The Artifacts Game - [ HOLY S**T MICAH WON!! ]

[Rathar]

My wife and I are going in tomorrow morning to induce labor!

This may cause delay in my turns as you can imagine. If it does too much I will have a friend sub. Fun fun!

[Ironhawk]

Good luck Rathar!

We are on 48hr schedule now so you should have some slack. Just post if you need extensions.

[archaeolept]

yah, you can have an extra day for every extra baby she pops out ;)

congrats :)

[DonCorazon]

Best wishes Rathar!

[WraithLord]

Wow, such happiness :)
Best wishes Rathar esp. to wife and baby.

[quantum_mechani]

Congrats, Rather, good luck!

-------
In other news, Ulm offers cheap dwarven hammers. Gold is the prefered currency, but 20 gems of any type will also be accepted.

[DonCorazon]

Be sure to check prices at MidMart before you buy from anyone else - we are the low price leader for all your forging needs!

[Rathar]

Madeline Marie McNiece was born last night at 9:40pm.

8 pds 7.6 oz and everyone is doing just great! Thanks for the well wishes. I won't be back home until tomorrow evening but I see that the Llamaserver is down so hopefully that'll work out great.

Thanks!

John/Rathar

[DonCorazon]

Congrats Rathar! Welcome to the world Madeline! Good timing - right around Obama's acceptance speech. Hopefully things in the US will get better! :)

[Ironhawk]

Rathar, your virus to sabotage the Llamaserver was a stroke of brilliance! Enjoy the time with your baby :)

[archaeolept]

so the game is on hold atm? i have not tried to send in my turn...

[namad]

uhm ... somehow the turn deadline is in the past yet no one staled or hosted? i'm confused.... and in another game i got an email saying my turn was received but its still listed as waiting...


i hope we can make some sort of massive delay to hosting while we all try and figure out when/if llama is up and when/if to patch?

[DonCorazon]

Once the server is back up I believe we will have 48 hours to get the current turn in.

[Ironhawk]

Yeah I am not sure what the situation with the status page on llamaserver is. You can go to it, and its up, but llamabeast has explicitly told us that the server is down. To prevent any more confusion, I have postponed the turn deadline by 48hrs (until monday). So just hold your turns until then, at which point we will hopefully have some new info from Llamabeast.

And no one worry about missing a turn on this one. Due to all the server wackiness, if any turns get generated accidentally without a proper turn period notice to all the players we will just roll it back.

[archaeolept]

yah llama is resetting all the hosted games to 48 hrs qh once he gets the new server up and running.

It's a free weekend folks - go outside and frolic ;p

[Amhazair]

Went outside.

Frolicked.

Was fun.

:D

[Ironhawk]

Yeah I frolicked the hell out of that weekend. Ready to game on now tho

[Zeldor]

BTW, I am subbing for Lingchih from next turn for a short time, so don't forget to change the mail :)

[WraithLord]

Funny I was thinking the exact same when I read llama's message that server is broken.

Had a very nice weekend indeed, peaceful mainly.

Now I got it, whenever I desire I nice two day vacation all I need to do is bomb the server :evil: :)

[Ironhawk]

As many of you have probably noticed, the turn timer is all wacked out from the various delays that were imposed on it during the server down time. Instead of trying to mess with the time settings and possibly screw things up even more, I am just going to force hosting at 10pm PST tomorrow. Get your turns in if you havent already.

10:00pm Pacific US Time, Wednesday, Sept. 3, the turn will be forced...

[namad]

I would like to buy a blood booster from anyone ... any type of blood booster will do even cursed. i only need one. lowest price wins!


a rental agreement would also be satisfactory!

PM me please

[archaeolept]

there's still an unsubmitted turn - i suggest IH email him, and perhaps wait a little before forcing host

[Ironhawk]

We're all set. QM got his turn in and we are back on track with 48hrs.

Game on!

[Lingchih]

Please switch me back next turn IH. I'm back.

[namad]

Utgard would like to purchase a small number of air gems to be sent this turn (in exchange for death astral nature or other payment) even just a couple will be much nicer than having to turn to an alchemist

[namad]

nevermind the need for air gems has been filled... i'd delete my post but i dont know how

[Lingchih]

nevermind the need for air gems has been filled... i'd delete my post but i dont know how

I don't think it can be done on this new board.

[archaeolept]

If you were allowed to delete posts, it's like the terrorists would have won.

[Ironhawk]

The gov't told me that the terrorists were coming to steal all your gems!!!

[Ironhawk]

Please switch me back next turn IH. I'm back.

I've changed it back, Lingchih.

In the future tho - if anyone has a need for thier email to be changed for a sub, please inform me via email. You are taking chances if you rely on IMs or this thread as I may not check it in time for your turn. Email is far more reliable.

[Rathar]

Only Five and a Half Hours!! remain until the Titanic Clash of Nations between Tien-chi and Agartha! There is still a few seats available by latest calculations although they are festival seating in the upper deck!

These Two Powerhouses promise a thrilling time! A Double Feature! Not one, Not three but TWO massive Gladiatorial engagements are occurring at not one but two Capitol Provinces simultaneously! See the Cavalry Charges! See the Bolts and Arrows fly so thick they blot out our life giving Orb!

No Expense Shall Be Spared! Over SEVENTY FIVE Mages, Necromancers and Undead Magic Wielding Giants have been brought for YOUR enjoyment!

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY! Rrrrummble in the Jungles! (forests..)

(The first 10,000 seated will receive free Ktonian necromancer or Ancestral Spirit Bobble-heads)

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

[namad]

anyone still want some thistle maces made by any chance?

[Ironhawk]

Actually it was only a single header :)

And it was remarkably uninteresting: Agarthan forces suffered a TOTAL formation disaster and were easily picked apart by TC artillery mages. The bloodshed continues...

[Rathar]

We encourage all ticket holders to read the back of your ticket and see where it says "No Refunds!"

Bit of a confused weary mob slammed together sort of battle. I learned that although the descriptive text of Curse of Stones only refers to the "Enemy" the spell affects both sides.

[namad]

trade me some earth gems please! i have WSDN to trade

[Dragar]

So how is this game going? Are the artifacts having much of an impact, or is it pretty much like any other LA game?

[Lingchih]

My artifacts have had no impact. But then, I had really bad ones.

