King of the Isle (finished)

[Twan]

This game is on my World of Geometry (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=565082&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) (the final .map file and tga are on the maps & mods forum, I won't change anything just fix eventual connection/terrains/command errors untill game start).

This game will start the first week of december.

There are 12 starting locations on the map : 10 land and 2 sea nations, and I hope all will be fullfilled.

The game will be PBEM and the settings...
- VC : 3 cumulative victory points, no added VPs (there is only one VP, the Isle of Eternia ; and the isle is hard to take and harder to defend, as it's connected with 10 provinces, 3 cvp may mean a relatively long game if there is some competition)
- Middle Age
- nations : free choice (first to speak first served)
- Indie Strength : 6 (with all the special encounters and bonus garrisons no need of a high setting)
- HoF : 15
- site frequency : a little more than normal (50)
- master password : (no need on llamaserver)
- renaming allowed
- other settings default
- mod : Worthy Heroes 1.8 (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=560854&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)
- graphs : On
- house rules : finally no house rule about forts building on the isle but one I think everybody will agree for :
For the 5 first turns, turn will be rehosted if someone suffer a game breaking event - events considered game breaking are only : Bogus, vampire count or other indies succeeding to take the capitol, plague or exodus in the capitol, or a religious event dominion killing the nation ; unrest events and other little annoyances aren't concerned -

- pace : one turn = 24h for the moment (48h after 10-15 turns/once someone ask, 72 when empires will be big)

Stale rule :
-third non announced stale turn --> AI (but if someone can't play and ask for a reasonable delay -not 37 days :p - I will differ the turn of course)
-if you want to stop please tell us before, we'll rather try to find a sub

Note that it's the first dom III game I host.


Players :
- me (Arcocephale)
- Herode (C'Tis)
- davidd (Machaka)
- Solmyr (Atlantis) -> no longer playing
- DryaUnda (Ulm)
- LDICesare (Eriu) -> destroyed
- Indyependant (Ermor)
- Zeldor (Man)
- Tharsonius (Rlyeh) -> A.I (!?)
- Ubercat (Jotunheim) -> A.I
- Mathusalem (Caelum) -> A.I
- Ferrosol (Bandar Log) -> replaced by Gregstorm


EDIT : The game will be hosted on llamaserver, so you don't need to send me anything, send your pretenders to pretenders(at)llamaserver(dot)net with KingoftheIsle as the subject, if possible for tomorrow so we can start the 1/12.

- and it's finally useless to give them a password -

(llamaserver FAQ (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=531117))


PS : everyone must rename the "worldofgeometry.tga" --> "worldofgeometry2.tga" (I'll use a map file with this name, so Zeldor and Tharsonius will have no problem to play another game with the older version)

[Evilhomer]

If it is 2 weeks until start count me in as atlantis or Oceania (the one that gets picked last by other players). If it starts before I might have to step down.

[AlgaeNymph]

I've read bad things about Ulm, so I'll give Ulm a try. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[lch]

Hum, the DangerPudding game is already using your map, Twan... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Although it is not using a VP victory. But for feedback on the map it should serve the same purpose.

[Twan]

Evilhomer said:
If it is 2 weeks until start count me in as atlantis or Oceania (the one that gets picked last by other players). If it starts before I might have to step down.



Ok we won't start before the beginning of december (if possible the first week-end, to make 1 or more turns the first days).

[Twan]

lch said:
Hum, the DangerPudding game is already using your map, Twan... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Although it is not using a VP victory. But for feedback on the map it should serve the same purpose.



Wow, you were fast to use it (be aware the map may still have some connection errors, I was thinking I had verified all but someone has found one missing neighbor yesterday).

Give me news of your game (especially how do the garrisons with big monsters against player armies, I want to adjust some before I start mine, so no player get too easy or terribly hard encounters between his start position and a gateway).

[IndyPendant]

Count me in!

I'll post later with my nation choice.

[lch]

Twan said:
Wow, you were fast to use it (be aware the map may still have some connection errors, I was thinking I had verified all but someone has found one missing neighbor yesterday).


We're using the 3.01 version, so that is already fixed. I'll encourage people to write something about the map when they're finished with the game, be it good or bad feedback.

[LDiCesare]

Count me in too. I will have to see what nation I'd like to pick after I've tried the map a bit.

[Zeldor]

That map looks awesome, so I may give a try, but it depends on my other MP games [I am losing all of them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif so I should have free time]

[LDiCesare]

I may give it a try with Eriu. If that doesn't click for me, I might try Abyssia instead.

[Tharsonius]

I'm in with R'lyeh (big Lovecraft fan).

[IndyPendant]

Okay, I'd like to try Ermor this time.

One thing occurs to me: If the VPs are cumulative, I would recommend a higher number--at least 5. I could see it being difficult for opponents to respond quickly enough if someone takes the central province--particularly for nations like Ulm or water. And even if they do, most likely that first person has held the province for 1 or 2 turns--which means all he has to do is get it back again and keep it briefly. 5 (or more) VPs allows for more strategic responses imo. I'll play regardless, though. ; )

[thejeff]

Cumulative vps only accrue during one summer month.
So someone will have to hold it for 3 years (Or in the right month of 3 separate years.)

[IndyPendant]

...Oh. Never mind, nothing to see here.

*cough* ; )

[Twan]

Yes, and as the province is well defended and far from capitols, it probably won't be taken before the second or third summer. So I think victory won't happen before turn 60 or so even if only one player scores VPs (and the game may be very long if several players succeed to have the province one summer or two).

[Zeldor]

Isn't it that you to keep it in 3 turns in a row and then it resets?

[Twan]

It's one VP for the player controlling the province the first month of each summer (month 6 of the year iirc).

I don't know if 3 cumulative victory points is the best choice, I'm hesitating with 2.

2CVP
pro : even if many players manage to control the isle one summer, the game won't be too long
con : if one player takes a good start, takes the isle for the second summer and keeps it two years, the game may end as soon as turn 42

3CVP
pro : good minimum and probable duration (60 turns if a player dominates, in the 80-100 if 2 or 3 others succeed to score some VPs)
con : if all player manage to score vps the game may never end (12 players x 2 vps x 12 months) + 12 for the last vp = ... 492 turns if everyone succeed to control the isle 2 summers before someone scores the third vp)

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Well, speaking for myself Twan? If that rather extreme 'con' case of 3CVPs somehow happened...that strikes me as one *heckuva* fun-looking game! ; )

I wouldn't worry. I'd rather have a chance at a fun, close game that ends up lasting longer cuz everyone's playing well, than a game that's over quickly just cuz some player got lucky or something.

My vote, assuming it matters, is for 3CVP.

[Ubercat]

Count me in. I'll take Jotunheim.

