KingMaker - let the Ascension War commence!

[Unoptimized]

Wel fought to you as well! I thought I was toast there for a while. Turns out that you need to net down a giant before you teach them to love picture books. Apostacy is my new early game MVP. Espicially when backed with communions.

[llamabeast]

Okay, turn postponed by 60 hours for Independence Day. It'll now host 19:40 GMT on Monday.

[Herode]

Despite having allied themselves with the nasty Aboleth, the MA Oceanian Capricons have been badly defeated in combat by our fierce Triton Knights. The battlefield of Soth Dagod ended covered with the pityful remnants of several dozens of Ichtycentaurs and a mummyfied bollock presumably lost by Baalz the false God while dodging the incomming attacks of his pursuers. He endured nevertheless a sever punishment and shall now be known as The Kicked *** One. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

The forecoming generations will remember our heroes for long.

Our troops also went to siege an Aboleth castle and are heading now towards the Capricorns capitol. Since the underhand Baalz also said Half the Lich meanly invoqued a Plague on the Nacred Towers of our capitol, we here claim that every nation willing to help us against the Dark Forces still gathering under the Sea, every nation said I will be welcome and his willingness and donations to EA Oceania will truly be remembered for the Eons to come. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Herode, the Voice of Abou Yabesse the Big Fish.

[Kristoffer O]

Is MA Man the death match reward organizers?

Yomi are only interested in paper money and souls of the dead. We might send gems to said nation when the gate to the underworld is eventually closed, in order to get more competition in the arena.

Would this disturb the organizers of the championships or is it in accordance with current ideas.

[llamabeast]

Yep, MA Man are the death match rewarders - please donate!

One thing that would be really awesome for a patch, KO, would be making the death match prize better. It would be great if everyone was frothing at the mouth to win it.

[Meglobob]

I am really looking forward to the 1st death match in Kingmaker!

First time I have ever said that about the death match.

Shame I have no champion as yet.

[Xietor]

Oh, internet has been found even in the most rural of settings!

Quick update, not that anyone cares, but i will be doing my own turns. So diplomacy can be directed towards me even on my family vacation.

Note to Yomi: The Sybils' foretell that a champion from LA Arcoscephale will win the arena event. To eliminate middle men, and to save wear and tear on demon wings, Yomi can just send the Champion's purse directly to Pathos, Son of Titans, care of LA Arcoscephale.

[llamabeast]

Okay guys, we are back on 48 hours again. I hope those of you who went on holiday had a nice time.

[Lingchih]

The war between Lanka and LA Pythium has begun in earnest now. Battles have been won by both sides, but the mighty Lanka host remains uncommitted. And though devout Pythium is outnumbered and outgunned 20 to 1, our mighty Hydras show no fear. They have never been defeated, and their tiny minds do not understand the concept of "hopelessly outnumbered". They, we think, will fight to the death. Hopefully, that is to the death of many demons.

[Twan]

The war between Arcocephale and Maverni savages has come to an end.

After losing their capitol, the remaining red haired natives, their last druids and their enchantress queen returned to the forests where they gathered all their tribe (about 50pd) and defeated a big Arcocephale army last month. It was then decided to let them live in the wilds.

Unfortunately for him the ME Caelian king, unaware of the big reunion of the Mavernis, and foolishly aggressive against Arcocephale decided at this moment to try an invasion and contest the control of this last Maverni province ; he was so confident in his chances of success that he declared war to the peaceful ambassador of Arcocephale.

Of course, mammoths didn't stand a chance against astral mages, be them astrologers or the last mavernis druids. Caelum lost badly, both in his attack against Arcocephale and trying to take the Mavernis reserve.

Astrologers now predict a very bad future for the bird men.

[cleveland]

It was shaping up to be yet another disappointing season for the Giants: all forts sieged, all armies decimated, all playoff hopes dashed...

...that is, until Head Coach Kauthuga pulled a rabbit out of his hat, calling up 3rd-string reserves from the MA Jotunheim farm leagues.

"Yeah, the defense has been pretty lackluster lately, and the offense...well...lets just say things were better before Barack went on the permanent DL," Coach Kauth said during a press conference in the besieged capital of LA Utgard.

"But we've turned it around. This Giants team is united and ready to go. I mean, you shoulda seen them new MA Jotunheim boys smash that dollar's worth of PD...smashed 'em REAL nice," said Kauth, salivating noticeably.

However, weary fans are already predicting a disappointing ending to this Giants rally. "I don't care how good Orm is," said one drunken season-ticket holder, "them Giants is ALWAYS gonna play a smashmouth game, and guess what...it ain't workin'."

Will the MA Jotunheim boys be able to turn the G-Men around? Or will the decision to leave their vast frontier protected only by their notoriously crappy PD - while 90% of their forces are concentrated in province 734 - ruin their playoff dreams? Stay tuned sportsfans!

[DonCorazon]

Well the Giants are certainly known for having fan base of back seat coaches who complain about Utgard “leaving its vast frontier protected only by notoriously crappy PD causing Coach K no end of heartache. What are the alternatives Coach K asks – spreading expensive troops to patrol against Sidhe raiders, boosting the PD past 1, or getting blinded expensive werewolves on the company payroll? Useless and wasteful in all cases. No, better to send our troops to conquer other lands to stock up for the day that the inevitable and annoying Sidhe raiders sprout up like weeds.

Anyway, Eriu’s neighbors would be wise to strike down this foe, with his ever increasing research and access to Utgard’s gem horde (you can find him out of order on the lower part of the score graphs – another bit of elvish trickery) This treacherous foe shall soon be a serious enemy. His Sidhe are probably already trying to woo your women and staking out positions in your forts while he stalls and stutters his NAP negotiations with you as he did with us bumbling backward giants. Act now while he is spread out across Utgard and you will save yourself serious headache and marital problems down the road. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
-Coach K

[JimMorrison]

Wooing our women?

The proud women of Gath would never stoop to copulate with uncouth barbarians who don't even trim their genitalia.

[cleveland]

Er, the only genitalia trimmers we've met are eunuchs fleeing from EA Arcoscephale...

[Xietor]

if you have not noticed from the flood of posts, I am back from vacation. Please send sub requests to me again.

Many thanks to llamabeast for handling the game in my absence.

[llamabeast]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif No worries! I didn't really have to do anything.

[DrPraetorious]

The EA Giants, who still wear blue and play in Niefel stadium, play smash-mouth football *and* cannot be stopped. Our arrogance is entirely justified - we will never have our comeuppance! Never!

[cleveland]

Coach K,

I hope you give the MVP award to that lone blind berserking Woodsman. /threads/images/Graemlins/icon09.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Seriously, this auto-rout nonsense is absolutely absurd.

[DonCorazon]

He is a national hero and symbol of the indomitable Utgardian spirt.

I could say the same thing about absurdity of Eye Shields. I mean they basically have ruined my nation.

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
I could say the same thing about absurdity of Eye Shields.



Agreed. It should be an artifact, not a 10N Const2 trinket.

[Zeldor]

When I use eye sheld they never do anything, heh.

[DonCorazon]

Z, Tell that to an entire nation of blinded woodsmen. I think the Eye Shield is better than the Aegis. Now I have a bunch of expensive and useless crippled soldiers. At least the Aegis puts them out of their misery and off the payroll.

[Xietor]

Machaka has no fear of eye shields.

Spider-lost some eyes. Lost some more eyes. effect-none.

[Darkwind]

MA Ulm has no fear of Eye Shields, as almost every MA Ulman is near-blind from the visors to the helmets they wear around the clock anyways. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

But in other news, the Bank of Ulm has withdrawn back to the borders of Ulm proper. Only LA C'tis ever bothered to actually withdraw any money. And I want that money back, please (though interest isn't necessary, it would be nice). No one, surprisingly, withdrew any gems. Obviously no one trusts the newb. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

Also, if anyone cares, a new order of Black Knights has been created after the Mictlani massacre, headed by Anonymous the Black Lord (not to be confused with Anonymous the Head Banker, Anonymous the Voice of Monny, or any of the other disturbingly numerous Anonymous Anonssons in Ulm). Alarik the Black Acolyte has recovered from watching an entire army be smitten by giant bipedal toads (smitten with what? Love?). Finally, Calibrated Horizons has been killed with minimal casualties.

Edit: One last thing for everyone. I currently have an equal number of fort and no-fort provinces. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[Zenzei]

Edit: One last thing for everyone. I currently have an equal number of fort and no-fort provinces.


1 and 1? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Xietor]

A brief note:

Since I have received an email on this issue, I feel I do owe a public explanation. KO is playing Yomi. Yes he has staled 3 consecutive times. By rule, he should be set to ai.

However, KO is a developer. And he did inform me, prior to the game's start, that of the races not selected, he was interested in Yomi from a developer's standpoint.

I have no idea what that means exactly, but it means I am not pulling the plug on him. I have no idea what he has left etc. and have no clue what, if anything, he can get out of watching Yomi's last breath.

But I also figure he of all people knows how to set himself to AI when he is done looking at them. Aside from KO, there are no other developers playing(that I know of), so everyone else is bound by the rules.

[Amhazair]

Unfortunately KO is no longer amongst us. Or, at least, Yomi isn't.

There was nothing changed by his staling actually. He was down to his castle, and it just took me all these turns to breach the walls. In fact, I didn't even notice him staling just for this reason: him not doing anything was the most logical thing to do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DaveCG]

Well, it's been fun guys, but I think MA monkeys have my number, really enjoyed the game, and as always the only thing to do is to go down swinging.

"If you want my capital, you'll have to pry it from my cold dead fingers,you damn dirty ape...indian god banjo playing things...DAMMIT!"

But yeah, thanks for the tips on playing the monkeys (i.e watching you destroy me) I'll be using it in my hotseat game with a friend of mine, p.s if you could provide any other information about how to play (generally http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif) Bandar that'd be great, I really want to trash him good, he's MA evil rome people.

Anyway, like I said really enjoyed it, and next game I hope to be a bit more of a challenge for...well...anyone.

[Xietor]

Stale turning typically does not help your cause when you are at war, though if you are new at the game, and are fighting a wily vet like Atul, it likely is frustrating. My scouts are not watching your battles, but if you are getting trampled by elephants, that can be very disheartening when you are on the trampled end of things.

There are a lot of elephant nations in this game, and you really have to plan your defense against them before the game starts(pretender selection). There are just too many of them to just hope that you do not start next to one of them.

[atul]

DaveCG, too bad it had to be you, but I've got a limited number of neighbours after all. But, you've still got more than enough troops to put up a fight, so it's fields of glory next. Don't stale anymore though, takes the fun out of fighting. (I can send you PM about Bandar later on, need to go to work in a minute)

Xietor, elephants are for wimps. :-P Haven't recruited a single elephant during this game, and since magic has kicked off probably won't either.

