The Middle Way - Faerun EA [Need Replacement]

[Meglobob]

Teraswaerto said:
I thought Frank had told someone he wasn't playing anymore. If that is not the case, then giving away his nation is not something I'd agree with.



Did you not get the 2 in game messages he sent to everyone?

The last line said and I quote Frank's words exactly, "I won't be continueing with this game, I am leaving all my gems to Absyia and Argatha"

I will not be playing with Frank in any future MP games anymore.

(edited because this argument needs to end-Mindi)

[Teraswaerto]

I guess my the druids tore their robes and cast aside their wits. Marverni would soon be no more post was too cryptic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Under attack from Helheim for some time, after yet another lost battle I, in a fit of disgust and frustration, turned AI. This happened some turns back.

[Meglobob]

Teraswaerto said:
I guess my the druids tore their robes and cast aside their wits. Marverni would soon be no more post was too cryptic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Under attack from Helheim for some time, after yet another lost battle I, in a fit of disgust and frustration, turned AI. This happened some turns back.



Oh, I thought you were still hanging in there, bad luck.

[Hellboy]

FrankTrollman said:
Wow. Were you planning on telling me that I was being replaced?


With the last sentence of your insulting in-game messages being "I won't be continuing this game" why in the world would I need to tell you that you're being replaced???

Frank, you're out, JayThomas is in. That's that. No more discussion (I sincerely hope!!!)

[Hellboy]

Just waiting on:

imororg/Sauromatia

[Evilhomer]

oki im gone for the weekend.

[Amhazair]

I guess my the druids tore their robes and cast aside their wits. Marverni would soon be no more post was too cryptic. Under attack from Helheim for some time, after yet another lost battle I, in a fit of disgust and frustration, turned AI. This happened some turns back.




Ouch, that was indeed too cryptic, even for the player most involved with it. I thought you had given up hope to win, but fully expected you too cause as much damage as possible before going down. (as the one other game I've played with you you've been battling from a lost position against T'ien Chi for what must be close to a century now)

It does explain some, shall we call them... intriguing tactical choices in these last few turns though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


I also got some small amount from Ermor last turn, so if that position is being taken over I'll return them too.


Edit: To add the quote that somehow got lost in the process of posting.

[Teraswaerto]

Yes, well, I soon regretted turning AI so quick, but the turn had already hosted at that point.

It's not a thing I typically do, but there was something about having seen it coming ever since I spotted Helheim on my border that, in a moment of weakness, got the better of me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

[Sandman]

I'll be out of town from 0930 GMT Monday to 2300 GMT Tuesday. Dunno if you want to delay or whatever.

[Hellboy]

Sandman said:
I'll be out of town from 0930 GMT Monday to 2300 GMT Tuesday. Dunno if you want to delay or whatever.

Sure, of course we will. But do please watch to see if Evilhomer gets his turn in before you leave. If it hosts, and if you can make sure that you have a turn in when you go, that'd be great.

[Hellboy]

Evilhomer just got a turn in, so we've hosted and we're on turn 30 now.

[Hellboy]

I'm bringing the server down in another couple of hours (2pm PDT, GMT - 7), so if you want to work on your turns, be sure to download them, rather than working online. Hopefully the server will be right back up, but it could be as long as 6 hrs.

[Hellboy]

Server is back up, but I'll need to take it down again tomorrow.

[Hellboy]

Hey, I know we're showing 48hrs to host, but that was just to allow Sandman some extra time 'till he gets back. In the meantime I thought we would host at least once, since Sandman's last turn is in...

We're waiting on:
Darrel/Arcoscephale
Dedas/Pangaea
R'lyeh/Evilhomer

[Dedas]

I will do my turn first thing in the morning.

[Hellboy]

Just waiting on Evilhomer. Evilhomer I thought you were going to be back by yesterday? What's up?

[Evilhomer]

I finished this turn with more than 31 hours to go untill deadline, I fail to see the problem...

[Hellboy]

Evilhomer said:
I finished this turn with more than 31 hours to go untill deadline, I fail to see the problem...


First, thanks for getting your turn in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

To explain: it's not a big deal, but I'm just trying to keep the game moving along. I set the game to 72hr qh to make sure that Sandman didn't stale, but I also wanted to see it host before Sandman got back (if at all possible, anyhow).

Tonight I will set it back to 28hr qh.

[Hellboy]

Reset to 28hr qh.

[Tyrant]

Will we be slowing the game down soon? The original post said 28 to start and 52 later.

[Hellboy]

Tyrant said:
Will we be slowing the game down soon? The original post said 28 to start and 52 later.

Sure, if we get a few people that'd like to slow it down, we can drop it to 52 at any time now.

[Meglobob]

Tyrant said:
Will we be slowing the game down soon? The original post said 28 to start and 52 later.



I would like to slow the game down to 52hrs as well.

Most of the time I will still be able to get my orders in fairly quick but occassionally during the weekdays I will struggle due to being too tired to be bothered from work.

Also, it makes for a better game, giving people time to script spells for battles, plan SC's etc...

[JayThomas]

Yeah, I need lots of extra time... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Dedas]

Me too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Hellboy]

JayThomas said:
Yeah, I need lots of extra time... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Now, Jay Thomas, you're joking right?

Jay Thomas excluded that's 3 in favor, one more person shows up in favor and with no objections I'll reset to 52 hr qh.

[Izzyz]

Gentlemen,
Sorry for the late turn. Both my life and my turn suddenly got very busy. I've just uploaded and the turn is running. Despite this, I still would rather run at 28 hours for a while. Among other things, it kinda punishes our stalwarts who are sticking it out with weak positions.
Again, my apologies.
Yomi

[Hellboy]

OK, right now I'm not hearing a big voice to move it to 52hr. However, I do see turns increasing in complexity pretty rapidly now, so I imagine we'll be switching over in the not too distant future.

[Hellboy]

I'll be bringing the server down sometime in the next hr or so, hopefully it won't be down for long.

[Hellboy]

Server is back up.

[Hellboy]

Hey, I know I reset the clock when I restarted the server (so its showing 26 hrs now), but it would be nice if we could still pretend we're on the old clock, and got our turns in tonight. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Just a thought...

[johnarryn]

Beware the Abysian scum... they attack without warning or cause. All neighbors of Abysia would do well to look to their borders.
- Niefelheim

[Sandman]

Did you expect us to not notice your aggressive temple building scheme right on our borders? Before Arco was defeated, even! Such dominion pushing was no doubt the forerunner to a full-scale invasion, once the last of Arco's forts fell.

Abysia merely took the initiative.

[johnarryn]

The giants of Niefelheim have constructed <one> temple on their extensive border with Abysia. This is to counteract the foul effect of the Arcoscephalian dominion.

Beware Abysia... they twist the truth to their own advantage.

On the other hand, our extensive border was rather undefended... which no doubt appears as a tasty morsel for demons.

[Sandman]

Such deceit!

There were *two* temples right on the border! Placed, no doubt, to spread the blizzards throughout our hinterlands, with the pitiless giants following it, scattering all before them.

[JayThomas]

Meglobob said:

I did my very, very best. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Btw, I, Atlantis so far have taken no losses beyond a couple of soldiers in this war, so you can't fail to do better than the previous incumbent. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif




The Ermorian Council rejoices as the host of "dying" pillers et al were repulsed from from our glorious city.

May the smoke of fish guts rise above the plains of Ermor forever and ever.

[for now anyway http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif]

And now for Agartha. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

[Amhazair]

That victory you won was really nice, and I sure Atlantis wasn't happy to loose so many capitol-only resource heavy troops... But it looks like he's back now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

I would also like to add my voice to those requesting slower turns, if people don't mind too much.

[JayThomas]

Well, I'm not expecting a great resurrection of Ermor or anything. I'm sure Atlantis will have their way with them in the end. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

Not to mention Agartha....

[Meglobob]

JayThomas said:
Well, I'm not expecting a great resurrection of Ermor or anything. I'm sure Atlantis will have their way with them in the end. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

Not to mention Agartha....



You did well enough beating me in 2 battles! I think the position you took over was always doomed but I prefer a fight so thanks for taking Ermor over and giving me a challenge.

Btw I totally forgot about my weakness of low MR, thanks for reminding me with them multiple shadow blasts!

[Meglobob]

What turn are we moving to 48 hrs or whatever? I think alot of people have big empires now and a turn a day is becoming hard. Especially if you are playing 8 MP games like me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[Amhazair]

8... I'm running myself ragged with 'merely' 4 of them...

[Hellboy]

If there's no great outcry against slowing down, I'm fine with going to 2 day turns, although I'd like to let the current turn stay on schedule.

