Platypus: Noob Team Game Full

[Zylithan]

<font color="blue">Game is in progress. Enjoy!
</font>
MAP:Urraparrand with the recommended 150% gold. graphs off, renaming on, rest default for EA.

TEAMS

Name .......... Preferred Race
---------------------------------------
<font color="green">Coturnix.........Bandar Log
ExitJudas........Arcosephale</font>
<font color="blue">Cleveland.......Lanka
Cicadian.........Tien Chi</font>
<font color="red">Sivoc..............Abysia
Egoix..............C'tis</font>
<font color="purple">Zylithan ......... Agartha
TrajanX..........Mictlan</font>

[Zoshan]

I would like to play. I have been in about 5 games. I would like to play R'lyeh

[Loren]

Interested. I'm in my second team game now, the first was doomed from the start due to a bad start position (resources up the wazoo but terrible income.)

[TrajanX]

I'm interested too.. I don't have a lot of time but figure I can easily do 1 turn a day if thats the goal. I'm up for trying Mictlan.

Have played err.. 3 turns of MP too (same game as you Opossom. And what's with all the Australian animals?)

[Zylithan]

Opossums aren't Australian http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif They are North America's only native marsupial.

[cleveland]

Thanks for the invite.

I'll definately give it a shot, but I just bought the game yesterday, it hasn't even been delivered yet. I certainly won't put up much of a fight, but I'll be glad to take a beating if you can wait a few days for USPS.

No nation preference, believe it or not. But I gather Ulm is sort-of the beginner's best bet, so I guess I'll be them, if available.

[llamabeast]

I must say, Platypus definitely sounds like an Australian mammal to me, breaking the strict South American mammals-only naming convention on the LlamaServer.

[Cicadian]

I'd definitely be up for this. I've played a bit of SP but no MP at all (0 turns!)

I'd like to be Tien Chi if possible please.

[lch]

llamabeast said:
I must say, Platypus definitely sounds like an Australian mammal to me, breaking the strict South American mammals-only naming convention on the LlamaServer.


Oh come on, Platypus are cool. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Janlm]

i'd like to play, i got something like 5 games under my belt, all except one are still very early. I'll figure out a nation later today http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Sivoc]

I'm up for it, and it will be my first public MP.

Name .......... Preferred Race ...... MP turns
---------------------------------------------------------
Sivoc.......... Abysian.............. 0

[llamabeast]

Oh come on, Platypus are cool.



Platypi

[Zylithan]

PLatypussies are not south american I am sorry, they are Australian, but they are very cool. They have:

1. poisonous claws!
2. the ability to detect the electric fields that results from your muscle contractions!
3. abnormally low body temperature!
4. huge underground citystates!
5. other incredible things!
6. and more!

(If wikipedia lied about the citystate thing I'm gonna be mad.)

[ExitJudas]

i'd like to play aswell. any nation really. i have a massive 5 turn dominions 2 MP experience!

[Zylithan]

Great for all the sign-ups already!

If you havent done so, please let me know race preferences.

Also, tell me if you would be okay with playing Eight Gates map (let's say, version 2, gates exist and have bad sides effects if you stay in them too long, but do not enable recruitment of special mages)

If not, please suggest another map.

Thanks,
Zylithan

Edit... hmmm... I just saw Zoshan said R'lyeh. If he is in and playing them, we might need a diff map. Eight Gates has water, but I don't think its a very good start position. Honestly, I've never played or seen any water race, so I don't know much about their balance.

[Janlm]

I don't know it, can you link to it, or attach it or something?

[Zylithan]

Here's a link to the thread, with discussion, .rar and .zip:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&amp;Board=d3smm&amp;Number=552196&amp;page=0 &amp;view=collapsed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=&amp;fpart=all

As I have said, I made this map. I want to be very clear about that, and I would rather use a different map than have anyone unhappy. I propose it because:

1. I'd like to get it some pub/play.
2. I think it is more balanced than a random map.
3. I think it looks nice.
4. I think it has interesting connectivity, balance of open spaces and chokepoints.

[ExitJudas]

i would definitely prefer a normal map for my first multiplayer game. something that is easy to understand. I'm worried i will get owned by a map with gates and secret recruiting places etc. what about urraparand? it also has sea for rlyeh.

eight gates is a lovely map, but having a home province within 2 moves of 3 different gates to whereever is a bit too "connected" for my noob brain. i
I foresee me dying to an army than suddenly pops out of a gate i had missed, laying waste to my already feeble strategies http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[llamabeast]

Poisonous claws?

Zylithan, if you want to try your map out, I would stick to your guns. It is up to the host to choose what game will be played, and people can choose to join or not as they wish. You are also free to say that there should be no water nations.

If you just want to start another ordinary newbie game up and don't really mind about the map then fair enough.

[Zylithan]

poisonous claws, for reals. it's in wikipedia! enough poison to bring an average human serious pain, or paralyze smaller creatures. The platypus is known to fight viciously if cornered, or if denied server space because of its lack of south american heritage. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[ExitJudas]

hehehe. i'd like to try my hand at Man

doh man is ME let me try tir na nog.

[Janlm]

my prefered nation is Mictlan

[coturnix]

If there´s enough space i would also like to join the game. I´m a quasi-total noob, bought the game weeks ago, and haven´t played multi (and only once in single, but i have read the manual and know how to play). I don´t mind playing Eight Gates.

