Game: Fearsome Legions (in progress)

[Zachariah]

Server IP Address: www.evilzombies.com (http://www.evilzombies.com)
Port: 8096
Late Era, random map of 20 provinces per player, renaming enabled.
Quickhost or every 48 hours.
If you have a stale turn twice in a row, you'll become a computer player.
75 turn limit, unless its still close.
scores will be posted regularly at: http://www.evilzombies.com/dom3/FearsomeLegions.html

Abysia - DireAussie
Arcoscephale - Zachariah
Atlantis - Lingchih
Caelum - duncanshriek
C'tis - Tequilich
Man - Cicadian
Marignon - Meglobob
Midgard - coobe
Patala - Reverend Zombie
Pythium - WraithLord
T'ien Ch'i - Blofeld
Ulm - Lord_Bob
Utgard - Yucky

[Zachariah]

I'm in as Arcosephale

[BigandScary]

mictlan

[Meglobob]

I will give holy Marignon a go.

[WraithLord]

I'd take LA Pythium please.

[Shovah32]

R'lyeh, please. Agartha if you would prefer to avoid R'lyeh due to it being the only LA water nation.

[WraithLord]

Oh, wait a sec. Are we playing with the 3.10 quickfix (that also fixes hydra issue with LA Pythium)?

I will take Pythium any way, but I need to know for creating the pretender.

[Tequilich]

Ill try Ctis

[coobe]

I like to have Patala

[Lord_Bob]

I would like to give LA Ulm as shot.

They seem scattered, but extremely dangerous. At least Late Game.

[Cicadian]

I'll take Man. Should be interesting.

[Shuma]

Pangaea here!

[DireAussie]

I'll take Abysia. Does your server have email notification?

[Meglobob]

WraithLord said:
Oh, wait a sec. Are we playing with the 3.10 quickfix (that also fixes hydra issue with LA Pythium)?



It will probably be Dom 3.10 vanilla, no quickfix.


DireAussie said:Does your server have email notification?



I don't think it has. Runs to a strict 48hr quickhost.

I would upload your pretenders ASAP. By Monday if at all possible. Zack the host does not hang around!

I am just being helpful btw, I hope no one minds! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

What, no Ermor? Someone has to but log in, say "Ermor please", and the game is yours. I would, but playing LA Ermor for me is like constantly bashing my head with a shoe.

[Shovah32]

Lingchih said:
say "Ermor please", and the game is yours



You really think LA Ermor is that good?

[Lingchih]

Shovah32 said:

Lingchih said:
say "Ermor please", and the game is yours



You really think LA Ermor is that good?



When played by a good player, yes, I think it is very difficult to keep Ermor from winning the game. That said, LA R'lyeh is in this game, and they seem to rack up just about as many victories as Ermor. I've seen it suggested on the forums that both be excluded from Late Age games, to make them more interesting, and I would second that.

[Lingchih]

I'm in. I'll take Atlantis.

[BigandScary]

we need Ermor, to balance against R'lyeh.

[Lingchih]

Please. We don't need Ermor. I'll handle R'lyeh.

[Yucky]

I'm in as Utgard.

[Shovah32]

Lingchih said:
Please. We don't need Ermor. I'll handle R'lyeh.



Oh, it's on now.

[coobe]

ok i just realized how much patala sucks so i like to change from patala to Man

[Shovah32]

Elephants and awesome (capitol only) mages? But yeah, I'm not a huge fan.

Cicadian already claimed man.

[Lord_Bob]

They have severe limitations, yes.

[Meglobob]

coobe said:
ok i just realized how much patala sucks so i like to change from patala to Man



Check out kissblades guide:-

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=462081&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Aapeli]

Well hey if its okay then i shall take ermor. Dont think its the best but sometimes its the most fun to play whit.

[Lingchih]

Shovah32 said:

Lingchih said:
Please. We don't need Ermor. I'll handle R'lyeh.



Oh, it's on now.



That was a joke, of course. How in the world would LA Atlantis ever handle R'lyeh? I'm only playing Atlantis because all my faves were already taken. And it's kind of amusing fighting Heavy Cavalry and Infantry with Eskimo Atlanteans.

[BigandScary]

if only they had dogsled chariots

[Blofeld]

I'll take a chance with Tien Chi.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

I won't jump into this game, I'm still in two. I will however offer to sub for Lingchih and Atlantis if he needs it on a temporary basis. I hope to see how other people play the nation.