On a separate note, I'm wondering if we've lost imororg (Sauromatia). If he stales again tonight, I think I'll be looking for a sub.

[JayThomas]

Damn! Everyone was suppose to be on patrol. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

Oh well. One more round then I'm done. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif

[llamabeast]

I'll sub if you want if Sauromatia stays awol.

[Hellboy]

llamabeast said:
I'll sub if you want if Sauromatia stays awol.

That could be good - we won't be officially looking for a sub until tomorrow morning though. Although, actually I'm also looking for a sub for Niefelheim, as well (johnarryn just PMd me looking to bow out of this one). I'm not sure which position is in better shape. Niefelheim just took out Arco, but is under a potentially challenging attack from Abysia.

I believe Sauromatia has a large # of provinces (Izzyz, the Yomi player can correct me if I'm wrong), but it has lost a few battles vs. Yomi, losing a large number of Hydra along the way, and now T'ien Ch'i (that's me!) has attacked them from the other side. I think either position will have their challenges.

For all concerned, I'm going to reset the clock tonight to 50hrs, ensuring that Sauro does not stale. However, if I don't hear from imororg before 9am PDT (GMT-7) tomorrow morning, I'll be officially looking for a sub.

Right now, we are just waiting on:
Agartha/Tyrant
Sauromatia/imororg

Despite what the clock says I'd like to get both these turns in asap, so we can get back on schedule. If imororg is truly awol, it'd be good if his was the only turn missing, so the new player can get the turn and have it host immediately.

[StrictlyRockers]

Well, I have talked to some people about this game. I don't want to talk out of turn, but I don't think I am divulging any state secrets here.

I think that yes, it is right to worry about about Sauromatia staling and bailing at this point. This is probably about the right time to start looking for a sub.

Sauromatia has been losing this war, and I think Yomi surprised him. Yes, he did win a battle where he killed a bunch of Hydras.

[llamabeast]

Sauromatia sounds like quite a challenge, I'd be up for subbing for them. I'm not such a fan of Niefelheim, so Sauromatia would definitely be my preference. Thanks!

[johnarryn]

I apologize for bowing out folks... Abysia just whupped me pretty bad with flaming arrows (surprise, surprise), but the real reason I need to bow out is lack of time... I have some personal things going on now that are making it so i just dont have the time to play Dom3..

I enjoyed the game.

[Sandman]

Whilst Abysia did repel two Niefel attacks, the giants seem to have an endless amount of money and will be able to rebuild quickly. There are still at least twenty Niefels in the field, and no less than three Niefel Jarls. So basically, Niefelheim is far from a lost cause.

[Hellboy]

llamabeast said:
Sauromatia sounds like quite a challenge, I'd be up for subbing for them. I'm not such a fan of Niefelheim, so Sauromatia would definitely be my preference. Thanks!

OK, llamabeast, imororg has just under 3 hours now to show up, if he doesn't Sauromatia is yours. If you're going to be online this morning and can get a turn in soon, that would be a definite plus (the game has been held up on just Sauro for 12hrs now).

[Hellboy]

It's official: Sauromatia has been reassigned to llamabeast.

We are still looking for a substitute for Niefelheim.

[Jazzepi]

I'd like to play. I can't promise the best performance, but I need some experience in big multiplayer battles.

Jazzepi

[Tyrant]

Let Sauromatia's enemies beware, Beast is a Sauromatian expert!

[Hellboy]

Jazzepi said:
I'd like to play. I can't promise the best performance, but I need some experience in big multiplayer battles.


OK, Jazzepi, you're in. I'm going to let the current turn run w/ johnarryn's turn, though. You might be able to get the .trn & .h files from him if you want to see what's going on. I'll PM you later on today w/ instructions to take over the position.

[Hellboy]

Tyrant said:
Let Sauromatia's enemies beware, Beast is a Sauromatian expert!

A ringer! Who's responsible for this? Who?! I think the appropriate solution is for Jazzepi and llamabeast to switch immediately! (Just kidding http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

[llamabeast]

Why, thankyou Ty. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Indeed, everyone fear me! Roar!

(You have to visualise a llama roaring at this point. It's scary, eh?)

Later on when I get to look at the game, I'll know exactly how much you should fear me. I may be only a small llama in this instance.

What's a ringer?

[Hellboy]

llamabeast said:
What's a ringer?

ah, maybe "ringer" is an americanism. A ringer is someone brought into a competition who has excellent experience/talent/skills for the game in question, but whose background and abilities are intentionally unknown to your opponents (and who will therefore have the advantage of surprise).

[Amhazair]

llamabeast said:
Indeed, everyone fear me! Roar!

(You have to visualise a llama roaring at this point. It's scary, eh?)




I don't know about you, but I definitely have seen some fearsome llama's in my time... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Jazzepi]

Hellboy said:

Jazzepi said:
I'd like to play. I can't promise the best performance, but I need some experience in big multiplayer battles.


OK, Jazzepi, you're in. I'm going to let the current turn run w/ johnarryn's turn, though. You might be able to get the .trn & .h files from him if you want to see what's going on. I'll PM you later on today w/ instructions to take over the position.



Just tell me what I need to do to get setup! I can figure it out from there.

Jazzepi

[llamabeast]

Hi guys, sorry, it's taken me a little longer to get to it than I'd hoped. I'm just about to look at it and take the turn now...

Sorry to keep you waiting.

[JayThomas]

Ermor is no more. I have set them to AI.

Thanks for letting me play this posistion. It was interesting.

[johnarryn]

I certainly didn't want to imply that Niefelheim is a lost cause... we were defeated in a battle or two, but I have a few more than 3 Jarls running around =) As well as a good number of giants and such. So the position is a good one... I just don't have the time to play it.

[Meglobob]

Server appears to be down.

[Hellboy]

Should be back up now.

[Amhazair]

Nop, still down for me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Hellboy]

looks like they gave me a new IP address, here's the new one:

IP: 24.17.189.161
Port: 1024 (same as before)

I edited the initial post, to include this correction.

[Meglobob]

Hellboy said:
looks like they gave me a new IP address, here's the new one:

IP: 24.17.189.161
Port: 1024 (same as before)

I edited the initial post, to include this correction.



This works fine now.

Cheers Hellboy.

[Amhazair]

Helheim is having a chronical shortage of earth gems. Anyone willing to trade will have my eternal gratitude - in addition to payment in any kind of gem except nature. Anyone willing to trade earth for fire will even receive payment at 4:3 ratio.

[Foodstamp]

Kailasa is interested in trading earth gems for other gems. After I check the map I will send you a proposal through a private message.

[Jazzepi]

Wow, I'm honestly a little overwhelmed. I didn't realize how terribly complex/large this was going to be! I apologize, but you should find a sub for me. I don't want to wreck the game because I'm subbing in for a large/important nation and am not sure what I'm doing exactly.

I'll happily play custodian until then, and try to keep the giant's borders from shrinking too much.

Jazzepi

[Jazzepi]

I talked with Hellboy and as long as people are okay with me being really inexperienced at running complicated magic kingdoms, I'll give this one a shot. I'm just not sure how well I'll do.

If anyone was in an alliance, or had a treaty with the Nieflam's, now is the time to speak up! I didn't really get a handout on what the current political situation was before getting into this.

Jazzepi

[Meglobob]

Jazzepi said:
I talked with Hellboy and as long as people are okay with me being really inexperienced at running complicated magic kingdoms, I'll give this one a shot. I'm just not sure how well I'll do.

If anyone was in an alliance, or had a treaty with the Nieflam's, now is the time to speak up! I didn't really get a handout on what the current political situation was before getting into this.

Jazzepi



Treat it as a learning experience, I made sooo many mistakes in my first MP game I cringe now... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

Not certain about this as your not in my part of the world but you and Abysia may have 'tense' relations, your cold and he is hot, a bad mix. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Hellboy]

Meglobob said:
Treat it as a learning experience, I made sooo many mistakes in my first MP game I cringe now... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif


Exactly! That was certainly my experience. All that said, if anyone knows a good Niefelheim nation guide or good post for discussing Niefelheim strategy/tactics, this would be a very good time to post a reference.

[Sir_Dr_D]

Jazzepi said:
I talked with Hellboy and as long as people are okay with me being really inexperienced at running complicated magic kingdoms, I'll give this one a shot. I'm just not sure how well I'll do.

If anyone was in an alliance, or had a treaty with the Nieflam's, now is the time to speak up! I didn't really get a handout on what the current political situation was before getting into this.

Jazzepi



Niefleheim had just realized that their invasion into acro territory was unjust.They agreed to repent, withdraw all troops from acro land, and let Acroscephale have it back.

