Middle Era, Cradle of Dominion PBEM

[upstreamedge]

I am hosting this game for 10 people, I want to start Sunday at 5:30 (Eastern Time) for the first 10 turns, and then just go host every time I get all the 2h files. If people want a more structured schedule I can do that to. This is how the player slots stand now. Email your Pretender to upstreamedge@hotmail.com

1. Me- Tien'Chi
2. Koen- Pythium (pretender check)
3. Solo- Ulm (Got your pretender)
4. DreamSlayer- Agartha (Pretender is check)
5. Hadrian_II- Arco (I have pretender)
6. Cainehill-Shinuyama
7. Nerfix- Marignon ( I have your pretender)
8. Twan- Machaka (got your pretender)
9. Tibbs- JOtenheim (pretender check)
Super Bonus Slot: Meglobob-Man (got your pretender)

[WSzaboPeter]

Count me in. I will try Agartha Golem Cult with the name of DreamSlayer - email: ctdd [at] ctdd [dot] ro

[Hadrian_II]

i'd like to join as arcoscephale

[Cainehill]

I'd love in as Shinuyama - gotta love any nation with "Yama" in the name http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Nerfix]

Hmmm, "Sunday 5.30", but in what timezone's time?

Unless the time is a crazy one I'd love to try out the Flamin' Merovignians and get beaten to pulp. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Put me in as Marignon.

[Twan]

I'd be glad to play with Machaka.

But before start you should add some #nostart in the map file I think. In the version given with dom3 some provinces with only two neighbours are possible start locations (in a sp game I've started in 209, I don't know if there are other errors).

Also the provinces 120 and 167 should be seas.

[tibbs]

I'd like to try Utgard please.

[Meglobob]

Lucky no.10, can I play Man, tower of avalon.

[upstreamedge]

As you can see the game has filled up!

since it is 10 people on a larger map we should not be bumping into each other to early..

The game is going to be called AEPBEM all caps, and when you email your pretender to upstreamedge@hotmail.com make sure to put AEPBEM as the subject, and to use the email address that you want me to contact you at. Also include your pretender's name that you want in the game. I want to get at least 10 turns down sunday, and basically host every time I get the 2h files. If I do not recive your 2h file 36 hours after the last turn I am going to host anyways. If this is a problem and you need extra time just tell me, I am very flexible. I will mark next to your name on the forum when I get your pretender file.

Good luck!

And may the best god win!

[Meglobob]

Boo, hiss, looks like I just missed out. Oh well, perhaps next time.

[Nerfix]

Oh snape, I forgot to attach my pretender. Hang on a second.

[Twan]

Just a question before sending my pretender : what will be the indie strength ? (might be important to know before choosing to play an awaken god or not)

[Cainehill]

We have til Sunday to email the pretender, right?

[upstreamedge]

ya, all stats will be default so indie strength is 5, I will be turning score graphs off

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
ya, all stats will be default so indie strength is 5, I will be turning score graphs off



So good map intel a must.

I got the even more lucky superbonus slot http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

Cheers for letting me in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[upstreamedge]

If people also want to keep posting to this thread about what is happenin in the game (or if someone wants to write an AAR) then I think that would be fun, so the community can see how it is going.

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
If people also want to keep posting to this thread about what is happenin in the game (or if someone wants to write an AAR) then I think that would be fun, so the community can see how it is going.



Nerfix has fast fingers... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

[Nerfix]

Nerfix also has lots of work to do regarding the Leonardo student exchange program, getting a learning-in-work place and wrapping up school projects. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
Nerfix also has lots of work to do regarding the Leonardo student exchange program, getting a learning-in-work place and wrapping up school projects. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gifFair enough. Good luck doing all that, especially when Dom3 keeps calling! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Just wanted to see how u used yr spy/assassin units anyway. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Nerfix]

I can propably write something small. =)

[Nerfix]

Urm, just wanted to ask...what timezone's 5.30 is it? Because, eh, it's like 10 in the evening here...

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
Urm, just wanted to ask...what timezone's 5.30 is it? Because, eh, it's like 10 in the evening here...



I think its this forum's time. Someone shout if i am wrong.

[Nerfix]

That means it's two hours to go. /threads/images/Graemlins/Cold.gif

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
That means it's two hours to go. /threads/images/Graemlins/Cold.gif



He said SUNDAY 530, it's saturday Nerfix, u have been working too hard. Also I am 5hrs ahead, u r 7 hrs ahead. So it should start 1230 tommorw for u, someone shout if I have worked this out wrong. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Nerfix]

Yeah, but, uhm, errr...ahhh well, you all are free to distribute floggings to me if this game gets delayed.

[Twan]

Isn't it H+25' ? (11:55 here at gmt+1)
Still waiting for some pretenders ?

Or is the game supposed to start at 5:30 PM east, 23:30 here ?

[upstreamedge]

5 30 pm US EASTERN TIME I know I have said that the game will be on US EASTERN TIME at least once in this forum, for those who do not know this is the same time zone as New York and such.

[Nerfix]

What's the time difference between US eastern time and GMT 0?

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
What's the time difference between US eastern time and GMT 0?



5 hrs. Hope u like late nights. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[Nerfix]

Meglobob said:

Nerfix said:
What's the time difference between US eastern time and GMT 0?



5 hrs. Hope u like late nights. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

Crap, I can't I have school tomorrow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

If you want to stick to the schedule, I must cancel my participation.

[upstreamedge]

oh gosh, I think its probably a little late to change the start time, but I really do not want to lose more people. I guess we could do it tommorow at 4:00 US Eastern Time, or we could just do a very few turns tonight.

[Nerfix]

Tomorrow would be better, but, ah, timezone difference is pretty vast. You see, it's a 7 hour difference for me. =(

[Twan]

Lol I was really convinced you wanted to start at 5:30 AM (because of the "at least 10 turns sunday") I've not even find strange you were going to wake up so early a sunday.

Anyway not a problem for me to play at night, I'm not working this week (and let's start tomorrow if Nerfix can't tonight).

[upstreamedge]

Ok, I hope everyone can but we will try to start this week (tommorow hopefully) at 3:30 PM.

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
Ok, I hope everyone can but we will try to start this week (tommorow hopefully) at 3:30 PM.



Hiya upstreamedge, I am happy to play the game, however u want to run it, I am just grateful for u hosting it, thanks.

HOWEVER, a suggestion:-

Why not run the first 10 turns+ to a 24hr turnaround or host as soon as everyone has sent u there turn?

This way different time zones r not a issue.

Looking forward to the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[upstreamedge]

I want to wait till 5:30 to see if I get tibbs pretender, and also Dennis is iffy on if he is playing, once those two are resolved I am just gonna send out turns, because I don't really have the time to sit down for ten turns either (midterms)

[upstreamedge]

THE GAME IS ON

I e-mailed out the first turn just now!

the instructions are in the email, now brace yourselves for the unstoppable might of the Eunuchs!

[WSzaboPeter]

Good Luck and Have Fun.

[Twan]

Good Luck all.

If you want to beseech leniancy of the Allmighty of the Jungles, to send an offer of rendering, to recognize Dwalaki the omnipotent like the only true god, or to even try to negociate something with Him, His mail is the one with "antoine" inside.