[Lingchih]

LA Pythium, and it's intrepid reporters, wish to make notice that:

WHO WAS THE CRAZY MOTHER THAT SAID IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ATTACK LANKA?

In other news, LA Pythium stocks fell over 200 points in heavy trading.

[cleveland]

Lingchih said:
WHO WAS THE CRAZY MOTHER THAT SAID IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ATTACK LANKA?




Probably the same mother that said it would be a good idea to attack Eriu.

The Jotunheim defensive line has collapsed under an intense Eriu blitz, leaving the hero Orm scrambling way behind the line of scrimmage, surrounded. 1/2 of the Jotunheim players are down, and the other 1/2 are looking (rimshot!) for their eyes. Except for this guy, who for the time being still has 20/20 vision, amazingly:
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9522/afflictedwoodsmanak2.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=afflictedwoodsmanak2.jpg)

This is all tough to swallow for Coach Uvini, whose team has yet to put a single point (of damage against an Eriu soldier) on the board; however, she's got bigger things to worry about, with Eriu's fearsome linebackers currently just yards from the coaches' booth...

(Jotunheim: This is about the time you send an apologetic PM offering huge piles of gems, in hopes that I won't spend the 6A it will take to completely annihilate what's left of your little expeditionary force & capture your capital.)

[Kristoffer O]

> Unfortunately KO is no longer amongst us. Or, at least, Yomi isn't.

We're still here, we're just not showing ourselves to you. We watch you from the other side and await your eventual arrival.

> There was nothing changed by his staling actually. He was down to his castle, and it just took me all these turns to breach the walls. In fact, I didn't even notice him staling just for this reason: him not doing anything was the most logical thing to do.

I was away for a while, and forgot to tell anyone and I didn't have access to a computer. I didn't have much to do during my turns anyway (since my capital was besieged), but I should have told someone to sub a turn and sent my gems to the death match.

[Amhazair]

Aargh, a voice from beyond the grave!

You're not going to haunt me, are you KO? You know I love all those cute little oni of yours. Anything I did was in self defence only, and I'm also willing to plead insanity if needed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JimMorrison]

Ohhh, insanity. We like insanity.

Yes we do.

And Ling, it IS a good idea to attack Lanka. In fact, if you are having a hard time with them, it's only becoming more of a good idea to attack Lanka. More people should do it, it's like poker, much more fun with 5-6 players. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Xietor]

Attacking Lanka when 54 other nations exist to attack?

No one can say you do not like challenges.

[Zeldor]

Yeah, I can give you location of LA Arco, you can all teleport/cloud trapeze there and have deathmatch for Xietor's capitol!

[atul]

It's easy to act brave when there is an aspect of distance to be considered. Gath is worlds away from Lanka, and thus needs not to fear retribution for its words.

Though I must admit insanity goes well with JM's avatar. Stare not into those eyes too deeply.

[Zeldor]

atul:

Oh yeah, it reminded me to set avatar, I had to do it like 1000 posts ago.

[Xietor]

You could teleport to my capital, but as K learned the last game, Banelords in constr 4 gear are impossible to kill with blessed troops, even lanka's blessed troops.

[Lingchih]

JimMorrison said:
And Ling, it IS a good idea to attack Lanka. In fact, if you are having a hard time with them, it's only becoming more of a good idea to attack Lanka. More people should do it, it's like poker, much more fun with 5-6 players. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif



Well, when I attacked them, I actually had thought that I had at least one ally, and possibly another one or two would come in as well. That's how you take out uber races, right? You gank them. None of my neighbors seems to share this opinion though.

[Foodstamp]

Your zerging ways have backfired!

[Xietor]

MA Ctis killed them 1 on 1 last game. Actually LAnka is the one that had allies while Ctis fought alone.

The trick with bless nations is to find their weakness. Lolomo knows what I mean. But I will say no more as I have nothing against lanka.

[JimMorrison]

Neither do I, but a world this large needs some havoc. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Xietor]

What happened to that poll on who took what type pretenders?

Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

[cleveland]

Results of the Kingmaker Pretender Poll (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=614101)

CHEERS to the Eriuian generals for successfully annihilating every…single…soldier of the Jotunheim Expeditionary Force, including the Prophet Orm (whose Heroic Strength had swelled to a comical 47), without suffering a single casualty. As promised.

JEERS to the arms dealer who supplied Utgard with the Frost Brands & Vine Shields used in their successful defense of the EA Arcoscephale capital.

[DonCorazon]

Now that Utgard has tapped into the Kingsmaker arms market, we expect to avenge our brothers in Jotunheim and put an end to Eriu's giant extermination plan! We are still open to further purchases - looking for shrouds, brands, and...eye shields. After all, an eye for an eye! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
After all, an eye for an eye! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif



Though, in the case of Utgard, both eyes usually come from the same Woodsman... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Xietor]

Score graphs for turn 27 for anyone following the Game:

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/4828877bad4b7d0552cd8c8d841e93642g.jpg (http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=yzutimbfude&thumb=4)


Btw that is helheim and LA Caelum that own twice as many provinces as anyone else if any curious spectators are wondering who is topping the charts.

[DonCorazon]

A while ago there was a thread with funny magic sites. Our nation would like to propose one that would be in great demand in Utgard.

Lasik Center
Enter to Heal one lost eye affliction

[JimMorrison]

DonCorazon said:
A while ago there was a thread with funny magic sites. Our nation would like to propose one that would be in great demand in Utgard.

Lasik Center
Enter to Heal one lost eye affliction



There is also the-

I-Mart
Gives a free Slushy with every replacement Eye purchase!

[DonCorazon]

I'd also like to propose a magic item to be called the Eyes of Utgard in honor of the massive blindness we have experienced in this game.

It will be an N1 magic set of reading glasses - consider it a helm since they require a big, dorky headband to fit on a skratti head, and thus don't work with well with other headgear.

Their magical power will be to restore vision and negate the effects of any mirror imaged foes. If I knew how to Mod I'd also add an Incinerate spell which shoots out of the glasses to toast annoying Sidhe raiders. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Lingchih]

The huge battle finally ensued between Lanka and LA Pythium. Lanka brought nearly 600 troops, undead, Demons, thugs and mages.

Poor LA Pythium countered with 3 priests, our prophet, and 30 sacred Hydras.

The almost stupidly brave Hydras plowed into the massive army, with the priests casting support, and thinning out the undead with dozens of banishments. Our brave Hydras mowed through the intial wave of troops with little problem. Then came the Palankasha demons.

The toughest troops we have ever seen, they were, and they fearlessly plowed into the Hydra line. Just as we had planned (evil laugh). They fought well, but the poison took it's toll, and after an hour of battle, half of the demons were dead, and most of the rest struggled to fight with on with nasy poison dripping wounds.

But our Hydras had been sorely damaged as well. Most of their heads were gone, and when half of them were killed, our Prophet decided it was better to live to fight another day. He ordered the classic Hydra Slow Retreat, wherein they withdraw from the field at a crawl, while letting the pursuers languish through the poison field. when the final toll was called, only a handful of Demons remained alive, and they are sore wounded.

And now, our valiant priests and remaining Hydras prepare the counterattack. LA Pythium is besieged, but by no means defeated.

[Xietor]

LA Ctis Staled? Say it ain't so.

[atul]

Well you're the game admin, you should know.

In other news, Bandar Log, while victorious, is not greedy. Should any of EA Ulm's neighbours want a piece of his lands now that there is virtually no opposition, let us know. That way we can ensure that there isn't any unwarranted head-butts where two armies attack same provinces. Plenty of lands for everyone!

And also, BL joins the Const4 club with a strong line of Nature and Astral accessories. Should anyone be interested in Shrouds, Eye/Wine Shields and the like.

[Xietor]

"Well you're the game admin, you should know."

The game admin. on llamaserver does not know anything the other players do not. The staling data is available to anyone. Just click under Administrator options then on staling data.

I can only change a player's email address, the message of the day, and the host times.

[Foodstamp]

I LOSTED BECUZ XIETOR HADS MOD POWERS!!!!ONE1!!1!

[Xietor]

Oh since you lost anyway Foodstamp, you likely will not mind if i pass control of your empire to a distant relative, sonofxietor.

And is that you in the youtube video you sent me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAL-cefn_dc

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

[Foodstamp]

Wow, way to get me in trouble at work. No more clicking links with the volume turned up!

[DaveCG]

Btw Xietor I'm really sorry 'bout missing my turn, I've been off for two weeks (you'd think that'd mean I'd have to time to do my turn...but apparently not so) from work and it was sorta "WOO! no work!".."Dave how's your dom game going?" ....

...

"poo poo"

Anyway, like I said I had fun and I've learnt a thing or two, and I was just happy to last this long for my first crazy newby game, and I've still got one last fight left in me...I must however admit it's going to be a piss poor fight but still.

So untill next time.

[JimMorrison]

atul said:
And also, BL joins the Const4 club with a strong line of Nature and Astral accessories. Should anyone be interested in Shrouds, Eye/Wine Shields and the like.



Are you calling the Eye Shield a "Whine Shield" now? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Or is that Vine Shield also? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

No offense intended to anyone who may not be able to read this post due to eyeloss. <3

[Xietor]

Lawful good LA Arcos. will continue to honor its treaties with EA Ulm, and will not join the dog pile. We are a nation of law and order.

[Darkwind]

Ea Ulm is down?! Heads shall roll for this offense! We never even got to see our early cousins! Oh, cruel world!

[atul]

Wine, vine, who even hears the difference when spoken out. But whining about eye shields has grown loud, it is perhaps time for astral nations to research Mind Hunt and start offering far-slaying services.

On totally different note, LA Arcoscephale really should start to honor its treaties and stop pushing dominion with unnecessarily numerous temples built unannounced near its borders.

[Lingchih]

Did the Eye Shield get tweaked at some point by the devs? It's always been nice, but in this game it seems to tear eyeballs out at a distance. My opponent is using them, and very nearly every unit that attacks a commander with one, gets completely blinded. I don't remember it being that powerful.

[Xietor]

LA Arcos is not "pushing" is dominion. However it finds itself surrounded by nations with up to 3 misf, and death dominion, and in fact does not have 1 neighbor with "good scales."

Therefore LA Arcos wants to make sure its own lands do not have the "bad scales of its neighbors pushed onto them."

[atul]

When you have built temples straight at the border without any visible reasons apart from dominion spread, that is "push". Had you had problems with my dominion you could've said so and thus we could have agreed on something. As things stand you acted on your own and as a result unfavourable dominion (cold 1 on summertime? Brr) is already on our lands.

