Slow Boat to T'ien Ch'i

[Gregstrom]

Slow Boat to T'ien Ch'i is a game for new players (3 mp games or less under their belts) who can't necessarily guarantee the spare time to guarantee a 24-48 hour turn schedule.

The game is set in EA. Other settings are vanilla.

IMPORTANT: Due to unreliable amounts of free time in Real Life (TM) for the host and others, the game will be set to a 168 hour (1 week) quickhost on Llamaserver ( www.llamaserver.net (http://www.llamaserver.net)). This is intended as an upper limit on turn time rather than an expected turnaround time, and it is hoped that most turns will be cycled through within 48 hours (and preferably 24 hours in the first 10-20 turns).

3 slots in the game have been taken so far, and the races Lanka and T'ien Ch'i have been reserved.

[Edit]
Races taken are:
1: Lanka (Demon Monkeys) - Gregstrom
2: T'ien Ch'i (Seasonal cavalry) - Greenaris
3: Agartha (pallid, live in basements - no, I don't mean the players...) - agema
4: Sauromatia (Death Lizards) - Shogi
5: Tir na N'og (Celts sans kilts) - Vacant
6: Niefelheim (the Big Chill) - llamabeast
7: Ermor (wot no undead?) - DryaUnda
8: Arcoscephale (The Hannibal All-stars) - Aethyr
9: Abysia (Hot stuff, and I'm really not kidding here) - llamaserver AI
10: Helheim (Making death a valid career move for demigods everywhere) - Shamash

[shogi]

I would like to join and reserve Sauromatia if I could.

[sum1lost]

I've finished two games, but am in two others. Would I be able to join?

I think that I would like yomi or tir na og, if possible.

[Fate]

I would like a spot, if one is still open. I will probably decide on a nation soon.

[Freakboy]

I would like a spot. Niefelhiem (giants)please.

[AlgaeNymph]

I'd like to join as Ermor.

[Aethyr]

I'd like to join; I'm currently in 3 games. Arco please.

[Gregstrom]

As we have 8 players and no water players, it looks like Parganos won't be entirely suitable. I'm thinking of generating a random map instead - unless anyone has suggestions...

[edit] As we're not in Parganos, more players are still welcome.

[Dedas]

I would like Abysia please.

[Shamash]

Hello

If it is possible for me to join, I would like to play as Helheim.

[sum1lost]

I think that I shall settle on Tir.

[Gregstrom]

As noted up top, I've declared the game full.

Urraparrand looks a reasonable map, I think. Does anyone know better?

[Dedas]

It is a good map.

[Shamash]

I agree.

[Aethyr]

Works for me. Do we have an estimated day/time to send in pretenders and a projected start date?

[llamabeast]

Okay, I've created the game, you can start uploading pretenders whenever. Here's how:

- Make sure you have the same mods enabled as the game you're playing in (Preferences->Mod Preferences) although only mods affecting pretender design, such as Conceptual Balance, actually matter
- Go to Game Tools -> Create a pretender god in Dominions
- Go to the savedgames/newlords folder in the dominions directory, and find your pretender file (e.g. mid_pythium_0.2h)
- E-mail the file to: pretenders[ at ]llamaserver[ dot ]net
- Crucially, you must have 'SlowBoat' in the subject line of your e-mail

You can see who's joined so far at www.llamaserver.net. (http://www.llamaserver.net.)

[Dedas]

Thank you lama. Although I do believe we aren't using mods in this game.

[Gregstrom]

Yup, no mods at this point. Maybe next game :-)

Can we try to have Pretenders in by, say, 5 pm on Friday (GMT)?

Not having done this before, I don't know what the timings normally are.

[Shamash]

I assume we will be working with the latest version, right? I am patched up to 3.08.

[Gregstrom]

3.08, yup.

[Gregstrom]

Looks like my last post didn't make it to the forum.

Can we have Pretenders in by Friday, please. Start will be Friday too, I should think.

[Dedas]

Maybe you should change the topic to "upload pretenders" for everyone to get the picture. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[GreenAris]

T'ien Ch'i reporting in, many thanks to Gregstrom and llamabeast for setting up the game. Will try to upload my pretender tonight. So many choices! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Agema]

Hi, I'm the booked in undecided, I'll be Agartha, will upload pretender tonight.

