Ascendant - Game On!

[Renojustin]

We're about to start an EA game for players who are new to Multiplayer. It will be version 3.15 with pure default settings on a medium sized random map. We'll probably get the Llamameister to host a PBEM, or if there's a lot of uproar for an Autohost, we'll see what we can do, but there shouldn't be, because you shouldn't know the difference, because I don't. HA! But really, this scenario will be limited to those who have 0-2 games played or playing please.

Sign-up will be limited to 15 players total; we don't want to lock what should be new players into maybe making some poor design choices in their first game, dragging on into the summer...

Renaming and graphs will be on. I expect to see some hilarious units out there; expectations are high.

Shortlist exploits will be carefully weighed and considered for censure. Probably almost anything on there that doesn't explicitly prevent a valid style of play from any given nation will be frowned upon and more.

Let's just get in there and have a random, wild, and clean first round of Dominions, boys!

Renojustin - Sauromatia (daddy didn't love us)
Kasnavada - Abysia (molten hot lava lamps)
Ossa - Helheim (if you can't beat em, hang yourself)
Darkwind - R'yleh (we're here, we're weird, get used to it)
FrozenFalcon - Tir na n'Og (Pretty hot compared to Fir Bolgs)
Mozkito - C'tis (full nude serpent dancers nightly)
Wrana - Ulm (the height of antler-based fashion)
Frumious - T'ien C'hi (I'm dynamite, and I'll win the fight)
Fickle - Fomoria (how do you like my curse, Cursedy?)
Shigure - Kailasa (we don't need no stinkeeng PD)
Zenzei - Caelum (good raptor, that's a pretty raptor)
charshep (now Carkaton) - Atlantis (de seaweed is always greena in somebody else's lake)
secretperson - Lanka (eep)
deadboi - Marverni (with optional pointy nipple attack in cold domain)
Vellon - Arcoscephale (hemlock shots all around)

Victory Condition: Hold 7 capitals and fortifications for 1 turn.

Map: pre-randomized, amazingly tactical and balanced map, 225 provinces

Hosting period will be 24 hours for the first ten or twenty turns, and then if there's popular support for it, we can move to 48 hours.

***NEW - Download the Ascendant map files, it's the attachment at the top of the post!***

[FrozenFalcon]

I've finished 2 multiplayer games and am currently playing one; If I still qualify, I'll try Tir na n'Og.

[Ossa]

I'd like to join with Helheim - no games so far.

[Renojustin]

Sorry Falcon, I'd really like to keep this one quite strict with respect to the 0-2 rule, even if it takes slightly longer to fill the nation queue.

Thanks for your interest man, we'll be mixing it up soon I'm sure. Appreciate your honesty.

[Mozkito]

I would like to play as well, although I'm not certain if I qualify! :O

I've played 2 PBEM games vs my brother, and I am currently on the 3rd one. (I guess this counts as MP games? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif)

I've played a blitz vs the guys who hang out on mIRC.
And I'm currently subbing for my brother in the Onomancy game.

I doubt I qualify, but it was worth a try http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Darkwind]

No multiplayer games(and currently no Dominions, I need to reinstall it - rewriting sucks). I'll take R'lyeh(Hey, why not? I haven't played as the Aboleths even in singleplayer).

[Renojustin]

Well, one on one games are hardly multiplayer imo, unless your brother is uber and you'll be taking lots of advice from him... you qualify Moz, what nation would you like?

[Darkwind]

Oh hey, we get little slogans next to our names! Can I pick mine? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

If I can, I'd like "Cthulhu R'lyeh ftaghn". Not original, but I like it better than yours, no offense meant http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Renojustin]

Hmmm, you will be the first to fall.

[Renojustin]

Well since we made a little exception I guess we're not going to be all THAT strict with the 0-2 rule... ok THREE and that's it!

Falcon is IN.

[Mozkito]

Cool, thanks Renojustin! I would like...EA C'tis?

[Darkwind]

Why can't someone choose an underwater nation too? It'll be lonely with only giant monsters from the depths of the sea controlling the waves! Someone should take Oceania or Atlantis! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif

[Wrana]

And now I just have to think up a second EA nation! And with Sauromatia taken, no less! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
Ulm, possibly, or Tien Chi? And what's the map/mods/other conditions?

[llamabeast]

You will want to make sure that you end up with either zero or 2-3 water nations. 1 doesn't work so well, as Darkwind points out.

[Renojustin]

Wrana said:
And now I just have to think up a second EA nation! And with Sauromatia taken, no less! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
Ulm, possibly, or Tien Chi? And what's the map/mods/other conditions?



Everything is up there on the original post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Renojustin]

We'll just see if we get an amphibious nation to join in too.

At worst, with random maps, it's usually not too much water anyway, so even if we recruit no other amphibious or aquatic nations it won't be unbalanced.

R'lyeh could possibly even be at a disadvantage. They're not a mega-dominant EA power so it could even be the boost they need. I'd rather play against Atlantis on land, but Oceania is more powerful than R'yleh on land for sure.

[Wrana]

By "everything" you mean that no mods are to be in effect, aren't you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Also, I don't know how to exploite the fact that Faery Trod doesn't work as desired. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif Do you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Renojustin]

I might if I knew what was wrong with it, I'm just too lazy to look up and memorize everything that's wrong that I don't use on a regular basis.

With regards to the exploits and shortlist, just bring it to the rest of the game's attention if you think someone is giving you the shaft, so to speak. *shoots arrow*

Pick a nation yet? Maybe Pangaea with all this talk of Faery Trod?

[Frumious]

A true newbie reporting... (have never played an MP before, but I have played a good bit of SP.)

T'ien C'hi please.

[Renojustin]

And Frumious steals T'ien C'hi from an indecisive Wrana! Ouch!

[Fickle]

Count me in. I'll take Fomoria.

[Wrana]

Well, I'm too lazy to memorise exploites, too.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
To Frumious: Good luck! You'll need it (hint)! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
In this case, I either will take Ulm, or try some monkey tricks... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif (Pangaea I like but not just now, by you leave)

[Renojustin]

Absolutely, I like Ulm quite a lot in EA and they might have been tied for second choice for me with Pangaea. You have become Ulm, Maker of Things.

[Shigure]

I think I would like to join as "Monkey PD can NEVER WIN" Kailasa. What will the hosting schedule for this game be?

[Renojustin]

I was thinking something fast-paced. As we're all young and hungry for action and romance, we'll probably end up playing on a 24 hour timer for the first 20 turns or so before switching to a 48, and leave it there to keep the heat on at least a low simmer.

Sound good to everyone? I'm mostly just going by what I've read in other game threads.

[Mozkito]

Sounds great! 3 More people and we can get this rolling! Although having another water player would be nice, we dont wanna leave ryleh all alone!

[Renojustin]

Even if it came to that I don't think it'd be that big of a deal, as per the other post I did on the topic. So we'll just have to see!

[Wrana]

CRRRROOMMM CRRRRRUAGHHH!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif
So be it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Time to upload? Llamabeast, Ascendant subject, correct?

[Real_friend]

Agartha please

[mathusalem]

I'd like to play Lanka http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zenzei]

I'll play, if there's still room. For a nation let's say something windy, like Caelum.

[Renojustin]

How many games have you played or playing, Mathusalem? This is supposed to be for new players and you've been around since '05. hehe

[charshep]

Any seats left? I've played through the tutorial and read through the manual, so I'm not very experienced with Dominions but I do have a lot of experience with other 4X games and heavy strategy board games.

[Darkwind]

I'm pretty sure we still have 12, so yeah, I think you can get in. I just hope you choose a water nation, I'd hate to rule the seas alone from the start.

