newbtopia- ea game for new players(started)

[Carkaton]

Looking at this thread (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=589696&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) there seems to be support for starting a new game. I started this post to get the game going, as it sounds like llama was interested in hosting for us, and I'd be grateful if he did. I'm not trying to steal the thunder of anyone else who wanted to organize this, but since no one else was taking the initiative I thought i'd jump in.

Settings thus far will be early age. The worthy heroes mod seems to be a standard MP mod, so it will be used. The map can be voted on, but I think llama's recommendation of modified parganos is a good choice for 8 people.

Renaming and graphs will be on, with a 24 hour timer until it is deemed necessary to switch to 48. Please sign up with your nation of choice.

moderation - Mictlan
executor - Helheim
Motomouse - Niefelheim
zenphos - Acroscephale
gowb - Lanka
FeydMantis - Agartha
Carkaton - Sauromatia
Hoplosternum - Formoria

PS, question to llamabeast. Are the starting positions chosen randomly or does someone go in and set them up?

[moderation]

Alright, let's get this show on the road then. Mictlan, I choose you!

With the team game that I am subbing in, it looks like the start positions were arranged so that teammates started near each other. Speaking of which, I'd like to make it a team game if people are interested. Team games are rather fun because you get some of the fun of teamwork, as well as the usual craziness that Dom 3 seems to entail. Also, it effectively reduces the number of factions in half, which should make for a quicker match overall. Also, it's nice to have one less front -- which is the case as long as your teammate is alive. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Perhaps we could pair folks up so people with slightly more experience are paired with those with less experience. So far I have played a MP demo game, but mostly fought the AI for 30 rounds, and have been subbing in another newbie game for about three rounds now. So maybe a little more experience than some, maybe less than others. I'm wondering what is everyone else's level of MP experience so far?

[gowb]

aight i'll take lanka. i vote for a free for all rather than a team game but im cool if everyone wants to go team. I prefer toe former because it seems to encourage more diplomacy, or that's what I think anyway, since I don't really know. I've played a bunch of single player games, but those aren't really good for MP, and i've played 4 turns each in both of the MP games I'm currently in.

[zenphos]

I have played 4 turns in 1 MP game. I would rather go with a free for all as well. I think it encourages diplomacy. Just try to make friends with someone early on. Especially if you start close to each other.
Not sure what race I want. Have played a lot of MA and LA verse the comp but not much EA.

[zenphos]

I was thinking I would play Arcoscephale, unless anyone else desperately wants them.

[Executor]

I think I'll take Helheim

[Executor]

Hey, Is the money set to max or not then?

[Motomouse]

I would like to play Niefelheim then and I vote free for all.

[llamabeast]

Cool, good to see this getting organised, I would indeed be happy to host.

Carkaton, I recommend you modify the first post to show who's playing and what nations they are as people sign up. See, e.g. one of my Bat games (VampireBat, VesperBat etc) as an example.

[FeydMantis]

I would like to play Agartha if a slot is still open

[Carkaton]

Money, sites, research will all be set to default.

[Hoplosternum]

I would like to play. Fomoria please.

I would rather it was a team game but am OK if its a free for all. There is still some diplomacy in a team game (if the teams are of just 2 each).

Diplomacy is fine but bare in mind that it is relatively easy. It takes little skill compared to using Communions, research strategy, SC design and use, army / resource balance, mage use etc. So compared to the skill of the game sending a few pms and emails is easy. Unless you are rushing who isn't going to go for immeadiate NAPs while the independents are there? And is decided a large part by luck. Who you meet first often decides who will be your friends rather than your enemies. Who stabs who first is often decided on map location or who gets involved in a war first (leaving them vulnerable to a stab).

I have not played much Dominions mp, but I have played other mp games. Civ, Age of Wonders etc. And once the space / independents go the early alliances can then unravel very quickly. People in central locations, or those who for what ever reason appear weak can then be gang attacked and knocked out very quickly. It isn't pleasent as its you ex-allies who are wielding the knives and numbers count in this (and most) games. Unless you are already very strong you can't fight a two or three front war and as its you ex allies you have no one to help you.