-Ubercat

[Herode]

IndyPendant said:
Heh. Well, speaking for myself Twan? If that rather extreme 'con' case of 3CVPs somehow happened...that strikes me as one *heckuva* fun-looking game! ; )


+1 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And I will try C'tis.

[Zeldor]

What is the deadline for confirmation?

[AlgaeNymph]

Twan said:
II was going to propose : "castle building on the isle not allowed", but as events may make a castle appear it's not necessarily a good/enforceable idea... so I have another proposal : I add a watchtower on the isle, and it would be destroying it to build a better castle there that will be forbidden

I wouldn't worry about castles as there are all kinds of ways to reduce their advantage. Large garrisons are vulnerable to Beckoning, Flames from the Sky, Leprosy, Lure of the Deep, and Melancholia. Essential commanders (e.g, nature mages, engineers, etc) are vulnerable to assassination spells like Earth Attack and Seeking Arrow (ask Janlm about that last spell), as well as assassination in general. All this is not to mention units and items that ease besieging a castle.

[Twan]

The problem I see with a (good) castle on the isle is more if the province is very contested (i.e 4 or 5 players owning neighbouring provinces and fighting to be the one taking the isle). In this situation, a siege can be very hard to end, as the competition between other players can help a lot the sieged one (ie : player A siege B, player C, D E try to take the province, C wins but after the 2 or 3 battles he had to fight the surviving army is too small to breach the walls, next turn same situation, etc...). An army with nature mages and good units may resist very well in this kind of situation, especially as spells cast on the province by all players but one will affect the sieging army first (iirc only the player who is sieging can affect defenders with spells, all spells cast by third parties rather affect the bessieger - but I may be wrong).

Of course diplomacy may solve the problem, but as there is only one VP I think it would be hard for all the wanabe bessiegers to find a agreement.

[mathusalem]

Hi http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Caelum for me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

Finally it seems spells cast on a bessieged castle by third parties can affect the two sides (it's I think a system like for targetting with "none" priority, the chance to affect an army is probably based on its number of units compared to the other one).

About a "no castle" rule I'm after all neutral : we may consider that if someone succeed to keep the isle a sufficient number of turns to make one he desserves to have it (also as the province is mountain/forest/farm and I think only the worst castle can be built by each nation, most are only able to make an hill fort or forest rempart there). The isle owner will probably be ganged by all who can, so allowing him to make a castle isn't a too big advantage finally.

Another point I think we should discuss : do I let Pharaex as he is, nerf it a little or a lot ? (if I let Pharaex like he is currently, d6/e6/s6 with gems the encounter may be really hard for the firsts to try, and it may end in a waiting game if nobody dare to be this one).

When his generals just do their jobs (very good thugs causing lots of casualties, but killable by any large army or army with mages) it's near to be impossible to kill the sphynx without medium+ level magic, and being very lucky with an ethearal crossbow shot or similar spell (as he has good mr, base prot 36, casts luck+be usually, and eventually earth or astral mr spell), and once players have the required levels/gear, Pharaex will be able to cast a lot of destructive astral combo spells like neither darts, gift from heaven, etc. Also, even if "independants are routed" in round 20, with all the generals and crushers destroyed, they may win if Pharaex is not killed (I had a very unlucky battle in a test game in which he survived alone 20+ rounds after the message and my army was finally routed...).

So I may... suppress his gems to exhaust him faster, and/or reduce his levels or not (but if I reduce astral without suppressing it he would be too vulnerable to magic duels) or both (I think E6/D6 but no astral would make him more killable by normal armies ; or I may let him S6 but reduce or suppress earth - death is more needed as the undeads he summons are the only chaff of the encounter). "Not" may be fun too (more a challenge to win the isle) but if he is lucky in the fight may make it untakable for a very long time (would be fun anyway if he remains the only "king of the isle" up to turn 60+ -an heckuva of scenarized maps with sphynxs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif like indyependant would say).

[Twan]

Zeldor said:
What is the deadline for confirmation?



I continue my tests and will release the version of the map we are going to use this week end, then ask for pretenders. So it would be cool to know if we are full or search some other players around this date, and have all nation choices in the beginning of next week.

Ideally the game should start the 1/12 (so we can do several of the fast first turns in the week-end).

[IndyPendant]

I just thought I'd mention I've been taking the time until this game starts to experiment with builds for MA Ermor on the Geometry map. I haven't gotten very far in any games yet--at most, 10-20 turns, just to see how the early game plays out--but I have to say, I'm really liking this map. It appeals to my sense of symmetry. : )

A couple suggestions, though: I've become a fan of graphs off. Can we play this game without graphs? And this is probably unnecessary, but I assume we will be playing with renaming on...

[Zeldor]

Twan:

I am getting killed in 3 of 3 MP games I am in, so I am sure I will have time for that game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I still don't know what nation...

One thing I would maybe add on that map are some AI garrisons with SCs that you'd need to bypass before meeting with other players.

[LDiCesare]

I think Pharaex is ok like he is now. I only tested once, but he got butchered all right. Even against the ai, though, it's going to be a bit tough to defend the isle as you can get it early but at a cost. Nice map and concept.
I'll definitely play Eriu, looks like I can manage to at least survive for a few turns with them.

[Twan]

Zeldor said:
One thing I would maybe add on that map are some AI garrisons with SCs that you'd need to bypass before meeting with other players.



I may add the fronteers between players logical spheres of influence to the "random bonus garrisons program" (but more big monsters it's perhaps too much, this map is already very anti-rush as there are 6 or + provinces between two capitols, and invading another player's realm it's losing time far from the gateways and the isle).

[IndyPendant]

I don't see needing larger monsters in between as necessary either, really. --Besides, that would interfere with my F9/W9/S9/D9 Ermorian vestal quadruple-bless-rush strategy!!!1!eleven

[llamabeast]

I wonder if F9/W9/S9/D9 is even possible. It would be awesome.

[Amhazair]

Imprisoned oracle with full negative scales and no extra dominion is short 24 points to get his 4th 9, so I guess that's a no. (Crone is about 50 points short)

A CBM crone gets there though, and even has enough points left over to buy a second candle...

(Yeah, I had to check...)

[lch]

llamabeast said:
I wonder if F9/W9/S9/D9 is even possible. It would be awesome.


Marignon can quad-bless with Baphomet, I don't know if another pretender allows the same.

[Zeldor]

I need to try something new, so I will go with Man.

[Amhazair]

lch said:

llamabeast said:
I wonder if F9/W9/S9/D9 is even possible. It would be awesome.


Marignon can quad-bless with Baphomet, I don't know if another pretender allows the same.

Just noticed it's doable with R'lyehs void lurker. R'lyeh isn't exactly very high on powerful sacreds though...