[charshep]

Sign me up for whatever nation is available. Like I said, I've only played one single player game so I don't really know the nations yet.

[Renojustin]

Well, if we give him Atlantis, he could hold R'lyeh in check for sure... they'd be battling for their lives in there.

Which sounds better Char, Atlantis or Oceania? We do have an Agartha AND Fomoria so there's two amphibious nations that could possibly slow R'yleh's water expansion...

So it's not even totally necessary that he choose a pure water nation. Up to you, Char, any nation you like.

[secretperson]

Is there still room for players for this game?

[Frumious]

I think he should be allowed to pick whatever nation he wants, but from my understand, Oceania kinda sucks against Atlantis or R'lyeh underwater.

[Renojustin]

It should be pretty much sealed up at 13 at this point, we're ready to go I think, secretperson.

[secretperson]

okay, i'll catch you guys another time then http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[llamabeast]

I thought EA Oceania was considered overpowered, with a strong bless. On the other hand it might be more fun for char's first game to play a land nation - less weird.

[Renojustin]

Hah, to the wolves with him!

[Renojustin]

Char has 24 hours to choose his nation, and then we're bringing in secretperson.

[charshep]

I'm still in. Sign me up for Atlantis.

[hunt11]

Is it to late to sign up, if it isn't can I be Yomi

[Renojustin]

If nobody is against it, we'll go with 15 players to get in everyone that has posted here, and change the victory conditions to owning 8 of 15 capitals and fortifications for three turns. That way, we have a little bit of leeway for turtles in the endgame and more random mayhem, which is always to be desired!

[lch]

Owning over half the capitals and keeping them for multiple turns means utter domination by one player. You might want to change it so that the players can race for the goal together.

[Darkwind]

EDIT: Didn't notice the fourth page.

At any rate, I'm not sure if team victories would be a good idea, at least, not if nations can change teams in-game. If one player has, say, six capitals but he's about to lose one, he could just ally a player with two or three capitals and win.

[secretperson]

I'd like to play as Lanka if I can still be in and if Atlantis is still taken

[Renojustin]

I'll disagree that owning 7 of 13 capitals is a completely dominant victory. There could easily be a few holdouts with huge gem or blood economies that are just coming into their own and could be equal in power to any gold-based empire owning half the map or more. If there are any powers like that left at the end of the game, they can certainly hold their heads high.

But I'd say that owning capitals for ONE turn probably ought to do it. And besides, it should be easier to create.

[Renojustin]

I've decided to take a little of Ich's advice, and now holding 7 of 15 capitals and fortifications for one turn will be the victory condition. That's not too much, and certainly not too little. So there will be some very good competition going but the game won't draw out overmuch.

Right now, we need everyone's email, and then we can upload pretenders. Just private message them all to me and I will send them to Ich so he can remind people to take their turns, among other things.

Exciting!

[lch]

Oh, I see, you haven't gotten their pretenders yet. What I normally do is the following:

1) ask everybody to send me their pretender files for the game
2) put all their pretender into my newlords folder
3) create a local game with their pretenders
4) transfer the game to the network server

This is because of the following:
1) I get their email addresses. I can contact them in case I need to.
2) I can check if everything is okay, if everybody set a password and so on. Nobody unwittingly overwrites another player's pretender or takes a nation he didn't sign up for.
3) Clicking the options together is easier than steering the command line.

So, what I'd ask of you to do is parts 1) to 3) and then send me what you got. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Renojustin]

So, you want me to collect the pretenders, and then start a game with everyone's pretender files, then mail you the game file?

Won't that give me the location of everyone's capitals and knowledge of their scales and such?

[lch]

Renojustin said:
Won't that give me the location of everyone's capitals and knowledge of their scales and such?


No, not if you don't log in with their passwords after hosting the first turn. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Well, to me it seems that you initiated this game and you're the game master, so I suppose that the others trust you when it comes to this. If you think that it's better to be safe than sorry, then I could take the pretenders etc. from the players and host from the beginning. But you'd have to prepare the map and so on so that I only need to upload the pretenders and hit the "start game" button.

[Renojustin]

Well I do have the map; I generated one and it turned out to be pretty much the awesomest map I've ever seen so I'd really like to do that one. But starting positions should all be random and up for grabs still - that was an important part of the initial game concept.

I'd really prefer that I have no possible way to look at the map once capitals are in there. I don't want any special advantage if we can help it. Once this thing starts, I just want to be one more hardcore geek roleplaying my nation's guts out! Ahahaha I can't believe I have a girlfriend sometimes.

[Mozkito]

Whos e-mails are you missing (if any?)

[Renojustin]

I was JUSt working on that! lol

FrozenFalcon
Frumious

Are the only two remaining. We'll probably end up mailing Ich our pretenders, as soon as he wakes up, we might get this game started tonight even.

[Frumious]

I pmed you my email yesterday

[Renojustin]

Everything's set up... everyone needs to email Ich their pretender files now. Remember to use a password!

[Renojustin]

Sorry Frumious, I didn't see it, and I don't have it. Not much trouble since we're having Ich start the game off anyway. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[FrozenFalcon]

Sorry, I thought that I was out so I was not following this thread. But I'd like to participate anyway, sending my email.

[secretperson]

So what's the status on things now? Won't we each need a copy of that map?

[Zenzei]

Yes we need the map. I suppose we can start sending pretenders in soon because afaik Renojustin has all the emails now. I'm sure he will keep us updated.

[lch]

Renojustin, please attach the map image (Ascendant.rgb) in a post here. The file that you sent me seems truncated.

[hunt11]

how long do you think this game will last

[Zenzei]

Since there are so many players, this game might very last several months.

[lch]

I have the following pretenders so far:

Sauromatia
Helheim
Lanka
Tir'na n'Og
Ulm
Abysia
Kailasa
Fomoria
Atlantis
Caelum
C'tis
R'lyeh
T'ien Ch'i

[kasnavada]

Pretender sent !

All will come to love Claire the all-mighty !

[Mozkito]

I'll have my pretender sent tonight!

[Darkwind]

Just for clarity, what am I supposed to send? Just the pretender? I think some people have been talking about sending the map too, but I don't know, seeing as this is my first time playing MP. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[charshep]

Pretender sent.

The Old One will rise again!

[secretperson]

Dark, you just need to send your pretender.

Renojustin will have to send us the map later on in order for us to actually play once it's set up.

But you dont need to worry about that yet and can go ahead and make and send your pretender to Ich.

[Mozkito]

I was about to say secretperson, wrong person http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

C'tis pretender sent

[Zenzei]

Caelum pretender sent. Eagle Kings are ready to spread the teachings of Zenzei, the Unsleeping God to lesser races.

[Renojustin]

Which one is it? I have two files in my maps folder that say Ascendant, Ascendant.map (14kb) and Ascendant.rgb (5248kb)

[Mozkito]

both? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif and then the players put then in their maps folder yes?

[secretperson]

Yeah http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif sorry about that lol

Reno- maybe both?

[Frumious]

you'll have my pretender tomorrow

[Renojustin]

Here are the two map files... hope this works! I archived them into a .RAR file because it made me. I added the attachment to the original post too. Tell me how you guys like the looks of it.

Pretty freaking awesome, eh?! Probably the coolest map I've yet seen in Dominions.

[secretperson]

haha, when I first saw the map I was like "hey, it's north america!"

[lch]

Mozkito said:
C'tis pretender sent


Good. I updated my pretenders post. Then could you please remove the email address from your post?

[Darkwind]

Yoth'Shothogg has been sent and already her army of mindless slaves and not-so-mindless Aboleths grows.

EDIT: For some reason the "Latest Posts" section showed posts from page ~3.