My preferred race would be Bandar Log.

[Egoix]

Hello, i´d like to join the game if it is possible too. I have no experience in multiplayer (only in single mode)and i´d like to play with C´tis.

Regards, Egoix.

[Zoshan]

Hey if you play your map and their is no water on the map, I would like to play Agartha.

[Zylithan]

Folks - In the first post I said I was hoping for 8 people, 4 teams of 2. We had 11 sign up, 8 of which seemed be to newer. I'm going to use this as a cut off, and apologise profusely to the 3 people who did not make it in. I will send your name on to Llama - he recently started a noob game (Opossum) that, once again, 3 people didnt get into and 7 did. Perhaps he (or one of you) can start a third noob game with those three.

Apologies, and I hope to play with you folks in a different game. I just didn't want to get this game too big!
Thanks for understanding.

[Janlm]

wtf???

[llamabeast]

Host's prerogative! It's sensible to keep the game smallish, and probably also to take the most new players. Frustrating for those of you who're left out though.

I am intending to start another newbie game soon, and also an anyone-can-play Eight Gates game once I get my internet back at home, which will be in a fortnight or so. So there will be other game soon.

[Zylithan]

Okay, I'm gonna make a stab at a few game settings now.

Please let me know if you have STRONG objections to anything below. I want all to enjoy the game, but if minor objections keep coming up we might not start ever... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Llama suggested people might want to know their teams for thinking about making a pretender. This made sense to me. I didn't know a better way, so I have randomly made teams of 2, they are color coded in the first post.

I am willing to do Urraparrand as a map. I have never played it before. I was thinking I would look at it this weekend, and pick 4 sets of start locastions for 4 teams. I would try to make them all as balanced as I can. I would then number them 1-4, and tell Llambeast the numbers. The three teams I am not on would each pick a random number, first come first serve. My team gets whatever number is left. Everyone would then know where everyone else starts. This is the only solution I can think of for Urrapparrand. If we did 8 Gates, we could have random starts (well, each start is roughly balanced). That is easier, and perhaps more balanced, but I think we have objections. One advantage to 8Gates would be that because of the gates you could probably make it to your ally pretty quickly no matter where you started on the map.

I will have graphs off, renaming on. All othe settings default. For Urraparrand, it is set to 150% gold I think. I would leave this as is.

So.. in summary:

-randomly made teams of 2 (1st post)
-default settings, graphs off, renaming on
-urraparrand with semibalanced, semi lottery starts

Please post to confirm this is okay, or to post major issues. Thanks!

[Cicadian]

I don't wish to offend anyone, but I think it might be better to balance the teams a bit. Cleveland and I both have 0 MP experience; I have a little enough SP experience and he only bought the game a couple of days ago http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[llamabeast]

Indeed. I would also recommend not having Ulm and T'ien Ch'i (both traditionally considered on the weaker side, although T'ien Ch'i may have been boosted by the patch) on the same time, nor Lanka and Mictlan (both powerful bless nations).

In fact I would be inclined to do teams along the lines of:

Ulm &amp; Lanka
T'ien Ch'i &amp; Mictlan
Bandar Log and Tir na n'Og
Abysia and C'tis

I haven't taken player experience into account here, since you are all very new (which is great - always nice to see fresh faces, er, usernames). But those setups look a bit more balanced to me - none of them looks obviously stronger. Hope you don't mind me contributing my opinion Zylithan.

[Cicadian]

Also, I know this is kind of a fundamental change, but might it not be better to have an 8 player FFA instead of 4 teams? It seems like 2v2v2v2 is effectively a 4 player game in terms of diplomacy, which doesn't seem like it would leave a lot of options in that area.

[llamabeast]

Sorry for the OT but: Cicadian, where are you from in Birmingham? I'm from Sutton Coldfield (although I now mainly live in Oxford, but my parents are still in Brum).

[Zylithan]

Hey - llama and cicadian, thanks for the input.

I'd like to keep the game TEAMS, because I'd like to try to play around with having an ally, and how that changes things. Also, I'd like to be on a team with TrajanX, a buddy of mine from back when I was in college. I'm playing against him in my one other game that just started(now on turn 6?), so I thought it would be nice to play together in one.

I am fine with people switching races if people think that the races are imbalanced. I can switch mine as well if people want.

I'm fine switching teams around, but as far as experince, the most number of multiplayer TURNS anyone in here claimed to have when we signed up was 5. Which seems like none to me(5 turns into a game, you havent seen anyone but independants).

[llamabeast]

If you and TrajanX want to be on the same team it would probably be better if one of you wasn't a bless nation (Lanka, Mictlan, Niefelheim, Vanheim, Helheim). Or Arco for that matter, since elephants are pretty much as good as bless rushes. Or if you prefer, you can just say say there should be no double-9 blesses in the game. That might be a good rule to use anyway, come to think of it.

I'm just thinking if you had a team with two nations with highly blessed and powerful sacreds, whoever you go up against first just won't have a fair fight.

[Zylithan]

Avoiding putting two rush races together sounds fair to me. I'll look at some other races and will change. I reckon Formoria is also a good bless rush race, so I'll avoid them, as well as the ones you listed.

