11p very large (TURN 69)

[DrPraetorious]

SERVER INFO:
IP addr: 160.39.37.168
Port: 11145
Game name: 390mp

By my clock, the blitz should begin 2 hours and 15 minutes after this posting. I'd be satisfied to get 10 turns in, but we'll keep going until people want to call it a day.

This is a final testrun before I try to run a tournament.

I'll post login info and we'll upload pretenders and blitz, say, Sunday? Time is negotiable. By blitz I mean - we do several turns (as many as we can manage, really) and then switch to a 24h quickhost. After a few weeks I'll lengthen the host interval or turn it off entirely.

The map is slightly larger than I'd planned at 390 provinces. It has 11 start locations, none of them underwater. The following table shows the remoteness (total pathlength to all other start locations) of each start location:

-- remotness,170,98
-- remotness,272,91
-- remotness,370,80
-- remotness,3,95
-- remotness,118,87
-- remotness,234,100
-- remotness,236,84
-- remotness,360,104
-- remotness,88,107
-- remotness,349,96
-- remotness,65,82

The map itself was generated by Paradoxbringer's map gen and then slightly modified by hand. Frank Trollman drew most of the sprites.

Do people want to try special provinces again, or no? I can add them back easily enough (no fortresses this time) but I'll see if people want them. If there are special provinces, they'll each be worth an extra VP.

Settings:
Late era.
Gold: 125%, Supplies: 125%, renaming allowed, hall of fame 15, site frequency 45, 1 VP/capital (VP required will be 6, or 15 accumulated, or more if I add special provinces with VP in them).

Each player begins with a small additional army of low-quality independents:
commander x 1 (34)
commander x 1 (35)
priest x 1 (240)
scout x 1 (426)
light infantry x 15 (29)
archer x 15 (33)
heavy infantry x 10 (38)
light cavalry x 10 (26)

These additional forces are meant to blunt the impact of various sorts of early ill-luck, and also to make "face hugging" a little bit harder. I'm not 100% sure if this is a good idea - feedback appreciated.

Positions:
TNDP - T'ien Ch'i
Baalz - Ulm
StrictlyRockers - Caelum
JayThomas - Agartha
EvilHomer - Marignon
Shmonik - Arco

eliminated:
*CPU Controlled* (was WSZP) - Man
*CPU Controlled* (was Shovah32 and Folket) - Patala
*Dead* (was Wikd Toths) - Abyssia
*Dead* (was Catquiet) - Utgard
*Dead* (was Reverend Zombie) - Mictlan

So far everyone either supports or is indifferent to the bigger starting armies; I see slightly more in favor of special provinces than opposed. Unless there's a clear consensus in favor I will leave them out.

ON SCEHDULING -
How do people feel about 10AM EDT? That ought to be 2PM in London, but we've got funky daylight savings time now so it might be 1PM in London, not sure.

ON MODS -
Unless Baalz complains about being unable to bless ghoul guardians, I will not run the blessing hotfix.

If he does, I'll add the blessing hotfix (and everyone will need to download it, but it's real small.) I've gone ahead and added it to the attachment since it's a handy file to have in any case.

I have a blessing hotfix mod that enables Ulm to bless Ghoul Guardians (also enables blessing of the crypt thing, a few other sacred undead units that show up for non-Ermor.) The only thing it does is remove the no-undead tag from the blessing spells. Should I add it? If Baalz thinks he wants to bless his ghoul guardians I'll definitely add it - otherwise I'd just as soon avoid the hassle.

I *will* be running that mod for the tournament games, unless the issue is addressed in the main executable by that time.

[Baalz]

I've been wanting to give LA Ulm a try.

[GameExtremist]

Sounds pretty grand : )

LA Arcoscephale please.

[WSzaboPeter]

Greetings, LA Man please. Good luck and have fun.
I think those special forces are a great idea, but I vote against special provinces.
I think I could or should give a try to Ermor, Ashen Empire, but in other LA games it's banned, and usually (due to bad D2 experience) people tend to gang up on Ermor. Anyway if you think it's okay to be with Ermor then I should be with them.

[Ighalli]

So, is the game starting Sunday or being played out then? I'd love to play as Pangaea, but I'm busy for the whole day Sunday. To me 390 provinces and blitz seem mutually exclusive, so I don't quite understand what's going on.

[WSzaboPeter]

I think by blitz in this case we understand that we play the first few turns as fast as possible, then switch to something like 24h quick host.

[StrictlyRockers]

LA Caelum please. Looking forward to starting with blitz session on Sunday.

SR

[Catquiet]

LA utgard

[Folket]

LA Patala, unless it gets to late on sunday in which case I drop out.

[JayThomas]

I'll give LA Caelum a try. I'm home Sunday.

[Reverend Zombie]

Mictlan, please. I may need to bow out depending upon the Sunday blitz time--I could make a morning (U.S. East.) blitz.

[Reverend Zombie]

DrPraetorious said:
This is a final testrun before I try to run a tournament.

The map is slightly larger than I'd planned at 390 provinces. It has 11 start locations, none of them underwater.



I'm not sure about the other tests you have been running, but this seems to imply there may not be underwater nations allowed in the tournament--is that correct?

[DrPraetorious]

RevZom - half of the maps will have two water starts, the other half will have no water starts.

