Principe - EA Machiavellian newbie game - Game started!

[Tifone]

"And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both; but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved."

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Game started! Principe's page on llamaserver at: http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Principe

Instructions for playing your turn here: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=529317&postcount=3

Last moment change: as there are no water nations, the population of all sea provinces, and all the things that come with it, are reduced. Gems remain untouched, though.

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Welcome here and thanks for giving a look. ;)

This game aims to be an experiment for two, important, aspects. Don't fear, my honourable newbie brothers! :D Read further and I'm sure you will be interested.

The first experiment, as the name of the game itself says, is the diplomacy, which will be "Machiavellian". What does it mean?
Maybe you've heard about Niccolò Machiavelli. This man was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, poet and playwright, who lived in the Renaissance and, along with Leonardo Da Vinci, is considered among the most representative men of that period. (Both of them happen to be from my native lands, also :) )
Machiavelli wrote a world famous book, "Il Principe", which (among its different interpretations) can be read as a guide for the prince of Machiavelli's time on how to gain and maintain his power. The strong point of his theories are that the greatest moral good is a stable state, and actions to protect the country are therefore justified even if they are dishonourable or even cruel.
How does it apply to Dom3? It does apply and greatly. In Dominions 3, in the end, there can be only one. All the alliances and the peace treaties sooner or later must end. So why not to end our beautiful friendship backstabbing you when you don't expect it? :angel
In many games, you would be considered an unworthy player if you do so. Those are the rules and are ok for those games.
Not here. In this game, all the treaties are mere words.
Sounds scary? It is. But it can be great fun :D Why is your neighbour using all those kind words? Is he roleplaying his Lady of Love, or is he preparing to raid your provinces in a couple of turns?
This is the kind of diplomatic situation you will face in this world: make friendship with everybody freely, but always watch your back. Feel free to roleplay your honourable ancient Dragon, your crazy and double-tongued Moloch, or your "smite all evil NOW" Virtue. Expect everything, because everything can happen.

The other experiment is the game itself. This will probably not be the game you're used to. Around your capitol, there is a large breathing space of independent provinces. Money, resources and supplies are high. Magic sites are abundant, and magic research is easy.
The point of all this? Easy. In this game we will try to skip a good part of the usual early game skirmishes between players with little magic and few troops, to have a solid impact with the realities the newer players have a more difficult time getting into: mid and late game, where the big battalions, the strong summons, the amazing battle magic start to matter and shine.
It will not be easy as well. It will require planning, skill, and even luck. You will have to stop thinking about "the next turn", and start thinking about what you want to have in your armies in 5, 10, 20 turns.
I conceived it as a way to learn everybody a lot. If you've read the manual's strategic part and you're wondering when you will be called to enter that dance of moves and countermoves, tactics and counter-tactics, this is the place we will learn before getting into the gurus' arenas! ;) It is an opportunity and a hard challenge you just shouldn't give up - because here we're newbies and many errors will be "forgiven", but next time you might be facing a minmaxing maniac :D!

Ok, I've gone to great lenghts :p But I hope you are interested in this maybe slightly unusual game now, and prepared for what you'll face.

Server: Llamaserver, PBEM (FAQ here: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=35160)
Map: AomOrc 3.01 by Ballbarian (very interesting and nice map, get it at http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=31509 )
Nations: We are 10 land nations, didn't find the 2 water ones
Players's experience: possibly from 0 to 5 MP games (but even more if we have trouble filling it); just ask anyway.
Time: 48 hours per turn (a day you don't feel like or don't have the time to play can always happen :) ) and of course quick host.
Era: Early Age
Hall of fame: 15
Mods: CBM 1.3 complete (get it at http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=39679, and don't fear! It's popular, user-friendly and balances the game a bit)
Victory Conditions: Whenever the players still alive agree there's a definite, undeniable winner
Magic sites' frequency: 65
Money, Resources, Supplies: 150%
Renaming: On
Graphs: Off (you have to figure out yourself, investing in scouts and intelligence, what are the real strenghts and weaknesses of the other princes, if you wish so)
Appreciated: To roleplay actively, and to keep the thread alive posting things about the game :)

Ballbarian's unofficial comment: "Sounds like fun to me. :)"

To join, just say which nation you would like to try :smirk: I take Agartha.