Don't know about the eye shield upgrade though. A bit surprising if it's that effective, isn't there be some att vs def check going on with it?

[Zeldor]

I don't know about the eye shield, I have used it couple times before and found it extremely not effective. Like 20-40 enemy hits to make him lose one eye.

[atul]

I'm going by pure guess here but it might have something to do with the defence stat. I.e. you either have to hit the shield or miss the target to be affected. That way the Eye Shield wouldn't be much good for Prot-thugs but better for Def-concentrating ones.

Or the other way around.

[Xietor]

Be thankful you do not have cold dominion in your capital!

And a Blue flag flying over it.

[atul]

Yeah, I admit, LA Caelum has got quite near. I assume that's the blue-flagged nation you're threatening me with?

[DrPraetorious]

It varies from version to version, but I believe at present it *must* be a shield hit to cause blindness. If it doesn't work this way, I'd call it a bug.

This means that units with high def (enemies usually miss entirely) or very low def (which don't usually get the shield block) don't inflict much eye loss - but a unit with -2 def on the attacker can blind a lot of attackers, since any roll of -3 to +2 will result in eye loss.

[Xietor]

Some things are best learned by individual play testing, and then best kept to oneself.

[DonCorazon]

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif
Well Utgard doesn't give a crap if we are all blind, with frost brands it doesn't matter. We celebrate the destruction of 3 infamous Tuatha and the liberation of Arcos. And yes, we are coming after you Eriu even if we are blind so you better run. And hopefully we don't accidentally invade a neighbor since we cannot see where we're going.

OOC: Eriu is a smart player and Eye shields are a great addition to his high defense Sidhe. I wonder whether Dr P's theory is right though b/c almost all my guys are blind - both high attack werewolves and low attack woodsmen.

[Lingchih]

I think Dr P is right on about how eye shields work.

[Xietor]

Lolomo sent me a pm asking me if there were any banned exploits this game. Banned exploits were posted in the very first post of the original Kingmaker thread. They are few, and I will copy and paste them here as a reminder for those few players that do not read the original thread anymore in their spare time:

Rules:

Notable exploits banned:

1. If you capture Bogus and his friends, you can script those captured units to attack mages, but you cannot copy their "attack mage" orders to any other commanders or units.

2. You cannot cast battlefield enchantments that cause damage to enemy units, then retreat the casting mage before 5 rounds of combat passes. In other words, if you cast Wrathful Skies, you cannot order that mage to retreat before 5 turns has passed (your last available scripting order can be retreat). And this rule includes items that cast such spells.

3. You cannot overload someone’s lab with the purpose of maliciously filling it so they cannot receive or forge items.

[Zeldor]

I assume MoD is banned too?

[Xietor]

Why would you assume that i overlooked anything? MOD is not banned, as it "fixed" via Kingmaker Mod which incorporated Twan's clever mod.

If you people would have spent more time reading the original game thread, and less time reading Black Company, Jordan, Martin, and some of these other authors, you would know these things.

[Zeldor]

OH, that is included http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Great thing then. My mid is somewhere else recently.

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif
Well Utgard doesn't give a crap if we are all blind, with frost brands it doesn't matter.


I wouldn't be so certain of that...*sinister laughter*...


DonCorazon said:
We celebrate the destruction of 3 infamous Tuatha and the liberation of Arcos.



At least they're off the payrolls. What's the insurance premium increase for 3 more blind werewolves? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


DonCorazon said:
OOC: Eriu is a smart player...



Well thank you DC, that's very kind. But I must point out that you've demonstrated unprecedented creativity & adaptability in this game.

I hit Utgard with a sudden, overwhelming sneak attack that took 1/2 his provinces & sieged 4 castles; thus he couldn't recruit anything of consequence under the pains of Drain3. In spite of this, he's managed to expel me from 3 of the 4 (Willie O'Giantslayer still waits outside the gates of Utgard itself) and just inflicted devistating losses on my "primary" army. Thus proving at least either (a) Eriu is a dope, or (b) Utgard is a genius. I'm hoping (b) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zeldor]

Eriu is not a bad nation at all. Though 1:1 open fights with giants are not its strongest point http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Xietor]

Eriu is a good match for the giants, in that they have great stealth thugs and the giants pd is beyond bad(assuming Utgard's pd is as bad as Jotunheim).

[Amhazair]

Utgard PD consists of their human subjects. I seem to recall it was decent enough, if nothing special.

[Zeldor]

From what I remember it pretty much sucked, but well, not like monkey PD sucking style.

[atul]

Monkey PD will eat you for dessert for such comments!

[DonCorazon]

cleveland said:
What's the insurance premium increase for 3 more blind werewolves? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



GEICO doesn't pay much these days as they claim blind werewolves can still research. Apparently they just sit around on the porch and talk about the good ole days and come up with some pretty good ideas for spells. And since none of what pass for magi in Utgard are sacred anyway it doesn't really matter who is doing the research - they are all expensive.

And I know what you're thinking Cleveland and Utgard is already on Phase II of our plan to turn blind werwolves into Rambo-like killing machines. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Xietor]

Now instead of a Bank of Ulm, for which there was little need since the first Big Game had established a trading house, someone should have opened up an insurance company.

And players could have taken out insurance on thugs and provinces.

A typical policy for a province could cover against:

Floods, Toad infestation, Locusts, Heavy Snowfalls, and other random events.

For a premium one could purchase "key man" insurance that would insure certain thugs and sc's against certain afflictions and death. Minor afflictions could result in a cash payout, where a major affliction may result in a "total
loss" being declared under the policy.

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
And I know what you're thinking Cleveland and Utgard is already on Phase II of our plan to turn blind werwolves (sic) into Rambo-like killing machines. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



I think I know what you think I'm thinking, which is why I'm thinking something else. I also know what you're thinking.

I think.

[JimMorrison]

Obviously you would put the poison in your own glass.

[Gregstrom]

Now I haveto watch that film again. Inconceivable!

[cleveland]

Never go against an Eriuian when death is on the line.

[JimMorrison]

Cleveland has spent the last few years building up an immunity to Eye Shields..... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[Zeldor]

Cool, arena deathmatch, what is the award?

[Meglobob]

Cool, I wish I had an hero... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Wonder if we will meet a blind Utgard warrior?

A giant will probably get the prize, Niefel giant possibly?

[Lingchih]

Hehe. Well, it looks like you have won, Lanka. We did not hold out much hope really, and none now.

But you will have to work for Krynos' head. He will not give it up easily. He rather prefers it attached to his shoulders.

[cleveland]

Zeldor said:
Cool, arena deathmatch, what is the award?



Oh my! Which of the Heroic Brothers O'Giantslayer will win the competition?

[Darkwind]

I wouldn't bet too much that a Giant will win. I'm quite eager to see how many enemies I can go through. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Foodstamp]

If my sage has anything to do with it, the Eater of Heroes will win this tourney http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif.

[DonCorazon]

cleveland said:

Zeldor said:
Cool, arena deathmatch, what is the award?



Oh my! Which of the Heroic Brothers O'Giantslayer will win the competition?



I think only Willie is left.
Utgard will send one of the green recruit two-eyes.

[DrPraetorious]

Yeah, what is the award, and does anyone know what province deathmatch is in? It might be worth risking a Jarl, but individually they're no match for some of the nastier pretenders, so probably not.

[llamabeast]

Oh grr, I meant to update a suggested updated prize a couple of days ago, but forgot.

Well, the Prizegiver is obscenely wealthy, so the prize can be as big as you wish.

I suggest it is 2000 gold and 30 pearls.

I foresee some objection to the not-announced-in-advance nature of this increased prize, but come on guys, think how awesome it will be! And the chance of your neighbour being the winner is small.

So unless Xietor overrules me, that will be the prize.

Incidentally I won't be entering - Set took an arrow through the heart this last turn. Grr.

[Zeldor]

llamabeast:

Unless someone borders Niefel...

[llamabeast]

Surely no-one could be so unlucky.

[Xietor]

I do not object to the purse. However, might I add these suggestions for discussion:

1. Purse should be 30 gems of the winner's choice? Maybe he wants earth or death gems, not pearls.

2. Maybe the champion's afflictions should be removed by the gods as a sign they favor a winner(llamabeast could likely edit the winner's afflictions out?).

[Zeldor]

Only commanders with hand slots are allowed, right? And trident replaces any weapon you previously had?

[Meglobob]

Zeldor said:
Only commanders with hand slots are allowed, right? And trident replaces any weapon you previously had?



You can send any commander, can't you?


Xietor said:1. Purse should be 30 gems of the winner's choice? Maybe he wants earth or death gems, not pearls.



Pearls are fairest as you can convert them 2 for 1 but even better trade them 1 for 1, someones bound to want them.


Xietor said:Maybe the champion's afflictions should be removed by the gods as a sign they favor a winner(llamabeast could likely edit the winner's afflictions out?).



That would be even more unfair on nations whose gods are imprisioned and have no recruitable thugs/sc's or low level summonable thugs.

Anyway if you want to send your god, I at least want to curse/horror mark him to death. I got no chance of winning anyway, so might as well have some fun. Lets see horror mark, call lesser horror...errrm... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zeldor]

Meglobob:

I think there was some discussion in previous thread. Something that with increased award winner shouldn't be able to evade defending it in next death match.

[Xietor]

i am going to ban the 2 most blatant "spite" tactics in future events, as that discourages participation. The punishment will be that you will match the purse, and llamabeast will remove your curses and horromarks from your foe making it a futile gesture.

Most notably, curse and horror mark will be banned from being scripted. you can summon lesser horrors though, as that is a valid tactic to win a combat. Curses and horror marks cast by the ai, however, are a risk one takes when one enters the arena.

Anything goes in this first match, however, as it is too late to impose rules. So you can curse and horror mark to your heart's content in the first arena match.

[Foodstamp]

Xietor said:
i am going to ban the 2 most blatant "spite" tactics in future events, as that discourages participation. The punishment will be that you will match the purse, and llamabeast will remove your curses and horromarks from your foe making it a futile gesture.

Most notably, curse and horror mark will be banned from being scripted. you can summon lesser horrors though, as that is a valid tactic to win a combat. Curses and horror marks cast by the ai, however, are a risk one takes when one enters the arena.

Anything goes in this first match, however, as it is too late to impose rules. So you can curse and horror mark to your heart's content in the first arena match.



I am guessing your pretender is some sort of SC?

If you are going to take the only permanent risks for SC pretenders out of the event may I suggest you call it the "Slap Fight" event instead of a "death match" ?

With this decision, you are giving the SC Pretender crowd an advantage in this event, as their risk just went down a good bit.

