Faerun MA PBEM (Calmon/Ermor Wins)

[calmon]

I suggest we should use a rule that everyone who use unique items in this fun arena battle should get the chance to rebuild them in the turn after and noone else should try to build them.

I would write a short list with the used uniques after the next turn.

Is that ok for you?

[Amhazair]

Sounds good to me.

[Sandman]

I agree to this as well.

[Hadrian_II]

cant build uniques anyway so i think i agree http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

Woops, I managed to send my turn to all of you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[calmon]

password pls http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Hadrian_II]

and what wanna you do with a .2h file?

[calmon]

i was just joking http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

With .2h file (+trn) you could see all the turn moves, not more not less.

[Hadrian_II]

next turn will be posphoned for 3h, im still missing the turns of agharta and ermor

[calmon]

i sent my just 5 min ago

[Hadrian_II]

so its just agartha

[Hadrian_II]

agharta did somehow manage to miss his turn (but he did diplomacy :/)

Well about the deathmatch:

Agharta wins again

Followers are:
Man, Ulm and Ermor with 2 Kills each


Rlyeh & Machaka sent a combattant, that might be considered too weak.

btw. the next Deathmach will see a Construction 6 Combattant from man.

[calmon]

ok, the 1-turn saveness for unique item builds are:

T'ien Ch'i:
Orb of Atlantis
Sandals of the Crane

Ulm:
The summit

Ermor:
Twin Spear (D)
Holger the Head

Arco:
Krupp's Bracers

So only the according nations can build the uniques in the next turn.

[ajr]

calmon said:
ok, the 1-turn saveness for unique item builds are:




I won't be able to actually check the turn for a while, but didn't I send in someone equipped with Krupp's?

[calmon]

Yep you did, sorry. I've added you to the list.

[Amhazair]

Hadrian_II said:
Followers are:
Man, Ulm and Ermor with 2 Kills each




I want to protest these grotesque lies! My trusty spirit helmet killed no less than 3! opponents before I managed to get a single swing in.


More seriously, I'd regretfully like to request a change to hosting to once every 48h. Managing my empire is taking up increasingly more time now. (Also, I'm willing to trade my kingdom for monthly forging commands, and the ability to put several mages on monthly remote searching without them all searching the same province. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif)

[Sandman]

I'd also like to move to a slower turn pace. I'll be out of town until evening on the 22nd anyway.

[Hadrian_II]

well then it seems that we are finally on a 48h turnaround.

i think i will host the game when only pangea or machaka are missing (hoo if you want to play regularily again, plz let me know if not i assume you agree with this)

[Hadrian_II]

this just might interest arco as he is the only one missing, but the next turn i cant wait the whole 48h but i will have to host tomorrow ca. 11:00 CET (about 16h from now).

edit: i just noticed, that this might sound irritating, this was about the last turn, next will be fr. 11:00 CET (as stated in the mail)

Well, i still hope arco can get his turn in today so that this does not even matter.

[Hadrian_II]

somehow it is interesting, always when i ask for turns in the forum, they are already in my inbox http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

btw. which player just casted a hurricane on a desert province owned by me?? Somehow it just looks like waste of precious gems.

[Hellboy]

Just curious, but what turn are you guys on?

[calmon]

Turn 51 now.

[Hellboy]

calmon said:
Turn 51 now.

Wow, and you just recently went to 48hr turns, correct?

How many active players have you got now?

I'm just asking since I'm hosting a game using Faerun, and I'm wondering how our pacing might work out.

[Hadrian_II]

Yes, since the last turn.

We are having 9 active players and one stalling guy (masterpassword would be fun as he is the second one to permastall).

We are having:
-2 very Big Empires (Ulm, Ermor)
-3 Medicore ones (Tien Chi, Agartha, Man)
-and some smaller ones (Bandar Log, Arco, Machaka, Rlyeh)
AI Atlantis and Shin are around but almost death.

[Hellboy]

Sounds like an excellent game - I hope ours works out as well!

[Sandman]

The wicked Wyrm of R'lyeh wriggles no more. Starspawns beware, your time is near.

[Teraswaerto]

It's too bad the worm of mystery died, but the Great Ones yet live. They await your proud armies, tentacles twitching.

[Hadrian_II]

Today scouts of man were able to observe a very shocking event. Ermors god did not just conquer a victory province alone, she (14D Vampire Queen with penetration boosters) just took over the entire defence force.

[Sandman]

Despite a barrage of mind hunts, the forces of T'ien Ch'i were able to advance to the gates of R'lyeh. Unfortunately, the squids have found (or been given) the money to field a fresh battalion of crab hybrids, blocking the gate.

[calmon]

In this turn a second of my naiads suddenly vanished, i had something equal some turns ago. Did anyone notice like that? I made thread in the main forum:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=499228&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Edit: Ok, problem solved, should read descriptions http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Hadrian_II]

I have to inform you, that i will be away from the 28.2. in the evening till the 5.3. in the morning and that i wont have internet in that time. So the game will pause 5 days. I will try to get a turn in on the late 28. but maybe tomorrows turn will be the last till the 5th march.