Well, I think this is everything. I hope you enjoyed the reading and you are interested in joinin. For any doubt just ask :D Let's have fun ;)

- Tifone will try to avoid the extinction of the Ancient Oracles of Agartha -
Ershalim has vanished. Now slayers_ai has choosen to ordain and supervise the Blood Cult of Mictlan
Klepto leads the legions of Ermor to the conquest of the world
- Psykmoe from the Smouldercone spreads the cleansing flames of Abysia -
- hunt11 emerges from the the netherworld to feed Yomi's gluttony -
Illuminated One has gathered the tribes of Marverni; the druids recognize his primate.
Iwarmonger tames the hydras, gaining the confidence of the Androphags and the Amazons of Sauromantia
- Spritz reins the Mammoth and the thunder, on top of the cold peaks of Caelum -
Ephraim has survived the winter and the Wheel of Pain, becoming the new champion of Ulm
Mithras arises from the glacier to expand the Eternal Frost of Niefelheim

[Ershalim]

Oooh. This sounds like fun! Can I play as Mictlan? This would be my 4th MP game. :D

[Tifone]

Of course you can, and thanks for joining ;) The blood cult is yours :evil:

[Klepto]

Ermor please. This sounds like it has the makings of a great game. I'm thouroughly enjoying our role played diplomacy in the Greenrow game Tifone, I look forward to more of the same here.

I've read Machiavelli's The Prince, it's a great book although personally I prefer Sun Tzu's The Art of War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War) and the lesser known The Art of Worldly Wisdom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Worldly_Wisdom) by Baltasar Gracion.

[Psykmoe]

I'll take Abysia if possible. Will be my first MP game.

Is 'Principe' the game name? Says in the llamaserver FAQ that my email subject needs to be the game name.

[Tifone]

You are both welcome, guys :)

The appreciation for Greenrow's roleplaying is absolutely reciprocal, Klepto, you are doing a great work there and I'm pleased to have you here too ;) Also, thanks for the link to Wikipedia's page about "The Art of Worldly Wisdom". I didn't know it but now I'm willing to find it somewhere (like if this game wasn't already stealing my time for university and the new girlfriend :p)

[Tifone]

Psykmoe,

the game hasn't been "created" there yet. Llamabeast's FAQ advices against creating the game until all the players have signed up. Being the first game I organize, I'm planning to follow every advice I get from it or from more expert players :D

When we will have no more free slots, I'll create the game there and you will be able to upload your Pretender God by mail.

Yes, the game will be named "Principe", anyway. ;)

[konming]

Strangely not a single tier 1 nation was chosen, let along the tier 0 Hinnom... Maybe you should not allow Hinnom in. With graph off and diplomacy shaky, there is no way to defeat a half decent Hinnom. :)

[hunt11]

I would like to use Yomi. I am really curios to see how the writings of the prince will apply to dominions.

[Tifone]

Welcome, hunt 11 :) Yeah, I'm curious too ;) The "moral free" diplomacy will surely help

Thanks for the advice, konmig. Yeah, I thought about Hinnom and decided finally not to forbid it, as this is supposed not to be a game for minmaxers and experts, but for newbies who will probably not take full advantage of Hinnom's strenghts. Should a (relatively) too expert player choose it (like, 4-5 MP games done, or 3rd MP game with Hinnom), I reserve myself anyway to gently ask him to change.

Well, 5 slots taken, 7 still empty (remember, 2 must be water nations). Going to bed now and busy tomorrow morning, next update from me in 12 hours :o (Continue joining the game in the meantime! :D) See you guys :smirk:

[tgbob]

Not signing up, just hopping in to say what a wonderfully detailed opening post that is.