[Lingchih]

Thanks LP. I don't plan on being in the game very long, since it appears I am target #1 for R'lyeh, but I am doing some SP with Atlantis and trying to figure them out. Is there a thread somewhere on how to play them? They don't seem to be as weak as they appear on first glance, but it's still a challenge to see how they can compete in MP.

[Shovah32]

You could always stop your self from being a target by supplying me with the lobo guards and shambler thralls which I love so much http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

Well... theres no real strategy guide on how to play them. However, there is:
LA Atlantis, another thread looking for tips (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=531002&page=3&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

Seal Hunters are by no means great, but they're strong for chaff- don't underestimate them. Harpoons may be useless underwater. Go figure. Not sure.

Their water mages aren't very special- Mictlan and Patala, for instance, have W3 mages as well. Still, its easy enough to get Angakok to W5 or W7 if the random picks are right.

[coobe]

i played patala several times and their nationals are just too crappy :/ lost overview which nations are available ?

but i certainly like to join this game

[coobe]

ok i´ll take Midgard http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

Are you going to start this one soon Zach? It looks like just about every nation is taken. It's gonna be crowded.

[Shovah32]

I'm going to have to pull out. Some things have came up and I'm in 3 games as it is(2 are lategame).

[Lingchih]

Sorry to see you go Shovah http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Baalz]

Errr, so is Patala open?

[Lingchih]

It would appear that Patala is open. Join the fun Baalz.

[WraithLord]

So how may players are in anyway?- I mean isn't the game too crowded. I don't mind many players but mayhap we need a bigger map.

[Reverend Zombie]

Baalz said:
Errr, so is Patala open?



I actually claimed Patala last night (on the server, not in this thread unfortunately). Have you overwritten me?

[Aezeal]

I would like to play if there is room.. please let me know

[BigandScary]

could we not start until saturday? I am away and will not return until Sunday afternoon.

[Baalz]

Reverend Zombie said:

Baalz said:
Errr, so is Patala open?



I actually claimed Patala last night (on the server, not in this thread unfortunately). Have you overwritten me?



Nope, just sniffing around. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

WraithLord said:
So how may players are in anyway?- I mean isn't the game too crowded. I don't mind many players but mayhap we need a bigger map.



I agree. If this is one of Zach's normal 15 province maps, then it is going to be very crowded.

[Zaramis]

Marignon up for grabs?

[Zachariah]

we have 11 folk currently. Personally, I don't feel like 15 provinces per player makes it crowded, but that's just me.

if folk feel like upping the number of provinces, speak now: I think i can change that before I actually launch the thing.

i'll kick this sucker off in the morning, unless there are objections.

[Xox]

The map is crowded with these settings true, but even more important to me is I dont like the 75 turn limit.

I have been waiting a while for a new game to start up. But this is the first non pbem game in a while.

[BigandScary]

Um... I was wondering earlier if we could wait until saturday.

[Zachariah]

I won't cut a game short if there's not a clear winner by turn 75, but there almost always is.

At that point, if someone wants to continue hosting it via email, I can give them the files for it.

I'm going to up the number of starting provinces to 20.

Any other objections to me starting it tomorrow morn? I'd rather not wait till the weekend.

[Lingchih]

Nope. Let's get it started. Thanks for upping the provinces.

[BigandScary]

well, I'm not available until Sunday afternoon, so I gues I'll have to bow out.

[Lingchih]

BigandScary. You could just stale the first turn. It's a 48 hour/turn game. You would only miss one turn, and have a lot of money when you did start.

[WraithLord]

Could you please post here when the game has started?

[BigandScary]

yeah, I guess

[Lord_Bob]

I try to connect to www.evilzombies.com (http://www.evilzombies.com) Port 8096 and Dominions says "Connection Failed"

Should I be able to load my pretender now, or do I need to wait?

[Zachariah]

oops sorry, I had trouble restarting it. Its back now.

since it was down for the night, i'll wait till afternoon to kick it off now, for any late joiners.

[Lord_Bob]

Are there any mods specifically necessary for this game?

If my pretender was created in the "normal" version, it should be fine?

[Meglobob]

Lord_Bob said:
Are there any mods specifically necessary for this game?

If my pretender was created in the "normal" version, it should be fine?



No mods. Just create/upload a pretender via Dom 3.10 vanilla.

[Lord_Bob]

Thanks.

[Lingchih]

I thought we were going to start today?

[duncanshriek]

Hi,

I just uploaded my Caelum pretender
(and made my first post here...).