[Meglobob]

May the best man win!

Of course that's me...

I Prophet Tywin Lannister, hand of Crystalmist, lord of all, am willing to accept your abject surrender now...

[Cainehill]

Anyone else seeing 8 Arco commanders in the HoF?

[WSzaboPeter]

A bug I think. There is no way that could be possible, right?

[Meglobob]

Cainehill said:

Anyone else seeing 8 Arco commanders in the HoF?



Yep, isn't that a bit wierd? Lucky random event? Or what? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Twan]

Strange things like this may happen when you create a game on the same map as the last created game (and/or with the same name). I'm 99% sure the HoF heroes don't even exist in the current game.

[upstreamedge]

I think it is a glitch, I only see 1 arco hero now that we are all fighting. I don't know if this is bad form to ask, but I just wonder if anyone else has a dormant pretender?

[Cainehill]

WSzaboPeter said:
A bug I think. There is no way that could be possible, right?



Yep, it's definately a bug - I've seen Arco entries in the HoF in games that Arco wasn't even in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Sometimes with the same name as my own pretender, sometimes not.

[solo]

Same experience here. There is a bug that puts Arco guys in the HOF, even if that nation is not in the game.

[Twan]

upstreamedge said:
I don't know if this is bad form to ask, but I just wonder if anyone else has a dormant pretender?



According to first turn stats, we are probably 3 awake pretenders (2 have researched, 1 has done a blind attack), so there are about 7 dormant (or imprisoned) ones (except if someone has used an awake pretender to patrol, or use a stealthy pretender as a scout, or has no magic, or forgot to give an order... too many possibilities http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ).

[Hadrian_II]

8 arcos in hall of fame, i think that would be nice, but on the other hand i have no idea how to get 8 heroes on turn 3.

[upstreamedge]

on my turn three i only see one hero from Arco in the hall of fame

[Twan]

Was turn 3 already sent ? I dit not receive it.

[Meglobob]

I have only had turn 2 so far...

No turn 3...

I am confused...

[solo]

I received turn 3 a few hours ago, but just my .trn file was attached this time, instead of all of them as in previous turns.

Meanwhile, I now see that those little bridges all over the map are not just there for decoration!

[Cainehill]

I got turn 3 also, and yes, only one from Arco. But turn two had 8 from Arco.

[Twan]

I'm still waiting for it... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
I suspect some kind of Stygian Paths spell to have been used for mail delivery. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Meglobob]

Got my turn 3, thanks for resending Adam.

Done and sent my orders for the next turn, 4.

Only 1 from Arco now and Crystalmist for man is top. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Twan]

Thanks too (but.. hmm... I've received another turn 3 trn file after sending my orders, was it supposed to be the turn 4 in the last mail ? lol I'm confused)

[tibbs]

Waiting for turn 4. This is a cool map I must say.

[upstreamedge]

ya, if you posted on this forum saying you did not have turn 3 I re-sent it, just for safety, and Hellz ya this map is cool. I love the artwork on it.

[Nerfix]

The map is very cool indeed, and I just love the strategic bottlenecks in the map. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[WSzaboPeter]

Indeed, the map is great. (On the other hand my starting position is bad, but that's my luck...)

[Nerfix]

I also got a somewhat unadvantageous starting position. Ah well.

[Hadrian_II]

i join the group with the bad starting positions

[Nerfix]

You can't possibly have a worser start than having only two neighbouring provinces. <_<

[Twan]

Hum, the worse is... it's possible (province 150). I hope nobody started there.

[Meglobob]

My start is not too bad, just to buck the trend...

Love the map too, good choice Adam.

Sympathy goes to Pythium whose god, Shoori appears to have died...

[WSzaboPeter]

Twan said:
Hum, the worse is... it's possible (province 150). I hope nobody started there.




http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif You think 150 is bad? 175 is even worse, thrust me on that.

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
You can't possibly have a worser start than having only two neighbouring provinces. <_<



Just looked at the map description and it says all players will have a minium of 4 adjacent provinces.

Also, another oddity, I have had dominion spread to a province about 7 away from one of my owned ones. I am no. 1 for dominion but seems wierd...

[Twan]

Yes but 175 is nostart.

The list of forgoten #nostart commands and other errors is here (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=457423&page=1&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) (sorry I should have bumped this post more, it's a little too late, we play on the vanilla map I think, with two false seas).

(I was exceptionnally lucky when making tests on this map, the first I've started in 209 with 2 neighbours, the second in 150 with one, the third in a false sea -120, very good start location but a little strange for a land nation- finally I've edited the map before replaying)

[upstreamedge]

Pythia might be computer controlled now

[upstreamedge]

is there a way for me to transfer hosting duty if i die? I will keep hosting because I am chill like that, but you know

[Meglobob]

Hi Adam, did send my orders for turn 6 but have resent.

[Twan]

Hum... I've not received turn 6.

If I can make a suggestion : please post here when you send a turn, so if someone (typically me :') has been forgoten, he may ask faster.

[upstreamedge]

I dont have all the turn 5 orders, I am missing marignon, man, and shinuyama

[Cainehill]

Mine (ShinuYama) has been sent this morning.

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
I dont have all the turn 5 orders, I am missing marignon, man, and shinuyama



I have emailed my orders to u again, so I have sent them twice. Hope u have them.

[upstreamedge]

sorry for the delay in getting turn 6 out, I was on a plane all day.

[Nerfix]

I am sorry for stalling, but currently the net at my home comp is down. this is because my mom didn't pay the bills. >_< She took care of them yesterday but I have no idea how long it will take before the net is up again. =/

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
sorry for the delay in getting turn 6 out, I was on a plane all day.



No problem. This games flying along, lets hope everyone can keep the pace up.

Encountered a hill this turn and I was at the bottom, longbowmen can't fire uphill apparently in Dom3. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif So what do they do? Yes charge like lemmings up the hill, straight into the 2 handed sword wielding barbarian horde. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

Oh yea, sent turn 7 orders to u twice Adam, first one I forgot to attach the 2h file...sorry...just got in from work...tired.

[upstreamedge]

meglobob i think you are a turn ahead!

[Hadrian_II]

hi all

i'll be away this week and would appreciate if you would not progress to far without me

thx

[upstreamedge]

ok hadrian, I don't think people would mind goin slow for a while, just email me some details of if you can move a little bit and we will go from there

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
ok hadrian, I don't think people would mind goin slow for a while, just email me some details of if you can move a little bit and we will go from there



Just wondered when the next turn is due?

[Cainehill]

Yay, turn 7 and the game is already having week long pauses! Feh.

[solo]

Must agree that week long pauses so early seems a bit too much.

[Twan]

I guess/hope Hadrian's "this week" was for "this week end", so we are going to have turn 7 tomorrow. It wasn't supposed to be "the next week" reassure me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[WSzaboPeter]

I completly agree with others in that topic of the pause being too long.