[lch]

If I've been counting right then all the pretenders are in now except for hunt11 / Yomi. He PMed me and wrote that sending his god "didn't work", but no further info on what the problem is or any other sign so far. Won't be too long now, anyway.

[Real_friend]

Why protecting pretender with password if it's PBEM??

[lch]

It is not PBEM.

[Renojustin]

Awesome job, Ich. Thanks a ton for all your effort so far and obviously even more to come.

Take your time, Yomi. Not an easy nation to play imo.

[Wrana]

Map is readable. And that's what I can say about it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Darkwind]

Also, as a warning in case someone thinks I'll already ruin my e-reputation on my first time, I shall be roleplaying completely, for better or worse. Do not expect any agreements with lesser beings to last long, unless of course those lesser beings happen to have an advantage. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[hunt11]

sorry bout the wait guys i was unsure what to send but i have sent my god just now

[Zenzei]

Fair enough. You should be ready for same kind of treatment though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Darkwind]

Of course I'll be ready, with an army of mind-enslavers and mind-blasters. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[hunt11]

Role playing with Yomi is going to be fun because i can do what ever I like because they are more chaotic then evil

[Zenzei]

I have a few questions, which are relevant to my interests, I want to be clear about before the game starts.

1) Is Mist of Deception banned in this game or is it allowed to be used when not mixed with a damaging battle enchantment?

2) Is it allowed to script retreat on a mage that casts battle enchantment?

I don't want to start any arguments here so whatever our game master says will be fine by me.

[Frumious]

t'ien chi pretender sent

[lch]

Oh, I'm sorry, I miscounted. I was under the impression that there are 13 players in total, while there are 15. So I'm still short on two people:

hunt11 as Yomi and Real_friend as Agartha.
I didn't get their pretenders via email yet.

[Mozkito]

hunt11 said:
sorry bout the wait guys i was unsure what to send but i have sent my god just now



I think you sent it to the wrong e-mail boss :/

[Real_friend]

Oh. Sorry, then.I can only afford playing PBEMs.

[Renojustin]

Huh? It's even easier than PBEM. We won't charge you, either.

[lch]

Real_friend said:
Oh. Sorry, then.I can only afford playing PBEMs.



Renojustin said:
Huh? It's even easier than PBEM. We won't charge you, either.


A-ha! Thank you for that "we won't charge you" line, Justin, because I think I finally understand now why people would not want to play networked games and prefer PBEM. I guess I'm as used to Internet flat rates as you are, but I think those people are paying for their Internet connectivity per minute and think that they have to stay connected while they are preparing their turns for the game. That's NOT the case.

You can disconnect directly after your game client downloaded the latest turn from the game server, which happens automatically, prepare the turn offline like you would do it for a local or PBEM game, and then connect again to let your game client automatically upload it to the server. This is even the recommended way of playing turns.

[Wrana]

No more Agartha? It looks like pretenders began to fall even before combat... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[secretperson]

will the server info be posted here or in our e-mails?

[lch]

You will receive emails with all the info inside once the game starts.

[secretperson]

awesome, i'm getting excited here

[Renojustin]

1) Using a battlefield enchantment that stays after the mage has retreated is a major shortlist issue and is not allowed. Using evocations, buffs, whatever, and retreating is just fine though.

2) Mists of Deception, even in conjunction with battlefield enchantments, is fine as well... but see 1). You cannot script the mage to retreat, nor have the Returning ritual cast on them, nor items with the same effect, if you use a battlefield enchantment. If there is a chance to kill them, and thus negate the enchantment, it's perfectly acceptable in my opinion.

[Renojustin]

It appears as though Real_friend wants to withdraw, citing internet connectivity issues. So I'm recruiting one last person I saw in the general forums wondering how to get into his first MP game. If he doesn't answer soon, I'm going to quickly find someone who will join us ASAP.

Everyone's waited long enough to play this game, I think. I'd like to apologize to anyone who signed up for a 13 person game that then turned into a 15 person game, if it's going to inconvenience.

hunt11/Yomi, get your pretender in to Ich yet?

[Darkwind]

lch said:
You will receive emails with all the info inside once the game starts.

I really need to get Outlook Express up again, don't I? I rewrote my computer recently and never got the chance to put it back up.

[Wrana]

Understood on battle enchantments. Though it's probably less of an issue for me, with all that mighty Ulmish magic... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
To Darkwind:
And why in Hell are you going to use this... this... well, I really got no censure-allowed words for this Bill's creation? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif
This will get you to Hell! AND drop you mails. AND cause you to lose this game! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[deadboi]

I'll fill if your other guy doesn't get back to you, I've never played a MP before and was hoping to get in on this game but it was already full. Let me know, otherwise I'd like to be noted as wanting to join the next noobie game that starts up.

[lch]

You're in. You can choose between Agartha or any nation that isn't in use yet. And no, I still haven't gotten any email from hunt11.


Darkwind said:
I really need to get Outlook Express up again, don't I?


Dear gods, no, I would never require anybody to install Outlook Express! That would be unethical. But I do suppose that you use something to read and write your emails, and whatever it is, even if it's web-based, should be sufficient.

[deadboi]

Alright, I'm at work at the moment but I'll have something ready by end of day today... I guess that's relative given everyones global location. I'll be aiming to have it ready ~6 hours from now as to not cause an even bigger delay.

[lch]

Good. When you're done with the pretender, then send them to me via email together with the password that you picked for it to
http://bannerbreak.com/banners/4/854/120837151334445253.gif

[Darkwind]

If someone would be kindly enough to suggest an e-mail service other than Outlook Express, I would gladly subscribe (as long as it's free).

[deadboi]

Outlook Express is a email client. You use it to retrieve email from an existing email account, usually one that is given to you by your internet provider. If you are looking for an free email client to use other then Outlook Express there are many choices although the most popular alternative is probably Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/).

If you are looking for an email service provider there are many web based ones you can choose from and requite less setup then Outlook Express or Thunderbird. Again there are many free ones to choose from but Hotmail (http://www.hotmail.com), Yahoo! Mail (http://login.yahoo.com/), and Gmail (http://www.gmail.com) are probably the three biggest ones. Personally I would recommend Gmail because of the excessive amount of storage space they give you, clean easy to use interface, and the ads on their site are not as intrusive as the ones on Hotmail or Yahoo!.

I'll be happy to help you further if you need it.

[Renojustin]

Just worry about choosing your nation and pretender. What nation are you taking anyway? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[deadboi]

Well I'm equally good at all of them, and by that I mean I'm equally bad. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I think I'm going to give Marverni a try. No shirt, no shoes, your hired!

[Vellon]

I'm interested in joining if you have room for one more. EA Arcosephale for me, let me know!

[Vellon]

Oh and where can I find the files for my pretenders?

[Renojustin]

Sorry Vellon, Deadboi got the go-ahead to replace the one nation we needed to start, so unless someone else drops out before the (very soon) beginning of the game, it's nix for this one. Ya just weren't fast enough. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[lch]

Honestly, since hunt11 failed to send a pretender so far and has gone silent for the past few days instead of getting help, I don't see a problem of replacing him with Vellon or starting without him. That, or we wait even longer - it's the only thing holding me back from starting the game at this point.

[Renojustin]

hunt11 is still AWOL? Ok, let's jump Vellon in.

Vellon, your pretender file is under your dominions 3 folder in Savedgames - Newlords. Delete all the other files you have in there before building your pretender so you know for sure which is the correct one.

[Wrana]

To DW:
You may look either at mozilla.org or opera.com .
They both have free e-mail clients included. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif I don't remember about free specialized ones but there were quite a few of them some time ago...
To Vellon:
It's not necessary to delete all files - you can either temporaly move them into other folder or just sort them by modification time & take last one.