[Hellboy]

JayThomas said:
Ermor is no more. I have set them to AI.

Thanks for letting me play this posistion. It was interesting.

Hey, thanks for jumping in Jay, it sure sounds like you were able to get in a few hard blows before going down - certainly an improvement over the AI!

[Jazzepi]

Sorry about the stale! I didn't realize I wouldn't get an e-mail after the hosting. Too used to Velusion's server.

I won't be staling anymore, and I think I have a bit of a handle on the giants now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Jazzepi

[Hellboy]

I just reset the server schedule at llamabeast's request. Apparently there is some technical problem ocurring, but hopefully this will be resolved quickly.

[llamabeast]

Hello everyone, sorry to keep you waiting. I had a bit of a stressful evening.

I got home to find that my computer bluescreened every time I turned it on. Bad. It's a long story from there, involving installing linux from scratch, getting everything working, reinstalling dominions (didn't work for a bit for still-inexplicable reasons), downloading the patch, downloading the map, downloading the mod... eek. I knew the turn was going late tonight (UK), but I wasn't sure exactly when, so I was just hoping I got it working in time. By the time I got on e-mail and asked Hellboy to postpone the turn apparently I only had 11 minutes left! Thanks again Hellboy for waiting in case I e-mailed.

The game runs really really slowly now I'm running linux (hopefully I'll get windows working again on my machine soon). It was almost unplayable in fact, but fortunately I didn't have too much to do this turn. It was also almost impossible to type messages, hence my slightly bizarre in-game message. Does anyone who uses linux have any idea how to get it to run faster? I can't imagine how you'd cope.

[Foodstamp]

Haha, that explains the message. Sorry about your computer dilemma. If I knew anything about linux I would gladly help. Goodluck getting it fixed, the longer timers between turns should help you resolve the problem before it damages your position.

[Dedas]

I'm running linux, Fedora 6 in fact, and it runs smooth. My machine is a 1.733 AthlonXP with 1024 RAM and a 128MB nVidia Geforce 6800 with the 1.0-9755 drivers. I'm using normal battle graphics.

If you are using a nVidia or Ati card download the appropriate drivers from their sites. The X11 native ones suck at advanced 3D graphics at the moment.

[Gandalf Parker]

Afraid that I cant help. For all my talk of linux, I dont run it in gui mode at all. Only text mode for hosting.

If you get really stuck then you can email Johan. He totally seems to live in linux gui mode (which I sometimes find irritating). And BTW does all the programming of the Dominions game in it also so Im sure that Dominions is meant to be able to run happy that way.

[Evilhomer]

If possible I would like to hand over this game to a sub - everyday life takes to much time and im in to many games as it is.

[Hellboy]

Evilhomer said:
If possible I would like to hand over this game to a sub - everyday life takes to much time and im in to many games as it is.

Seems like your position is in good shape, I don't think we'll have difficulty finding a replacement. Thanks for not disappearing on us!

Edit:
And I don't mean that last statement to sound in the least way sarcastic - you are doing this position hand off in a considerate fashion, so again, thanks.

[llamabeast]

Hi, thanks to all those who offered help with my linux woes. After a very long and confusing evening, I've managed to install the proper nVidia drivers - and it's incredibly fast! So I think that was worth doing anyway. Thanks for the hint Dedas, and thanks again to everyone else!

[Gandalf Parker]

In general Linux is able to do amazingly more with amazingly less resources than Windows. Some old throwaway computer in the closet can actually be the ISP for a small town. I know. Ive done it.

[Baalz]

Still looking for a sub? I can step up and eat all your brains!

[Hellboy]

Baalz said:
Still looking for a sub? I can step up and eat all your brains!

Awesome, you're in! Can you PM Evilhomer directly and get his player password? Also, hopefully he can give you some amount of briefing on his status and plans.

He has not taken his turn for turn 40 (and it's probably better for you to take over for this turn anyhow), but that's due in 12 hrs, so let me know if you need an extension.

[Tyrant]

Welcome aboard Baalz, i'm looking forward to your AARs.

[Baalz]

Thanks Tyrant. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif 12 hours should be fine HB, I'll be able to take a turn when I get home from work (assuming I can get the password by then).

[Evilhomer]

pm sent, with 8 hours still available.

[Hellboy]

I've set the server to host tonight at around 7:50pm PDT, and turned off QH (I need to make some changes to my turn tonight, and I wanted to be sure it doesn't host before I have a chance to do so).

Anyhow, I'll turn back on QH as soon as I get a chance, and so long as Baalz can get in his turn tonight, we shouldn't have any problem hosting tonight.

[Baalz]

The lord of the void speaks, and all should pay heed. The former mind lord has been called to the void, and I have stepped forward to continue his conquest of the world. All treaties with the lands of R'yleh are null and void. Any wishing diplomatic relations should petition the new void lord before our plans for conquest have been set. Let it be known that our nation has large caches of valuable earth and death gems of which we have little need, but we are desirous of astral and water gems.

[Hellboy]

OK, I'm back and had my chance to update.

Turning back to QH in 10 minutes.

[Meglobob]

Someone has been busy, building every unique magic item, I wonder who this could be?

Was it?

T'ien Ch'i?

Yomi?

Helheim?

Abysia?

Or someone else?

Oh my god you killed Ermor, you b%*t$*d!

P.S.
All those who watch south park will get the jokes! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[llamabeast]

Many apologies for staling this turn, everyone. However, my Cunning Plan for this turn actually consisted of Sitting Still in a Cunning Way, so all is not lost. It's hard to do much else to be honest, when your upkeep is larger than your income.

Anyway Yomi, fear me! Muwahaha!

[Hellboy]

Meglobob said:
Someone has been busy, building every unique magic item, I wonder who this could be?

Was it?

T'ien Ch'i?

...


T'ien Ch'i knows nothing of artifacts, but we must note that these words come from the nation who has had the Forge of the Ancients spell up since turn 39. Could it be that these comments are but a diversion?

If there is anyone Faerun that does not already know just how potent the Forge of the Ancients is, you should consider the following. FoTA reduces forging costs by a whopping 50% and also is stackable with all other bonuses. But that's not all! This also adds one to every magic path a forger has, making it far, far easier to forge the most difficult artifacts. Make no mistake, the result can be devastating to all other nations in the land, if this spell is allowed to stay up indefinitely.

It should also be obvious that FoTA is but one level beneath that required to forge Artifacts, so to imagine that Atlantis has only just gotten access to artifact forging, seems rather a large stretch, in our humble opinions. Surely a nation with this spell is far, far more capable of forging artifacts than any other nation. If somehow, despite this gargantuan advantage some other nation has managed to deprive Atlanatis of the opportunity to forge all the artifacts, we applaud that nation's efforts!

Now, in the interests of dissemination of information we encourage leaders of all nations to look to the following thread, where the details of FoTA are exposed, as backed by tests: thread (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=dom3&Number=499742&Forum=, f187,f194,f195&Words=forge%20bonus%20stack&Searchp age=1&Limit=25&Main=499742&Search=true&where=sub&N ame=&daterange=1&newerval=5&newertype=y&olderval=& oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post499742). To excerpt a relevant analysis of costs, here is a particular scenario which could easily apply to Atlantis:

Wish said:
so by those standards what I had was 50 + 20 + 25 + 50...

I tested with the gatestone.... normally 65e/65s

after Ancients the gatestone would be 32/32
after the steel oven would make that 25/25
dwarven hammer reduces that by a quarter which is 18/18
forge lord should make that 9/9

but it was 6/6 -- so what happened i think was dwarven + forgerlord were counted as one calculation as 75% so 25/25 became 6/6 after the combined forge bonus.


First note that it is unlikely that any nation other than Atlantis has the hammer of the forge lord. Also, it is entirely plausible to us that Atlantis could well have a steel oven - does any nation (other than Atlantis) know otherwise?

Even if one were to do the same calculation without the steel oven and without the hammer of the forge lord, the gatestone should come out to: 24/24, which is still a dramatic savings, and still a very potent advantage (and likewise a ring of wizardry goes from 65s to 24s).

So, after having said all this, we of T'ien Ch'i hold no particular animosity against Atlantis, beyond the fact of their having cast this very agressive spell. Having had 3+ turns of this spell already represents a large advantage for Atlantis (plenty of time, for example, to forge the gatestone, the forge of the hammer lord, so on and so forth), and they have gained enough advantage from this global already.

We believe it is in the interests of all the nations of Faerun (even those who consider themselves allies of Atlantis) to see this spell cast down, and in the future not to allow its like to stay in effect for more than a single month.