ParadoxBringer's mapgen doesn't have revised ocean placement capability yet - which makes it very difficult to make a map which is, say, 20% water with all the water in one place.

Once his mapgen can do that (which the next version should be able to do) I'll be able to add water starts to half the maps.

[JayThomas]

JayThomas said:
I'll give LA Caelum a try. I'm home Sunday.



Opps, missed StrictlyRockers post.

Spur of the moment decision, hmmmmm, LA Agartha?

[Wikd Thots]

whats left?

[JayThomas]

Also, I vote for special provences.

[Reverend Zombie]

DrPraetorious said:
RevZom - half of the maps will have two water starts, the other half will have no water starts.




Cool, thanks for replying!

[Baalz]

I'm ambivalent on special provinces/starting troops and should be available a good bit of Sunday.

[Evilhomer]

LA ermor if they are allowed

[Wikd Thots]

LA Abysia
and yes go ahead and do any fancy map stuff.
Sunday is good for me, eastern time is good for me.
preferably no mods

[StrictlyRockers]

I'm good with any mods or special provinces.

[Ighalli]

I'm afraid I'll have to retract my request to join. Have a good game everyone!

[GameExtremist]

Unfortunately I also will have to bow out of the game, I'm in Oz GMT +10, which means 1am local time, I start work at 6am.

Shame, but maybe next time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[DrPraetorious]

Ah, too bad. Another time, perhaps.

[Baalz]

DrPraetorious said:

ON SCEHDULING -
How do people feel about 10AM EDT? That ought to be 2PM in London, but we've got funky daylight savings time now so it might be 1PM in London, not sure.

ON MODS -
Unless Baalz complains about being unable to bless ghoul guardians, I will not run the blessing hotfix.

If he does, I'll add the blessing hotfix (and everyone will need to download it, but it's real small.) I've gone ahead and added it to the attachment since it's a handy file to have in any case.

I have a blessing hotfix mod that enables Ulm to bless Ghoul Guardians (also enables blessing of the crypt thing, a few other sacred undead units that show up for non-Ermor.) The only thing it does is remove the no-undead tag from the blessing spells. Should I add it? If Baalz thinks he wants to bless his ghoul guardians I'll definitely add it - otherwise I'd just as soon avoid the hassle.




Nope, I don't use the ghoul guardians. 10am EDT works for me.

[WSzaboPeter]

I vote yes for Black Tome mod you mentioned earlier.
10 AM EDT is okay for me. And good luck everybody.

[Reverend Zombie]

WSzaboPeter said:
I vote yes for Black Tome mod you mentioned earlier.
10 AM EDT is okay for me. And good luck everybody.



10 AM should work for me, too.

[JayThomas]

10 AM is OK on Sunday.

[StrictlyRockers]

I'm good for 10:00 AM EST tomorrow.

[StrictlyRockers]

What mods are we going to use?

[Evilhomer]

Switch me to Marignon please. I would prefer to have no extra units/weird special provinces.

any mod is fine tho

[DrPraetorious]

No mods. In the tournament games I'll be running a blessing hot fix - which enables blessing to affect undead but doesn't do anything else.

[Shmonk]

If you need one more, put me down as Arco.

[DrPraetorious]

Done.

[StrictlyRockers]

I thought we were using no mods, but I just wanted to be sure.

To be clear, we are not even using the ghoul blessing hotfix mod thingy? ...if that's clear...

SR

[Folket]

EST? Is that +9 GMT?

[Evilhomer]

EDT is GMT -4 i belive.

[Evilhomer]

Any chance we get to dl the map before making pretenders ?

[DrPraetorious]

The map isn't in the attachment at root?

Final rules:
special provinces - no
larger starting armies - yes
blessing hotfix mod - no

OH RIGHT THE *MAP* FILE!

Sorry, I didn't want to attach it until we'd decided whether to add specials or not. Here 'tis.

--TNDP

[WSzaboPeter]

Man pretender up and ready to slaughter.

[JayThomas]

Agartha is up.

[Evilhomer]

So is marignon.

[Baalz]

Ulm's locked, cocked, and ready to suck!

[DrPraetorious]

I'll give people another few minutes to show up. If they don't show, I can nix a start site and we do have an alternate.

Waiting for:
StrictlyRockers - Caelum
Shmonik - Arco

[StrictlyRockers]

yo

uploading now

[Folket]

uploaded

[Reverend Zombie]

Uploaded.

In my pants.

[Folket]

?

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, somebody hit start game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif.

Restarting server.

[DrPraetorious]

Server is back up.

I'm giving people an extra five minutes to show, then I will start.

[Shmonk]

Uploaded.

[Wikd Thots]

Stupid windowed version doesnt put the text under the curser. I clicked quit and it did start instead. Apologies.
(maybe add nostart)

[DrPraetorious]

I just added nostart, it was my bad http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

StrictlyRockers - game crashed while you were uploading, please upload again so I can start?

[DrPraetorious]

I hope stricrly rockers didn't leave when it looked like we were starting without him http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[DrPraetorious]

I'll give him until 10:20. I hate to start without him since he *was* here, but if he's gone now there's not much I can do.