[Sandman]

Sorry for the late turn, I've sent my just finished 2h file for 53. Up to the host if he wants to use it, I suppose.

[Hadrian_II]

well i decided to be a nice guy and rehost. but now i have to do my turn again and i got not a better version, (as in 1000 gold difference trough events, but well) but i gained some interesting insight.

btw. did you know that the AI is doing other things when you rehost?

p.s. if you are coming in late, plz send me a short notice that your turn is coming shortly so that i can wait for it and dont have to rehost.

[Sandman]

Thanks, I'll make sure and do that next time.

[calmon]

I would suggest we could make an agreement not to host till all turns arrive. You could write a message here and if there are no response in the next 2 hours you host.

I think we are a small round here and noone would stall on purpose.
The host date varies sometimes around some hours. I for myself thought having time till 12 o'clock CET but after double check this with the last turn arrived i note it was earlier and wrote you a message.

Long time stallers like pangaea or people who stall in every second turn shouldn't count for this.

[Hadrian_II]

calmon said:
I would suggest we could make an agreement not to host till all turns arrive. You could write a message here and if there are no response in the next 2 hours you host.




this can be done, but it would be nice if the turns would be on time, 48h should be long enough.

[calmon]

Yep, players should try to send the turn to the correct time. It should be in case an email get lost or a player thought he send the email but did not.

We could try it and if a player is constantly late than he get a warning and after that he is blacklisted to not wait for him anymore.

[Sandman]

It has to be said that the chances of this game ending in a clear victory seem pretty remote. Even with the original suggestion of 21 VPs, the leading player (Ermor) is still some distance off.

[calmon]

I was involded in a game with 40% VP win condition. Its finished suddenly around turn 35. The winning player teleported some strong chars in the VP provinces and take over most of the provinces. He was at 4 VP before the action and after it he had 16 (12 was needed).

Sure as long this strong NPC forces guard its difficult but in players hand they often forgot to build castles...

[Teraswaerto]

You could always all join hands and chant:

<font color="red">Iä! Iä! R'lyeh! Iä! Iä! Kärmes! </font>

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7081/ipml0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Proclaim the Great Ones masters of the world.

No? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Amhazair]

Really nice picture I have to say. Almost good enough to tempt me to do as you say. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Hadrian_II]

Sandman said:
It has to be said that the chances of this game ending in a clear victory seem pretty remote. Even with the original suggestion of 21 VPs, the leading player (Ermor) is still some distance off.



Sure the victory is pretty remote, but as it is a big map this was the target of the game (at least for me), a lategame when the others are fighting back and not like against the AI, when you are just mopping them up.

Now it looks like everyone is conquering the rest of the indys and of the weak players, and i think soon we might see a bigger war (what about ulm vs ermor?).
Ulm seems to be the strongest nation right now as they are controlling a lot of elemental royality.

[Hadrian_II]

now just ulm is missing, if ulm gets his turn done in the next 5h i can host again today.

[Amhazair]

I allways forget what timezone the forum is on, posting this to see how much time I have left. I'll try to get my turn in asap.

Edit: Brrr, one hour for a full turn, I'm afraid I won't manage. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

I was hoping to be home sooner today and have it done today, but... busy busy day.

[ajr]

I don't think my turn is actually in; I didn't get the "new" turn 54 until after I had gone to sleep, so I assume I will need to resubmit.

[Amhazair]

Well, turn sent. (4minutes before deadline. Damn, I'm fast http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ) Time for dinner now.

[Sandman]

Tch, my gift-of-reasoned Iron Dragon fell apart pretty quick to Ulm's crystal mages. Sixty gems down the drain.

[Amhazair]

Eh? What? My mages? Battle? Iron Dragon Where? Why? How?

Seems I must go check my turn out sometime soon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Hadrian_II]

missing rlyeh for the next turn.
i will host in 3h from now.

[Teraswaerto]

Sorry, sending turn now.

[Sandman]

Just a note to say that I will out of town until 2300 GMT on Tuesday. It's up to the host what he wants to do, I suppose.

[Hadrian_II]

you had now 24h for the turn so i dont understand why you wherent able to get it in, as a short turn will take about 10min, but i might be nice and wait. If someone does not want to wait for Sandman, then say it here and i will host on the sceduled time.

[Hadrian_II]

2300 GMT was now and i did not get the turn yet, i will wait about an hour more, and then host.

[Hadrian_II]

for further posphonements, plz give a time that has actually some value when you ask for a break, as it makes no sense to wait to a time and then still no turn arrives.

[Sandman]

Sorry, for some reason I thought I'd sent it in.

[Reverend Zombie]

Arco has won the upper hand again in our "own little war"--permanently this time, I fear.