Da-yu,
High Priest of Pak Taelin,
T'ien Ch'i

[Meglobob]

Hellboy said:
If somehow, despite this gargantuan advantage some other nation has managed to deprive Atlanatis of the opportunity to forge all the artifacts, we applaud that nation's efforts!

We believe it is in the interests of all the nations of Faerun (even those who consider themselves allies of Atlantis) to see this spell cast down, and in the future not to allow its like to stay in effect for more than a single month.

Da-yu,
High Priest of Pak Taelin,
T'ien Ch'i



Point 1:- Applaud away then because someone most definately beat me to the unique artifacts and I strongly suspect T'ien Ch'i, given the size of your empire and your many magic paths of your mages.

Ember, Winter Bringer, The Summit, The Stone Sword, Hammer of the Forge Lord, Barrier, the Aegis, Crown of the Ivy King, Boots of Antaeus, Boots of Calius the Druid, The Ruby Eye, Krupps Bracers, Bell of Cleansing, Orb of Atlantis (thats mine, I tell ya http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif) and loads more all gone. Most certainly not built by Atlantis. I personally think T'ien Ch'i has them but if I am wrong then I am sorry.

Point 2:- Why you T'ien Ch'i would want to organise a dispel of my Forge of the Ancients when I am on the other side of the world I have no idea. Obviously you already see yourself as master of the world, how many wars have T'ien Ch'i diplomats helped start btw?

But go ahead dispel away, I have already used up all my gems forging. Atlantis views this as an act of war by T'ien Ch'i and will dispel any global they try to put up, ever.

Lords of Atlantis.

[Foodstamp]

The people of Kailasa find these arguments of who can forge what and who can do it better to be most bizarre. Kailasans know that forging is a slave's job.

Through the methods of forging you propose, it is indeed cheap to make a magical artifact. But in kailasa, we find the cheapest way to acquire artifacts is to pry it from the cold dead hands of our enemies. 0 gem cost is indeed nice.

Kailasa

[Baalz]

Guess there's not much point in researching past con-6 then, is there? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Hellboy]

Meglobob said:
Point 2:- Why you T'ien Ch'i would want to organise a dispel of my Forge of the Ancients when I am on the other side of the world I have no idea.

Simply because Forge of the Ancients is a spell that left standing, will lead inexorably to world domination. At this point, we invite the comment of other nations: Has T'ien Ch'i butted in where we don't belong? Would the land of Faerun be better off had T'ien Ch'i simply left well enough alone? Or could it be the case that Forge of the Ancients is truly a spell aimed at world domination, and must be opposed by those who have the resources to do so?



Obviously you already see yourself as master of the world, how many wars have T'ien Ch'i diplomats helped start btw?

None.

We were attacked by Mictlan, and successfully defeated the agressor. After Sauromatia attacked Yomi, we responded to Yomi's request for assistance. When new leadership took over in Sauromatia we accepted their plea for peace (perhaps upsetting Yomi in the process), but we are now at peace with both Yomi and Sauromatia.

[Baalz]

The Mind Lords see the enriched uranium flowing from the Forge of the Ancients as an act of aggression against the world. We fear what the clam output will be of a nation few can bring war down on, hiding under the waves and behind their Helheim thralls with free flowing dwarven hammers for all. If the spell remains, the smell of a non-binding resolution is in the air. That, or war.

[Amhazair]

Baalz said:
...hiding ... behind their Helheim thralls



Thralls? You dare call us thralls? We of Helheim are a proud and free people, and thralls to no-one! We have thralls of our own. To work our fields for us, to tend to our hunting dogs for us, and to forge our weapons for us. So we Vanir have our hands free to hunt the dangerous beasts of the deep woods, to make love to the fair women this world holds, and to wage war, to gain us new thralls, and fresh women.

The Vanir are to wild to be enslaved by anyone, wether they have the pretention to call themselves mind lords or not!

[Meglobob]

Sounds to me like T'ien Ch'i have got thereselves some lapdogs who go by the name of R'lyeh.

The R'lyeh can only be lapdogs as all know that there is but one huge power in the east, T'ien Ch'i, who would control all. Well the west as many great powers.

Like I said dispel the forge, I should use my gems for summons now and battlemagic, make sure you put alot of gems into it thou and I do mean alot, 200+ should do it.

Atlantis is earth rich and I saved long and hard.

[Meglobob]

Just for the record could T'ien Ch'i list all the globals a nation is allowed to cast and keep up?

Banned list, no nation in Middle-Way is allowed to have the following globals in effect by order of the T'ien Ch'i naton:-

Forge of the Ancients - Banned.
Arcane Nexus - Banned.
The Wrath of God - Ok.
Perpetual Storm - Ok.
Fate Morgana - Ok.
Astral Corruption - Banned.
The Looming Hell - Ok.
Burden of Time - Ok.
Utterdark - Banned.
Mechanical Militia - Ok.
Wild Hunt - Ok.
Enchanted Forest - Ok.

Please share your wisdom great T'ien Ch'i, we are all ears and tentacles in some cases... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Updated with the 'wisdom' of the Celestial Masters.

[Baalz]

Ah yes, my fellow water-breather, is it not amusing to hear the thralls bleating about their freedom? The Atlanteans, for example, who may soon be used to tear down the very walls of Atlantis itself do not even realize they are our thralls. All know the best thralls are the ones who believe they are free, it amuses us to no end to let them think they decided to march against their own kind. We do not know what this ferocious creature known as "lap dog" is, we have no equivalent super-predator underneath the waves. We invite the Atlantean royal family to come visit our halls and tell us of this terrible "lap dog", for they shall see the majesty of the R'yleh caves and leave proclaiming to all who would hear the power and majesty of our people.

[Hellboy]

Meglobob said:
Please share your wisdom great T'ien Ch'i, we are all ears and tentacles in some cases... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Ah, most excellent. It appears that the tentacled Atlanteans are coming to their senses - this is most excellent news! There is indeed hope for the land of Faerun!

Well, now since you have asked so politely, we will enlighten you, young man (or squid, or kraken, as the case may be). [you see Da-yu, an elderly but surprisingly spry man scrambling through the cluttered and shelves of his library, stacked with musty old books, and even older scrolls]

This is a subject that has been debated for many a year at the Imperial Academy in the city of Wei, and in fact at more than one time in the past young scholars (such as yourself) have lost their lives as debates over this very question became somewhat overheated and turned into duels. For example, we see in the year 1297 BE (or in the 400th year of the Wu dynasty), there was a debate that extended over 20 years during the lifetime of the famous (or infamous?) Scholar Pei Tu, who had declared that the Eyes of God spell was surely the most puissant spell which could be cast, and that any nation casting such should reviled by all the world. However, as you can well imagine such an absurd proposition generated such an uproar in academic circles that ...

What, you seem to be nodding off, eh? Oh, the impatience of youth!

Well, to come right to the point, we humbly suggest that the following spells are sure to get a substantial and negative reaction around the world:

Forge of the Ancients
Utterdark
Arcane Nexus
Astral Corruption

We do not suggest that this is the authoritative list which is certain beyond all question, but we do offer up the list above for discussion and debate. And in terms of immediate relevancy to our current point of dispute, would any nation (other than Atlantis) make the claim that Forge of the Ancients is a non-threatening spell which would be safe for any other nation to ignore? Or to put it differently, would any nation say that Forge of the Ancients is no more threatening than say Mother Oak, or some other similar gem generator?

[Tyrant]

You complainin 'bout my tree?

[Dedas]

We regret to inform you that the last place that you can call true "wilderness" in Faerun will soon cease to exist. Both R'lyeh and Agartha are doing their best to chop down the forests of old and soon there will be no place for all the small and furry animals to hide from the freezing cold. Will YOU help to preserve their habitat? Will YOU be the hero that puts and end to this madness of destroying the "lungs" of Faerun?

Money donations accepted, also military forces armed to the teeth.

The Faerun environmental society thanks you for your contribution.

[Baalz]

It watches as the half-man frolics in the dawn air, carefree in the dew and the mist. As the half-man sniffs the spring flowers in the clearing, It waits. Full of life, the half-man bends down to drink out of the lake. Some sense flaring warning of a predator he whirls around to scan the tree line. Behind him, something dark, something terrible rises from the water. Too late the half-man realizes his peril as the oily tentacles tighten around his abdomen and he is dragged kicking beneath the waves. The water begins to churn as legions march forth in a seemingly unending mass.