[Hadrian_II]

Twan said:
I guess/hope Hadrian's "this week" was for "this week end", so we are going to have turn 7 tomorrow. It wasn't supposed to be "the next week" reassure me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif



it was actually this weekend and not this week (sorry), im back now

[upstreamedge]

I totally agree, and I am so sorry. I was visiting friends at other colleges and could not connect to their internet. I also did not have a car to go to a cafe. I have sent turn 8 and hope to go back to the turn a day at least. Again, sorry for the delay and thanks for your patience.

[upstreamedge]

Everyone remember that you have 24 HOURS for a turn unless you ask me

[Twan]

Turn 12! Welcome the awakening ones.

--

A Message from Machaka :

We will be pleased to establish relations with our south-eastern neighbour. We have noted that some heretics live in the swamps near the eastern border, but still don't know who they pray.

Anyway as a sign of good intentions we have decided for the moment not to push further our fronteers in this area, and will concentrate our next actions on independant enclaves in our territory.

(you can contact me by pm)

[Meglobob]

To All Whom It May Concern,

Agartha's presence on the northwest continent is surplus to requirements. This already dieing race will be swiftly dispatched before there boundless evil can spread further, bringing misery to all the creatures in the Cradle of Dominion.

All of Agartha's 3 neighbours, Man, T'ien Ch'i and Marignon in a secret council, reached the decision that a aggressive, bullying, diplomatically demanding and systematically cruel nation could not be allowed the right to exist.

Killaka swamp was recently liberated to reveal the populace in a distressing state (unrest 153), tales abound that the pale ones have been hunting there own subjects to feast upon in there lair. It is believed that this situation is reflected across the Agartha nation and accounts for there severe drop in income.

Those short sighted acts of depravity spell there certain doom, as there lack of gold will impede any chance Agartha has of fighting back.

Victory is certain...

So it is written, so it will be...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Hand of Crystalmist,
Man, Tower of Avalon.

[tibbs]

I will be out of town for the next 48hrs. I emailed upstream about it so he should know. I'll be back on Sunday night to continue the domination.

That is all.....

Chris

[WSzaboPeter]

All of my 3 neighbours, Man, T'ien Ch'i and Marignon decided to invade me in the same time, forming an alliance. (Man broke the alliance I had with him.) Now that's what I call cowardice. If someone wishes to join the war at my side he/she will be more then welcome. Or you can wait for those cowards to gain strenght and kill ever nation one-by-one.
To be honest, a 3 people gang up in the 12th turn is a certain way to be defeated, and from their part nothing more then cheap play.

[Nerfix]

The aggressive posturing of the inhuman Agarthans made the war inevitable. Marignon would rather focus on worthier targets than a wretched bunch of pale bulging-eyed men who worship statues and obese mountain giants but Agartha's plans to attack Marignon gives us the justification to do this.

In addition Agartha's monstrous tyranny towards it's subjects is inexcusable as is their reverence is terrifying necromantic magic. Did you not learn what disasters opening the Seal brought? Did you not see how dark magics ruined whole empires? Marignon will free the world of Agartha's olm-eating rule before they become a problem for the whole world.

[Twan]

The machakan diplomatic corps, in agreement with our traditions and values of peace and tolerance for the necromantic arts officially disapprove this early war, and particularly some of the justifications used by Marignon.

Anyway as...
- we are not on the concerned continent
- we have no relations with the pale ones, but are in very good terms with some of their ennemies
- we are currently too busy praying for the return of our unlucky god and a nerf of barbarian weapons

... We regret to have to announce : we are not going to do anything.

--
Twan, french http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif .

[Meglobob]

WSzaboPeter said:
All of my 3 neighbours, Man, T'ien Ch'i and Marignon decided to invade me in the same time, forming an alliance. (Man broke the alliance I had with him.)



Man NEVER EVER agreed to an alliance with Agartha. Well talks were held, the aggresive stance, threats and demands Agartha made against more powerful neighbours was intolerable. Agartha has only its demonic/inept leaders to blame for its current plight.

As other nations will testify too, the Tower keeps its word...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Hand of Crystalmist,
Man, Tower of Avalon.

[WSzaboPeter]

Then this means WAR. There is one thing I do not understand... How could T'ien Ch'i be in war with me if we have no common border, nor any disputes among our nations... We did not met each other. Maybe their leader is under the mental control of Crystalmist... Well maybe not him, that foul smelling lizard is dead anyway.
DreamSlayer

[tibbs]

WSzaboPeter said:
All of my 3 neighbours, Man, T'ien Ch'i and Marignon decided to invade me in the same time, forming an alliance. (Man broke the alliance I had with him.) Now that's what I call cowardice. If someone wishes to join the war at my side he/she will be more then welcome. Or you can wait for those cowards to gain strenght and kill ever nation one-by-one.
To be honest, a 3 people gang up in the 12th turn is a certain way to be defeated, and from their part nothing more then cheap play.



I'm not involved in this war but I don't see anything cheap about it. War isn't fair. And the sides aren't always equal.

[upstreamedge]

The Empire of Tien'Chi sends this to the nations of the world:

Agartha will fall, the proud HUMAN armies of Man and Marignon will be aided by the wisdom of our celestial masters and the mighty hooves of our cavalry. Our Composite bows will rip the pale flesh of the cave dwellers. As the nation with the largest income of magic gems we know our victory is assured.

[WSzaboPeter]

I see you like easy pray. I think I will set Agartha to AI then, to be even more easier for you guys.
Thanks for the game.

[tibbs]

WSzaboPeter said:
I see you like easy pray. I think I will set Agartha to AI then, to be even more easier for you guys.
Thanks for the game.



Don't be afraid to take a lickn' once in awhile. It's a good character builder.

[WSzaboPeter]

tibbs said:
Don't be afraid to take a lickn' once in awhile. It's a good character builder.


Well, this was my very first dominions 3 game...

[upstreamedge]

ya, you will bounce back. And besides we only ganged up on you cuz we were afraid! (I was at least)

[WSzaboPeter]

Man was more powerfull then I was. And at this time he is EVEN MORE powerfull. I understand ganging up agains the most powerfull nation, but to team with the most powerfull against someone weaker...

[Meglobob]

[/quote]
Well, this was my very first dominions 3 game...

[/quote]

Believe it or not, this is my 1st Dom 3 multiplayer game ever as well...

However, many moons ago (like 10 yrs), used to play, Play By Mail games. Its the experience of playing in those that is helping me now.

Good luck WsaboPeter in yr future games, don't be disheartened by 1 defeat, I have had my butt kicked in 4x strategy games countless times. Just come back stronger, learn from yr mistakes, from my point of view it was yr diplomacy that failed, u were too demanding, alot of take, want, but no give...

Other than that, yr game was sound, excellent pretender design (better than mine) and great expansionist start. Remember if u have more provinces than another player u can afford to be generous. A good ally or several good allies in multiplayer r worth far more than a few provinces.

I will eventually be hosting Dom 3 PBEM's, (I have a few interesting ideas to try), in the future and u r more than welcome to join any time. Good Luck.

[Nerfix]

WZabo, you played the game of planning to attack Marignon and it backfired. I'm sure Man can present the evidence of this plan if needed. That's all, nothing personal.

[WSzaboPeter]

I think a 4th or better 5th nation should join Man and Marignon, since they don't seem to be brave enough. Only 3 against one... That's not cheap enough.