Would me being Yomi, Ermor, Agartha or Pangaea be okay?

I haven't played any of these races, so I'm not familiar with their units/strats.

[cleveland]

So my game just arrived, right about to install.

Again, I'd like to reiterate that I'm going to be terrible. So maybe I (Ulm) should be paired with someone/ some nation that's considered "good."

Anyways, I'm all set. Please let me know what comes next.

[Zylithan]

Cleveland - are you going to have any time to play this weekend? Of the people who signed up, ExitJudas might have had the most experience (he said a whopping 5 turns). but... I dont think thats very meaningful.

Aside from mapmaking, I have played &lt; 10 hours single player and no online multiplayer games before this week. I've been on the forums more than I've played the games.

I'm willing to put off starting the game a while. EVeryone can play with pretender builds (make a pretender, play a little single player with that pretender and race, etc.)

Other suggestions?
-------------------------
I'm temporarily switching to Ermor, but might switch again.
Anyone else wants to switch races just say so.
-------------------------
Everyone is okay with the proposed start spots idea if we can settle on teams? If so, I might work on that tonight.

[Zylithan]

Cleveland - In my opinion, playing bless rush races are easier . If you took someone like Niefelheim or Lanka or Vanheim or Heilheim (the races Llama mentioned) that might make it easier for you?
If I switch away from Lanka and you swithced to Lanka, for example, the race pairings would be similar to what Llamabeast suggested.


Also, make sure you download the recent 3.10 patch. You can get it from shrapnelgames.com I think.

[cleveland]

Yes, I'll have time to play this weekend.

I certainly don't mind switching nations, they're all the same to me.

3.10 installed.

[Zylithan]

okay, update for folks. As of now, teams remain the same, but I am changing to a non-bless-rush race.

I looked at urraparrand. I tried to find 4 sets of start points that are as fair as possible, in starting income and in position for play.

This is the best I can do:
8&amp;23
141&amp;118
84&amp;52
146&amp;153
So those will be the start points. As discussed above, llama will help in randomly determining which team ges which set of 2. You can then decide which of you goes in which. Tell me, and I will adjust the map. (Everyone will know where everyone starts). Then we begin.

Please state strong objections.

(as said before, all settings default, excpet 150% gold as recommended by the map, and graphs off, renaming on).

[llamabeast]

Giving Cleveland Lanka might be a good idea, they are a strong and interesting race.

All the ones you suggested for yourself would be good Zylithan. They are all nice, interesting races, and none of them are very rush-y.

[ExitJudas]

sounds great everyone. llama thanks for the coaching. btw. is tir nan og an ok race to start with or are they difficult to play? any pointers? they are not in the manual.

[RamsHead]

Actually I am not sure if giving cleveland Lanka is a good idea. They are a blood heavy nation, which might be a bit difficult for a new player to pick up on. Niefelheim and Helheim are better choices, but that is just my opinion.

Zylithan, I would suggest that you avoid going with Pangaea. With the right bless, a White Centaur is comparable to a Helhirding.

ExitJudas, I have never played Tir na n'Og, but by just glancing at them, I would say that they could have a problem with nations who have skilled archers such as T'ien Ch'i. Most of their units have weak to medium-ish body armor and have no helmets. They also have no archers of their own, only slingers. I would suggest to recruit independent archers to help combat enemy archers. Your air magic can help with that problem as well. The Baobhan Sidhe is an expensive but potentially great assassin with the right spells researched. Tir na n'Og's magic is very similar to MA Man's, and Man often has trouble diversifying their magic. You might want to put magic on your pretender that your national mages cannot get. Overall I would consider them a medium to weaker nation. It is not that they are hard to play, but that their military and magic options are somewhat limited. On the upside, you can forge air boosters (magic items that increase a mage's skill in air magic) which is uncommon for national mages to be able to do. You are also paired up with Kailasa, who can help you with increasing your skills in water and earth magic. Remember that I have never played Tir na n'Og though, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt.

[Zylithan]

Hey. Thanks for your input everyone! This is a great community, with "elders" who drop by to help out the young ones. I'll avoid Pangaea.

I had thought Lanka might be easy because their base units are just so darn good.. I played them once in SP a little, and found expansion easy. But I never used blood with them, so... I don't know anything http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Cicadian]

Ok fair enough. When are we thinking of starting? I need to confer with my teammate http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Llama - I'm living in Selly Park at the moment, working at the University.

[Zylithan]

I'd love to start soonish.

I am waiting for: Cleveland to play around a little more and chose a race if he wants to switch from Ulm.

Also, right now I am going to send Llamabeast numbers 1-4 that go with the 4 sets of start provinces:
8&amp;23
141&amp;118
84&amp;52
146&amp;153.

Obviously I will mix the order up. In my mind they are all about equally fair. <font color="blue">Each team needs to pick a number 1-4, just post below first come first serve.</font> My team won't pick and will get last set. Then I'll edit the map, show everyone where everyone starts, and we're good to go.

Also, everyone should read this link, to understand how to upload pretenders when thats an option and etc....:
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&amp;Number=531116&amp;page=0&amp;view=collap sed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=&amp;fpart=1

Z

[ExitJudas]

after having had time to play around with a couple of EA nations i would like to switch to Arcoscephale or - if taht isn't possible - sauromatia.