I have had a fun and instructive time fighting you--good game.

And thanks to the "big boys" for letting us fight it out. A number of you could have taken either one, or both of us, out before now.

The apes and monkeys will fight on, but not for much longer, so I bid farewell to you all now.

[Hadrian_II]

and so there are only 7 left.

For how long where you fighting each other? you where at war when my scouts first spotted you about 40 turns ago.

[Reverend Zombie]

Hadrian_II said:
and so there are only 7 left.

For how long where you fighting each other? you where at war when my scouts first spotted you about 40 turns ago.



What turn is it now? I want to say we have been fighting since about turn 10 or so.

[Amhazair]

That's some serious war that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Hadrian_II]

Reverend Zombie said:
What turn is it now? I want to say we have been fighting since about turn 10 or so.



Turn 61, that lasted long for sure

[Hadrian_II]

i would be thankful when id get todays turn until 19:00 CET (5h from now) or else the next turn will come tomorrow around 11:00 CET.

[calmon]

Sent my turn 1 min. ago

[calmon]

With Arcane Nexus active we request all free nations of faerun not to use other magic than astral or blood. This nexus will draw a part of every hard earned gem used for any other magic than astral or blood.

We would support any dispel try or would take donations to try it for ourselfs. This global is game breaking and should be dispelled as fast as possible. This is a sort of 'gem stealing' is like utterdark or astral corruption an aggressive act to every other nation.

[Amhazair]

The following is a proclamation issued by the nation of Ulm in late spring of the sixth year of the ascension wars, and distributed by fast courier to all capitals of the world. Also, but obviously slower, heralds headed out from the great city with orders to read the proclamation in every town hall, lord’s manor, or village square in the world.



Years and years ago, in the days of our forefathers, we, who are now the people of Ulm, lived and worked the mines of the old Ermorian Empire. In those days Ermor was still a proud, civilised nation, honouring the ancient traditions, and bringing peace and justice to the peoples of the world.

However, at one point this began to change. We lived too far to the fringes of the empire to notice the first signs, and for the same reason, we are unaware of it’s causes, but slowly, ever so slowly, the once great minds of the philosophers, the teachers, the artists, the politicians… the very people of Ermor began to darken. Whispers began to be heard in our faraway province of dark arts being practiced in the capital. Of honourable dead being dug out of their graves and put to work once more. Of rulers secretly dealing with dark necromancers to enhance their personal power. Of people mysteriously disappearing and never being seen again, their fate unknown, but surely too horrible to contemplate….

Our forefathers heard these whispers, and saw the changes in the ways of high society, and wanted no part of it, so we picked up our tools and our armours, our children and our loved ones, and left, to build our own nation, strong and proud, away from the dark influence of Ermor.

Generations passed, and though the tales of old Ermor’s corruption were still being told around our fires at night, the intervening distance meant we had no sight of how things were developing there. Meanwhile Ulm grew into the nation we had envisaged. Strong enough to withstand the hardships of the world. Brave men in heavy armours protecting our lands, and allowing the common folk to go around their daily life in peace and prosperity.

Then, the old Pantokrator died, and wars shook the lands. Ulm’s armies were strong and determined, and our nation withstood the ravages of the age, and defeated its enemies, a nation of evil goblinoids destroyed beneath our armoured might, a mysterious race of fish-people eradicated, and two different tribes of uncivilised human savages being brought into our empire to learn the value of discipline and civilisation. Meanwhile on our borders we met other humans, with their own civilisations, as old and honourable as Ermor had been. Peaceful relationships were established by them, and we watched them subjugate their own enemies, a water-dwelling race of people supposedly coming from the stars, and a savage nation of monkey-people. Talking monkeys… of all things imaginable, surely this must be one of the strangest…

In this time, merely a few years ago we came once more into contact with our old masters of Ermor. Unaware of how far the corruption had tainted them, and with our nation exhausted from the constant wars, we approached them peacefully, hoping to find the honourable nation of old had returned. Imagine our joy, when it appeared to be so, our envoys being treated cordially, our talks being conducted in a civilised manner and, in the end, peace was agreed to.

Soon however we began to see the signs of our mistake. Scouts exploring the nations Ermor had conquered began to see risen corpses walking alongside the human legions, merchants travelling to Ermor’s cities told disturbing tales of the debauchery of the rich and wealthy. The old arts of theatre and poetry – while still holding to the ancient form – had acquired a new and dark theme, obsessed with death and the afterlife. Surely this was not the Ermor of old, this was a mockery! A thin outer layer of civilisation remained, but it covered pure and utter darkness.

Seeing the threat to all the human nations of this world we felt the desire to act, to stand against this unfathomable menace. But alas! Our word had been given, and Ulm’s word is as strong and hard as the iron of their forges. Two years of peace had been agreed to with the vile Ermorians, and two years of peace they’d have.