[Rathar]

In general my artifacts are having nominal effect but I do have the luck sword which is having a quite nice effect although a bit less than one would guess.

[LoloMo]

I played Mictlan and I'm out. I haven't seen my turn yet, but I suspect this would be my last turn. Congrats to Namad for skillfully organizing a war party against me!
I had the Gift of Kurgi, the Banefire Scepter, and that Blood vengeance armor. I put all of them on one King of Rain thug. The scepter usually kills any horror that shows up in one shot. However, in my case, around turn 9, two horrors show up. My thug killed one, and the other promptly ate him.

So, no, the artifacts did not help me at all. I might have been better able to use them if I saved them up for mid or late game. The minor artifacts I haven't found an elegant way to use them yet. The slave collars were just left in the lab, the hearts I traded for some bone armor which didn't help me.

But then this is my first time playing Mictlan. I might do better next time with what I have learned.

[namad]

you have four provinces and i can only possibly attack two.... i don't see how you will be eliminated this turn.... in fact you are doing a very good job of wasting my time even with 0troops0income0gems0research0recruitment you still manage to seem thorny..feel free to go ai ;)




also someone please trade me some earth gems! i have WSDN to trade

[Baalz]

Yeah, similarly my artifacts helped a bit with my initial expansion, but having to equip them on low hp guys means it doesn't take a terrible amount of bad luck to sink you (my sad story is posted above). The non-artifacts have actually been more useful because of their numbers. Traded some bone armor for black hearts which really got me into the water well ahead of everybody combined with scouts and bottles of living water. Wavebreakers are also nice for early underwater fighting (cast friendly currents, I think that's a CBM change).

Then again, the artifacts I lost (Nethugul and the Orb of Atlantis) wouldn't really have been much help even in an early war against a real opponent. The sunslayer was been nice as an early D booster, but that's easily replaced once cons-4 is hit.

All in all, I haven't seen too much change in how the game plays, though I'm just starting my first real war so that may change.

[Ironhawk]

My artifacts significantly altered the strategy of my nation. Perhaps more than was warranted. However, my hero Granite, whom you have all seen in the HoF, is wielding the Stone Sword to devastating effect. So my artifacts are certainly impacting.

My starting equipment was also exceptionally useful. It boosted me from a lackluster start to a solid one. Even now some of that equipment is still in circulation.

[archaeolept]

all of aby's equipment was junk. completely useless for any expansion. The unquenched sword is ok in mid/late game battles that last a good while, but really that the hvy infantry you are killing has 14 fatigue instead of the 8 they would have had normally, does pretty well sweet f*ck all.

The Ark, on the other hand, especially w/ Gath's high HP sacreds, is basically an "I Win" button.

[WraithLord]

Caelum's artifacts were and are useful. So are most of the items.
The bows are great on Caelumite commanders. The corpse man construction artifact is great for having chaff. The storm sword, in one word, awesome, its my judgment day weapon, hopefully well until nations will start forging SoS.

[Baalz]

Given the fun I had combining some items for interesting early use, and the disparity of how useful different players found their national items I had a thought that might be fun. Perhaps if each nation had a certain number of gems to 'buy' whichever items they wanted before the game started, with some sort of auction/bidding for the unique items. Everybody gets what they want and can design their strats/pretender around it. Take drain scales and skull mentors? Try to get the chalice or a dozen frost brands? Could lead to some interesting play....

[namad]

awesome idea... but heres another one ... auctions might be too time consuming... how about a draft?


let's say... 12players... randomly assign from 1-12 a number for each player.... player 1 picks nation first player 12picks nation last player 12picks artifact first player 1 picks artifact last


either break the artifacts up into artifact packages... or just make like the first round of artifact picking for artifacts and have another 3rd or 4th round for normal items?


not sure... just brainstorming... auctioning sounds fine but i reckon would take a bit longer..

[DonCorazon]

Midgard,s items have proven useful, though not game changing in any sense. The Flying Ship is great for early game expansion as it allows you to shuttle new recruits to the front to replace any casualties from fighting indies. The Spirit Helm turns plain vanilla commanders into long range artillery. But generally speaking these things just provide a modest boost - nothing really spectacular.

[Baalz]

Bidding wouldn't have to take long. Say each player had 150 gems to allocate. Everyone in secret makes a bid on any artifacts they want with a minimum bid as it's forge price. Whoever bids the most for any artifact gets it, ties resolved at random. At that point everybody allocates any gems they've got left.

Obviously this would be less of an "artifacts" game as there would likely be less artifacts in play, but perhaps some more fun synergies and strategies.

Problem with the lottery system is that there is such a huge difference between choosing between the chalice and the ark, or winding up with the functionally useless last couple picks. If the guy who gets the ark had to give up all his other items though, its a bit more balanced.

[Dragar]

Thanks for all the feedback, very useful as I'm in teh second artifacts game.

The alternate is perhaps for the players from this game, and perhaps the second one I'm in, to give suggestions to how they think the items could be changed to suit their nation more? Then have the one person make final decision, but at least it will have received more attention for each nation

I know in my game as Pythium I am getting a bit of use out of the items, but not much - most are thug boosters and pythium is really lacking there until mid to late game summons, by which time the items won't mean that much. A couple of magic boosters are handy, but that's about it

[namad]

the guy with the ark get's 12th pick of nation :-p

i figured that was the balancing factor.... but i guess it isn't quite...



i guess i thought the auction would be sequential not all at once... all at once would be quick... maybe all non-artifacts could have price values for people to purchase after the one round of blind bidding on artifacts occured and people got their gems refunded as they lost the bid?

[Ironhawk]

Hey guys - I have to show my work to the high-ups today. Means I'm gonna have a long day and I'm not sure I will be back in time to do my turn. Going to need... say 3 hours of extension in order to get home late today and do my turn. That ok with everyone?

[DonCorazon]

Fine with me. Good luck

[namad]

you are the admin!
next time change the punctuation so there isn't a ? in it

[Ironhawk]

you are the admin!
next time change the punctuation so there isn't a ? in it

I know - I didnt ask whether I was able to change it or not, but rather if people had a problem with me changing it. Which they appear not to...

Hosting postponed for 3 hours.

[WraithLord]

Any chance we will switch to 72h hosting anywhere between now and turn 40?

[Ironhawk]

Micah sent me an email saying he would be away all today and requested a delay until 2am Pacific US Time. Turn will be delayed until then.