[StrictlyRockers]

done

[Evilhomer]

he's here, start whenever, you are wasting valuable blitzing time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DrPraetorious]

And we are go!

[DrPraetorious]

Um..... or not.

Restarting server....

[Reverend Zombie]

I'm having a little bit of trouble getting in now.

"Waitng for game info..."

Because we are all trying to get in at once, perhaps?

[DrPraetorious]

Maybe, not sure.

Anyway it's working now.

[Reverend Zombie]

DrPraetorious said:
Maybe, not sure.

Anyway it's working now.



I'm getting hung up on a black screen after I select my nation.

I saved the maps earlier.

[DrPraetorious]

From my end you appear to be logged on.

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, I'm restarting the server one more time.

[Reverend Zombie]

Got in, things just are working more slowly than I'm used to. Maybe someone is downloading the map from you server. And I see I just nagot'ed...

[DrPraetorious]

The problem might be a routing issue.

If this doesn't resolve in the next five minutes, I'll switch to my other IP address.

[JayThomas]

Looks like the gang's all here.

[DrPraetorious]

I assume that the map is on its merry way across the pond - probably delaying WSZ a few minutes.

I have no idea why everything is so slow today. Probably a Columbia network issue - everyone was on vacation last week.

If it becomes intolerable I have another connection which is ordinarily somewhat slower but hopefully this'll work out.

[DrPraetorious]

And we are go! Good luck, everyone.

[DrPraetorious]

And another turn is up. *pokes WSZ*

[Folket]

How many turn are we going to blitz?

[DrPraetorious]

Until people get bored and want to leave? Or until people feel like a few minutes is not long enough to take a turn - whichever comes first.

[Folket]

it would be nice to speed up things with a 5 min turn timer

[DrPraetorious]

Ordinarily I would, but I'm worried about connection issues. Things seem to have worked themselves out but since the problems appear to be near my end, I want to give people some slack.

Also, forcing stupid mistakes early in the game (like forgeting to recruit or something) is not what I had in mind.

[StrictlyRockers]

Seems to be working smoothly now.

Waiting on Man again.

[Wikd Thots]

did we end up with mods or special provinces?
Map is ugly but the wrap is cool. And seamless

[DrPraetorious]

I rather like the map - I suppose it helps that my favorite colors are tope and fluorescent green.

My main concern with the map was legibility - it's immediately obvious, from any distance, what the provinces *are*.

There are no special provinces or mods.

[JayThomas]

I do like this map better that the semi-random one. That one blew my eyes out!

[WSzaboPeter]

Indeed, the semi-random map needed a few turns to get used to it.

[Wikd Thots]

The purple dots are to make where everyone is?
Thanks for that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[Baalz]

Yeah, took a minute to get used to but I like how you can tell at a glance what all the terrain types are. And it's DEFINITELY not as ugly as the semi-random. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[DrPraetorious]

The purple dots are start locations, yeah.

But you could tell from the VP crowns anyway.

[JayThomas]

That's a first, an independent ninja just wacked my priest! (at least according to the battle report, he was an independent...)

[StrictlyRockers]

It's a great map to use. I like the wrap. The colors are hideous, though. That green hurts my eyes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif hehe

[WSzaboPeter]

JayThomas, I think that ninja was not independent. Then again, if you would be a ninja, would you wear the colours of your nations?

[StrictlyRockers]

Ok, the colors are starting to grow on me, but only a wee bit.

When I first saw my position, I thought "Darn, stuck in the middle." Then I realized everyone is in the middle on a wrap-around map. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif haha

[Reverend Zombie]

DrPraetorious said:
I'd be satisfied to get 10 turns in, but we'll keep going until people want to call it a day.





Real-life duty calls, so I am afraid I need to call it quits for the blitz. I'll send the orders for turn 10 today, but need to leave the blitz for now.

[StrictlyRockers]

Darn. Ah well, RZ. If ya gotta go, ya gotta go.

[Wikd Thots]

**** that. I cleared my day for this.
I wonder if I can get back in on those other plans

[DrPraetorious]

Sorry, WT. Communication wasn't 100% clear.

Anyhoo - right now we've got a 24h quickhost.

I'll lengthen the host interval on request, or turn it off for periods of people are traveling, in jail, etc.

[Evilhomer]

well we *almost* managed 10 turns.

[Reverend Zombie]

Evilhomer said:
well we *almost* managed 10 turns.



Turn 10 is in! /threads/images/Graemlins/Racoon.gif

[StrictlyRockers]

Turn 11 all in two hours later, except for Arco and Mictlan.

Edit - It looks like Mictlan is doing their turn right now.

[StrictlyRockers]

All but two done w/turn 12. We are rocking along.

[Folket]

How about we add this game to the ladder? I know it is a little late now, but nor is the game decided yet.

I think the ladder will be a great opportunity to get an overview of games played once people start using it.

http://wikihost.org/wikis/dom_ladder/wiki/start

[DrPraetorious]

Do I have to add it as the host? If not, go ahead and add it. If I have to be one that adds it, I'll add it later.

--TNDP

[Folket]

It is just that I would not feel comfortable with adding games without peoples consent.

I will add the game and players now, and people are welcome to come and write a short introduction to them self if they wish.