As last and final proof of their corruption – as if more were needed – Ermor itself has now decided to betray the peace. Surely their minds, corrupted by the darkness they had lived in for generations, could no longer fathom the concept of honour, of being true to one’s word, and, wanting to destroy us, a nation and a people who would never, could never, accept to live in a world dominated by the undead decided to strike the first blow, hoping to catch us unprepared.

THEY WILL SOON REALISE THEIR MISTAKE!!!

Ulm’s armies are always prepared! Our people is always prepared! We will never bow to the vile and treacherous death-cult of Ermor! If it is war they want, it is war they’ll get! Ulm’s armies have been toughened and hardened by years of warfare against evil opposition, and are now ready to take on the biggest threat yet. Quite possible the biggest threat this world has ever seen. Ermor’s power is huge, but Ulm stands ready!

We hereby invite all honourable people to join us in this ultimate struggle. Surely this world will be a better place to live in once Ermor has been eradicated. To our old friends of the middle kingdom we say: Join us in this hour of need. Not just our need, but the need of the world. To the ancient kingdom of philosophers and astrologers to our west we extend a hand in friendship. We have seen you fight the wild monkey people and do not doubt you abhor what Ermor has become. A nation who once was heavily influenced by your philosophies and your beliefs. The proud knights and archers of the forests of Avalon, who learned so much from the ancient Tuatha, the mysterious men who ventured into the caves to learn from their huge inhabitants we would welcome at our side. Teach us what they taught you, and we’ll teach you much of our own. Even to the strange and almost extinct bird-people on their mountaintops and to the halfmen dwelling in the deepest woods we extend this invitation: Join us. Join the righteous war against Ermor. Join us in the eternal struggle to make this world a world we want to live in, not one we’re afraid to die in – because death will not allow us any rest.

To the noble in his manor house, to the merchant in his city house or sleeping under the bed of his wagon. To the farmer working his fields, and the craftsman crafting his goods. To the soldier sleeping in a muddy ditch, the servant polishing his masters boots, the filthy beggars in the city streets, and the perfumed ladies at a court ball. To all of you and more I promise: Ulm will do everything in it’s power to make sure that – when your time has come – your life will be remembered by those you leave behind, your body treated with the honour and respect it deserves, instead of used and discarded as a poorly made tool. Any help any of you can give this cause will be gratefully received.



In the name of Ulm, its ruling council, its people and its hope for the future,




Ulfrida, Lady of the Rock, The Fortifier, The Unforgiving Queen.

[Amhazair]

I think I got carried away a bit... It probably has something to do with being a roleplayer. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

And to think I could have used the time to write this to actually make sure all my mages and commanders have the right commands to actually fight this war... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Hadrian_II]

So its finally beginning, the war between Ulm and Ermor who was lingering around a long time has now become fact.

We of Man are neutral in this conflict, but we are watching closely and if one of the warring parties should violate our borders we will swiftly strike back.

We are very interested in who will win the Clash of Gigants, Ermors Tartarians or Ulms Elemental Royality.

btw. The people of Man are very interested in Battle Reports so plz write some in the forum.

[Amhazair]

And I do like to write them, but it isn't allways easy to find the time and/or the energy to do so.

If it hadn't been a weekend you probably wouldn't have the privilage to read my beautifully written and inspiring Declaration of Defiance http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[ajr]

Reverend Zombie said:
Arco has won the upper hand again in our "own little war"--permanently this time, I fear.

I have had a fun and instructive time fighting you--good game.




Agreed - I learned a lot fighting you in this game. You really caught me the first time I tried assaulting that castle...

[Reverend Zombie]

To all nations of the world:

From this time forward consider all territories of Bandar Log to be free and open to transit of your armies. Note however, that due to the current state of our lands, this proclamation may not reach all provincial commanders or expeditionary forces currently in the field, so localized clashes may occur.

Provided that you parole all Bandar Log military personnel captured after any such battle, we have no quarrel with you.

[Amhazair]

Hadrian_II said:
We are very interested in who will win the Clash of Gigants, Ermors Tartarians or Ulms Elemental Royality.




Well, it seems first blood went to the Tartarians http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Luckily I'm big and strong and can stand a little blood loss http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



I'm also wondering how people would feel about a 3-day timer. I'm not sure I'll need it myself, but I do have a busy work period comming up just now that all hell broke loose, so I might have to run quite a bit.

[Hadrian_II]

Amhazair said:
I'm also wondering how people would feel about a 3-day timer. I'm not sure I'll need it myself, but I do have a busy work period comming up just now that all hell broke loose, so I might have to run quite a bit.



now that a big war is running, it might be time to set to 72h, i think ermor would agree too, as his turns are always arriving on the deathline. (but the next turn will still be tomorrow http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif )

[calmon]

This time i need a little more time. I had very much work to do during week and this weekend my parents visiting me. I will try to get in my turn till midnight European central time. Please wait with hosting, this war makes a turn really time-consuming.