[Zachariah]

sorry for the delay folks, just kicked it off

[Lingchih]

I know Atlantis is not a true water nation, but they are supposed to start in a coastal province, correct? Then why is my capitol on a mountain, a dozen provinces away from the ocean? Just curious, and rather annoyed.

[Lingchih]

I suppose I should not complain. If R'lyeh had stayed in the game, I would be whooping for joy at being so far removed from him.

[Lord_Bob]

Well, if you actually are a dozen provinces away from the ocean that is a bit extreme. However, if you are four or five I think that's kind of fair, since R'yleh isn't in the game.

If you had the seas entirely to yourself from Turn 1, I mean really!

Roleplay it! Your people were driven from the ocean by the accursed R'yleh, but you have heard strange rumors of madness and something called "The Dreaming" from your enslaved kin... then nothing.

Nothing at all. In a single... something..... the enormous empire of R'yleh has ceased. It is now your goal to reclaim the oceans for Atlantis!

[Meglobob]

Lord_Bob said:Nothing at all. In a single... something..... the enormous empire of R'yleh has ceased. It is now your goal to reclaim the oceans for Atlantis!



They got bored, Oceania/Atlantis were too easily conquered. So they built a space ship and are off to enslave another world... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

I am 8 provinces from the sea by the shortest route. I am next to a large lake. I guess that's why the game placed me there... the lake is a water province after all. Still, kind of extreme. But yeah, I can roleplay it. We just wanted to get as far from R'lyeh as possible.

[Lord_Bob]

That is to long.

[Meglobob]

Server appears to be down.

Get the waiting message, forever...

[Meglobob]

Server appears to be down again.

Note this is different from the above post. It came back up and I did my turn then.

[coobe]

dom3 hangs up in waiting screen...

[Lord_Bob]

Coobe:
I would appreciate it if you answered my emails.

Refusing to even respond to my emails forces me to prepare for war. A war that I will probably win after brutal losses. Then I will be annihilated by another player.

This doesn't, however, help you.

[coobe]

do what you have to do

[DireAussie]

An amusing arena battle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Now we have an assassin on the run with the champions trident http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[DireAussie]

Here's a list of players and their nations to make diplomacy easier for those who prefer to PM on the boards. Zach it would be good if you could copy and paste this into your first post:


Abysia - DireAussie
Arcoscephale - Zachariah
Atlantis - Lingchih
Caelum - duncanshriek
C'tis - Tequilich
Man - Cicadian
Marignon - Meglobob
Midgard - coobe
Patala - Reverend Zombie
Pythium - WraithLord
T'ien Ch'i - Blofeld
Ulm - Lord_Bob
Utgard - Yucky

[Zachariah]

done, thanks

[WraithLord]

Zachariah, I'll be taking a business trip on the weekend (30/11 - 02/12). Can you please extend the game timer?

[Zachariah]

yah, that's definitely doable: shouldn't be more than a 48 hour extension.

[WraithLord]

Thanks!

[WraithLord]

The nation of Pythium is open for trade, gold for items on a 1X30 ratio (better even than fire alchemy with the alchemist stone). 300 gold for earth boots, 700 gold for bag of winds/the-whats-is-name-helm-that-gives-A+1.

Post here or PM if you're interested.

[Lingchih]

And so, driven from it's home by the mighty Longbowmen of Man, Atlantis returns to the sea. The march has been long and hard, but we have made it. We may still die... the sea is not so empty a place as it once was. Mighty C'tis holds the only seas that are suitable for us, so we must fight once again. But if we are successful in rebuilding our kingdom in the sea, know this Man. We shall return.

[Cicadian]

The Nation of Man congratulates the Atlantians for reaching the sea and regrets having to drive them from their home.

Seriously, though, that was the worst starting luck I've ever seen!

[Tequilich]

The Great Cheeba has been killed again! This time by Atlantis and his damn D9 bless, congrats on winning the seas and getting back in the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Lingchih]

Atlantis regrets killing Cheeba, but we did what we had to for our people to live. We hope to have more peaceful relations with you in the future.

[Lingchih]

Hey Zach,

Can we put this on a long-timer for Christmas week? I'm out of town 'til Thursday, and it will be tough to find subs I think for Christmas. I'm suggesting maybe 23rd-27th, or something like that.

Thanks

[Zachariah]

For the holidays, I will be putting this game on quickhost, no 48 hour timer, till the end of the new years week (1/4/08), since a lot of folk will be absent, including myself, for some of that time.