You need allies or at least NAPs to survive in this game. So why not formalise them at the beginning? You then have someone who you can discuss tactics and strategy. Someone who is on your side and can actually help you. We are all newbies to a degree so could all benefit from bouncing ideas and plans off one another. That is not present in free for all when all 'allies' can soon become enemies.

And you still get some diplomacy in a team game. There may be NAPs while the independents are going and therefore border negociations. Some trading is possible and desirable. Plus alliances against the strongest team. But everyone knows the score. You have no friends outside your team.

Team games = a proper ally, someone to discuss the game with and learn from. Far more social. Cooperation rewarded.

Free for all = much more ruthless. All diplomacy fake as there can be only one. But the fake diplomacy is essential as you both need the NAPs and trades until you can organise an alliance to take down your 'ally'.

Some people much prefer the latter. Thats fine but when they say they like it BECAUSE of the diplomacy aspects you have to wonder http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Diplomacy - not quite as good as you think its going to be http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Carkaton]

Ok we are full, vote is 4(including myself) to 2 in favor of free for all. Start working on your pretenders, and as soon as I can find out from llama on how to proceed we can get them uploaded.

Also, moderation, I apologize for not waiting the 15 minutes on posting this thread to see that you had indeed planned on organizing the game. If you start a game specifically to be a team game i'd love to join.

[moderation]

@Carkaton: No problem, I'm actually thinking of setting up a CBM team game later this week, but I'll see how busy I am with this game first.

[llamabeast]

Okay guys, the game is ready to accept pretenders. Here's how to upload them:
Firstly, you should only join a game if you've found there's a thread for it on this board, you've read it, and they're still looking for players. Then you should post on the thread saying what nation you'll be. To actually join the game:

- Make sure you have the same mods enabled as the game you're playing in (Preferences->Mod Preferences) although only mods affecting pretender design, such as Conceptual Balance, actually matter
- Go to Game Tools -> Create a pretender god in Dominions. Don't set a password, since for PBEM games they're not helpful and occasionally annoying (e.g. if you need a sub)
- Go to the savedgames/newlords folder in the dominions directory, and find your pretender file (e.g. mid_pythium_0.2h)
- E-mail the file to: pretenders[ at ]llamaserver[ dot ]net
- Crucially, you must have the game name 'Newbtopia' in the subject line of your e-mail

A few minutes later you should get a confirmation e-mail, and if you check the website (www.llamaserver.net ) you should find your nation added to the list of nations which have joined the game.

If later you think of an improvement to your pretender, you can send it in again. Provided the game hasn't actually started the server will accept your revised pretender, and send you an e-mail to say so.

Hoplosternum - I love diplomacy! I would say: Diplomacy - more fun than you expect! I highly recommend sending messages in character and doing some on-forum roleplaying, it adds a lot to the game.

[Hoplosternum]

llamabeast said:
Hoplosternum - I love diplomacy! I would say: Diplomacy - more fun than you expect! I highly recommend sending messages in character and doing some on-forum roleplaying, it adds a lot to the game.



I'll try http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Pretender in.

[Executor]

What Time zone are we using?

[gowb]

Is there any way to check or edit the pretenders you've created? I can't seem to do it without actually starting a new game.

[Carkaton]

Executor said:
What Time zone are we using?



Llamaserver's time is GMT I believe. It doesn't much matter though, new turns start as soon as the last turn file is sent in, or if the time elapses.

[zenphos]

Well game on then by the looks of it. Well as soon as llamabeast spots the fact all pretenders are up. Good luck to everyone and hope everyone wins their first fight v the indies. Sucks if you lose that one.
That'll be it for me in terms of posting out of character. From now on everything will be done in character and will be spoken as the voice of the god of arcoscephale.
Although since they are layabout, lazy philosopher types no doubt many of them will jump up and try to drown out my voice.