[WraithLord]

I have sent my turn a couple of time but the server doesn't seem to get it. Its probably experiencing issues.

Can we please postpone hosting until the server is fixed?

[namad]

llamaserver seems to be broken again... we're gonna needa delay the turn or if it hosts in a few hours we'll just have to rollback as no one has been able to submit for a while

[Rathar]

I like this delaying of hosting idea. My wife has given birth to Madeline, Wrecker of Worlds. She's quite cute really!

[WraithLord]

Turn is about to host with many nations unable to submit their turn.

In case the turn host, I think a rollback is mandatory.

See current status:
Abysia 2h file received
Agartha Waiting for 2h file
Arcoscephale Waiting for 2h file
Atlantis 2h file received
Caelum Waiting for 2h file
Gath 2h file received
Jomon Waiting for 2h file
Marignon Waiting for 2h file
Mictlan Waiting for 2h file
Midgard 2h file received
Patala 2h file received
Pythium 2h file received
Bogarus Waiting for 2h file
T'ien Ch'i Waiting for 2h file
Ulm Waiting for 2h file
Utgard Waiting for 2h file

[archaeolept]

does no one read? ;)
it's not going to host until the email problems are resolved. supposedly the email provider has experienced problems due to hurricane Ike. (though they claim no interruptions to service).

[Ironhawk]

Yeah folks, it looks like we are on hiatus until the 20th, when Llama returns. Till then, eat, drink, and be merry!

[WraithLord]

Yoohoo, time to have fun :jam:
No dominions MP, tyrant of your spare time, consumer of minutes and eater of sleep :D

:party:

[DonCorazon]

Haha, I have escaped its geas - free at last!!!! (Until LLamaserver's Soul Trap starts functioning again, anyway.)

[Ironhawk]

Hehehe. I saw a battle where the Soul Trap was used recently - wow that's a nice artifact! I dont know if it produces different effects in each battle but I saw (iirc) three ghost mages with paths like 3F and 3E. Really nice.

[Baalz]

Well, the Soul Trap is a war trophy hanging in the great hall of Atlantis now, courtesy of Bogarus. Darn thing doesn't work anymore unfortunately, I think the souls got out...

[quantum_mechani]

- wow that's a nice artifact! Psst, we were supposed to have balanced artifact placement. ;)

[Ironhawk]

Balance, like everything else in dominions, is relative ;)

[Ironhawk]

Ok, the llamaserver is back up. I just submitted a turn and finally got a response. Game on!!

Everyone should resubmit thier turns now, just in case.

[Rathar]

It's going to take me a bit. Sadly I haven't done the turn yet, instead I've waded through diapers and lack of sleep.

I can't remember why we were fighting anymore Ironhawk.. heh. 4-5 good turns of brutal war ended up with us back in our starting places and beat up!

More?

[archaeolept]

is bloody strife not itself reason enough?

[Rathar]

It's also my 40th bday tomorrow so I am having a party tonight! Anyone in Tucson is welcome to come!

But this will delay my turn more!

[archaeolept]

hey congrats - kid, birthday, turn delayed - it's all coming up Rathar :)

[Lingchih]

Hmm. Could we get back to game toptics?

[archaeolept]

i declare war on whichever glorious nation Lingchih is playing!11

now, if gath were to be so kind as to remove its ark from the vicinity of my capital, I could happily pursue this vendetta ;)

[Lingchih]

you would have to join an large group of people already intent on destroying me Archeo

[WraithLord]

Completely unrelated to game, Lingchih you have a very interesting icon. May I ask what it represents?

[Lingchih]

It's the late writer Hunter S. Thompson's personal logo (I don't think he would mind me using it). It's a six fingered hand clenching a peyote button as the hilt of a knife, with the word "Gonzo" overlaid.

[WraithLord]

:cool: logo.

Thanks for the explanation.

[Ironhawk]

I can't remember why we were fighting anymore Ironhawk.. heh. 4-5 good turns of brutal war ended up with us back in our starting places and beat up!

Are we still fighting? I thought there was a cease-fire? Guess I will find out when the turn generates, heh.

[calmon]

Jomon staled 3 Turns in a row now. Ironhawk we should look for a replacement before it is an easy target for his neighbours.

Could you please set the game on hold until we find one and change the first post that we're looking for a player.

[DonCorazon]

I was about to suggest the same. 3 straight stales and 6 the whole game. Nice.

Anyone at war with him btw?

[Ironhawk]

I'll put the word out. If anyone knows a player who is looking for a spot, let me know.

[Ironhawk]

tgBob has agreed to step in for the Jomon position. Welcome to the game, tgbob!

[tgbob]

Hello all, I'll try and honor any previous agreements Jomon had with his neighbors, and to try not die too badly.

[DonCorazon]

Did we add some time?

[Ironhawk]

I believe that QM added some time to try and get the Jomon-password debacle sorted out. This should hopefully be the last delay for some time.

[Ironhawk]

Whew! Looks like we got the password stuff worked out. TGBob just reported in IRC that he was able to access the turn. So we should be good.

[namad]

i would like to trade for some earth gems i have d s n to trade in 1:1

[Ironhawk]

Man! Tough turn. 2 players knocked out simultaneously

[DonCorazon]

Can I get a 12 hour extension? Can't get to turn tonight. Thanks.

[quantum_mechani]

Extended.

[WraithLord]

Can we please extend this turn by 24h?- Its holiday time in Israel and I'll be out of home.

[quantum_mechani]

Extended.

[Amhazair]

Anyone happen to have earth gems for sale? Unfortunately my income is really low for now. (I'll need to conquer someone with a good income if I can't trade for them. Anyone volunteering? ;) )

[Ironhawk]

Heh, I'm Agartha and my earth income is laughable. Its really a disgrace.

In other news: Talks between Tien Chi and Agartha have broken down and the war is scheduled to resume a turn from now. Place your bets! Place your bets!

[Ironhawk]

Hey guys, as I am sure you are all aware, this game is running on the llamaserver. That server is run, free of charge, by our fellow dom3 player, llamabeast. And, the past bit of service interruption aside, its really run beautifully. Additionally, while most of you never see this, the game start and management functions are really remarkably smooth.

