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

[Ironhawk]

In this game, you will each play a "human" pretender who was a servant of the now vanished Pancreator. These servants now aspire to godhood of thier own and intend to use the weapons and tools that were placed in thier care in order to assist them. In game terms, each nation will be given a set of artifacts appropriate to them, in addition to many lesser items which will help balance out any power issues. Full Artifact List below...

Era : Late

Map: Antilarium

Mods: CBM

House Rules:
Only human pretenders (10 point path cost, less than 20 hp)
No pop-killing dom nations (ryleh & ermor)
No Arcane Nexus or Mists of Deception (until patch, perhaps)

Settings:
Indys 7
Sites 55
HoF 15
Research Standard
Graphs On

Format: PBEM

Schedule: Early - every day, Middle - every two days, Late - by consensus

Player List 19/19:
abysia - coobe
agartha - ironhawk
arco - DryaUnda
atlantis - baalz
bogarus - micah
caelum - wriath lord
c'tis - Morkilus
gath - calmon
jomon - boron
man - ewierl
marignon - amhazair
mict - lolomo
midgard - DonCorazon
pan - Anticipatient
patala - CUnknown
pyth - Lingchih
TC - rathar
ulm - quantum mechani
utgard - namad

Edit: Mods and Maps attached to this post

[Ironhawk]

/threads/images/Graemlins/icon48.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/icon48.gifTHE ARTIFACT LIST/threads/images/Graemlins/icon48.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif/threads/images/Graemlins/icon48.gif

Arco: Aegis, Armor of Virtue, Aefisks Armor
Extras: Stymphalian Wing 2x, Moon Blade x5, Horn of Valour x2, Rainbow Armor x2, Entire enchanted trinket set, Stone idol x3

Man: Chalice, Robe/Boots of Calius, Percival
Extras: Piercer x2, Longbow of Accuracy x2, Eye of Aiming x2, Shield of Valour x2, Elf Bane x2, Stone Bird x2, Pocket Ship x2, Red/Blue/Green DSM

Ulm: Mage Bane, Black Mirror, Horror Harmonica
Extras: Implementor Axe x2, Lead Shield x2, Doom Glaive x3, Halberd of Might x3, Ethereal Crossbow x5

Mari: Sword of Justice, Sun Equipment, Admiral's Sword, Forbidden Light
Extras: Brimstone boots x2, Holy Scourge x4, Just man's Cross x5, Flamebue, Shroud of the Battle Saint x2

Mict: Scepter of Corruption, Flesh Ward, Gift of Kurgi
Extras: Heart of life x5, The Black Heart x5, Slave Collar x5, Hunter's Knife x4, Heart Finder Sword

TC: Sword of the Aurgemler, Barrier
Extras: Smasher x3, Robe of Missile Protection x5, Staff of Corrosion x2, Slave matrix x4, Master matrix, Bell of cleansing x4

Jomon: Ember, Sword of Many Colors, Crown of Overmight, Ruby Eye
Extras: Demon Bane x4, Crystal Shield x2, Chi Shoes x4, Sword of Sharpness x2, Elemental Armor, Bow of War x4

Agartha: Stone Sword, Hammer of the Moutains, Tartarian Chains
Extras: Banefire Crossbow x5, Shadow Brand x2, Boots of Stone x2, Champions Skull x5, Faithful x2, Silver Hauberk x2

Aby: Oal Kans Scepter, Unquenched Sword, Infernal Sword, Precious
Extras: Hell Sword x2, Fire Bola x5, Medallion of Vengeance x6, Fire Sword x2, Star of Heroes x2, Demon Whip x2

Caelum: Tempest, Igor Konhelm's Tome
Extras: Black Bow of Botulf x2, Thunder Bow x3, Thunder Whip x2, Amulet of Missle Prot. x5, Lightning Rod x2, Barrel of Air x2, Ice Sword x2

CTis: Woundflame, Ankh, Crown of Katafagus, Crown of Ptah
Extras: Lantern Shield x3, Evening Star x2, Serpent's Kryss x2, Whip of Command x3, Rod of the Leper King x2, Snake bladder stick x2

Pan: Harvest Blade, Fenris Pelt, Crown of the Ivy King, Carcator, Holger
Extras: Ivy Crown x4, Skull Standard x3, Vine whip x5, Summer Sword x3, Bear Claw Talisman x4, Rat tail x2

Midgard: Flying Ship, The Summit, Pebble Skin Suit
Extras: Lightning Spear x2, Stinger x2, Ice Pebble Staff x3, Spirit Helmet x2, Banner of the Northern Star, Weightless Armor Set, Lychatrops Amulet x2

Utgard: Winter Bringer, Monolith Armor, Rod of Death
Extras: Duskdagger x2, Knife of the Damned x5, Totem Shield x4, Berserker Pelt x3, Bane venom charm x2, Boots of long Strides x5, Sword of Swiftness x2, Barkskin amulet x3

Patala: Dimensional Rod, Krupp's Bracers, Sharpest Tooth, Green Eye
Extras: Robe of Invulnerability x2, Jade Armor x2, Axe of Hate x2, Robe of the Shadows x2, Astral Serpent x4, Stone Sphere x2, Crown of Command x3

Gath: The Ark, Procus's Axe, Picus's Axe
Extras: Flesh Eater x4, Midget Masher x2, Wall Shaker x1, Crystal heart x5 , Blood Thorn

Atlantis: Sunslayer, Orb of Atlantis, Nethgul
Extras: Wraith Sword, Bane Blade x2, Wave Breaker x2, Rime Haubrek x2, Bone Armor x2, Bottle of living Water x3

Pythium: Amon Hotep, Trident from Beyond, Shortsword, Boots of Antaeus
Extras: Gloves of the Gladiator x4, Snake Ring x2, Hydra Skin Armor x2, Thorn Staff x4, Dancing Trident x2, Ring of Warning x5, Scutata Volterus

Bogarus: Oath Rod of Kurgi, Ardmon's Soul Trap, Sword of Injustice, Boots of the Planes, Alchemists Stone, Twin spear
Extras: Elixir of Life x4, Scepter of Authority x3, Shield of the Accursed x2, Boots of Youth x3, Ring of the Warrior x3


Edit: Man's Bows of War swapped with Jomon's DSM

[Ironhawk]

As you can see, this game is already full. However, we have one spot in reserve that we may open up. To that end, we are accepting people to get put on the wait/sub list. So if you are interested, please let me know.

[Dragar]

Please put me on the wait list

[Lingchih]

Awesome. Can't wait to get started on this game.