[hunt11]

i've been having a real problem with my email and since it will be a problem for a bit longer you guys can start without me, sorry for all the hassle

[Zenzei]

Since hunt11 is dropping out maybe Vellon should be sent a PM so he actually knows he's in the game after all?

[Darkwind]

I've got an email client now! I'm ready! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Renojustin]

Ich, please just start the game as soon as you have 15 pretenders in, whoever makes it first is fine, I think everyone is ready to play.

Make the first turn 48 hours long, in case someone misses exactly when it starts, then 24 hours thereafter.

[lch]

Sure, I'll do that. I already have deadboi's pretender and I've just sent a PM to Vellon, too. When his pretender is in I'll start the game.

[Mozkito]

You will post in this thread when the game starts right? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Vellon]

I've just emailed off my pretender now!

[Vellon]

How does the PBEM thing work, I get my turn file e-mailed to me, play it and then e-mail the host back my turn?

[Wrana]

As far as I know, yes. But somebody said here something that it's not quite PBEM... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Shigure]

We're not using PBEM; lch is running a server. Basically, lch's fancy scripts email you a notification when a new turn is ready. Then you connect to the server through the Network option, select your nation and enter your password. After the game downloads the turn file, you can either play your turn directly on the server, or you can then disconnect and play the turn offline through the Play an Existing Game option. After finishing your turn, when you reconnect to the server it will automatically upload your turn. All in all, it's a lot more convenient than PBEM.

[lch]

What he wrote.

The game is up and running, everybody should have received a message with the info. Except for Darkwind / R'lyeh, because his mail bounced back: "User unknown". Please give me an email address that can actually receive the turn notifications. For a game that's running with a 24 hours timer this could be very important unless you check the game server status (http://valhalla.techno-mage.com/stats/stats.php?game=Ascendant) a couple of times each day yourself. In there is the server/port info how to connect, too, Darkwind.

P.S.: The VP win options that you wanted are not possible to achieve through normal game setup. But it will be quite easy to make out from the graphs when one nation gets 7 VPs and holds them for one turn. Shouldn't be surprising, too.

P.P.S.: Renojustin, please remove my email address from any and all posts. Especially that first one. If you need to tell people about the email address, you can link to the graphic (http://bannerbreak.com/banners/4/854/120837151334445253.gif).

[Zenzei]

Let's roll!

[Renojustin]

Sauromatia is awakening to the glory of the new goddess. Woe be to the foe who crosses us with economic or military aggression!

The Black Knives stand ready to flay the flesh of men once more as in days of old, except of course that of the mighty and virile Androphags, the only men worthy to fight by the side of the Amazon Queens. So don't let the name fool you.

[Wrana]

Ulm is beginning its victorious march. CRROOMMM!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

To Ich:
So THEY began to fubar your mail? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
And also, what's the reason you consider this more convinient than PBEM?

[kasnavada]

All shall love Claire !

[Mozkito]

Its more convinient because you dont have to drag 2h files all over the place

[Wrana]

Well, it's not that they take so much space... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Renojustin]

lol "Claire"

[kasnavada]

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

[Darkwind]

I still haven't received the message http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif I even PMed Ich what I believe is my email (bloody rewrite must have messed up something, that or I'm more computer illiterate than I thought).

[Frumious]

lets finish the first turn...cmon...

[kasnavada]

Don't be hasty, the new turns will some soon enough, and you meet Claire and be swayed by her beauty and strenght !

[Vellon]

When you're dealing with 60+ nations and a war on three fronts you'll be glad you're only playing a turn every day or two.

[Renojustin]

I freakin love T'ien C'hi's pretender. lol

[Wrana]

And how do you profess to see 60+ nations? I'd like to know it.
To Ren:
Well, C'tis one also has something in him... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Darkwind]

Have I been forgotten? I still haven't received any email or PM. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Shigure]

Whoops, Darkwind missed the first turn. Oh, well, as R'lyeh it shouldn't be a big problem. Darkwind, you can find the server location and current status here: http://valhalla.techno-mage.com/stats/stats.php?game=Ascendant If your email isn't working you won't get notices when a new turn is hosted, so keep watching that page.

And it seems that Claire has already met something that was neither swayed by beauty nor strength....

[Darkwind]

I did miss the first turn! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif I'm not sure why I'm not getting the automatic e-mails/PMs/whatever, but I'll probably be changing my email soon enough and will tell everyone what it is when I get it.

For now, I'm going to be struggling to catch up with Atlantis power-wise (well, struggling with everyone for that matter). Bah, at least I have Giboleths (the least costly mind-blasting unit in the game, I think, at the very least the least costly one in any R'lyeh age)

[Frumious]

Looks like Rlyeh and Atlantis are going to have an early clash.

[Darkwind]

Actually, no, we're on two different water-masses. I can't get my Giboleths to their side, sadly.

[Frumious]

Ah...that's a problem for us then. Both of you have big oceans to yourselves. Looks like 8 provinces for Atlantis with another 3 a hop away, and 11 for Rlyeh.

[lch]

I'm sorry, I was away over yesterday. I reset the server timer once when I left, but still two people staled. I was hoping that this was enough to tell people who didn't receive the email where to get the host/port from:


lch said:
Please give me an email address that can actually receive the turn notifications. For a game that's running with a 24 hours timer this could be very important unless you check the game server status (http://valhalla.techno-mage.com/stats/stats.php?game=Ascendant) a couple of times each day yourself. In there is the server/port info how to connect, too, Darkwind.



To be honest, I really don't like to host 24 hour games because those do tend to get quite hurried, I much prefer 48 hour games which end up with less stales and more or less the same turn frequency in early game due to quickhosting.

How should we proceed now? Take this as a lesson and continue, or do the staling parties feel strongly that I should reset the game and host the second turn again?

[lch]

Wrana said:
So THEY began to fubar your mail? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
And also, what's the reason you consider this more convinient than PBEM?


If you mean spammers by THEY, then yes. I'm on the net for over 10 years now and thus quite aware about those bots that are spidering through the web and harvesting email addresses.

I think that email shouldn't be the transport medium for something which can be done directly on the net. Especially considering how email is encoded and delivered. It's like riding on ox carts for your travels because you're enjoying the countryside so much or whatever. On the user side, I don't like to receive more mail than I must in general, and hate anything other than basic-text messages, plus the downloading of the turn files into the appropriate folders and attaching the proper files into the response messages.

[Darkwind]

Well, I don't really care too much about that one turn, though it could easily be the key between winning and losing. R'lyeh can produce ~1 chaff army for offense every 2-3 turns. If I don't care about whether or not I use Mind Lords as commanders, I could easily get a chaff army per turn from each fort.

Though resetting the game would be nice, it's not necessary, I think. The other staling party might not think so, though.

[Renojustin]

The prophet of Frannabelle fell into a trance. Upon awakening, the fierce warrior-priestess prophesied through her filed, bloodstained teeth, "whosoever captures the middle water shall hold the seas entire."

[Wrana]

To Ich:
Understood. Can't say I completely agree but this idea has something in it. (on reflection): And probably more the more games/etc. you take part in.
And yes, I meant THEM exactly. BTW, idea of posting mail as picture has something to it, too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Vellon]

I like the idea of moving the limit up to 24 hours and letting the autohost take care of moving the game faster.

[Renojustin]

Vellon said:
I like the idea of moving the limit up to 24 hours and letting the autohost take care of moving the game faster.



That is what is happening now. Says it right there in the OP. Not to mention playing the game so far ought to have maybe given you some kinda clue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Vellon]

Whoops! I meant 48. It is very late, I swear.