Anyway, llama has put an optional Donate button on his server and I would encourage you all to donate, as I just did. Doesnt really have to be anything much - even a dollar would be fine. But however much you donate, I think we should definitely all pitch in for his service which we make such use of.

You can find a link to his Donate thing on the game status page

http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=artifacts

It works with PayPal so you shouldnt have any probs.

[Lingchih]

I hope you all got your magic items. I was quite generous. Pythium, signing off. Not quite sure who I sent what though.

[WraithLord]

Can we please postpone current hosting by 24h?- I will have need of this extension in order to complete my turn.

[Rathar]

The Referee runs out onto the field blowing her whistle and tossing various colored handkerchiefs about.

"Tien-Chi! Early start and offsides! 200 gold penalty and a turn timeout! Go to the Box!"

The offending mages grumbled and a spectator heard "It seemed like a good idea at 4 in the morning.."

Pardon, I live 3 blocks from the University stadium and there is a game forming up outside.

[Lingchih]

Pythium Castle Builders. When you need a castle built right, hire Pythium Castle Builders. We build em right, complete with Iron Walls.


Hmm. Maybe I should not have sent all those artifacts away.

[Ironhawk]

Hehehe - did a capital defence go well for you Lingchih?

[Lingchih]

Well, when you consider that all I have left is my capital, yeah, I guess it did go well.

[Rathar]

I am off to Ireland until the 16th for my sisters wedding. A friend of mine is subbing and if you need to speak with them its kyledotjdotackermanatgmaildotcom, otherwise I'll be back soon!

Hope my war goes well!

[Rathar]

Now now why did you have to mess up a perfectly good war Marignon.. I guess I'll see how it ended when I get back

[Amhazair]

You should have offered to trade me earth gems... :(

I did warn people about that, didn't I? ;)

[Ironhawk]

Speaking of going to other countries, I too will be going away soon. From the 12th to the 18th I will be in Iceland (not Ireland!). I've talked to Zeldor briefly and he said he would be willing to sub so likely he will take over for me. It is amusing that the second TC - Agartha war appears to be happening by proxy :)

[DonCorazon]

Can I get a 6 hour extension on this turn? May not need it but have to travel for work and might cut it close. Thanks.

[Ironhawk]

Turn postponed by 6 hours

[namad]

anyone willing to pay a premium for rune smashers? or any other hotter item?

[namad]

anyone willing to trade/sell blood slaves?

also what are they worth? less than gems obviously?

[Amhazair]

Well, it's actually quite easy to see how much it costs for a nation to produce slaves, since it's a straight gold to slaves conversion.

The cost of a blood slave = Income of the province you're hunting in + upkeep cost of the hunters / the average number of captured blood slaves.

Obviously this means that the cost depends on the blood hunters you have available, but for regular blood nations the bulk of the cost is in the income loss.

For myself - without opening the game and start doing the math - I'm guessing that it's costing me ~7g or a bit more to capture one blood slave, though that might quickly go up to maybe 10 once I start bloodhunting in less optimal (ie. population 7000+ ) provinces. There's obviously also the opportunity cost of enabling a potential rival to start in on a blood economy, but that's another issue.

Convert to gems depending on how much you value gold. :)


All of the above was just theoretical info to help you establish a fair price. Of course, if you were to ask me what I would ask, I might ask an unfair price instead. :D (Hint: I'm still short of earth gems. ;) )

More seriously, I'm currently not in any great rush to sell slaves, as my income atm is quite modest, and I'm still busy building up my blood economy. Selling slaves at this stage would mean having to buy extra blood hunters while I also want to recruit researchers and battle mages. However, if you want to do business, PM me. If you come up with an intresting offer we'll talk. (And I will actually do the above math for real. ;) )

Edit: Weee! New rank. :D

[quantum_mechani]

Mage bane for sale, PM me an offer. Blood slaves preferred payment but any will be considered.

[Zeldor]

Could I get 24h more for my turn? No chance to do it today and I will have time just tomorrow late evening [busy weekend] and I will have to take a look at what Ironhawk left me with :)

[calmon]

I'm open to listen each rumor to find out the subject responsible for dispeling the oak.

Think about it, if i find out who was it there will be a war. And a war you're not involed is perfect, isn't it? :D

[quantum_mechani]

Could I get 24h more for my turn? No chance to do it today and I will have time just tomorrow late evening [busy weekend] and I will have to take a look at what Ironhawk left me with :)Sure, I'll add the time.

[namad]

could someone please lend me a flame helmet for one turn so i can forge my own? I'll pay a small fee for the right to use your helmet and then return yours?



totally separately would anyone be willing to loan me a winged helmet and a bag of winds so i can forge them both and then return them?


fee's negotiable via IRC or PM


also is anyone willing to trade water gems?

[namad]

okay nevermind about the water gems...


anyone want to sell a robe of the magi?

[DonCorazon]

I'm open to listen each rumor to find out the subject responsible for dispeling the oak.

Think about it, if i find out who was it there will be a war. And a war you're not involed is perfect, isn't it? :D

Definitely not Midgard. Our grindingly slow war against Ulm and its endless supply of covert foreign aid has left us depleted of any resources and a burgeoning national debt. Hmm..what does that remind me of?

Lesson learned.

[Zeldor]

Sailing should be banned on that map.

[Micah]

That map should be banned, period.

[Baalz]

I don't know...I'm enjoying it! :D

[WraithLord]

That map should be banned, period.

I 2nd Micah. The map is IMO unfair, I wasn't aware to what degree, or I'd have bowed out of this one. OtOH the artifacts concept is way too cool to turn down.

[archaeolept]

awful map, especially in the east.

[DonCorazon]

Can we turn quickhost off just for this turn? Somehow I sent in my turn last night immediately after receiving the turn file. Thanks

In future, i'd prefer artifacts that could not be sold or given away. :)

[Lingchih]

Patala is a pussy.

Sorry Patala, just trying to get this game done. I thought I should taunt you. Kill me now, please.

[calmon]

Gath is interested in astral and death gems. I can trade you other gems for it - nature/earth/water and in small amounts fire/air.

I also offer to pay for it in gold.

Just PM me if you're interested.

[Amhazair]

Sailing should be banned on that map.
What's wrong with sailing? :angel:

Nah, seriously. Indeed this isn't the most balanced map around, and it is indeed perfect to exploit sailing to the fullest. I do enjoy it however, precisely because it presents different tactical challanges to the average map.