Picks:

1: Pythium
2: Pangaea
3: Marignon

[anticipatient]

1. pangaea
2. atlantis
3. t'ien ch'i

[AlgaeNymph]

My picks:

1:Arco
2:Man
3:Bogarus

[JimMorrison]

Oh man this looks so cool. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif If anyone drops..... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

BTW just a note, in the rules you may wish to state no Wishing away other people's artifacts. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Maybe you already covered that to your satisfaction, but..... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Also Mictlan might enjoy a couple Jade Daggers.

Cheers.

<3

[Lingchih]

Wishing away other's artifacts is part of the game. Certainly no need to ban it.

[WraithLord]

1 Caelum
2 Gath
3 Midgard

[Micah]

Pan
Ctis
Patala.

[LoloMo]

1. Mictlan
2. Bogarus
3. Tien Chi

[llamabeast]

This does look really cool. Wish I had time to play.

Would you like me to host it on the LlamaServer?

[coobe]

1. Abysia
2. Ctis
3. Utgard

[Amhazair]

1. Utgard
2. Marignon
3. Atlantis

[calmon]

1. Atlantis
2. Bogarus
3. Marignon

[Baalz]

1 Gath
2 TC
3 C'tis

[Morkilus]

1 C'tis
2 Jomon
3 Marignon

It's been a while http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[WraithLord]

Not that I mind but hey, does nobody like Caelum RotR anymore?

[DonCorazon]

I had such a traumatic experience as MA Caelum in RandRedux (sandwiched between 2 giant bless rush nations) that I get the shakes just thinking of Caelum in any age.

Btw, will have my picks in tonight.

[Ewierl]

1. Man
2. Marignon
3. Midgard

[Rathar]

Yay!

1st for me is Tien-chi, second would be arco and third Patala.

[DonCorazon]

1. Midgard
2. Pyth
3. TC

[namad]

1utgard
2midgard
3mictlangard

i wonder if i could bribe someone to trade picks with me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Boron]

I take the nation nobody else wants this time.

[Ironhawk]

Nation selection will start at 10pm (US Pacific Time). You are all free to make changes to your picks up to that time.

[CUnknown]

1) C'tis
2) Mictlan
3) Palatia

[quantum_mechani]

For those on the wait list, a new artifacts game is open.

[Kristoffer O]

Nice concept!

Good luck to you all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ironhawk]

Ok guys, the results are in. Here's how the dice played out...

Pass 1:
coobe - aby
ironhawk - agartha
DryaUnda - arco
calmon - atlantis
wriath lord - caelum
cunknown - X (lost, 4)
Morkilus - CTis (won, 6+3)
baalz - gath
ewierl - man
lolomo - mict
DC - midgard
micah - X (lost, 3)
Anticipatient - Pan (won, 4)
Lingchih - pyth
rathar - TC
qm - ulm
amhazair - X (lost, 6+2)
namad - utgard (won, 6+5)

Pass 2:
cunknown - X (taken)
micah - X (taken)
amhazair - Mari

Pass 3:
cunknown - patala (won, 4)
micah - X (lost, 1)

Pass 4 (randoms):
boron - jomon
micah - bogarus

[JimMorrison]

Damn, Jomon was my first choice, too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[WraithLord]

So when and where are the pretenders due?

[Ironhawk]

Llamabeast has agreed to host this game for us. However he is away this weekend, returning monday. So the earliest we can submit pretenders will be sometime Monday when he has time to put it together. In an optimal world we could perhaps get it on Sunday night? But I would more realistically count on Monday.

Use the weekend to refine your pretender builds and starting strats...

[Lingchih]

There is a newer version of the Antilarium map than the one that is linked in the first post. It was posted to the Maps and Mods Forum last month by Psientist. I guess he re-did some of the graphics, and fixed some bugs. Version 1.01

It may be that he just made changes to the .map file. Not sure.

[calmon]

And don't forget - like me at first - that we're using CB mod!

This makes this human pretender creation a lot more fun http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

btw ironhawk please check thats all the items modded in the game are written correctly (or do you use Ids?). There are a lot of typing errors in the item list posted here. 'Sunslayer' instead of 'Sun Slayer', 'Rime Haubrek' instead of 'Rime Hauberk' to mention my own nation errors.

I just doesn't want a restart because anyone misses a promised item http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[quantum_mechani]

calmon said:
btw ironhawk please check thats all the items modded in the game work correctly. There are a lot of typing errors in the item list.

We both went over them a few times, hopefully we got all the errors.

[calmon]

If you send us the new .map file we all can doublecheck at least some of the nations.

[quantum_mechani]

OK, here's the map file (start locations are not the real ones).

[Ironhawk]

Yeah both QM and I looked over the items and caught several errors. It appears complete now but having more eyes on it couldn't hurt. The starting locations will be decided by a third party (Sheap) just prior to the game so that no one has any advance information.

[calmon]

Arco: Ok
Man: misses 2 Eye of Aiming
Atlantis: misses 1 bottle of water

I test the rest when i find the time.

[Amhazair]

Marignon misses absolutely nothing.
Mictlan misses 4 heart of life

To add my two rusty coins of unknown denomination. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[calmon]

You need to use the mod amhazair. The modded Monkeys have 3 arms and the Sword of justice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

But the 4 heart life are missed. Its in the map file but the apes have only 2 misc slots.

[Amhazair]

Damn, I was convinced I had it enabled. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Ah, well. That's what I get for trying to be helpful.
After living with myself for almost 29 years you'd guess I'd have learned that I am absolutely unable to check things thoroughly, without making mistakes of my own, but I keep refusing to believe it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[calmon]

Ok, i checked all nations:

Arco: Ok
Man: miss 2 Eye of Aiming (not in map file)
Ulm: Ok
Marignon: Ok
Mictlan: miss 4 heart of life (in map file but 3 items for misc slots)
TC: Ok
Jomon: misses The Ruby Eye (typo its wrongly 'Ruby Eye' instead of 'The Ruby Eye' in map file)
Agartha: Ok
Abysia: misses O'al Kan's Sceptre (typo in map file 'er' instead 're')
Caelum: Ok
C'Tis: Ok
Pan: Ok
Midgard: Ok
Utgard: Ok
Patala: Ok
Gath: Ok
Atlantis: misses 1 bottle of water (not in map file)
Pythium: Ok
Bogarus: Ok

[Ironhawk]

Wow, nice catches guys! Just goes to show that when you look at something too long you start to glaze over things. I'll fix those now...

Ok, corrections made. New .map file is attached to this post. Everybody let me know if you see anything out of place.

[calmon]

Now it looks fine!

I learned in 2-3 nation evaluation tests games 3 days ago that it is a pain to write and give all the artifacts corectly. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[CUnknown]

One question about cursed artifacts such as Palatia's dimensional rod ... Is it going to be given to that commander dude, or put in my vault to start when the real game starts? Otherwise, it is useless, pretty much .. I won't be able to get it off that 10hp commander.

How will this work?

[quantum_mechani]

Just hit change form on the monkey.