[Hadrian_II]

ok, but i cant host them, so the next turn will be hosted tomorrow in the morning +-24h from now.

[Amhazair]

calmon said:
This time i need a little more time. I had very much work to do during week and this weekend my parents visiting me. I will try to get in my turn till midnight European central time. Please wait with hosting, this war makes a turn really time-consuming.



Aye... merely looking at the turn's messages takes quite a bit longer than playing an entire turn did before the war http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[calmon]

My turn was sent yesterday ~10.00 pm. Just to make sure you got it (2h file is more than a MB big now) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Hadrian_II]

mid_ermor.trn = 1.8 MB, what are u doing? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

When I tried to start up my turn I got the message: "turn file is corrupted" after which dominions closed itself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Any idea what can cause that, and more importantly, how to solve it?


Far less important: for the first time since I got myself Gmail the computer goblins struck again and prevented the turn mail from reaching my original adress. It did arrive fine at Gmail though, so no problem.

[calmon]

I would try to download it again. Maybe the download was corrupted.

I attach the mid_ulm.trn file to this post (packed with winrar). Maybe this version works.

While war turn 1 was more in my favor and turn 2 more in yours this 3rd turn was more or less equalized.

[Amhazair]

Thanks Calmon, that attachment worked just fine. (I had tried downloading it from the mail a couple of times already, with no luck)

Let's go see what more equalized means...

[calmon]

My turn was sent more than 1 hour ago. Did you get it? Maybe i should start to zip/rar the file. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Hadrian_II]

yes i got it, but i cant host, as long as i am not at home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
the next turn should arrive shortly

[Amhazair]

Pffft...

Only four turns of war, and I'm already effectively beaten by a very well executed and coordinated Ermor assault. The combination of massive undead armies, many (many!) Tartarians, half of them able to teleport through one means or another, and massive use of ghost riders has pummeled me to my knees.

Apart from plain and simply being stronger than I was (which was the case), the main cause of this fast collapse was that Calmon was apperently perfectly ready for the war, and I wasn't. I needed about a turn or two (without enemy interruption, which I obviously didn't get) to get everything in place to start a war as I'd have wanted to start it.

You could argue (and you wouldn't be wrong) that it was not very smart to cast a powerful spell like the Arcane Nexus when I wasn't totally ready for a war. I did however have a NAP with Ermor lasting until turn 70, and after having read this http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&amp;Number=487206&amp;page=&amp;view=&amp;sb=5&amp;o =&amp;fpart=1&amp;vc=1 thread some time ago, I was under the impression that even the casting of such a powerful global would not be considered enough cause to break it. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame Calmon in any way - comming from a (board)gaming background where a rare, carefully planned and game-winning betrayal was much admired I was quite worried about being tied hand and foot by "the way things were done here" unable to react if a player I had a deal with did something potentially game winning. I'm quite glad that this at least seems to be considered just cause to attack the offender. - but that thread had me convinced that I was free to do what I wanted untill turn 70, and I was aiming for a war at that point, and not earlier. (with Ermor at least, I was less worried about some other nations http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

Having said all that: anyone who's still planning of doing something in this game better to it soon, while Ermor is still occupied with me (I still do have some forces left), because soon he'll be able to turn his full attention elsewhere. And trust me, his attention hurts a lot. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

P.S. I did have some smaller successes spread around the heavy blows I kept receiving. Honorable mention for fondest memory for a battle in this game goes to an attempt to break the siege of my castle in Veldorn. Most of the reinforcements I planned to arrive for that battle were stopped by teleporting (or cloud trapezing, or gatestoning, or otherwise jumping about) nasties, so in the end I only had about 50 regular troops with massive mage support to face a roughly 1000-men (3/4 undead) army. The result was a totally destroyed opposition, with only 1 master smith and 2 heavy infantries dead. (and 2 charmed legionnaires to replace them with http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif) Even though it wasn't a terribly important win (there was nothing particularly valuable in the opposing army), I still thought it amazing fun. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Sandman]

Is that it, then? Should we declare Calmon the winner?

Ermor has an unstoppable advantage in money and gems. I saw that much when I had Eyes of God up.

[calmon]

I weren't prepared for this war. For me this declaration was also surprising. Maybe we can provide our passwords and 2h files at the end of the game. Not necessarily for this issue but because of the much and often nice battles we had (and will have). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

The thing with our NAP and arcane nexus may be discussible. As i said before for me is nexus a very aggressive spell (like utterdark) which has a heavy impact in all others gem using. This spell could be taken as a declaration of war to everyone. However thats my viewpoint but i admit that this may be debatable.

Well, i think you aren't defeated. You take over my best combat global and you have much armies with very good combinations of mages. Your huge arcane income give you a big advantage and good options to react. How many gems did you get from the nexus each turn?
Furthermore T'ien Ch'i decided to attack my backlands and take out most of my water provinces.

I appeal on all other player not to believe that ulm is defeated. Like a good diplomacy player he just play down his own strengths.