[Gregstrom]

Ta for the suggestion Dedas - the change has been made.

[GreenAris]

Are we going to use the new 3.10 patch?

[sum1lost]

GreenAris said:
Are we going to use the new 3.10 patch?



I'd like to, please.

[Gregstrom]

I didn't realise there was a 3.10 patch. I'll check wth llamabeast, but I also favour using it.

[Aethyr]

I am operating under the assumption that Llama's server, as indicated in the other games I'm currently playing, will be converting over. So, I am assuming that this will be the case for this game as well. Please advise if this is not the case. Thanks

[Shamash]

I am also in favour of updating. I have downloaded the patch but it is not yet installed. For now, I shall wait until instructed to go ahead with installing (should we reach that decision).

[Dedas]

Of course we should update before starting, else it will only get troublesome later.

[Gregstrom]

I'm waiting on a positive confirmation from Llamabeast before saying 'do it'.

PS: We have 4 pretenders uploaded currently - 6 to go.

[llamabeast]

Yep, we'll definitely be using 3.10. I'm just about to install it now...

[sum1lost]

What are the settings of the game, please?

Specifically, random events and magic sites, please.

[Gregstrom]

As per the OP. vanilla settings as given by the game.

[Gregstrom]

Looks like everyone's in. Good luck, all.

[Dedas]

Thank you! Let's roll...

[AlgaeNymph]

Am I on a mailing list? What network and port should I connect to?

[Shamash]

The game has not started yet, has it?

[Dedas]

Nope... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Gregstrom]

Nor for me. Llamabeast said he'd kick it off on Friday - I'll ask if there's a problem with the server.

Edit: As yet, no reply.

[Shamash]

For some reason, www.llamaserver.net (http://www.llamaserver.net) shows that the max number of players for our game is 22 when it should be 10. Could that be a reason?

[llamabeast]

Sorry guys, I'm doing a poor job of coping with all the llamaserver stuff at the moment - I have a big deadline coming up at work, no internet access at home, and 3 games to get sorted/started - eeek!

I will endeavour to get it started later today, but it may end up being tomorrow. Really sorry about the delayed start. No internet access at home (and hence basically none at all at weekends) is really proving infuriating! Thankfully the cursed staff of British Telecom are meant to get us sorted by the end of this week. So, only 41 days instead of the stated 72 hours...

[Gregstrom]

I've had my problems with BT as well. Service being cut off for no reason, then reattached to the wrong phone number...

Funny thing is, I went with them because they had a good reputation for quality of service. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/firedevil.gif

[GreenAris]

No problem I am just grateful that you are willing to host our game, many thanks once again.

BT are hopeless!

[Shamash]

I don't know about BT (cos I'm not British) but if I ever migrate to the UK, now I know I won't be using them!

And thanks for hosting our game llamabeast!

[llamabeast]

BT really are spectacularly bad. Unfortunately they still have a monopoly on connecting phone lines, although you can choose someone else to operate the line once it's connected. Actually we did consider cable - but the relevant company (NTL) are notorious for bad customer service so we decided against them! Aaargh!

Anyway - can I just confirm you want to play on Urraparrand for when I get to start it?

[Gregstrom]

Yup - Urraparand's the one.

[Dedas]

BT is just like Swedens Telia; they own all the lines but "lease" them to other companies. It's a pain in the *** for the consumer it is. It has gotten better in recent years though.

[Gregstrom]

NZ are probably worse off though - there is (AFAIK) only one ground telecomms company there. Telecom are also one of the two mobile operators.

Prices aren't exactly great. When I was there in the spring, data transfer was NZ$10 per megabyte.

[llamabeast]

So, hopefully you've all received your first turns.

The first e-mail contains instructions on how to play - if that's not clear, try reading the FAQ linked to in my sig.

Enjoy the game guys!

[AlgaeNymph]

Please note that the required mod is here: http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/download.php?Number=556250

[llamabeast]

Ah, thanks DryaUnda, I just remembered that I needed to link that. Very efficient of you.