[Meglobob]

Just waiting for Abysia and we can all have a new turn. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Any spies (not scouts, those are fine) in the lands of Marignon should get out of my lands fast, if I discover any spies raising unrest I will make that nation pay in blood.

This is no idle threat, I have the means to strike at any nation in the world with extreme force.

[Tequilich]

I will not be able to do a turn until next friday night. I am going to be out of town and can not find my game CD to copy it onto my labtop. Sorry

[WraithLord]

I wonder, is the game ever going to resume?

[Meglobob]

Yea, lets get back to 48hr quickhost.

[Lingchih]

I believe the game will host on January 4. That was what Zach's post about the break said. I believe he is out of town until then.

[Zachariah]

ok, i'm back: switching to 48 hour timer again.

[Tequilich]

I think Man is MIA.

[WraithLord]

It seems so - I would suggest to switch him to AI.

[WraithLord]

Oh, it would seem Abysia was quick to grab on Man's staling. He gobbled up a huge amount of his provinces last turn.

If Man player is MIA I think its preferable to switch him to AI, at least the AI will do something (albeit little) against the opportunist vultures.

[DireAussie]

Oh, it would seem Abysia was quick to grab on Man's staling. He gobbled up a huge amount of his provinces last turn.



That would have happened whether he stalled or not because the Man player was silly enough not to put at least 1 PD in his provinces and so my scouts took them unopposed. For the record, 2 turns ago I had cancelled my NAP with Man so he full well knew an attack was coming this turn. I'm surprised he left now rather than at least *trying* to fight it out.

[Lingchih]

Yeah, he had some good armies. I'm surprised he just bugged out like that. Looks like most of Man is now controlled or under siege by Abysia. Definitely need to set him to AI if Zach happens to read this.

I'm no fan of Man... he drove me out of my home province. But at least on AI he would so something.

[WraithLord]

Zachariah, Can you please set Man to AI? Him staling creates an unfair situation towards most nations besides Abysia.

[Drake49]

Could someone find a sub for Man? If Zach can give them the password info, that would be better than AI.

[WraithLord]

I second that. Hey, maybe one of the (near?) vanquished players from this game would like to Sub for Man.

[Lingchih]

Man is almost gone. Wouldn't be much fun to sub for.

[Tequilich]

Its a shame Man dropped out. We had a pretty balanced game going on.

[Lingchih]

Yeah, it is a shame. He had the GOH up too. And with all those longbowmen, I would have thought he was in a good position.

[Zachariah]

I AI'd him cuz there was no sub, and i didn't want to hold up the game anymore.

[DireAussie]

I'm going away for a few days. I may be back before the next turn's deadline but there's a chance I wont be; I'd appreciate an extension if possible.

[Lingchih]

Arrgh. No more Atlantean reports from the shinking land of Man (now land of Abysia). Skallhog's viceroy came in and took my lake. I hate that random event.

[DireAussie]

I'm back now, so no need for an extension.

[Tequilich]

Man needs the AI

[duncanshriek]

On a slightly unrelated topic:
Why can there be a temple in the independent province Smallsea(70)? And what dominion would that temple spread?

[Lingchih]

That temple has been there for a long time. It's an independent temple (they throw them up sometimes) and does not benefit anyone.

[DireAussie]

Trechery by C'tis! Abysia is most unhappy with the sneak attack on Deadlands and considers the 3 turn NAP with C'tis null and void.

Abysia condemns the buildup of chariots in The Mirks - move out or hereby be destroyed!

[Tequilich]

War is upon you Abysia! Never trust a lizard.

Im sorry if I didnt warn you in advance. But I really could not remember if we had a NAP because we didnt share many borders before your invasion of Man. I can not let you have all of mans lands unopposed.

[DireAussie]

I'll send you slimy smelly green lizards back to your desert tombs where you belong! Abysia urges all other nations to review their deals with C'tis.


I can not let you have all of mans lands unopposed



I make no claim over Caelum's old lands which are now in your hands; likewise you have no claim over Man's land. Begone!


Im sorry if I didnt warn you in advance



*shrug* it is only a poor dominions player that does not prepare for the inevitable http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (edit: I meant that a player should always be prepared for a sneak attack regardless of any pacts).

[Zachariah]

i AI'd man cuz he was going to stale a 2nd time in a row.

[Lingchih]

Well done. Thanks Zach.

[DireAussie]

i AI'd man cuz he was going to stale a 2nd time in a row



Doh, no more free ride - now man's armies are attacking me!

