Thanks for the explanation! I tried to do the four things you mentioned, and feedback would be appreciated if it's not too much trouble - I had a mild bout of writer's block, so it's probably not that good. 

Regarding T1, I've read [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/87158-a-t1-or-turn-based-textual-combat-primer-the-basics/ooc]A Turn-Based Textual Combat Primer[/url] and [url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/12603848/T1-Rules-and-guidelines]T1 Rules and Guidelines[/url], but I don't remember anything about prepping during intros - is there something else I should look at?

Once again, thanks so much for the guidance.