[AlgaeNymph]

Amhazair said:
Just noticed [a quad-bless is] doable with R'lyeh's void lurker. R'lyeh isn't exactly very high on powerful sacreds though...

It'd make for some really scary void units (all sacreds) though. Plus, you can make your own sacreds by casting Imprint Souls on all your chaff. I'd replace D9 with E9 or N9 since your units could use the extra defense. Combining N9 with Gift of Health and Gift of Nature's Bounty would make for a seriously scary nation.

[Evilhomer]

A bless strategy is not a good idea with R'lyeh.... Seriously that void produces like 1 sacred every 3-4 turns and imprint soul is just so very expensive for what it does. To waste the pretender points on a quad-bless with Rlyeh is probably the worst build I have ever heard of in this game.

[Twan]

About graphs, personally I prefer with as I think they give a general idea of the situation but don't give too much information (ie : who has a big army but not who has a good one, etc...) but if many players want to play without I may change my mind.

For renaming, I think everybody will agree for allowed (but if possible I'd like if people avoid to name all their mages "s3d2" etc, I find it makes the game less immersive when the hall of fame looks like a list of bots - a well chosen name may give the same info if needed, ie "Astralslayer", or if you are not inspired at least a name + the info "LuciusS3D2").

[Twan]

The version 0.5 of the map has been posted. I think I will use this one (except if there is a big bug somewhere that I missed, I don't plan to continue to modify this map before our game).

[Zeldor]

Twan:

I think that you can get way too much info about someone's tactics, strength etc from graphs.

[Tharsonius]

I'm already playing a MP game with an older version (0.3) of the map, will there be any problems? Both versions have the same name...


oh, and I like graphs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

I think there will be no problem with the .map file, only used by the host. But as they also have the same name you'll have to chose one of the two versions of the tga (2 connections have changed).

(in v0.3 there were 2 or 3 connections errors anyway)

For the graphs we are 2 "for" and 2 "against"... I'll let graphs "on" except if more players are against.

Also do everybody agree for last version of Worthy Heroes (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3smm&Number=560854&Forum= f195&Words=Worthy%20Heroes&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&M ain=560854&Search=true&where=sub&Name=&daterange=1 &newerval=5&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyp rev=#Post560854) ?

---

I'm still waiting to know if PDF and davidd want to play (I've asked on Cyberstratege forums...). Perhaps we'll have to find 2 more players for next week.

[Tharsonius]

Will there be a problem with my other game if I copy the new tga in my map folder?

Or will it be possible to play the turns of this game on my other PC (that can't connect to the internet) with the new map, and then only copy the save files to this PC and connect to the server?

[Ubercat]

I vote for graphs ON.

-Ubercat

[Twan]

The two tga have the same provinces, simply on the oldest there was an impassable fronteer I've since removed (between 94 and 83 iirc), and no anchors showing the connection between 19 and 5 I've added in version 0.5.

So you can play the other game with the new tga, you will just have these two false connections displayed on the map (as well as some special sites probably not there in v0.3).

You may also create another dominion map folder for one of the tga (ie : the normal "map" inside the "dominion 3" folder, and one outside with the other version, and you exchange the places of the 2 folders to use the one you want)

Also note that this game will be played by e-mail.

[LDiCesare]

I'd rather play with graphs off. Don't know about worthy heroes.

[Herode]

I have no opinion about graphs and I am OK for WH mod

[AlgaeNymph]

I'm neutral about graphs, and would like the WH mod. I'd like to go all the way with the Conceptual Balance mod but that may be a bit much this time around.

[Zeldor]

Twan:

Isn't there any solution? Maybe we could rename the map to World of Geometry 2 just for that game or something like that? I also have a game on the old version and it will take me some time to finish it...

[Twan]

Good idea all players have just to rename the new tga worldofgeometry2, and me to add a "2" in the map file.

[mathusalem]

I'm oki for Graphs and Worthy Heroes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

Everyone should have my mail in his pm (here or on the Cyberstratege forums for the 2 mute frenchies).

[ddavidd]

I prefere graphs on.

[Twan]

I didn't know there was llamaserver for pbems. The game will be hosted there, so no need to send me pretenders (but to the server, see in first post).

[Zeldor]

I just noticed game is up on llamaserver, you should send everyone info where to send pretender and what mod to use [with correct version]. And an info about having a different name for new .map and .tga version of the map.

[AlgaeNymph]

Links on the front post to the final map and the mod we'll use will be ideal.

[Twan]

The last version of the map is on the map&mods forums and linked in the front post (except : I'll rename worldofgeometry.tga into worldofgeometry2.tga as Zeldor and Tharsonius asked for, and so you need to rename it also).

I will only continue to fix eventual errors like the two missing neighbours found yesterday (but won't change garrisons, sites etc...) untill game start.

I've changed my plans from manual hosting to llamaserver in a hurry yesterday, as I didn't noticed that llamaserver existed before Zeldor asked me why we weren't using it, but all infos are now in the front post as well.

[Twan]

Just in case...

There is a known bug if you create your pretender with Worthy Heroes enabled, making the Champion of the Horn (unit 2850), a maverni hero, available as a cost 0 pretender choice (for some nations or all, I don't know, at least for Arco).

Of course forget him and take someone else.

[Zeldor]

So you say he shouldn't be a pretender at all? I have used him once and he was kinda weak http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Twan]

Whats your opinion ? If we can't find a player for the last land nation before this week end... (probably we'll have a volunteer, but just in case...)

We wait more ?
We let the slot empty ? (but the neighbours would have a big advantage, all others having very restricted possibilities of expansion out of the central plain / caves / other players realms)
We add a random computer nation for it ? (a mighty/defensive AI may be a good choice, able to conquer and defend a little realm, without too much risk of seing it spoil the early game of one of its neighbours)

[Ubercat]

I say we wait till we have enough before starting. You could edit the thread title to say "Needs one more player."

I'll be uploading my pretender soon.

-Ubercat

[Zeldor]

I have my pretender ready, just need to make sure it is the right one.

We need all slots taken for that map.

[Ubercat]

And may I take this opportunity to say that it's a beautiful map? I especially like the way that the different kinds of terrain connect with each other. The lands bordering the cave entrances, with the underground tunnels travelling over and under each other and opening onto underground seas which connect to the regular ocean.

One of these days I'll have the time to figure out how to make maps. Then I'll do my dream project of a balanced, wraparound, 22 fixed start position map, featuring various sized continents and islands which connect in various ways, with excellent strategic choke points. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I want to MAKE the planet that all the great Dominions backstories take place in.

-Ubercat

[Ferrosol]

if you are still missing one player i can join up as bandar log

[Twan]

Yes you are welcome. Good luck with the apes.