And I'm quite sure I would have said the same even if I weren't one of the nations that really benefited from it. :smirk:

[Lingchih]

C'mon Amhazair, the map sucks for most of the players. Too many chokepoints. Granted, I am almost dead, and have little to say on these matters. It's a very nice SP map though.

[CUnknown]

Patala is a pussy.

Sorry Patala, just trying to get this game done. I thought I should taunt you. Kill me now, please.

Haha... you're right I am a pussy. :happy:

But ... I mean, for real, why should I lose troops in an invasion when I can just preach you out? You've only got 1 candle left. Feel free to break siege, I'd rather fight outside where there are no ballista shooting at me, plus I would get first go.

My nation is of very meager means. I have lost 40 turns fighting you and I don't care if it goes on a few more if it means I can keep more experienced troops for later.

We have had a good war, haven't we? I wish we were the only two players in the game, haha. Then I would win!! :happy: Instead I am dead last after you are gone. :(

[Rathar]

I'm back, had a lovely time! Did I happen to survive if not thrive? I guess I'll get control back when I can.

[Zeldor]

Rathar:

Your invading army got annihilated :)

[Lingchih]

But ... I mean, for real, why should I lose troops in an invasion when I can just preach you out? You've only got 1 candle left. Feel free to break siege, I'd rather fight outside where there are no ballista shooting at me, plus I would get first go.


Actually, I have 11 candles if you count the ones in the neighboring provs, but yeah, the castle is actually in your dom now.

[namad]

can someone sell me a stone sphere or two? I'd have to pay in SDN probably as i have no earth


or can someone trade me a few earth?

[Lingchih]

But ... I mean, for real, why should I lose troops in an invasion when I can just preach you out? You've only got 1 candle left. Feel free to break siege, I'd rather fight outside where there are no ballista shooting at me, plus I would get first go.


Actually, I have 11 candles if you count the ones in the neighboring provs, but yeah, the castle is actually in your dom now.

Well, the walls are down. Just storm me. Yeah, you'll lose some troops, but what the hell, you are in last place anyway. I can't envision any scenario where I would win that storming. And then I'll be done, and out of the game.

[Rathar]

Alas I hear from my sub that they messed something up and.. On the bright side I have something to blame! (Other than having 2 nations in my lands..) I was going down anyways but it's a fun game, glad I got to play. Kill me quick so I can join another!

[CUnknown]

Well, the walls are down. Just storm me. Yeah, you'll lose some troops, but what the hell, you are in last place anyway. I can't envision any scenario where I would win that storming. And then I'll be done, and out of the game.

Alright, alright, I'm coming! Geez... You've got some death wish! Yeah ...I was dumb and thought the candle on your capital was the last one. Here come the nagas!

(You can turn yourself AI if you don't care for the game anymore)

[WraithLord]

Well, the walls are down. Just storm me. Yeah, you'll lose some troops, but what the hell, you are in last place anyway. I can't envision any scenario where I would win that storming. And then I'll be done, and out of the game.

Alright, alright, I'm coming! Geez... You've got some death wish! Yeah ...I was dumb and thought the candle on your capital was the last one. Here come the nagas!

(You can turn yourself AI if you don't care for the game anymore)

That was some hilarious exchange. Worthy of some characters in Erikson's works :D

[Lingchih]

Well, the walls are down. Just storm me. Yeah, you'll lose some troops, but what the hell, you are in last place anyway. I can't envision any scenario where I would win that storming. And then I'll be done, and out of the game.

Alright, alright, I'm coming! Geez... You've got some death wish! Yeah ...I was dumb and thought the candle on your capital was the last one. Here come the nagas!

(You can turn yourself AI if you don't care for the game anymore)

Actually, it's a trap, CUnknown. Don't storm it. That place ia a bomb waiting to be triggered. Forgive me for trying to lure you to your death.

[Lingchih]

Th, th, th, that's all folks. Pythium is dead. My final test worked well though. Good luck to everyone left in the game.

I left you the lab Patala. I'm not a complete A-hole.

[Rathar]

Hmm any chance of a 12 hour extension? I haven't even had the chance to look at the turn I've been so buried under baby and whatnot..

I'll PM QM!

[quantum_mechani]

Extended.

[quantum_mechani]

Extended.
Hmm, I think I have to turn the 12 hours to 24 hours, I'm not going to have a chance to take the turn until about the same time today.

[Rathar]

Thanks for the extend. I finally got to look at the turn and do it.. My my did my sub sink my battleship..

[WraithLord]

QM, I'll be on a long weekend vacation between 10/31 - 03/11. Can you please postpone hosting at this time so that I don't stale?- I'll post/PM a reminder closer to date.

TIA, WL.

[CUnknown]

It must seem odd, but sometimes I like losing a game very badly, like I am now. It takes all the pressure off! If I am 2nd or 3rd place or something and just barely lose, it is frustrating, but now even if I gain a couple more provinces I will be happy. I know my ultimate death is assured, but it is sort of fun like this, heh.:happy:

[DonCorazon]

Can we add some time on the clock, say 12 hours? Btw, anyone else interested in going to 72hrs on this game?

[WraithLord]

I am. Actually have asked for one like some 10-15 turns back :)

[quantum_mechani]

Another 24h added to the clock.

[namad]

i thought we were already on 72h! if we aren't we might as well get on it since every single turn we're adding 12-24h anyways?

[calmon]

Can we add some time on the clock, say 12 hours? Btw, anyone else interested in going to 72hrs on this game?

I'm also up for a 72hrs hosting cylcle!

[Ironhawk]

I have returned from Iceland. While there my Soul was Shattered and I went crazy and destroyed both thier temple AND thier lab. It will be years before thier economy recovers!!

[Ironhawk]

Ugh! If the movement to 72hrs actually gains momentum, someone please just come and execute me. IMO, once games go to that time length, they just stale from disinterest anyway.

[namad]

oh no ironhawk is right! this game is the most exciting one i ever played i'm changing my vote to vote for whatever ironhawk votes for

[Rathar]

We're both screwed Ironhawk. Our mutually well fought war hath ruined us. My troops are pulling back to make their last stand in their capitol. I toldja we should've gone for Marignon!

Your sub did much better than mine btw!

[CUnknown]

My turns take 10 minutes, lol. I'd vote for a 24-h schedule if I could.