The slaves of the underneath march from their watery barracks and the nation of Pangea begins its rapid collapse. In a single month, nearly a dozen provinces become dominated by the mind lords, to frolic no more in nature’s bounty. Along Pangea’s eastern shore dozens of spheres of ice shoot from the water to violently explode among the scrambling militia as powerful hydromancers rise dripping to step among the now bloody ice shards. On their northern shore armies of slave mages lead huge masses of lobotomized Atlantean slave troopers, shuffling like the longdead to drown Pangea in a sea of drooling flesh. On their western shore the aboleths themselves crawl onto the land, surrounded by globes of water and robbing the will of any who oppose them. Nowhere is firm resistance found, though there was a single casualty as a young aboleth underestimated the number of Maenads in a province. Everywhere the half men route leaderless as the dominated ones shuffle in long lines back towards the shore. Wading in to drown like lemmings, the are fated to become feedstock for the next generation of Mind Lords. As the tentacles of the Mind Lords close like the paralyzing embrace of a jellyfish, the nation of Pangea goes into shock, it’s heart will still soon.

[Dedas]

If Agartha wants any "spoils of war" from the 2 year campaign between us he better come quick and grab it.

Baalz, the black stone Sot begs you for mercy. Is it perhaps possible for him to submit to your will and become one of your mind slaves. His followers can fight pretty well against your foes on land. What do you say, oh tentacle beast?

[Baalz]

The one true god has ordered the destruction of the false idol, but any half-men who surrender peacefully will be given complete freedom under our rule to pursue any interest they fancy, and may even worship their old god if they so choose. Come down to the edge of the water and we will show you many wondrous things, and discuss the benefits of freedom under the banner of the star.

[Meglobob]

Baalz said:
Discuss the benefits of freedom under the banner of the star.



The freedom of a enslaved mind that is.

Or

Possibly a painful death by drowning.

[Dedas]

He seems to think he can trick us so easily just because we are animals. But we will come down to the water and look for the trap. Foolish tentacle monstrosity.

[Amhazair]

Dedas said:
Money donations accepted, also military forces armed to the teeth.




Do I understand correctly? Do you now welcome military forces armed to the teeth on your territory? I might see what I can do then. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Pity you're so far away though...

[Dedas]

Well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Baalz]

No traps, my friends. Just ask the ones who have already come down to the shore. I'm sure they will tell you the wondrous things we shared which you must see with your own eyes. They will tell you how graciously we hosted them, how great our new friendship, and that all should go see for themselves. I'm sure the reports you have of some of them dragging unwilling new friends down to the water are exaggerations, just ask those who were supposedly abducted. Our new friends are just sometimes overly excited to share the good news, but we welcome all in peace and harmony to the great fair on the lakefront.

[Meglobob]

I am sure Agartha will fill in... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I think I would go for being crushed to death by one hit off an Agarthian then servitude as a mindless slave of the R'lyeh.

Drowning is alot slower and more painful then a good crushing apparently too... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Tyrant]

Crushing is gud! Drowning not is possible.

[Hellboy]

As all recognize the overt hostility of The Forge of the Ancients spell, further casting of it by the nation of Atlantis or any other will be viewed as an act of war against the world. The undersigned nations give notice that such an act of war will result in reciprocal declarations of war. Non aggression pacts will be honored, but consider such a casting as notification that the pact is being cancelled and war being declared.

T'ien Chi
Kailasa
R'lyeh
Yomi

[Hellboy]

Izzyz is having some technical difficulties, and has requested an extension. I've reset the server, but we're just waiting on Pangaea/Dedas and Yomi/Izzyz so I'm still hoping will host soon (it sounds like there's at least a chance Izzyz will figure things out tonight).

[Izzyz]

Hi all,
I'm sorry for the delay, but I'm now up and running, and my turn is in.
Yomi

[Hellboy]

Thanks Izzyz, Just waiting on Pangaea/Dedas now.

[Meglobob]

Just a friendly warning, Yomi, 2 hrs till host time!

[Sandman]

Abysia is proud to announce a very special offer. For the low, low, price of 30 death gems, 35 fire gems or 40 blood slaves, we offer a rare and valuable bloodstone. This item generates earth gems as well as boosting the wielder's earth level, and it's almost impossible to forge if you don't have the paths for it.

One bloodstone per nation. No frost giants.

[Izzyz]

Fellow Faerunites,
I guess that there is no need for score graphs anymore, even if they were turned on. Helheim came pouring over my borders last turn, and makes a convincing claim for first place. He came not just with with the expected huge armies, but with, count 'em, three air queens, three water queens, three fire kings, and at least one earth king, all tricked out with bling. I saw Aegis and Tempest, and might have missed other uniques. Scouts report at least one Tartarian as well. He has the whole NW corner of the map, including all of late Marverni, without ever having had to fight a human opponent for it.
Does the phrase 'clear and present danger' mean anything to anyone? It is time to put aside our petty bickering, and open our eyes to the real threat to Faerun. It is not a global enchantment, it is a growing global power. Can anyone doubt that if he succeeds in taking me down he will become unstoppable?
The crisis is at hand, and now is the time for action. His capital is at #194, and all of his heavy hate is currently directed at me. Let the world be warned.
Yomi

[Hellboy]

Is it possible that the Lords of Atlantis might now acknowledge that not all the ills of the world have been ushered in by T'ien Ch'i? And is it possible, Atlantis, that your pupils have done too well under your tutelage? We suspect that if the Lords of Atlantis were to turn their hand towards the "'clear and present danger" represented by Helheim, we believe no other nation could counter their strength so well. Still, if despite this obvious threat Atlantis insists on dedicating itself to vengance upon T'ien Ch'i, we have faith that we will find the strength to resist this tidal wave out of Helheim.

Da-yu,
High Priest of Pak Taelin,
T'ien Ch'i

[Izzyz]

I know that it is lame not to be able to do a turn in two days, but I am not going to be able to finish my turn tonight. I won't get home until after the turn runs tomorrow, so I am forced to beg for an extension. Could I possibly ask the turn to be held until 7:00PM PST? Things are extra tricky right now.
Yomi

[Hellboy]

Izzyz said:
I know that it is lame not to be able to do a turn in two days, but I am not going to be able to finish my turn tonight. I won't get home until after the turn runs tomorrow, so I am forced to beg for an extension. Could I possibly ask the turn to be held until 7:00PM PST? Things are extra tricky right now.
Yomi

No problem. I'll reset the schedule on the server tonight, but please (everyone) do try to get your turns in by tomorrow night.

[Meglobob]

Hellboy said:
Is it possible that the Lords of Atlantis might now acknowledge that not all the ills of the world have been ushered in by T'ien Ch'i? And is it possible, Atlantis, that your pupils have done too well under your tutelage? We suspect that if the Lords of Atlantis were to turn their hand towards the "'clear and present danger" represented by Helheim, we believe no other nation could counter their strength so well. Still, if despite this obvious threat Atlantis insists on dedicating itself to vengance upon T'ien Ch'i, we have faith that we will find the strength to resist this tidal wave out of Helheim.

Da-yu,
High Priest of Pak Taelin,
T'ien Ch'i



You can consider Atlantis, Helheims strong right arm. Helheim will not be isolated and alone in Middle-way. The only hand I will ever raise against Helheim will be to applaud and clap his actions. Helheim has been true to his word with Atlantis and has earned my respect. T'ien Ch'i has conspired behind nations backs and been deceitful. He is a darkness in the shadows holding a dagger waiting to plunge it into your back.

I will stand loyal at his side and when T'ien Ch'i lies in ruins, all the celestial masters but rotting corpses in the streets, how I will laugh and laugh......

[Amhazair]

with, count 'em, three air queens, three water queens, three fire kings, and at least one earth king


Hum... Yes. Well. What can I say? After having gone to const 9 first, and competing heavily with at least one and quite possibly two other nations for artifacts (I lost out on the one I wanted above all too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif), I was convinced I would be too late to get more than one or two elemental royals at most, and actually didn't expect to get even a single one. Seems I was quite wrong. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Thanks to everyone who didn't make any effort to get some elemental royalty as soon as possible.


is it possible, Atlantis, that your pupils have done too well under your tutelage?



Is it possible, T'ien Chi, that you suffer from latent racism? Is it possible that just because we Vanir have no intrest in building huge buildings whose only purpose is to overawe those susceptible to such ostentatious displays, or that we don't feel the need to amass huge libraries full of knowledge most humans will never lay eyes on, and instead have a well-developed oral culture, teaching our youths (and our adults) all they need to know in life, you consider us incapable of independent thought and action?

This, after R'lyeh's conviction that we were Atlantis' thralls, says more about the elitist mind-set of some so-called 'superior' races, nations, or cultures in Faerun than about ourselves. We might or might not be up to the standards of these "civilised" people, but we know our own worth, and we know we excell at those things we wish to excell.