[JimMorrison]

If the game has trouble filling, I will take a spot if you'd like. I've only been here a few months, but I sure play a lot, so I won't take the spot from a greener player if they want it. ;)

If you need me to round things out though, I'd be fine with a nation that has no MP wins yet, like Arco, or Atlantis. <3

[Tifone]

Thanks a lot, tgbob. My greetings to California (been there, a wonderful place :cool:)

Thanks to you too, JimMorrison, your attitude is greatly appreciated, if we have troubles filling the spots I'll surely PM you.

[Illuminated One]

Sounds cool.

I'd like to be in as Marveni.

[Rytek]

Nice write up. Sure is tempting. But alas I have more than 5 games under my belt. Nice to see the nation picks in this game. Normally it goes:
Hinnom
Niefel
Lanka
etc bleh.

[Tifone]

Welcome, Illuminated One ;)

Well, Rytek, you will surely be PMed if you would like to play, if we have trouble filling all slots with greener players :D

As 2 more veteran players have already expressed this, I'd like to point out that I greatly appreciate your nation picks, guys. Looks like everybody is choosing nations which match not only their playing style but even their "roleplaying style". EA is the age with the most "exotic" nations and themes, so in the diplomatic field we should meet races with great differences in behaviours, sense of dignity and even communicating attitudes. I'm sure this will help in having a game where nothing should be taken for granted :cool:

[WingedDog]

That's exactly my type of game! >-) Unfortunately I'm already in 2 other games and can't afford to join another. Just wanted to express my apretiation to Tifone for the 1st post - that's the wonderful example how a game should be organised the RIGHT way: everithing is perfectly clear for everyone joining the game. I think he's a great administrator to play with is always a pleasure.

[Tifone]

Thanks a lot WingedDog. Should you change your mind and wish to try this experience with us, it will be a pleasure :)

[lwarmonger]

Well, I'll take Sauromatia... I am currently in my first multi-player game, so this will make two.

[Spritz]

Well this sounds awesome.

I would like to take the reigns of Caelum, please, as a newb of no MP experience.

I must say part of me is disappointed to learn that in most MP games treaties are considered more that just words, it seems a bit unnatural for a winner-takes-it-all type game. Ah well, I certainly look forward to this one.

[Tifone]

Well, welcome aboard Iwarmonger and Spritz ;)

Just 4 open slots now :) We are still missing both the water nations, too :D

[Ephraim]

I'd like to try Ulm. I'm pretty much a complete noob--I'm in my first MP games right now, both of them are at turn 10, so I really have no MP experience yet.

Looks like a fun game in the making!

EDIT: Hmm, just noticed you are still missing water nations. If we are short on water, I'd happily play Atlantis. First choice:Ulm, Second choice: Atlantis

Probably shows how much a noob I am--I know both of those nations are reported to be weak, but I like'em anyway!

[llamabeast]

Looks like a fun game!

[Mithras]

I just joined my first mp game but since its not a newb only game I'm expecting to be completely smashed by turn ten, so I'll have more time for this...
I'll take Niefelheim because then I get to be a gruff man of the north and trample all over the diplomacy of the European courts this seems to be based on (oh and yes I know enough to start throwing those wolven winter spells around, I haven't tried it yet though, so if it seems overpowered feel free to switch me over too Fomoria)

[Tifone]

Welcome Ephraim and Mithras! :) I see no reason why you shouldn't have your first choice for nations.
I also rejoice in seeing both of you really like the mood and theme of your nations ;)

Well, we are just missing the two water nations now :D I hope somebody will soon answer the call of the oceans...