[Amhazair]

I toldja we should've gone for Marignon!
Hey! Me no like this idea...

[Ironhawk]

Wow, thanks for that brilliant commentary, namad.

On a more constructive note: I wanted to actually say that, all my own catalog of mistakes in this game aside, it's probably one of the most interesting I've ever played. I've never seen so many wars stalemate in all my times in Dominions. It's really just crazy!! Personally I'm chalking it up to the skill level of all the players in this game.

[namad]

maybe i wasn't clear... I WAS NOT being sarcastic... ironhawk's argument totally swayed me.. and all the games i've been in that went to 72h immediately got less fun for me and i thought maybe it was a coincidence because i was losing but i think win or lose it was just the schedule


i thought my post was important because in case we're voting i've changed my vote

[Ironhawk]

Oh, my bad - I thought you were being sarcastic, yeah.

Yeah when games go to 72hrs they just lose all urgency and thus fun. I know that its hard to play bigger games under a 48hr time limit when we all have busy lives, but it really is for the best.

[namad]

anyone able to sell me some bracers of protection? I would probably have to pay in DSN or trade a third party for the earth gems... I also might be interested in a few non-frost brands


PM me

[namad]

can we turn off quickhost for this turn? I'm going somewhere for most of the rest of the turn so i sent in a turn early and rushed just so i don't stale... but if the quickhost is turned off i can probably take one more look at it right before the deadline ....

[Amhazair]

Oy, I just realise I made a stupid mistake. For some reason I counted on having three days to submit my turn (even though I knew full well hosting wasn't changed to 72h, must have been some fried brain circuit) and thus wasn't in any particular rush to finish it yesterday. I'm just about to leave town though, to babysit my sister's little girl (6 months old now) while she's off to have fun at a wedding party all night long. I won't be back home before sunday afternoon.

Long story short, I'll have to ask for a 24h extension. With my sincere apologies for everyone who voiced his objections to a 72h schedule. (Which I can sympathise with, though I don't feel strongly on the subject either way. )

[quantum_mechani]

Extended.

[Lingchih]

I believe I am back in the game, as Midgard. Please PM me any diplomatic relations, and any war declarations. I will take over next turn. DonC has kindly offered to do this turn.

[Ironhawk]

Oh ho!!!

DC, your morale finally broke eh?

[DonCorazon]

Hehe, I must have had one of those flukey morale rolls, you know, like when in the first round, ten hydras turn and run from 20 deer tribe warriors. :)

[Lingchih]

I request a slight delay (24 hours), while I try and figure out Midgard, and re-formalize nation pacts and NAPs/

[namad]

i need 30-40 earth gems and 20-50air gems in the next 1-3turns preferably


i have SDN to trade (maybe a few blood or fire but not much)

feel free to PM me if you have gems you wish to trade 1:1

[Lingchih]

OK. Midgard turn is submitted. No need for a delay.

thanks

[Ironhawk]

Welcome back to the game, Lingchih!

[Lingchih]

Welcome back to the game, Lingchih!

Thanks! Let's see if I can kill off this nation too. :D

[Ironhawk]

Oops!!

I thought I had until I got home from work tonight to do my turn. But I just got the reminder that the turn is hosting in 6hrs. I wont be home by then. Would anyone mind if I extended for 4hrs? Just enough time to get home and play my turn out.

[Ironhawk]

Not hearing any dissent I have extended by 4hrs

[WraithLord]

Greetings fellow pretenders,

Caelum forges are now open for export.
Caelum offers one of two packages:

Casual package: - Forging of earthware items and artifacts for a total price of up to 20 E gems in return for either A,D,W,N gems. For this package there's a 10% discount, meaning for example that for one marble armor the compensation will be 9 gems.

Trader's package: - Forging of earthware items and artifacts for a total price of more than 20E gems in return for either A,D,W,N gems. For this package there's a 20% discount, meaning for example that for three marble armors the compensation will be 24 gems.

Hey, consider the latter package as really close to forging with hammer :)

PM me if you're interested.

[WraithLord]

Wow. Llamaserver has gone berserk. It keeps sending me this mail "artifacts: Revised turn 49 received for Caelum".

Stop it llamaserver! Be a good server now and stop clogging my mail box.

[Rathar]

Tien-Chi claims it's capitol region and select regions around it to be it's retirement village. Transgression will be costly!

[namad]

I'd like to trade SorDorN gems for E gems please i'll need 30-60 or so please PM me with offers and details and such

[namad]

anyone have water gems they can't find a use for want to trade them to me at a ratio of less than 1:1? pm to negotiate?

[calmon]

Just want to remind everyone that Arcane Nexus is banned in this game!

I don't want a rollback because of that! ;)

[Ironhawk]

Someone cast Astral Corruption, instead. We need to spice things up a bit.

[Ironhawk]

Anybody heard from Llama about the server?

[Lingchih]

It's dead. May be a few days till it is back up and running.

[Ironhawk]

Bummer. Hope llama can get it pieced back together soon.

Guess we should distribute our games onto more servers rather than leaning on Llama so heavily.

[Rathar]

Our plot to retain our ancestral retirement lands is succeeding far past our expectations (and desires..)!

[Ironhawk]

Llamaserver appears to be back up. Game is set to host this coming sunday, but thats a ridiculously long time to wait given that everyone has already had a full week to do a single turn. I'd like to host tonight if we can...

Jomon
Midgard
TC
Ulm

Send your turns in ASAP. For everyone else - it probably wouldnt hurt to resend your turns, just in case. Lets get this game going again! Wooo!!!

[Ironhawk]

You've probably all got the email about the game crashing. Not sure what this is. Additionally, the game is *gone* off the server page. This is likely bad. I have mailed Llamabeast, hopefully he can correct the situation...

[namad]

i have astral gems to trade i'd like to receive earth/water gems in exchange (i may or may not consider a small quantity of death/nature/air as payment as well) please send me pm's i have spare astral gems i needa unload at 1:1

anyone selling blood? if so how much gold/gems ratio? not sure i'm willing to pay a fair price for blood or not but feel free to haggle with me

[Rathar]

I noticed the weirdest thing with the restart. Well, perhaps not the weirdest but.. Upon doing the turn one of my scouts had 2 astral gems appear in it's gem slots. Shrug.

