As the Grand Final of the Myth World Cup built to a climax last night, the newly renovated Stoneheim Memorial Coliseum shook to its foundations; fortunately not from thousands of tons of collapsing rock, but from the excited cheering of a legion of supporters. The largest gathering in the history of Alric's reign saw the entire Dwarven nation turn out to watch their champions do battle, as well as tens of thousands of supporters from across the lands.

A minor controversy over the allocation of tickets for the final (the Dwarves reserving over half for their own supporters, as they were hosting the match) looked as though it might mar the buildup to the match. However, King Alric himself intervened, weaving dreamstuff to extend the terraces outward and create a further 10,000 seats in the Coliseum.

A tense silence descended upon the Coliseum as the opposing teams gathered upon the field of battle. King Alric raised his hand, and with a ferocious roar the armies full upon each other. In an epic battle, the outcome of the match was held in the balance time and again, until finally Rabble Forces triumphed over the Dwarves to emerge victorious. Full coverage of the match may be found on the official MWC website; the MWC team wholeheartedly encourage anyone with a few minutes to peruse the match review, it is a fascinating read.

The official awards ceremony was held immediately upon the conclusion of the match, both bloodied teams ascending the dais to be presented with their trophies by His Majesty King Alric. Without further ado, the winners of the Myth World Cup 1998 are:

Wearing a grin that stretched from ear to ear, Leonidas held the Myth World Cup high to the massed cheering of his supporters, and gained a standing ovation from the assembled Dwarves for his team's play. Although the Myth World Cup itself was returned to its vault following the awards ceremony, Rabble Forces take away the Golden Berserker trophy to commemorate their triumph. Wiping a tear from his eye as he stepped down from the dais, Leonidas took the time to say a few words before being carried head-high off the field: "It was a tense and very close final, CP really surprised us with some good maneuvering and also the fact that one of our teammates had problems with his ISP cost us a few games. All in all, it was a great and fun final and tournament!"

In any tournament, only one team can go home with the highest honours, and this is true of the Myth World Cup as for any other. The Clan Plaid Dwarves fought valiantly in their progress through the ranks of entrants, and their achievement did not go unrewarded; they take home the Silver Warrior trophy and the knowledge that they can hold their heads high wherever they may go. Their captain, Blackbeard, had this to say: "I personally feel that the finals were truly a series of epic games. Both sides had strong play and the games seemed decided by minor blunders that were quickly taken advantage of. Some of the most intense games I've ever played."

Although they were defeated by the Dwarves in the semi-final and never got to fight on the field at Stoneheim, Civil Order defeated Foundation in the third-place playoffs and take home the Bronze Thrall trophy in recognition of their efforts. Ananab Tilps, the leader of the wacky bunch, stated: "We would like to thank all of the thrall that died in order to help us reach our secret ultimate goal of third place. Also, our hats are off to the finer opponents we met along the way: namely, Crimson Legion, Evil Incorporated, The Violators, Clan Plaid, and Foundation. It was great doing battle with you; and now, Oleg, pour the bourbon..."

After the presentation of the trophies, the MWC Council filed onto the dais and they each took the opportunity to say a few words.

Aracona, graphic designer and trophy sculptor for the MWC, said "I would like to congratulate not only the victors but all the courageous teams whose honorable, yet savage and bloody play made the Myth World Cup the arena of carnage it was. I would also like to commend Butcher for putting together this tournament and taking on the awesome task of imposing some semblance of order over the restive hordes of competitors from many distant lands. My only regret is that there was an incident involving some randy dwarves and a fetch in the trophy foundry - no more Myth World Cup trophies will ever be cast; the molds were lost."

Lophan, PR consultant and news writer was sadly unable to attend the ceremony, as he was gravely wounded while covering the trophy casting. The Heron Avengers conveyed his congratulations to the finalists.

The Crimson King, strategy analyst for the Qualifying Round, was also unable to attend the awards ceremony.

Wintermute, commentator and tactical critic, said a few words as well: "Don't let the high body count deceive you, there were many games played with finesse in this fine tournament. Many thanks to Butcher for organizing this thing.".

Finally, Butcher, the tournament manager, took the microphone and said, "Looking back on everything that has taken place over the course of the last three months, I have to say that the Myth World Cup has lived up to, and often exceeded, my expectations. After successfully shepherding the Corporate Shakedown to its conclusion, I wanted to undertake a somewhat more ambitious project, and I think the MWC definitely qualifies."
"There have been ups and downs over the course of the MWC; superb matches, riveting play, hilarious email exchanges; trials, tribulations and scandals; but on the whole, I'm going to look back on the last three months as some of the most fun I've had involving Myth."
"The Myth World Cup '98 has been host to some of the best play I've ever seen, and I'm proud of the teams for living up to the challenge that we laid down and really showing off what Myth is capable of. Congratulations to everyone who's helped to make the MWC the fun experience that it has been, whether you were great sports in the qualifying round, got knocked out by ferocious competition in the elimination, or are one of the lucky few taking home a trophy from this ceremony! I owe you all an enormous debt, because without players a tournament is nothing."
"I'd like to thank Case, the Myth Codex, and the staff of Gamestats for graciously donating their resources to allow the Myth World Cup to take place. Have a forty on me, guys."
"And finally, here's to Bungie Software, without whom none of this marvellous community would exist. Long may they reign, undisputed champions of online gaming!"

And so, after all the emotion, the exultation and the loss, the Coliseum stands empty. Only a few scattered bottles and scraps of paper stirring in the wind remain to mark the passing of the MWC; that, and the memory of the glorious battles of the last few months. Even the machinery of the official MWC website has ground to a halt, after four hundred and ninety five games logged, analysed and filed, with over forty-eight thousand units giving their lives for the cause.

But the Myth World Cup will come again.

Reporting to you from the Stoneheim Memorial Coliseum, this is Garrick Tremaine, Madrigal Times, signing off.