In all of Faerun, there are no others that can out-drink us, out-hunt us, out-womanize us, or (most relevant to the matter at hand) out-fight us! I might also add there are quite a few rash youths in our lands that are quite hard to out-boast too, but let's not dwell on that too long...

[Baalz]

The rutting mammals come to burn down your libraries before drugging themselves into stupor. You would do well under our thralldom Vanir, all the opiates and mating you could wish for. Come to our shores with all your nobility and we will discuss.

[Amhazair]

Yees. Just the sort of argument that would convince a barbarous, retarded and inferior people. We're almost buying it...

Don't worry though, we will come to your shores and discuss things someday when we can find the time.

[Hellboy]

Just a reminder, but I'm still hoping that we're going to get a turn done in the next 10 hrs (even though the servers says 39 hrs till hosting).

We're waiting on:
Yomi/Izzyz
Helheim/Amhazair
Sauromatia/Llamabeast

[Hellboy]

I just reset the server to 50hrs - I've got my CPA exam scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so I can't promise to get my turn until Saturday afternoon (PDT)

[Foodstamp]

Hellboy said:
I just reset the server to 50hrs - I've got my CPA exam scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so I can't promise to get my turn until Saturday afternoon (PDT)



Woot, goodluck man!

[Meglobob]

Hellboy said:
I just reset the server to 50hrs - I've got my CPA exam scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so I can't promise to get my turn until Saturday afternoon (PDT)



No problem, good luck!

[Amhazair]

What does CPA stand for? And good luck whatever it is.

[StrictlyRockers]

Certified Public Arcosephalian

[Tyrant]

Commie Pinko Agitator

[Hellboy]

OK, I'm back. Server is due to host in less than 5 hrs, hope everyone out there can get their turns in, 'cause I will!

For those that really need to know, CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant - a boring certification if ever there was one (and the test for it even more so!), and there's no doubt I'd have preferred to spend my time studying Dominions 3 strategies and tactics (if only to deliver those @#%&'n Atlanteans their due!).

But, the good news is I'm back to important things now (which is to say working on my turn).

[Meglobob]

Hellboy said:I'd have preferred to spend my time studying Dominions 3 strategies and tactics (if only to deliver those @#%&'n Atlanteans their due!).



Excellent, the mind games are working, (hold on, isn't that my ancient enemies, R'yleh's trick? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif), I am getting under those inscrutable T'ien Ch'i's skin... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[Amhazair]

Helheims voracious war machine is found to be devouring astral pearls and nature gems at rates well above of what our lands provide us with. We would be grateful to any nation offering to help sate our appetite. Payment can be arranged in all other kinds of gems except for air, and anyone intrested in fire gems will even receive 3 of them for each 2 gems donated to us.

Specific offers can be sent to any Thane or Jarl in positions of authority, or to High One Kjalter himself.

[Hellboy]

T'ien Ch'i will be happy to offer Helheim astral gems for water at a rate of 1s for 3w. This is our special rate for womanizing, hard drinking barbarians, and we hold this offer open only for 3 months, so don't miss out!

[Amhazair]

So very kind of you. I will send for an "accountant" from our allied 'civilised' race of Atlantis, and let him advice me on this astounding offer.

Or I could just use common sense, but given your views on 'civilisation' I think you'd appreciate the first option more. I will get back in touch once this "accountant" has finished his journey.

[llamabeast]

Hello all,

Many apologies for staling the last couple of turns. I'm pretty sure I couldn't actually have done anything (no non-besieged men, no money, negative income), but still, very sorry for slowing the game down.

It was quite a fun game to take over. Sauromatia was, I think it's fair to say, completely doomed as I took it over. Although perhaps a better player than me could have turned it round. Still, I think I did a fair job of holding off my fate for a while, and making Yomi's life hellish - I think I accelerated the attack on his lands from the other direction (or perhaps I was just given that impression), and I even won a battle at one point!

It's interesting the difference having no graphs makes. Other players seemed to take me quite seriously diplomatically - I'm not sure if everyone realised just how insignificant I was, or perhaps they were just humouring me. Much appreciated, in any case.

Very well played Yomi, your armies were vicious masses of nasty battle magic, and I think you definitely outplayed me. Also presumably well played R'lyeh, although I'm afraid I missed your conquering my lands!

Thanks for letting me play guys! I'll set myself to AI now.

[Tyrant]

Bye Llama, thanks for subbing!

[Amhazair]

llamabeast said:
I'm not sure if everyone realised just how insignificant I was



I don't think anyone expected you to win the game or anything (I know I didn't), but I think the fact that you managed to hold of Yomi for what? about 10 turns? and beat his frightening force besieging your capitol with rather heavy losses proves you were not that insignificant.

In any case, good game, and see you next time.

[Hellboy]

Sorry, I needed to give myself an extension. I'm should be done in the next 3 hours or so.

[Hellboy]

llamabeast said:
Thanks for letting me play guys! I'll set myself to AI now.

It was great having you llamabeast! You certainly inhibited T'ien Ch'i's movement into the southern reaches (although that was not a natural direction of expansion in any case). Anyhow, I think you did a lot with a little, and certainly made the game more interesting than it would've been.

Thanks!

Hellboy

[Amhazair]

Would it be at all possible to extend the turn by one day? I've fallen ill, and spent the day in bed instead of playing my turn as planned. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Hellboy]

Amhazair said:
Would it be at all possible to extend the turn by one day? I've fallen ill, and spent the day in bed instead of playing my turn as planned. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Of course, not a problem. I'll reset it at 50hrs, but it would be good if everyone could still get their turns in by tomorrow night.

[Hellboy]

We're just waiting on Kailasa now. Foodstamp, are you with us?

[Foodstamp]

I will start working on my turn asap. Been pretty busy this week with it being finals week.

[Hellboy]

I hope your finals went well, then!

[Foodstamp]

I got my last score back this evening. I had a very good semester http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Turn is in btw.

[Hellboy]

Foodstamp said:
I got my last score back this evening. I had a very good semester http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Turn is in btw.

Good work! I'm sure playing Dom3 helped a ton - I heard it was worth a full 1 in GPA! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Sandman]

Two new globals went up this turn... one was Abysia's Looming Hell, a delightful defensive arrangement which no-one could possibly have any problem with. The other was Forge of the Ancients, from Atlantis, again.

[Meglobob]

Sandman said:
Two new globals went up this turn... the other was Forge of the Ancients, from Atlantis, again.



You know what? I would gladly swap that FotA for a global that made mages follow scripts no matter what. My province defense plans where excellent but then the AI overrules them... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

[Baalz]

Well, at least your mind duel worked this time. :/

[Meglobob]

Baalz said:
Well, at least your mind duel worked this time. :/



Yea, there is that I suppose, rulebook must be wrong, when theres a tie both mages must survive.

[Hellboy]

Reset server to 50hr qh. Sorry, but I'm in my first 'month close' on my first accounting job, I'm afraid the next 3 days are gonna be ugly http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Meglobob]

Turin said:
A warning:
3.08 pretty much broke the mod, because suddenly the itemslot numbers I used are incorrect and now pretty much every hero has two heads. In addition some old age issue showed up, but a fix is on the way.



From the worthy heros mod creator. Just pointing it out as we are using the mod!

Personally, I have nothing against heros with 2 heads... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Hellboy]

Thanks for the heads up - I guess we'll wait for Turin's fix before we move over to 3.08

[Tyrant]

Could i have a 24hr delay? Like a pinhead i patched for another game without backing up and now i can't find my disk and key to install a second version.

[Hellboy]

Tyrant said:
Could i have a 24hr delay? Like a pinhead i patched for another game without backing up and now i can't find my disk and key to install a second version.

Sure thing. I was going to have a very hard time getting my turn in tonight anyhow.

[Tyrant]

I found my disk and managed to fix the problem. I see that you reset, but it's not nessicary on my account after all. Sorry to be a bother.

[Hellboy]

No worries. Right now it looks like I'm going to have a hard time getting my turn in tonight anyhow. Worst case, I should finish it by early tomorrow (PDT)

[Amhazair]

So we're still playing the current turn in 3.06 then, right?

[Meglobob]

Amhazair said:
So we're still playing the current turn in 3.06 then, right?



Always try to do your turn with 3.06, if the server has been updated to 3.08 it will not let you. This is a foolproof way of not crashing the server and having to redo your orders.

Now I just need to heed my own advice... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[Amhazair]

Baalz said:
Come to our shores with all your nobility and we will discuss.



Your shores have been attained. Care to come out of the water for this discussion? Or do I have to come root you out of it?

[Baalz]

Drats, the timing! Our welcoming committee is off visiting the halls of Atlantis and sharing gifts with the Basalt Kings there. Please rest assured though that your visit is very important to us and you will be met by the next available greeters.