[gowb]

Bump for llamabeast! Just saw him post in another thread. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Executor]

When do we start?

[gowb]

I sent llamabeast a PM. Should be starting any time now, really.

[llamabeast]

Started! Hurrah!

Right, I did take one potentially controversial decision when starting the game though. In all the other newbie games I've started recently (the "Bat" ones) we've used my modified version of Parganos which has "dead seas", i.e. no population or magic sites in the sea. I forgot to mention that explicitly on this thread but I decided to use it anyway, so I hope (a) that no-one designed a pretender specifically to take the seas, and (b) that everyone's happy with that. It's just that in land-nation only games, seas tend to be a bit silly - whoever finds a Merman Village first gets loads of territory for no effort.

Anyway, I hope you all really enjoy the game. I highly recommend posting lots on the thread in character, and also doing lots of diplomacy, again in character - it adds a lot of fun to the game.

I will send Carkaton the admin password, so he's the one to ask if you want a turn postponed or anything. Well actually you should probably just post here, but he'll be the one to sort it out for you.

[Carkaton]

Ok, good luck everyone!

If you need to postpone for vacations or whatever, let me know and I'll take care of it. This first turn is on a 48 hour timer just in case of difficulties, after this it'll be on a 24 hour timer until we agree to go to a 48 hour one.

[moderation]

Hmm, did anyone else not receive a turn file? I just re-requested mine. Maybe there is some mixup because I am playing 2 games on llamaserver.

[Carkaton]

maybe the server somehow messed up your email address. If you still didn't get your turn you can give me your email and I'll re-enter it.

[Hoplosternum]

llamabeast said:

In all the other newbie games I've started recently (the "Bat" ones) we've used my modified version of Parganos which has "dead seas", i.e. no population or magic sites in the sea. I forgot to mention that explicitly on this thread but I decided to use it anyway,



Bah! Guess thats one advantage my naturally amphibious troops won't be able to use http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Lets hope I can think of a plan b http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[gowb]

So did you get the email moderation?? I notice you still haven't gone...

[Carkaton]

I guess not, I'm going to postpone hosting once, but if this can't get resolved we're going to have to restart or find a sub.

[gowb]

He's usually pretty good about this stuff. Moderation?? You have two hours until hosting gets postponed man! Don't stale out on the first turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[moderation]

Okay, I just got home and the emails were there and everything. However my email service is refusing to work. Going to reboot and see if I can send it. Computers... :\

Okay I opened a new email account and sent it out using webmail. There's some kind of bug with the Safari browser that makes uploading attachments a real pain. Sorry about the confusion. Everything should be working now.

[Carkaton]

Ok good, glad we all got it worked out now.

[moderation]

OOC: Did anyone else get a strange message from Niefelheim? I am still trying to make heads or tails of it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[gowb]

A small grey monkey scampers into the cold throne room of the Neifel giants. He looks around briefly and then drops a piece of bark on the floor.

It reads:

Jiant messinger visited us. His flesh was tuff but tastey. Nex time send mor + younger.

[Motomouse]

Small grey monkey returned unharmed, but frozen, to sender.

[Executor]

Is there a faster way to send and recive a message from other nations, 1 turn till you send, 1 till he recives, 1 till he replies... I mean thats just too slow for me

[llamabeast]

Send a PM to the player.

[Executor]

Yes I know, it's just that nobody ever even reads the bloody PM, or just reads it too late...

[gowb]

Mictlan! Cease and desist your excursion into demon lands and you will be spared...

[Carkaton]

I'll be away from the computer for the weekend, I should be able to do turn turns 12 and 13 but I'll be away from the internet until I return early monday morning GMT. I had already given moderation the admin password due to his early email issues so he can do the extension after i submit turn 13 tommorow. If there are no objections that is.

[Motomouse]

Take your time
Regards Motomouse

[moderation]

There is 40 minutes until hosting and Helheim and Sauromatia don't seem to have submitted turns yet. I'm finishing up my turn now, but if Helheim and Sauromatia don't submit turns soon, I will delay the hosting rather than let them go stale.