[Meglobob]

Xietor said:Most notably, curse and horror mark will be banned from being scripted. you can summon lesser horrors though, as that is a valid tactic to win a combat. Curses and horror marks cast by the ai, however, are a risk one takes when one enters the arena.



So next time send someone in with flesh eater, shield of the accused (no scripting), a slave collar and a fever fetish? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Yea, Xieter is already celebrating Ruin being champion of the arena...just change a few more of the rules and it will be so... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Zeldor]

I doubt Xietor would use his Lich here http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Best would be to take some Wyrm or other recyclable pretender with huge HP, regen, etc and no hand slot, so no risk of getting the trident and having to defend it.

[Amhazair]

I don't like the banning of curses and horror marks myself. The arena fight is supposed to be risky. The price was upped to make it worth the risk, which is something I like a lot, but personally I would prefer not to ban these tactics from the arena.

Sending in contestants with cursed items for their opponents to pick up I like less as a tactic, reeks to much of gamesmanship instead of a genuine attempt to hurt your opponents, though on the other hand most really valuable contestants are quite likely to have full slots.

[Xietor]

Actually I am not entering Ruin in the match. I just want to encourage the most participation of the best thugs possible.

And someone entering a shaman to curse and horror mark is not trying to win, but just using the event to "spite" other players. A totem shield curse would be valid, as would afflictions dealt from items.

It is a death match, but contestants should be entering with a view to winning the purse and not spamming curse and horror mark on someone else's thug.

Your Pretender can certainly die in the event, and pick up a host of afflictions, curse, and horror mark. I am sure a blood mage may cast a horror at the start of each battle in the later stages of the game.

But the arena event is really llamabeast's idea. And I really should not impose my rules on his event. So I will leave it up to llamabeast to decide what rules, if any, he wants to add to the event.

More rules mean more oversight, and llamabeast may not want any more oversight!

[Foodstamp]

A horror mark or cursing unit is going to get one shot at another person's champion.

By one shot I mean literally one casting unless the person he is fighting has scripted his champion to cast some spells too.

The arena spaces people so that if one person chooses attack as a battle order, they will reach and attack the other champion that turn.

A Shaman or Astral 2 caster should die in the first round of the tournament, 2nd-4th round of combat, meaning he is going to have little chance of wrecking anyone's fun.

Then there is always the chance that he is going to meet an indy commander or another horror mark / curse guy in the first round, meaning he will not even get a chance to curse, horror mark etc. anyone.

It's not like a Shaman , Sage or whatever is going to plow his way through the tournament horror marking and cursing everyone to the final round where he has to fight M. Bison.

[Xietor]

I am backing off imposing any rules on the areana event. The idea was Llamabeasts, and I really should not interfere. He can pretty much do with it as he sees fit. It is a fun idea to increase the purse.

[Meglobob]

How can someone who has a imprisioned god and no thugs/SC's win the deathmatch then?

Are all nations in my position banned from taking part then? All we can do is curse, horror mark at this stage of the game. Also you need to cast horror mark before summon horror, so the horror attacks its target and not the casting mage.

I want to just say that I am a big fan of the increased purse for deathmatch, which is a great and very good idea. I want a free for all thou, no more imposed rules or banning of anything!

Let deathmatch chaos rule and more glory for the final champion, coming through anything that can be thrown at him!

[Xietor]

see above. That would not be spamming horror mark to spite an opponent. You are now playing the devil's advocate? Are you in law school?

Obviously if you are going to horror mark a foe before summoning monsters that seek out a horror marked foe, that is not horror marking to spite your foe, but to mark him as a target.

But anyway, it will be up to llamabeast to decide if he wants to ban contestants who are entering just to "spitefully" curse and horror mark their foes. The key word being spitefully, meaning they are not trying to win the match.

But to answer your question, everyone has a chance to win.
you can enter a mage and summon air elementals(or fire water etc). Maybe you will get lucky and only face 1 or 2 badly beat up foes who have no sr protection.

[Zeldor]

Sending fully equipped SC is quite expensive lottery, I am not sure if worth that risk.

[DonCorazon]

not worth the risk but worth the fun. just think, you, me and ~60 others will lose kingmaker anyway, might as well send your best champion as the deathmatch is a game within a game.

[Meglobob]

If I did have a thug/SC I would send him, even if he was only a small thug/SC, just have not got one.

Looks like I will after just watch the deathmatch and not take part.

The prize is 2000 gps, 30 pearls, loads of experience and a magic trident so it has to be worth a thug...if you have one that is... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Zeldor]

All that E9N9, S9F9, W9F9 thugs, some with glamour, others with chill aura...

Really, why do we sponsor already overpowered nations? [one of them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif]. Let's hope it is at least one of the blind guys.

[DonCorazon]

I just hope Karsa Orlong (fighting for Utgard) doesn't end up fighting Willie O'Giantslayer (Eriu)in the first round.

[atul]

Just a thought, but if everyone sees the arena fights where nearly everyone has sent in a dude (i.e. helluvalot of fights), should we expect another round of very unreliable scouting, like in turn 2?

[llamabeast]

Dunno, it's possible. There are fewer players now, which does make quite a difference to the numbers.

[atul]

Yeah well, it isn't that a biggie for me. But just thought nations at war would appreciate the possible false alarm. Hope nothing breaks.

[Foodstamp]

I think if it pushes us over 60 events? then we may miss some of the messages. I think we will miss death match messages though because they are displayed towards the bottom, I dunno, will be interesting http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif.

[Zeldor]

I think it will be about 50 battles on arena. I can send like 10 text messages to every player in case someone gets no items from trades, own battles or events.

The problem is that we may not know the winner of deathmatch. And that we may get all scouting etc intel disappear again. Thay may be not pleasant.

[Xietor]

Sort of strange. In a very good way. There has only been 2 stale turns in the last 3 turns!

Good job everyone!

[Zeldor]

It looks like scouting got totally screwed even with just 7 battles on arena... strange.

[Meglobob]

A big congratulations to:-

Two-eyes the Sidheslayer of LA Utgard, Champion of the arena!

[Xietor]

My scouting is fine!

[Jazzepi]

Some of my scouting seems broken, and some of it seems okay.

Jazzepi

[Amhazair]

My scouting is totally gone too. Then again, I haven't found a single scout province yet, so there isn't that much scouting info to be had around here anyway. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[DonCorazon]

Excerpt from an interview with Two-eyes on KNN:
“I’d like to thank my pretender, Coach K. He doesn’t say much, and some cynics say he looks like a block of granite, but after a night in Botulf’s tavern drinking 30 shots of Jaeger, I went to relieve myself right near the Kauthuga monolith. It was then I heard a rustling of noise behind the divine stone and a faint whisper that said “Two-eyes, you must set forth and travel to the great arena. Our nation is losing hope and can barely see. You are the last of the 20/20 vision werewolves, only you can bring back the gold to save Utgard from the evil elflings. Also, please bring back a hot dog for Ursula the ethereal Sethkona as well.”

Not one to question the mysteries of divine thought, I set forth and conquered, confident that the divine will of Kauthuga assured my victory. And now that we have the trophy, I’d just like to use this opportunity to encourage all of MA Eriu’s neighbors, including LA Abysia and MA TC, to consider joining forces with me in taking these elvish punks down. Thank you and check out your local cobbler for my new brand of sneaker, the Two-eyes Reinvigorator.”

[Darkwind]

I find it interesting that Anonymous easily killed the Eriu warrior but was also one-hit KO'd by the werewolf belonging to a nation losing against the Sidhe. LA Utgard really seems to have been the star of the show, though. He participated in every battle but two. I think that, as a treat, I'll forge a single item for him for free, considering my newfound ability to steal hammers from those pesky Dwarves. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Also, I'd like to join the Immobile Pretenders club. I like, Utgard, took a Monolith (sleeping, even!).

[Foodstamp]

DonCorazon said:
Excerpt from an interview with Two-eyes on KNN:
“I’d like to thank my pretender, Coach K. He doesn’t say much, and some cynics say he looks like a block of granite, but after a night in Botulf’s tavern drinking 30 shots of Jaeger, I went to relieve myself right near the Kauthuga monolith. It was then I heard a rustling of noise behind the divine stone and a faint whisper that said “Two-eyes, you must set forth and travel to the great arena. Our nation is losing hope and can barely see. You are the last of the 20/20 vision werewolves, only you can bring back the gold to save Utgard from the evil elflings. Also, please bring back a hot dog for Ursula the ethereal Sethkona as well.”

Not one to question the mysteries of divine thought, I set forth and conquered, confident that the divine will of Kauthuga assured my victory. And now that we have the trophy, I’d just like to use this opportunity to encourage all of MA Eriu’s neighbors, including LA Abysia and MA TC, to consider joining forces with me in taking these elvish punks down. Thank you and check out your local cobbler for my new brand of sneaker, the Two-eyes Reinvigorator.”



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

[Lingchih]

OK Agartha, Mictlan, Kailasa (wink, wink). You all have your Lanka borders now. Let's see who steps up to the plate.

My scouting is fine as well. And I have about a dozen out in the field.

"Any pour souls who trespass against us
Whether it be beast or man
Will suffer the bite or be stung dead on sight
By those who inhabit this land

For theirs is the power and this is their kingdom
As sure as the sun does burn
So enter this path, but heed these four words,
You shall never return..."

-The Raconteurs

[Agema]

Xietor said:
Sort of strange. In a very good way. There has only been 2 stale turns in the last 3 turns!

Good job everyone!



I only staled because my internet went down that evening. Came back about an hour or two too late. Lost me an army and vital recruiting. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[llamabeast]

I seem to have had the most disastrous turn ever. My troop of sauromancers ordered to retreat from an advancing army of Midgard skinshifters didn't bother (presumably I misclicked) and hence were slaughtered. The commander of my attack army was killed by a seeking arrow, so all ten sauromancers waltzed into enemy territory, and were also slaughtered. And even the sauromancer who was meant to go to the arena was killed by a seeking arrow. Poo.

I fear LA C'tis is not long for this world. After a startlingly successful early campaign against Midgard coobe somehow managed to entirely turn the tables, liberating his capital and almost immediately almost all of his occupied territory. Now Kailasa has declared war. Panic!

[Zeldor]

llamabeast:

You see, invading peaceful neighbours is not always good http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[llamabeast]

I had no choice! What is not always good is invading peaceful neighbours incompetently.

[Xietor]

Kailasa has declared war on LA Ctis.

That does not sound good for:

1. LA Ctis-for obvious reasons

2. LA Pythium-obviously saving your empire from Lanka is not high on Kailasa's list

3.LA Agartha -My prediction is you are next on the Lanka menu. Funny, Lanka owned the LA Agartha capital in the 1st Big Game as well. Will history repeat itself? Only the Sybils know for sure.