[Meglobob]

Baalz said:
Drats, the timing! Our welcoming committee is off visiting the halls of Atlantis and sharing gifts with the Basalt Kings there. Please rest assured though that your visit is very important to us and you will be met by the next available greeters.



My 6 Basalt kings and Basalt Queen stode out to meet our 100's of watery foes, after the briefest exchange of gifts the R'lyeh decieded it was time to be elsewhere.

Of course we will seek to exchange pleasentaries again, soon, very, very soon...

[Sandman]

Um... 4 hours till hosting? Was there a turn timer mix-up?

[Meglobob]

Looks like the timer has gone mad, almost as if Middle-way and blood bath's timers have swapped around?!?

Anyway 3 hrs to do your turn... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[Hellboy]

Meglobob said:
Looks like the timer has gone mad, almost as if Middle-way and blood bath's timers have swapped around?!?

Anyway 3 hrs to do your turn... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

Didn't I mention, we were going to do the late game as a hyper-blitz! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

OK, my bad, sorry about that! Yesterday I reset the timer to make sure it didn't host before the evening. I've reset the timer to 50 hrs now.

[Meglobob]

Heads up, Helheim, you have 3 hrs to get your turn in!

[Hellboy]

For the sake of Meglobob and myself, I've reset the server clock. Even though I set it back to 50hrs, I'm still hoping we can all get our turns in in the next 12 hrs (i.e. by this evening, say around 8pm, PDT - GMT-7).

Edit:
I changed my mind, I reset the clock to 13hrs, I'll reset it to 50hrs after we host. (And I'll remember to set back to 50 for sure, this time!)

[Hellboy]

Sorry, another extension for myself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif But I will get the turn done before I go to sleep tonight!

[Sandman]

Note to self: Don't give free reign to nature casters, lest they cast mass protection on your fire-proof army while a firestorm is up.

[Hellboy]

Sandman said:
Note to self: Don't give free reign to nature casters, lest they cast mass protection on your fire-proof army while a firestorm is up.

Aaah, good one! I'll be sure to remember that!

[Amhazair]

In my experience so far nature mages are the ones you least want following their own instincts in battle, another favorite of theirs is enraging your archers or mages...

[Baalz]

....or spewing poisonous breath all over the place with a short range. Yep, the greenies can't be trusted to think for themselves.

[Foodstamp]

I am playing Santa Clause this turn. Who has been naughty and who has been nice?

[Tyrant]

Trollz bin very nice, not squish any monkyes!

[Amhazair]

Define nice?

Also, are you a woman? Cause if so I can be very nice...

[Foodstamp]

I am not a woman, but in a sense, this is a roleplaying game.

So.... "I take off my wizard hat and robe."

[Amhazair]

Foodstamp said:
"I take off my wizard hat and robe."



Oh, my god, the hat too? ... how could I possibly resist you taking off your hat?...

Consider me very nice for the time being...

(I do hope you have a long white beard for me to play with though? Else it would spoil the hat-taking-off image. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)

[Foodstamp]

Hehe, I am guessing you never heard of bloodninja and his crazy escapades in the online chat rooms. Here is a clicky (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/bloodninja.php) . But be warned, the link is not for the feint of heart. The wizard hat and robe bit are featured in the first and last sequence on the page http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[lch]

You're missing the funniest ones! HAARRRRR and the 250 pound one!

http://www.ondmis.dk/cyber.htm

[Foodstamp]

It has been a long time since I read them. My all time favorite line from all of them is...


bloodninja: Nostrils flaring, I lower my head. My horn, like some phallic symbol of my potent virility, is the last thing you see as skulls collide and mine remains the victor. You are now a bloody red ragdoll suspended in the air on my mighty horn.

[Hellboy]

Sorry, but I'm giving myself a 26hr extension. I just got back from work an hour ago, and I have no hope of getting my turn in tonight.

We might want to consider going to 72hr turns - I've gotten to the point where it's difficult to get in my turn every time around.

[Amhazair]

I have no objection to extending the timer. While I don't need it quite yet, I probably would be asking for it in a couple of turns time myself.

[Amhazair]

Actually, I did read that one before, foodstamp, but it apparently had sunk quite deep into my memory, as I didn't make the connection. The Rhino and especially the 250pd guy I remembered better, the rest are new to me. (So thanks Ich, for expanding my horizon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

[Hellboy]

Sorry, but I've reset the server to 50hrs again. I just can't see how I'll be able to get to my turn before Sat morning.

I'm open to having my position replaced, if that'll help get this game rolling again.

[Amhazair]

Well, if this is just a busy week for you, and setting the game to 72h will solve the problem for you afterwards, I at least se no problem. (And it would be a shame to replace one of the bigger powers in the game)

If, on the other hand you think you just won't be able to find the time anymore for a game this size.... well, that's your call then I'd say.

[Meglobob]

I am in favour of moving to 72 hr quickhost.

Nah, Hellboy just keep playing, we all knew this would be a long game when we started. If you can't do your turn just extend the timer.

[Jazzepi]

The pace of this game has slowed considerably since I joined as a replacement. I would like to withdraw so that someone else can take my place.

72 hour quickhost without e-mail notification is simply too long for me.

Jazzepi

[Tyrant]

What's up Hellboy?

[Hellboy]

Time for me to bow out, I think. I'm sorry, but work + personal obligations have changed radically since I started this game. Plus this is a very complex position, and that combined with my relative inexperience has meant that turns are now taking me a very long time to complete.

For those considering the position, I would describe it as one of the stronger nations in the game, but well behind that of the leading nation, Helheim. T'ien Ch'i has significant resources to spend at I'm just at the peak of a long buildup of research/resources. I'll be happy to brief any player taking over in detail, via PM or email.

Jazeppi, if I'm the only one holding the game to 72hrs, you might consider sticking around. However, this is the end game on a very huge map, so one should expect that the large nations will have very complex and difficult turns.

[Foodstamp]

My position is pretty hopeless. Once the game hosts again, I am going to set myself to AI rather than give someone a position that is on it's deathbed.

Thanks for the game, was a lot of fun. I made several mistakes including making too many friends too early and having no end game strategy. In retrospect, I don't really like Kailasa at all and I probably won't be playing them again for a while.

[Hellboy]

Foodstamp said:
My position is pretty hopeless. Once the game hosts again, I am going to set myself to AI rather than give someone a position that is on it's deathbed.

Thanks for the game, was a lot of fun. I made several mistakes including making too many friends too early and having no end game strategy. In retrospect, I don't really like Kailasa at all and I probably won't be playing them again for a while.

More than reasonable, Foodstamp.

You certainly dished out a lot of damage on the way down and gave me more than one surprise in circumstances where you were clearly outgunned. FWIW, although I am certainly no Dom3 expert, I agree that you had too many friends in the early game. In any game like Dom3 I like to look for one good friend, and one good enemy (in the early game, especially). It looked to me like you lacked good enemies.

Obvious candidates for your enemy would've been T'ien Ch'i, or Marverni, I guess. Had you attacked me while Mictlan was attacking you certainly would've destroyed me, even had you abided by the 3 turn NAP. But you probably knew that already, so as I said take it FWIW.

Thanks for the game!

[Sandman]

This game's been dead for over a week... declare a draw?

[Meglobob]

Sandman said:
This game's been dead for over a week... declare a draw?



Well, to be fair, I would say a Helheim win...unless you have a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel.

[Jazzepi]

Again, I need to withdraw from this game. I've lost all interest in it because of the complete lack of hosting, and the fact that Abysia just hosed my main army.

Jazzepi

[Sandman]

It was a good war though.http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif I thought I was finished when I lost all my ground troops just after taking the fort in Riftwood. And when all those fireproof Jarls showed up. And when you were bearing down on my secondary fortress with Rain of Toads and Wolven Winter.

[Jazzepi]

I had no idea you could cast a battlefield wide AoE spell. I definitely would have rolled you if you hadn't upgraded to that. I didn't see it last time we fought! I had skeleton spamming + about 20 bottled water elementals.

I think I could have done much better if I had realized what was going on with my capital. I didn't understand that 100+ unrest meant I couldn't produce at all. I spent maybe 10 turns with my capital's income and production at nearly zero. After some trading, I was able to empower + equip one of the crone looking guys to cast astral dome.

I also had a really hard time dealing with the raiding until I started to equip my jarls. Those guys are really nasty. I probably should have given them the stealth hearts, and sent them into your back lines to raid.

And I didn't think about the rain of toads until it was a little too late.

Also, after the first major fight, all my huge sacred giants disappeared. I have *zero* idea what happened to them. I was just checking through my troops, and couldn't find any.

