Silvan, Running

[IndyPendant]

Silvan

Game Type: Llamaserver (DO NOT PASSWORD YOUR PRETENDERS!)
Speed: 24 hours quickhost for the first 20 or so turns moving to 48 hours per host after that (or when 3 players request it).
Era: Middle
Map: Modified Lonely Mermaid (attached here), with 99 land and 14 sea provinces, and fixed starting locations.
Players: 7 land, 1 sea.
Nation Selection: First come, first served (post here in the thread). We will be starting after the upcoming patch, so feel free to choose one of the new nations if you wish.
Victory Conditions: To the death! Or surrender of all players. (This is feasible on a map with <120 provinces.)
Research: Hard
Hall of Fame: 15
Renaming: On
Graphs: Off
Everything Else: Defaults
Mods: Conceptual Balance v1.21 Pretenders and Scales ONLY (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3smm&Number=578909) (second post in the linked thread, "segmented download"), plus Worthy Heroes v1.8 (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=560854). (Unless the new patch breaks any of these mods and they are not fixed in time, in which case we will play without them.)

I had to create the .map file for this from scratch, so there may be some mistakes, although I was as thorough as possible. If you notice anything before the game starts, let me know and I can correct it.

Random starting positions are terrible for MP games. I have set up 8 specific, random starting locations, 7 land + 1 sea. The starting positions are 8 (sea), 10, 24, 30, 50, 77, 84, and 97. Each starting land province was selected with the following conditions: all have 4 or 5 neighbours; all are 4 or 5 provinces away from other starting provinces; and all (except one) have at least one farm neighbour and one forest/border/mountain neighbour. The starting sea location has 3 neighbours (all are sea), and is 3 provinces away from 3 starting land provinces.

There will only be 8 of us, and we are heading into vacation season, so expect small delays to accomodate player absences. I am willing to turn off the timer (keeping Quickhost on) for up to one week at a time for vacations, if I'm notified in advance. If you stale twice in a row without notice, then you will be replaced/turned to AI. Hopefully there won't be too many interruptions. One reason I am doing this is that I have a one-week vacation coming up at the end of June. ; )

Now let's have some fun!

List of players:
R'lyeh - JimMorrison
Ermor - IndyPendant
Pangaea - Cor2
Caelum - Starshine_Monarch
Arcoscephale - Reverend Zombie
Abysia - klagrok
Mictlan - AreaOfEffect
Vanheim - Wokeye

[Cor2]

Sounds good I will take pangea. Thank you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Starshine_Monarch]

I'll claim Caelum for the hell of it.

[Reverend Zombie]

Arco, please.

[JimMorrison]

I'd like to take a stab at R'lyeh, if you think you can handle me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[klagrok]

I was going to go for Oceania, but appears Jim's jumped in the water first---Ill go for the heat peeps--Abysia

[Cor2]

Um... is there a problem with the CMB pretenders? Pangaea has this silly horn blower available. Doesn't hurt anything, just does not match the theme at all, and is away off in cost. It is Likely over writing some useful pretender.

[Cor2]

opps , I checked the worthy heroes thread, The horn champion is a worthy heroes bug, not a cmb bug. Either way, no worries.

[AreaOfEffect]

Mictlan please.

[Wokeye]

I'd like to play as Vanheim, please

[Aezeal]

I want in

ow I'm to late I see.. if for some reason I can be in anyhow msg me plz.

GL with the game

[IndyPendant]

And that's it, we're ready! I will PM llamabeast asking him to set up the game for us. Aezeal, if anything happens to open up a slot, I will PM you.

Once the server is set up, we may as well upload pretenders. I will start the game either with the next patch (once it's known to be safe with the CB and Heroes mods), or Tues May 27th, whichever is later. (I don't want to delay the start of the game too long for fear of players losing interest.)

[llamabeast]

Happened to see this, so I've set the game up to accept pretenders. However, KO has suggested it might be a good idea to wait till after the patch to make pretenders. He thinks perhaps the file format will change, but isn't sure.

[Wokeye]

Thanks Llamabeast!

I've sent im my pretender, but would be happy to wait until the patch is sorted before starting if everyone else agreed. Could take a while, with the need to check against the CB and WH mods though?

[Ironhawk]

I'm sad this filled up so quick http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[IndyPendant]

Hmm, no patch so far, it's a holiday this weekend, and 3 players have uploaded their pretenders already anyways. Let's put it to a vote: shall we start now, with the (rather minor) risk the patch breaks something, or shall we await the patch?

Feel free to say "don't care" or "strongly feel that..." in your response too...

[AreaOfEffect]

Quick answer:
Start now.

Long answer:
After a small bit of thought I find myself in favor of starting right away. I'm currently playing only one other game, which is in early late-game so I only get to turn every other day (sometimes longer). Starting a new game now would give me something else to do other then second guess my moves in Uakari. I'm also signed up for the big Kingmaker game and that won't start until about June. Though I have time now, I don't really want to be starting this game and Kingmaker at the same time. From my perspective, I'd like to see them staggered a bit.

[Cor2]

Start now.

[klagrok]

Let's roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wokeye]

I'm OK either way

[JimMorrison]

Seems like the first few turns don't really take THAT long, no? So if we have to restart soon, it's not the end of the world really.

[IndyPendant]

All right then, seems nearly unanimous. Reverend Zombie has already submitted his pretender, which means only Starshine_Monarch hasn't 'voted'. Editing the original post accordingly; let's upload pretenders and begin!

[Starshine_Monarch]

At this point I'm outvoted anyway. Pretender uploaded. Looks like we're just waiting on Pangaea now

[Cor2]

Sorry, I was asleep. Pretender sent.

[IndyPendant]

SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!!!

I'll PM llamabeast asking him to start the game. We'll do 48hrs quickhost first turn, then go 24hrs after that. Now let's have some fun!

[IndyPendant]

Hrmf. I did PM llamabeast, but he either missed it or knew the patch was coming and decided to wait. I think I'll wait until tomorrow morning, then if we don't see the past, I'll give him a poke and ask him to get the game started asap.

[AreaOfEffect]

Three days later and we haven't started. I understand there was a promise that the patch would come out yesterday, but yesterday has come and gone. I also remember promises of the patch coming out on the weekend... that was two weekends ago.

I'm really just upset that our nearly unanimous vote meant nothing and again I find myself not playing a game I love to play.

[Jazzepi]

Not to poke my head in, but I've always had better luck e-mailing llamabeast rather than PMing him.

Jazzepi

[JimMorrison]

How dare you Jazzepi?! :O

[IndyPendant]

Really? Hmm, okay I will try that, I think it's kicking around somewhere. For the record, don't give up on this game yet. I am trying!

All the pretenders are uploaded, and I have PM'd llamabeast--twice now--to get this game started. Now I will try emailing him.

So far as I know, we all still want to play, and this is the first time llamabeast has taken so long to actually start a game. (I've played a number of games using his server.) Something must be happening to interfere with his Dom3 time.

[llamabeast]

Aargh! I'm ever so sorry guys, I know it's really annoying when you're keen to start a game and it gets delayed. What happened was simply that I got Indy's first message, thought "Ah, I'll do that later on", got really busy and it sort of slipped my mind.