10 blood slaves for sale, 100 gold obo

[archaeolept]

doncorazon, in a different game, after the restart, had a bug where astrals appeared on bane venom carriers. were these scouts carrying anything?

[Rathar]

That's precisely what happened.

[Ironhawk]

Will the current owner of the Chalice please contact me? I would like to work out a rental agreement. I won't make your identity known if you want to keep it that way. Send me a PM or email.

[Rathar]

10 blood slaves, 7 skull mentors for sale cheap! I used to have more but my sub sent them out to war...

[namad]

i think everyone knows who has the chalice or can guess?

anyways.. i still have some spare pearls and i need some earth gems! also nature gems... maaaaybe a few water please PM me please!

[namad]

since my demand for earth gems is high and the offer of astral gems isn't working i'll offer other gem types in limited quantities for earth gems just pm me.. (plenty of fire and small quantities of mostly anything)

[Rathar]

Mentors and slaves are sold! Thanks for the extra turn or two of upkeep/life!

[Rathar]

I just had another weird thing happen. As of last turn I was down to one province with an income of 19 or so. I had an upkeep of approx 441. Fortunately (or so I thought) I had saved 531 gold so as to be able to hold out a bit longer. I had arranged to sell some things last turn to gain a total of 400 gold.

This turn I get the messages that my gold has arrived but instead of the approximately 500 gold I expected to have in my treasury I have only 146.

I haven't looked too deeply at the numbers to figure out what plus what equals what and so be able to determine if I didn't actually get the $ or whether there is a screw up in something else but I thought it interesting.

On another minor aside I found out that one cannot cast Iron Walls if one has any turns remaining from a previous Iron Walls spell.

Turns available if needed!

[calmon]

I'm away from 18th-23rd nov (without internet). I'll try to find a sub but can we also go for a temporary 72 hour hosting cycle for this time?

[Ironhawk]

Rathar, I turned off the taxes in your capital so that you would get no income from it. Given that your walls are currently impenetrable, I didnt really have another choice. While that still doesnt makes sense given your overall numbers, it might be a factor you hadnt considered?

[Zeldor]

Hmm... so sieger's tax setting also affects someone that is besieged? I though taxes are counted separately for that [even when you can't change it when sieged].

[Rathar]

Taxes on or off I still wouldn't get any gold as you control the province. My estimated income for both turns has been about 15-20.

There is definitely something a bit screwy going on! It doesn't really matter I think though as I bet it can only come up when you are in my situation of having an upkeep greater than income.

We brave 500 await the chance to meet our soon to be Agarthan Overlords.

Atlantis has this game unless you guys do something quick! Their lead in provinces and in gems (160+ a turn!!) is my reason

[Zeldor]

Rathar:

You get admin% of income from forts under siege, sieger gets remaining percentage,

[Micah]

sieger sets taxes, besieged gets a cut based on fort's admin I believe, kind of weird.

[Zeldor]

Micah:

I always thought that besieged gets his admin% based on automatic taxes and unrest and that its value is separate from any tax setting of sieger [but I was never sure].

[namad]

no one has wanted any of my astral pearls!

i have pearls spare this turn as well... since no one wants to give me water or earth for them i'm now willing to take any type of gem except fire in trade so i'll take air earth water nature death in exchange for my astral 1:1


i have five knives of the damned i started the game with that i am planning to destory for laboratory space 4damage 2attack 1defense 0length curses the wielder and anyone else the knife touches...


i'll take any offer of anything at all for these knives

[Ironhawk]

Yeah I believe that the seiger sets the taxes and the seigee gets only a percent. So while its tempting to put them up to 100 or even 200 sometimes, if you are cornering an enemy its actually better to set them to 0.

[namad]

i'm also willing to trade my astral gems for blood but i'd want to get a good deal like.. 1:3 or something since gems are fixed income and blood is scaled

[archaeolept]

also, the besieged will get net gold (after taxation %, unrest too i believe) for gold from sites.

[Rathar]

I had no idea that it worked that way. Interesting! But then I should have gained even more gold than what I was estimating (estimation based on what it said my income would be). Most odd!

Either way insofar as I see it I should have had 900 or so gold minus 450 or so upkeep equalling 450 remaining and instead ended up with 150.

[vfb]

Thanks IH! Just lurking here ... but I also never realized that the tax % on a sieged castle affected the portion that the besieged nation receives.

[Ironhawk]

Hey Rathar, are you sure you didnt get a money-loss event or something? Kind of sounds like that.

[Rathar]

Certain. I'll post the turns in a turn or 3, after their strategic relevance is gone. They wouldn't hurt me any but others such as yourself could be compromised if I did it now.

I just had an idea! Perhaps You had a money losing event in my capitol which somehow hit me instead of you?

[namad]

trading fire gems for water or nature gems

[Ironhawk]

I just had an idea! Perhaps You had a money losing event in my capitol which somehow hit me instead of you?

Hmmm, dont recall. Will try to remember to check when I do my turn tonight

[Ironhawk]

Agartha is pleased to report that our sapper team has breached the walls of the Tien Chi capital. Soon, thier people will be freed from the oppressive rule of thier merciless overlords.

[namad]

province # for astral windows please?

[Rathar]

SE corner capitol

[Baalz]

Aw man, you guys are killing me. I don't know if I can in good faith sucker somebody into stepping in to sub now with half the frickin' game declaring war on me. ;)

Honestly, I don't understand the huge amount of fear my position has generated this whole game. I've had a number of people comment that they think I'm pretty close to winning the game, which is pretty funny considering I'm likely not leading a single score graph that matters once you figure in blood hunting, and I'm trailing significantly in research as angels and tartarians start raining down and the water stops providing much protection.

At any rate, given the fact that I was already looking for a sub because I lack the time for this game, there's no possible way I can fight a 5 front war but I'm also not gonna beg a sub to step into that.

Honestly, all posturing aside my position is not nearly as strong as everyone seems to for some reason think, I can't imagine anything will keep a very rapid implosion from happening once all the NAPs fully expire. I'm really considering just going AI unless somebody has a better suggestion.

[namad]

maybe someone who was particularly curious about the artifacts game would be willing to take over the terrible sub? (a player who already lost)
they might be biased but at least they wouldn't be ai?

[CUnknown]

I would be happy to take over Baalz's position once I am eliminated. But I guess I would have to die first.