[calmon]

Wait a second, you modded the sea with a lot of commanders and units nearly impossible to attack?

If this is true maybe you should have mention this in your first post?

Do you know what a crap LA atlantis is without the possibility to conquer the seas and do you see that even without that knowledge nobody but me picked it first and i by myself was really undecided!

So please take the ocean changes back. You should have written something about it before people chose the nations.

[Rathar]

Impossible to attack? I am not understanding your meaning. Could you elucidate please. I'm not sure what you mean by ocean changes for instance.

[Rathar]

Hmm I actually looked at it which I guess I should have done before typing and verily there is a host of things in the sea. Good fun.

[Lingchih]

Well, as I see it, LA Atlantis is really a land nation. They can conquer the seas easily enough (normally), but they don't really get anything from them other than money and gems. Their recruitment underwater is crap, with no good mages or priests, and crappy troops.

That being said, if the sea indies were un-boosted, Atlantis, being the only underwater capable nation, could easily conquer all the oceans. A huge advantage to them. I believe that is why the ocean provinces are so damned deadly.

I played LA Atlantis in an MP game once, where I was placed 15 provinces from the closest sea. It wasn't till the end-game before I even got into the water.

[AlgaeNymph]

Ironhawk said:
Everybody let me know if you see anything out of place.

I see a lot of #commander 2981, are the commanders supposed to have the same numbers?

Also, #additem "The Aegis" says it's not working.

[DonCorazon]

quantum_mechani said:
Just hit change form on the monkey.



Midgard has similar issue w/Pebble Skin suit - but I don't see any way to get the 10hp dude to drop it.

[calmon]

Lingchih said:
That being said, if the sea indies were un-boosted, Atlantis, being the only underwater capable nation, could easily conquer all the oceans. A huge advantage to them. I believe that is why the ocean provinces are so damned deadly.




That was the reason i took them. To possible control the oceans. I don't want to discuss my other strategies here.

I just say that the fact oceans are modded should be announced before poeple choose their nations.

[calmon]

DonCorazon said:

quantum_mechani said:
Just hit change form on the monkey.



Midgard has similar issue w/Pebble Skin suit - but I don't see any way to get the 10hp dude to drop it.



Click 'Change order' and choose 'Change Shape' on the ape.

[DonCorazon]

My guys with the artifacts are not apes and don't have the Change Shape order available.

[calmon]

Ah sorry.

You need to activate the Artifact Mod. Its in the package 7 posts above of the actual map file.

[DonCorazon]

Thanks calmon. I didn't notice that mod file - just dumped them all into the map folder as I saw CBM listed as the only Mod on the game summary post. All good now.

[quantum_mechani]

To address Calmon: You're right, it was an oversight not to mention it earlier. I do think Atlantis (and mictlan) would be positively insane in this map otherwise. I really do feel for your frustration, but I'm not sure how to fix it. I don't think removing the indies would make for a very fair game. Atlantis does have some very strong items (and sailing) so personally I do not find them so weak.

All I can think of is to offer my nation if you truly feel cheated. At this point seeing as everyone has been practicing with their nations I don't think a general reassigning would be fair to everyone either. Maybe some of the other players would also be willing to trade, if you don't like Ulm or Atlantis.

[calmon]

Honestly i would be very happy by playing LA Ulm. I like the nation theme i don't think the items are that worse than atlantis (magebane http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif).

On the other hand i would feel cheesy to take away your prechosen nation. So i think the best way is that we ask the people from the wait list to fill in. I can still play in the second artifact game.

(Besides Atlantis and Mictlan, Patala's Nagas are also able to enter the ocean)

[Kristoffer O]

What's this crap! LA Atlantis rules http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Besides you are about to get new UW units if you survive until the next patch http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

You can positively go far as LA Atlantis, at least with a PoD http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Played them in a team game with QM (his suggestion on the overly useful PoD). It was nice but quite disappointing to enter the sea. Only crappy troops. I should probably blame myself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Now they will be more spiffy.

[calmon]

Thanks KO but the problem is the ocean is modded so you're not able to enter the sea soon and even later you will have your difficulties.

You are also limited to human pretenders in this game so you have to use the items and the honestly at best substandard land troops combined with 1 (crappy) non-capital mage.

[Kristoffer O]

Substandard? Frogs rule you know http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Just take lots of prod. Or less if you prefer Mournful. They are cheaper in CBM IIRC.

[calmon]

Well substandard because there isn't any special inside to do damage without losing much troops.

Good early stage armies have a block of archers do the damage behind of some blockers or have high HP tramplers or giants.

And like i said the mage support is one of the worst in LA. The only real mage costs 350, is capital only and one side of him is water magic which isn't considered strong - and even worse without the ocean.

However i'm sure there are players which have fun playing atlantis without the seas. Dragor, JimMorrison you're on the wait list. Are you interested?

[Lingchih]

Calmon, why don't you and QM just switch nations. That would solve the problem.

[Baalz]

Jomon is still free to. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[CUnknown]

So where do we get this artifacts mod? We need to make our pretenders with that?

[Ironhawk]

The only mod you need to design your pretender is CBM.


However, due to the confusion I'm seeing the thread, I posted the Artifacts Mod on the original post. I will add the finalized .map file when the nations have recieved thier final placement.

[Ironhawk]

calmon said:
However i'm sure there are players which have fun playing atlantis without the seas. Dragor, JimMorrison you're on the wait list. Are you interested?



No one on our waitlist is even around anymore due to the second instance of this game type starting. If you are unhappy with your nation pick and are opting not to swap with QM, we will simply have to drop LA Atlantis and continue on. There is not enough time to find a replacment.

[calmon]

Ironhawk said:
If you are unhappy with your nation pick



I'm unhappy with your unannounced map modding http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

So feel free to close the atlantis chapter.

[Lingchih]

Calmon, be civil. Just switch to Ulm, and QM can take Atlantis.

[Baalz]

You can have Gath to if you'd prefer, I'm easy.

[calmon]

Ok Baalz, i'm fine with this. Gath was my first choice before i changed to atlantis.

Thank you!

I'm still against an ocean modding. Atlantis may control most of the seas but it will have difficults to hold the capital on land. And without it only sites bring up (pre patch) any mage underwater.

[Micah]

The high site setting (indy mages) and rainbow pretender selection should mitigate Atlantis' crappy mages somewhat at least. And it could be worse, you could be Jomon. =)

[calmon]

Thats true, the rainbow helps but you still recruit most of your mages with gold probably. Jomon has acceptable mages if they survive the early game, i'm not sure which is worse.

I'm happy with gath now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[JimMorrison]

Did someone say Jomon is free? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

The lovely host has my email in a PM still. *cough* If this is true, I need a bit of time to design my pretender properly, so the sooner I know, the better. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Amhazair]

Nah, Jomon isn't free. It was just taken by a player (Boron) who said he'd take the leftover nation - and thus presumably would have been willing to trade with Calman.