Indy's right though, my Dom3 time has indeed been highly disrupted by the rude disturbances of term-time hecticness. I've definitely taken on too much stuff this term. In particular I'm teaching, which has been ridiculously time-consuming. Thankfully term finishes in two weeks, and I should be much less dopey then.

Okay, I will start the game in a moment. Apologies again for keeping you all in suspense.

[IndyPendant]

Hmm...or maybe I won't. I don't know what his email is. Jazzepi, if you have it could you email it to me? (Since you're butting in anyways...; )

[llamabeast]

My e-mail's at the bottom of all the LlamaServer e-mails. You must have one somewhere. Actually I'm pretty good at checking my PMs though, since it e-mails me when I get one. Just sometimes less good and taking consequent action. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Anyway, no need! The game is started. I notice you made it a tricky one, with both a map and mods I didn't have on the server, plus several commands I couldn't remember since they're rarely used (like hard research), but fortunately I was not fazed! (j/k, only took a few minutes actually http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ). Hopefully you will all just have received your first turn - if not it should arrive shortly. Also hopefully I set everything up correctly - if not, just let me know Indy.

Okay, I hope you all enjoy the game everyone!

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Intersecting posts. Perfect timing, there.

Thanks, llamabeast!

Game on!

[Wokeye]

WOOT, thanks to the great LlamaMaster and IndyP, GL everyone.

[klagrok]

NOt working bossman--sent in turn 1 and the reply was

Hello from the LlamaServer.

I received an e-mail from you, but unfortunately there seems to be a problem
with it.

Your 2h file seems to be for a different turn number to the one the game's
currently on. The 2h file is for turn 1, while the game is now on turn 3.

Details of your e-mail:
Subject: SPAM-LOW: Silvan started! Acouchi 1st turn

[AreaOfEffect]

Thank god. Turn received and turn submitted. Thanks llamabeast.

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Yeah, not working for me either. Guess it's emailing llamabeast time...

[Wokeye]

klagrok said:
Details of your e-mail:
Subject: SPAM-LOW: Silvan started! Acouchi 1st turn


What's the 'Acouchi' bit?

Edit: oh yeah, the server says its up to turn three. D'Oh!

[Cor2]

yep

" received an e-mail from you, but unfortunately there seems to be a problem with it.

Your 2h file seems to be for a different turn number to the one the game's currently on. The 2h file is for turn 1, while the game is now on turn 3."

[Starshine_Monarch]

Oh, thank god I'm not the only one having this problem. I'd thought I'd already staled 2 turns without realizing . . .

[JimMorrison]

Just here to confirm the universality of the issue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[IndyPendant]

Per Jazzepi's recommendation, I have sent an email to llamabeast. He'll get it fixed, and we'll all get a new email.

[Wokeye]

Thanks Indy.

I love receiving emails with Dom3 turns attached. It's like Christmas several times per week.

[JimMorrison]

Though this one was a lump of coal. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Jazzepi]

Sometimes Santa poops in the stocking.

Jazzepi

[Wokeye]

I considered it more like receiving a cool new toy, but it not having batteries to operate.

[Wokeye]

So now we have the opportunity to start the game with the patch installed?

Also, is R'lyeh viable on this map? Is my memory shaky or are the water provs scattered?

[llamabeast]

Okay, the problem is fixed. Sorry about that. I was doing some work on the LlamaServer at the weekend to prepare it for the new KingMaker megagame (it needs code changing so that you can have nations from multiple eras in a single game), and basically I made a small error when altering the game starting code so it didn't write the initial turn number as 1! 3 in this case, in fact. The game actually was at turn 1 though, and is now set correctly.

If you want a restart to choose a nation from the new patch, that's entirely up to Indy. It wouldn't be difficult from my end, but Indy may be keen to just get on with the game now.

[Reverend Zombie]

Also sent to Indy via PM:

Could I have a few extra hours (4 should do it) to turn in my first turn, please?

I missed seeing the first turn by mere minutes when checking my email last night 9 (I was too early), but I fear I won't be able to get back to my email and home computer to do my next turn until after the next turn is scheduled to fire.

Thank you!

[Cor2]

Three is the best number. So if your gonna fill in a wrong number might as well be 3.

Thanks Llamabeast!

[IndyPendant]

Turn postponed by 24 hours just in case. Which is good, because I forgot to submit my turn as well this morning... ; ) I'll get mine in tonight when I get home from work.

[Reverend Zombie]

Thank you!

[Wokeye]

Wow it's getting rather squeezy on Silvan, though not in a cosy squeezy sorta way!

[Wokeye]

It Burns! Our scouts report a large rabble of Abysians have crushed a force of our elite skinshifters. They will retreat to lick their wounds... the Fire Lords will taste thunder and lightning, yet.

[Starshine_Monarch]

Gods Dammit. I got lazy, I can't believe I staled twice in a row already. Oh well. Nothing left to do but go AI I guess. Damn, and I thought I might have been able to work through this too.

[JimMorrison]

You're gonna go AI....?

In that case, grats on the win Ermor.....

[Reverend Zombie]

Yes, I cannot see how to stop Ermor if Caelum goes AI...

[Wokeye]

...and so the feather-wearing chicken-men join the fire lords against us! Although their troops die like mother hens in the coop, they are numerous like rabbits. Perhaps they sacrifice to rabbit gods in their temples.

Woe is Vanheim, unless someone wishes to join with us against these two antagonists!

[AreaOfEffect]

From the story I'm writing we are in fact the protagonists. As for the feathers, we will pluck more of them from your cowardly glamored warriors.

As for Ermor, you guys throw in the towel way too easily. It is still the early game in my opinion. Ermor is far from invincible.

[IndyPendant]

Er. I've won? Hey, great! I'll ask llamabeast to shut down the game then, and put up a post in the "Hall of Honour" thread.

Oh. Wait... ; )

[Reverend Zombie]

Maybe it's just a sorry reflection on the state of my kingdom, but Ermor borders me on the east AND the west.

[JimMorrison]

Indeed, no graphs but I see Ermor to the east, west, and (with scout) the south.

I've no idea the actual relative power, but perhaps overexpansion could cause the nation to implode.

I have suddenly become a HUGE fan of having graphs on. It's not like we don't see the threat without them, but I'd like to be able to quantify their lead, to see what the actual state of the game is.

[AreaOfEffect]

Eh, it only land. You might be more interested in the gem income and research graphs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JimMorrison]

Well, perhaps it is "only land". But ultimately, gems and research are not victory conditions. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[IndyPendant]

PM sent to you, Reverend Zombie. ; )

[AreaOfEffect]

I just got attacked by Ermor while engaged in a an NAP with them. The truth is that I can't respond because I'm dealing with two other nations. That sort of dishonesty makes me sick to my stomach.

I'm dead in the water and I can't keep up with the pace of this game, so I'm going AI. I have in the past refused to do so and love to fight till the end. However, I just don't want to digest what Ermor has done.

Good luck to all.

[IndyPendant]

Err...what? *Runs off to check the turn.* Well, crap! Misclick, AreaOfEffect, sorry.