Carkaton, did you run into some last minute problems preventing you from sending turn 13?

[zenphos]

Hmmmmm,

what is going on? Has Helheim dropped? Seems odd to be waiting on 3 turns at the moment?
I would have thought that carkaton is the only one not having trouble time wise to get his turns in.

[Psycho]

Helheim's computer is effectively dead. I can take over if the situation is not too desperate. Otherwise just turn him to AI.

[zenphos]

Thanks psycho. I think it would be good if you took over. But have no idea what the situation is with his nation. But I assume he is not in too bad shape.

[Psycho]

Just tell me where to send my e-mail or what else to do to take over

[Motomouse]

Ehnog of Niefleheim thinks the situation will be quite desperate for helheim soon ;-)

[moderation]

What happened to Helheim's computer?

Anyway, Psycho, PM me with your email address and I will put you in as Helheim's sub.

[Carkaton]

sorry about that, I had to leave before turn 13 came up. I had issues converting GMT to my time zone and thought that it would've been ready when I got off work. As it is, it's a good thing due to helheim's computer issues.

[Carkaton]

Also, moderation had asked to extend the hosting interval to 48 hours for the next week or so because he has come down with an illness. I hope no one has an issue with this. He said he'd get a sub if there are problems, but I'd rather see him keep his roster spot.

[Psycho]

I sent you my mail moderation, but am not getting turns

[Carkaton]

send it to me. Mod was filling in as admin when I was gone.

[Psycho]

I'm buying a ring with poison protection. Anyone wants to forge me one? Sauromatia? Anyone? I'm paying handsomely.

[zenphos]

Hmmmm, actually I think everyone is a little more interested in you having your turn at the moment http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.
Although I am sure once the turns start up again some will be willing to extort, oops sorry trade, you for a poison ring.

[Psycho]

I sent the turn. Any idea how to counter earth/nature blessed niefel giants?

[zenphos]

What massive regenerating giants who don't get fatigued?
Hmmmmm, drop a few fireballs on them would be one way to do it.
To be honest though I am uncertain. But then I am pretty new. High level evocation spells maybe? Falling fires and shadow blasts.
Or mass infantry with priests spamming sermon of courage.

[Motomouse]

Dear Helheim,

You dont want to counter blessed niefel giants. You want to succumb to them.

Regards
Enohg of Niefelheim

[Motomouse]

To be honest, you want to buy time!
Try to stay around long enough ...
Regards
Enohg

[Psycho]

Those are all nice ideas, but I have practically no research and they are one step from my capitol and access to air and death

[Hoplosternum]

Psycho said:
Those are all nice ideas, but I have practically no research and they are one step from my capitol and access to air and death



Bah, Neifel Jarls don't have much Air usually. Just imagine if you came across giants with a 3-4 Air a piece, where would you be then?

Smaller Dave the New Prophet of Fomoria

[Psycho]

No, I meant I have access to air and death. I ate a couple of words up there

[Psycho]

Why are we on 48 hours schedule? Isn't it a bit early in the game for that?

[Carkaton]

Moderation requested a 48 hour turn for a week due to illness and there was no objections.

[Psycho]

OK. I wasn't aware of that.

[zenphos]

Does anyone else think it is time to revert back to 24 hour turns?
I am not being pushy and am happy to go with the consensus opinion.
Just thought I would bring it up.

[zenphos]

Thought I would post a link to this discussion that is now taking place
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=597478&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Carkaton]

Sending a message to moderation to see if we can get this back to 24 hours. I'm sure we'd all like to get this game going again, 48 hours at this stage is really sapping my interest in the game.

[moderation]

I am still feeling ill. I would appreciate it if we can stay on the 48 hour timer for the next few turns. I would like to see how things go and perhaps find a sub or set the game to AI after that. I am undecided on whether I should continue spending energy playing a game I feel has mostly gone sour due to the level of difficulty I have had dealing with zenphos who either does not understand what a NAP is, or feels that it is acceptable to slip out of one with vague wording whenever he feels it is convenient.