[Zeldor]

Xietor, I'd worry about yourself. You have some neighbours around that really want to win the game. And neither of them is huge fan of astral nations alive in late game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And besides, Lanka looks like a really friendly nation, why would you say so bad things about them?

[Xietor]

Ruin will not ascend, but he will have a say in who does. Ruin is the Kingmaker, but he is not the King.

[Zeldor]

BTW, why did MA R'lyeh go AI? :| That is really strong nation, it looks fine in score graphs... just going like that without getting a sub?

[Lingchih]

Zeldor said:
And besides, Lanka looks like a really friendly nation, why would you say so bad things about them?



Yes, Lanka is really quite friendly. We are hosting several of their armies right now. We even gave them a castle to stay in while they visit.

[JimMorrison]

Am I the only one worried about Neifelheim? They're charging around the countryside like a rabid bull. Perhaps people should learn how to put fear aside and think rationally about how much more painful things will be if the giants' growth continues totally unchecked. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I'm not afraid! I .. AM .. worried at this point, however. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Zeldor]

I was actually thinking about giving them some discount on SC gear... you know, bracers of protection to stack and get them over 40 protection etc.

[JimMorrison]

Zeldor said:
I was actually thinking about giving them some discount on SC gear... you know, bracers of protection to stack and get them over 40 protection etc.



Considering Dr P claims that someone sold him FR gear - I would absolutely not doubt it, even though you smell like you're joking, I'm not so sure that he is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Seriously, selling FR gear to Nief? Isn't that like..... selling Patriot missiles to North Korea? O.o

"Hey guys, I got an idea how we can make some fast cash!" Come ooooon. This is how the world ends, not with a bang, but with 100g profit on a Ring of Fire. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[DonCorazon]

Z = Lord of War
Btw, Utgard is buying Eye Shields.

[DrPraetorious]

Firstly, that fire resistance gear was sold *at cost*, or at a negligible markup.

Secondly, I am a loyal and friendly neighbor to have. I even offered LA Gath an NAP - LA Gath said he planned on invading the person I was invading, and therefore he wouldn't agree to an NAP unless I let him have a share of Agartha, because he was afraid of his other neighbors!

Neighbors of LA Gath - LA Gath is scared of you! Like a little girl! And he insists on fighting a war with mighty Niefelheim over posession of Agartha's still-twitching remains. The neighbors of Gath must be fearsome indeed.

Should anyone else risk their necks to help a double-bless nation expand? Gath has an F9S9. I'm going to say no - but if you neighbor LA Gath, you should conquer him, or at least peel some provinces off, while he's vulnerable due to an ill-advised war with me.

[Xietor]

Someone should do a poll on who will win the game. 15 capitals wins it. So one does not necessarily have to kill off a tough neighbor to win the game.

And at some point, the true contenders will have to concern themselves as much with stopping each other as conquering their neighbors. But that time is not is not yet as astral travel is still far off.

[JimMorrison]

DrPraetorious said:
Firstly, that fire resistance gear was sold *at cost*, or at a negligible markup.



So someone without a chance to actually win, bent over to help make sure you do? Gotcha. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I'm unsure what gave you the impression Gath was afraid of anyone. The only neighbor that makes us "uncomfortable" with their overall strength, is Caelum, and I like to think they and we can coexist. <3

I'm really unsure what part of cowardice involves declining unconditional NAP with Niefelheim, in a situation that seems to predicate war. Seems if there were "fear of neighbors" involved in the decision making process, then accepting the NAP and attacking Bogarus beside the awesome might of Nief would have been the logical course of action.


To be fair, Gath is only afraid of Niefelheim, as should everyone be, if Gath faces them alone and falls, as they probably will if they fight alone, due to disparity of national advantages, and leadership experience. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


Let me put this all in another perspective though - if you don't plan to actually fight Niefelheim before the eve of their final victory - then do please attack Gath and put me out of my misery, it's not good for my heart to be the only one willing to stand up and fight. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

<3

[Lingchih]

Xietor said:
Someone should do a poll on who will win the game. 15 capitals wins it. So one does not necessarily have to kill off a tough neighbor to win the game.

And at some point, the true contenders will have to concern themselves as much with stopping each other as conquering their neighbors. But that time is not is not yet as astral travel is still far off.



Lanka is about to have three capitols. I think this places them as an early contender.

[DrPraetorious]

JimMorrison said:
So someone without a chance to actually win, bent over to help make sure you do? Gotcha. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



That's inaccurate. The trades were mutually beneficial in all cases, and most of them were with the games third largest player (obviously no chance of winning! Boy must he be a sucker) - and serious players don't refuse mutually beneficial agreements in a 57 player game!


bleah bleah bleah


I would argue, but Gath is right. As the fourth largest player, I can say with confidence: you're all doomed, I've won the game already. However, I will graciously continue playing so as not to rob all of you of your enjoyment. The graphs, which show me last in research among large nations, don't tell the entire story, which is this: I win.

Gath's real problem is that I'm larger than *he is*, and he can't beat me by himself, so he must convince everyone else that I'm the biggest threat in the cosmos. Fortunately, I find it unlikely that any water nations will volunteer for spoiler in a #4 vs #9 fight.

[atul]

What what what!?!?

All this talk about Gath's fearsome neighbours, and nobody's mentioning Bandar Log? All the free markatas we've been getting from "lucky" events demand recognition! Monkey PD will eat your remains for such an insult!

Mind Burn!

In due time!

Like, turn 100!

[llamabeast]

Unfortunately Utgard is going to have to wait a turn for its 30 pearls. The laboratory of MA Man (the arena prize giver) appears to have burnt down! And they even have luck 3.

[Zeldor]

LA MAn sold gear to Niefel? He is really extremely greedy, selling gear like that to his scariest neighbour...

I am on other continent so I can speak about that stuff, but man, you have some crazy people over there.

[JimMorrison]

Hah! So LA Man is friendly with Nief? Then we ARE all doomed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Portray it as selfish if you like, any fool of a Took can add my income and gem income to your income and gem income, and see that the sum = "OMG not good". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

You can call yourself 4th, that's fine. But how is Gath 9th? 15th in provinces, but 5th in gem income. Wouldn't that be convenient for everyone if Nief had all those gems to "beneficially trade" to gear out more Jarls, meanwhile buffered on one side by the #3 nation, and advancing on the #2 nation, whom you have claimed to be anticipating fighting, as you already have the gear to handle any units they can throw at you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


And no need to get testy. I tried to keep my scheming to private channels, but all I found were a hesitant Bogarus, and an LA Man who is already corrupted by the dark side. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Doesn't leave a poor guy many options, now does it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


And I've got nothing against Bandar Log! In fact, I am pretty sure that ethereal Markatas are the secret weakness of geared and buffed Niefel Jarls. Quite positive in fact, since according to Dr P's PMs to me, they are impervious to all else. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

<3

[Zeldor]

Isnt't Helheim? Top1 in lands, pretty much top1 in gem income next turn too and stealthy+glamour score graphs so people don't notice him.

And I'd really fear Lolomo on eastern continent. He has proven to be one of the best players around and extremely deadly when it comes to Caelum usage. Even Niefel giants should be afraid http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[atul]

What glamour score graph? Glamour units don't show up in scout reports but don't go telling me they don't show in score graph...

By constantly pointing out Helheim and other strong nations it'd seem the player of LA Agartha, the nation in research lead currently, is just trying to draw attention away from himself. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Agartha with hefty research is something to fear, along with all these LA and EA nations we are surrounded.

And JM, markatas don't want Niefel military secrets, they demand respect. R35p3c7! They know etherealness is of no use against geared anything, but they promise to climb up to the tallest guy around and excrete all over him! And not in a nice way!

[Twan]

My pronostic is a victory of LA Agartha, due to Zeldor's permanent IRCeness ending in complete omniscience, and his superior diplomatic skills triggering frequent gifts of capitols. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

In the bless category, I think the actually powerful nations whose main strength is *capitol only* sacreds will be the first victims of the midgame wars. I bet most will be out (or lose most of their lands at least) before turn 60.

Nations with non capitol sacreds or good mages are far superior than the ...heim nations on a big map.

[Zeldor]

Yeah, I have total of 1 capitols http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Hmm... it's mine http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Anyway, announcement, so I don't forget about it. I am going to travel a bit, spend some time in Shanghai, Hangzhou, far away from internet, wars, bloodshed etc. For next 6-8 turns Micah will be subbing for me, so if you want smth from LA Agartha [nice things only!], contact him.

[Xietor]

There may not be much of an empire left when you return Zeldor, only the Sybils know for sure.

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

[DonCorazon]

Twan said:
My pronostic is a victory of LA Agartha, due to Zeldor's permanent IRCeness ending in complete omniscience, and his superior diplomatic skills triggering frequent gifts of capitols. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



This cracked me up http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JimMorrison]

Twan said:
In the bless category, I think the actually powerful nations whose main strength is *capitol only* sacreds will be the first victims of the midgame wars. I bet most will be out (or lose most of their lands at least) before turn 60.




That general theory is great in theory. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Doesn't exactly apply to Nief though. 1 Niefel Jarl a turn - strong, capable, self blessing, self buffing SC a turn. That's such a handicap he has to deal with. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



Though I like how Dr P sends daggers at me for these posts. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif As if the rest of the world would rather fear me, a guy whose only completed game is about to be an utter annihilation as Bandar Log - a guy who didn't choose Gath, design the pretender, or ever even touch Gath before being plugged into the nation after something like 5 stales. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I honestly don't think I am very scary offensively. But most people have the wisdom to avoid a snapping turtle, unlike Dr P they realize I am most dangerous whilst defending myself. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Xietor]

I do not think anyone is scared of gath. Likely it is fear of niefel that stays nations hands. Most players know niefel, and lanka's capabilities.

So it may not be that other nations would not like to help-it is that that would prefer else someone do so. heh.

On an interesting note, among the 1st wave of dead:

KO, Evilhomer, Baalz. Though to be fair EH i believe was triple teamed out of fear, and Baalz graciously agreed to play ma oceania who is not the most powerful nation in the world.

So now there are only 4 water nations left.

[LoloMo]

What's this? LA Caelum's cute furry huggable mammoths are no threat to anyone. Sure they might be a bit overzealous in their display of affection and flatten a peasant or two, but they are quite meek creatures prefering to run away when the going gets tough.

One Eyed Tin Can though, might be another story =)

[Xietor]

No one has been begging for help against the mammoths or helheim. The graphs show clearly who the contenders are in the early stages.