[Illuminated One]

It's kind of ironic that in a machiavellan game everyone is taking the weak nations for their style. :happy:
Well, all the better if noone can stand up to the cunning of the honorable and naive Marverni. :D

[Tifone]

Well, 10 players in less than one day isn't bad at all :) We are still missing the water nations though. If you guys agree, I'd wait another 12/14 hours from now before raising the experience roof for those 2 nations (allowing them for more expert players). They are in a *very* good position in the map IMO so giving them to an expert player might be unbalancing, but I don't want to make you guys wait forever for this game too :D

[chrispedersen]

Lanka for me, please. Second choice: Tien
Altho I'm a little confused.. you did mean no hinnom, right?

[Tifone]

chrispedersen, read before submitting please ;) Did you read everything about which kind of game is this?

We are missing the water nations only, so none of your choice is valid.

Also, this is game for newbies with 0-5 MP games of experience. I think you're more expert than this but maybe I'm wrong. Do you fill the requirements? :)

[chrispedersen]

Lanka for me, please. Second choice: Tien
Altho I'm a little confused.. you did mean no hinnom, right?

Strange. There were 7 open slots when I submitted this originally. Then when I edited it.. and changed the priority Tien Chi / Lanka down to 2. Damn that was fast.

To address your questions - I am no qualms of playing a backstabbing game, regardless of my expressed preferences. However, as for the rest its up to you.. I've actually only *finished* one MP game. But I've been finished in far more = ).

I originally applied as you said you would consider more experienced if you had trouble filling up.. sooooooo if I'm too experienced, no problem = ). But I have no desire to be a water race. Spent way to much time underwater in the last one.

Way to much time.
Oh. And I'm back to prefering TienChi, if it matters = ).

[Tifone]

Reducing the "machiavellian" diplomacy I'm expecting to a mere "backstabbing game" seems a bit restrictive, my friend :)

I'm sorry but there are only water slots now... Should you change your mind and wish to play one, you'll be in the list of the "more experienced people I'll PM if we don't fill the slots of greener people, in 10 hours" :D

Best regards ;)

[lwarmonger]

I'm perfectly happy to change my nation from Sauromatia to EA R'lyeh... it is a nation that I haven't played much, but have been quite intrigued by... however if we get an experienced player in the other water slot, expect me to be crushed straight away.

[Klepto]

however if we get an experienced player in the other water slot, expect me to be crushed straight away.

With luck the other water slot will be on the other side of the map from you, you should be safe :)

Just one more (water nation) to go before we kick off, good luck all!

[chrispedersen]

Reducing the "machiavellian" diplomacy I'm expecting to a mere "backstabbing game" seems a bit restrictive, my friend :)

I'm sorry but there are only water slots now... Should you change your mind and wish to play one, you'll be in the list of the "more experienced people I'll PM if we don't fill the slots of greener people, in 10 hours" :D

Best regards ;)

No problem.

By the way - the Prince and The Art of War should be required reading for everyone.

But the tools of statecraft are really too pause (how do you spell that) to really allow a machiavellian game, tho I admire the attempt.

[Klepto]

But the tools of statecraft are really too pause (how do you spell that) to really allow a machiavellian game, tho I admire the attempt.

Not sure what you mean by 'pause', complex or subtle would fit. The great thing about diplomacy is that it relies on human interaction, and we are all human here (as opposed to AI). As long as we are in a situation where there can be only one winner the mechanics of the actual game (or real life situation) need not be complex in order for the interactions between the players to become interesting. Some would say that an overly complex game may actually detract from the diplomatic element, while I would disagree the archetypal game of Diplomacy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(boardgame)) actually has a very simple ruleset.

[hunt11]

that's the whole point of this game, we have no idea how it's going to work, but we are all going to try it and see what happens.

[Tifone]

Hey all ^_^ I just woke up to give a look here. Well, seems we are still missing the same 2 slots.

I am now wondering how would the game turn if we just skip the water nations and play us, ten people. The water nations have a probably unbalanced start, they can expand without problems and without any connection between them on a large numbers of provinces while the land nations fight one against the other. I think it is the best solution for everybody; I'm gonna ask Ballbarian (the author of the map) if there is any problem with that solution :)

I'm just sorry I will skip the gentle offer of the most experienced players to help us filling the slots, but maybe it will be better for the overall balance this way.