Anyway, since zenphos has presented his side of the story in the above link, featuring "the worthy and honourable Arcoscephale", and the "the bloodthirsty virgin slaughterer Mictlan", I feel compelled to present my side of the story here since the thread he started has been presented in a one sided manner and has gone off topic.

It began with a trade negotiation for owl quills that I opened with zenphos early on. Afterwards, I him on the border, and offer him I what I understand is a standard 3 turn NAP that most players seem to use. Note that at this point, he does not understand what a NAP is, so I go to the trouble of posting a question on the forums and sending him the link (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=594436&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#Post594467) and explaining it.

zenphos replies with this message:

"At this point I find myself able to commit to a 2 turn NAP.
This is the same NAP I have organised with other nations.
Which means 2 turn warning before any sort of aggresive behaviour or subversion.
Basically scouts are fine but no one else.
Looks like things are quieting down so can install my wizards back into their labs and start thinking about owl quills and other goodies."

We have already exchanged quite a few messages at this point and I think we have an understanding, so I take this as done deal. Particularly the sentence "At this point I find myself able to commit to a 2 turn NAP." Little do I know that he will later turn around and say that we have no agreement and that he believes I am massing on his border to take his owl quills "by force", as if it would be a simple matter to march into his capital, lay siege to it and demand that he forge them for me then. Later on, he will claim that I am "unhappy with a 2 turn NAP and [...] getting ready to invade."

Both of these claims are illogical. The idea of marching on his capital to take the owl quills by force, would have resulted in my empire spanning the entire map horizontally which would make me a target for every other player on the map. An obviously impractical idea, not to mention the amount of time that this would required. Any why would I attack him because I was unhappy with the offer of a 2 turn NAP when I was the one who originally proposed the NAP? I cannot think of a more pointless reason for starting an attack. The whole point of arranging a early game NAP is allow both players to conquer indies without being attacked by another player. As illogical as these reasons are, zenphos used both as excuses to cut a deal with other players against me, all the while conveniently forgetting about our negotiations.

At this point, I consider the NAP and the trade agreement a done deal, and turn my attention to finishing off the early war I had with Lanka and to conquering indies, assuming there will be at least a 2 turn notice before hostilities with zenphos. However all this time, he is busy cutting more convenient deals with other players. When I send him another message to see how the owl quills are coming along before I go off for the weekend, I discover that he believes that we have no such NAP, and that I had been planning all along to invade him instead of trade with him. Why then would I have bothered to set up a trade agreement with him? A simple look at the research graphs would confirm that I was trying to acquire some more research boosters.

I don't know how much back and forth it normally takes to secure a basic NAP and ask for some trades, even by the standards of having to explain it to someone with slightly less experience, but I think I went out of my way to explain it and in return, I get backstabbed. In contrast, my negotiations with other players in this game have all been direct and to the point.

Anyway, it certainly looks to me that like I should have not bothered negotiating with someone who either does not understand how to negotiate, or feigns misunderstanding when it is convenient to backstab someone. zenphos, if you're going to try to slip out of agreements when you find it is convenient and fabricate some illogical reasons for doing so, that is one way to play, but do not pretend that you hold the high ground at the same time.

And give me a break about role-playing that you are "avenging the ghosts of Lanka". Aside from the thematic problems associated with Arcocephale avenging a nation of demons, I saw you attack Lanka several turns ago as I was laying siege to his capital. And now you claim you are avenging them when it is convenient to attack me. If there is a more ridiculous contradiction, I don't know what it is, but I believe other players would be well advised to steer clear of dealings with you.

[zenphos]

Hmmmmmm,

I guess all I can do is refer people to the above thread and let them make up their own minds.
But I will point out that
1. Lanka had been set to AI for 2 turns before I attacked him
2. I enjoy roleplaying and thought this sounded better than "you have lots of lands, I want some of them, I have a big army, here I come."