[Renojustin]

Haha it's ok, I actually meant to come back and edit out a little bit of the harshness there.

Anyway, has anyone had any lucky events or found any nice provinces, etc, yet?

[Wrana]

Well, I didn't take my 2nd turn... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif Probably because I made "save & quit" to think it up later. Nevertheless, I will probably catch up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Darkwind]

Just to clarify in case a few of you missed, I'll be roleplaying a bit. For example (hopefully this isn't confidential), I offered Caelum (at least I think it was Caelum) a 2-turn NAP a while ago cushioned between praising myself, which he never replied to(I'd at least hoped for a "no").

If it wasn't Caleum, then it was at least the guy who just sent me a message saying "Greetings!".

[Zenzei]

I'm rather sure you didn't send 2 turn NAP offer to Caelum. I always reply something to that kind of messages.

[Darkwind]

Actually, I remembered the "Greetings!" coming from Arcoscephale, but I checked the first post and didn't see Arco there, so I assumed it was Caelum (since, you know, I confuse Caelum and Arcoscephale all the time). It appears this Aboleth's brain isn't quite so large as it should be http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zenzei]

We Eagle Kings find confusing our glorious nation with lowly humans somewhat insulting but we also understand that prolonged exposure to high pressure of the deeps may be damaging to Aboleth's mental faculties, so we let it go this time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Ninja edit: It's only turn 5 but I've already totally fallen in love with these flying scouts Caelum has. Nothing gives better picture of world happenings than these guys.

[Renojustin]

Pangaea's harpies are slightly better, but that's it for national recruitable scouts.

[Frumious]

Can flying guys fly over neutral or enemy controlled provinces?

[Renojustin]

Absolutely.

[Darkwind]

Zenzei said:
We Eagle Kings find confusing our glorious nation with lowly humans somewhat insulting but we also understand that prolonged exposure to high pressure of the deeps may be damaging to Aboleth's mental faculties, so we let it go this time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

We Aboleths do not memorize the names of species we enslave or will enslave. It simply wastes time better spent enslaving.

On another topic, I've gotta say I love R'lyeh's Giboleths. Cheapest mind blasters in the game. When you're done with them, put them on "Attack closest" and let them die.

[Renojustin]

The humble envoy of Sauromatia wishes an audience with the ruler of the great northern lake.

[Wrana]

Well, he can just enter the water... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Renojustin]

Ok ok, the ruler BY the great northern lake.

Everyone having a good time? What's going on with Lanka? What happened to Claire? Is Kailasa clashing with another great nation or with barbarians? These are the days of our lives.

[secretperson]

Lanka unfortunately starts with quite a crap army and has had a little bit of a slow start but hopes to pick up the pace very soon.

[Renojustin]

Don't tell Lanka, but I'm secretly glad that they've been a touch slow at the beginning, because they are just scary quite quickly and then thereafter.

[Frumious]

Kailasa is fighting another nation, and is getting its butt kicked.

[secretperson]

Don't worry, I won't tell Lanka http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Shigure]

It's a bit early to say getting its butt kicked -- we have yet to fight a major battle -- but yes, I'm being rushed by Caelum. And Kailasa has the same slow start as Lanka.

I am now 2 for 2 MP games in "getting rushed by the first nation to touch borders", and 2 for 2 games in "being attacked by Caelum the turn after touching borders". I'm really starting to hate Caelum.

[Darkwind]

I may or may not tell R'lyeh of Kailasa's plight. It all depends http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif R'lyeh may or may not entreat a bystander nation to attack either participant in this war of Kailasa's. (A hint: The reason monkey PD supposedly sucks is because of this tiny little monkeys. Trample works much better on the size 1 units. Build bigger units?)(no offense to you, currently unknown second participant, just diplomacy)

Also, for all to see, I offer this to Atlantis:

PREAMBLE

The seas of Ascendant are beginning to be divided. Already, at least two nations have laid a significant claim to the seas. Soon, as many new nations begin to grow, the seas will become a divided mess, and inevitably lead to the downfall of the great nations of R'lyeh and Atlantis, who have begun in the sea and should, by rights, control the sea and all of its inhabitants. No land-dweller should control any water province without the consent of one of the great two nations under the water. Without further ado, I present an Alliance which well serve to intensify the goodwill between R'lyeh and Atlantis and increase the chances of both nations surviving past the first few years of this chaos. Without further ado, here is the offer:

/PREAMBLE

Fellow sea-dwellers! R'lyeh humbly offers you this proposal of a great alliance to be accepted or decline upon your whims. The specifics of this alliance are as follows:

1. R'lyeh and Atlantis, and all vassal states of these nations, may not in any way purposefully harm the other faction. This includes, but is not limited to, war, bribing or in any purposeful way causing a nation to declare war, or aiding in a war against the other faction in this Alliance unless the other faction is given five months' notice. This Alliance of R'lyeh and Atlantis may only be released from effect by one of the founding members of this Alliance after seven months' warning to the other founding member of this alliance.

2. R'lyeh, Atlantis, and all vassal states of these must aid in a war in which the other participates, if that is possible, and it is not against any parties involved in this Alliance.

3. Sea territory shall be divided so that R'lyeh may take all sea provinces fully or mostly west of province 100(the northernmost province in the middle lake), and Atlantis all provinces fully or mostly east of said province. This will divide the middle lake into two equal parts, one owned by R'lyeh and another by Atlantis.

4. A "vassal state" is any nation which has acknowledged defeat against R'lyeh or Atlantis, and acknowledged that it will in some way pay tribute to R'lyeh or Atlantis. Paying tribute to includes, but is not limited to, ceding provinces, paying a monthly gold or gem "tax" to R'lyeh or Atlantis, giving items to a member of this Alliance whenever demanded, declaring war upon another nation when demanded by a member of this Alliance, and periodically giving a member of this Alliance maps.

5. A nation can gain membership in this Alliance with the permission of both Atlantis and R'lyeh, or if it is a vassal state of either of these nations.

6. All members of this alliance must help forcibly expel any nation which has claims in a water province without the express permission of that province's intended owner.

[Frumious]

So, if R'lyeh and Atlantis team up to keep all us land nations out of the oceans, should us land nations decide to keep R'lyeh and Atlantis from taking a single land province? Who loses more, there? Not us.

[Zenzei]

A wind cold and silent as the grave itself blows from the Spire Horn towards the lands of the monkey people and ravens black as night come along with it as they can already taste the coming feast. Soon the ancient people of Kailasa will depart this world and join their ancestors residing the celestial sphere.

Third party nations should think twice about the whisper of R'lyeh, which are trying incite a larger war. Getting involved in the war between Caelum and Kailasa isn't wise for by doing so one is only serving the devious agendas of the aboleths.

-----

@Shigure: We will have a major battle soon enough. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Please don't nurture hateful thoughts towards Caelum for Eagle Kings are quite fun. Instead, give them a try yourself and soon you will love the sweet odor of ozone.

-----

@Darkwind: Now that's quite an announcement your Aboleths made there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[secretperson]

Fat chance on getting all 13 or 15 or however many land based nations to all work together on that

[Shigure]

Zenzei said:
We will have a major battle soon enough. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



I was really hoping you'd go straight for my capital instead of taking the scenic route through the hinterland. But yes, soon: yavana versus mammoth! ... why do I suspect I'm in trouble?


Please don't nurture hateful thoughts towards Caelum for Eagle Kings are quite fun. Instead, give them a try yourself and soon you will love the sweet odor of ozone.



Oh, I know, I know. I was this close to choosing Caelum for my first game, and almost did this time around, too. But I am getting thoroughly sick of fighting them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I would make a proposal to all the creatures, be they ape or hairless, of the land -- indeed we should ban the creatures of the sea from our pristine shores, but also the creatures of the sky have no place here. Let them rest upon the water like ducks or soar among the winds, but the land must be reserved for those who would walk or swing from the trees!