Dear C'tis: Fun battles so far. I found the initial dissolution of chariots most amusing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Unfortunately you have reacted well. I hope you dont *totally* expose your rear to Marignon and/or Pythium; your backline, including C'tis, is awful vulnerable with all your chariots in my lands.

Dear Arco: perhaps its time to make a deal with ulm and prepare for the inevitable attack from Pythium and Marignon. The longer Marignon and Pythium remain at peace the worse the game looks for the other nations. Marignon already has 3 out of the 4 SC arch devils, is leader in research, no doubt going for construction-8 and/or blood-9. I'm sure Pythium is equal in his own right with his hydras.

Dear Pythium: you should attack Marignon before he gets Demon Lords.

Dear Marignon: I sent you a pm a little while ago but never got a reply.

[WraithLord]

LOL DireAussie, you have some "good" for each and every player. We should all dance like marionettes to your strings I guess.

Good advice about me attacking Marignon, it would serve you well I'm sure http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DireAussie]

We should all dance like marionettes to your strings I guess.



Heh, cant blame me for trying http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif But be warned, often what I say comes true!

[WraithLord]

Oh, you're actually right. Some of your predictions/wishes are already coming true.

[Meglobob]

New patch 3.14 out.

BUT REMEMBER

To do your turns with 3.10 until Zacks upgraded the server to 3.14!

[Tequilich]

Zach would you please update to 3.14

thanks!

[Lingchih]

Wow, just looked at the graphs. Abysia is starting to take a commanding lead in most every category. Strange that there have been hardly any globals cast.

[WraithLord]

When then nations of the world are divided and very busy at their puny wars, the poor nation of Ctis is taking a beating from Abysia (so the graphs suggest) and Abysia is gaining a huge advantage.

I admit my nation is not an exception to this rule, but for my defense I can say I tried my best to avoid this conflict. Still, I respect my enemy's wish to fight it to the death so soon one nation will be left standing in the north east. Hopefully it will not be too late to stop Abysia.

[DireAussie]

The world should not fear Abysia. C'tis is a smart, wily lizard, I wont be defeating him anytime soon.

When is this server going to be upgraded to 3.14?

[Zachariah]

sorry folks, server's back running 3.14 (aka Pi)

[WraithLord]

After the upgrade I can no longer play my turns http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

When connecting to server the following happens:
1. Choose your nation. I choose Pythium.
2. Passwd.
3. The game is stuck in an infinite loop switching between displaying a message on "Receiving turn file" and showing the turn status (wrongly, according to my py_eye client).

As a result I can't receive my turn and even if I could I wouldn't have been able to upload my orders. I hope this issue can be resolved otherwise I won't be able to cont. this game.

[Meglobob]

Wraithlord its probably due to the new patch changing Pythiums nation number.

Pasha had the problem in the Epotara game and we had to redo the turn. You may want to PM Pasha or post on the main thread to try and resolve your problem.

Errm...much wierdness...if you access the game using 3.10, I get the same infinite loop as Wraithlord. Using 3.14 its ok.

When Zach upgraded the server it reset the turn timer, so the turn never hosted, so we are still on the same turn.

[WraithLord]

Thank you Meglobob, I have followed your advice.

[WraithLord]

BTW, my py_eye client reports the turn number to be 0.

[WraithLord]

Meglobob, the issue for me was resolved after I've changed the file names in my game folder from pythium to late_pythium. Thank you for your help.

[DireAussie]

C'tis you have 1 hour left before it stale turns.

[Lingchih]

Atlantis has some power again! I would never have thought I could achieve it. True, we are weak overall, but we do now have some power underwater. A very interesting game.

[Tequilich]

Sorry for the stalls, I had connecting issues.

[DireAussie]

Doh, I totally muffed up my fatigue calculations on that one. At least I got rid of those banefire casters.

[DireAussie]

I was scratching my head at how your pretender cast spells when he was feebleminded - turns out one of your own commanders hit him with the black bow of botulf. I hope you sacrifice him to the lizard gods for that blunder!

[Lingchih]

If that's the same Pretender I remember (Manticore), then he had a lot of problems before now. He had about a half-dozen afflictions when my Assartuts killed him the last time.

[DireAussie]

Yeah he was pretty messed up, now even moreso! Though he does still have a ton of hp and a nasty poison attack.

[Lingchih]

I told him to get a Faerie Queen to heal those afflictions. Not my bad if he is still trying to send him out into battle.

[DireAussie]

Had another look at the game and c'tis has actually made himself AI. Explains a few things that the moves showed this turn.