How bad was the rain of toads for you? I was checking your commanders for disease every time I got a chance.

Jazzepi

[Baalz]

Meglobob said:

Sandman said:
This game's been dead for over a week... declare a draw?



Well, to be fair, I would say a Helheim win...unless you have a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel.



Indeed, I second declaring Hellheim - Amhazair the winner. He's in control of about 1/3rd of the map, has an absurd amount of heavy hitters and I've got a pretty darn good gage of every other power (with the possible exception of Abyssia), and I'm pretty sure everybody else working together in complete harmony at this point could not stop Helheim with the support of Atlantis.

GG guys!

[Baalz]

Jazzepi said:

How bad was the rain of toads for you? I was checking your commanders for disease every time I got a chance.

Jazzepi



Rain of Toads is not terribly effective at spreading disease (I think it's like 2% chance per casting per commander), but that's just a bonus feature, it's *real* effective at increasing unrest - which it seems you have noted the effectiveness of. It's really, really good if you get it early - before your opponent has domes and has just a few castles you can pretty much shut down their entire ability to recruit troops. It increases unrest by 40, so if you cast it three times at once - no more recruiting from that castle! Cast it once more per turn and that castle is completely shut down for good unless your opponent patrols (which is going to be difficult and will rapidly kill their population).

[Jazzepi]

Baalz said:

Jazzepi said:

How bad was the rain of toads for you? I was checking your commanders for disease every time I got a chance.

Jazzepi



Rain of Toads is not terribly effective at spreading disease (I think it's like 2% chance per casting per commander), but that's just a bonus feature, it's *real* effective at increasing unrest - which it seems you have noted the effectiveness of. It's really, really good if you get it early - before your opponent has domes and has just a few castles you can pretty much shut down their entire ability to recruit troops. It increases unrest by 40, so if you cast it three times at once - no more recruiting from that castle! Cast it once more per turn and that castle is completely shut down for good unless your opponent patrols (which is going to be difficult and will rapidly kill their population).



Actually my understanding was that it's 2% of each and every solider in the entire army, not just commanders. I figured if I cast it 2x every turn on his army, and I kept a fighting retreat while pushing what jarls I had left into his undefended territory, I could wear it down to the point where I could counter attack once most of his commanders and soldiers were limping along.

Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing the entire game. And I was *hugely* disappointed by the ice demons that everyone was telling me to summon. They... felt really ineffective.

Jazzepi

[Sandman]

Re: Rain of Toads

T'was annoying, but my troops had a lot of hitpoints and short life expectancies, so it wasn't that bad. The manual says a 5% chance of disease, but it seemed like a *lot* more than that. I wonder if it skips over diseased troops...

Re: Frost Fiends

Yep, as a mass summon, they're not at all efficient. I'd have gone for the Ice Devils and tried to get more blood bling as well.

[Baalz]

Speaking of "how effective was that", did my horror mark spam cause you any significant grief Bob? I was torn between trying to sneak a soul slay past your ridiculous MR or hoping Doom Horrors would do my dirty work for me...

[Meglobob]

Baalz said:
Speaking of "how effective was that", did my horror mark spam cause you any significant grief Bob? I was torn between trying to sneak a soul slay past your ridiculous MR or hoping Doom Horrors would do my dirty work for me...



I got attacked by 3 horrors so far, but only lesser horrors/normal horrors. I defeated 2 and 1 unequiped Basalt king died to a attack. Spirit helm seems pretty good against horrors btw. I think your choice of horror mark spamming was the correct one over soul slay.

[Amhazair]

Well, I'd have to say it would indeed take something special to stop me now, Baalz summed it up pritty nicely. I am still enjoying the game a lot though, and if we get it back on the road I'd be happy to continue, but if eveyone else is loosing intrest...

Compared to my previous MP's, in which I played Ulm and Abysia, I have been especially enjoying an amzing freedom of movement. The combination of stealth, mapmove 2 armies, powerful move 3 cavalry, flying valkyre squads, enough high death mages to cast a barrage of Ghost Riders, and quite a few teleporting SC's have allways given me the feeling I was in control of the situation and could deal with any surprise my opponents could come up with. (Raw strength helps too of course, but raw strength I already had in those previous games, but in the end I lost them (or am loosing them) because of a lack of mobility options)

[Baalz]

Yeah, this was my first game playing R'yleh and I have to say the massive freedom of choice was quite unlike other nations I've played. When I took over, I was surrounded by 5 nations, all who shared long borders and none of which could effectively attack me underwater. Once I gobbled up the weaker ones and used those opportunities to build up alliances I was able to fairly effectively bring war down on nations across the world who (at the time) had no way to bring war back to me - too fun! Unfortunately I was able to move *so* fast I got way too far ahead of my war allies. :/ Also, in a huge game like this with the score graphs off my ability to scry large areas made a big difference in being able to pick the right targets. I'm definitely gonna play R'yleh more in the future.

[Tyrant]

Well, with the s**t storm at the start and the sudden collapse at the end this was not a very satisfactory game, but i did have fun in between. Could we at least run the last turn, i have a couple interesting battles on tap.

I really like Argatha, they suit my stolid play style well, and i got a good appreciation for their weaknesses- awefull PD, a serious frontage problem, difficulty building power up items, and capitol only Oracles. I'm looking forward to playing them again.



Baalz said:
I'm definitely gonna play R'yleh more in the future.



You seem to have gotten the hang of it well enough to kick my butt in Afterthought.

Kudos to Amhazair for his success, Dedas for fighting very well, Baalz for his cool TP offencive and Izzyz for sticking it out, and of course thanks to Hellboy for hosting.

[Meglobob]

Just in case this game continues.

Worthy heros mod v1.7 by Turin is out. This means we can upgrade the game to 3.08.

Hellboy can you let us know when you upgrade the server to 3.08 with worthy heros v1.7?

Heres the link to worthy heros v1.7 :-

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=470523&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Foodstamp]

So we are going to call this game in favor of Helheim? Sounds good to me. Either way I am going to go ahead and set myself to AI this turn instead of waiting. This game has staled too long and I want to destroy the icon from my multiplayer game folder http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Was a lot of fun, see you guys next game!

[Izzyz]

I, too, would like to see the last turn run, just to see if I can survive even one attack by Helheim, who is ready to storm my capital. I freely concede he should be declared the victor. While I did kill one opponent, I feel that I squandered my gains on low level summons and poor tactics. This has certainly been a learning experience in that regard. Thanks, Tyrant, for the kind words about me sticking it out. Even if I am losing, I am still learning. Yomi is a fascinating country, but may require a more sophisticated player than myself to be successful. Thanks, Hellboy, for hosting. And please run the last turn!
Yomi

[Meglobob]

A new turn but whats happening?

[Baalz]

Meh, I went AI in case anybody else wants to keep playing.

[Jazzepi]

I've taken the icon for this game off my desktop.

Jazzepi

[Hellboy]

Sorry for my long absence. I would also vote for Helheim taking the win. There seems to be no interest out there in subbing for TC, so if there is anyone wants to see some more turns run, I can set TC to AI.

[Meglobob]

So no one objects to a Helheim win?

If thats so, well done Amhazair/Helheim and thanks to everyone for playing.

Big thanks to Hellboy for hosting.

[Amhazair]

Ah, well. Not the most climatic ending around, but hey... it's still my first MP win, so Woohoo!!!

Thanks to hellboy for hosting (and for being the looming menace on the horizon), thanks to Meglobob for being a staunch ally, to Izzyz for a great laugh when we were still at peace, and a great fight afterwards. (I'm afraid you missed the climatic assault on your capitol though, since I had only sent in a single commander to scout out your exaxt forces - your armies earned enough respect to make sure I didn't want to take any risks in an effort to minimize losses) to Baalz for being an annoying pain in the *** forcing me to chase you all over the place, and to everyone else for a great game.

P.S. Good luck with your work and your family hellboy. And don't forget about that nice little game we've all come to love. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

P.P.S. Did I understand correctly that we've hosted the last turn? I went to check it out, but can't connect at the moment. Not that there's anything particularly crucial about it, but anyways...

[Meglobob]

Amhazair said:
Ah, well. Not the most climatic ending around, but hey... it's still my first MP win, so Woohoo!!!

P.P.S. Did I understand correctly that we've hosted the last turn?



Yes the turn was hosted, I saw your lone commander assault Yomi's capital!

Now get your name on Tyrants winners board... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Amhazair]

Meglobob said:
Yes the turn was hosted, I saw your lone commander assault Yomi's capital!

Did he win? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Meglobob said:
Now get your name on Tyrants winners board... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



Sir! Yes Sir!