[Sivoc]

I pick number 3 for my teams starting spot.

I'm really looking forward try Dom 3 in MP, so when can we expect the game to be ready for pretender upload and start?

[Zylithan]

ExitJudas = Arcos is fine.

I'd like to start asap.

To start we need:

1. Every team to pick a number - just pick 1,2, or 4. There's nop judgement call, it's just a random number.

Current Standings:

..............................Start Position
<font color="green">Coturnix.........Bandar Log
ExitJudas........Arcosephale</font>
<font color="blue">Cleveland.......Lanka.......1
Cicadian.........Tien Chi.......1</font>
<font color="red">Sivoc..............Abysia.......3
Egoix..............C'tis.......3</font>
<font color="purple">Zylithan ......... Agartha
TrajanX..........Mictlan </font>

[llamabeast]

Okay guys, you can now upload your pretenders whenever you're ready. To do this:

- Make sure you have no mods enabled
- Go to Game Tools -&gt; 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 the game name 'Platypus' in the subject line of your e-mail

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

[cleveland]

I'll be Lanka. If I've already been set to Ulm, however, that's fine. Llamabeast, could you please let me know which?

[llamabeast]

I think you're Lanka cleveland, so long as you're happy with that.

[Zylithan]

Rock on. Cleveland - you are lanka. Thanks for making pretender uploading possible Llama.

Okay, upload your pretenders folks, and if your team hasnt chosen a number 1-4 please do so (not 3, already taken).

[coturnix]

I´ll start working on the pretender right now. Being a random number, i´ll pick the number 4 for our team.

[cleveland]

1

[coturnix]

Pretender sent. Let me know if there´s any problem.

[Zylithan]

Okay, here's the breakdown:

1. Everyone needs to upload pretenders. As soon as this is done we can start, yay.

2. Province starts are semi-set. Each team has 2 players and 2 start spots. I will randomly assign which of two goes where by coin flip unless you tell me you'd prefer otherwise. The start spots are:

Names.........Provinces
-----------------------
Sivoc and Egoix - 8&amp;23
Coturnix and ExitJudas - 141&amp;118
Cleveland and Cicadian - 84&amp;52
TrajanX and Zylithan - 146&amp;153

I will try to set this late tonight, to give people time to respond, but also to get the game to start. I will post to this forum where everyone starts (so I don't know any more than anyone else) once the map is set. If everyone uploads pretender tonight, we'l all have turns waiting for us tomorrow. yay!

Thanks all for being patient and great during setup. Hope we have a fun and competitive game.

[TrajanX]

Hey sorry for being the quiet one (same as in Oppossum) but life is giong through one of those busy times.. This game is going to be awesome though! I've only been Mictlan briefly in a SP game and had a pretty horrible time with the whole blood business. Seriously, I can think of many more interesting things for a egomaniacal wannabe diety to do with maidens, other than sacrifice them, but I digress. Blood for the Blood God and all that good stuff. Although what the hell is an Argatha? Bandar Log? Lots of races I haven't seen before, this will be fun. Maybe by the end we can all be 90% noobs instead of 100% http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[TrajanX]

Also, Zylithan, you left out the coolest-but-most-obvious factoids about platypi. They have beaks and lay eggs but are furry and warm blooded. Non-viviparous mammals are awesome. Someone should make a monotreme race for Dom 3!

[Zylithan]

Sounds like you just volunteered. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Then, when you're done, I'll make a tritreme race and we'll see how well you do against me.:p Frick it, if 3 blades are better why not go for 4, I'll make a quadratreme race. I'll so have many more tremes than you.

Can't wait to go home, have a beer, and maybe get this game started.

[Egoix]

Well, i´ve send my powerful pretender. He needs to be so to overcome the incompetence of his master http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif...

[Zylithan]

Awesome folks. 3/8 submitted. If I can get mine and my monotremeophilic teammate to submit we're more than halfway / almost there!

[Zylithan]

Does the radio-silence mean people don't really care who is where?

ok, i just randomly assigned based on laziness.

province race
abysia ......8
ctis........23
kailasa.....141
Arcos......118
Lanka.....68
tien chi.....52
agartha.....146
mictlan.....153

[Zylithan]

here is the .map with the start points set. otherwise it is the same for urraparrand.

no one needs this but llamabeast, but anyone is welcome to look at it. its pretty boring http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[ExitJudas]

uploaded pretender. waiting for server confirmation http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

edit: doh sent to pretender instead of pretenders...

second try! get in!

[ExitJudas]

i sorta got a new pretender idea. is it possible to overwrite the pretender on the server before the game starts?

edit: haha cool server. sending a new pretender automatically revises it.

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

[Cicadian]

Sorry, I've been rather busy at work. I'll upload my pretender as soon as I get in.

[Zylithan]

rock on. Once yours is in Cicadian I think we're set to go. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Cicadian]

Ok, my Pretender is uploaded. Lets rock!

Did you get my PM cleveland? I fear I may have sent it too late. Never mind though!

[Zylithan]

Awesome job team platypus. This game has gotten up and going relatively quickly for a bunch of noobs. I think within 24 hours we should all get our first turns. Turns are due within 24 hours of the last turn (early turns should move quickly). If all turns are sent in early, we get more turns quicker. I'm american so more is always better to me.