[Hadrian_II]

I dont think this game is over yet as Agharta and I have some forces left to join the battle at some point. But in the moment it is not easy to say who will win, as ermor might be stronger now but Ulm with the Arcane Nexus will become very powerful in the long run. Too bad i neglected my scouting and cannot say how the war is going in the east.

[Amhazair]

calmon said:
I weren't prepared for this war. For me this declaration was also surprising.



I didn't necessarily mean that you had planned out your moves in advance or anything, but apparently (a large part of) your forces were in position to attack straight away. While I was using the first turn(s) of the war to move my forces from where I had recruited/summoned them to where I actually needed them, you teleported stuff on top of them, preventing them from arriving (and incidentially also destroying much of them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif), while your conventional armies moved into my un-reinforced border provinces. You might have noticed that all my moves up to now where made in an attempt to counter your attacks, and that I didn't manage to launch any (even minor) offensive of my own.


The thing with our NAP and arcane nexus may be discussible. As i said before for me is nexus a very aggressive spell (like utterdark) which has a heavy impact in all others gem using. This spell could be taken as a declaration of war to everyone. However thats my viewpoint but i admit that this may be debatable.




As I said: I totally agree that this is a valid reason to attack me. I just thought that the gaming community on these forums thought otherwise, and as such I was not prepared. I won't make that mistake again.


Well, i think you aren't defeated. You take over my best combat global and you have much armies with very good combinations of mages. Your huge arcane income give you a big advantage and good options to react. How many gems did you get from the nexus each turn?
Furthermore T'ien Ch'i decided to attack my backlands and take out most of my water provinces.




dont think this game is over yet as Agharta and I have some forces left to join the battle at some point. But in the moment it is not easy to say who will win, as ermor might be stronger now but Ulm with the Arcane Nexus will become very powerful in the long run. Too bad i neglected my scouting and cannot say how the war is going in the east.



Let me rephrase what I said and clarify what I actually meant: Ermor has dealt me some big blows that hurt me badly, and has huge and powerful forces ready to deal some more blows. If the two of us would be left alone I might still win a battle or two, kill of some stuff, and resist a while longer, but I don't see myself capable of doing any serious harm to his empire. That does not necessarily mean this game is over. If other nations launch a serious attack on Ermor, doing real damage and possibly forcing him to pull back some of his troops, Whatever I still have left at this point might help me hold out long enough for the nexus to pay of more, and then the situation could possibly change.

I also have only very poor information on the strength of the other nations, as T'ien Chi fought his war underwater and thus out of sight of my scouts, Man was on the opposite corner of the map and I only saw some minor engagement where unsupported knights fought of some stupid AI attacks, and Agartha actually hasn't fought any war yet (which could mean he has huge forces at his disposal) In none of these cases do I have the slightest idea of any independent mages they have that might widen their magical spectrum, of their gem income and reserves, of any kind of SC they might have, etc...

Oh, and the income of the Nexus is quite nice. It almost doubled my total gem income. (with less diversity obviously http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)

[Sandman]

Hadrian_II said:
I dont think this game is over yet as Agharta and I have some forces left to join the battle at some point. But in the moment it is not easy to say who will win, as ermor might be stronger now but Ulm with the Arcane Nexus will become very powerful in the long run. Too bad i neglected my scouting and cannot say how the war is going in the east.



If by 'at some point' you mean now, then there is a slim chance that Ermor may be defeated. Ulm is already in ruins, their astral gems will not save them.

[Teraswaerto]

Teraswaerto said:
the world is fit for ashes and suffering on dark fields of bare bones. In the eye of the void we have seen that Ermor shall bring all this in ample quantity.




Doubt not the void.

[Amhazair]

Teraswaerto said:

Teraswaerto said:
the world is fit for ashes and suffering on dark fields of bare bones. In the eye of the void we have seen that Ermor shall bring all this in ample quantity.




Doubt not the void.



http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[calmon]

Sandman said:

Hadrian_II said:
I dont think this game is over yet as Agharta and I have some forces left to join the battle at some point. But in the moment it is not easy to say who will win, as ermor might be stronger now but Ulm with the Arcane Nexus will become very powerful in the long run. Too bad i neglected my scouting and cannot say how the war is going in the east.



If by 'at some point' you mean now, then there is a slim chance that Ermor may be defeated. Ulm is already in ruins, their astral gems will not save them.



+I conquered 1 ulmish castle in the borderlands to me
-He still has more than 20 castles left

+I took some land in the former machaka domain.
-The rest of the provinces are nearly untouched!

+I destroyed some armies
-i lost some armies too and there are many ulmish armies left

+I destroyed some of his elementals
-I lost tartarians too, he charmed some of mine and build up his own tartarians

If you say ulm is in ruins maybe you should give your scouts a better training.