Sorry to disappoint you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Lingchih]

I'm totally confused now. Can we just start the game and figure things out later?

[quantum_mechani]

Nothing confusing left really. Baalz and Calmon swapped nations (thank you to baalz for resolving the problem so nicely). Jim thought there was a free nation, but it was actually a misunderstanding.

[Lingchih]

gotcha. Game on!

[CUnknown]

Who do we send our pretenders to?

[Lingchih]

Llambeast, tomorrow, after he sets up the game.

[DonCorazon]

Once llamabeast gets back, he'll set up the game on llamaserver and we email them in.

See here (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=531117).

[Ironhawk]

The starting positions have now been set. I've bundled together the map and the two mods you will all need for this game in the attachment on the original post.


Now all we have to do is wait for llamabeast to fire up the game...

[quantum_mechani]

Game should now be up on llamaserver.

[Ironhawk]

Quick question to you guys - I dont know if QM did the setting or not when he started the game - but how do you feel about capital VPs in this game?

With this many players and on a map this size I dont see how we could play without them. But I just wanted to bring it up.

[llamabeast]

You can now see the game settings by going to llamaserver.net. Capital VPs are on, apparently.

[Baalz]

Sounds good to me

[WraithLord]

Last confirmation, create pretender with CBM 1.3 enabled, right?

[calmon]

Yes. And don't forget to use a human (10 point path cost, less than 20 hp) pretender.

[Micah]

Yes, Cap VPs, please. Somewhere 50-60% for a win maybe?

[Ironhawk]

Thats correct CBM 1.3 (the latest). If there is any doubt, just download the .zip attached to the first post. It contains CBM, the Artifacts Mod, and the finalized Antilarium. Everything you need.

[calmon]

I vote also for capital VPs (if we have to play with VPs) and would be happy if its at least 50% so 10 out of 19.

I really want to see some endgame action with CBM and my last 2 mp games ended definitly to early.

[quantum_mechani]

I'm afraid it's set to 8 to win. This still seems like a lot, especially since CB 1.3 boosts domes, largely to reduce teleport VP grabs.

[calmon]

To be honest i start to hate all this VP win conditions. It can run so fast at the end and its definitly boosts the already good teleporting/cloud trapezing/etc. nations in both ways to attack and even better to defend castles!

Why we can't just play untill all remaining players agree to crown a victor? I never had a boring game with it in dom3.

[WraithLord]

Amen to that.

I mean, some large maps do require VPs in order to complete in a sane time but lately I too had a similar experience with VP games. They end quickly, quite some time before the real fun begins.

[Ironhawk]

I agree that regular VP games often end too quickly, due to the ease of a teleport victory. I've done it myself. But Cap VPs are a whole different game. Since each is a cap, you are gauranteed that it will 1) have a fort protecting it and 2) will be heavily defended. Both of these mean that there can be no surprise victories.

Additionally, we are playing with graphs On, so everyone will know who is approaching the goal and can act accordingly.

[calmon]

To bring up the first RAND game:

Micah (Fomoria) imposing used 2-3 SC strike forces beaming to unprepared castles, cast the underestimated spell "Crumble" one or more times in the same turn (the spell is even cheaper with CBM) and stormed one turn later.
The defender had exactly 1 turn to do something. Perfect targets are non-air/astral nations which normally can't react.
His own castles were nearly impregnable. He just waited untill someone was ready to storm and beamed defence in.

Well to be fair there are counters but its not as difficult as many people believe to take out numbers of castles in a short time in the late game.

[quantum_mechani]

RAND was something of a special case though, where organized opposition was not possible. And it's my hope the cheaper/easier domes should make that sort of victory more difficult.

[Ironhawk]

Yeah, I've used Crumble to help capture VPs as well. Its not as big of a problem as your scenario would make it out to be. After all - the defense of these points must have been laughably weak to not be able to defeat even the toughest SC going solo. Where was that player's disintegrators? Life for a Lifes? Even Paralyze w/ spell focus and eye of the void would do the trick.

IMO, the more realistic scenario of:
1) knocking down domes over the VP
2) teleporting in an entire army w/ mage support
3) survive having every other player in the game devastate your force with artillery/assassination spells
4) finally defeating the defenders of the fort

Is fantastically difficult. If you can pull this off, IMO, you deserve to win the game.

[calmon]

Well the problem is you always find this more or less unprotected castles to send such forces. AI players, nearly dead players. Castles without much mages are not rare in end game! Capital mages are often used to fight in field battles instead of being at home and research in end game.

[Micah]

I felt I was as solidly in control of RAND 1 as was possible given the wrapped map and the volume and quality of other players. My hold on things was certainly getting kind of tenuous at the end (especially since I'd staked my chances at that point on a cap-grab), but up until then I'd gotten some huge lucky breaks (shadow seers!) as well as playing a nearly mistake-free game...If I'd not managed to win I think the game would have probably dragged on until near the end of time, since no one else was in anywhere near as strong a position, and once the research was all done it becomes quite easy to gang people from across the entire map.

I also would have had a really bad time of things if any of the caps I'd attacked had been domed...Plus I got most of my VPs the old-fashioned way, killing Mictlan, Tir, Marverni and Ulm myself and winning Pangaea when I beat Ulm, so I only teleported onto 2 caps, total. (well, 3, but shark attack is retarded...) I earned the other 7 capitals, and once I'd gotten that big it was pretty near impossible to hold onto all my provs, there are simply too many borders to defend at that point, and with 15+ nations it's pretty hard to get strong enough to take on the whole world at once.

[Rathar]

One observation. It seems that starting positions have been set with no randomizing. I'm not a huge fan of knowing that so and so in in such and such a spot nor of them knowing the same about me.

Mix em up please http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[quantum_mechani]

Not possible, due to the way artifact placement happens.

[Morkilus]

So is this PBEM like in the OP or is it hosted like QM says? I can find the llamaserver but not the port http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[DonCorazon]

It is PBEM. You email your pretender in.

[quantum_mechani]

Morkilus said:
So is this PBEM like in the OP or is it hosted like QM says?

Hmm, don't recall saying it was hosted, but if I did sorry for any confusion.

Anyway, llamserver is really easy, but if you have problems here is the FAQ (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showthreaded.php?Number=531116) .

[Lingchih]

Pythium pretender uploaded. All you slackers need to get on the ball. Let's get this game rolling.

[Boron]

Where can i find any info about the server? Or should i email my pretender simply to Ironhawk instead?