[Wikd Thots]

Shouldn't ladder be something that is part of the games description at the beginning so people can decide if they want to join? I wouldn't have been so experimental in my setup if I had known it was a ladder game.

[Folket]

The ladder is just a measurement on how well people do. It should not be taken to serious. I hope that the ladder will be used in all games so that it is a more accurate measurement.
It is not meant to make people play differently. Also I hope that people will use that Wiki to comment on their games and share their strats.

[Wikd Thots]

You hope. But you know that people will start pointing to it and saying "see? Gandolf sucks and Quantum rules!". I think people will want to separate their serious ladder games from their experimental fun games. It is not cool to have your don't give a [censored] game end up on the ladder after the fact.

[Folket]

Well, if you get that upset we will just remove the game.

[DrPraetorious]

It hadn't ocurred to me that anyone might object (since I don't care) - given that is the case, don't add it.

[Wikd Thots]

I do not mind the ladder. I just think it should be declared at the beginning along with the game settings. I would tend to balance if its going on the ladder against things like how much water, if its using mods I know, crazy boosted settings I haven't played with, if its victory points, how common are random events, and anything else that might affect my rating.

Just as an extreme example I don't think I will ever do "random assigned nations" if "will be added to ladder" are together in the same game. And I would be pissed if half way through it someone that was winning decided to have the results posted to the ladder showing how bad they kicked my ***.

[Baalz]

You should take life less seriously, why care if <radomInternetLoser> is crowing that he kicked your *** when you got a bum draw? Dominions always has a fair amount of luck as to who wins (assuming skill levels are in the same ballpark), seems silly to refuse to play "random nations" in a game where a random event can essentially eliminate you on turn two, or you get sandwiched between three aggressive players, or you've got very low resources around your capitol while dependent on capitol only troops, or a bug eats your pretender, or...

I wouldn't take the ladder too seriously, but I guess to each his own.

[Wikd Thots]

If people did not treat it seriously on the forums then I wouldn't either. I see too many "you talk [censored] because you never won games against the veterans" posts. So if wins/losses are going to mean something, then posting them on the ladder will also.

You might change your mind when you have 6 junk games on the ladder then start getting good and wish the junk games could be taken off.

I don't care if I win or lose this game. But I went into it thinking that. I don't want it recorded on the ladder now is all. When I join a ladder game then I will take more time making my pretender and not choose a nation just because it was the last available.

[StrictlyRockers]

I'm not sure a ladder is all that important for this game. In theory, they can be lots of fun. But some people have a tendency to take their statistics too seriously. I fear it would somehow take away from the overall feeling of good sportsmanship, fun and easy-going camaradarie I find among the MP D3 community.

[StrictlyRockers]

I was an administrator on the Civilization 3 Conquests MP ladder for a while. I saw personally how taking things too seriously can disrupt an online gaming community. It's pretty important, I think, for people to just play for the fun of the game, for a good match, for pitched battles and huge campaigns that the bards will sing songs about for centuries, not for a number.

This is actually pretty important. I may avoid ladder games.

[DrPraetorious]

I've extended the host interval to 36 hours - by no means does this mean people shouldn't take turns more often http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

--TNDP

[WSzaboPeter]

Soon Abysia's land will be cleansed from the remains of the thin blooded demonkind.

[Wikd Thots]

Possible.
But others have already arranged that you should not hold it long.

[DrPraetorious]

Yeah, WSZP, Caelum says that "equipping every five year old with a crossbow doesn't do much good when my stuff flies".

[StrictlyRockers]

Things do seem to be heating up a bit.

These games develop really fast with the bonus to gold and supplies and the extra troops at start.

SR

[DrPraetorious]

I really hate allowing people to stale - so I reset the host interval.

If Ulm misses the host interval I'll set him to CPU.

[DrPraetorious]

Ulm sent in his turn; another turn is up.

[StrictlyRockers]

The quickhost screen looks like all have done their turns. But it also says 16 hours until next update. I think this is residue from DrPraetorious' resetting things to let Ulm get his turn in. ?

[DrPraetorious]

Oops, turned QH off. Another turn will be up shortly.

[StrictlyRockers]

Waiting on Argatha now.

[DrPraetorious]

Had to restart the computer. Server is back up.

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, I have to restart *again*, shouldn't be down for more than few minutes.

[DrPraetorious]

Is a 24 hour quickhost okay with everyone, or does anyone want longer?

Waiting on Arco.

[JayThomas]

That should work for me.

[StrictlyRockers]

Fine with me.

SR

[Reverend Zombie]

Me too, but I'd like to request a pause in hosting Saturday; I'll be away from internet access for most of the day.

[DrPraetorious]

RZ - Will do.

[Wikd Thots]

I am going to say that you can do whatever you want just so you don't feel like we are not answering you. This turn or next should show me as being out of the voting anyway. Dead. Gone. Snuffed. No more candles. What is the word for an ex-god? Mythological?

[StrictlyRockers]

Centuries later archeologists will discover cave drawings in some ancient Abyssian tongue. They will write lengthy papers theorizing what become of this once proud and numerous people.

[WSzaboPeter]

Well, the Abyssians as a nation will live, only their false God and false believes are gone. They are now worshiping the God of Man, DreamSlayer. He who teaches the ways of peace, self respect, love, friendship and not to mention the ways of how to use missile weapons, like longbows and crossbows. They say, that those who worship the God of the bolts and arrows are aided by the winds themselves in their art.