So we are full... If everyone can upload his pretender since then the game will be created tomorrow (if all pretenders are not there tomorrow, probably sunday as it's not sure that llamabeast can find time to set the game saturday).

[Zeldor]

I will send mine today.

[LDiCesare]

I sent my pretender. First time with Eriu, I'm sure I regret that design later, but it might work.

[IndyPendant]

Pretender sent.

Heh. I think I know how you feel, LDiCesare. This is my first time with MA Ermor, and my 4th MP game ever. My prediction: I'll do reasonably well in the early game, then go down *hard* somewhere in the mid-to-late game. ; )

[Zeldor]

IndyPendant:

Nah, that is my fate as Man. Should have taken Mictlan...

[Ferrosol]

sent in my pretender. My first MP game as Bandar Log so should be "interesting"

[mathusalem]

I have sent my pretender (Caelum) few days ago.

[Twan]

Yes we are just waiting for Atlantis (or Oceania) and C'Tis.

[Twan]

I've just found this, posted by Evilhomer in the Perpetuality thread 3 days ago.


I will not have access to dominions for 1-2 weeks



So we are probably going to have to find another player for the second sea nation (I ask him for confirmation).

[Herode]

Pretender registered on the llamaserver.
I tried 6 different flavours of pretenders and eventually choose the seventh one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Twan]

So... Evilhomer was reading the forum this afternoon but didn't answered to my pm. Perhaps he hasn't seen it, or considered the answer was obvious as he announced elsewhere his dominion computer was down for a (long) time, but not sure.

Anyway, ddavidd sent me the mail of a player that may be interested. So I contact him, and except if Evilhomer give news saying he finally can play, I'll replace him tomorrow (if Solmyr is really interested / can play, or we search another player for the remaining sea nation).

[Zeldor]

What about research? Won't normal be too fast?

[IndyPendant]

I agree with Zeldor, and have been debating bringing it up myself. 300-province map, 12 players...should we make research Difficult?

I vote yes. ; )

[Zeldor]

I think we will have 70-100 turns of a game... someone needs 3 summer months of central island. It won't be so easy.

[Twan]

Hum I have nothing against hard research but the settings are announced default since a long time (also some nations may need magic more than others to fight the garrisons) so I don't want to change this setting just before start unless nobody is against (anyway as there are no news of Evilhomer or Solmyr we may have time to decide, perhaps we'll need to search another player).

[IndyPendant]

...Which is why I didn't bring it up; we're already so close to starting, and it's not a stance I feel strongly about or anything.

I'm happy to play with either normal or difficult research, but I would prefer difficult if the option becomes available. (I don't want very difficult though! ; )

[Ferrosol]

i would prefer normal magic myself

[Tharsonius]

normal for me too

[Twan]

So research will be normal.
Solmyr will send a pretender today, we'll probably start tomorrow.

[Twan]

Don't play your turns for the moment, there is a VP problem (one was added) so we'll probably restart.

[llamabeast]

Restarted, hopefully it's better this time?

[Twan]

No second VP found (I hope I've not missed one). So we can start.

[Twan]

Made a little mistake when setting the turn limit, as llamabeast had already set the first turn for tuesday (but "24hr limit" was displayed on admin page), so when I changed for 48hr it postponed the deadline of turn 1 to wednesday (anyway, not important as I think all will send their orders far sooner).

[Zeldor]

I would even prefer 25hr turn limit for 10-15 first turns, especially with anti-rush protections built into the map.

[Twan]

Yes in fact I've set it to 48hrs because it was announced so since a long time (but when I've said 48h it's because I was going to do manual hosting without llamaserver).

If nobody has something against we may change limit to 24h for 10 first turns at least, then 48 (and 72 only once empires become really big).

[AlgaeNymph]

I'm neutral about the timer.

Also, remember to rename the .tga file to "worldofgeometry2.tga", or else the application will conk off.

[Ubercat]

I would prefer a 24-25 hour timer for the early part of the game as well.

-Ubercat

[Ferrosol]

24-25 hours for me too

[Twan]

Turn length changed to 24hr (not touched current deadline in case someone miss the change).

[Twan]

Sorry for sea nations : it seems there is a huge bug with some deep sea sites replaced by land sites (see in the World of Geometry map thread) - on the other hand as the bug makes units of some deep sea garrison land units (drawning in turn 1) conquest of the affected provinces should be easier-

All secondary (not the ones with big monsters garrisons) seas provinces of the caves but two won't have special garrisons and may have strange sites I think. :"

Sad I didn't discovered this bug before start.

[Tharsonius]

well, that gives us an excuse to grab more land provinces http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Ubercat]

I'd be willing to restart if you can fix it.

[Zeldor]

I have a nice start, but as we have just turn 4 I am willing to accept restart [but we should maybe give everyone the same starting position manually to be fair].

That bug gives advantage or disadvantage to water nations?

[Twan]

I think it's a little advantage but not too big :

- key special provinces (the garrisons with big monsters between your capitols and gateways, central seas with special sites) have the garrisons and sites they should have

- the special sites in deep seas of the underworld and called by name in the map file (academy underneath in 23 and 276, The Crater, I think it's all) won't work (get a random land site instead it seems) the only one working in bugged provinces is a Troll Pitt (as it was called by number)

- but the 2 academy underneath provinces of the underworld and 2 others seas had only special garrisons (#land command, so no units added at game start) and will have no defenders at all (but these provinces can be reached only after the deep sea garrisons with big monsters are defeated)

- bonus garrisons (things like sea trolls or mages with items) won't appear in many other deep seas provinces of the underworld but they will have normal ones (easier to take but no loot)

ps : it's fixed but not sure it's worth a restart

[Tharsonius]

I dont think it will matter much

[IndyPendant]

Tharsonius said:
I dont think it will matter much


Heh. Says the guy currently kicking everyone's butts in provinces, money, and gem income...*and* second in army size...; )

[Tharsonius]

IndyPendant said:

Tharsonius said:
I dont think it will matter much


Heh. Says the guy currently kicking everyone's butts in provinces, money, and gem income...*and* second in army size...; )



That has nothing to do with the bug, I haven't entered the first cave province yet.

[Twan]

Next turn deadline will be postponed to sunday as I had a mail from Herode saying he won't be able to play before week end (he has played the current turn anyway).

[Twan]

It seems Herode is already back, turn will probably be hosted soon.

[Zeldor]

Oh, my turn. I was sure I sent it already, doing it now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ferrosol]

apologies for the delay here http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[LDiCesare]

Sorry if I've been the last one to play, but I read the deadline was on sunday, so I didn't access the web yesterday.

[Zeldor]

Ouch, province with glamour garrison. It had a 'bit' more people inside than I thought.