[Ironhawk]

You should have all recieved an email from me with instructions. If you didnt, then send me an email right now so I can add you to the list. In short, what you need to do to get your pretender in is to attach your pretender file to an email and send it to:

pretenders[ at ]llamaserver[ dot ]net

with a subject line of:

artifacts

When this is successfully completed, you will recieve a confirmation email from the llamaserver.

[Ironhawk]

Evening is approaching and we still have four players out:

coobe
lolomo
qm
namad

Its time to finish up those pretenders and send them in, guys....

[DakaSha]

like i said on irc is somebody doesnt show up ill gladly take the place

[LoloMo]

Pretender sent in, Mictlan is ready to rock and roll!

[Lingchih]

Rock and die, more like. Have at you, Mictlan.

[Ironhawk]

Only coobe left out now...

[calmon]

DryaUnda, CBM was used to create pretenders and are you sure you use a human form?

[Ironhawk]

All right, all pretenders are in and I believe the first turn is generating. Game On!

Good luck to all!

[Micah]

Turn's out and Dryaunda's pretender is undoubtedly borked due to not having the CBM mod turned on...guess we'll need a restart?

Glad it came up too, since the only way to have an illegal pretender in CBM is to be using one of the banned chassis types. (Multi-path clops, PoD and Moloch are the only pretenders that are more expensive than base for Arco, I believe)

[Ironhawk]

Uhhh... Am I missing something? I see no posts form DryaUnda about his choice for a pretender. Are you guys talking to him via PM or something?

Ohhhhhh - did you load the turn and see an error or something?

[calmon]

Yep there is a cheating message in the first turn:
"Arco has a god that is too powerfull..."

[WraithLord]

So, are we restarting?- Are we required to resend pretenders?

[Ironhawk]

We are restarting, yes. I've talked it over with llamabeast and he has informed me that it shouldnt be neccessary to resend any pretenders. I'll keep you all updated on how things develop. Assuming DryaUnda responds quickly we could be going again soon.

I would like to take a moment to reiterate to everyone tho the restriction on pretenders for this game. Only human pretenders are allowed (10pt new path cost, 20hp max). If anyone else mistakenly chose a pretender which does not conform to this, now is the time to tell me so that we can put a valid pretender in for you.


If any player is found to have a non-human pretender once the game starts they will most likely be ejected from the game.

[AlgaeNymph]

Ironhawk said:
Assuming DryaUnda responds quickly we could be going again soon.

Sorry about that. Pretender redesigned and submitted.

[Ironhawk]

Thanks to DryaUnda's quick response, the game is back on track again. He also saved himself 10 lashes! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Game ON!

[AlgaeNymph]

Good news, my pretender works!

Now to figure out how to make the most of my three adjacent provinces, two of which are wasteland.

[Ironhawk]

BTW, I wanted to post a very important reminder about the first turn:

CHANGE SHAPE ON ALL YOUR MONKIES IMMEDIATELY

In case you didnt play a test game, all the monkeys are engineered to die on turn 2. Get your artifacts and items off them immediately. The Change Shape command will automatically remove all items (including cursed items).

[Morkilus]

edit: nevermind

[calmon]

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

And just to make sure nobody forget:
Take all items from your apes into the treasury (via 'change shape' or manually). They are aquatic and will all drown after the first turn. Still worn items will be destroyed!

edit: to slow http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[WraithLord]

Thank you for the reminder. I would have surely forgotten to do this w/o it.

[Lingchih]

If you move your Monkeys into a water prov, will they still die? I want to keep my monkeys.

[quantum_mechani]

You can't move them. And in any case the water is full of indies that would almost instantly kill them.

[Morkilus]

Some of us can make our OWN winged monkeys.

[Ironhawk]

Lingchih said:
If you move your Monkeys into a water prov, will they still die? I want to keep my monkeys.



I know, I know. The monkies are awesome http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Unfortunately they are quite sure to die. But dont think of it as death, think of it like they are returning to the mystical realm from which they came. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Ironhawk]

On to matters of the game: as you can all see the deadline for this first turn is longer than normal. This is to give people a chance to get thier acts together and react to the game starting. After the first turn, the schedule will be as posted at the top of the thread, 1 turn a day.

[Ewierl]

Dangits, it turns out my starting position nerfs the one reason I decided to try Man in this game.

Not that I feel offended or unfairly screwed; I knew my odds and got unlucky. Too bad, Plan A would've been a fun new schtick. Well, on to Plan B, which involves seeing how much mileage I can get out of late-game-oriented artifacts!

[Ironhawk]

Go, go, Percival the Pocket Knight!

[anticipatient]

I hope the hosting interval isn't too short this weekend. I'm going to be out of town for a little under 72 hours. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Would hate to stale on turn 2!

[quantum_mechani]

Would be ideal if you could find a one turn sub, but I'll delay hosting if we have to.

[anticipatient]

I have asked Dragar to host for one turn. Hopefully he can. Depending on timing, I may not end up delaying the game much, but hopefully he can sub.

[quantum_mechani]

Thanks for finding a sub anti. Let me know if I need to set the llamaserver to e-mail the next turn to him instead.

[DonCorazon]

Midgard reports the first casualties in the Artifacts war as Dreamsong, the Winged Monkey, who along with several friends got into a vat of Midgardian ale, went drunk flying, crashed into some trees, and then fell into and drowned in the same vat of Midgardian ale.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls my brothers, it tolls for thee

[Baalz]

Haha, awesome. At the risk of sharing state secrets I have to share this turn. I'm expanding using Nethgul, the Orb of Atlantis and the Sunslayer on my two starting commanders. Turn 1 of this fight on the third turn of the game, Nethgul decides the best thing to do is to blink his 14 hp host 4 squares *in front* of a block of 10 heavy cavalry! Oh crap, crap, that's by far the worst result out of any of my test games. I'm screwed on turn 3! Fortunately I gained the quickness heroic ability and half the cavalry ran right by to go attack my infantry. Nethgul now decides to drop body ethereal while two elementals tie up 3, 1 catches fatal point blank crossbow friendly fire (trying to hit the elementals) and the last horsy missed my ehtereal ***. Nethgul now paralyzes one, enslaves mind another one who helps the water elementals overwhelm the rest. Not a hit on my intrepid explorer....what'd you guys do to earn your hall of fame slots?

[calmon]

My commanders decided to just sit at home and clean all the nice artifacts. Nothing else to report. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I also did some tests with atlantis (while assumed playing it). The nethgul blink was the cause not to use it on my orb/water bottle strike forces.

[Lingchih]

My commanders sat at home, looking at all the artifacts, and wondering what the hell they do. After three months of studying them, they decided they were all crap.

Just grow some Hydras, like we always do, was the consensus.

[quantum_mechani]

Since we had two stales due to the sudden change to 24 hour host (one was me, so sue me being an admin has it's advantages http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ) I'm briefly rolling back the turn. It will be 24 hours for real after this though.