As always, info on the llamaserver can be found at:
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=531116

Quoting directly from the great llama's mouth:
------------------------------------------------
irst, you need to create a directory for the game. Go to your dominions3 directory, open the 'savedgames' folder, and then within savedgames create a new folder with whatever name you want - but generally using the name of the game is a good idea.

So for example for the 'Alpaca' game, I created a directory 'dominions3\savedgames\Alpaca'.

When the game starts, you will be sent a trn file. You need to put this in the game folder you just created. You'll then be able to play your turn as normal using the 'Play an existing game' option in Dominions.

Once you've taken your turn and hit 'End turn', you should find a 2h file in the same directory that you put your trn file in. It'll have a name along the lines of 'mid_machaka.2h' (depending obviously on the age and the nation you're playing). This is the file that contains your orders, and you then need to email it to turns[ at ]llamaserver[ dot ]net. Obviously replace '[ at ]' with '@' and '[ dot ]' with '.' - I've written it funny so that the e-mail address doesn't get used for spam e-mails.

Within a few minutes you should get a receipt e-mail from the server (it checks its emails every five minutes). You can also see who's taken their turns and when the deadline is by looking at the website - www.llamaserver.net. (http://www.llamaserver.net.)

[ExitJudas]

don't you need to write the game name in the subject when sending in turns?

[Zylithan]

ExitJudas - I'm not sure. I know for pretender creation it was required, uncertain about turns, but I always intend to http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

One thing i liked about the manual, and that helps me with pbem, is it says that XXXXX.2h means "to host" and thats the one I send away. Nice and simple.. Just like me.

It's nice how llamaserver gives you, within 5 minutes, confirmation if it received something okay. So I just wait for that. It's really an awesome service.

[ExitJudas]

yep its great. waiting for the turn now....gimme! im in europe though, and heading to bed soon, so unless the turn shows up pretty soon ill be gone for the next 10 hours at least. can prolly sneak a couple of turns tomorrow during work though =)

[Zylithan]

I think llama has very limited access to internet now, and I think it is only at work, and he is in UK. So turns might not come until whenever 9am UK time is.

[llamabeast]

Okay, we're started!

The first turn has 48 hours on the clock in case of problems, subsequent turns will have 24. You shouldn't need anywhere near the full 48 hours, since the first turn generally takes about 1 minute.

When you send your turns in you don't need to write 'Platypus' or anything - the server can work out what game it's for by looking at the file. Just send a blank e-mail with the attachment.

Enjoy the game guys!

[Sivoc]

Zylithan,

Do you have a list of the mods needed for the game and links to them.

Cause I've been ask to install several new mods including:
Worthy Heroes 1.7b
Streamers and standards 3
a couple of LA nation mods, but got stock on quickfix310v4 as I can't seem to find it?
and would Worthy Heroes not affect our Pretender builds?

[TrajanX]

I am having the same problem, it was the "Ulm Reborn" mod. I didn't know we were using mods! Where do I get this? And why Ulm? We don't have an Ulm http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[ExitJudas]

same problem here. is this a mistake? should we restart?

[ExitJudas]

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&amp;Number=500522&amp;page=0&amp;view=co llapsed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=

found ulm reborn there. gonna se what happens if i install it.

[ExitJudas]

hmm now it asks for vaetti.dm. seems the game has been hosted with tons of mods.

[llamabeast]

Ooh dear, that's not meant to happen. There should be no mods at all.

This is a bug I've run up against before - seems to be a problem with Dominions itself actually. I guess I will have to do a restart...

[llamabeast]

Okay, I've restarted the game. It shouldn't need any mods this time.

[Zylithan]

I just woke up and I have two copies, one came 2 hours before the other. I only opened the second one, I'm guessing that is the fixed resend with no mods... and it works fine.

So... I think we're in business now!

[Zylithan]

first turn is in swing.

some comments/reminders:

1) The only thing, maybe I should have said this earlier, is there is an exploit where someone casts mist warriors and retreats. DONT DO THAT. I dont really know more, b/c I'm never seen this, only read about it. Hopefully no one built their whole strategy on this exploit and is now upset http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

2) If you are the last to play your turn, if you wait 5 mins, you can be the first to do the next turn. You can check the game status at: http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Platypus

3) Hope everyone has fun!

[ExitJudas]

btw zylithan: is the map set to 150% gold as you mentioned above? if so what does it exactly mean?

[Zylithan]

It is. It just means that every province gives you 150% of the normal amount of gold. I think this was recommended because so many provinces on this map have mountains or forest, which tend to be low income. We'll see how this plays as time goes on. I've never actually completed a game SP or MP, so I don't really know what happens goldwise as you start to expand to more provinces and more castles. There's always SOMETHING to buy...

[Zylithan]

turn 1 is almost in the books. Once lanka goes we're moving on into the great world of turn 2.

[cleveland]

All done. Check your mail.

[Zylithan]

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

[ExitJudas]

the slothful philosophers and their mighty demon monkey allies will crush you all!!

[Cicadian]

Well, I've a somewhat unlucky start. I may be able to turn (some of it) to my advantage though!

[coturnix]

ExitJudas said:
the slothful philosophers and their mighty demon monkey allies will crush you all!!