[WSzaboPeter]

[Sorry for double post.]

I would like to buy any kind of AIR boosting items, I can pay with gold or gems or both. Name the price! Oh, and did I mentioned FAST! Thanks a lot, DreamSlayer

[Evilhomer]

can't connect to this game.

[DrPraetorious]

Oh, sorry.

My machine went into some kinda fugue overnight. It's back up now.

[Reverend Zombie]

I'm back and have taken my turn. Thank you for the pause!

[DrPraetorious]

And I turned QH back on. The host interval is now 48 hours - but I would prefer to get a turn in every day if that is possible for everyone.

[Folket]

Strange, it does not seem like quick host is on. At least everyone has played thier turns and it is not hosting.

[DrPraetorious]

Yeah, I don't know what happened. I could've sworn I left it on. It's on now, in any case.

[DrPraetorious]

Computer crashes periodically when I change resolution. Timer is reset but hopefully we'll still get a turn in today http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DrPraetorious]

EvilHomer logged on once (I saw him) but then didn't take his turn. Maybe I'm mistaken.

Shmonik (Arco) has been AWOL for something near 48 hours.

In any event - I'm going to be out of town starting tomorrow ~4 PM, and I won't have time to play again until, probably Tuesday afternoon sometime, so I'll just turn off the host interval.

If either of them hasn't taken a turn by then I'll set them to CPU.

[Shmonk]

A new turn is up!

[StrictlyRockers]

Someone needs to please backstab Man like they backstabbed poor, innocent Caelum. Else, the birdmen are indeed destined to be kicked out of their nest for good. Man is marching upon the hapless winged brothers with four huge armies. Caelum's limited magics are unable to resist the advance of Man. With T'ien Ch'i on the bottom providing the anvil, the hammer is sure to come down hard soon.

Still, this has been a hugely fun game overall. Kudos to everyone on expert play. And special thanks and kudos to TNDP for creating a super-fun game, and an excellent, well-balanced wrap-around map. Well done all around, folks.

Caelum will, of course, continue to fight it out to the bitter end. If we have one candle shining, we still have a chance at victory!!! Skeeraw! Skeeraw!

Long live Caelum!!

[WSzaboPeter]

Well, my Caelian friends, I would not use the term backstab, instead I would use fire a few thousand bolts into your very hearts. Plus you bird people where never good in counting things. There are five medium sized armies marching upon you, and an please take the advice that mammoths tend to be a lot happier if they actually get something to EAT. When our crossbowmen slew 100+ starving mammoths, it was a salvation for both parties. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

P.S.: This is indeed a very fun game.

[DrPraetorious]

Excellent. Maybe we can get in one more turn today? I'm leaving town early this afternoon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[WSzaboPeter]

Waiting for Shmonik (Arco) only.

[Shmonk]

Dang, give me a few minutes and I will submit my turn. I would not mind getting another turn today also.

[StrictlyRockers]

Nice post, Peter. I think you need to count again. It may have been five armies at one time, but it sure is four now. haha I just wiped one of those armies out down to the last man.

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

[WSzaboPeter]

Everyone: I would like to buy any kind of magic gem. Mostly astral pears. I would pay in heavy GOLD.
Offers: ctdd(a)ctdd.ro

Caelum: Indeed, You are worthy foe, but the battle of Epernia (1) fought in last turn made clear the outcome of our little struggle.

[DrPraetorious]

Power interruption during the storm last night - very brief, but the machine didn't reset for some reason.

Anyway it's back up now.

[StrictlyRockers]

Wow, that was a huge battle, WSP. You are a worthy foe also. Thank you.

I bet that is the biggest battle this game has seen so far. We had 1000 units participating in that one. It was a very satisfying battle to win. I fear Caelum may yet still lose the war, however. Magic research is suffering.

[Baalz]

Only a fool would continue a joint effort with someone who does not honor their agreements. Ulm considers the NAP signed with Man null and void as of the turn they chose not to honor their agreement with Caelum, we see how they will treat us once we present an undefended flank. The invasion of Man began this month, and their people are rising up against their treacherous rulers to aid our forces.

None who honor their own agreements have ever need to worry that Ulm will not uphold their end of bargains, but those who negotiate with no honor should expect to be treated in the same manner. Now we come for those nice lightly defended territories you thought were shielded by a NAP.

[WSzaboPeter]

I beg your pardon Baalz, but I did honor only fulfilled agreements. With Caelum we had an agreement that I gave him 2 provinces and he will me AIR boost items. Since Caelum DID NOT sent me those items within 5 turns I wanted some other provinces from him. When he firmly denied my request I attacked.

Baalz I had an alliance and you attacked me with no reason (not counting that joke-of-a-reason that I I attack Caelum quit a few turns ago.

I think that we can gratulate to Folket (Patala) for winning the game. He has two very good globals up and leading most of the graphs. I don't know what about Marignon or Arco, but I would agree that they won.

[DrPraetorious]

I'm hardly willing to concede victory to Patala.

He's very powerful, but can he stand against all of us at once? I think not. We should certainly finish our internal disputes quickly, however.