[Sandman]

+I conquered 1 ulmish castle in the borderlands to me
-He still has more than 20 castles left



Yeah, but at least four of them are under siege.

[Hadrian_II]

Both sides have convincing arguments, i saw Ermorian tartarians being killed by soul slay, but i also saw Queens of water perish to mere skeletons. So id say neither Ulm nor Ermor are as weak as they pretend to be.

btw. players log Hadrian-II: scouts are nice, and you want to have your scouts all over the map so that when a war like this one breaks out, you will have your own sources and dont have to choose which players propaganda is the better one.

[Hadrian_II]

Hosting information, i will leave home in 3h, so if i dont get the turns by then, hosting will posphone itself maybe to tomorrow. (or just to the evening)

[Amhazair]

Aargh, somehow I had gotten it into my head that last turn arrived on sunday, so the new one only had to arrive tomorrow, but I just noticed that it was sent on saturday already.

I will play my turn as soon as I can manage, and send it sometime later tonight. (luckily Ermor has been kind enough to severely limit the actions I need to take in one turn, so it won't take 6 hours to play http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ) My apologies to all.


P.S. Damn you, Calmon, how many gems did you use on that Forge of the Ancients? That's my entire turn's Astral income down the drain on a failed dispel http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif


Edit: turn sent.

[Sandman]

T'ien Ch'i managed to kill two of Ermor's Tartarians this turn, and drive back their pretender (who has been empowered with air). But the cost was severe, and with half of Ulm's territory gone, there seems to be little hope left.

[Sandman]

Sorry I'm late, stuff has been stacking up. I'll get the turn done in about eight hours time.

[calmon]

I didn't get a turn. Was hosting delayed?

However i wish all in faerun a happy eastern! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[calmon]

Still no turn here. Anyone got one?

[Hadrian_II]

hosting was delayed as in host was not home, and then host was asleep http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Sandman]

In a humiliating underwater fiasco, four Ermorian tartarians routed T'ien Chi's best mages, leading to their deaths. The fight was not completely Ermor's way; three of the tartarians recived multiple serious afflictions. But even if we had won, there would have been more next turn. And the turn after that.

[Hadrian_II]

i still miss tien chis turn, i want to host today, so it would be nice if you could send it.

[Hadrian_II]

ouch, master enslave hurts.

Has someone still things that might be able to hurt ermor?

btw. do i get it right, that in the lategame armies just are for decoration?

[calmon]

Well no, armies aren't just decoration, but armies have lost the domination of the early game.

I was just lucky enough to foreseen your attack to bring up this enslaver.

Ulm is still far away of being defeated and this turn several of my titans KIA.

Agarthas attack several turns ago weakens my western lands and interfere my reinforcement to the south.

I can't count the undeads died from firestorms.

[Zrave]

While my part of the war with Ermor hasnt been a complete rout, I'm still losing. If the others are also losing, I'll jump in with the "declare Ermor the winner" petition, especially since I'm a little pressed for time to continue playing.

PS: nerf disintegrate!

[Sandman]

I'm all for declaring Ermor the winner. Possibly we should have been more lax with the victory points, I don't think anyone came close to a teleport win.

Good game nonetheless.

[Amhazair]

As Calmon said, I had a very nice win this turn, smashing an oposing army with 6? opposition Tartarians/royals taken out, with no losses on my side. (And those firestorms are quite nice too... take a look at the hall of fame if you feel like it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )

Unfortunately the strategic situation hasn't changed much: I'm loosing several provinces each turn to ghost riders and massed undead armies, and I can't defend everywhere at once. Let alone counterattack. I'm still having great fun trying to be as tough a nut to crack as I can be, but I don't have any real hope for victory.

[Hadrian_II]

I'd say we wont declare Ermor Victor until Ulm is beaten.

btw. somehow i feel the urge to create a mod that softens up the big clubs that are in the game now. It just does not feel right to create a big army, and then loose one half to a firestorm, and the other half becoming slaves.

[calmon]

My biggest problem is that the micromanagement increase with every single province. In moment a turn needs 4-8 hours, maybe more to plan.

I've no problem to continue this game if you want but i would need another 24 hours to our hosting frequence making it a 96 hour game.

[Amhazair]

I can simpathyze with Calmon. If I see what it takes me to play my turn, and then think he has twice my number of provinces, is fighting on about a dozen fronts against 4 nations, and has to manage all the undead he raises everywhere...

I totally understand why he'd want more time.

[Hadrian_II]

I will host when i have all the turns, i dont think that now is the time to create useless stress on the players. (but it would be nice if they arrive not too late)

[Zrave]

I lost all of my relevant armies, and will be wiped out in 2 or 3 turns, so I'm going computer controlled.

GG all.

[Sandman]

I've also set T'ien Ch'i to AI. It's still in a vaguely defendable position, but with other games and real life stuff, I simply don't have the time to keep up with this game.