[Psycho]

Well Dominions without war isn't Dominions. And the saying goes that in war (as in love) everything is permitted. So if someone decides to attack you, even if he has a NAP with you, there isn't really much you can do about it. Just prepare your defenses the best you can. At least you will know with whom to negotiate in your future games and who to stay clear off. Everybody is making a reputation for himself.

[Hoplosternum]

Partly Psycho. But I think there has been a genuine misunderstanding here. Both sides believe they are playing it fairly.

It isn't that one side thinks NAPs don't need to be kept (which is the view of some on the board). They both do. But one side does not think they have a NAP.

What is more NAPs affect diplomacy and the whole direction of the game. If Zenephos believed that the NAP deal had been agreed then he may NOT have built up to attack Moderation. He may well have found a new enemy or concentrated on research and held his armies in reserve. Likewise had Moderation realised there was no NAP then he may not have got involved elsewhere and so have been more prepared, or even struck first, along their border.

I am not sure anything can be done but carry on now, although that obviously is not that great for Mictlan.

I don't think (unless someone is flat out lying) that either have behaved dishonourably. It is simply a misunderstanding. I think I would have assumed, as Zenephos did, that when his counter offer was not agreed to it wasn't accepted. Although I would have asked for a clarification.

If I offer a 3 turn one I may not consider a 2 turn NAP counter offer as sufficent guarnatee and so I may be better fighting hm now rather than later when I am engaged elsewhere. It would depend on the situation I was in and the other player's situation as I saw it. But there are no rules here that I know of and I can see why Moderation might believe he had the deal. I would certainly trust either one - at least to sign a NAP with http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[gowb]

Actually I was Lanka and Arcosephale attacked me long before I went AI. It's the entire reason I went AI - I didn't really stand a chance against a nation with a fire bless on one side and elephants on the other. :p

So zenphos is lying on at least that point. Maybe more?

[zenphos]

Hmmmmmmm,

Was that at the same time as Mictlan was besieging your capital? Or was that very early in the game, turn 4 or 5 I think,, which I admit I had forgotten about, when I pushed your army back across the river and then sent a message saying you stay on your side of the river and I will stay on mine and that will be an end to it. And then stayed on my side of the river for the next 10 or more turns when I could have easily joined in the Lanka land grab, until you had been AI for 2 turns. Oh and EA Arcoscephale don't get elephants. So Gowb is wrong about this, who knows what else he might be wrong about?

[gowb]

Heh, sorry. I didn't even watch the battle. Mictlan wasn't at my capital, but with you being so mean and him not even trying to communicate I got frustrated and gave up.

[zenphos]

So is it time to revert to 24 hour turns yet?

[Psycho]

It doesn't really matter what is the clock set to. As soon as everyone sends their turn, it will host. And if we were on 24h and someone was about to stall, wouldn't it be better to postpone the hosting so that he has the chance to finish then to see him stall?

Well, at least I personally have no problem with 48h. When everyone sends their turns fast it will host fast, and when someone needs a little more time he doesn't have to ask and then hope the host will see it in time.

[Carkaton]

Moderation has been subbed by Klagrok. He was the only guy who really wanted a 48 hour timer that I talked to. But since it's already turn 21 it's getting to the time to put it to 48 anyway.

Anyway I put it to a vote to reset the timer back to 24, at least for a while.

[klagrok]

24 works for me but so does 48 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[zenphos]

I don't mind the 48 hour timer but it seemed that every turn took that long. It was very hard to get any sort of interest generating in the early game when there is not much happening anyway and the thing that keeps you interested is the fact that turns come quickly.
But to get interest going again I think that 24 hours for the next 5 turns, followed by a reversion back to 48 hours would be good.
But if the vote goes for 48 hours I am cool with it.

[Motomouse]

Proceed as you like. I am fine both ways.

[Psycho]

Either way is fine for me, as long as this turn stays 48h, because I won't be able to do it today.