That was a sitesearcher. He was *supposed* to be searching the forest province he came from, but I think I accidentally sent him your way instead of a stealthed scout. (Look at the mage's name. I've even renamed him Seeker. ; )

Still, it's a little extreme to go AI without even checking with me first, due to the single attack of a single province with a single mage (which I lost in the 'attack' anyways). I'm not invading you, and I have no intentions of invading you anytime soon. If/when I do, I will honour our NAP and give you three turns' warning, don't worry about that.

Particularly since ReverendZombie *did* violate our NAP by attacking one turn too early, despite clear descriptions in advance from me. The prick. And, I'm currently suffering from a particularly crippling bug, described here (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=615712).

I may not be playing much longer myself. Dammit, I was enjoying this game too, and then RZ and this bug had to go and ruin it...

I am going to take the liberty of extending this turn by 24 hours while I wait to see if there's any way I can fix the bug.

[Wokeye]

Mictlan leadership has faltered?!? Vanheim's wholesale destruction of their invading force of chicken-men must have been too much to bear!

...but ooc, if you are going AI - GG! Although it sounds like it was a simple mistake by Ermor.

[Reverend Zombie]

IndyPendant said:
Particularly since ReverendZombie *did* violate our NAP by attacking one turn too early, despite clear descriptions in advance from me.

I may not be playing much longer myself. Dammit, I was enjoying this game too, and then RZ and this bug had to go and ruin it...




A NAP is not a suicide pact, and where the fate of our nation or world is under threat by another, must needs be abrogated, in the name of self-defense.

[Xox]

well, if a nap is only a convenience, the terms of which may be ignored unilaterally according to whatever excuse one might come up with. Well then..... Good to know that's how you view your naps RZ.

[AreaOfEffect]

After a while of meditation and an explanation from IndyPendant, I'm ready once again to get this game on. I've resubmitted my turn and there will be no AI controlling Mictlan so long as I can help it.

In the words of Monty Python, "I'm not dead yet."

[Reverend Zombie]

Xox said:
well, if a nap is only a convenience, the terms of which may be ignored unilaterally according to whatever excuse one might come up with. Well then..... Good to know that's how you view your naps RZ.



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

[Wokeye]

The wise God of Vanheim's strategy of 'divide and conquer' is clearly working! Mmwahahahahahaa!

[klagrok]

Yeah We of the fire eagerly await your next failed assault---we do so enjoy killing your shapeshifters http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[IndyPendant]

I would just like everyone to know that I think I have solved the Reanimation bug. So I will not be going AI. --Not that I was going to anyways, when RZ still needs to be destroyed.

I am coming for you, RZ. And I am wroth.

[IndyPendant]

Reverend Zombie has asked that our discussion be posted publicly, so I am doing so now, reformatted for easier reading but otherwise completely unchanged. They can be read in the order they are quoted below.

RZ probably thinks the venom in my final message to him will throw some players off. Or perhaps my stance of going after him in other games if he joins one I'm playing in will do so. He may even be correct. I kept things private because I've learned that my unrepentantly vicious, uncompromising attitude towards treaty violators can keep other players, who have done nothing wrong, from enjoyment of the game. I warn you, the language from me quoted below is harsh. Do not read it if it will ruin the game for you. If you're interested in more details as to why I play this way, read here (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3maars&Number=591110#Post 591110) and here (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3maars&Number=591207#Post 591207).

And finally, I will try to make this my only post on this subject. I will try to avoid a flamewar as much as possible.

IndyPendant:
Very well false pretender, war it shall be.

Your message was received by us on Turn 18, but you have not indicated when you intend to attack. We advise you to honour our NAP and wait until Turn 20 to give your misguided minions their orders, so they attack on Turn 21.

If you intend violating our NAP and attacking earlier, a brief perusal of our messages on these forums shall inform you that such an action would have...far-reaching consequences. I do not expect this warning to be necessary, however. If you wished to commit such a vile act, you most likely would not have warned me at all.

We are not greedy, and did not seek this war. But we will finish it. Should you ever wish to seek peace however, contact us--through these messengers here--and we shall consider it based on the harm you will be able to commit to us should we continue fighting. Do not wait too long.

This message was also sent through the limited God-to-Pretender method you seem to prefer.

--Vitae the Glorious, Lord of the Dead.

Reverend Zombie:
I have half a mind to attack you now for threatening repercussions outside the game.

Guess you'll have to wait and see what happens.

Reverend Zombie:
I misconstrued the nature of your threat--forgive me for accusing you of threatening a meta-game grudge.

However, I am quite annoyed to have to do research on the forums to figure out your threat, so I am attacking early anyway.

IndyPendant:
Don't apologize, you worthless, honourless pondscum. You had it right the first time. It was not Arco that violated our NAP, it was Reverend Zombie. It will be IndyPendant who takes revenge as available.

I will now bend every effort, in this game and any other I meet you in, to make sure you lose. Even if I cannot then win the game, if I bring you down with me then I will savour my victory. I strongly suggest you avoid any games I play in the future. Unlike you, I do not make empty promises. If you don't like that, let me quote you: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/yawn.gif.

The particular irony here is that by attacking me one turn too early, you have only sealed your demise, since due to the bug I am suffering from I would have gone AI if you had honoured our NAP and delayed your attack by just. one. more. turn. I do wonder how it feels to reveal yourself unworthy to be the snot blown into a kleenex for so little gain--and harming yourself in the process! Not that a filthy self-serving twit like yourself would admit to any such thing.

This will be my last private communication with you. You are not worth the time or effort.

--IndyPendant.

Reverend Zombie:
I'd like to post our exchange to the forum; I think it would be informative to others. What do you say?

[Wokeye]

LOL - that's an amusing exchange. Sounds like it will be a fun war!!

I'm not convinced about your methods, Indy, as it is a wargame and all - but I share your views encouraging 'honourable' play.

[Cor2]

Please, please remember that this is just a game. there is no money at stake. We (I?) play this game for fun, nothing more.

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Okay, one more post. ; )

I just wanted to clarify: I'm not awash and drowning in venom or anything like that. Viperish declarations of everlasting disgust aside, I am still having fun. "Fun" for me has just shifted definitions, that's all!

[JimMorrison]

It's a mad

mad

mad mad

mad mad mad



mad world.


O.°

[llamabeast]

Indy, do remember that NAPs aren't in any way enforced or universally agreed to be binding in Dominions games, and in fact there is no general rule that they have to be followed. Some players have a policy of always sticking to them. Others believe in role-playing, and stick to them when they feel it is in character for their nation/pretender. Since no general policy has been decided on anywhere, there has to be a limit to how annoyed you can get at someone for breaking an NAP. Personally, although I haven't broken any NAPs myself, I think it's quite reasonable to do so. After all, in real life, "binding" treaties have been broken by nations very often.

If, on the other hand, a game was started which stated explicitly in the first post that NAPs must not be broken in that game and players agreed to that when joining the game - well, in that case, you would be entitled to be very annoyed with a player who broke an NAP. But that is not the case here.