[Lingchih]

Rollbacks suck. Try to avoid this in the future please.

[calmon]

This rollbacks are confusing. Is there an automatic host after you and the other missed player (boron) send in the turns?

[quantum_mechani]

As I understand it, no one has to do anything, besides me and boron sending in our turns. Then we will be back on a roll.

Anyway, yes, I will try my hardest to avoid rollbacks in the future. However, I figure if I set the new schedule and even I got confused by it, it's not really fair to make boron stale too...

EDIT: I was incorrect, seems everyone must send the same turn they send for the last turn 2.

[Lingchih]

Well, I just re-sent my turn, since I thought that was what I needed to do. I'm totally confused now. And on such a crucial turn! I hope it works. I've probably screwed myself now.

[quantum_mechani]

You were right, you have to resend the turn. Not the turn 3 turn though, if you've already done one.

[Lingchih]

Well, I guess I will either have a lot of money, or my army, next turn now. I'd prefer to have the army though.

Heh, oh well, it's just a game.

[calmon]

From llamas Info to rollbacks, we don't need to resend:


artifacts: Roll back to previous turn

This will cause the game to return to the previous turn.

Note that I highly recommend not doing this. The main reason for this is the fact that players have already seen the current turn, and so they know what would happen given the set of moves they used last time. Hence, consciously or not, they are very likely to use this information to change their actions next time they submit a turn. Even assuming none of the players' actions are affected, there will always be a suspicion in the mind of the other players if battles turn out significantly differently. Therefore just in the interest of having the game feel completely fair, I think rollbacks are a bad idea.

Having said that, there are situations where rollbacks are called for, which is why I've included the option here.

Note that once the game is rolled back, it will appear that the game is waiting for 2h files from all players. However, the 2h files from last time the turn was played will in fact be there, and will be used if the game hosts without them being overwritten. This can be useful; often, a game is rehosted in order for only one or two players to retake their turns, while everyone else is expected to make no changes. The game admin can therefore wait till just those players have submitted, and then force hosting. None of the other players will stale (assuming they actually submitted a 2h file last time the turn was played).

[quantum_mechani]

Well, I must agree with you: it's confusing! Doesn't seem like sending your old turn 2 would be detrimental at least. If it is the case that everyone elses 2hs are there and just hidden, hopefully Boron will get in his turn soon, and maybe the whole thing can avoid confusing a lot more people...

[Lingchih]

From the status page, it looks like the game is now waiting on everyone to submit their turns. I think it won't host now until tomorrow. We'll see what happens then.

[calmon]

We just wait until boron send in his turn and QM force hosting. The other turnfiles are still in (read the bolt words in my post).

[quantum_mechani]

Just got in contact with boron, his should be in in a few minutes, then we will be back on track.

[quantum_mechani]

Hmm, we may need to rollback again, it shows many people staled the turn. Can somone who did not resubmit confirm?

[Lingchih]

I think we need to restart the game.

[DonCorazon]

I didn't stale, seems fine

[quantum_mechani]

EDIT: So you didn't resubmit and it works for you don? First bit of good news all day. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[DonCorazon]

Correct. I did nothing and received a Turn 3 that was not a stale. And Shalim the Serpent Priest became Prophet for Pythium so they apparently did not stale either.

[calmon]

I also did nothing and got the expected turn. All looks fine.

[WraithLord]

I've submitted turn 2 only once. I've received two turn 3 files; used the newer one and all looked fine.

[Lingchih]

hallelujah

[Baalz]

Ah well, I guess I can't complain too much with another almost lossless victory, but I'll maintain my moral bad-assedness from my original fight even though Nethgul was more reasonable this time on the host. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Amhazair]

I was about to ask about that one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Nicely done by -ahum- Bogarus too, taking two provinces in one turn. I'll have to take a look at their artifacts and try to figure out how they did it.

Stealth-edited to look slightly less naive. Does not have anything at all to do with QM's post right after mine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[quantum_mechani]

No artifacts involved, just one army plus one merc.

[Ewierl]

We wish to publicize the peaceful, mercantile nature of the nation of Man!

We have rented the Chalice to the fine and distant people of Gath (Calmon), so that their god might be in good and healthy shape in the years to come.

We have chosen to announce this for two reasons: First, so that the whole world might know that this artifact has been lent in honest trade, and might show their disapproval if the god of Gath proves to be a liar, and know it if he proves untrustworthy in diplomacy. Second, to point out that we may be willing to offer similar deals with other nations, should circumstances permit.

[calmon]

My people of gath thanks the nation of man for this act of charity.

The lance breaking on our great lords torso must be contaminated with a really nasty poison to cause this bad disease.

[archaeolept]

I've played w/ calmon before, and he always seemed honorable. I think you're pretty safe.

still, lending out the chalice takes balls http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif

[Ironhawk]

Agreed. I hope you are getting paid a LOT.

[DonCorazon]

it is a pretty nice thing to do considering the goal of the game is to kill, not heal your foes.

btw what does it cost to rent the chalice? health conditions in midgard are substandard at best.

[Ewierl]

Rental costs will vary depending on my current needs for the chalice! Obviously it's going to be occupied for the next few turns, but once I have it back I'd certainly be willing to discuss terms in private.

(Sure, it's ballsy... but it's basically my entire artifact cache, so I want to profit from it as much as I can! Besides, it's a new and fun twist on gameplay options, why not give it a try?)

Also, a human pretender getting only a disease from a lance strike is not the worst outcome, I wouldn't complain too much http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Baalz]

Nah, disease can be way worse than dying...if you don't have the chalice. Just a matter of time until you're mute or feebleminded, loosing slots, eyes, etc.

[calmon]

Well, he also died in this battle. But luckely i own some artifacts to prevent the whole extend of death... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[anticipatient]

Wooohooo! Pangaea has a total of three provinces now! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ewierl]

Hmm... archers who engage in two fights per turn don't get their ammunition renewed between battles. I'm going to go put that on the "Did you know that?" thread.

[Ironhawk]

Interesting! That's definitely an uncommon fact.

[anticipatient]

I'm out.

[DonCorazon]

?

[Ironhawk]

Yeah, whats going on anti? Your comment is quite mysterious.

[Rathar]

Don't quit yet! The game has hardly started plus you give your neighbors a big boost.

[archaeolept]

stay in and mess somebody around http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I took over aby from coobe on the turn they lost their whole army, and have just now gotten a second territory...

sucks, but i've never played these guys and it looks fun anyways

[Morkilus]

C'tis is not giving up to the cowardly Booger-Russians, or whatever they are. Come out from behind your wall of horrors and face us.

[Micah]

Cowardly, eh? If single-handedly sieging your cap isn't enough bravery for you I don't know what is. It seems the only one hiding behind their walls is you.