It was fun beating R'lyeh underwater, but it was costly in gems, leading to a gem crunch in the late-middle game. Using Celestial Masters to search gave me a good gem lead in the early-middle game, but by the end, I was lagging behind Ulm with its rainbow pretender and Ermor with its vast territory. I blew a lot of my astral and nature income on fruitless ashkic records, dispels and globals.

Forge of the Ancients kept me in contention for a while longer, but it couldn't help my lack of money; whilst Ulm and Ermor were throwing up temples and forts all over the place, T'ien Ch'i could barely manage to recruit enough mages.

[calmon]

I've nearly finished my turn and it will be send in 3 hours.

Edit: Turn sent.

[Hadrian_II]

Next turn underway.

I am still in the game, but i dont to lots of micromanagement any more, im just trying to bring my last armies to battle and let them fight until ermor enslaves them. Most of my economy is now used to supply ulm.

[calmon]

My next turn will be in on wednesday evening.

I've some project work to do in moment and i'm very happy about this relaxing turn frequency! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Amhazair]

Oh, nice...

I've had an unexpectedly busy weekend, and was feeling slightly bad for delaying the turn because of that, but apparently it's all YOUR fault we're delaying. I blame YOU, calmon, and only YOU! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I'm industrious, punctual, and innocent! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

*** Disclaimer ***

The following reaction is waaay too late, for which you have my apologies. I blame the fact that I managed to take on too many games, expecting to be eliminated in some, and not quite realising how long playing one turn would last once endgame was reached, so I have been struggling to actually play all my turns, let alone conduct diplomacy in a proper fashion, or contributing to the respective game threads. Anyhooow:

*** End of Disclaimer ***



In the name of Ulm, humanity and the world as a whole, I wish to thank the nations of Man, T'ien Chi, and Agartha for their brave attempt to support us in the deperate struggle for survival against the vileness that is Ermor. First offering the blood of your sons and daughters on the plains of battle, and then, when that proved futile, by sending invaluable supplies of war to our embattled nation.

After the disintegration of our empire under the relentless undead onslaught, (ooc: for those with little scouts in our area: I've been reduced to a mere 15 provinces, plus 8 besieged fortresses) your much appreciated contribution is the only thing that still keeps us going. Alas, even with that help, the situation is bleak, very bleak. But with your support we managed to outfit an unstopable army, and we'll show the generations to come what it means to back Ulm into a corner! We will put up a resistance that Ermor will never forget! (ooc: after a private message to Calmon asking him if he was still enjoying the game - which he apparently is - else I would have been willing to write a nice declaration of surrender here. But since he's still having fun, I'll bleed him as much as I still can)

With much appreciation for your effort,


Ulfrida, Lady of the Rock.

[Teraswaerto]

As we said before, R'lyeh supports Ermor. Tien Chi robbed us of our future, and we repaid in kind as best we could. Do the ashes taste bitter? Oh yes, we forget, there is no one left to answer.

[Hadrian_II]

next turn is out and it looks like ermor is trying to finish it i saw tartarians attack most the VPs in the game but it looks like it will take one or two turns more.

calmon, how much VPs do you have? 29?? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[calmon]

Yep, exactly 29! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

This Hell Keep in 380 was too hard for my 2 titans. I lost some more battles in T'ien Ch'i (VP) territory and one of the agartha points was to well defended.

I'll try to do my next turn within the next 3 days. I want to storm some VP castles very soon! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[calmon]

My turn is ready in about 1 hour.

Edit: sent

[Amhazair]

And so have I. Will this be the last turn?... Oh, the tension... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Hadrian_II]

Rlyeh is missing, and i intend to host today so i need that turn.

[Teraswaerto]

Hmmm, sorry again. Doing it right now.

[Hadrian_II]

Now, after 74 turns Calmon has finally won the game. Congratulations.

I think in this game i learned the basics of the game, and does no longer have to call myself a noob http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

has someone found some bugs in the map? As im thinking about a new game in faerun (i fixed northern thay, removed the troops on non VPs[almost], removed the hydras in a mixed VP and nerfed the hellgate keep a bit)

[ajr]

Congratulations, calmon!

[Amhazair]

Indeed, congratulations on a nice win, Calmon, you sure thought me a thing or two in this game. (I will remember them though! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif ), and totally overpowered me in our war, despite my best efforts.

(our) God is Dead, All Hail The Pantokrator!

[calmon]

Thanks guys! This game was a lot of fun and i had so much big battles that i can't count them all.

The ermor nation will remember the ancient ulmish smiths and warriors which kills many of our brave soldiers. You Amhazair brough up this rather weak nation to a stronghold in the world of Faerun!

A big praise to Hadrian II who host this game perfectly!

I ended up with 36 VPs. With tartarians and others the VPs sites weren't such a big problem.
The hellgate keep shouldn't be nerfed much in my eyes. It has 4 sites including the 60% blood magic site "Summoning Circle" which is really usefull for every blood nation.

I hope i meet you all again in another world of dominions III!