Finally, your metagaming threats of carrying the grudge to other games, and your general approach to the situation, are very unpleasant to my mind. Personally I would argue that inter-game threats are completely unacceptable. If you are angry in a game (or rather, feel that your god would be angry), feel free to go crazy in that particular game. But it makes no sense for a different god in a different world to be angry as well. However, I will not weigh in on the argument any further, since it has been done to death before.

[Wokeye]

Vanheim has waited for an opportune time, and have finally enacted swift and sweet vengence on the maurauding Abysian forces.

This is surely a sign of things to come!

[klagrok]

<font color="red"> Hmmm interesting take....as that spot was mine to begin with before you attacked it--but your pathetic god is about to bite the dust. As you started this war, Im gonna finish it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Prepare for a nasty surprise(well hopefully itll be nasty for you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif )</font>

[Wokeye]

Never fear, Lovalovers - we will not fall easily, as we have a few nasty surprises of our own!

[Ballbarian]

Wokeye, I was hoping that given your "Tim the Wizard" avatar you would say something like:
"So, brave Lavalovers, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth."

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

[Wokeye]

There are some who call me... Tim. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[klagrok]

I just need your peeps to come a little closer......I have matches for your victory cigars......

[JimMorrison]

Oh I love quick host. All my other games seem to be made out of molasses, suddenly Silvan is hosting twice a day. Are you all in my other games too, and suddenly full of time for Silvan? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Cor2]

Damn, I staled again. I am sorry to say Its going a little too fast for me.

[AreaOfEffect]

Surely a fair request by this point in the game.

[IndyPendant]

Err, staled 'again'? Damn Cor2, I wish you'd spoken up earlier. I didn't notice the first one, and I would have been more than willing to switch to 48-hours. Doing so starting this turn.

This coming weekend, I'm going to move it to 72-hour quickhost for the next week, for that trip I mentioned in my original post. Then we'll stick to 48-hour for a while.

This game is interesting! Everyone's paired off into four separate wars, and no one's been having an easy time of it!

[JimMorrison]

Well, Caelum is about finished, finally.

Some insane person left them AI with like 400 birds, and 2 provinces set at 50-60 or more PD..... Definitely more painful than the scholarly O'R'lyeh'ns had expected to deal with. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

We are busily trying to contact Boyd the Void Android. If we can, his plasma beams and death rays will make a quick finish to this game. &gt;.&gt; Unfortunately, the legends of his existence are spotty, at best.....

[Cor2]

No prob. I didn't expect to stale again, but I did.

[Wokeye]

Abysia approaches the Vanheim capital with 300 troops... time to party like there's no tomorrow!

[klagrok]

Just looking for a lost dog .....think he might be in that castle over there....maybe they'll let us in ??

[klagrok]

Xanatos will be subbing for me for a week or so...off for some relaxation.

[IndyPendant]

Welcome, Xanatos! Changing the email now.

And we'll be moving to a 72-hour quickhost now, for the next week. I'll try to get my turns in sooner than that, but...no promises. Vacation, and all that. ; )

[IndyPendant]

Hmm, it turns out I didn't need the 72-hour quickhost after all. There was internet everywhere! Still, it was good to have no pressure during my vacation.

It's over now except for the drive home, so we will be going back to a 48-hour quickhost schedule once this current turn is completed.

[Wokeye]

The Vans have drunk all their mead - it is time to conquer new lands.

We hereby declare our intention to attack Emror in three turns. Be ready, undead masters! We want a fight!

[Reverend Zombie]

Arco could have used your help earlier, Vanheim. Even now, the undead hordes claim our capital...may you have better luck than we did.

[Wokeye]

You needed only ask, we would have been up for a fight! It's all about diplomatic communication, this game...especially with graphs off!

No talk = no success.

[IndyPendant]

The One True God does not relish combat for its own sake. We would have preferred a period of peace once we had scoured the world of the vermin of the false pretender of Arcoscephale. But so be it!

Though we did not start our war with Arcoscephale, we most assuredly did complete it. We shall do the same with Vanheim. Tremble in fear, false pretender! The dead march to war once more!

--Vitae the Glorious, Lord of the Dead.

(Just to make sure it's clear between us, did you intend to give the orders to attack on Turn 44, so that our war begins on Turn 45?)

[Reverend Zombie]

Wokeye said:
You needed only ask, we would have been up for a fight! It's all about diplomatic communication, this game...especially with graphs off!

No talk = no success.



I am sure I sent in-game messages seeking help against Ermor from my neighbors--maybe you had sub covering for you at the time?

[Wokeye]

We relish the test the blades of our proud warriors and might of our priestly powers on the evil undead hordes!

"did you intend to give the orders to attack on Turn 44, so that our war begins on Turn 45?" Yes, that would be consistent with our previous NAP-3, I thought.

Arco - we may have received your courier dispatches while otherwise engaged in taming some some over-friendly neighbours. The Vans did not realise you were in such dire straights, but would have been stretched to assist in any case.

Death to the Undead, I say! (errr... re-death!?) We invite other factions to form up also, and share in the spoils!! War is more fun with allies by your side to gloat with!

[AreaOfEffect]

I regret to inform you that the feathered warriors are occupied at the moment. Or rather, occupying. The half-beast monstrosities are still a potential threat to my people.

If the savage races of the forest understand civilized speech, then I congratulate them on their many victories, their numerous accomplishments, and their stern determination. We consider you still a dangerous opponent and knowing full well how wars can turn around, will not take you lightly.

[Wokeye]

Those are some real ugly troops you have there, Ermor heathens! We will take great pleasure in destroying them!

Although our Vans are heavily outnumbered, we will prevail!

[klagrok]

Dont worry--we shall help our friends--the stench of Ermor is overpowering--we prefer the stench of the burning fires to that of unwashed decaying walking flesh..let us rid the world of death.

[IndyPendant]

The Gate has opened! The dead march! None can stop us!

Puny mortals, with your mayfly lives. Foolish pretenders, with your pathetic words hurled at the armies of the One True God. You seek to stop us? It is to laugh! Join together, it is no matter. You shall simply fall together, your misguided minions' fresh-made corpses added to our armies.

--Vitae the Glorious, Lord of the Dead.

[Wokeye]

The hordes of skeletal horsemen attack!

Unfortunately the order to fight was lost in the merry confusion caused by the large volumes of mead that flows from the taverns of the great city that is beseiged.

Maybe next month we may set our dogs on the piles of bones stalking the countryside.

[Wokeye]

450 undead down, only another 2,000+ to go...

At least we have friends (Abysia) to slay them with now!

[klagrok]

Havent checked my turn yet--once I do I can see how many of those stinky ones little my landscape....

[AreaOfEffect]

I think we might need an extension on the game since half the people haven't sent in their turn yet. I've got my turn in, but it would be really crappy to have so many people stale, even if it wasn't me.

[IndyPendant]

Err...wow. Three players staled out? What happened?

I hadn't given it any thought; lots of times, players left things till the last minute. I thought this was just one of those times. : /

Edit: Hmm...it was all the players Mictlan and I were at war against. I...hope they hadn't just given up...

[Wokeye]

I swear I submitted last turn...not sure what has happened there.