[Nerfix]

What's the current turn number, 14 or 15? I, ahhh, forgot. And I have one turn that I didn't send yet, but I'm not sure if I just plain forgot to send it or if I didn't play it at all.

[upstreamedge]

kids, it is just a game. Szabo, this is your first DOM 3 game but this is how things happen. The reason you were ganged up on was because of your starting point.

[Meglobob]

Nerfix said:
What's the current turn number, 14 or 15? I, ahhh, forgot. And I have one turn that I didn't send yet, but I'm not sure if I just plain forgot to send it or if I didn't play it at all.



We have just had turn 15, sending in orders for turn 16.

Can I request moving the game to a 48 hr turnround?
The turns r getting more complicated now.

[WSzaboPeter]

"Can I request moving the game to a 48 hr turnround?"
Lol, now you need more time to think how to gang up on easy targets.

[tibbs]

WSzaboPeter said:
"Can I request moving the game to a 48 hr turnround?"
Lol, now you need more time to think how to gang up on easy targets.



Have you ever heard of the term "Bowing out gracefully?"

Just wondering,
Chris

[WSzaboPeter]

Yes, but this applies only to fair fights in my opinion.

[Nerfix]

Asking Man to gang on me wasn't very fair now wasn't it? You played the game, your plan backfired and now you're reaping the consequences.

[Meglobob]

WSzaboPeter said:
Yes, but this applies only to fair fights in my opinion.



There r no fair wars, there never has been or will be. Clever people only fight when it is likely they will win.

[WSzaboPeter]

Now mobbing up is a thing, and lieing is another. I did not asked Man to gang up. I simply agreed a common border with him and told him that I have no intentions on attacking him, and I tough his agreement means something. But then he attacked me. First alone with his pretender. When it died, he recruited some friends to help him. If you wish I can forward you some of his letters. But if you believe a word he sais you are a fool like I was.

[Cainehill]

First you've whined about them mobbing you; now you're saying it's not because they mobbed you, it's because they _lied_ to you. It's getting old, and you're probably in danger of getting on people's lists of who _not_ to get in their MP games.

[WSzaboPeter]

Cainehill, I beg your pardon, but it was not fun to loose the first game without chance in the 12h turn.

[Twan]

I think you may annoy more your ennemies with a guerilla war on the map than with a flame war on the forum (you have access to amphibious units when they don't, so may be able to harass them a moment; and more if your pretender is an immortal -don't know).

[WSzaboPeter]

Twan, agreed completly. The "flame war" was ment only for other people to be warned about those "friendly" nations.
I think it served that goal, so I will not say a word about it in the future.
I declare Agartha, Golem Cult as beaten, and I resign from it's control giving it to AI!

[Meglobob]

To All Whom It May Concern,

With the Agartha leadership in disarry, the remaining lands will be taken and new borders will be arranged between Man, T'ien Ch'i and Marigon. It is my hope that the northwestern continent can enjoy a period of peace and development. War can be a tiring and mucky business.

Man, has plenty to keep us occupied over the next year or so, consolidating our borders, increasing our research, trade with neighbours, our first sea venture, mass production of magic items, creation of the champions of man and watching events with interest in other parts of the Cradle of Dominion.

So it is written, so it will be...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Hand of Crystalmist,
Man, Tower of Avalon.

[upstreamedge]

The Immortal Empire of Tien'Chi

We rejoice at the defeat of our enemies the Agarthans, may their dangerous golems plauge the world no longer! The North Western Alliance (NWA) will now consolidate our rule of the continent! let none interfere!

Yushu

[Nerfix]

Marignon celebrates the defeat of the inhuman Agarthans. Our atlantian auxilaries and imperial crossbowmen will restory order to the land.

[Cainehill]

Blech. Trying to get Koen's email address from upstreamedge since last night to do some diplomacy, but haven't heard anything.

[Twan]

Pythium has turned AI since turn 4 or 5 IIRC.

[Cainehill]

Feh. Wish that had been posted (if it wasn't). Guess I have to prep to annihilate an AI, 'cause it seems to be coming for me.

[Twan]

I suggest to make a little pause, until IW answer about an eventual hotfix of the horror bug (in fact I don't know if we are playing with a patched host game or not, if not better not to patch for the moment, this bug can have heavy consequences in MP -I think I'd stop to call my god if the bug is there http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif -).

(the horror bug...
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=467272&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=467761&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
(http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=467761&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) )

Edit : the bug won't be fixed before next patch so let's continue

[Meglobob]

Greetings All,

Whatever happened to Ulm being weak in magic?

Earth deep blood well...a sign of power...enchantment 7, even more impressive...with all those earth gems, the forges of Ulm will be busy. Perhaps we will see the smoke all the way in the north. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Little news reaches us from the south, perhaps someone can enlighten me as to the state of play down there.

Time to visit the forests of Avalon and get those crones working harder...a mother oak would be nice...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Hand of Crystalmist,
Man, Tower of Avalon.

[solo]

Magic 3 helps speed up those Dwarven Smiths a bit.

Be nice and I might forge a nice Christmas present for you, as I am ready to wheel and deal!

[Twan]

General message from the Machakan stock exchange :

The kingdom of Machaka will be glad to buy your extra gems. Our minimum guaranteed prices are :
- 18 gp for fire
- 14 gp for earth
- 11 gp for astral, death, nature
- 8 gp for water, air
Never alchemize for money, we offer more.

[solo]

Ulm offers:

19 gp fire gems
15 gp earth gems

Magic items can be forged to fit your needs and budget.

Let's make a deal!

[upstreamedge]

Just over two years have passed in the Ascension wars, and much has happened. The nations of the north-western continent rallied together and drove the cave-dwelling Agarthans from the face of the world, leaving a shattered (caved-in) husk where their kingdom used to be.
The smiths and miners of Ulm dug deeper than any man before them, and tapped a vein of the world's own blood itself. It remains to be seen how the world's other nations will deal with this affront to the planet.
Machaka has defined itself as the largest power on the planet in terms of land, forts, dominion, and income. Ulm has the highest gem income and research. While AI Pythium has the world's largest army.

6 famous heroes live on the world, and I encourage their nations to write a little of their amazing exploits here for the world to see.

[Twan]

The Cradle Economist (spring of the year 3 issue) :

When the offer seem to be small on the earth gem market, the demand is huge and Ulmish and Machakan companies have started an economic war. After hearing that the first producer was speculating on these gems, the Machakan merchant's guild has increased its prices and now offer to pay 20gp for Earth Gems.

[Twan]

In the north east all his quiet. For a young sorceror, the life in the Machakan court is terribly annoying. Machaka has ended its expansion, and now live a terribly quiet golden age. The relations with its neighbours are globally good (if there were some tensions on the Jotun border some months ago, the two empires finally got along) and Machaka looks asleep in its peace and opulence, asleep like its god who refused to be called back after he had strange dreams featuring him chased by a big horror.

The only distractions are the fights in the many arenas the kingdom have, the jewelry expositions, and the site searchers supplicied for having found more arenas or mines instead of interesting gem sites. From time to time some barbarians invade a province or two or destroy a temple, providing some exercice to the army, but the help of sorcerors was not even needed since the coming of a vampire count 6 months ago.