[Shamash]

Is it necessary to install the mod (linked by DryaUnda) for this game? If so, am I right in understanding that all I have to do is to place the .dm file in the mods subfolder?

[Gregstrom]

Wahey!

Add my voice to the vote of thanks aimed at Llamabeast.

@Shamash: You're dead right.

[AlgaeNymph]

Yes, and yes.

[Shamash]

Thanks, got it!

May I suggest that whoever is last in sending his/her 2h file every turn sould wait those 5 minutes, get the new turn and do his/her next turn and send that as well? (Unless s/he is time pressed of course.)

This is not my idea but I have seen it floating around a lot and I happen to think tht it's a good idea for speeding up the game a bit.

What do you think?

[Agema]

Sounds like a good idea.

[Gregstrom]

I'd often end up doing that anyway, I think. It's a good idea.

[Aethyr]

I agree; I'll try to do this as well.

[Dedas]

Could we perhaps speed this game up a bit? The time limit as of now is almost ridiculously long for start game.

[Gregstrom]

I had hoped it would start a bit quicker than this myself...

That said, this was started explicitly as a game for those who couldn't guarantee a fast turnaround (due to children under 3, pregnant partners, unreliable major national broadband providers <gnashes teeth>, whatever).

Therefore, I feel I can only alter turn generation on a unanimous vote from the players.

Post votes on this thread, saying what speed you can commit to putting in turns (24h, 48h or 72h, for example). If you need things to stay the way they are, please say so.

I will reset the host time to the highest agreed time interval.

To set the ball rolling, I can currently guarantee turns from myself every 48 hours.

[Dedas]

I think 48h are more than enough for the first 15 turns in a very slow game like this. I mean. doing your turn at this stage won't take you more than 5 minutes at most. Then we could change to 72h. My 2 cents. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Shamash]

You are both right. I think it would be a bit unfair to force smaller time windows without unanimous consent, as Gregstrom pointed out. However, I do agree to encouraging faster turns if people can comply with that - still, there are no obligations - the game is meant for people who cannot guarantee a fast turnaround, after all.

I would agree to a 48hr/turn arrangement till turn 15.

[Aethyr]

I agree with all. I can commit to 48/h through turn 15, afterwards 72/h sounds good.

[GreenAris]

I am happy with 48hr turns

[sum1lost]

I'd like to suggest simply aiing stalers. With a week to take your turn, there isn't any excuse to stale.

[Agema]

I'm unhappy with the slow progress so early on - I was expecting turnarounds of 1-2 days with just the occasional delay when someone got stuck in real life.

I'd have to admit that were the time limit 48h, I'd have missed this weekend due to being away. Having said that, I can stick to 48h for a few weeks at least. 72h would be my second choice. We can rethink at t15.

[shogi]

I know I am at least partially responsible for the delays (Sauromatia). The game started at an unfortunate time for me - doing some global traveling with limited internet access. When I signed up for the game, I had thought it would start a bit earlier and I would have a week or two of play before I started traveling.

So, while I would love to commit to 48 hours, I would undoubtedly stall a few turns. I will be back in the US and able to play more regularly the beginning of November.

All that being said, if everyone would like to speed things up, I could change my nation to AI and look to join a different game in Nov.

Sorry about the inconvenience.

[Shamash]

Then I suggest we leave the timer as is. After all, we all signed up for a slow game.

Still, if we can get turns done faster, everyone is happier - so send those turns as soon as it is possible for you.

[Gregstrom]

Turn times will stay at a week then, with possible review in November.

[sum1lost]

Neifelheim is going to stale for what appears to be the second time in a row. Can we please, please AI him?

[Agema]

We should give him until the time limit. It is a slow boat to T'ien Ch'i, after all.

But otherwise, I'd rather it were the in-game mages who grew old, caught afflictions and died before the end of the game rather than the real-life me.

[Gregstrom]

I didn't think Niefelheim staled last time. They were just very slow.

[Shamash]

Actually, I don't think he staled last time (Turn 1).

[Gregstrom]

All is okay this turn, at least. Abysia/Tir to go, and we'll have a decent turnaround.

[sum1lost]

Ugh. I just ran into a province with something unpleasant. My entire starting army just died, except for my obese prophet. Joy.