[WSzaboPeter]

Well, those words echo wisdom DrPraetorious, but I was thinking I'm part of a 4 man anti-Patala alliance, but my way was blocked by Caelum, and now I'm stuck in a two front war that does not involves Patala. And this situation is all too familiar from other games. When someone reaches a point where he has a very good chance to win others instead of allying against him tie themselves down in local conflicts and the ruler wins. And he has very good magic gem income and very high research, by far the most provinces, etc... I think it's now or never.

[StrictlyRockers]

Patala is a grave threat in this game now. They could run away with the win.

WSP is mostly accurate with his description of the break down of our NAP. Caelum was lagging on producing the items it had promised. But it was for good reason as Caelum had attempted to explain to Man. Caelum had not researched the technology to create them because Caelum was involved in a hot and heavy war on the southern front with T'ien Ch'i at the time and needed to research other things for the war effort.

It was mostly just a breakdown in communications between the two nations. Still, it should have been easy to resolve this magic item issue. The items would have been forthcoming in a couple of turns, and Caelum explained the delay to Man due to the war research efforts and the lack of Construction research.

We did have a firm border agreement and a 20 turn long NAP in place with a 3 turn warning stipulation. Man demanded additional territories in breach of our border agrement soon after it was 'signed'. Man only gave 1 or, at most, 2 turns of warning before attacking and breaking the NAP.

Perhaps Man was seizing upon an opportunistic moment when Caelum was heavily embroiled in a war on the southern border. Man is sort of correct that Caelum was not honoring the letter of the agreement by not delivering the promised magic items. No specific time table had been set for when they were supposed to be delivered, and Caelum did not have the ability to create them. Man decided 5 turns was too long to wait for the items.

Maybe Man was looking for an excuse to invade. Or maybe they really felt like the agreement was not being honored. That is debatable. Man did not make much effort to negotiate and issued demands from a percieved position of strength after wiping out Abyssia quickly. Caelum had helped kill Abyssia. Caelum attemped to make it clear that we wanted peace and that the agreement would be honored.

[DrPraetorious]

Setting 36 hour quickhost.

As long as Patala doesn't expand any more, there isn't any urgency in counterattacking. If he tries to go after one of us, we have to provide whatever support is needed to stop him.

I intend to finish off Mictlan (who refused my offer of peace,) and if Man can't defeat Caelum's Mammoth-army, he can't defeat Patala's Elephant-army either, so that's that.

[Folket]

I see a huge lack of logic in several posts here. This game will not be won by whoever is most powerful. It will be won by whoever manages to get enough VPs.

At the moment Man has most VPs and is likely to have a shot at getting a VP from Caelum.

[DrPraetorious]

Folket, that's true.

However, it's a LONG way to victory - and Man appears to be fleeing from Caelum's border.

[StrictlyRockers]

Patala is going to keep growing and could swallow all of the giant's provinces. Patala is the real threat.

[WSzaboPeter]

DrPraetorious, I'm sorry, but Man appears to be loosing this war. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Folket]

I would like to put timer on 48 hours. I find that 36 hours are a little to fast for me.

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, I'll change it when I get home.

[Evilhomer]

New turn....anyone know why man is computer controlled btw ?

[DrPraetorious]

I assume that WSZP decided he couldn't take Caelum and went CPU. I hardly think his position was hopeless, but I'll grant that he wasn't doing so well.

[StrictlyRockers]

After our first big battle when I killed about 420 of his units to about 40 of mine he was ready to concede the whole game to Patala. No one said it was going to be easy.

[JayThomas]

I'll be on buisness travel from Apr 23 to Apr 26. I don't know if I'll have internet access during this time.

Can the game be put on hold during this time? If the delay is to long, a substitute is acceptable.

Thanks

[DrPraetorious]

For a game of this size and length such delays are inevitable. I'll turn off the host interval - if you can get a turn in anyway, wonderful.

[JayThomas]

Thanks DrP.

[Shmonk]

I have encountered the god of Patala. He is impressive (but he will fall). Let's make sure he does not get out of control, he must be contained.

[DrPraetorious]

It's not his deity that concerns me; I'm worried about his communion, his large army, and his presumably large number of well-equipped (thank to the Forge) SCs - Patala gets reasonable pricing on some scary chassis. In Dom3, small numbers of SCs don't really work that well, but *large* numbers of SCs can be really unpleasant, especially when backed up by a communion and an army of above-average units.

The first order of business is, I suppose, to steal his globals and make sure he can't get them back. I can make both of them, but don't have the kind of gems needed to make the take-away stick. I understand if you guys don't want me to take *both* the Gift of Health and the Forge.

Who else can take one or the other? We can funnel gems to people, but whoever takes the Forge will have to agree to provide forging services for other players.

[Evilhomer]

I can cast both I belive, however dispelling them might be an alternative.

[DrPraetorious]

If we dispel them he'll just put them back up - we should cast them ourselves with enough gems that he can't compete.

I have a construction bonus site so I'd like to make the Forge - but I should put, like, 150 Earth Gems in to make sure he can't get it back (at least). I don't have 150 earth gems.

[DrPraetorious]

I believe that we have a sub for Patala.

Waiting on evilhomer, shifting QH interval back to 48 hrs.