[IndyPendant]

Wokeye, you have not submitted this turn yet either. Neither has klagrok. You might want to check that. If I hear from you before the turn's supposed to pop, I can delay it if necessary.

[AreaOfEffect]

IndyPendant said:
Edit: Hmm...it was all the players Mictlan and I were at war against. I...hope they hadn't just given up...


Now that I think about it, they might be intimidated by the fact we have guides corresponding to the races we're playing.

[Wokeye]

Thanks Indy - again I thought I sent it - something going on here...I'll need to delay until my night (12 hrs from now) to re-send the turn...

I do wanna kill undead, I do!

[IndyPendant]

I thought so. And klagrok has completed his turn after all! --Okay, I have delayed hosting for another 12 hours while you look into your issue, Wokeye.

The llamaserver always sends a confirmation email that says "This message is just to let you know that I received a 2h file from you, and it seems to be fine." Did you receive that email? If so, you will probably need to contact llamabeast directly for help. If not, something else is likely wrong.

Just as one example, the llamaserver will not accept a turn submitted from a different email, even if the turn itself is completely correct...

[IndyPendant]

Hmm, Vanheim staled again. Wokeye, I'm going to give you another 24 hours or so to get your turn in, since you mentioned having difficulties. If I don't see it up by then, I will have to set you to AI.

[JimMorrison]

You know, I have been watching this game like a hawk, and still was surprised when I saw Abysia was set to AI.

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

[AreaOfEffect]

Hmmm.. R'yleh attacks. Soon we will see who has prepared better for this inevitable engagement. Will the horrifying mind-suckers from the deep pluck our feathers and eat our brains. Will the noble race of Mictlan stab out all the eyes of R'yleh's many-eyed monstrosities and dispatch them to another plane of existence. Stay tuned.

[Wokeye]

Turn in - man I've had some bad luck with submitting turns. Al least I gto rid of another big Ermor force.

Unfortunately the Vanheim capital was destroyed...

Abysia is AI?? Oh noes!

[JimMorrison]

The dweller in the deeps, he who dreams in waves, has seen our victory. R'lyeh rises from the sea like a tide of death. We do feel remorse for the senseless slaughter, but the inevitability of the moment was foreseen even by the barbaric man-priests of Mictlan.

The world will never be the same again. Come dream with us.

[Wokeye]

So many undead...so little time and income...I fear Vanheim is lost...but we'll fight to the bitter end!

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Well, OOC I will admit you've done damage FAR out of proportion to your size. Why don't you lay down and die already?!? ; )

Seriously, well-played. Between you and Abysia's 600/700 defense castles, this...isn't the cakewalk I was expecting, AI or no AI. My armies wander Abysia's landscape, then lock down on a castle. For turn. After turn. After turn... I have to wear Vanheim down with Mind Hunts and soon-to-come assassinations (oops, did I say that out loud?) before I attack with another army.

I'm also warily watching Mictlan's war with R'lyeh. Pangaea had Mictlan down to, what? FOUR provinces? And now I'm watching him duke it out against R'lyeh, wondering who I will end up fighting against in the Final War...

--IndyPendant.

[JimMorrison]

(If your scouts missed the first decisive battle between R'lyeh and Mictlan, at Pan's former capital..... Well, you may not be doing so much wondering. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif Unsure what they have left, but following the reasoning that they may be more interested in doing as much damage as possible in lieu of winning - the only army I see now is marching towards my weaker flank, rather than my stronger. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif And just to point out, I do feel bad on a personal level, but I cannot let my own feelings get in the way of R'lyahn war decisions. I was fast running out of people to fight other than Ermor - something I'm still not so much looking forward to. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif)

[Wokeye]

First the mighty Van army will win back their capital, then they move on Ermor!! ...or die trying... &gt;.&lt;

[AreaOfEffect]

Dear JimMorrison,

That is officially the most messed-up battle I've ever witnessed. To think, I would have won had your Vastness not been paralyzed. Of all the spells to be successfully cast twice, it had to be paralyze. Yet every mindburn happened to bounce right off. Also, your luck with mind blast is amazing. One of these days I will manage a battle where both Air Shield and Antimagic both get exectuted.

In regards to Mind Hunt, you are apparently new to the spell and are unaware of the dangers. It is why I myself haven't mind hunted your mages away. Give my regards to O'ngai, Yarni Zai, Yarni Zai II, Yig Goloth, L'ghux, N'ktun, Swatopluk, and Igg Yad.

Sincerely,
AreaOfEffect

P.S.: Why don't your people beleive in normal everyday names like Chalchiuhtlatonal and Mictlantecuhtli.

[JimMorrison]

Well. O.O

New yes, unaware of "dangers", nooooo, not that, quite so much. Perhaps unaware of the potential that 100% of them would be found, even with a relative disparity in Astral levels (I sort of assumed that might play a part. o.O).


Oh MAN that battle with the Vastness was epic! I've never seen one of them pull that sort of thing off without dying - just pure insanity.

As for the luck with Mind Blast, it's not entirely luck, though hitting a key buffer to interrupt the script is very nice.


Oh and just so you know, Yarni Zai happens to be the deep one version of Billy-Bob. True story.

&lt;3

Now, where to come up with some more chaff to support all of those mages who didn't die. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[JimMorrison]

Well, humbled hardly begins to describe how I feel now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Fortunately, I still have tricks up my sleeve. Oh yes, buried in there where only I know. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

I sure wish Wolven Winter had gone before Murdering..... 15 killed? 15?? Out of 500. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Awesome.

The only pleasure I got from that battle was watching your flaming slings (!) kill your own men by the dozens as I routed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[AreaOfEffect]

You have to account for the fact that my dominion speards heat. Even after wolven winter that province still has heat 1. As for the timing on the spells, wolven winter triggers when random events do, which is after most other ritual spells. You did however surprise me and I am somewhat pleased to see a change in strategy. Good luck.

P.S.: You understand that Light of the Norther Star boosts all astral mages on the field, both your's and mine, right? The spell pretty much helps me just as much as its helps you.

[JimMorrison]

You know, I just triple-checked because you said that..... I was positive that it functioned differently than the Banner of the Northern Star. I guess that is an insane notion, as even though I've never used the Banner, for some reason I didn't think that it was the exact same effect. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Anyway, I have a new master plan - beyond "gotta try everything once" - oh yes, something even better than that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif We'll just see if it's suicide or not. I'm still crying over the fact that Arrow Fend affects Nether Darts. 8*(

[IndyPendant]

Well, it's *finally* over. Both my foes are now destroyed. (On the same turn. Very cool.) All I have to do is get rid of these newly-independent forces Vanheim left behind, and I can move on.

Wokeye, I would just like to shake your hand. I may have defeated you, but I shudder to think how it would have turned out if our nations had been anywhere in the same universe as evenly matched. (Or hell, just if Abysia had bothered to stay in the fight!) I'm not sure I can honestly claim to have 'won', considering all the damage you caused me. ; )

It's always more fun when a worthy opponent fights to the end!