[Agema]

Okay, I'm confused. I got the error email, but do we complete and send the new turn that's just arrived (4), or resend turn 3?

[llamabeast]

Resend turn 3.

[Agema]

Ta, I sent in turn 4 before I got the error email, will a new t3 override the t4?

[llamabeast]

No, you just have to imagine the turn 4 e-mail was never sent, since it was erroneous.

[Gregstrom]

I should think so.

Can we all try and get these resends in soon, please.

[GreenAris]

Resend in,

Just Abysia and Nifelheim to go.

[GreenAris]

Well new turn is out, I really hope we don't have to wait so long for the next one.

I believe Abysia staled their last turn, I am not sure we should wait for him again.

[Agema]

I think if someone has an issue, it'd be nice if they can let people know, otherwise it just seems like they can't be bothered. It's frustrating for players wanting to get a move on that under 10 minutes of real life dedication are taking an entire week be done, it also makes it very hard to feel involved with the game.

[Gregstrom]

Abysia haven't sent in a turn for more than 12 days. I've tried contacting them to no avail. If they are the last outstanding turn this time, I will be AIing them.

[Aethyr]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry I did not notice this earlier: the player who has Abysia is basically AWOL. I'm in another game with him (he's not responding to my messages either) which he's stalled for about 10 turns in a row now. As far as I can tell, this is true for every other game he was playing.

[Gregstrom]

Fair enough - AI it is then.

If I can set it, that is.

[Gregstrom]

Oh. No way to AI him. I'll get the turn hosted instead.

[llamabeast]

I can AI him for you. You could do it by changing his address to yours, getting the turn resent then taking it and setting him to AI. However assuming you only have one CD that would cause a CD key violation and either your own turn would be cancelled or the AIing would fail.

So I'll do it.

[llamabeast]

Okay, I have sent in an AIing turn for Abysia. If Dedas shows up before the next hosting he can still override this.

[Gregstrom]

Many thanks.

[Gregstrom]

For ease of diplomacy, I've added usernames to the races in the first post.

Feel free to announce anything you like in the thread.

[Gregstrom]

<sniff sniff>

Lanka scent trouble to the northwest.

[Agema]

On a wraparound, everywhere is northwest http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[sum1lost]

Gregstrom said:
<sniff sniff>

Lanka scent trouble to the northwest.



The bloody songs are being sung betwixt tien chi and Tir na n'og.

OOC:
The week-long waits are playing havoc with my diplomacy. I just started a word document to remember what terms I am on with people... The war started when Tien Chi didn't renew our NAP for several rounds, and had maneuvered his army within two-turn striking distance of my capital. So I launched a massive assault on his provinces. To be fair, that province was his, but the timing and placement made me itchy enough that I decided to move before I was moved(especially as someone had done the same thing to me in another game, and they also were playing Tienchi). Since communication was spotty enough that I couldn't determine how good terms were...
well, here comes a war.

[GreenAris]

Well it was a masterfully executed sneak attack.

I thought our diplomatic relations were good, I kept checking with you if you were happy with taking the province I claimed and assumed that it was ok since you didn't object.
Oh well just goes to show how two people can interpret a situation completely differently I couldn't remeber exactly when I was supposed to check in, and thought you might do so too!

"The entire Celestial Foreign Office has been executed for this debacle".

Still my ministry of War assures me that we have a few surprises that may cause you some consternation :-).

We shall throw the infidel out of our lands and your blood shall run as water!

[Gregstrom]

Hmm...
Sneaky she-warriors of Tir n'a sn'Og...

Or are they Toothy warriors.

Too sneaky by half, either way.

Tuna Key people seem Dis-organised.

[Agema]

Well, without wanting to be too mean, I wish all you warring people a mutually devastating experience http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Niefelheim and Agartha have already had that fun. I lost several turns production at the capital whilst it was under siege, he lost his whole army. About honours even in the end.

[Gregstrom]

Crazy Tir. We tell Tir they not trusted and we not like NAP with them because they attack with sneakiness. Then they tell us to attack them!

Monkey hordes are marching.