So, no heroic story to tell for the moment, nor many news to give. The most popular tale for the Machakan is still the story of Kigoma, our first prophet, who died in the second month of the first year of the ascension war trying to convince his soldiers that their faith will protect them from arrows. His last words were "Look they can do nothing against us". Marked by his death and the defeat of our first army against only a dozen of lion tribe archers, and fearing his fate to be somewhat prophetic, the Machakan then become very prudent prefering to build as many forts as they could to have walls to protect them from arrows. They also appointed an heavily armored commander of foreign origin as their second prophet.

[Hadrian_II]

In the east of the map, the peaceful nation of Arcoscephale is slowly beginning to prosper and magical gems begin to fall from the heaven, our only problems where some skirmishes with the gigants from Jotunheim, but after short negations they went back into the cold.

Now the people are eager to see the Awakening of their god who will bring great joy to the people. The prophet Achilles is the great hero of the people, and in power only surpassed by the gods of Man and Machacka.

The only bad thing that happened to us was that some far east forest province was conquered by evil villains, but our phalanxes are on the march and will soon eradicate them.

[Twan]

The only distractions are the fights in the many arenas the kingdom have



Like I've said arena fights are a speciality for Machaka. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

We salute the 3 courageous champions who perished in the death match.

[tibbs]

Jotunheim's champion, with more brawn than brains forgot to bless himself before battle making it just a bit easier for his opponent to put him to task.

There's always next year....

[Meglobob]

Personally, the 'champion' I sent was hoping no one else turned up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Cainehill]

Ah, nifty. Despite sending in the correct .2h file with plenty of time to spare, I got staled. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[upstreamedge]

I think something is wrong, Chase sent me a 2h file, but it is still showing him as stale.

[Twan]

I think we should redo the turn with new orders for him if possible (don't know if the game can be re-hosted if you have not kept your trn, at least you should have all trn 28 you sent to other players and orders perhaps it can work using another player turn and the master password). As Cainehill seem to be attacked by a Pythium boosted by its AI statuts it's too bad if he stales without reason in addition.

[solo]

Once a turn gets hosted, the master file, ftherInd is updated, the latest version overwriting the previous one. A game will not run without this file.

Unless a backup copy of ftherInd is saved in another folder before hosting, I don't think a turn can be rehosted, even if all the other previous .trn files are available.

Some likely causes of a "stale" move even when a player sends a .2h file in time can be:

1) That player forgot to exit the game before attaching the .2h and sending it.

2) That player inadvertantly attached a .2h for that nation from a different game's folder in which that nation is also being played.

3) The host received a valid .2h file, but copied it into the wrong folder.

4) The host received a valid .2h file, but during the file transfer, the existing .2h was not replaced by the new one.

[tibbs]

I have yet to receive my turn. I sent my last turn out 11/20 at 7:38pm and have not received a turn back since then.

[upstreamedge]

i know, chase sent me a 2h file and it did not work so I am giving him an extension

[Meglobob]

tibbs said:
I have yet to receive my turn. I sent my last turn out 11/20 at 7:38pm and have not received a turn back since then.



The last turn we got was turn 29. I got my last turn on 20/11/06 and have already done my orders for turn 30 and sent them to upstreamedge/Adam.

I hope all this does not delay the game too much.

[Cainehill]

Edit : Just got turn 30.

[Meglobob]

Greetings One and All,

The kingdom of Man stopped today, for news that we have been waiting for as arrived, the physical representation of our god has returned to us...Crystalmist is back.

A week long holiday as been called and there has been much rejoicing with in the kingdom of Man.

It is only fitting that on the same month Crystalmist returned to us, all presence of Dreamslayer (who grieviously slayed Crystalmist in combat) has been utterly removed.

Let this be an abject lesson in what happens to those who try to harm Crystalmist...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Man, Tower of Avalon.

[tibbs]

Meglobob said:
Greetings One and All,

The kingdom of Man stopped today, for news that we have been waiting for as arrived, the physical representation of our god has returned to us...Crystalmist is back.

A week long holiday as been called and there has been much rejoicing with in the kingdom of Man.

It is only fitting that on the same month Crystalmist returned to us, all presence of Dreamslayer (who grieviously slayed Crystalmist in combat) has been utterly removed.

Let this be an abject lesson in what happens to those who try to harm Crystalmist...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Man, Tower of Avalon.



Ooh,
A pretender vs. pretender battle. Can we have any details about that fight?

P.S. Thanks for hosting the game upstream. You've been doing a great job so far.

[Meglobob]

tibbs said:

Meglobob said:
Greetings One and All,

The kingdom of Man stopped today, for news that we have been waiting for as arrived, the physical representation of our god has returned to us...Crystalmist is back.

A week long holiday as been called and there has been much rejoicing with in the kingdom of Man.

It is only fitting that on the same month Crystalmist returned to us, all presence of Dreamslayer (who grieviously slayed Crystalmist in combat) has been utterly removed.

Let this be an abject lesson in what happens to those who try to harm Crystalmist...

Prophet Tywin Lannister,
Man, Tower of Avalon.



Ooh,
A pretender vs. pretender battle. Can we have any details about that fight?

P.S. Thanks for hosting the game upstream. You've been doing a great job so far.



I did have screenshots. But it happened turn 15'ish or earlier so I deleted them some time ago. Enough to say Dreamslayer won because he equiped his pretender with a magic sword and buffed him up with spells. Dreamslayer then died a turn later causes unknown? Dreamslayer turned up a few turns ago at is former Agarthian capital (now mine http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif), my army made mincemeat of him in a 2 rounds of combat. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Now he is dead forever. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Cainehill]

Y'know, it'd be bloody nice to have a set turn schedule, since it's obvious that hosting isn't "every time I get all the 2h files." Feh.

[Meglobob]

Cainehill said:

Y'know, it'd be bloody nice to have a set turn schedule, since it's obvious that hosting isn't "every time I get all the 2h files." Feh.



Upstreamedge/Adam is doing a excellent job hosting, this game has zipped along.

However, I would like to 2nd Cainehill's request for a set 48hr turnaround, we are in mid game now and my turn takes over a hour or more to do correctly. Already I have sent in alot of 'rushed' turns.

[upstreamedge]

cainehill, I am trying to stick to a 24 hour schedule, but the internet at my college is nightmarishly bad. I also have been in transit for a couple days because of the vacation.

[Meglobob]

I have just had a stale turn, my first one, not surprising since I never even got a chance to send in my orders...

I cannot keep playing at this kind of pace, so will after drop out of the game, even through I do not want too. :

I was not sent a reminder or any thing that my turn was due in...

I can continue to play in the game with a 48hr turnaround, if we stay at 24hr then I am going to keep missing turns, so I will switch Man to AI.

[tibbs]

Maybe we should consider bumping it up to 48 hour so as not to lose players at this stage of the game. It's hard to do a straight 24 hour turnaround time doing PBEM, and I think most other games I am in complete a turn at way before the 48 hours expire.