Just remember taking a capital from a new player counts the same as taking one from a veteran, and taking one from a weak nation counts just as much as taking one from a strong nation.

My prediction is the winner will be the nation who can somehow avoid being tied down in an ugly long brutal war with a wily foe that he may defeat, but takes 40 turns to do it. With 15 capitals as the goal, a long war spanning 40 turns for 1 capital will mean defeat.

[cleveland]

Xietor said:
My prediction is the winner will be the nation who can somehow avoid being tied down in an ugly long brutal war with a wily foe...



Then Eriu will not ascend.

[DrPraetorious]

I agree with Xietor, which is why I've probably lost already.

Attacking EA Agartha was a *major* mistake. I should've gone south instead, or simply consolidated a bit on my Pythianese holdings, but I didn't want to give Agartha time to prepare a defense. Turned out I was already too late.

Kudos to Agartha for putting up such a stiff fight.

[Lingchih]

LA Pythium continues to hold on. We still hold our capitol, and can take whichever bordering province we wish to take each turn. Lanka is apparently playing a game of hide and seek now, mostly using their demon thugs to pop in and out, while leaving their main armies just out of reach of our Hydras. Nice strategy, btw, Falkor.

We have given up hope that any of our neighbors will intercede. So it is just a matter of time until LA Pythium is gone. We hope to take a few demons down with us, when we go.

My diplomacy skills seem to have atrophied. Might be because I have been playing a RAND game. Oh well, I guess I should have used bribes instead of just cajolery.

[DonCorazon]

Well, I thought Utgard was done for but things are looking up. All forts cleared, thousands of gold in the bank thanks to Two-Eyes, and almost all our land taken back in a rare fortuitous turn of successful werewolf counterinsurgency. The signs should now be obvious to all nations of Kingmaker that Kauthuga is the lord of all sparkly granite kitchen countertops.

[JimMorrison]

DrPraetorious said:
I agree with Xietor, which is why I've probably lost already.

Attacking EA Agartha was a *major* mistake. I should've gone south instead, or simply consolidated a bit on my Pythianese holdings, but I didn't want to give Agartha time to prepare a defense. Turned out I was already too late.

Kudos to Agartha for putting up such a stiff fight.



After seeing the fight last turn, where you lost 2 geared Jarls to a handful of Magma Babies, I would agree it was a huge mistake.

All the larger, since I wasn't talking from my rear when I told you I had been prepping to attack them already, I honestly was, and it would have been me that took that arrow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

And then to top it off, diplomacy between grand Niefelheim and (somewhat) humble Gath seems to have failed. I am sure you have tricks left up your sleeve. I sure hope so, because you'll need them soon. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


Just so everyone knows - Gath will not hold it against you if you wish to bite off a piece of Niefelheimian lands - but when our armies arrive at their capital, we will be claiming it, regardless of who possesses it when we get there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Agema]

What - did I see someone say MA R'lyeh went AI? No wonder they'd done a few unexpected things in the last turn or two.

More importantly, Holy crap! Firstly the victory at the capital (20 mages, Squiggles and a handful of chaff slew nearly 200 Ryleh and their God). Now my chances of survival have doubled again, they must be, like, 12% now.

[Xietor]

I am curious, did ma ryleh go ai because their pretender died or something? Were they losing the war in the water?

If you have a good position but cannot play due to real life circumstances, let me know as a sub may want your position. And it is better to have a sub than a good race set to ai.

Jotunheim had 2 stales, and did not respond to my pm, and thus he was set to ai by llamabeast at my request. However, if Bignscary sends in his own turn it will overwrite the ai command and he will remain in control.

[Agema]

MA R'lyeh were most definitely not losing the war with me. They'd recently suffered that massive defeat, but they were so far ahead by then that they still had the advantage afterwards. I doubt it was to do with the death of his god either, as it was by no means a vital cog in his war machine and he played I think two turns after that.

[Xietor]

Some players, especially players that do mostly sp, view the death of their pretender as unacceptable.

But I do wish I would have had the opportunity to find a sub for MA Ryleh as they were looking good at the time they went AI.

Oh well, I am sure Agema is not complaining about having a war against the AI as MA Ryleh can be quite nasty.

[atul]

Apparently everyone's so horrified about a player going AI while still going strong that this thread has slipped to second page. That cannot be!

Yet farewell EA Ulm, you were a good neighbour, knew when to stay your armies, when to stand and when to fall so that no doubt remains of the manifest destiny. Conquered and divided by many, now only final farewell is left: Rest In Pieces.

Hummmmmmmmmm.....

[Darkwind]

My entry to the Deathmatch was going to be someone named Conan before. Now it definitely will be.


Also, a recent rash of wars seems to have cropped up around me. Are there any new wars in anyone else's neighborhoods?

[Meglobob]

The imprisioned gods breaking free will herald a time of fierce wars, as nations grow bold by there gods appearence!

[DrPraetorious]

FYI - my cable modem at home got struck by lightning, so my internet connectivity is spotty. This may delay communications - the anti-gath alliance should procede in my absence.

[DonCorazon]

Knowing the Kingmaker international community has long been concerned over the human rights abuses inflicted upon defenseless giants by the sinister elves of Eriu, including systematic blinding, we are happy to announce a ceasefire was reached. To commemorate our resistance, we have adopted the following song as our national anthem:

Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a giant and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

It's the /threads/images/Graemlins/icon10.gif of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the /threads/images/Graemlins/icon10.gif of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive

chorus

Risin' up, straight to the top
Have the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a giant and his will to survive

[Darkwind]

How interesting that Utgard is no longer at war with Eriu, because Eriu quite recently expressed intentions to attack MA Ulm. Coincidence, or not?

Either way, it seems MA Ulm has found its first real challenge. Can it rise up to the task?

EDIT: I just realized that I'm going up against the army that blinded almost every giant in Utgard. This shall be quite a fight. The Black Knights shall prove themselves, or die trying!

[Salamander8]

Xietor said:
I am curious, did ma ryleh go ai because their pretender died or something? Were they losing the war in the water?

If you have a good position but cannot play due to real life circumstances, let me know as a sub may want your position. And it is better to have a sub than a good race set to ai.


Being switched to 3rd recently has me all screwed up and I set my self to AI as one of those quick-decisions-I'll-regret-later kind of things. The war in the water was pretty mixed (vs EA Atlantis) overall good, but a lot of province yo-yoing. In retrospect, I should have dug for a replacement. I apologize for not doing so.

[Lingchih]

Hmm. Krynos has checked, and yes, he still has his head. It's quite well attached to his body still. All seems well.


And Lanka, with their cowardly ways, has still not advanced on our capitol. So be it.. all the more hydras for us.

[JimMorrison]

DrPraetorious said:
FYI - my cable modem at home got struck by lightning, so my internet connectivity is spotty. This may delay communications - the anti-gath alliance should procede in my absence.



Yes..... I can imagine there are a lot of people who feel threatened by a new player who happens to command the only nation that is willing to take on the rampaging Niefelheim. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Just to remind everyone, my friend's, sister's, boyfriend's, father's, mechanic's, cousin happened to see 2 fully geared Niefel Jarls die on Agartha's capital. That is a rate of attrition that even the most mighty cannot keep up for long - especially not with a horde of faithful Gathites marching through the broken lands.

If you've been gritting your teeth over that 3Cold dominion creeping onto your borders, now would be a good time to raze a couple of temples. <3

[cleveland]

Darkwind said:
How interesting that Utgard is no longer at war with Eriu, because Eriu quite recently expressed intentions to attack MA Ulm...



Not at all what Eriu said. Ulm broke it's NAP with Eriu by providing arms to Utgard. Though Eriu would have been legally justified to attack Ulm on the spot, we instead opted to strip them of the security our NAP provided.

Eriu never had no intention of attacking you.

[Xietor]

Hadrian needs a sub for a month for Kailasa. He is at war with la ctis, and the game is on very hard research, meaning turns do not take too long. We are still in the early midgame.

Someone be a sport and sub for Hadrian for a month? I have no say on who he selects as a sub, so contact him personally if you are interested.

However, if no one steps forward to temp sub for a moth, then I will have to find a perm sub. Hadrian, do not set yourself to AI!

[Lingchih]

I'll sub for him. It will finally give me an ally against Lanka. I'll probably run his nation into the dust fighting Lanka, but what the heck. I won't be able to start subbing until my nation, LA Pythium, is dead, but that should not be too long now.

[Lingchih]

Krynos the Mighty is dead. As are all my chances of beating Lanka. You have his head, Lanka. Do with it as you will, and I hope you kill all of the lick-spittle little neighbors of mine. Good riddance.

[Falkor]

Falkor said:

(...) she went into prophetic trance and gave us the answer. "The rotting head of Krynos, ruler of Pytium and false pretender, impaled on an oak stick eleven days after his decapitation will speak the words you so much desire" - said the mysterious woman before drawing her last breath(...)



So the head of unholy Krynos has spoken the words. Prim, the Prince of Insolence is free again! The children of Lanka are no orphans anymore!

[AdmiralZhao]

The Council of Marignon reports that the undead scourge of MA Ermor has been consumed in the pyre of our holy lawful goodness. Our map-move 1 army finally made it to Ermor's dark citadel, and there our mages converted their hanging fire into falling fire, combustizing Ermor's entire skeletal army. Ermor's capitol is now guarded only by an Oracle, who does not even have the staff to clear the falling leaves out of its water. Soon we will bring order and justice to all their remaining lands.

On a sadder note, Dr. Wyrm, our beloved God, died along with his army while trying to defeat some Ermor PD. Seeing as how this is the second unmitigated disaster that Dr. Wyrm has personally led, and given Dr. Wyrm's erratic diplomatic maneuvers, the Council has decided that it will forgo calling Dr. Wyrm back to this world. We will just make do with a prophet and some holy books for now. Please direct all new correspondence to the Council of Marignon.

[Lingchih]

LA Pythium is now dead in two turns. If anyone wants anything out of LA Pyth, say so now.

Good game to Lanka. We never really had a chance, though we tried.

[Ossa]

The nobles of tEfkaTC wish to express their condolonce - Dr. Wyrm has always been held in high regard and has been seen as an example of what you can archieve in life even if you have no arms or legs.


If you wish to pass him a message, we kindly offer the service of our ancient guides, who have been talking to dead people for ages already (free of charge for you).

[Falkor]

Lingchih said:
LA Pythium is now dead in two turns. If anyone wants anything out of LA Pyth, say so now.

Good game to Lanka. We never really had a chance, though we tried.



Good game Lingchih.
That was a tough fight. I've learnt something about Hydras. They are incredible!