I look forward to playing against you again sometime! --With somewhat mixed feelings, if you get my meaning... (Heh. ; )

(Oh! And Wokeye, you will still have to turn in this turn to the llamaserver before it will host for us. Just "End Turn" and send in this last file.)

Now! Back in character!

--IndyPendant.

[IndyPendant]

Two more false pretenders have fallen to the eternal servants of the One True God! The endless dead can be slowed, but never defeated! All shall fall beneath our unstoppable might!

--But not at this time.

My loyal minions have earned a very well-deserved respite. For now, we rest. Soon however. Soon, our Hunger will grow. The drums shall sound, and the dead shall march to battle once more.

And it shall be glorious, indeed.

--Vitae the Glorious, Lord of the Dead.

[Wokeye]

The mighty Vans have fallen to the endless undead hordes. Had our allies Abysia not suddenly taken a holiday we may have been more able to stem the tide - but that is for others now...

My early and long fight with Abysia, plus the attack by Mictlan at the same time, meant I was never really a contender. All good. GG Klagrok.

GG All, enjoyed it - although I have confirmed my preference for graphs on. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

GL Indy - enjoy the beer and babes of the Vanheim capital!

[JimMorrison]

All I can say, is Reinvigorate is far too powerful. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

At this rate, there won't be enough of Mictlan OR R'lyeh left to even pretend to put up a good fight against the incredible massiveness that Ermor is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[AreaOfEffect]

Says you. His army at this point is mostly 5hp longdead horsemen. Their are ways to deal with that. It's not Ermors size I'm worried about, it's the time they now have to research and forge items for super combatants.

As for reinvigoration, I wouldn't say it's too powerful, but I would say it kicks a lot of booty. Obtaining high levels of it generally requires either nature or earth magic. In fact, I can't think of reinvigoration that doesn't come from either of those sources. This is generally good as neither of those magic skills have as much spell casting versatility and power as death and astral. With that said....

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEWLY PRONOUNCED PROPHET OF THE TRUE AND IMMORTAL GOD. I HAVE HANDPICKED HIS SOUL FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL. HE IS LOYAL, AND LIKE MYSELF HE CANNOT BE DESTROYED WITH SWORDS OR SORCERY. SOON, DEEP WITHIN THE NIGHT AS YOU SLEEP SOUNDLY, YOU WILL HERE HIS VOICE PREACH MY NAME CLOSE TO YOUR EAR. ON THAT DAY YOU WILL DIE. MWAHAHAHAHAHA.. *cough* *cough* *hack* *weeze*

Man that is rough on the vocal chords. I've got to go get some water. Later and good luck.

[JimMorrison]

Ahhh, I meant the BE - Relief. I had Grip of Winter going, AND was spamming Curse of the Desert on your guys, and most of them ended the fight with pretty much no Fatigue.

I can see it being balanced against a fatigue causing BE like Grip of Winter, but you'd think that would sort of 'balance', and they'd gain fatigue normally - and then Curse of the Desert on top of it would still ruin infantry. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

As it is, Relief basically means you'll never have Fatigue problems, ever, no matter what happens..... Seems a little off. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

No big deal! We have another trick, and this one you shall be powerless to resist! Heeheeeeehoohohoho-HAAAA~!

O.O

Also, aren't I alarmingly close to your capital? Or is that someone else's capital? I should have gotten a lab in that first land castle and gotten some scouts out..... I feel so naked. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[AreaOfEffect]

I don't think you take fatigue unless you're actually in melee trying to thwak someone. Also, grip of winter only hits a percentage of the field (notice the bluish plums dotting the field. I beleive that percentage goes up in colder provinces. Again, heat 2 has been your downfall. Sorry guy.

As fo the fortress, yes that is my capitol. You can tell because it's named Mictlan. That is also about as close you will ever get to it.

[IndyPendant]

*grabs popcorn*

You know, even if I were inclined to attack right now, I'd probably hold off out of sheer entertainment. You two are great! ; )

I also have thoroughly enjoyed how fast this game has gone. This is the fastest MP game I've ever played, and that's been great as well!

*goes back to playing with dolls*

[JimMorrison]

Well that battle was in Gol Phalas, which is neutral temp scales. I understand it says it's "most effective" in cold provinces, but that wording implies the inverse as well, as in "weaker in hot provinces", not, "totally ineffectual in temperate provinces". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif In fact, it also states "the entire battlefield", rather than specifying "some portions of the battlefield". I think this spell description needs a MAJOR overhaul. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Regarding your capital, I made that post before the next turn brought me next to it - our quickhosting is amazing - though I spend ridiculous amounts of time scripting new spell combos that will fail as terribly as the last spells that had no effect on you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif


Oh, and also having a great time here, and learning a lot - if you host again Indy, I'll be sure to join up! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[IndyPendant]

The false pretender of R'lyeh's watery domain has informed me that Mictlan so fears the unstoppable might of the everlasting dead, that he begs for release so he can struggle futilely against his inevitable fate. R'lyeh has been reconsidering his agreement to become the One True God's eternal vassal, and wishes to pit his laughable forces, combined with Mictlan's pathetic strength, against the unstoppable might of the endless dead.

So be it!

We are an honourable One True God. We release the false pretender of R'lyeh from his oath of servitude. Our NAPs with R'lyeh and Mictlan are hereby ended! It is currently Turn 59. On Turn 62, we will give our orders to our minions to invade and conquer. On Turn 63, the Final War for Dominion begins. And Us have mercy on your souls.

There Can Only Be One.

--Vitae the Glorious, Lord of the Dead.

[AreaOfEffect]

The might of Mictlan will preveil. We regret that our respective armies did not recieve word in time of the truce our leaders had come too. Hopefully this will not upset our chance at victory.

The dead must be put to rest (again) and the gate to the underworld must be sealed. This is something we will try even if it cannot be done, for lack of trying would be the greatest sin our fine race could commit.

[JimMorrison]

Twas only another 20 mages and R'lyeh's Prophet, not a big deal at all!

&gt;.&gt;

[AreaOfEffect]

Jim has be quite upset about the submission of my turn as it forced him to make moves he did not intend at the time of submission. Considering this has become a friendly game of three I vote that the game be reset to turn 58. In my understanding this can be done.

[IndyPendant]

Hey now, that's...a bit much. If I did that, I would be deliberately and willingly taking a punch to the jaw before the fight even begins! The only player who would suffer for the rollback would be me, and both my foes would benefit.

How about another option: I only declared war now because I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that's what you wanted. I would be willing to delay the Final War a few more turns, allowing the two of you more time to recover and reorganize from your war, if you think that would help.

We could all build peacefully, giving you two more time to coordinate your plans for taking me out. We could give our orders to attack on Turn 65 for example, invading on Turn 66. Or somewhere in between Turns 62 and 65. That option seems (closer to) fair to me, since what we gain from the delay will largely depend on how effectively we use the extra turns. The gamble for both our sides would be: who will earn the greater benefit?

I am open to other options as well, if you have ideas; I do want to play this out to the end in a way that's fun for all! But I am looking for something that isn't so blatantly to my opponents' advantage. I think that's only reasonable... ; )

--IndyPendant.

[JimMorrison]

I'm okay with however it plays out at this point.