[Tharsonius]

glamour garrison - that evil http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

Yes if you see a province with just "Serf Warriors" be aware, there is no special garrison with serfs only. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Zeldor]

Well, you could tell it a bit earlier http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Zeldor]

That turn was funny http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Twan]

It seems the glamour garrison wasn't really sufficient to stop a rush. My scouts now see a green flag in the valley of Caelum. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Tharsonius]

my scouts report me the same, trees everywhere!

[Twan]

Arcocephale would be glad to buy a dwarven hammer if someone has one to sell (especially if traded for astral, nature, water gems or gold - would have to alchemize to pay in earth).

[Ubercat]

I will be leaving town for two days. I leave tomorrow morning, Thursday, 9:30am eastern and get back Friday night. Return time is up in the air, but shouldn't be later than Midnight.

I just got my turn resubmitted after the recent server glitch. There's no reason not to run this turn when it's ready, but could we delay the next one so that it doesn't tick before Friday night or Saturday morning?

Thanks! -Ubercat

[LDiCesare]

I've resubmitted my .2h and got an error, so I resent the previous one just in case, so I'm unsure about what must be sent.
And on my side, I won't have internet access between Friday evening and sunday evening (GMT), so I'd rather we hosted once in 48h these days so I can play from an internet cafe on saturday.

[Twan]

Hosting time changed to 49hr (I think it deals with your too situations for next turn).

I'll also probably postpone a little the turn after as Zeldor won't be available monday and tuesday.

[Twan]

It seems the server has a little problem today, all players of our game disappeared and statuts now say turn 26 (I've sent a PM to llamabeast).

[llamabeast]

Hi guys, all fixed I think, sorry about the craziness. Unfortunately I have to ask you all to resend your turns _again_ - really sorry!

At some point soon I'm going to try to automate some more stuff so that there is less opportunity for me to mess things up.

[Twan]

No problem. Thanks for all the fixing work.

[Twan]

Turn 12 has been hosted (Bandar Log staled, I hope he'll be back)

[Ferrosol]

sorry guys my internet connection died on Friday and has only just been fixed but should be good to go now

[Ubercat]

Does anyone need the turnaround to stay at 49 hours? I think we can return to 24 now.

-Ubercat

[Twan]

For this turn Zeldor said he can't play before wednesday, then I think several players may have empeachments during the holydays.

[Tharsonius]

I think we can play a few 24h turns before the holidays. It looks like with a 49h time limit some players always need 48h to send a turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[LDiCesare]

I'm ok with 24h till Friday. From Friday to the end of the year, I won't be able to connect daily so 49h would be better.

[Twan]

Ok I'll set the timer on 24h for the two or three next turns (wednesday -> friday). Then 49h for the week. Then there will probably be a week long pause after christmas.

[Twan]

Hum in fact there will be a pause sooner as Herode can't play from the 20/12 to the 26, not after christmas (I didn't understood well his mail).

Next turn will be on 24h timer, so we can make one before.

[LDiCesare]

So the pause will be from the 20th till which day? I need to know now because I won't connect to internet next week unless I know beforehand I need to.

[Zeldor]

I am at home and I will be able to play today evening [gmt +1], then I can play normally.

[Twan]

Ok I postpone this turn to 21h gmt in case 19 is too soon for you. Then following turn will have deadline 24 hr after, and next the game will be paused (I'll set deadline on december 26 evening, and remove quickhost, so no need to check http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ).

[LDiCesare]

deadline on december 26 evening

So 2 turns this week, then next turn limit is 26? I'd rather have 49h hosts from 26 to 31st if possible.

[Twan]

There will be only one turn in the week after the 26/12. Just had a mail from Mathusalem saying he won't be able to play between 25/12 and 2/1.

So the calendar :
today : host
tomorrow : host
26/12 : (non quick) host
2/1 : (non quick) host
then we'll see

Too much non nerd players in this game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zeldor]

I am glad that just copying dom3 folder into usb drive was enough to run it or otherwise I would have some problem. I am sending my turn now.

[Twan]

Turn 17 has been hosted.

The timer is on 24hr for this week except if someone ask for more.

[Ubercat]

Zeldor said:
I am glad that just copying dom3 folder into usb drive was enough to run it or otherwise I would have some problem. I am sending my turn now.



What do you mean, "copying dom3 folder into usb drive"?

Are you away from your computer? Are you playing on someone elses, without installing the game, simply by playing FROM your USB?? If so, that opens some possibilities for me when I need to go out of town soon. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

-Ubercat

[Zeldor]

Ubercat:

Yes, I have just copied my game folder into usb drive, then connected that drive to a different computer and it worked without installing.

[Zeldor]

It ignored all my orders and made a stale turn for me... wth?

[llamabeast]

Yep, copying to a USB key should work fine.

[LDiCesare]

Would it possible to get a single host this week end (48h)? I'll have problems connecting between Friday evening and Sunday evening.

The isle is starting to get surrounded...

[Zeldor]

It seems that it use move order but not production ones... I think it is not so new bug but it happens very rare.

[Ubercat]

What the heck? We go a week without a turn, then we do one, then I go away for less than 48 hours and I've already missed a turn? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif What is the timer set for??

-Ubercat

[Zeldor]

I think it was all the time 24h with just a break for Christmas that ended Jan 2nd.

[Twan]

Sorry for your stale.

(note : timer was 49hr in mid december, but I changed it back to 24 just before the christmas pause because you two asked for)

Anyway, kingdoms start to be big and some wars have started, so I will re-re-set the timer on 49hr, after this turn and won't shorten it again.

[Ubercat]

I have to leave town for two weeks on Monday morning. I was going to ask for a sub, but Ermor has attacked me. It seems unfair to leave such a situation in the hands of someone that was just doing me a favor. Now I'm considering going AI instead. What would you guys do?

-Ubercat

[Twan]

It depends if your potential sub like a challenge or not. Trying to resist with Ulm against Ermor may be fun if a little desesperate (it's probably the worst nation to fight Ermor, but bladewind or simply hordes of indie archers and priests may work well against unarmored undead chaff).

[Ubercat]

My decision just became simple. Ermor crushed my main army. It was fun while it lasted, but Jotunheim is going AI. Don't worry NAP partner(s). I doubt the giants will have time to build any significant forces before they go down.

-Ubercat

[Twan]

Third stale (but not in a row) for Ferrosol. Please tell me when you need a delay (or if you want to stop).

[Twan]

One more stale for Ferrosol (Bandar Log) and no news. I will turn him AI except if there is a volunteer to take his place.

It's sad to turn bandar log AI as according to the graphs the position looks playable (of course a small number of provinces after a total of 4 stales / 23 turns, but second in research, not invaded, probably lot of gold to spend etc...)