[Shovah32]

Hey guys, go easy on me will you? I know im in a good position but as you all know im not a great player http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Evilhomer]

A few friendly demons will head your way for a visit.

[Shovah32]

Ive seen them...

[Evilhomer]

Bah im to tired to do my turn tonight, first thing tomorrow tho =)

[Evilhomer]

Server seems to be down

[DrPraetorious]

What, really?

According to my end, you're connected.

--TNDP

[DrPraetorious]

Could someone else try to connect and see if it's really down? I can connect to myself but that doesn't tell you much.

--TNDP

[Evilhomer]

Might have been some temporary problem at my end. Anyway new turn is up

[JayThomas]

I'm in Iowa, USA. I was able to get an internet connection but I can't connect to any of the game servers. Probably some firewall setting on my work computer which I won't mess with.

Anyway, I'll be home tomorrow evenning to continue my turns.

[Shovah32]

Im connected but i cant download my turn...

[DrPraetorious]

That's.... odd. What does it do?

[Shovah32]

Its goes to the recieving turn file screen but the bar that usually fills up with green just stays blank.

[DrPraetorious]

Well, I don't know what's going on. I'll try and connect from my laptop in the morning - in any case I won't let you stale.

[DrPraetorious]

Incidentally, I have no trouble downloading the .trn file to my laptop.

This doesn't mean there isn't a problem at my end - we've been having thunderstorms the past couple days; even assuming a switch wasn't struck by lightning somewhere, there have been various reports of service problems on the uni's network.

[Evilhomer]

well connecting to your server seems slow but it does work for me.

[DrPraetorious]

Hopefully this will clear up in a few days. If it doesn't, I'll try changing IP addresses.

[Evilhomer]

Whats happening with this game ?

[DrPraetorious]

We're waiting on Patala.

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, I'm setting a 48 hr quickhost again.

Anyone who can't make this interval, I'm setting to CPU.

[DrPraetorious]

NEW IP ADDRESS:

Hopefully shovah32 will be able to connect. If anyone else has problems, let me know.

NEW IP: 160.39.37.114
NEW PORT: 11145

[Evilhomer]

Patala seems to show no intent on making his turn, better try to find a sub/setting him ai

[DrPraetorious]

Well, I sent him a PM and he insisted that he still can't connect. Evidently the server *is* sending some bad packets.

If I can't figure out something tomorrow I'll find *another* sub or set him AI.

[DrPraetorious]

It's been over 24 hours since I changed the IP/Port, and I don't know if that solved Shovah32's problem because I haven't heard from him in spite of leaving like 4 PMs.

So if I can't find another sub by morning I'll set Patala to CPU.

[StrictlyRockers]

The new IP works for me, no problem.

[DrPraetorious]

Patala has been set to CPU.

If anyone else has connection problems, let me know.

[Shovah32]

Remind me not to let my dad near my internet connection http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[DrPraetorious]

I'll be patching after this host-cycle.

[Evilhomer]

Turn is done.

[DrPraetorious]

And the game is back up and patched. Enjoy.

[DrPraetorious]

Well, the server process is frozen and unresponsive, I have a hangover and a cold, and I have to drive to Rutgers in an hour.

I'm restarting the server, hopefully that was a one-time problem.

[DrPraetorious]

Switching network cards does not seem to help.

If it doesn't resolve itself in a reasonable timeframe I'll switch to another machine.

[DrPraetorious]

It's back up. See root of thread for new IP address.

[DrPraetorious]

Agartha (JayThomas), Marignon (EvilHomer) and Ulm (Baalz) would have staled already if I hadn't reset the timer the other day when my internet connection got all funky.

Are you guys still playing?

[Evilhomer]

Sure, will make my turn as soon as i get back from work in 5 hours.

edit: Turn is done

[Baalz]

Taking my turn now, missed the new IP announcement.

[Evilhomer]

Is anyone willing to trade with me ? I need nature gems, I can offer 50+ astral or alot of blood slaves as well as a moderate amount of other types of gems (of any kind). I can make robes of the magi as well if you need it

[JayThomas]

I'll get get going as well.

[Evilhomer]

The auto host seems to be off.

[DrPraetorious]

It's back on.

[Baalz]

Anyone interested in pooling some gems to dispel the FotA?

[DrPraetorious]

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

[Baalz]

Cool, send me all your pearls and we'll take down this TNDP guy. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[StrictlyRockers]

You betcha.

[StrictlyRockers]

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

[DrPraetorious]

I've been taking my turns via Remote Desktop Connection and for some reason it's not working for the game *on the same machine* - it starts up but it's just so slow I can't get through my complicated turn, and then it freezes. Anyway I'm tired so I'll start the game back up when I can get it working, sorry for the delay.

[Evilhomer]

Dont host the game when you are done please. I was just doing some last minute changes to the game when it froze and I would like to do them if possible.

[DrPraetorious]

EH - no problem. It'll be up tomorrow, and I'll host it when I get home on Tuesday (so I can take my turn at home.) After that back to the 48h schedule.

[DrPraetorious]

The server is back up.

I'll host sometime Tuesday night after I get back to the city.

[DrPraetorious]

I'm going to host at 6PM Eastern Time (US), unless anyone objects.

After that, back to 48H Quickhost. My apologies for the delay.