You have to admit that several other empires in this game (such as Gath) are close to Atlantis in power. Not that a dog-pile on him isn't the right thing to do, but just saying that he (and me) will most likely die in that scenario.

[Rathar]

The once great nation of Tien-Chi-istan wishes to welcome their new overlords in appropriate style. To this end we are accepting donations of gold bars in order to pay for the inauguration. Any amount of money will result in warmer greetings..!

Random door prizes of various types will be awarded to all donors. Imagine yourself with a new dwarven hammer or rune smasher!

[Ironhawk]

Ugh, rathar! Don't sell off all the loot. At least save some for your lifelong opponent :)

[DonCorazon]

I would be happy to take over Baalz's position once I am eliminated. But I guess I would have to die first.

CU, I could take over Patala if needed so you could take over Atlantis. Looks like Patala just has 2 provinces so probably would just be a matter of scripting their last stand...

[CUnknown]

No way!!! Patala will rise from the ashes to win this game!! :angel

[Amhazair]

I'd like to ask a 24h extension if possible. (and if I'm still in time for the powers that be to get my message of despair. :) )Turns out I won't be able to play my turn tonight. (Had unexpected visitors, and it's bedtime now. I liked things better when I was a student and didn't have to get up in the morning if I didn't feel like it... )

[Zeldor]

Amhazair:

"visitors"? Like those in the quite popular thread from main forum? :)

[calmon]

This extension amhazair killed my plan to make my turn shortly after the upcoming hosting. I'm away until sunday and i arranged with qm to set the game to a 72h cylce (without qickhost) after the upcoming host for 2 full turns.

In this case i'll not be able to do my turn short after next hosting and i will not find a sub short-term so i pled for a extension until sunday (not for this host but for the next).

I'm away from 18th - 23rd without internet.

[Ironhawk]

Doh. It sucks to be without a turn for that long. But I don't want to turn down Amhazair for that reason alone. We will just have to wait till you get back, Calmon.

[calmon]

Thanks for waiting! I'm back sunday evening (CET) and will do my turn asap.

[Amhazair]

Thanks for the extension Ironhawk, and sorry to to disrupt your plans Calmon. Have fun this week.

"visitors"? Like those in the quite popular thread from main forum? :)
Nop. Luckily for me it were two fun and charming (to avoid using the word 'hot' :)) ladies I've been friends with since my college days. Certainly beats playing around with crones and witches. :D

[quantum_mechani]

I hate to delay again, but my internet has been out the last day or so (I'm posting this from the library). I've added some hours to the clock, with any luck I will have internet back sometime tonight.

[Zeldor]

So more like Garnet Amazons?

[CUnknown]

The server says we are on turn 54, is that true? I don't think I have received the newest turn, I am on turn 53. How can I get a copy of the newest turn?

[Lingchih]

Log onto llamaserver.net and hit "resend turn"?

[CUnknown]

Thanks! I didn't realize it was that easy. :)

[Amhazair]

Bow down before the Llamaserver in all it's glory. ;)

[CUnknown]

Unfortunately, I still haven't received my turn. I'm not sure what to do.

[Amhazair]

Hmm, do you happen to have a spare e-mail address the turns could be sent to? It happened to me a time or two that my turn didn't get through for not apparent reason at all, and also a couple of times to other players when I was adminning a game. In each case just changing the address the turns were sent to solved the problem. Going back to the original address a few turns down the line also worked fine every time.

Of course, if anyone who actually knows something about his computers has a real solution instead of a workaround I'm all ears. :)

Edit: The first obvious answer is of course checking if you changed anything about your firewalls, spam filters, and whatnot.

[Ironhawk]

Nop. Luckily for me it were two fun and charming (to avoid using the word 'hot' :)) ladies I've been friends with since my college days. Certainly beats playing around with crones and witches. :D

In other words, Amhazair got laid. I think thats a fine reason to extend the turn ;)

[Amhazair]

Heh. I wish...

[Baalz]

Haha, this is really too funny. Yet more attacks and NAP cancellations, and there are literally now I think more than twice as many people attacking me as not, with virtually no other fighting going on. I guess I'll take it as a compliment, but mark my words Gath is more powerful than I am at the moment and Marignon is roughly tied - have fun with all those gift of health tarts piling up along side the chayots while the completely unmolested blood economy continues crapping angels and blood stones in endless numbers. I bet Gath holds much of my gem income by the time the rest of the NAPs end...

[Micah]

I'm pretty sure it's a good strategy to kill the guy that's obviously going to BECOME the most powerful nation in the game before he has the time to actually BE the most powerful nation in the game...given gem income and your own blood hunting once the research curve evens out we have a pretty clear winner for who that'll be if everyone was just playing nice with one another. Not to mention your wish-capable pretender and the fact that you could probably easily overwrite the GoH given your MO income plus whatever you had coming in that let you overwrite the MO in the first place.

[Micah]

Bogarus has a slight surplus of F gems, if anyone wants any please let us know, we are willing to trade at a slight loss.

[Rathar]

And out we go with a whimper.. Fun times!

Here are those two turns illustrating the money weirdness I spoke of earlier.

Because this forums system of uploading files is dorky you will need to rename these files as .trn instead of .zip. They aren't zipped just needed to fool the system..

Pa sswo rd is 1 s p a m 2 remove the spaces

[namad]

anyone able to trade me some earth gems?

[namad]

wasn't calmon supposed to be back yesterday?

[calmon]

Yes i'm back. Maybe qm extended the time to thursday because of his internet problems.

[Ironhawk]

I just tried sending a message out to ask everyone to play thier turns but I havent seen a response from the llamasever yet. Anyway, Calmon is back now so everyone try to get your turns in as soon as possible...

[namad]

is anyone willing to sell crystal coins, starshine skullcaps blood thorns or brazen skulls at or below 25% discount? (meaning you have some means of forging at 40% or better discount and your willing to take the difference as your profit?)

i reckon if anyone has this ability they'll be uninterested in making it public but if they have a special site they'd like to milk for all the profit possible maybe they'll feel like pm'ing me

[Ironhawk]

Micah has asked for a 48hr extension since he will be away for the thanksgiving weekend. I hate to have another delay again so soon since we just paused for so long but its Holiday time in the US so I suppose its to be expected.

Please everyone get thier turns in like normal so that if Micah gets back early we can get back on track again quickly...