[Renojustin]

The prophet of Sauromatia thusly spake, "if the powers of the east and west seas make common cause, nor they shall taste the sweetness of the air long, and be relegated to the depths evermore."

Simians gibber in righteous fury and counterstorm the lands of the winged men, led by shining demigods. The Eagle Lords watch in amusement from their mountain fastnesses and send more of their giant beasts of war to crush their debris-flinging enemies. All of Ulm takes up arms as the expert builders of Marverni raise the first great fortification.

The manflayers seal their borders tight against possible aggression, their heavy taxes oppressing the people who have no choice for the enless, cruel patrols of their masters. The hanged kings and cursed ones quietly and efficiently conquer province after province with none the wiser. The demons, sated from gorging on the hapless populace of their first devastating assault, take another land and begin to feed anew.

The masters of the five elements relentlessly scour their empire for sources of magic, finding trove after trove of places of high magic, and the snake people of the south pursue the secrets of life and death as though their entire culture may depend on it.

The ancient aboleths whisper from the cold seas, and the sleepers awaken...

[Wrana]

And Rightful Ruler of Ulm and Lands Beyond therefore proclaimes a Holy War on debasable, degenerate and degradate Fomoria! Let's our Blades of bright Steel spill their unclean blood! Let the Land be cleansed of their unholy presence and their ghoulish visages! Surely they are not fitting neighboors for honest humans.

[Darkwind]

Everyone's rather surprised by my announcement, it seems. However, it all works out in the end. I don't plan on backstabbing Atlantis until the later mid-game, at least. Dividing the seas when there's still quite a bit of significant opposition is a foolish idea. You see, Atlantis, my offer is quite sincere. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Also, thanks for summing up the game so far, Reno. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

And finally, by looking back, I noticed Charshep's last post on this thread was page 5.

[Zenzei]

@Shigure: Well fought! Your bless was very effective against my mammoths. However, that wasn't all I have in store for you.

I predicted troubles for you because I'm going to give you some. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Shigure]

Zenzei said:
Well fought! Your bless was very effective against my mammoths. However, that wasn't all I have in store for you.



As if I was going to train yavanas en masse without giving them a decent bless. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif If I had known I would be up against a rushing Caelum, though, I think I would have gone with a water bless instead, or maybe even a major air bless. Every turn the yavanas spend walking up to your archers is pain.


I predicted troubles for you because I'm going to give you some. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



I believe you already have, good sir!

[Renojustin]

lol @ R'lyeh - opposition?! What are we gonna do, pee at you?

[Darkwind]

I'm sure someone, at least, has an Ichthyid province by now. It's not hard to get Rings of Water breathing and Shamblers, either. I don't think anyone's really devoted themselves to creating an empire based on the land yet(except perhaps Caelum and Kailasa, who are busy pre-tenderizing one another for whoever decides to eviscerate the winner). If one gathers enough provinces and Rings of Water Breathing, one could probably just spam enough commanders to take down an indy province(although that's a rather unorthodox method).

[Renojustin]

And if you believe that, I've got some wonderful lowland meadows real estate for sale in Sauromatia.

[Frumious]

T'ien C'hi speaks...

What is your intention, Sauromatia? Do not extend any farther past the mountain range you have just gone beyond, unless you wish war.

[Renojustin]

We have dispatched our envoy to your many-tiered Palace of The Five Elements atop Mount Fortune. There he will speak our words to your lord.

[Darkwind]

At the very least, the alliance will bring peace to the water and dispose of a large enemy for both Atlantis and me.

In other news, Fomoria and Helheim staled.

[Renojustin]

Only Helheim missed a turn.

[Wrana]

Well, it's possible he just slept as dead.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Shigure]

There was a battle in Keban.

Our forces defeated the attacking force from Caelum.

Friendly Combatants
commanders 4, killed 0.
regular units 46, killed 7
magic beings 27, killed 4

Enemy Combatants
commanders 5, killed 3
regular units 79, killed 73




Yow. I was expecting to win that battle, but not so decisively. (I was also expecting to rehire those mercenaries; you must have paid a decent fortune for them, Caelum!)

[Frumious]

Looks like Kailasa has some teeth after all...luckily it is easy to counter yavanas...after all, a water bless won't save you from arrows.

[Shigure]

Frumious said:
Looks like Kailasa has some teeth after all...luckily it is easy to counter yavanas...after all, a water bless won't save you from arrows.



That's the funny thing. You're absolutely right, and that is why I was expecting nasty casualties. His army was primarily spire horn archers and mercenary longbowmen, but they ended up wasting most of their effort trying to hit my mercenary heavy infantry.

(By the way, I didn't take a water bless. I have a major fire bless and a minor air bless.)

[Darkwind]

Kailasa appears to be winning. Perhaps Caelum's elephant rush was not so smart?

In other news, Burning Ones look suspiciously like Slave Princes.

Also, why did T'ien Chi's research drop so suddenly? Hmm . . .

[Zenzei]

That battle was indeed quite depressing to watch. I had bought lot of archers with no other purpose than shoot at large enemy monster and afaik Yavanas are size 3, no? But as Shigure said my archers were more interested in wasting arrows to heavy infantry with shields, while the Yavanas proceeded to slaughter my army. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
Is there some kind of size limit, like size 5, before "attack/fire large monsters" command starts to work?

@Darkwind: Aye, I'm starting to think the rush wasn't such a good idea because it has cost me lot of troops and expansion time but Kailasa really did look like a good target when I first found him.
I have learned something important from this rush attempt, my first one obviously, though. Elephant/mammoth rush tactic really needs to be planned before the game even starts and awake pretender is mandatory for getting the enemy capital locked down fast.

Kailasa may try counterattack me to death if he wants but I promise to make it equally painful experience for him as he did my rush to me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Darkwind]

But you're still losing, so I think it would be a better idea to give Shigure a few provinces(maybe cede the ones he's already taken, if he currently owns any you have) in return for peace. That way, you can eventually have revenge instead of being destroyed and Kailasa gets a few provinces and a nice army for steamrolling indys. Of course, considering your earlier loss Kailasa could probably just eat you whole, if you never find a working strategy.

[Renojustin]

Helheim with 10 points of research... strange considering how well their commanders can self-buff. Those are some pretty great thugs right off the starting line, but they ought to have taken SOME magic given the efficacy of cheap buffs early on.

Looks like Kailasa probably has the forces to take down Caelum's capital after that last rout they presided over. What happened to the mammoths? Won't anyone think of the mammoths? They'll pretty much HAVE to take the capital now to stay competitive after a nasty short war of attrition there.

R'lyeh seems to be getting a startling amount of gold income out of its sea provinces. They must have a much higher population than the eastern seas under Atlantis. Will Atlantis be able to take the middle sea to compensate?

Thank goodness T'ien C'hi's gem income has levelled off in the last few turns. I was getting a bit nervous there that we'd be drowning in Celestial Gardeners by turn 20.

Ulm has been expanding at a fearsome rate for Ulm. Their war against Fomoria must be going exceedingly well. EA Ulmishmen are basically made to take out giants. If nothing happens to drastically change the face of that clash, Ulm will soon be recruiting giant-killers out of two different capitals.

Looks like Lanka continues to struggle... unless he's just blood-hunting the crap out of his provinces and summoning a ton of stuff for a dam-bursting strategy.

I think I reduced my population a bit too much with excessive patrolling and taxes... but at least I've fortified my borders, and reduced my profile as a target. I'm feeling kinda scorched-earthy now. It's a lot like you just went out and spent all your money on something and don't have buyer's remorse. Or a long day working and you feel dirty and tired but good about yourself.