[Evilhomer]

Feel free to host the turn. And thanks for waiting some extra.

[Evilhomer]

On another note, our nation is looking for earth gems. We would prefer to pay in astral, water or blood slaves. Larger trades are prefered, but any would do.

[DrPraetorious]

I also want earth gems, and I'm prepared to outbid Evilhomer for them, if need be.

I can offer any sort of gems other than earth - I can also forge them for you if you'd prefer items, I can make essentially anything, except for blood stuff.

[StrictlyRockers]

Ulm has declared war upon Caelum. All glory to the winged brethren of Caelum! We will defeat the treacherous undead hordes!!!

Caelum

[Evilhomer]

Is the game on hold ?

[DrPraetorious]

Oh, oops. I forgot to restart the timer.

Unless anyone objects I'll host a turn this evening.

[DrPraetorious]

A new turn is up - 48H quickhost.

[Evilhomer]

Im completly overrun by work atm, any chance hosting can be put back another day ? (if it cannot I will miss this turn im afraid)

[DrPraetorious]

Sure. I turned off the host interval.

Do people want to move to 72H quickhost?

[Folket]

Since Evilhomer is overrun by work I have steped in and taken control over Marignon.

So if anyone wants to send me a welcome gift you are free to do so.

Any agrements made with Evilhomer are still good.

BTW, I find that 72 hour schedule with QH would be nice.

[DrPraetorious]

Okay, I'll move to a 72H Quickhost.

[Shmonk]

72h QH is good for me too.

[DrPraetorious]

Hosting now.

I had some connection problems earlier today but they seem to have resolved.

The next turn will be due around midnight (eastern time) on Friday.

[Folket]

I'm impressed with the speed of this server this late into the game. Once I get to play in a couple of more games my turns will not be so regular any more.

[DrPraetorious]

There was a lightning storm last night so the server went down. It's back up again.

[Shmonk]

I can't connect to the server, are there any problems?

[DrPraetorious]

It was frozen.

Killed the process and restarted, can connect now.

[DrPraetorious]

And a new turn.

[DrPraetorious]

My turn is very complicated so I gave myself some extra time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

Also, Agartha is at risk of staleing.

[DrPraetorious]

Sorry for the delay. Turn is hosted.

[DrPraetorious]

A new turn is hosted.

I'm turning QH off so that I can do my turns in chunks (it just hosted while I was partway through my turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif).

[lch]

DrPraetorious said:
I'm turning QH off so that I can do my turns in chunks (it just hosted while I was partway through my turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif).


Uhm, you can always do that. Just grab your turn when you login, then disconnect when you're at the game screen with the national flags. Then you can prepare your turn offline like you would do a SP game. When you connect to the server again, the turn that you prepared offline will get uploaded automatically.

[DrPraetorious]

The problem is, I play on the same machine as the host. Sometimes, I can get away with partially doing a turn by doing it offline, but then, for some reason, this time it "noticed" that I had a (partially complete) turn file and hosted.

I *could* play from my laptop, I suppose.

[StrictlyRockers]

Ulm, who already has virtual dominion over three home province victory sites, is in serious danger of capturing Caelum's. That would give the uncivilized Ulmish horde control of four victory sites...

Who shall come to my rescue? Marignon? T'ien Ch'i? Arco? Even Agartha? The time is nigh, for I hear the clarion bell calling all Caelumoids to a higher place, an aerie above the clouds where the immortals dwell.

Caelum cannot resist the barbarian Ulmish mobs and their demon minions for much longer. We sound the horn of distress and look for aid from afar. We are surrounded and the walls are crumbling in. Who knows how much longer they can hold?

[Baalz]

Bah, there is no one to come to your aid. Anyone with any strength to spare is surely bending it towards resisting the Marignon onslaught for they stand in danger of blocking the very sun with the press of demonic and angelic bodies flying around whipped into a frenzy by every demon lord known to legend. Surrender your capital and I will allow you to retire in dignity and you will go to your grave knowing you have done your small part to resist the flames of false righteousness.

[StrictlyRockers]

Double Bah! Caelum must fight to the last bird! It is in our blood! We must fight to the bitter end.

[DrPraetorious]

I'll finish my turn and host by 3PM tomorrow - unless anyone else isn't really finished and needs more time (in which case, let me know.)

[Folket]

The prophesy of Baalz is correct. Utheldon have ordered the demon hordes to block the sun over Ulm.

Caelum might think this will be a relieve but non so, Utheldon has promised swift death to Cealum as well.

With the return of the one true god Marignon is sure to rise. Even the demon lords are bowing in fear of Utheldon.

[DrPraetorious]

I'm going to host a turn tomorrow at noon unless anyone objects.

[StrictlyRockers]

Let's rock.

[Baalz]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif What the heck was that in Canese Plain? I was sure my Bane Lord had you but he just decided to disintegrate for no apparent reason! At first I thought maybe you had a heart finder sword and got lucky, but I can't for the life of me figure out how Amaimon killed him in one round....

[Folket]

Two attack at 29 damage and two at 18 damage. With a bit of luck that should be enough.

Also seems like Then Chi have attack us without honouring our 5 turn NAP. Very ugly. I will need more time to think about this turn, could someone stop the clock?