[upstreamedge]

i moved to 48 hours

[Twan]

I have a big technical problem (to resume I'll probably have to send back my unique pc for repair) and don't know if I will be able to play before a week or so. If I give no news in the following days host without me, sub me or turn me AI.

[Hadrian_II]

Twan said:
I have a big technical problem (to resume I'll probably have to send back my unique pc for repair) and don't know if I will be able to play before a week or so.



That's what happens if you backstab innocent people http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[upstreamedge]

what kingdom is twan?

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
what kingdom is twan?



Machaka, probably the current game leader. His position is very, very powerful.

If he is 100% sure that he can not continue playing, I am sure someone would enjoy taking the position over.

[Twan]

A friend has found another pc for me, but I have a lot of things to do this afternoon. I bring it to my home tonight, install it and will probably able to play my turns this night or tomorrow morning (it's 14h in France).

ps : Hadrian you can call it a surprise attack but not really a backstab, it's not like we had lots of diplomatic relations or you had to fight another war. If I've attacked you it's because I didn't wanted to strike the giants as they are already fighting Ulm, and had far more exchanges with Man than with you since the early game. I have only 3 neighbors, so it had to be you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[upstreamedge]

sweet, btw I am upadating to 3.04

[Twan]

We have to make our apologies to all those who advised us to attack Man first. As they warned us, Crystalmist was unable to stay in peace more than one or two months and has begun to attack us as soon as we were at war with anyone else, neglecting the chance Dwalaki offered to him to be the last of our targets.

After the Agartha's warnings some years ago and the way he invaded his former ally Marignon later it's not really a surprise and as soon he said "rest easy friend, I have decieded to watch other nations fight and build my power up." we could be sure that he was going to strike fast. Anyway the defensive army we sent was unsufficient to stop his first assault, and just killed 146 of the unlucky wolves and unarmored lizards forming his frontline (we have contacted the animal protection society), at the price of 28 regular soldiers lives including some of our leaders.

We invite the god of Arcocephale to thank a lot his new ally as the destruction of Man will now be our main objective. Anyway, we also invite Hadrian-II not to trust him an instant.

[Meglobob]

Twan said:
We have to make our apologies to all those who advised us to attack Man first. As they warned us, Crystalmist was unable to stay in peace more than one or two months and has begun to attack us as soon as we were at war with anyone else, neglecting the chance Dwalaki offered to him to be the last of our targets.

After the Agartha's warnings some years ago and the way he invaded his former ally Marignon later it's not really a surprise and as soon he said "rest easy friend, I have decieded to watch other nations fight and build my power up." we could be sure that he was going to strike fast. Anyway the defensive army we sent was unsufficient to stop his first assault, and just killed 146 of the unlucky wolves and unarmored lizards forming his frontline (we have contacted the animal protection society), at the price of 28 regular soldiers lives including some of our leaders.

We invite the god of Arcocephale to thank a lot his new ally as the destruction of Man will now be our main objective. Anyway, we also invite Hadrian-II not to trust him an instant.



I was never going to standby and let you grow more powerful than you already are by swallowing Arcoscephale. You upset the delicate balance of power by trying to crush your perceived weakest neighbour, Arcoscephale. Now you can face man on one side of your empire and Arcoscephale on the other. Two front wars are such good fun...

As for my trustworthiness, ask T'ien Ch'i, he will vouch that man keeps his word and his fair in his dealings with other nations.

[Twan]

Arco wasn't attacked as my perceived weakest neighbor but because he was the only one I could attack without having the feeling of backstabing him. But I agree that everyone does not have the means of taking this kind of impressions into consideration, and you have probably chosen one of the best moments to have good chances to win.

[upstreamedge]

The noble empire of Tien'Chi will vouch for the knights of man. The god of Marignon had become... unstable (AI), and we could not let it wait like a viper in our backyards. The mighty armies of Man will not fall as long as the empire stands.

[Hadrian_II]

Its always interesting how a ruthless person reacts, when she notices that her actions will not get unpunished. And the god of Machacka is such a person for sure.

Longtime he was pretending to be our ally, he even offered us to help against a possible attack by Jotunheim, but the noble gigants returned on our border so there was no war. Now in a time, where our troops are trying to fight the threat by Pythium in the south, he crosses our border, and attacked our weakly protected north. As soon as his troops entered our country, the noble people of Man offered to assist us in the just war against machaka.

Now that it does no longer look as he will win an easy victory, he is whining like a little girl. The Astrologers of Arcoscephale concluded that Dwalaki is an insane god and no longer in control of his actions, and so has to be anhillated in order to save his thralls from his evil grip.

Soon the Troops of Arcoscephale are reaching the north and will face and crush the spiderpeople. We are looking forward to drink wine with man inside machakas capital city.

Hadrian-II
Lord of Strength, Lord of Metals and Prince of Animals
God of Arcoscephale

P.S. the biter will be bitten

[Meglobob]

Hadrian_II said:
Its always interesting how a ruthless person reacts, when she notices that her actions will not get unpunished. And the god of Machacka is such a person for sure.

Longtime he was pretending to be our ally, he even offered us to help against a possible attack by Jotunheim, but the noble gigants returned on our border so there was no war. Now in a time, where our troops are trying to fight the threat by Pythium in the south, he crosses our border, and attacked our weakly protected north. As soon as his troops entered our country, the noble people of Man offered to assist us in the just war against machaka.

Now that it does no longer look as he will win an easy victory, he is whining like a little girl. The Astrologers of Arcoscephale concluded that Dwalaki is an insane god and no longer in control of his actions, and so has to be anhillated in order to save his thralls from his evil grip.

Soon the Troops of Arcoscephale are reaching the north and will face and crush the spiderpeople. We are looking forward to drink wine with man inside machakas capital city.

Hadrian-II
Lord of Strength, Lord of Metals and Prince of Animals
God of Arcoscephale

P.S. the biter will be bitten



I hope so Arcoscephale. It would please me greatly, for us to jointly bring Machaka down. However, he is extemely dangerous, he was throwing pillars of fire around (evocation lvl 8), so tread carefully and anything to protect yourself from fire would be good.

[Twan]

Hadrian, we confirm that the sole time you estimated needed to ask for an alliance, or even to talk with us, was when you were attacked by the giants (according to what you said). It's not exactly the case of Man and it would be too long to quote all the messages where they spoke as our allies, from before their war against Agartha to turn 30 or so, it's why you were attacked and not them, even if their never ending wars would have offered good opportunities and excuses, and also why our irritation about Crystalmist has become public. Anyway we have well noted that you announced since the beginning that you will never negociate, surrender etc... so be reinsured we are not going to stop hostilities with you, even if Man has become a clear priority and if your mages seem unable to find the gateway spell in their grimoires to bring us some armies to kill.

[Cainehill]

Hadrian_II said:
Now in a time, where our troops are trying to fight the threat by Pythium in the south, he crosses our border, and attacked our weakly protected north. As soon as his troops entered our country, the noble people of Man offered to assist us in the just war against machaka.




ROFL! Fighting the threat by Pythium, when you haven't fought a single battle with Pythium's troops that I've noticed, only an unprovoked assault upon Shinuyama to take advantage of our fighting with that threat.