[Lingchih]

Well then, the battle is on, Abysia. We intend to take back our capitol. Send what you want to try and stop us.

-Atlantis (a bit humorous, I presume, since I have no land forces)

[DireAussie]

If your capital wasnt in such an awkward spot I'd gladly give it back...would Marignon's capital suffice? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Lingchih]

DireAussie said:
If your capital wasnt in such an awkward spot I'd gladly give it back...would Marignon's capital suffice? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



No, damnit. We want ours. The scout we sent to take back the lake next to it failed miserably. Can you imagine? He only had to beat about a dozen sea trolls. Worthless scout.

It really would not be hard to do. I'll start off going through C'tis old lands. He won't mind, he's AI. Then you just have to give me about a half-dozen provinces as I march my army there. You can have them back after I go through.

Of course, you will have won the game by the time I get there, siege it, and take it back. But at least I'll have my capitol. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[DireAussie]

>Of course, you will have won the game by the time

If only! Combine the might of Pythium and Marignon. Its going to be tough...damn tough for me to win from here. I've been constantly at war ever since I invaded Utgard. My resources have been stretched. Meanwhile Pythium and Marignon have been for the most part war-free. They've had a chance to build up and plan an attack. Now they move on Arco and C'tis, you'll see their might building. This game is FAR from over.

[Lingchih]

Indeed. Far from over. I would have to agree. We think we could even take over the whole ocean now, except that our good friends from Marignon hold the other ocean provinces, and we would not want to anger them. And of course our Caelem allies still hold out in the sea. But some might be surprised at what comes up from the depths in the future.

[DireAussie]

Well hmph. Marignon (Meglobob) going AI is pretty damn disappointing to say the least. I've spent months on this game and quite a lot of time for it to get to this state. I feel disrespected as a fellow player that you didnt post here a turn or two before you dropped out, considering how much time myself and others have spent planning our turns, and also considering you aren't a newbie to these boards with over 1600 posts. I would have been willing to wait out for a replacement than have you go AI.

Have you also quit out of your new fresh game Feohtan (which Wraithlord is in too)?

This is my first game on this forum. Is it common for large influencial players to simply drop out like this? Am I reasonable in reacting this way or is it just a "deal with it, always happens" situation?

-Abysia

P.S. I commend Caelum (duncanshriek) and Atlantis (Lingchih) for sticking it out.

[Lingchih]

Meglobob dropped out?! That is a surprise. I've played with him in a few games and have never seen him do that. And no, it is not common for experienced players to drop out without warning. I wonder if Zach set him to AI by mistake?

I (Atlantis) am sticking it out merely because no one has been able to quite kill me yet, so it's kind of fun just hanging around. Guess I'll have to get busy on Marignon's ocean now though.

How many of us are left?

[Lingchih]

Ahh, I see now. Marignon did suddenly go AI without warning. Shame on you Meglobob.

I guess the game is basically yours then, DireAussie. I can take a bunch of ocean provinces now (Marignon's), and probably eventually push back up onto land in Marignon's area, but I can't really compete with you for many turns to come. And it does not look like anyone else still in the game is much of a threat to you. I'm certainly willing to keep playing... I'm still having fun. But if everyone else wants to declare you the winner, I would accede.

On a side note, I have been involved in several games lately where powerful players just went AI. This is a disturbing trend. I think it may be because the game is a couple of years old now, and people are becoming a bit bored with it. Those people need to not sign up for new MP games http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

[WraithLord]

Wait a minute guys. Meglobob going AI like this is very uncommon and I'm sure he had his reasons not to post here first. To tell truth I'm also very disappointed of this development but I don't think this game is over yet. I have much fight left in me and if no further players goes AI I believe the game is still open.

[WraithLord]

Oh, and Meglobob also went AI in Feohtan. I can assume he really had pressing matters that didn't allow him a more courteous course of action.

[WraithLord]

10 hours to host and Ulm hasn't submitted his turn yet. I hope he doesn't disappear on us http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

To tell the truth, I've never participated in a game in which so many players went AI. Furthermore, some of the players, Man, Ctis, Arco and Marignon were actually quite powerful and not at all in bad positions. I must say that this tends to ruin one's fun when playing the game.
I mean, common guys, if someone wants to quit why not post here first and let us first try to find a sub?

If Ulm goes missing, it will be the fifth disappearance in this game and will leave only me and Abysia to duel it out.

Or, maybe Caelum and Atlantis will grow stronger and will pose a real threat towards gaining supremacy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

Believe it or not, this game does not even compare to another of Zach's games, Bastions of Power, for staling. 3/4 of the nations in that game went AI, many of them world powerhouses. In that game, I cannot even get to one of the few players left... i'm surrounded by AI nations.