[sum1lost]

Uh, gregstrom, for future reference, a 3 turn NAP means you can't attack for three turns afterwards- and usually three turns after the message is received, if you are using in game messages. I had one turn in between your message and your attack, but I'll chalk it up to a misunderstanding.

[Gregstrom]

Oh, that's how you count it. D'oh. I'll hold place for a couple of turns.

[Agema]

Well, that's what newbie games are for...

[Gregstrom]

Niefel staled last turn.

I've tried contacting freakboy, but since he had a week to do the turn I'm going to address the possibility that he's dropped off the face of the map.

His position is still more than tenable as far as I can see (not that I have any scouts in his area, but the graphs look ok), so I'm going to ask now if there are any volunteers out there to sub for Niefelheim.

It's still pretty early in the game, so there's lots of time for a volunteer to take the initiative.

The game rules are on the original post.

Anyone interested should post here or pm me.

[llamabeast]

I'm going to sub for Niefelheim for a little bit. He's doomed, but it looks like fun. When it gets hopeless I'll set it to AI.

[Gregstrom]

Excellent!

Many thanks llamabeast http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

As sum1lost has announced he has no net access to play dom3 in another thread (and has no territory or armies worth the mentioning any more), I will ask llamabeast if he can be AI'd - if not, I will just advance timing on the turn generation.

[Aethyr]

llamabeast said:
I'm going to sub for Niefelheim for a little bit. He's doomed, but it looks like fun. When it gets hopeless I'll set it to AI.



Welcome Llama! Um, so what are you planning to do with that large army on my border, eh? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[llamabeast]

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

[llamabeast]

Hey actually, am I meant to be abiding by any NAPs? I was planning on going rampant.

[Agema]

Agartha and Niefelheim have a 1-turn NAP, concluded after a brief and mutually painful early conflict.

[llamabeast]

A 1-turn NAP?! Okay, thanks for that.

[llamabeast]

Okay then Agartha, I declare war. Because of the NAP, I won't attack this turn. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Agema]

Welcome in! The vast Agarthan catering staff just behind the border is happy to host incoming parties, and is looking forward to preparing militia kebab, flambeed Jotun and diced Niefel chunks.

[llamabeast]

Mainly militia kebab, I think. My primary motivation in going to war with you is to get rid of some of my ridiculous horde of income-draining lamers.

[Agema]

Totally understandable. You'll probably have a few turns after your militia are dead to get some income before you run out of lands to supply gold http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Agema]

Can we reconsider speeding the turns up?

If we move it to 4-5 days, they'll still feel like they take almost forever when someone inevitably stales or doesn't bother for a few days, but will at least be around 50% quicker.

[Gregstrom]

I'm happy do do this - I'd like to take a quick straw poll of the other players before kicking up the tempo, though.

[Aethyr]

I'm OK with speeding the turns up, but would not want to see anything less than 72 hours. Thanks

[Gregstrom]

I was thinking a 4 day turnaround (96 hours)

[Aethyr]

Even better.

[GreenAris]

Fine by me

[Gregstrom]

That's 4 out of 8 players in agreement - one more would make it a clear majority and barring a really commited 'no' I'd make the change at that point.

[edit] Okay, realistically it's 4 out of 7 pending the absorption of DryaUnda's last 3 territories.

I'll make the change, and people have until the next turn is generated to object.

[llamabeast]

Yeah, I'm negligible as well (nearly dead) - so 4 out of 6. Or 5 out of 7 if you like.

[Agema]

Sub replacement -

Turn 41 has arrived which I'll process. CUnknown will be taking over from me for turn 42 until the start of April. I'll get him to send along his details.

[llamabeast]

Congrats to Arco for finally annihilating Niefelheim. I think I put up a reasonable fight with my puny bit of land, but ultimately was outplayed and crushed.

[Aethyr]

Thanks Llama, but you are far too modest. Arco won that critical battle only by the thinnest of margins.

I'm happy that I did not have to face you from the beginning. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

I am supposed to be subbing for Argatha, but I didn't get the most recent turn.

How am I supposed to be receiving these turns?

[Gregstrom]

PM me with your email address, as I'm the admin. I'll redirect the turn emails to you.