*snigger*

[Hadrian_II]

Cainehill said:

ROFL! Fighting the threat by Pythium, when you haven't fought a single battle with Pythium's troops that I've noticed, only an unprovoked assault upon Shinuyama to take advantage of our fighting with that threat.

*snigger*



Well Pythium has not attacked us yet, so the tactic seems to work. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Cainehill]

My understanding is that the game should've hosted yesterday, but I haven't received a turn, don't see any mention of a delay.

We on hold, or ...? ( Just not wanting a stale now I have both an AI and a human player to deal with. )

[Twan]

It seem...

[Twan]

...


Well Pythium has not attacked us yet, so the tactic seems to work.



So... If I understand well the "good and innocent" people of Arcocephale who said we should be punished for "backstabing" their peaceful and/or heroic nation only fighting for the good of all, and were officialy supported by Man because "Arco was our perceived weakest neighbor"... were in fact themselves striking in the back their own perceived weakest neighbor, and the real player nation in the worse position, already fighting a difficult war against a strong rogue state. It seems the only innocent nation in this story is Shinuyama, by the force of things.

[solo]

Cainehill said:

My understanding is that the game should've hosted yesterday, but I haven't received a turn, don't see any mention of a delay.

We on hold, or ...? ( Just not wanting a stale now I have both an AI and a human player to deal with. )



Same question here. No turn received yet. Would help players to post when turns are sent and when the next ones are due.

[Hadrian_II]

Twan said:

So... If I understand well the "good and innocent" people of Arcocephale who said we should be punished for "backstabing" their peaceful and/or heroic nation only fighting for the good of all, and were officialy supported by Man because "Arco was our perceived weakest neighbor"... were in fact themselves striking in the back their own perceived weakest neighbor, and the real player nation in the worse position, already fighting a difficult war against a strong rogue state. It seems the only innocent nation in this story is Shinuyama, by the force of things.



The nation of Arcoscephale was forced to put some place between us and Pythium, and so we had to conquer some neutral province to guarantee security to our citizens. In contrast to that Machacka attacked us just to Pillage and Plunder our rich provinces.

[upstreamedge]

sorry for the delay guys, I had my wisdom teeth out and the vicadan made me waaaaay more loopy than I thought, I sent an email out and I would like if you guys would resend me your turns just to MAKE SURE I have them, I had my computer while I can not find all the turns, so just do that for me.

Thanks and Sorry

[tibbs]

Somehow I received a stale turn. I sent my turn on 12/11 and resent it on 12/17 after upstream sent that email out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Cainehill]

tibbs said:
Somehow I received a stale turn. I sent my turn on 12/11 and resent it on 12/17 after upstream sent that email out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif



Christ. Same here - turn sent on 12/12 and again today (12/17) and yet I get _another_ flooding stale.

[Cainehill]

And we still don't have any comment from the host regarding the problem. FTS.

[upstreamedge]

i dont know what happened with the stale turns, but I think I have a bug in my game. In some single player games as well orders do not register. I am going to be making turn backups, so that I can make sure everyone who emails me their orders gets their turn in. Sorry for the technical difficulties.

[tibbs]

You could try re-installing the game to see if that will resolve your problems.

Thanks,
Chris

[Twan]

Is the game paused ?

[tibbs]

I haven't recieved a turn in a few days here but I will be out of town the next 3 days.

Thanks,
Chris
Jotunheim

[upstreamedge]

ya, i was on a sailboat

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
ya, i was on a sailboat



Hope you had water breathing handy, just in case... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[upstreamedge]

next turn in 24, or as soon as i get a turn from man and machaka

[Meglobob]

upstreamedge said:
next turn in 24, or as soon as i get a turn from man and machaka



Sent mine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Cainehill]

Between the staling and the complete lack of a predictable hosting schedule (24! No, 48! No, 144!) I'd say scuttle the game.

[upstreamedge]

sorry, i was on vacation. I am back now and will be bale to resume the 48 hour host after I receive the 2 turn files I am missing. I think you should be more understanding of the fact that people on vacation over the holidays might not have a video game as their top priority.

[Cainehill]

Might I suggest that NEXT time you consider having the courtesy to post something about revised vacation schedules?

[Meglobob]

Cainehill said:
Between the staling and the complete lack of a predictable hosting schedule (24! No, 48! No, 144!) I'd say scuttle the game.



I say NO. You can always go AI, if you are not happy. ALL the MP's I am in slowed or stopped over xmas/new year not just this one. I was very happy with that.

By the way, Man (me) has sent his turn in, twice but I will send a 3rd if you need me too.

[tibbs]

I say keep the game going, BUT, it would be nice if any changes to hosting schedule were posted to keep us informed.

Thanks for hosting the game for us upstreamedge.

Regards,
Chris

[upstreamedge]

Ya, sorry about that. I am from Colorado and there was a blizzard that kept me from returning for several days. I had no internet on the boat, and could not post the revision. Next turn is sent 48 hour hosting is now resumed.

[Hadrian_II]

This turn looks really bad, it looks like machacka crushed me. (duh). Tho only satisfaction is that ulm crushes my neighbour jotunheim also.

btw. in one battle against machacka he casts reliev, and all the sprites go obfuscated, and my game crashes. So it might be good if upstreamedge could post everything in the bugthread, ppl need to recreate this bug for fixing. (i post there, so you can just answer to me)

[tibbs]

Hadrian_II said:
This turn looks really bad, it looks like machacka crushed me. (duh). Tho only satisfaction is that ulm crushes my neighbour jotunheim also.




What? What did Jotunheim ever do to you?

[Twan]

It's sad you couldn't see this beautiful battle (probably a graphic bug due to relief special effect).
Chain casted Storm of Thorns really rocks, even against big creatures, like your 20 or so Sirrushes, they were losing half their actions destroying the vines (and had their defense reduced most of the time).

ps : I vote for 1 turn / 72 or 96h, 48h is short at this point

[Hadrian_II]

Its not that jotun did something to me, it's just to see that other people go down too. (so that i haven't to feel alone)

[upstreamedge]

btw I want to give props to Ulm for turning being pressed back to his capitol around

[upstreamedge]

and coming back

[solo]

Another huge Jotun army approaches, so I might get to do it again!

[tibbs]

I don't think money means much to Ulm anymore. His gem income can provide him with quite an effective army.

[solo]

Wrongo! The more gold the better!

[Meglobob]

solo said:
Wrongo! The more gold the better!



I would exchange ALL my gold for ALL your gems. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[solo]

I would not hold my breath while waiting for that to happen.

[upstreamedge]

the game will be delayed because Chase (Shinuyama) sent me a 2h file, and the game is not registering it.

[Twan]

Knowing that after the second (and stupid) death of Dwalaki, who tried to take a province alone last month, the huge Man armies were going to attack, the black sorcerers tried a desesperate tactic, using flame storm even with lot of non fire proof province defense on the field, hoping to inflict some casualties to archers before the unavoidable defeat.