I don't know. There must be something about Zach's games that just makes people go AI. I'm not blaming him... I appreciate the hosting very much. But it is very frustrating when so many go AI.

As far as this game, Atlantis should be a reasonable power in about 12-14 turns, if we play that long.

[WraithLord]

That's a real bummer about Zach's games, of course it has nothing to do with him as host, just bad luck.

You know what, it the scale of game deserting there's even worse then going AI (IMO) which is staling. Like Man had done in this game and like I hope Ulm is not about to do as well. I don't know, but don't ppl care about the other player's in the game?- I mean how much effort does it take to post for a sub, or to turn AI instead of staling.

Bah. Whatever. Lets go on, whose left, and finish the game (hopefully w/o further derters).

[DireAussie]

>Man, Ctis, Arco and Marignon were actually
>quite powerful and not at all in bad positions

C'tis could have held out for longer and progressed further in the game. If he had asked I would have declared peace with him and went to war together against Marignon and Pythium. Though I think because of his horrible scales and being forced to keep all his militia to defend his castles his income and research totally sucked and he was never going to be a contender for the win.

Arco...he seemed to get real annoyed at Ulm attacking him and ever since then his assault was relentless, abandoning all research. He destroyed himself. I feel that with diplomacy he could have done better, but perhaps he's not interested in it or it failed.

Marignon on the other hand had a great chance of a win and a great influence on the alliances in the game, which is why I was so upset. Since Pythium attacked Marignon last turn the AI will fight back. That leaves me to research away while Pythium has to deal with the crap the AI throws at him. If Wraithlord is a better player than me he might be able to deal with it swiftly and easily (unlike me with C'tis!) but Marignon does have large hordes...

Thus the predicament of Ulm - if things go bad in Pythium he'll have to attack me earlier than he would have had to pre-marignon AI, lest I get too powerful. Its no secret that he's my staunchest ally and is a largely the reason for my later game successes; I dont want to war on him, and I believe he doesnt want to attack me either. Now its pretty likely ulm will have to fight a lot earlier than expected if he still wants a chance to win himself.

Anyway I'm happy to continue with the game even if it ends up in a duel between Wraithlord and I. I havent yet had the chance to play end game multiplayer so it will be good practice if anything, and wraithlord is most definitely more experienced so I'll surely learn a thing or two.

>That's a real bummer about Zach's games, of course
>it has nothing to do with him as host, just bad luck.

I'm grateful for zach having a computer up 24/7 hosting the game, and its been a super-reliable connection. But admittedly there are other hosts who have the free time to deal with their player's needs more actively; Zach doesnt seem to read the boards or PM's too often going by what I have seen over the course of this game. Perhaps that makes people less inclined to ask him for help so they take the easy way of setting AI rather than finding a replacement.

[WraithLord]

"Marignon on the other hand had a great chance of a win and a great influence on the alliances in the game, which is why I was so upset."
Me too, in fact Marignon was at war vs. you which could have given a real chance to either Ulm or myself.

"Since Pythium attacked Marignon last turn the AI will fight back."
Well, actually the AI has attacked me first disregarding the NAP+6 Meglobob has agreed to just one turn earlier. And this, after a short but very costly war he has waged against me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

"That leaves me to research away while Pythium has to deal with the crap the AI throws at him. If Wraithlord is a better player than me he might be able to deal with it swiftly and easily (unlike me with C'tis!) but Marignon does have large hordes...
"
Don't think there's any possible way to deal swiftly with the AI of a nation that has spent so *many* turns hoarding blood slaves. I don't know the extent of scouting you have on Marignon but I tell you, he has some unholy flying deamon armies. Hey, I'll do my best though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

"Thus the predicament of Ulm - if things go bad in Pythium he'll have to attack me earlier than he would have had to pre-marignon AI, lest I get too powerful. Its no secret that he's my staunchest ally and is a largely the reason for my later game successes; I dont want to war on him, and I believe he doesnt want to attack me either. Now its pretty likely ulm will have to fight a lot earlier than expected if he still wants a chance to win himself.
"
Well, Ulm dropping out of contact (I also tried to PM him) indicates that this really doesn't matter. He could have made a difference, one way or another, but he is absent. While we're at it I suggest we give him another turn or two and if he doesn't appear by then we ask Zach to AI him as well.