[LDiCesare]

It'd be sad to turn Bandar Log into an ai because it would probably start attacking its neighbours like crazy and ruin their game. But it'd be better than letting them go stale. Maybe Ubercat would like to take them after losing Jotunheim?
By the way, is there a reason for provinces 23 and 6 to be neighbours on the map?

[Twan]

Gregstorm will replace Ferrosol.

Provinces 23 and 6... I note the error for the next version of the map.

[Gregstrom]

I'm certainly in an interesting position.

Could anyone who has a NAP with me send me a pm with the details?

For that matter, if you want a NAP then pm me.

[Twan]

Turn 30 (sorry if I was rather slow).

The central region is for the moment more stable than expected, the big powers seem to have wars they prefer to fight before going for the isle (or I don't know for the others).

--

ps : Arcocephale thanks Caelum for the many mammoths sent to our fronteers, we will use them for the reproduction of our elephants.

[Tharsonius]

This is my second game on this map and in both games no one dares to take the isle.
Take the isle = declare war on everyone http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Zeldor]

That is not so easy. I guess only R'lyeh can take it down easily without huge losses, monsters there really cannot deal with illithids and astral mages.

Other nations well... there is Ermor, Arcoscephale and who else around it? They do not want to take it with heavy losses. I guess everyone there is preparing for spring to take it just before first summer month to score that VP.

[Gregstrom]

I agree. There's no point sacrificing an army to raid the island, as someone else would get to take it the turn after. Several armies attacking on the same turn would make interesting viewing on the battle replays though.

[Tharsonius]

I guess it will stay like this some time. In the other game it's already turn 41.

[Zeldor]

The other one I play on that map is turn 21, so I will see more action here faster http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Herode]

For the next version of the map : province 129 shows 2 times the standard (Holy 1) Priest in the recruitement screen (R).

[vfb]

You will see that if there is an indy pop type that allows Priest recruitment, and also a Magic Site in the province gives Priests, or your race allows Priest recruitment and you built a castle in the province.

[Twan]

129 is a city with a site allowing to recruit H1 and H2 priests iirc. The double H1 is caused by site + poptype (but do you have the H2 recruitable ? if not there is an error in dom3db).

[Herode]

OK, it's a feature then. And yes, Twan, the H2 is recruitable, no problem.

[LDiCesare]

When do we switch to the new 3.14 patch?

[Zeldor]

I guess that after that turn, but I am waiting for official response from llamabeast.

[IndyPendant]

I am fine with switching whenever--probably sooner the better, as I am in a number of MP games. ; )

[LDiCesare]

Looks like next turn will have to be 3.14.

[Twan]

Yes you may send this turn in 3.10 or 3.14 and next will be in 3.14.

[Zeldor]

Anyone wants to take over Man? I got really bored with them... of course if someone is interested he should keep alliances, naps etc.

[IndyPendant]

Aw, sorry to hear that Zeldor. You should advertise on a new thread. "Replacement for Man" or something. Your overall position is actually pretty good, and someone new might be interested in taking over.

[Zeldor]

Well, that is not so bad, not a winning or among bigger powers, but with a nice place to live in http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif But that mages are well... you can fight with them and many indie mages there are available, research is nice, but that is simply... boring. It just doesn't compare to MA TC or MA Mictlan, that have big choice, both in armies and mages.

[Twan]

You may ask Mathusalem or Ubercat if they want to take it.

But I think on this map you have more options than usual (considering all the indie mages and creatures you can recruit or charm, and the summon with them, Man isn't as limited to archers + vine ogre industry as in other games).

[Gregstrom]

As noted in-game:

Casting services for sale!

Bandar Log will, for a fee in gems, cast the spell of your choice against a province of your choice. Mind Hunts are cheap and effective - why let a lack of national Astral mages get in your way?

Reasonable rates charged - bulk discounts are negotiable.

Forging services also available for the discerning buyer.

[Herode]

Yeah, but you did not say who were those neighbours you don't want to cast rituals on http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Zeldor]

I think he wanted to use word 'Ermor' http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[LDiCesare]

He won't cast on Eriu either then, since we're (still) neighbours. Not that Ermor needs someone else to cast spells against me...

[Gregstrom]

Fair point - currently my neighbours are Eriu and Ermor. I cannot be hired to cast at them.

[Twan]

I've postponed by some hours the deadline for me (a surprise visit made me unable to do my turn yesterday and now I'm working, I'll finish it and host tonight).

[Zeldor]

Try to be first to send a file at least once http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Damned sneaky Eriu armies. How many more are going to pop up at random? And how the hell am I going to catch this one?

Oh, and nice job destroying one of my bigger armies. If I hadn't had another one coming right up behind it I might have been in a bit of trouble!

(I'm enjoying our fight, LDiCesare. Some interesting surprises you've sent my way! ; )

--Ermor.

[LDiCesare]

Obviously, Ermor's enjoying the fight more than Eriu, though. I'm on the defensive and the dent in your army size on the score graph has been nullified in one turn, while you can see how many of my mages hit the dust.
And a pity you've got big another army so near where I popped my sidhe, too.

[Twan]

I should perhaps have given some MR items to Pharaex and his generals.

I have 3 new slaves.

[Zeldor]

Twan:

Yep, they are not really resistant to enslave mind and charms. And illithids also kill him easily. That really unbalances all garrisons to be honest.

[AlgaeNymph]

Twan said:
I should perhaps have given some MR items to Pharaex and his generals.

Here's how I'd advise rearming them:

Generals: Rat Tail, Shield of Gleaming Gold, Armor of Souls, Horror Helmet, Boots of the Messenger, Pendant of Luck, Amulet of Antimagic.

Sphinx: Amulet of Antimagic.

Heretic priests, particularly heliodromi, are a more battlefield-useful means of dominion drain that a Stone Idol. You'll also want to include some means of going after commanders, perhaps a dark knight armed as the generals but with an Axe of Hate?

[Herode]

Heheeee, who's this pretty little blue standard on the Elysium Castle ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Herode]

Youhouuuuu, Solmyr of Atlantis, where are you ? I don't find your account for MPs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Ouch. My army besieging Eriu just suffered a *crushing* defeat, including losing a bunch of chaff leaders and five or six good ones due to closing off the retreat.

That'll teach me to rush things, trying to wrap up my war with Eriu as quickly as possible so that I can deal with the central island VP situation. ; )

Nice play, LDiCesare!

At least I got lucky and snuffed out that stealth army you had sneaking around a couple turns ago...

I probably won't be going for the island this year, after all. I hope someone else is going after Arco!

[Zeldor]

If you call it good leaders then you can have problem with that central island http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I think it is you, Arco and R'lyeh still in the race. You are fighting Eriu, R'lyeh is killing Atlantis fast and Arco is well... waiting http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

Don't worry. I'm now at war with Machaka and it seems hard times are coming for Arco, I just lost the first big battle.