[Darkwind]

And now for something completely different, my brother just noticed that my Pretender God's name (Monny) sounds a lot like Monty. As in, Monty Python.

Interestingly, my god was created in part to distill a bit of humor into this usually-so-serious (in my experience) game.

[Herode]

I thought you named your pretender like this because you were planning to end the game casting Burden of Time ^^

[Xietor]

That would be a neat trick, since the Kingmaker Mod will not permit Burden of Time to be successfully cast. Folks may want to find the original Kingmaker thread I started and read the 1st post to learn exactly what the Kingmaker mod does before casting any game ending globals.

[JimMorrison]

Burden of Time = Summon Grigori? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Darkwind]

Herode said:
I thought you named your pretender like this because you were planning to end the game casting Burden of Time ^^

Actually, it was because he (it?) is a Monolith. Get it? Monny the Monolith. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif

[cleveland]

Xietor said:
That would be a neat trick, since the Kingmaker Mod will not permit Burden of Time to be successfully cast. Folks may want to find the original Kingmaker thread I started and read the 1st post to learn exactly what the Kingmaker mod does before casting any game ending globals.



? (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=600793)

[Xietor]

What is the question mark for?

Clearly states just where you linked, in relevant part:

Mods:.... The Kitchen Sink Mod prevents the casting of 4 globals, Arcane Nexus, Burden of Time, Astral Corruption, and Utterdark.....

Later in the thread LLamabeast decided to combine all of the mods in one mod, the Kingmaker Mod, so it would be easier to download and install for the players.

[JimMorrison]

The giants of Niefelheim were victorious in their battle against Gath's advance force. The enormous physical fortitude provided by the E9/N9 blessing allowed the giants to stand up to quite some punishment, though it stands to be noted that fully half of the Gath army had contracted some sort of foul malady. Speculation is that frustrated soldiers had fornicated with the native citizens of the area, and were infected with some sort of virulent mildew. The author would prefer not to think about this however, being under the distinct impression that Agarthans are mono-gendered.

Regardless of these facts, two other things are well known about the conflict. The first, is that this battle took place with very little mage support on the Gath side - perhaps a cagey move intended to inflict maximal casualties on the giants, while retaining as much of Gath's real power as possible. The other fact, being that the battle was won in large part due to the large number of Niefel Giants who arrived to support their Jarls. It is well known that with the declining populations of full-blooded Niefel Giants, that very few will actually march to war anymore - and this seems to illustrate that their southern borders are relatively undefended, unless protected by their allies in MA Man.

[Xietor]

MA Man is not in the game, and if they had been, they likely would be dead by now.

MA Man is a fictional nation, that owns no provinces, but needed by llamabeast to "somehow" collect gold and gems for distribution to winners of the arena matches.

So whoever your scouts see, it is NOT Ma Man, who has never been in the game.

[JimMorrison]

Sorry, there was errata noted in that article.

Obviously the reporter meant to reference "LA Man", and this publication is embarrassed and humbled by this error. He has also been fired, and we're training a nice Markata gentleman to take over the story as it unfolds.

[DonCorazon]

Xietor said:
...but needed by llamabeast to "somehow" collect gold and gems for distribution to winners of the arena matches.



Basically what X is saying is that Man is actually Two-Eyes of Utgard, who has blown the wealth of an entire nation on a pimped out mansion, a posse of bikini clad sethkonas, and a diamond studded trident.

[cleveland]

Wait for it...

[DonCorazon]

Damn-staled by a minute. Should have made my coffee after the turn not before. Arghhh...

[Lingchih]

So long to all of you from LA Pythium. My epitaph is "He killed a few monkeys on his way out".
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DonCorazon]

GG Lingchih. If someone will point us in your direction, we'll do our best to avenge you.

[atul]

Avenge him? His epitaph is about a monkeycide, like it would be a honour!

Point us in your direction and we'll soil your grave unless other markatas have managed to do so enough times!

(but other than that, so long and GG)

[DonCorazon]

Sure Utgard is at 784 - send remote attack spells that way. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Your monkeyboys will have to climb (or hop) over the rotting bodies of all the fir bolg slingers under the walls of Utgard.

Hint: We need to be pointed because we can't see.

[AdmiralZhao]

There seems to be some sort of problem with the graphs this turn. Eriu's provinces numbers don't make any sense; it looks like there was an error in the calculations and a garbage value was accidentally put in there.

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
Sure Utgard is at 784 - send remote attack spells that way. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



Only the elves may play such tricks, Utgard. Like the trick with this turn's score graph... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DonCorazon]

...and frying my video card while watching an Eriu battle, which finally got fixed after ~3 weeks. I admit, Eriu is kind of spooky. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[JimMorrison]

atul said:
Avenge him? His epitaph is about a monkeycide, like it would be a honour!

Point us in your direction and we'll soil your grave unless other markatas have managed to do so enough times!

(but other than that, so long and GG)




I'm under the impression he was fighting with the demonic monkeys, not the nice cute little buggers. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Lanka - the other White Monkey. O.o

[Darkwind]

You look at the book excitedly. Another of the diaries of Anonymous, the High priest of Monny. The diaries have been scattered across the land because of time, but you, you have made it your life's work to peice together the life of this influential figure. Ulm didn't win the war, not by a long shot, but no one knows why. Could this reveal the secret? You read:

It's Early Spring. The three-turn NAP has been broken by the Sidhe, those lying two-faced bastards. I guess it was inevitable. Everything's under siege. Sigh. Time to bust out our reserves. Eriu shall rue the day it decided that Ulm was an easy target. Even if we fail, we'll give the Sidhe one hell of a time while we fall. Ulm isn't stopped that easily. MA Ulm is the last; the vampire-counts were wiped out before this crazed war began and EA Ulm was destroyed by someone or another, I honestly don't know. What a sad world, where you don't know why your cousins were killed or enslaved.

The Black Knights are eager, ready to fight. Monty, the new Black Lord, knows, though. The Black Knights have died for the honor of Ulm before; they almost certainly shall die again. Such eager young people. I can almost understand Monny's intentions, now; a world with Ulm's ideals would prosper. You're powerful because you are mighty, and kind, and charismatic, not because a crazy pretender says you are. But the Sidhe wish to fight to discover the truth, so a fight they shall have.

The Sidhe are armed with Ulm's weapons. What irony. Give a friend a weapon, for their safety perhaps, and your friend will kill you. I can't say we haven't warred with others, but they were all already dead. Walking corpses. But I'm rambling on. I have work to do; a lot of it, all named Sidhe.

-Anonymous, High priest of Ulm

[cleveland]

...and there it is.

Don't dare impugn my honor, Anonymous. You were given fair warning our NAP3 was over 4 turns ago.

No, you weren't attacked because you're an easy target, you were attacked for providing offensive weaponry to Eriu's enemy. Or have you forgotten:

Darkwind said:
LA Utgard really seems to have been the star of the show, though. He participated in every battle but two. I think that, as a treat, I'll forge a single item for him for free, considering my newfound ability to steal hammers from those pesky Dwarves. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



In fact, if you can dislodge old Paddy O'Giantslayer from the Ulmish capital, you might actually stand a chance of coming out on top.

And yes, we've found those Fire Brands to be quite useful. But you already knew that... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Darkwind]

cleveland said:
...and there it is.

Don't dare impugn my honor, Anonymous. You were given fair warning our NAP3 was over 4 turns ago.

No, you weren't attacked because you're an easy target, you were attacked for providing offensive weaponry to Eriu's enemy. Or have you forgotten:

Darkwind said:
LA Utgard really seems to have been the star of the show, though. He participated in every battle but two. I think that, as a treat, I'll forge a single item for him for free, considering my newfound ability to steal hammers from those pesky Dwarves. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif



In fact, if you can dislodge old Paddy O'Giantslayer from the Ulmish capital, you might actually stand a chance of coming out on top.

And yes, we've found those Fire Brands to be quite useful. But you already knew that... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Perhaps you've forgotten that Utgard hasn't taken me up on the offer (or even provided any signs of noticing it)? In fact, if I remember correctly, LA Utgard accepted a peace offer quite some time ago. Why go to war over someone not providing weapons to an enemy you're at peace with?

We've covered this some time ago. I don't need a windmill in a beard to invalidate your argument. I can't impugn your honor because the Sidhe have none.

[DonCorazon]

Darkwind,
Utgard observes all but was not aware your offer required any return notice. We appreciated the thought nonetheless. We sympathize with your plight, having experienced a sneak attack by the Sidhe and realizing it is about as pleasurable as a staph infection.

We offer the following poem to Eriu's neighbors as recompense if we seemed ungrateful for the generosity you offered that we admittedly never received:

"First the sneaky Sidhe came for Utgard, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a cudly werewolf.

Then they came for the Ulm, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a studly black knight.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up for me. "

Utgard hereby gives notice of our NAP termination = 3 turn notice with Eriu. We will not let Ulm stand alone in its final hours. We advise all of Eriu's neighbors do the same lest they find themselves alone in their final hours.

[atul]

And this, my friends, is the reason why one should always fight their opponents into oblivion.

[DonCorazon]

No Atul, the lesson here is actually don't start a fight unless you can finish it.

[AdmiralZhao]

The entire nation of Marignon is moved by the heroic struggle of Ulm and Utgard. Citizen action groups are forming to discuss the plight of the Ulmish refugees, young men are signing up for the army's elite self-flagellation corp, and even children are contributing by gathering firewood for the witch-hunter's upcoming fires. The Council of Marignon has no choice but to listen to the will of its people. We withdraw from all treaties with Eriu.

[cleveland]

Excellent.

Marignon, we shall see you in 3 months, about the time Ulm becomes mongoloid.

Utgard, we shall see you in 6 months, about the time Marignon becomes mongoloid...surely even a blind werewolf can count on his claws that 7 + 3 = 10? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[AdmiralZhao]

Note the blithe overconfidence of the Sidhe; no doubt the cause of their diplomatic troubles, and the reason they are already at war with 4 nations. I could not fault any of Eriu's other neighbors if they decide they to enter the war because of past slights by the Sidhe.

[Darkwind]

I did notice them Sidhe's strange idea that they could defeat Ulm in three turns (perhaps they haven't met the Black Knights?), but four nations? Is T'ien Ch'i in on this too? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif I'm not entirely sure if Jotunheim counts, since they seem to be down to only a fort now. Poor giants.

On a different note, I've really wanted to post a report like the one I just did for a while. Except more cheerful, obviously. Who knew comedic relief could be so depressed at times?

[JimMorrison]

atul said:
And this, my friends, is the reason why one should always fight their opponents into oblivion.



Or secure really long NAPs. >.>

[DonCorazon]

cleveland said:
Excellent.