"Anyway I'm happy to continue with the game even if it ends up in a duel between Wraithlord and I. I havent yet had the chance to play end game multiplayer so it will be good practice if anything, and wraithlord is most definitely more experienced so I'll surely learn a thing or two.
"
I was actually thinking along the same lines, meaning: you have an obvious advantage over me and are likely to win but even if I fight a loosing battle I'll learn a thing or two in the process what makes it worthwhile for me. As for my experience, it tells me you're in a good position to win.

But I hope I'll make work for it a bit http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

"I'm grateful for zach having a computer up 24/7 hosting the game, and its been a super-reliable connection. But admittedly there are other hosts who have the free time to deal with their player's needs more actively; Zach doesnt seem to read the boards or PM's too often going by what I have seen over the course of this game. Perhaps that makes people less inclined to ask him for help so they take the easy way of setting AI rather than finding a replacement.
"
Yeah, I guess you have a point there.

[Lingchih]

I am attacking Marignon this turn as well. Admittedly, I will only be able to take his sea provinces, but he has quite a few, and it will at least hurt the AI's income.

-Atlantis

[WraithLord]

Hey it seems we have Ulm back with us http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

More reason for Abysia to be concerned http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[WraithLord]

Guys, would you mind if I ask Zach to switch to 72h host?

I'm handling a large scale war vs. 2 tough AIs and one super tough opponent and this actually is taking quite a lot of time.

[Lingchih]

Nobody wants Orion? I always thought they were the best mercenaries you could get. I would take him if I had a land province that he could actually move from.

As far as 72 hour host, I would vote against it personally. This is overall a small game (especially small for me), and there are only a few players. The 48 hours is actually annoying for me... I can do my turn in 5 minutes. But I will go with the majority.

[DireAussie]

I'd like 72 hours too

[Lingchih]

Someone should probably email Zach if you want this changed to 72 hour. I doubt he will notice this on the boards. It seems it is 2 votes for to 1 against, so I guess we can go ahead and change it.

[WraithLord]

Well, I've PMed him with the request but it would seem he hasn't read it yet.

Do you know what is email his?

[Lingchih]

It's in his profile.

[duncanshriek]

I certainly don't need 72h, but I have no objections against a prolongation.

Just for the records.

[WraithLord]

Emailed Zach with request.

[Lingchih]

You might want to tell him the game is down, too.

[WraithLord]

Did that. No response yet. I'll update once I get one.

[Lingchih]

Did anyone ever hear from Zach? Has he dropped off the face of the earth?

[WraithLord]

Strange enough I haven't hear back from him. I have received an email from him that he switched hosting to 72h and that was the last I heard from him.

I hope he's back soon, b/c after playing this game for so much time I'd hate for it to end like this.

[Lingchih]

I've emailed and messaged Zach, but he has not replied. I'm probably going to bow out of all Evilzombie games because of the connection problems. I don't think he is actually administering the servers anymore.

[WraithLord]

Lingchih, please hang on a bit more. He maybe experiencing connection issues or something like that.

[Lingchih]

Whether I hang on or not is immaterial, if the server never gets re-booted.

[WraithLord]

I have sent another (and probably last) email to Zach. I have asked him to reboot the server and in case he can't/don't want to, to send me the trn files and the fthrland file so that I may ask one of the regular hosts on these forums to host the game.

I hope he will respond to this message.

[Lingchih]

yeah, it's weird. Zach has always been slow to respond, but this time, he seems to have just disappeared. He never replied to my email either, and he always has before. I hope he's OK.

[WraithLord]

Yeah, by now I'm starting to get concerned for him as well

[WraithLord]

Oh bummer, looks like another dead game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

I've been having too much of those lately, what with boiling oceans and invisible swarms dieing as well.

I think from now on I'll stick to llamaserver games and games hosted by veteran hosts. Its not really appealing to me to play for three or four months and then have the game end abruptly w/o any means to recover it.

That said, I want to say to far more important than this game is to know what is going on with Zach. I mean, I really hope he is well because its strange that he should drop out of contact all of a sudden like this.

[Lingchih]

Velusion's game servers are also very reliable, although he doesn't run that many games these days.

[DireAussie]

Ich's game servers are also extremely good. He has cool web page score graphs, email notification and he'll respond to any PM's or emails within minutes rather than days.

Looks like this is the final blow to what was a good game.

[WraithLord]

Thank you for your recommendations. I'll keep them in mind for my future games.

I really would have liked to get a closure on my war with Abysia, the game was just starting to be very exciting when it ha stopped like that.