[Carkaton]

It looks like no one is really emphatic about it either way, but I'm inclined to agree with zenphos to change the timer back to 24 after this turn to try to spark interest back in this game. From there we can keep it until it's deemed necessary to move it to 48. My other game we didn't go to 48 until the late 30's.

[Hoplosternum]

I would prefer it as 48 hour turns. It is not just the turns (which don't take that long at this stage) but any diplomacy you wis to do. Things can move quite fast.

But 24 hour turns are OK for a little while longer.

[Carkaton]

Well how about 48 hour turns with a request to try and get the turns in early. IE if you got a lot of diplomacy and army config, take your time. But if you are just too lazy to take the 5 minutes to do your turn then please just do it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif.

[zenphos]

Well it has certainly gotten a little quiet around here. I think it was a lot more exciting when me and moderation were having our little ***** session. Hopefully things might pick up soon.

[Psycho]

Nation of Helheim is defeated. I will switch it to AI this turn as there is no point in playing any more.

The final battle was just plain stupid. I just summoned hordes of undead and they held the gate. Niefelheim had no chance of winning the battle even if it lasted for a 1000 turns. But after the turn 50 limit most of his army didn't retreat because they were berserked. Then came the second turn limit and my armies retreated and now they are all dead because they had nowhere to retreat. Also all of his berserked units died.

So Niefelheim lost 30 Niefel giants and a niefel Jarl. That is more than half of the army he sent on me. He is much weakened now and although I lost nearly all my troops, I won the battle so he will have to siege the castle from scratch again. If anyone was planning on attacking Niefelheim I don't think there will be a better time.

One more thing. This battle would sure end in a quite different way if I had researched the essential spell - darkness. I didn't research it because I focused on construction instead on alteration. That is because I thought that Motomouse (Niefelheim) would honor our NAP and give me 3 turn warning before attack. This way I would have enough time to research darkness. But that did not happen. He attacked with no warning. So if a Niefel army is moving towards your border get ready to fight even if you have a NAP.

[zenphos]

Hmmmmm,

No sign of Carkaton for the last 4 turns. Seems odd since he is the moderator.
4 stales in a row though is not good and maybe it is time to switch to a new moderator and try to find a sub for Sauromatia?
Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

[Carkaton]

I apologize. I had a friend subbing for me the last week, and I thought he was aware of this game as well but apparently not. Anyway I'm back and able to continue. Again, sorry about this.

[zenphos]

Hi Carkaton.

Good to see you are back.

[FeydMantis]

I was hoping I would be able to send my turn early friday but with Niefelheim (?) having not sent it in yet I might have problems doing my turn over the weekend would it be possible to get an extention till Sunday 23:00 GMT for the next turn?

[Carkaton]

sure

[FeydMantis]

Thanks for that!

[Carkaton]

Sorry about the stale, I thought I had a few more hours.

[zenphos]

It seems Carkaton has gone missing and we may need to find a sub or set to him to AI. I have PM'ed llamabeast and hopefully he can help out.

[zenphos]

Sleet has agreed to join the game. Hopefully he will post to the forum to say hello.

[Sleet]

Hi there, I am trying to load the game and get an error when I click on my nation and try to start my turn:

"Can't find map image: parganos__llama.tga"
With an OK button
Click OK and get booted from Dom3
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

I have the mod installed and activated. I assume I am missing (map image?)something that came in first turn perhaps? Or..? Checked the forum thread and did not see anything.

Thanks!
Look forward to joining...
Cheers,
Sleet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[zenphos]

Try downloading the attachment in the 1st post. Maps don't get sent in the first turn. Extract it to the maps directory in Dom3. If that doesn't work try downloading it from the Empires Rising thread. It is the same map.
If this still doesn't work let me know.

[Sleet]

Thanks, missed the attachment link in the subject. Will get the turn done as soon as I can! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Sleet]

Game is on. Glad to be here...
Thanks everyone.
Sleet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Sleet]

Am out of town with no PC access until tomorrow. Can we delay please?
Thanks,
sleet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[zenphos]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I have too much going on at the moment to play as many games as I do. I am trying to get back to just 1 game so have looked for and found a sub.
konming will now be playing arcoscephale. I have filled him on who he is fighting so hopefully it won't be too big a shock.