I think it is you, Arco and R'lyeh still in the race



Don't forget Machaka, with his bless and number of sacred + a fort on a gateway I think he's well placed too.

[IndyPendant]

Well, by 'good leader' I meant better than chaff, i.e. ones I cared at all about losing.

And yeah, my graphs look great, but that research graph's a killer. Ermor don't research no good. Still, not like I'm complaining; this is definitely the best I've ever done in a MP game yet! ; )

[Tharsonius]

But look at your gem income! You took the first place from me, without voice of tiamat (or gem producing spells).

[LDiCesare]

Eriu says Ermor can try and go for the isle now. Just take your armies out of my lands. I won't even attack you for a while if you leave.
I was quite happy to see I managed to cut off your retreat. But then, the army size graphs show that Ermor is still 10 times bigger than I. And the other graphs show this war cost me a lot.
Indeed, Arco, Machaka, Ermor and R'lyeh are those in good position for the win.

[Zeldor]

Yeah, I can sit and look. But my damn spies do not want to survive long enough in interesting places.

[Gregstrom]

Use Sidhe then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[IndyPendant]

Ermor is interested in trading my air gems for your blood slaves on a 1-for-1 basis, in (almost) unlimited quantities! PM me if any of you have any blood slaves to trade and are interested!

[LDiCesare]

If you give me air gems, I can take one of my provinces back and start blood hunting?

[Twan]

Since three months no open battle between Machaka and Arco, but us two seem to be gathering some little forces on the fronteer.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9162/centralplainzz2.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/184/arcour0.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5241/machakard1.jpg

Who will dare to move and when ? Suspense...

[ddavidd]

[quote]
Twan said:
Since three months no open battle between Machaka and Arco, but us two seem to be gathering some little forces on the fronteer.


Yes, there's still some spaces on the battle map to add more troups.

[Twan]

Game will be paused between the february 29 and march 4 (Zeldor is going to China).

[Zeldor]

I really hope I can get net on airport or in Beijing on March 1st to do my turn, but I don't want to count on that.

P.S. Did Machaka put all army under water and took water breathing items off after that or what?

[Twan]

The army was put under water but not exactly like that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Cold war ended in a very cold battle.

[IndyPendant]

Hrmf. I can't access the hotmail website, which means I might stale out, if I can't figure out a way around it. PM sent to Twan asking for a 24-hour delay...

[Zeldor]

You could use different mail just for one turn.

[Twan]

I've postponed the turn by 24h in case you can't connect today.

The hotmail site isn't overloaded, it works fine for me.

[Gregstrom]

It's been shaky for me earlier today, as it happens. Slow, and several timeouts.

[LDiCesare]

IndyPendant said:
Hrmf. I can't access the hotmail website, which means I might stale out, if I can't figure out a way around it. PM sent to Twan asking for a 24-hour delay...


Naahh. You're just afraid of the mighty Eriu armies.
If you can reach another mail account, Twan can change the address for that turn.
I'd hate it if you staled, I try to move according to what I suppose you might do. If you don't move, that'll thwart my plots.

[IndyPendant]

Thanks, Twan. Hotmail's up and running again, and the turn has been sent. We should be receiving the next one any minute now.

LDiCesare: Heh. You can try to predict my moves. You might even succeed; I'm not making any particular effort to be sneaky.

It won't help you, in the end. ; )

[LDiCesare]

Indeed, using brute force when you have 20 times more troops than I will probably succeed.
Still, it will delay you long enough that you may let the central isle slip out of your reach forever. Think about it.

[Twan]

Yes I have to thank Eriu and Atlantis for their desesperate resistance against Ermor and Rl'yeh. You are offering me the time to deal with Machaka and prepare all my SCs for when the other big powers will come.

In fact I've been very lucky in this game as Caelum prefered to turn AI than to fight this kind of war to slow me.

[Twan]

Turn 48 deadline will be the 4 march.

(the 5 at 2h GMT exactly).

[Zeldor]

Nah, I will do that one now, so postpone the next one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

Ok so deadline the 3 at 2h GMT.

[Twan]

I think the number of commanders starts to be big and everybody is or will be at war soon (and me more http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ).

(Also I've spend around 8 hours for this turn changing 3 times my orders, and finally done nothing interesting because it was too late to re script everyone for my audacious plan number 3)

Anyway turn length will now be 72hr.

ps :

spent 15d gems for that lol

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3372/mummyia6.jpg

[Zeldor]

A bit disappointing... and no trampling. If it was stealthy it would be surely useful http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

P.S. I am back now, but I guess no one would even notice if I staled 10 turns as Man.

[LDiCesare]

Man, you mean the backstabbing opportunists who took one of Eriu's provinces last turn?
I think I can notice, although it may not be long till Ermor gets me.

[Zeldor]

It was undefended and I guess you did't even need it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[IndyPendant]

Hey! That's mine! ; )

[Twan]

Ulm :

Sorry for the invasion of the Kingdom of Pharaex province. I was just trying to suicide a diseased and feebleminded sage (who finally died from a new affliction it seems), I wasn't expecting no defense.

You can take back the province.

--

ps :

No scout suicide on the isle this turn, our turism office is very disapointed.

Hopefully it seems there will be a great summer season with lots of undead visitors.

[LDiCesare]

Zeldor said:
It was undefended and I guess you did't even need it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


I did need it. (Particularly considering I fumbled the orders of a commander this turn).
And 1PD ment it was defended.
By the way, I don't think you need it anymore now your small army bit the dust?

[Zeldor]

I really liked that army, I think it killed maybe hmm... 2-3 guys total and conquered a lot of land on the way http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And leaders are still alive.

[Twan]

Grrr, it seems beginning my orders I've destroyed a ring of wizardry instead of sending it to the lab .... 3 hours later I'm realising the ring is nowhere and now have to redo all. :/

(ps : there should be a confirmation box imho)

[Twan]

A quiet turn but our turism office is happy, if the big summer pilgrimage to Eternia didn't happened yet, visitors are now coming to all the provinces of Arcocephale.

[Zeldor]

It looked like it didn't count my turn well. It made my movement orders but didn't make recruit orders. Strange, but it looks like that old bug that happens really rare.

[Twan]

I can try a rehost if you want. Only Ulm has played and I think his turns aren't too long.

[Zeldor]

No, I am fine. I have enough researchers, I think http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Twan]

I've realised I had set the timer on 61hr instead of 72 and corrected my error (a chance I've seen this before host I didn't paid attention to the deadline in the mail and would have staled - and Ermor too probably).