Be careful when you shake hands with a monkey, the demon ones are your enemy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Your allied monkeys in fact are quite ascetic and love meditation http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Zylithan]

Monkee Madness!
/threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif

[ExitJudas]

ah I see. must...uncorrupt...next...batch...of...fruity...tr ibute.

[Zylithan]

Llamaserver seems to be a little flukey, doesnt register incoming turns. But send them in anyhow. I remain confident that llama will fix things in the UK morning, and hopefully we don't have to delay hosting. I will monitor the situation, however.

[Sivoc]

yeah it seems like his mail-daemon is having some trouble.
But to make sure we don't miss a turn, couldn't you turn off quickhost? just untill we are sure it function properly again.

[Zylithan]

I have given commands for quickhost to turn off and to delay turn hosting briefly because of the troubles llamaserver seems to be having. I do not believe either command had any effect, however, as the deadline does not change.

Best advice is try to submit your turn (once) anyhow, and just hope when it comes back up it checks all its email before it hosts.

I think/trust llama has some sort of backup system, so I'm not too worried.

[Sivoc]

it seems like llamabeast have fixed the server, so just turn quickhost back on.

[Zylithan]

Llamaserver is fixed, and game is set to quickhost again. People should soon get turns.

[cleveland]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't those little crowns signify "victory locations" and therefore make this a "victory points" game?

[Cicadian]

I'm pretty sure they are high probablity of magic site provinces, but I'm not 100% certain.

[Zylithan]

what i have been told is that crowns are victory points, but there is no win by victory point condition

BUT, crowns somehow spread dominion, i think like a temple with dominion 5. maybe someone who knows better can clear this up

[Zylithan]

Game is starting to get interesting, starting to meet people.

I definitely would redo start positions somehow if I were to use this map again. Having had more time to obsess over the map I value things differently, but I think its all good. I reckon different people would rank different starts differently anyhow. Also, not having scores visible is disturbing, but fun.

Looking forward to some interesting turns.

Also, everyone rocks. No stales yet, and quickly moving turns.

QUESTION TO FOLKS:
How many people here would be interested in another noob team game, perhaps with a bigger map to lead to more late game play? I'm not thinking right away, but could be fun to do at some point...

[Sivoc]

Another noob game? seems like a good idea, I'm up for it.

[Sivoc]

another noob game is starting here, if ppl are interested:
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&amp;Number=559453&amp;page=0&amp;view=collap sed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=&amp;fpart=1#Post559468

[Egoix]

I´m interested, too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zylithan]

Thanks for the link. Believe it or not, since I last posted I changed my mind about how busy I am. So I think I'll sit it out. Have fun all!

[ExitJudas]

Things are heating up! Remember everyone! Mictlan and Argatha are evil and undoubtedly the most powerful nations! Please gang up on them!

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

[Zylithan]

Hey! Not only are you wrong http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (Lanka and Tien Chi have a huge island that they have very easy defense choke points of http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif ) but you're supposed to be our ally. Grumble.

[ExitJudas]

I have absolutely no idea who is stronger than who currently, however as a lazy philosopher from the great arcoscephalian island of sloth, i feel it is my duty to keep everyone on their toes, noses pointed firmly towards my opponents, ally or no. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif. Let my grab this opportunity to second that tien chi and lanka are also evil!

[cleveland]

There's no such thing as evil.

Sincerely,
Demonic Apes from Hell

[Sivoc]

Am I the only one that just recieved turn nr 9?

[Cicadian]

I think there is a problem with llamaserver - seems to have sent random turns for all games at about 11:20 (GMT)

[Cicadian]

In other news, Tien Chi is selling various magic items, including dwarven hammers, lightless lanterns, flaming skulls, crystal coins and earth boots. Payment accepted in astral pearls, death gems and earth gems.

PM me for specific prices.

[Zylithan]

The Agarthan forgers are also setting up shop for trading. Earth is of course the Agarthans primary focus, but we have some talent in most spheres. Inquire for any items you may be interested in.

Z

[Zylithan]

Folks,

I might not be checking by this board much for a while. Life is really really busy, so I will do nothing other than playing my turns. If you need to do diplomacy with the Mictlan/Agartha team, could you please message TrajanX instead until I post otherwise.

Thanks for understanding.

[Zylithan]

also,we started this game as 24 hour per turns. I am fine to stay with that, but I'm good to switch it to longer, either 36 or 48. many games do that at midgame. if you want the time limit to be longer, just say so.
of course, the quickhost option always exists, so turns will usually not be longer?

[Zylithan]

Zylithan, High Oracle of Agartha, begins to sing, and across all of Urrapara the stones reverberate and carry his song.

"Good folk of this land. The dark days are coming. Unless every nation immediately cease war, and turn all of their aggression upon Lanka and Tien Chi, the fate of this world will be sealed soon. Hundreds upon hundreds of demons pour forth from their protected island. Thousands of archers rain arrows down upon innocent children and farmers across our countryside. They will soon control more than half the world. Regardless of how far you must fly or swim or cast or throw, I beseech you to act now, for otherwise there will be no chance."

When the hum of the stones stops, it is eerily quiet. You try to ignore or forget this missive, but you know it must be true. The Earth is old, and does not lend its voice to those who lie.