AOE was just requesting the rollback, as I had specifically asked him him my PM to wait for my response before posting a turn, as I had already submitted mine, including aggressive actions that I wasn't going to take back until hearing back from you, Indy.

When he read your post here, he got a bit overexcited and submitted, and his new tricks had a wonderfully synergistic effect with my new scripts, resulting in me murdering many of my own communion members. 8 \

I still do have a lot to work with, but it's not exactly a "benefit" if there is a rollback, more of just a lack of a severe detriment. And I think that AOE would attest that I have more heart than anything, and likely having that additional communion for the final days would do little other than make me feel like I really did all that I could against an experienced and honorable foe. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

But again, it was technically our fault and none of your own, so I respect your decision. If there's no rollback, I would definitely appreciate at least a couple of extra turns to reorganize, as we're in the process of disentangling our borders. Of course, with you having the Forge and the Well, it's debatable how much benefit AOE and I gain from extra time. I'm already anticipating a 300 gem Utterdark or some such tomfoolery. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[IndyPendant]

Utterdark? Pish, I'm not thinking that small. ; )

And you're right, part of the reason why I made that offer is that I do think I will gain a greater benefit. I freely admit it! --However, I am not certain that is true--it would allow you two more time to shake down, reorganize, and coordinate for example--and I am (reasonably) certain that if we started the war on Turn 62, I would win.

You've done well with R'lyeh--better than I did in my first MP game with them. And quite frankly, AreaOfEffect has impressed the HELL out of me. I would love to play against either of you again in another game, but after that jaw-dropping comeback against Pangaea, I would be nervous fighting him without, oh, three-to-one odds or so. ; )

I'm not going to do my turn tonight; it's past my bed time as it is. I'll give AoE a chance to respond, see if anything comes up, and submit my turn after work tomorrow.

Most importantly, let's try to have fun!

--IndyPendant.

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm fine with the war starting as soon as turn 62 comes around. In my particular situation it happens to be just enough time. I only requested the rollback because I felt truly sorry about what happened to all those mages. Granted, they had it coming to them (damn nether dart spam).

I'm fine with your stance and the extra time isn't needed on my part. If Jim needs more time beyond turn 62 then I yield to him, otherwise lets get it on.

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Xanthus found his way back from the Void, I see.

And now it begins. In all honesty, I just don't see how the two of you can win against Ermor, with the forces I have arrayed against you. We shall see though! At one point in this game, I sent a friendly-neighbour congratulatory message to Cor2, for Pangaea defeating Mictlan... ; )

Above all, let's have fun!

--IndyPendant.

[JimMorrison]

Well, as you can see, he was a bit "touched". The note that he left his wife implied that he thought the war had already started, and that he was late to meet up with his unit. Officially, our government has no knowledge of this "Void" that you speak of, it's just a rumor.

So this is turn 62 already? Well, bugger. I had thought we were 1 more turn away from the launch of festivities. No bother, I am not going to let my confusion interfere with our fair schedule.

Let's get ready to RUUUUUMMMMBLE!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

Oh eck. &lt; Wets self, hopes no one can tell underwater. &gt; O.O

[AreaOfEffect]

By being unable to see how we can win you have made real the possibility of such an occurance. For clearly you have no contingency against what you can not see. By the way, hows the homefront doing?

[AreaOfEffect]

Oh Frej, it seems like only yesterday I had brought/summoned you into this world. Now you're all grown up and on top of the Hall and Fame. (tear) 666 kills, I couldn't think of a more fitting number. (breaks down sobbing)

Seriously though, you may be right. I may have no chance to survive. I don't think it really matters at this point though as I have the replay of the battle at Ralothia forever in my possession.

Good first round by the way.

P.S.: My prophet is still alive, fully geared up, and ready for more.

[JimMorrison]

Did I get all of the Elemental Royalty in my territory? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I'm a bit annoyed, I forgot those 2 commanders Patrolling at Caelum - that's 80 or so men that were supposed to be inside right now, going over the plan to break the siege. Where are my advisors?! So fired.

Sun Tzu might have some clever things to say about the present turn. I may beseech him for comment after the next few months play out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Yeah, Ralothia was, uh, funny...; ) Still, there were some (hopefully) nicely exploitable mistakes there. We shall see!

Koromoo was also interesting. I had intended to split my forces evenly last turn between Omicria and The Sinks, but must have forgotten to (I guess). So I debated whether I should attack with my reduced army or not, and finally decided to go for it. Turned out not properly splitting my forces was an unintentional boon, since I still won...and now less of my units are blind researchers and reanimators...: /

As to the elementals...I'm only missing the earth/blood elemental (of the land ones). Antrax, Rhuax, and Pyriphlogos are currently running amok in Mictlan's lands. I'm a bit surprised though; Mictlan doesn't seem to have gone for heat scales?

Ugh. Prepping that turn was horrible! Took me nearly four hours!

[AreaOfEffect]

Not all the royalty. All the fire kings, including the king of banefires, is hanging out in my hot hot dominion. They must have heard about our open bar and feather clad Mictlan girls.

Also, one additional comment. Nether Darts... Really?! Indy, Jim, and my Housemate should start a 'We Heart Nether Dart" club. That kind'a spam don't belong on my plate. Don't get me wrong, it's a great spell, and it works great against indies and the unprepared, but really? Its resistible with an MR check and is parried by air shield. Sigh.


Edit: Weird you should say that. Most of my territories and my former territories have heat 3. I took heat 2 and it's early summer.

[IndyPendant]

Eh. It's a choice between Darts, Star Fires, and Frighten for my Communion Slaves. I'm not too concerned about what they do. You'll notice my Communion Masters don't touch Nether Darts. ; )

And yes, heat scale comment rescinded. I was looking at the wrong provinces. Lack of sleep and all that.

[JimMorrison]

Don't rest, play more Dominions! Then in a sleep deprived haze a week from now, rise up screaming, "Why god, why?!" as your empire crumbles! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

It could happen. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

And I do &lt;3 Nether Darts. It's devastating if you don't have easy access to Arrow Fend. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Next game I will make sure to make better use of it earlier in the game, when my opponent is less likely to be ready for it. Besides..... Surgical Mind Blasting solves that whole problem, at least that's what I hear! &lt;3

Someone just taught me a new trick with R'lyeh in another game, so I'm going to see if there's still time to leverage it here, I think so, but we'll see. I just wish I had an easy solution to 600 Longdead Horse. I mean sure, one stack is fine, but 600 here, 600 there, some Air Queens, some Earth Kings..... Where do I start? It's like a crunchy buffet full of ill prepared pufferfish. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[AreaOfEffect]

I signed in to appologize for my later-then-usual submission. I myself have been dealing with scripting horror and just wanted to take an evening off from Dominions. However it seems I shouldn't feel too bad as you guys weren't waiting on me alone anyhow. I should be good for one turn per day for the next few days.

In regards to dealing with hordes of longdead, comunion banishment spam isn't that bad of a tactic for you. Their MR is low and I'm sure their getting an MR penalty from your dominion. Also, banishment is nearly fatigueless, so your masters and slaves can do it all day long. Cast water ward (underwater only) in order to deflect more of his lance blows.