[anticipatient]

alright alright . . ill stick around ;o.

[Lingchih]

Way to go Anti. Stick in there till the bitter end.

[calmon]

anticipatient said:
I'm out.



Can i have your artifacts? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

But besides joking: Try to keep in the game until the bitter end!

[anticipatient]

Yeah, sorry. I just get discouraged pretty easily sometimes when I'm in a bad mood. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I wonder how I possibly staled last turn.. I could've sworn I sent in like 3 versions of that turn. Oh well.

[Ewierl]

Let it be known that the honorable leaders of Gath have concluded their trade deal with honesty and goodwill. The Chalice is once again available for rental; send a messenger if you wish to discuss terms.

[WraithLord]

Hi,

I'm not feeling well and will need to spend a few days in the hospital.
Can we please postpone hosting for three days?

TIA,
WL

[quantum_mechani]

Sorry to hear that Wraithlord, I hope it's nothing major. Anyway, llamaserver is down right now so there is not much I can do, but I don't mind delaying hosting. Would you mind a sub taking a few turns if one could be found though?

[WraithLord]

Thank you QM.

I have an update though. I was just released from the hospital :) and pending more analysis may or may not need to return in the next few days. Nothing major though - probably some type of CMV or other similar virus that has my medics concerned. Anyway, for now I'm back home so for my part we can go back on schedule.

[Ironhawk]

Glad to hear you are ok WraithLord!

[namad]

anyone want to sell any gems? I have more gold than gems and would like to purchase gems at whatever someone deems is a reasonable rate...

[Micah]

Bogarus is looking for E gems (or hammers directly), please contact us if you're willing to trade. We would be happy to provide forging services in return (Level 4 as of next month), as well as gem trades.

[DonCorazon]

The good folk of Midgard seek a Thistle Mace. We return favors and remember friends.

[Ironhawk]

The nation of Agartha seeks assassins brave enough and able to kill Bloodhenge Druids. They are being a thorn in my side (ha ha) and any person or persons capable of killing them will be handsomely rewarded.

[Baalz]

Haha, I told you they were tough in CBM! :)

[Rathar]

Official State Broadcast

[Rathar]

Months ago our great nation became aware of the terrible plight of many of our citizens who found themselves in the nation of Man seeking economic self advancement. These simple traders had their property unjustly taxed and their basic civil rights as pixels removed. Intense high-level governmental negotiations to restore those freedoms were initiated and we are sorry to say that they have failed.

Our constitutional monarchial republic therefore has no choice but to bring these rights directly to our people living in subjugation in Man.

I, Bedheadev, have thus ordered our conveniently located tank, err cavalry divisions, to initiate the process of rights restoration via the capitol of Man. I shall remain in my dacha by the lake but the prime minister Vladimir Putout is even now at the front encouraging our noble restorers.

We caution the world not to interfere with the process of gaining a monopoly on energy rights in the regio, uh with our brave soldiers fighting for the freedoms of pixels everywhere.

This message has my approval.
Princess Adelle

Sorry about the double post guys.. even though it says you can edit for 30 mins I just took 15 and it wouldn't let me.. Bunch of crap that is..

[Amhazair]

Hah! I just can't believe how many different things can go wrong in one only recently started game...

Between a couple of stupid mistakes, horrible bad luck in several battles, a misunderstanding with a friendly neighbour causing not one, but two battles, three indie attacks in the first 6-7 turns (with luck 3!) a stupid stale, and now my movement commands not being executed this last turn I think I can safely say my early game wasn't extraordinarily succesful. :hurt:

No worries though. I'm completely comfident that things will take a turn for the better starting today. Or maybe tomorrow. Some day soon at least.

And then, and then! I'll squash you all like so many :bug:s. Muahahahahaaaaaah!!

[Baalz]

Heh, seems like almost everyone is complaining about back luck this game.

I've lost two (!) of my artifacts because Nethgul decided the most advantageous thing he could cast was to blink his carrier literally right next to heavy cavalry so even the orb of atlantis couldn't save him. Crazy bad combat rolls have squashed my clever expansion attempts into the water and my own luck 3 scales didn't prevent the kraken king from cutting off my retreat route at a most unfortunate time..:(

QM & Micah claim very unlikely and unhelpful random path distributions which stymied their evil plots so far.

Ironhawk is having some gardening issues.

Calmon takes a lance to his pretender's face on turn 2.

Amhizair thinks the dice are out to get him.

No doubt about it, those artifacts are cursed. The curse seems to target the more experience players....who's next?

[DonCorazon]

Ulm had a recent bit of misfortune as well.
Never discount the power of a harpy.
:)

From what I can tell, the Artifacts tend to give a false sense of power and betray their owners at inopportune moments. Luckily, traffic is light up in the sky so the Flying Ship Express Shuttle has avoided any mid-air collisions so far (knock on wood).

[Ironhawk]

Congrats to Midgard on the capture of the first VP of the game!

In other news: Everyone pile on Midgard!!! ;)

[Ewierl]

Princess Adele and the belligerent leaders of Tien Chi come shouting to the world with their propaganda. We, however, are a practical and forthright people, and we will not sully your ears with such elegantly misleading rhetoric.

The peaceful people of Man have sought good relations with all our neighbors since the dawn of our empire, yet Tien Chi has been unable to resist the lure of expansionist aggression. Bring on their cavalry and their Sword of Augrelmer; our people and our allies will defend our homelands to our last breath.

-Archmagisters of Chelms

(In other news, speaking of stupid artifact losses... I had a unit with the Boots of Calius the Druid lose an arm. Which made his foot item disappear. Awesome.)

[DonCorazon]

Congrats to Midgard on the capture of the first VP of the game!

In other news: Everyone pile on Midgard!!! ;)

Ironhawk, Your golden-tongued diplomacy is usually a bit more subtle. :) Either you are getting lazy in your old age, or the back channel messages designed to cause panic were already delivered to my cherished neighbors...

Have no fears world...the warmongering Midgard war chieftain was recently deposed in a beerbonging contest with a nature loving hippy Vanjarl named Kumar, who has ordered an immediate halt of our aggressive imperialist policies. The Flying Ship has been docked and no bulls-eyes need to be painted on our viking helmet at this time.

[CUnknown]

Hot Jungle Party on the Southwest side

All cold-blooded party animals welcome

Should be some hot naga on hydra action :happy:

:confused::confused:

Errm.. I mean ... death to Pythium!!!!!

[Lingchih]

Too bad it looks like Jomon is coming to the party too. Who invited them?

[CUnknown]

Yeah, seriously! Who invited the warm-bloods? Very rude.

[archaeolept]

due to losing my internet connection until the end of the month, and, as such unable to reliably handle a 24 hr hosting schedule, Abysia is probably available for subbing, although I might be able to handle it for a few turns until IH decides to move over to 48 hr

[Rathar]

Speaking of needs for possible subs..

