Is the cover included as one of the four A5 pages, or separate?

It is included!

While I encourage participants to make retro pulp covers, this is not a requirement and I don't want participants to feel they must sacrifice a full page of content for it. I made a bunch as a way to communicate the vibe of what people will be writing, because they make for good marketing materials, and because it was fun.

I think you could make a promo image for the game's itch page, but not include it in the doc. Just like to have a nice looking thumbnail.

I don't wish to start a new topic, but I wish to specify that, unforturnately, I cannot fit my hexcrawl into allowed space as the maps don't fit even if I remove the cover.

Just want to wish all the best of luck to the fellow jam participants and the organizers for a such cool idea and solid groundwork. A lot of submissions look very creative (I slightly envy such talent and brevity on display). I also really liked the title I was given: making this tiny Rainbow Mirage realm was very fun; I will try release it once the jam is over.