I also need someone to take over as admin, although if no one wants to do it then PM me and I can do whatever changes you guys want.
Sorry for bailing but I get too excited when I started and signed on to way too many games. 8 at one point I think.

I have a lot of fun and will hopefully see you guys in other games.

[Hoplosternum]

Bye Zenephos,

It's been a tough battle so far. Going backwards and forwards. I am happy to take over the admin for this one although I am not sure what to do?

[konming]

Hello everyone. So I just took over Arco. Last turn is disatrous for us but we shall fight on. Now what is the current diplomatic situations? Two 1 on 1 wars?

[Hoplosternum]

Hi Konming.

Yes that is about it....

[Sleet]

Adios Zenephos. See you in the next game! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Welcome konming! Lots going on..

Cheers and have fun,
Sleet

[konming]

Damn, Fomoria is killing me. He has huge income in nature and death. With recrutable SCs and cheap items supplied by forge of ancient, he just took all my good provinces. And there's more, he has all the good artifacts, like chalice and ageis. If that is not enough, he also took most elemental royalties. His air queen just took two provinces all by herself. If we the remaining nations want to survive, we have the unite and try to blunt the greatest threat ever known to mankind (or gaint kind).

[Hoplosternum]

Lies and deceptions all! You're taking many of my provinces including three around my Capital. Your air queen is a killing machine and sadly plenty of my Fomorian Kings are now working for you! Curse your charming Oreiads http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif And I won't even start on the list of crimes inflicted by your wicked Communions....

And isn't that your Maelstrom funnelling gems in to your hands?

Will this war ever end? We appear to be hopelessly stalemated.

Besides your plea is extremely biased http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Both Sauro and Niefel know that it is you and not they that will benefit if I fall. You are the one with armies deep in my lands and along our border. Where as if they help me they also help themselves. They know your end game magic and communions are more of a threat than mine and of course they can take and hold your exposed northern provinces http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[konming]

My AQ? It is your AQs (!) that is equipped with ancient and powerful artifacts and wreck my provinces. My AQ is merely trying hard defending my provinces. The plenty of Formorian Kings you mentioned are a grand total of two, comparing to over 30 you have in hand. As for communions, what a lie! Most of my mages were killed long ago, I can barely allocate 2 mages on each front, where is the communion?

Let's be clear. Fomoria has huge amount of SCs, all the good artifacts, and spell research way ahead of anyone. GOH + plenty of death + plenty of nature, you all know what that means in late game. He also keeps using foul spells to kill thousands of innocent civilians. That, my friend, is first degree war crime.

[Hoplosternum]

Hi all,

I have extended the timer by 24 hours.

Was it my imagination or had Neifel thrown in the towel? I thought I saw a message to that effect but I can't find it on the thread? Maybe it was in game? Or just in my head http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif And he staled last turn.

If he has gone then we need to switch him to AI rather than just let him stale each turn. It would be better if he did this rather than myself as the only way I know to do this is to send the turn to myself and do it in game. It would also allow him to build/move forces one last time if he chose to.

Anyway a slight delay while this gets resolved.

[Sleet]

I saw a similar message in game, assume he has quit.

[Hoplosternum]

Ok he has been switched to AI and we are back on the usual 48 hour schedule

[konming]

As predicted, Fomo had me beaten. I will now struggle to live another day.

[Hoplosternum]

I think this one is over now. My opponents have all gone AI or no longer submitting turns and I am ahead in all areas.

I have suspended the game/ delayed the next turn.

Assuming Arco does not want to carry on I'll end the game.

Thanks for the game everyone! It was very close between Arco and myself (Fomoria) for a while. But being able to recruit an SC each turn is a big advantage :) As was being allowed to cast and then keep four globals for much of the game :)

[Hoplosternum]

OK. I am declaring myself the winner of this one :)