[ExitJudas]

The philosophers of Arcoscephale hears the call of Argatha. The über philosopher Queen Asta, gets up from her marble park bench, drops her half eaten bunch of grapes and looks pensively to the east. There is a smell of sulphur on the wind. "Wind Rider Austus", she calls out. The pegasus rider stands to attention. "Gather your troops. There is work to do"...

[cleveland]

A proclamation form Lanka:

Let it be known that the pretender Thoxtl, Loudmouth of Agartha, has been slain: killed while running from the field of battle with nowhere to retreat.

He died along with 80% of his army:
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4369/aarqf5.th.png (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aarqf5.png)

Nations of the world are advised to grab as many of his leaderless provinces as they can, before I take them all.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif &lt;---(Seal of the Lankan Demons)

[Zylithan]

It's true! The portions of my armies that are near Lanka and far away from you all has been decimated.

You're all welcome to attack now in the only place I still have armies.

Obviously teaming up on weak teams is a good strategy early on. But if you go after me, I will move armies to stop that. Which means Lanka will get even more of my land, and face even less resistance.

Meaning the uphill battle everyone faces to defeat Lanka and Tien Chi will only become steeper.

Right now, I am not a superpower to worry about, but I can hold my own. If Lanka and Tien Chi lose, the game is wide open. If I go down with no help, I will bet anyone here money that (unless they throw the game to win my money) Lanka and Tien Chi are unstoppable.

[Cicadian]

Unfortunately it appears the generals of T'ien C'hi are not as competent as those of their allies. We have suffered a minor setback, which has resulted in said generals being fed to said allies.

Rest assured, however, the days of Mictlan are numbered!

[ExitJudas]

The demons must be stopped!

[cleveland]

Then stop them.

[Sivoc]

You can start by stopping your pitty war against me.

[ExitJudas]

very well. i will not cross the bridge from the arco island to the abysian mainland, I am however going to try and retake the rest of the island.

and yes cleveland, the mighty philosophers have now turned their heads towards lankas evil shores!!

[Zylithan]

Cleveland - I think you should stop them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif
It would be much easier for you than it would be for us. Plus, I'll throw in a bunch of bananas for any nondemonic troops you have. /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon04.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/icon30.gif

p.s. that is not a poison mushroom in your bananas. i dont know what you're talking about.

[cleveland]

Ha! (with demonic inflection)

Actually, I might just do so, considering my paratroops just captured one of your shambler reefs....hehehe....(again, with demonic inflection)

[Zylithan]

Re: ExitJudas and Sivoc - so is this an agreeable peace? Is there a chance that the forces of good are answering the rallying call to fight off the evil Sauron?

wait... wrong story arc....

but.. does this mean peace between you two?

[ExitJudas]

as stated above, i will reclaim my island. abysia can withdraw to its side of the water and I promise not to attack.

[Sivoc]

The Abysian troops have already begun the long and slow journey home.

[cleveland]

OPAL RIVER, Urraparrand, November 7 - Agartha suffered yet another crushing defeat at the hands of Lankan forces earlier today, losing an entire 100-man strong army while only inflicting only 5 Lankan casualties.

When asked about the battle, General d2, commander of the victorious Lankan army, commented, "RAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", then removed and consumed the head of a local peasant.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/6269/aar2zt3.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aar2zt3.jpg)

In other news...
SUNRISE RIDGE, Urraparrand, November 7 - On the western front, marines of the 12th Lankan Amphibious Assault Squadron surprised and routed the numerically superior Acroscephalian forces at Sunrise Ridge. This gives the Lankans a foothold directly next to the Arcoscephale capital.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1046/map1rh1.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=map1rh1.jpg)

[ExitJudas]

The floppy bellied brainerds of arco laugh in disdain. Once again Lankas demons show that their intellectual capabilities are on par with the fishmen they use as shock troops. Capital? lolz! Foothold? Roflcopter! Lanka will soon receive their fishy friends returned in paper boxes, battered, with chips. This is but a common nuisance, brought about by an overzealous demon cod! My draconian armies are already on their way to gut and filet your amphibian lackeys!

[Cicadian]

Arrgh I managed to forget the admin password for my Dominions machine, causing me to stale this turn. Oh well.

[Zylithan]

re:cleveland
That was a just my decoy army? maybe? you should run in fear? :p

re:exitjudas - i think thats the first incidence of roflcopter on these forums. i hope you have some nice roflcoptr troops that land on the roflfarmlands of lanka soon

re: cicadian
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
bummer.

Fight Fight, Against the Smelly Nasty Demon Apes!
Fight Fight, Against those chicken punk Archer Tien Chi who are too afraid to run out in the open and engage in real manly hand to hand combat!
Fight Fight Against evil, as defined by whomever I don't like today!

If that doesnt get everyone going, I don't know what will.:)

[Zylithan]

So...

as mentioned earlier, I think this game is over.
I don't see any reason to keep playing - let me know if you feel differently.

I'm ready to concede and call Lanka-Tien Chi the winners.

Both Mictlan and I essentially lost our whole armies this turn to our enemies,with them taking no losses.

[llamabeast]

Wow! Game over by turn 31 - crazy!

[llamabeast]

I have just set up another EA newbie game by the way - sign up guys!

[cleveland]

I frankly don't think the game is over at all.

High-level magics haven't really been touched yet, and I doubt we could take every province before they're opened. Could potentially change the entire game.