[Mithras]

And there I was planning my whole forieng policy/pretender on keeping the water nations in the water... But I only did it because my biggest fear is a powerful water nation so I suppose its a good thing...

[konming]

None of the EA water nations are considered "powerful". Maybe Oceania, but it is only because it dominates the water.

[Tifone]

The problem konmig is that we're not getting the players for them, and as their map position is quite advantageous (no water opponents, 2 big strips of water with access to a vast portion of land provinces) it might be better to just skip having them in the game, instead of giving them to experienced players which might cause some trouble to the overall balance :)

[Mithras]

I meant powerful in the sense that they could attack you from anywhere relatively unaoposed and then get back into the water again, the thing is now I see Agartha and possibly the ice nations making foreys into the sea, which could make things difficult for the others... I'm not complaining of course being an ice nation :)

[Tifone]

Ok, we just go as we are. :D

Upload pretenders guys! Instructions in the first post - rember to ENABLE the mod before creating the pretender ;)

[hunt11]

The nation of Yomi is ready to show that while our leader's may be a bit stupid, it does not mean that we are not cunning.

[llamabeast]

If you like I can set the map so that you have "dead seas", i.e. all water provinces have no income or gems. With no water nations this can be good for balance, because otherwise the one or two nations with amphibious pretenders / merman villages can do disproportionately well.

PM me if you want me to do that, because I'll forget to look here.

[Tifone]

Mmh. What do you people think about it? I see several reasons against.

I'm wondering if that can kill the usefulness of having amphibian units-pretenders. After all, you pay a bit for that ability too.
The W gems income would be quite trashed for the nations which need it.
Also, being the seas protected by the indeps (which are often quite strong with Krakens and Sea Trolls), and the lands attacked by the other nations, maybe one will not take full advantage of the sea chance.
And one nation can probably only have access to one of the 2 strips of sea, and even there be challenged there by enemy summons and amphibious recruited indeps.
One could even find the way to become a sea superpower even from land (think england) and maybe killing this opportunity reduces the strategic options.
Also, there are some nice "special locations" in the map and killing them seems sad.

What do you think?

[lwarmonger]

Personally, I think that having dead seas is a good idea. Not many of the nations in question have amphibious units anyways, and if there are only recruitable amphibious troops in one or two provinces on each side of the map, this could very well end up favoring a couple of nations that merely get lucky with positioning.

[Tifone]

Ok, I think llama, being an expert, suggested the best idea.

To save the usefulness of amphibiousness on units and pretenders somehow (Wyrm anyone?), and at the same time not disadvantage the land nations, the sea provinces will have a just nominal income and mere 2000 pop.
They will have the normal gems though, so the map's special locations and the need of some nations for W gems are't killed.

I hope everybody gets happy with that. After all if a nations is focusing too much on sea, is probably giving you the side on his land provinces ;)

[Psykmoe]

Abysia has little use for the cold depths anyway, they might as well be dead!

(pretender sent)

[Ershalim]

Water dilutes blood; its loss will not be felt by the Coven of Mictlan.

[Mithras]

The giants like the idea of going for a swim... as if I'm going to need more water gems! Are we going to have a seperate forumn when the game starts because it would be nice to start posting my thematic introduction...