My wife and I are having our first child at the end of the month, due date of September first. As you are probably aware one only has a 5% chance of the estimated date being the actual date and as such I may disappear at any moment! I have a friend who plays and will try to get him to sub for me but in case I stale and look like I am about to stale again that definitely means that my child has arrived! I will return soon unless unforseen problems occur but..

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but kid>>>>>>games!

[Lingchih]

Would anyone like some Rings of Warning? They can be had very cheaply... we have a whole sack of them. PM me for details.

Pythium

[calmon]

Gath is looking for a Thistle Mace. Please contact me if you're able to create one and want to trade.

@Rathar
Congrats! My second child (daughter) was born 2.5 month ago. In moment i'm still able to play dominions. But after my son (>2 years) i also stoped playing anything, well until dominions 3 came out! Its the perfect game with children because you can do your turn whenever you find the time - hopefully ;).

[Lingchih]

The Party is on, in 21 next turn, CUnknown. Please send all of your people. We expect it to be a raucously good time.

[Micah]

Hey, Mork, how'd you get a D2A2 Sauromancer? That's...odd. I call hax.

[DonCorazon]

Midgard will pay 15N gems for a Thistle Mace (or open to something else you might like to trade). Thanks.

[Lingchih]

gee whiz. I guess I better get my construction up. A lot of people seem to want thistle maces.

[Ironhawk]

Hmmm, its too quiet. Big things must be in the works...

[namad]

are we switching to 48hour cycles at any point?

[DonCorazon]

Thistle mace, thistle mace, Buehler, Buehler....

[Ewierl]

I will not be able to play a turn on Saturday, because I'll be away from home and internets. Will be playing Friday eve (US eastern) and sometime Sunday, but I'd appreciate it if hosting were delayed- I won't be able to get a sub for 1 turn of a nation in its last struggling throes.

Moving hosting up to a 48hr cycle would also suffice!

[Ironhawk]

Alas poor Morkilus, I knew him well...

So long Mork. Nice work surviving the siege for so long!

[Ironhawk]

As for moving up to 48hrs: Turns still seem really short to me, but we have had three people request bumping up the turn timing. I'm not opposed to moving it up but I'd like more input.

Can everyone please post thier feeling on whether they want to stay at 24hrs or move up to 48hrs?

[WraithLord]

I'm ok with 24h. But knowing that three players have requested 48 I also vote for 48 hours so that everyone be comfty.

[DonCorazon]

I can go either way, though if we go to 48h it would be nice to keep it on quickhost and try to keep a brisk pace if possible. :) I have enjoyed the faster pace of this game so far.

[Micah]

I'm quite happy with 24 at the moment since the map's so cramped, but I'm always in favor of good play vs fast play if someone's really in need of a longer schedule.

Nice work there Mork, certainly made things a lot harder on me than I was expecting, sorry about the early sucker-punch, but even with all of your stuff I'm still in mediocre shape.

[calmon]

Llama's Mailserver seems to be down since 4 hours. I sent my turn in 3 hours ago but still got no confirmation email. Maybe we've to postpone until llama fix the problem.

I'm fine with both 24 or 48 hour hosting.

[Micah]

The server automatically pushes host times back when it's not getting emails AFAIK Calmon.

[Lingchih]

I'd prefer to stay at 24, since I am going on vacation in 10 days and would like to try and be dead by then, so I don't have to find a sub.

48 is ok though, if that is what the people want.

[Micah]

Bogarus will be reaching construction-6 next turn, if there is any demand for items. Non-national paths available in limited quantities, plus a full range of starets with the usual paths. Drop us a line of we can be of service.

[Amhazair]

I'm ok with 24h. But knowing that three players have requested 48 I also vote for 48 hours so that everyone be comfty.Amen to this.

The server automatically pushes host times back when it's not getting emails AFAIK Calmon. You just gave me the opportunity to marvel again at what an amazing (and robust) service Llamabeast is providing for us, so I'll just marvel a bit here. :up:

[Ewierl]

Speaking just for myself, I only need the 48hr time for this weekend, I'll be around again after that. Though I suspect that the barbarian hordes of Tien Chi may make that question moot soon enough ;)

[Micah]

Anyone selling A boosters?

[DonCorazon]

The smiths in Midgard are looking for Earth gems. Anyone interested in trading?

[LoloMo]

Mi ni mi ni mo, whose lands should I scavenge next? Atlantis? Midgaard? Utgard? So many choices, so little time. Perhaps one of you would like to convince me to whom I should turn to? :D

[WraithLord]

So, are we switching to 48h?

[archaeolept]

i was told by IH when i first asked that the changeover would be on turn 24.

btw, gath is occupied reducing me - now is the time to attack, or forever live under the Giant yoke. or Oak ;P

[Ewierl]

I thought we were going to 48? But I guess it didn't happen, since apparently I staled while I was away on Saturday.

[Ewierl]

Also... huh. I guess stealth units sneaking into a friendly beseiged fortress don't defend it if stormed that same turn. Too bad, I killed all of TC's ancestor vessels by the time my infantry died, one more battallion and two more mages might've prevented autorout.

We here in Man are closing up shop, sending a few last gifts and trinkets out to our allies. Have fun, folks!

[DonCorazon]

Mi ni mi ni mo, whose lands should I scavenge next? Atlantis? Midgaard? Utgard? So many choices, so little time. Perhaps one of you would like to convince me to whom I should turn to? :D

Midgard welcomes guests to its shores but watch out because those long Rain Warrior spears make dangerous lightning rods. :)

[Rathar]

A salute to Man, a noble foe.

Tien-chi has also reached construction 6 and can forge a great many items.

We are also seeking earth gems to add to our stockpile. Shoot me a line if you have some to spare.

[Ironhawk]

i was told by IH when i first asked that the changeover would be on turn 24.

I just pulled 24 out of my butt. With Ewierl out of the game tho (sorry bout that Ewierl) who all still wants to slow down the game. Arch and Wraith?

[namad]

i could go for some 48h action
as turns get more complicated it never hurts?

[WraithLord]

Hey, for what its worth in most MP game the switch to 48h is done between turn 15-20. A second switch to 72h is usually performed between 35-40.

So in this game we already got a great starting mileage.

[Baalz]

I'm of the opinion that after a reasonable length of time (which we've passed) we should switch to 48 hours as soon as more than one person requests it. That said, I like the 24 hour timer.

[DonCorazon]

Agree - I enjoy 24H but if some people need 48H better to give them the time then have them rush / stale.

[Ironhawk]

Ok, lets switch to a 48hr schedule on the next turn - turn 27. People seem mostly ok with 24, but lets err on the side of caution.

[Ironhawk]

The game is now officially on 48hrs.