Anything else going on out there that the world should know about? Everyone having fun?! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Darkwind]

R'lyeh formally declares a state of hostility between the unholy children of lizards and men and the Great Aboleth race, upon urging from R'lyeh's ally Marverni.

(Am I allowed to use bastard on this forum and in the game? I'd love to, but I'm afraid of getting a warn, or temporary ban, or whatever it is that happens when someone breaks the rules here http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )

[Wrana]

Well, it looks like abominations of Fomoria weren't so tough after all... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Though they may still have something up their sleeves (for they wear sleeves for that express purpose! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ).
BTW, we are quite open to peace-talks with any true humans... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
To Shigure!
Bravo! But if you need to say him which Bless you actually have, it probably won't make much difference... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
To Frumious:
BTW, Yavana have some quite savage archers of their own... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Renojustin]

Ossa you know you can be taking two turns at once when you're the last one to finish a turn!

[Ossa]

Sorry - dont have internet access at home at the moment and have to go to university for doing my turns;)
About my research - hey, I just dont know how to use this self buffs, so I sent everyone around to search for gallows and hanging people.

[Renojustin]

It's all good! Good luck with your site searching then. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Darkwind]

It appears Sauromatia already has an astral income. Thanks for showing me our armies, Reno. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Mozkito]

R'yleh? The ssstar children do not ssscare me. You will rue the day your crystal landed on thisss world!

[Darkwind]

Mozkito said:
R'yleh? The ssstar children do not ssscare me. You will rue the day your crystal landed on thisss world!

What star children do you speak of? Remember, at this point R'lyeh proper is still falling from the sky. Aboleths rule the seas, and a giant shard of flaming gas hasn't squashed them yet.

[Mozkito]

...why you gotta ruin my fun like that? I meant it in a metaphorical sense anyhow ;P

[Darkwind]

Aboleths aren't star children, even metaphorically. They're not into rad new crazes like mind-altering drugs or bowing down to the might of Yoth'Shothogg (They've been doing that for millenia). They haven't introduced any new concepts to the world(since they're, you know, about as old as the world), or, well, anything that "star children" might do. Other than conquering the planet and enslaving the lesser races, of course.

[Renojustin]

Christians say the Earth is 5000 years old, scientists say 3.5-4.5 billion years. Let's split the difference and call it 1.75 billion years old.

Yoth'Shothogg is only a spry 3850!

Then again, the land of Ascendant could be anywhere from 5000 (and everyone older than that migrated here) to an infinite amount of years old.

Ok I'm stopping now. Please let's not continue this topic as it's probably too geeky even for Dominions forums.

[Darkwind]

I never said my pretender was as old as Ascendant, nor any of the individual Aboleths. Only the Aboleth race as a whole.

By the way, Reno, why is your pretender right next to one of my provinces? I still don't get it.

[Renojustin]

Vooosh!

[Wrana]

To Renojustin :
What do you say? Actual age of land of Ascendant is very fine topic! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Unfortunately, Acashic Records do not provide a paleonthological data for us to analyse. So it would be very inconclusive discussion... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Renojustin]

Ahhh but Acashic Records reveal everything. They start by measuring the half-life of certain rare compounds such as Rubinium and Succubinium. Then they go on to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the bar, and as we all know, bar gossip is one of the main ways of finding specific information that you need to know in a fantasy world.

We'll need a strong Astral mage to cast it; where's Yoth'Shothogg? ...but then it would probably lie about it to suit its own unknowable, nefarious purposes! And then there's Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.

Perhaps we'll never know for sure just how old the ancient and sacred land of Ascendant is. The only thing we can be certain of is that it is the birthplace of a GOD!!

[Darkwind]

If you count the entire series, so far it's been the birthplace of two gods (perhaps three), and will soon witness the birth of another.

And Yoth'Shothogg is too busy making sure that the Aboleths have access to land to cast any spells for this so-called "common good". Who wants common good anyways? I want excellent good, good that only I have access to. I'm not letting the other pretenders use my toys! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Wrana]

Well, depending on point of view, it was birthplace of about 15 gods... Check it - must add one for previous Pantokrator. It's just that most of them currently are sleeping over results of the last party with the person mentioned above... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Mozkito]

The C'tis have bathed too long in the warm sun! Therefore Staling a turn! Damn 3 misfortune...never again...

[Vellon]

Well that'll teach me for searching for magic sites with my pretender. Damn helheim and their glamour to the grave.

So how much work is it to revive a dead pretender?

[Shigure]

Long has the Lord Stravinsky achieved enlightenment, and just as long have there been those, hairless and ape, who doubt him. How can this be -- has he not escaped the cycle of samsara, has he not in so doing embodied samsara itself?

Perhaps there was the greatest doubt when I, his disciple Amitrajit, declared that there would be peace with the people of the sky. "In our moment of triumph?" cried the ape people in anger. So cried the most holy of the White Ones, so cried the slightest of the Atavi. The markata cried nothing but instead flung feces. Though the apes are the most enlightened of peoples, even they could not see the truths that Lord Stravinsky knew. Even I could not see them, even as I knew they were there.

But there they were. Following the peace, after a single season has not the land of the apes doubled in size? Are not the sky people, who were before trapped in the cycle of violence and suffering, now shaken from their complacency, now ready to seek the path to enlightenment? After our show of leniency, has not Devasura, a long-fallen Devata, returned to us seeking redemption?

[Renojustin]

Battles rage in the south.

An innocent godling falls. Helheim's deathly black horses make no sound, nor the Hanged Kings yell shouts of triumph, but are quiet as the grave.

Brave warriors with shining swords scream their defiance, some clad in the first masterworks of chainmail, some wearing only shirts of their own manly, manly chest hair. Death spares neither.

In the north, empires rise.

A mysterious race of giants calls out for mercy, for help. Their children starve, wanting, wanting. So close to a land of magic and plenty, they sailed the seas and left their lands, for what? To be overwhelmed and slain by howling savages bearing fire and steel. They are truly cursed. Crom smiles.

The apes cry for vengeance for their lost dead, but their bright lord stays his hand. For how long, and at what price?

In the east, a mighty ocean power comes into its own, opposed by none.

The aboleths seethe from their oceans in the west and covet the lands of the lizard people with their rich soil and bright gold. The lizards lounge in the searing rays of their unnatural bright sun, suspecting much but too happy and fat to bestir themselves.

A bloody, ominous moon rises over the summer skies in the land of Ascendant.

[Mozkito]

Truly Epic

[Ossa]

I love your post. Keep it on:)

[Darkwind]

I agree, quite an epic post.

Hmm, I wonder if I should warn C'tis? Naahh, they'll survive. Or won't, perhaps. Depends upon my mood. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Wrana]

Crom smiles. And, being of lenient mood lately, offers a peace treaty to a certain neighbor...
And "savages" we'll show you in time! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Also, sharp-eyed scouts of Ulm people have lately seen a sign which they failed to interpret for now: it seems that children of the waves are now trying to establish themselves as a major power on dry land, too... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Darkwind]

Say, Reno, are you by any chance attacking Tir na n'Og? Because I'm going to look like an idiot if you haven't. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[Renojustin]

Why would you look like an idiot? lol

[kasnavada]

People are crazy around here, already killing each other like this !

Why can't we just have peace ! Claire likes peace.

[Renojustin]

I thought Claire was taking a nice dirt nap currently. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Wrana]

And probably doesn't want noise around her ears at the time. It's really quite simple! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Darkwind]

Then I shall order Yoth'Shothogg to order the Aboleths to make all the noise they can, in order to put Claire off-balance. Let loose the dogs of war! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[Wrana]

Well, it's certainly said about being "mute as fishes"... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Though you may try.