[Zylithan]

I'm not 100% sure I reckon. But I look at it this way... the two of you have had more territory than anyone else already for most of the game, which can (but doesnt always) translate into better research, and this advantage in income will only become more disparate.

But, I'm not 100% sure. THat's why I opened it up for debate.
I'm just saying, I am sure I can do nothing that would affect the game.

[ExitJudas]

i agree. i would like to play on some more, just to see what happens when the high level magic is unlocked!

[coturnix]

I would also like to continue the game. I have been witness of a most glorious battle where my fellow Arcoscephalian ally has smashed the offending Lankan invader army. ¡May the cosmic wheel reincarnate their corrupt spirits into worms!

[Zylithan]

Game on then!

[Zylithan]

The Agarthan capital has fallen. The demons sweep the Earth...

[ExitJudas]

arg..the drums of doom sound across the lands. the damn water is keeping me from expanding easily. ally blocks north, truce south. must build ships!!!!

[coturnix]

¿Is there any chance to change the mail address from wich i send turns to llamaserver? My damned hispavista account has started blocking my .2h files and putting them in some sort of checking queue. Consequently my files arrive late and i have been unable to send one in the last three turns. Thanks god i´m in the most boring location of the map http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Zylithan]

coturnix - just PM me the new email you want to use and i can change that through admin options.

[ExitJudas]

argh!

the philosophers grand attack over the seas against the demonic shores proved fatal for our lovely godess. a few well placed demonic mages smashed my beautiful army!

oh well. its only a flesh wound!....sort of http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

very professional use of mages evil ape demon!

[cleveland]

ExitJudas said:
argh!

the philosophers grand attack over the seas against the demonic shores proved fatal for our lovely godess. a few well placed demonic mages smashed my beautiful army!

oh well. its only a flesh wound!....sort of http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

very professional use of mages evil ape demon!




Thank you sir, that's very kind.

I must complement you, however, for your clever, well executed, and completely surprising attack last turn. It took guts to take such a risk, and though it ultimately failed, Lanka has newfound respect for Acrosephale's mighty elephants, pocket ships, and fearless leader.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[ExitJudas]

We shall return with a vengeance! probably in another game though! unless I'm mistaken Lanka and Tien Chi are not under any kind of pressure on other fronts! If I'm alone in my futile attacks on the dark fiends then I will surrender. If however allies will cone forward and declare their support, I will see if Asta can be called back to service for another daring attack.

[Zylithan]

Soon Lanka and Tien Chi will own all of Mictlan and Agartha's land, which will give them most of the map.

GG all. I'll keep playing until I'm gone, but my turns are pretty quick.

[ExitJudas]

hehe in hindsight. Arco and Kailasas positions basically barred us from any coordinated attacks. Our forts lie on a peninsula so that we are forced northwards and southwards respectively. But I guess that is part of the charm of dom3, trying crazy amphibious strategies and stuff!

[Zylithan]

yeah. i did my best to make starting spots fair, but in retrospect, i dont think i did a very good job. in my defense, i think there are death of good, balanced maps in this game. i'll say the only other game i am in, on a modified parganos, i think i got unfairly lucky map placement.

[ExitJudas]

yes. it's not a critique at all. AFAIR I was the one who decided on the map. And nevertheless I enjoyed the game a lot no matter the outcome http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Zylithan]

yeah, definitely learned a few things. im curious what spell alnka/tien chi is using to kill off all of mictlan's mages. care to tell ?

[Cicadian]

I'm using Mind Hunt - it is quite effective with penetration items. Cheap in gems too.

[ExitJudas]

Arco officially surrenders this turn. Thanx for an interesting first game. I will go computer controlled, if its okay with you. If not, I will try to get my turns done.

hope to see you in another game. Special thanks go to zylithan for creating the game. Lanka and abysia for some really good battles, and Kailasa for some great cooperation! The apes are rox!

[cleveland]

It's been a very fun game and a great learning experience.

Lanka &amp; TC think it might be time to formally end the game, especially since Thanksgiving is this week in the US.

Any objections?

[Zylithan]

Sounds like a wrap to me!
I was actually logging in to see whether we should end because of growing number of stales...

Good game all, and congrats to Cleveland and Cicadian. The two of you played a great game, and that attack on us was pretty brutal and complete.

[Zylithan]

doesnt mind hunt require S4 mages? how did you get a ton of them?

just curious.. would either/both of the winners be up for sending a played turn (.trn and .2h) to me? I understand if not, but it would be a great learning tool to see what you had and what you did on an active turn. one disadvantage of this game is you dont get to see a lot of what your opponents do.

[Cicadian]

Some Celestial Masters get s2 to start with. I also found Sorceresses which come with s2. Stick a crystal coin and a starshine skullcap on them et volia!

I'll send you my last turn. What's your e-mail?

[cleveland]

My most recent turn is attached, but I didn't really play it, so take the 2h with a grain of salt.

[Zylithan]

thans to both of you! and gg.

[Zylithan]

so.. i'm assuming no one is upset with ending it? havent heard otherwise. i'm gonna stale, i think everyone else is too...
last chance to speak...

[Cicadian]

I think we are agreed the game should end now. Well played, everyone! You might want to PM Llamabeast and get him to remove the game from the server list.

[Zylithan]

Think I can do that myself... right about... now?