At 1 vs 3 or 4 (and better troops) it should have been a bad idea, the light Machakan usually lose very fast against the knights and longbowmen of Man, and when one of Crystalmist's hydromancers casted rain in the beginning of the battle, Machaka, with most mages planning to use fire spells, could only expect a total defeat. But for an unknown reason, the heroic Kasisi, whose mission was to cast the flame storm had the good idea to use only half the 12 gems he had, ending as fatigued a man can be without dieing. Then, as expected, the victory of Man was fast. Exhausted by the rain the machakan mages couldn't inflict lots of dammage, nor being saved by their phoenix pyres, and after only 4 rounds the Machakan army was fleeing and 12 mages / 19 were lost, the two thirds of Man's forces, including about 25 vine ogres, being still alive at this point.

But the sacrifice of Kasisi wasn't useless, so exhausted that he couldn't move the lone black sorcerer stayed on the field in spider form, watching the stupid Man forces pursuing the last machakan soldiers... and burning in the flame storm during 7 more rounds before finally killing him. The final result was 193 deaths / 252 regulars of Man, 33 magic beings / 35, 10 commanders / 13. One or two more rounds and Kasisi would probably have destroyed the entire Man's army.

Kasisi, the Machakan empire will never forget you, your example will survive and enlighten the next generations of black sorcerers. Statues at your image will be built in all the temples of the Dwalaki's cult, and you will be celebrated as a saint.

Some screens...
Army of Man (http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8239/armeemankd5.jpg)
Army of Machaka (http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/1106/armeemachmi9.jpg)
Army of Man when Machaka routed (http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8391/routedim1.jpg)
Army of Man in the end, and the heroic Kasisi (http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8739/fincombatyv7.jpg)

[Meglobob]

Will not be able to get my turn in until saturday night. Been busy repairing some damage caused by recent storms/gales. If hosting could be delayed till then, that would be great.

[Hadrian_II]

@host
i just got a stale http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif, but i sent you my turn, did you not get my email??
btw. i sent my new turn on 23:00 CET so you can check if you got this one.

[solo]

Ha!

The Ulmish budget PD defense of 1 was sufficient to scare off some silly birds.

[Twan]

I've just realised that Fire Resistance doesn't work against Phoenix Pyre dammage. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif (11 mages lost to learn that)

Unbelievable when you look at the stats, the Machakan Empire is not far to be defeated, the Golden Age has ended, there are riots in the streets in half our cities, there are so many revolters that ennemy spies can't be found even by our professionnal patrolers, even without taxes unrest continue to increase. We have to pillage former Arco's provinces or change our fire gems to have some money to spend, and with his new tactic, to use only trolls and other tough units and cast several earthquakes in each battle, Man may kill all the mages we engage, and can't replace, with minimal losses.

Anyway Machaka will fight till the end, and we'll take at least Hadrian II with us in the grave.

[Hadrian_II]

Well Arco is far From Beaten, we might have lost our first army, but we are regenerating fast and in the next turn you might see your first big defeat in this game.

[Meglobob]

Hadrian_II said:
Well Arco is far From Beaten, we might have lost our first army, but we are regenerating fast and in the next turn you might see your first big defeat in this game.



Arco, I (Man) have a economic stranglehold on Machaka, that grows tighter every month. It is a slow but irresistable strategy. So take care, only pick battles you are 100% certain to win, do not give Machaka any opportunity to break free of my vice like grip!

I have tried hard to relieve the pressure on you by sending raiding forces into Machaka lands, so far I have burned 3 heathen temples to the ground, those raids will esculate in nature, causing chaos in his empire. My military will press into his outer border, troll kings Wham, Bam and Thankyoumam struck but the 1st devestating blow. Crash, Bang and Wallop will follow up.

Strike him with mind hunts (kill his leaders), blights, locust swarms, anything that will hurt him money wise and in the long run, perhaps many months/years from now victory will be ours...

[Meglobob]

Well, thats a poor ending...

Just as I had Machaka on the ropes as well...

I wonder who would have won?

[Twan]

It looks like the 3.06 problem, all players and the host must use the same version or the game is crashed (according to some comments in the patch thread).

Ulm was going to win IMO.


ps : Weren't backups supposed to be kept since the stales problem ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

pps : I had a good fire gems production with lots of fetishes + an alchemist I may have continued many turns even with low income (and more if I could take Arco cities), and was preparing an ethearal army (and gathering magus to BE my mages) to counter the earthquakes squad, I was also going to have evocation 9 for the next battles. You would probably have won our war economically after 10-15 more turns anyway, but not without new huge losses.

[Meglobob]

deleted

[Meglobob]

Twan said:
It looks like the 3.06 problem, all players and the host must use the same version or the game is crashed (according to some comments in the patch thread).

Ulm was going to win IMO.


ps : Weren't backups supposed to be kept since the stales problem ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

pps : I had a good fire gems production with lots of fetishes + an alchemist I may have continued many turns even with low income (and more if I could take Arco cities), and was preparing an ethearal army (and gathering magus to BE my mages) to counter the earthquakes squad, I was also going to have evocation 9 for the next battles. You would probably have won our war economically after 10-15 more turns anyway, but not without new huge losses.




I agree, this sounds like a 3.06 problem. I sent Adam my turns this turn using 3.04 and 3.06 just in case. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

I assumed you had plans a foot, that was why I was moving slowly with caution, so that you would only destroy 1 of my armies/strategys.

I had well over 100 bards... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif Plus lots of other stealth hit squads.

Also I had the fever fetish farming going as well...

Behind my trolls I had another army with a completely different strategy.

And behind that I had another army with another different strategy.

And I was also building a 4th, I kid you not, army with still yet another idea I had.

I underestimated you once Twan, so I was going for total overkill... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

I agree, however, that with his huge gem income Ulm/Solo would have probably won.

Any truth to the rumour that you were near casting wish, Solo?

[solo]

That is sad that the game must end this way.

I was not about to cast Wish, but was just about ready to include Eternal Pyre among my group of globals.

I stayed busy forging magic items while claiming the seas with Living Statues. I had many of the uniques, and several copies of Wing of Wizardy, etc.

With magic items coming so cheaply, I forged about 20 pairs of Eyes of Aiming and Etheral Crossbows, while being besieged by the Jotun woodsmen. I also gave 20 of my Dwarven Smiths a pair of Earth Boots, allowing them all to cast Blade Wind.

When the Jotun decided to storm my castle, they were in for a bit of a surprise! Had they decided to do so many turns earlier, the outcome might have been in their favor as their bless made them very formidable opponents earlier in the game.

The trick for me was to survive long enough to make my gem income and forging advantage pay off. Other players were off to a much faster start, and I was very happy not to be one of their early neighbors!

[Hadrian_II]

As this game was my first multiplayer game i learned a lot and to the end i might be able to defeat machakas armys, i had now 6 fully equipped firbolt thugs (flaming sword, charcoal shield luck and more) so i might been able to slay his annoing mages.

too bad i cant see this battle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Twan]

It might have been a problem or not I was expecting rain and wasn't going to use lots of fire spells, mostly destruction and blade wind for the hoplites + the usual storm of thorns spaming and all archers on fire large monsters to rout the elephants, with about 160 souless as meatshield before my men. I may have killed 75% of the troops before the thugs reach the mages (...or not).