[Darkwind]

Don't worry, these fishes will be making a very large noise. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And Reno, I'd look like an idiot because I sent TNnO a few gems to help with the war effort, because let's face it, you're big enough as is. I also expressed a desire not to join TNnO, as that would quite probably mean imminent destruction.

[Renojustin]

I am not attacking Tir na n'Og. I quite like the nation.

Frannabelle and Sauromatia on the other hand, have no other choice, and are a different matter entirely. The faerie people are too weird and wild. They steal babes from cradles, cavort and prance around rings of mushrooms and on moonlit hilltops at night, and in general make quite a nuisance of themselves. Fir Bolgs are very hairy and brutish and besides are better farmers than the Sauromatians. A fact which even the Sauromatian farmers can agree they don't really appreciate much.

The thing about Sauromatia is that they are quite good at initial expansion... and quite limited by mid- and endgame. I think that they're well balanced, except in MP where they may be weak. Because they have a high rate of expansion at first, others may percieve them to be dangerous, which neatly curtials their later expansion as other nations look at Sauromatia nervously or with envy.

Don't fear, their borders will soon be well-defined and sealed to the outside world. And Sauromatia certainly doesn't fear, with its rock-solid wall of immense province defense (you may have noticed their gold income), and awesome fast-response teams of cavalry, hydras, and composite bows.

It's one thing to be helping Tir out with advice, and I would do the same for anyone on the map if asked directly. This game really benefits from people sharing knowledge and hashing out scenarios between themselves...as long as you don't go so far as to help out her enemies materially. That might make her angry. You wouldn't want to see her angry. I hope for the sake of your mealy-mouthed crustaceans of the deep that by gems you meant strategies and tactics and not the things used to create magic. At best, that would be a foolish waste, at worst, an invitation to genocide.

Besides, the merciful and just Frannabelle herself went so far as to give Tir na n'Og three months to prepare for her coming. And they have pretty great mages, thugs, magic paths, and units. Let's see how they fare!

[kasnavada]

Well Claire isn't in dirt, she's guiding us from the skies !

But do not fear, for she will be back !

[Renojustin]

If Fickle of Fomoria misses a turn at this stage of the game, he probably ought to be set to AI control. This is because he has never posted once here beyond his initial signup notice, and has in fact ceased answering any ingame or private messages at all over the course of the last few turns.

It's far from an ideal solution, but it's not fair to everyone else, and not very classy to 'give up' just because you're in a bad position. This is especially true when victory conditions for the map are only 7 of 15 capitals. Also, low (to no) participation on the forum thread is a real downer for those of us who try quite hard to keep the game entertaining, fast-paced and full of character.

In other words, speak out, put out, and don't puss out!

[Wrana]

Well, he had pulled at least one trick which I thought he could use currently, so he may be still with us. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif BTW, that's another reason we had to attack Fomors - they are too tricky! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
I also noted some strange behaviour of the game in our part of the world - some of my armies hadn't move as ordered & probably his didn't, too (I can't know for sure whether he ordered them for the reason you just mentioned). But this is another question completely. Did you try to PM him?
As for advice I consider it a part of cooperation. It's fine to share it, but it IS a behavour of an ally (not one very forthcoming with his help, but still). So I see no qualitative difference between trade, actual subsidies or advice. THe latter is harder to prove, certainly, though... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Renojustin]

There's an enormous difference between giving gems and gold and items, and giving advice. One you can recieve from anyone on the forums. If I had to consider anyone an enemy that gave an opponent advice, well then, there wouldn't be many people left in the community that I could say wasn't an enemy!

Giving someone gems, gold, or magic items, though, to fight another nation, is clearly a hostile move against that nation. Why do you think the United States is so upset with Iran?

For your turns, make sure you're using the Network, and not just Play An Existing Game. If you do, then make sure you go to the network and ensure that the 2h files upload.

Regarding Fomoria, it's really too bad he didn't stay and stick out the game, for a host of reasons. I hope he turns in some faster turns in recompense.

[Darkwind]

Fomoria staled? That sucks. They were the only other guys who could catch up with my huge numbers of chaff, too, at the beginning. They kind of petered out, though.

On a brighter note, I love Mind Lords. Especially against cavalry that are an integral part of an enemy's army. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif As I'm a bit drunk on my recent winnings, I'll repeat my message to C'tis(in English, not roleplayese):

Give me provinces 27 and 18, and the ocean province to the south of those if you have it, and give all provinces to the east of said three provinces to Marverni. Those are the terms of peace.

[Wrana]

One you can recieve from anyone on the forums.


Anyone on the forums and anyone in current game are two different anyones. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif For the person playing in current game has his/her own objectives in it. For example, I gladly gived advice to the person in Strolling game who fought against the one who was to close to ultimate victory at the moment. I wouldn't probably do it if their fight was more equal (but, on the other hand, I sent him gold, too http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ).

is clearly a hostile move against that nation. Why do you think the United States is so upset with Iran?


For a number of reasons mostly having to do with a control on world's oil production, if you REALLY want my opinion. But it's, while an interesting question, still the one which requires much space & time, as well as being OT here.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Better example would probably be a WW1 America-Germany relations. Then America clearly aided England while remaining officailly non-fighting country (& yes, I know that there were pro-German factions in America also, which was one of the reasons of such behaviour). But if you remember Cold War, than transfer of information/advice was one of major parts of help which Great Powers passed to their satellits.. Unfortunately, there are few abilities to share research results in this game... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

make sure you're using the Network, and not just Play An Existing Game. If you do, then make sure you go to the network and ensure that the 2h files upload.


Thanks, but I'm not that much of a lamer. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I've just posted it here to illustrate that there can be a reason for Fickle's strange behaviour. And you didn't answer whether or not you tried to reach him via PM or even e-mail. It would be a simple courtesy if you said all this to him first. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[FrozenFalcon]

By the way, if someone betrays a NAP, is it ok to reveal this during game or should I wait after the game is over? I understand that this is not against the rules but I think that players should know which players are trustworthy.

[Darkwind]

Revealing who betrays who can be an integral part of survival. Someone's betrayed you? Make someone (or someones) believe they've won your devotion by helping you defeat an untrustworthy ally. As someone else put it, there are two games in MP--the physical Dominions game, and the diplomacy game. if you lose either, you lose both.

[Renojustin]

Our agreement was that I would give you 266 gold and 3 turns of peace for a province. That was the deal, no more and no less. I thought I'd be nice since I had such overwhelming force and a fast start. Those three turns ended, and I invaded.

I mean, I basically told you when I was going to attack; even more of a windfall for you when I could have just moved in immediately and given you no gold at all.

And with regards to aiding and abetting an enemy being an offensive act or not, well that really depends on the nation who it offends, doesn't it? Because their reaction is very important...

[Mozkito]

Darkwind said:
On a brighter note, I love Mind Lords. Especially against cavalry that are an integral part of an enemy's army. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif As I'm a bit drunk on my recent winnings, I'll repeat my message to C'tis(in English, not roleplayese):

Give me provinces 27 and 18, and the ocean province to the south of those if you have it, and give all provinces to the east of said three provinces to Marverni. Those are the terms of peace.



Your mindless peoples and those bare skinned ninnies will never have my lands! Never!

[Darkwind]

We've already taken some of them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

[Mozkito]

They will be mine once again soon enough... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

[Vellon]

Totally tangential but the idea that the middle east controls the world's oil supply is a huge fallacy. North America only imports about 3% of their oil supply each year from the middle east.

That said, is there any way to know where the hell Helmheim's armies are?