The alturentive is using a battlefield damage spell that your army can survive.

[AreaOfEffect]

I think it's official, we need a delay of game as Jim only has 3 hours left to submit. If he stales then I vote we roll the turn back. Though that wouldn't be optimal as that might give the other two players time to rethink there turns after seeing the result. I don't think we would want that.

[JimMorrison]

No I'll be submitting. Forgive me if I feel a bit overwhelmed by the massiveness of the whole thing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Been having a rough few days, so it;s just been hard to focus that hard on one thing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif I have 90 minutes left by my clock, should be fine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[JimMorrison]

Well! What an eventful turn that was. Or at least, what an incredible battle that was. I was very shocked when the AI decided to drop Shimmering Fields - I've honestly never seen that spell fire off, it was beautiful, even if I'd hope for a more spectacular effect. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I bet the Air mage surprised you altogether, I only got her a few turns ago, and had 200 Air gems laying around, so I got to Empowering, she's neato. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I gotta say though..... Leprosy? That is WAY overpowered. Yeah it doesn't kill anyone, but for what, 10 gems? It is diseasing 150-200 men per cast, and even hits 17-20 MR commanders with fair regularity, that's kind of messed up. If I didn't have the Gift Of Health that I robbed from you, that spell alone would have totally won the game for you, as it is it makes me wait in my dominion to get "better", but obviously I can't wait much, because more piles of bones appear every day. &lt; sigh &gt;



How are you faring, AOE? I don't much see Mictlan anymore, which is a bit disconcerting - I know you don't have an ocean to hide in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[AreaOfEffect]

Nope, no ocean and not much land eaither. He's been assassination spell spamming me. Earth Attack, Manifestation, the occasional Mind Hunt when he thinks it's safe. I feeble minded one of his mages with a teleport spell.

Their were also the 14 super combatents, 11 of which are still tromping around. Just three more royalty and 7 more bane lords to kill before he sends me another batch.

I'm also down a castle leaving me only 2 left, which are both being seiged. No worries though, he's not breaking down the walls yet as he used the SCs to take them.

I've still got my good mages around. Mostly because they're immortal as all of them have "died" at least once. Their the gift the keeps on giving.

As for the air gems I needed from you, they were really helpful in eliminating his largest grouping of mages and troops. See, I did some empowering of my own and made a troll king into a earth 3 air 1 mage for some hot Rain Of Stones action. Which is were the hero with 666 kills came in. He's dead now.

Well, that's the Mictlan report. Stay tuned for more.

[IndyPendant]

Heh. I was going to ask if you two were ready to surrender yet. I guess not.

JM, that battle was definitely epic! The air mage wasn't all that much of a surprise though; hadn't you cast Seeking Arrow at me the previous turn? I'm pretty sure you had. The loss of another of my 8 or so armies isn't a big deal, particularly since I won the battle in the process. I liked my Air Queen though! Give her back, damn you! *shakes fist* ; )

Leprosy is definitely good, but keep in mind it allows a resistance check, costs 10 death gems, and 'only' diseases units (so they're still around for a while). I've been maximizing my penetration items for the spell, so it seems a bit better than normal. I wouldn't call it overpowered, but I am surprised it's not used more in MP. And as soon as your armies enter my territories, Gift of Health no longer applies. (Muahaha!)

AoE, was that my largest grouping of units? I hadn't noticed, I have so many armies running around. ; ) Still, that *was* a rather shocking, unexpected slaughter those trolls invoked on my army--hence the immediate flurry of assassinations. And my feebleminded mage has already recovered; I anticipated the teleport tactic (I was also thinking about stealthed astral mages). Gotta love that Chalice! I hadn't expected to lose 3 fully-equipped Bane Lords assaulting only PD though; that was disappointing.

I can't wait to see what happens next! I may be a little late submitting this current turn, although I'll try not to be, but afterwards I should be back on track.

--IndyPendant.

[JimMorrison]

Well..... 40 Death gems diseased 600-700 of my troops, including all of my very expensive and high MR Illithids. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif It diseased a good 40 commanders, over 30 of which are mages. Yeah if they can't get cured, they can technically go down in a blaze of glory, but diseased troops very rapidly deteriorate - fully half of them already had an additional affliction on the same turn the spell is cast.

So all things considered, 40 Death gems to ruin 8000g+ worth of troops and mages, some of them highly experienced and/or rare magic picks - I'm gonna call that a bit extravagant. I mean I blew 50 Water on a Murdering Winter, and killed like 33 guys. Sure, the province wasn't Cold 3, but Leprosy doesn't have that kind of a restriction. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif


I'm disappointed the Air Queen isn't a commander any longer. She's kind of silly without her gear or magic, hardly a better result than just killing her. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[JimMorrison]

Well, I kinda hoped you would want to play with your food a little bit before you ate it, but you're like a kid in a candy store. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

As I had supposed earlier, you really are just too massive to fight, and Leprosy and assassinations just wreck everything I can put together.

I'd be more than happy to crown you king of this little world, and move on. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Well played!

[IndyPendant]

Heh. Yeah, hit as hard and as fast as I can, keep you from recovering. That would definitely be the idea. ; )

It's pretty much a done deal now. We could continue playing it through, but unless AoE has some last-minute, game-winning surprise up his sleeve, I'm going to feel a bit like Arthur in the Holy Grail, when the Black Knight just would not stop fighting: "You are indeed brave, Sir Knight, but the fight is mine...What are you going to, bleed on me?"

I'll wait for AoE to respond, though.

[AreaOfEffect]

Give up?! Never! I ask for at least another turn. Personally, I had a lot of fun doing up this last set of commands. So clearly I'd like to see it executed.

[IndyPendant]

Oh, by all means then! I look forward to seeing what you have prepared. ; )

I'll complete my turn tonight or tomorrow.

[JimMorrison]

I'm just going to submit. The Starspawns have cooked up a big pot of shroom tea (don't ask how they do tea at the bottom of the ocean, it's a secret!), and are all preparing to step through the Void Gate to avoid letting me script orders for them - which is a sure precursor to a terrible fate that interrupts their execution of those scripts. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[IndyPendant]

Heh. You are just far too enamoured with Rain of Stones, AoE. ; ) In one more turn, I would have had Army of Lead/Gold anyways, and you can bet I would have been first-turn casting it with item buffs and full armour!

Too bad about the Lich though; I'm pretty sure he was intended to do a lot more harm than he did. Very good playing though; similar to Vanheim, I shudder to think what would have happened if we had started the war anywhere near balanced in strength.

Shall we call it a game now? I'd love to read any AARs, and I could type one of my own up if anyone is interested...

--IndyPendant.

[AreaOfEffect]

Hell, sure. I just wanted to see that turn. You can have your win. Congrats man.

[IndyPendant]

Thanks. And I still say congrats on your comeback. That was practically Hollywood-worthy in its extremity, hands-down the best turnaround I have ever seen. ; )

I'm going to register the win in that Thread of Preening, and I hope to play against you again in future games.

Have fun!

--IndyPendant.

[Wokeye]

Congrats Indy, GJ.