Marignon, we shall see you in 3 months, about the time Ulm becomes mongoloid.

Utgard, we shall see you in 6 months, about the time Marignon becomes mongoloid...surely even a blind werewolf can count on his claws that 7 + 3 = 10? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif



Glad to see Eriu has booked all its neighbors for appointments in an orderly fashion. Would hate to get in the way of an Ulmish battleaxe or Marignese crossbow bolt.

Anyway, we hope there are no sidhe hiding out in Utgard - obviously should one be spotted, or anything that looks like a sidhe, or even a pile of sidhe droppings (imagine it looks like Froot Loops?) that would require us to bump our appointment to the front of the queue! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[cleveland]

<font color="brown">@JimMorrison: </font>
= Boring.

By turn 50, I intend to either either win this game or be dead. And I have no delusions about victory.

Apparently my neighbors do, or think their own neighbors are fools... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


<font color="brown">@DonCorazon:
You can't catch what you can't see... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif</font>

[Xietor]

At this point in the game, if the score graphs are looking very bad for your nation, and you have back to back stales, you are being set to ai without further ado.

It does take me time, and it takes other players not in the game time to set your race to ai. So I would ask that if you are on death's door, kindly set yourself to ai.

It takes you far less time than it does me.

This turn, MA Vanheim and EA Suaromatia are being set to AI. If I can get a volunteer not in the game to set ma vanheim to ai that would be great. Already found one for EA Sauromatia.

[JimMorrison]

Cleveland, my point was not to randomly make really long NAPs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif In my experience, in games where true NAPs are even applicable, when you secure peace with a vanquished foe, a short NAP leads all too often to that battered player dropping the NAP at the least convenient time for you - in almost every instance. So if you find it boring to not be kicked in the balls every time you bend over, then have at it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Dr P knows what I am talking about. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

&lt; Looks longingly at his steel-toed ball-kicking boots. &gt; I'm sorry ladies, maybe next time.

[DonCorazon]

JimMorrison said:
Cleveland, my point was not to randomly make really long NAPs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif In my experience, in games where true NAPs are even applicable, when you secure peace with a vanquished foe...



Vanquished foe!?...your geopolitical read is way off and thus your advice doesn't make sense. I doubt anyone makes peace with vanquished foes - what is the point? Utgard never lost a fort to Eriu...we each had our reasons for a ceasefire but it wasn't because anyone was vanquished.

[JimMorrison]

Well let me rephrase then - former foe. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

When you fight, either end it, or make sure it never starts again - or you will eventually regret the third option. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[DonCorazon]

DonCorazon said:
...the lesson here is actually don't start a fight unless you can finish it.



JM: Agreed. Especially in a big MP game - need to make war quick and decisive lest the turtlers and merchants of war get too far ahead while you and your foe expend resources needlessly. It is an issue of gauging your foe. Experience helps. Cheers.

[cleveland]

Agreed. But in this case, I had no intention of keeping the peace beyond our mutually agreed 10-turn truce (see previous post).

I hadn't counted on LA Marignon. But only a mental defective would let the 3rd largest nation in the game take part in a 4-on-1 clobbering of the 6th largest...Mari has forced his neighbors to attack him immediately. Or wait until he gobbles up Eriu, then attack him. Or hope that *snicker* Jotunheim, *snicker* Utgard, or *snicker* Ulm will actually get the lion's share of Eriu's lands...

No bother. Few nations can make victory as expensive as can Eriu in the mid-game (see "Charge of the Light Brigade") http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[JimMorrison]

Oh my this is exciting. We should make a reality show based on the mega-game, and use the proceeds to purchase..... I don't know, dancing girls or something. \:D/

[Meglobob]

I always wanted a bar with dancing girls! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Opps...too much information!

You lot win the prize for most exciting part of Kingmaker to live in. /threads/images/Graemlins/icon09.gif

[AdmiralZhao]

I'm glad to see that the Sidhe have abandoned their previous assessment of the war (victory in 6 turns) and have instead accepted that they will be beaten. Still, this daily flip-flopping just underlines the essential threat of the Sidhe. You can never tell where you stand with them. Do they have armies on your border? Will they trapeeze in a dozen thugs? Do they see you as an easy victory, or a certain doom? The answers change from day to day with the Sidhe, according to the blowing of the winds.

With Marignon, you get what you get. We stand by our allies, we fight against our enemies, and our armies move 1 province a turn, just like they used to when men were men and women were women. With us you won't have any of this fickle leaping about in the score graphs, just a slow upward crawl as our armies laboriously advance, incinerating all before them.

[atul]

AdmiralZhao said: incinerating all before them.

Bandar Log wishes to buy large quantities of whatever ware one might have that incurs protection from fire. The bigger flames the better.

[JimMorrison]

I hear if you smear butter in your fur, you can withstand temperatures in excess of 500°!

[Amhazair]

JimMorrison said:
I hear if you smear butter in your fur, you can withstand temperatures in excess of 500°!

While giving you a nice cris... eh... tan.

[Darkwind]

cleveland said:
Agreed. But in this case, I had no intention of keeping the peace beyond our mutually agreed 10-turn truce (see previous post).

I hadn't counted on LA Marignon. But only a mental defective would let the 3rd largest nation in the game take part in a 4-on-1 clobbering of the 6th largest...Mari has forced his neighbors to attack him immediately. Or wait until he gobbles up Eriu, then attack him. Or hope that *snicker* Jotunheim, *snicker* Utgard, or *snicker* Ulm will actually get the lion's share of Eriu's lands...

No bother. Few nations can make victory as expensive as can Eriu in the mid-game (see "Charge of the Light Brigade") http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Why do you think that Ulm wouldn't be able to take a good share of Erian (Eriuan? Eriish?) lands? No Sidhe has yet faced the fury of the Black Knights, nor the Guardians (alright, one did, but he died), nor both at once.

As for the Light Brigade, if Eriu is supposed to represent the Russians, well, the Black Knights aren't very light. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif If Eriu is supposed to represent the British, well, I'm glad you've accepted that the generals of Eriu are quite stupid and lead their own men to their deaths. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

@atul: Once this is over with, I can sell you Fire brands and Burning Pearls. Not that you need them; butter does do wonders for preventing painful fiery cremation, when combined with salt and pepper. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JimMorrison]

Tir na n'Og = Eriu = Irish

And I like calling them Erians, it's so risque and provocative. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Darkwind]

I just want to assure people that I'm not down for the count. I took back my capital (which was strangely O'Giantslayer-less), which was guarded by two Sidhe casting Foul Vapors (without poison resistance!) One fled after being poisoned, the other died after it came into range of Magma Bolt spam. I haven't taken many casualties yet, and I still have a fair amount of money to coast along.

The Sidhe still haven't met the Black Knights http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[cleveland]

Nor would we have any intention to.

Utgard has compared the Sidhe to an infection of staph. I personally think syphilis is a better analogy. Your sanity slowly slipping away as you just...can't...fight...on your own terms.

Meanwhile, we'll continue to chisel you down. You failed to mention that my sacrificial Tuatha brought down 15% of your capital mages, and riddled the remainder with afflictions. Nor that the Ulmish countryside is being pillaged into oblivion. Nor that, all the while, the Black Knights have been chasing shadows... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Darkwind]

cleveland said:
Nor would we have any intention to.

Utgard has compared the Sidhe to an infection of staph. I personally think syphilis is a better analogy. Your sanity slowly slipping away as you just...can't...fight...on your own terms.

Ulm's fighting terms are "find the enemy", "hit it until it dies", and "heat it up until it dies". So far Eriu's been quite gracious in providing the latter two http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Meanwhile, we'll continue to chisel you down. You failed to mention that my sacrificial Tuatha brought down 15% of your capital mages, and riddled the remainder with afflictions. Nor that the Ulmish countryside is being pillaged into oblivion. Nor that, all the while, the Black Knights have been chasing shadows... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Six smiths? That's as many as I could recruit in a couple turns if I had a mind to (and I do have a mind to). I've been lax on my defenses and research. No more.

Also, the countryside is being pillaged? Well, to be honest, "meh" is all I can say. Most of it usually ends up with 0 resources anyways due to the sheer number of Forts I've fit in there. All that matters is that my forts still produce 200+ resources per turn.

Finally, the Black Knights haven't been chasing anyone. All they've been doing so far is guarding provinces and taking out-of-the-way areas. Time to go on the offensive, no? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Xietor]

On turn 36, for those interested, here is a list of the dead and fallen(ai)

A. Early Age

Tien Chi
Caelum
Agartha
Vanheim
Hinnom
Arcos
Ulm
Ermor
Marverni
Sauromatia
yomi

B. Middle Age

Abysia
Oceania
Ryleh
Vanheim
Ermor
Pythium

C Late Age

Mictlan
Pythium
Atlantis
Patala

Surprisingly, The Late Age appears to be holding its own
so far. With only 4 races vanquished. Though several races are also on death's door but are not listed as their owners
are persisting to fight until the bitter end.

The Leaders are really 7 races, and at this early stage it is too close to say there is a clear leader.

EA Helheim has the most provinces, but lags in research. But does have the most gems by a good bit

LA Agartha has a large lead in research, and is 3rd in provinces. 1st in income, and 2nd in gems.

Then in no particular order the other 5 leaders are EA Niefel, LA Caelum, LA Marignon, MA Eriu, and MA Marignon.

[DonCorazon]

cleveland said:
Utgard has compared the Sidhe to an infection of staph. I personally think syphilis is a better analogy.



That is Utgard tact for you! Perhaps we need to enroll our diplomats in etiquette school.

Thanks for the update Xietor, quite interesting. So much war on our side of the world, such a shame. I wonder where Eriu (and Utgard) would have been had we managed to sign our NAP?

Seems the turtling / war merchant strategy in the early game has benefited LA Agartha. I cannot believe Z has gone so long without enraging his neighbors. He has clearly surpassed my silver tongue diplomacy! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

PS MA Bandar, we were just kidding about avenging whoever it was who died. Was it just a coincidence your scout was caught in our capital, er that province?? Give Peace a Chance!!!

[cleveland]

DonCorazon said:
...I wonder where Eriu (and Utgard) would have been had we managed to sign our NAP?




Same as we both are now, nervously awaiting the late-game hangman's noose.


DonCorazon said:
Was it just a coincidence your scout was caught in our capital, er that province??...



Surely he died in a hail of hilariously inaccurate arrows. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Xietor said:
...LA Marignon, MA Eriu...


Not for long... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

<font color="blue">++++++++

P.S. The Eriu Polar Bears send their warm regards from icy Lake PontchUtgardtrain. Thanks to the Spring thaw, the water temp has spiked to a refreshing 0.007 degrees Celsius! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif</font>