[Zeldor]

Nah, let's get back to 24h hosting http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[LDiCesare]

I can easily plan and play all my moves in 24h.
(but I can bet within three or four turns, I will no longer have to play them)

[Twan]

Actually my turns are microgestion nightmares due to all the tax rates I have to set manually, + all the patrols and mind hunts to catch the legions of spies everywhere.

Finally my most annoying ennemy is Ulm for the moment (Machaka is annoying too but at least he helps me to reduce my old elephants upkeep).

[ddavidd]

Zeldor said:
Nah, let's get back to 24h hosting http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif



Yes, I don't know why, but arco was really less efficient when we played turns in 24 hours

[LDiCesare]

I just wanted to publicly thank Man for bringing me a nice artifact. I'm afraid the messenger didn't want to deliver it and had to be taught good manners, but you can probably still summon her back.
Meanwhile, Arco won another vp.

[Zeldor]

Hehe, I still need to learn a lot in that game. Better to make mistakes here than in a serious game, where it would cost me anything.

[Twan]

Yes this game is rather strange.

I was thinking Ermor would try something with 1,5k troops on his harbor but he was feared by my number of mages and the several SCs on the isle it seems (or he prefer to see me with 2 VP so if he succeeds to take it he won't look like the first threat). I've not seen a big R'lyeh army in the central seas since I have the isle (thanks to Atlantis who resisted very well on his capitol it seems). Machaka is at war with me but it's because I attacked him to help Ct'is, and we only fight in the plain several provinces away from Eternia. I'm in good terms with Man and the lizards and never had any interaction with Bandar Log or Eriu. Only Ulm declared war on me, but is mostly aggressive with spies ; and as my main armies are far and he has forts or very high PD on our borders I can't really invade him either.

For the moment all is far more quiet than expected (of course I guess the next year will be a lot harder).

[AlgaeNymph]

Ulm is willing to trade nature gems for gold or other gems. PM if interested.

[Twan]

... without saying anything !?

Just after casting 2 globals it's rather strange.

[IndyPendant]

Oh. Tharsonius.

Damn him! (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=588284&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) I would have warned you, but I didn't think to check if he was in any of my other games. : /

llamabeast can roll us back to before he went AI, and he can be replaced with someone else. Most likely he's passworded his game--but Baalz managed to get his password for the Elli game...

Suggestion: pause the game and don't bother completing our turns, until we decide.

[Twan]

Yes I think it's better to replace him if it can be done.

I pause the game and contact llamabeast.

[Twan]

So... game is paused (I postpone it by 3 days but hope it's solved before) we search a sub and llama will roll back the game once we find one.

Don't play your turns, so you'll keep your 2h files for when we replay this one (I won't change my moves personnally so don't be afraid to take my same province)

[Corwin]

So what is the current situation in your game? Is Arco well positioned to win the game by VPs over the next 11 turns or so, or is it far from certain?

Is there an organized resistance movement against such outcome, in which R'lyeh was participating?

[Zeldor]

I think that Arco can be stopped, but I don't know exact situation on the island.


I have no idea what R'lyeh was doing. He conquered 90% of Atlantis lands but didn't finish him off. I didn't see any armies moving towards the island.

[IndyPendant]

I (Ermor) am arguably Arco's biggest threat, and I have no intentions of sitting and letting him win. Yes, there is a chance that the game will abruptly come to an end in 11 more turns, and I definitely took a risk in not trying for the island this year. The thing is though, it's not that I tried and failed. Arco really hasn't yet been challenged in his position. He will be, soon.

I really can't say any more publicly. I don't want to give Arco any clues! ; )

[Corwin]

I see, thank you.

I may have time for another game on my schedule, since my two current games are in their very early stages. So I am thinking about taking over the R'leyh as a sub in your game.

Would it be ok if I take a look at that nation before comitting myself? I need to know how much time it would take for me to play R'lyeh, as well as to see what's going on inside R'lyeh nation. If so, please PM me the password and I'll take a look.

[Twan]

As soon I have your mail I ask llama to roll back the game then replace tharsonius adress (I hope he has not used a password). I think it won't be a problem to re-change the mail if finally you don't want to play.

ps : I am actually only first in research (and not by far, Man is close), and this advantage is naturally coming to its end (there are lots of indie mages on this map so around t60 most nations will have levels 9 in their favorite schools). Ermor has more provinces, troops and gem income than me. Then I probably have more SCs ready than anyone but I have also far more ennemies, with about 3 times my army size against me if I count Ermor. So nothing desperate for the other powers, especially as if I lose the isle it will be with so many things that I may be out of the race for several years (may mean a long game as no one else scored a VP yet).

[Herode]

...

[LDiCesare]

Twan said:
I am actually only first in research (and not by far, Man is close), and this advantage is naturally coming to its end (there are lots of indie mages on this map so around t60 most nations will have levels 9 in their favorite schools).



Hah, I'm consistently last almost everywhere (maybe not dominion). And don't worry about Man. He's wasting the fruit of his Conjuration/Construction level to death against Eriu for some reason.

Ermor has more provinces, troops and gem income than me. Then I probably have more SCs ready than anyone but I have also far more ennemies, with about 3 times my army size against me if I count Ermor. So nothing desperate for the other powers, especially as if I lose the isle it will be with so many things that I may be out of the race for several years (may mean a long game as no one else scored a VP yet).


Ermor has big armies of longdead horsemen which will have big problems against serious opposition. Not meaning Eriu wasn't serious, but I didn't pick the right troops to begin with, and was pitiful in research, so I couldn't cast much in terms of battlefield affecting spells, and I couldn't get enough chaff to replace my much needed meatshields.
Of course within 10 turns, Ermor has enough land and gems to put up nasty stuff, but I wouldn't fear its score graph if I were you, but the fact that it's got huge resources and land.
R'lyeh still owns lots of land too, and I doubt anyone will strike them considering Arcoscephale's current popularity.
I mean, even I think of attacking Arcoscephale.

[Corwin]

Ok, I've sent my email to Twan. Going to take a look at the nation once I got the turn.

[llamabeast]

Hmmm. Right, I think perhaps R'lyeh went AI longer ago than you all realised. I've had to roll back all the way to turn 51 - a total of three turns. I foresee some irritation in redoing those three turns, and also there is the possibility of unfairness since you can use knowledge from "the future" in playing the forthcoming turns - I can only suggest that you should all try to play fairly.

Anyway, I don't have Corwin's e-mail address, so Twan, you should change R'lyeh's e-mail address to Corwin's, and then request a turn resend for him. Let me know if there are any problems.

[IndyPendant]

Ouch. Three turns... I think this needs to come to another vote... ; )

[Zeldor]

3 turns? I am almost sure it wasn't so long... didn't he cast forge like 2 turns ago?