to buckle from the sheer force of your years of pent-up desire to
  get past them. For up until this moment you have only been able to press against those gates. Helpless as you
  clutched at its iron bars and peered through them with the sad realization that you could go no further,
  garnering only little glimpses and promises of all the awe-inspiring things that lay just beyond your reach.
  Well hero, it’s time to strap on your armor, lace up your boots, ready your blade and step through… if you’re
  willing to accept the challenge, that is.
  This is HackMaster and, in addition to this book being the means to unlocking your imagination, it is your
  guide. It will lead you as you step through the portal and embark on your new journey.
  What adventures await you? What fantastic creatures will attempt to block your way?
  Will you survive them?  Will you measure up?
  Well… that all depends on you and your own mettle — as well as the quality of the
  friends you chose to fight on your flank and watch your back.
  Now is the moment for you to stand up and be counted. Time for
  you to burst through the gates!
  Gary Jackson
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Hackmaster/HackMaster Basic/HackMaster Basic Gary Foreword.pdf