[Tifone]

Looks like us poor Agarthans the only water dwelling lovers here :D
Ok, I promise I'll not exploit our particular fitness for the water (I'm not sure I would be able to exploit it even if I would :D )

I think the Multiplayer and AARs sub-forum must remain in the best order possible, for the people's need to find the games, so having another redundant thread isn't appropriate, sorry. Also, having it in any other place would be out of place.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it appropriately nice intruducing post here, Mithras ;) Go for the colours and the advanced formats if you need, too :)

[Mithras]

No just wanted to check that it was ok to post here... so here's my first attempt at thematic.
The exudus turned a large strip of land into a quagmire. Thousands upon thousands of giant footsteps churned the mud and where some trod the ice became mud. They were travelling south and quickly. At the forefront of the huge column a huge ice giant strode forwards with purposefull strides followed by four smaller Niefal staggering under the weight of a stature depicting an ice giant of epic proportions. After a month of southernly travel, camping by day to aviod the weak winter heat and marching with long strides by night, the great giant stopped and the column came slowly to a halt.
"This is the place that has been promised to us." His voice boomed out across the green valley. "This is the land blessed by the great giants of old as the southernmost tip of the great glacier. From here we conquer the world!"
Over the months the humans of the land slowly emigrated when they realised spring would never come or else were hunted down. Bears and wolves, previously strangers to the forests of the land became common place...
The frost giants were here to stay and the prophet of their restless god was not about to let them rest on their laurels...

Read that and get a few clues to my pretender design/stragedy... two magic paths should be obvious too you, and as with any halfway decent story there will be a twist... ooh I love this!

[Tifone]

A nice piece of literature ;) Let's see if those words are followed by some action, sir... :cool:

(I think you should have waited before talking about green valleys, one will start near the swamps, it might be you :D )

[Klepto]

Nice intro Mithras :)

I'll save my introductions for when I meet people in-game, and probably stick to in-game messages unless people prefer something different. If I'm making a proclamation to the world I'll post it here though, so we have a permanent record of it. I can see that some negotiations may require IM of some sort, does everyone have and know how to use IRC? I'd rather not turn on my IM client as then a billion people will want to talk to me :eek:

[Mithras]

I'm using these posts to describe major events in the kingdom, I'm assuming some sort fo rumor gets around to everyone. *Gulp* swamps.

[Tifone]

Well, everybody has done the upload :) Great!

As soon as llamabeast confirms that the water provinces in the map have been "prepared", we'll start ;)

[llamabeast]

All done!

[Tifone]

Well, I can just say that I'm extremely grateful to you llamabeast.

Ok, guys, we start! :D

Instructions on how to submit your turns here: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=529317&postcount=3

Remember guys, llamabeast is hosting the game for us absolutely for free, and we saw the amazing work he does keeping the llamaserver up do date and solving its, and our, problems.

Should you enjoy the game, I heartily recommend to give up a couple of coffees at Starbucks, and show your appreciation for the llamaserver with the "Donate" button there :)

Well, that's everything for the notes. Good luck and have fun. ;) The war and the diplomacy are waiting for you!

[lwarmonger]

A nice piece of literature ;) Let's see if those words are followed by some action, sir... :cool:

(I think you should have waited before talking about green valleys, one will start near the swamps, it might be you :D )

Hey, swamps can be green too!

[Spritz]

Over the age that that Pantokrator ruled, the skies were still. Those who glanced upward would see them unified by patterns in the pale clouds.

On the day that the Pantokrator disappeared, a glowing spear burst skyward from his abode. Those who glanced upward saw an inverted vortex from which swirling dark clouds formed.

Those who kept life in their eyes during the following days may have noticed a new place in the violent sky that seemed a faint focal point for its furious motion.

And they may have noticed, one morning, a single strike of lightning from this point, brighter than any seen before, strike the highest of Caelum’s mountains.


A spire of ice had stood on the summit of the Eagle Kings’ mountain since the last age of chaos drew to a close. Its ice had not thawed, had not grown by condensation, had not been chipped or scratched, and had not flowed for thousands of years. Not even the High Caelians came to this highest place.

The lightning bolt, streaking through the spire, turned its core to water and steam. It exploded. Shrapnel of ice pierced air, snow and rock alike. Dislodged stones and boulders tumbled from the summit. Specks of boiling water turned snow to vapour, scorched wild ice flowers, hissed and sizzled on stone. Steam rose over the destruction as, deep within the mountain, what once was still began to move. The fury of lightning was unstoppable.


“The fury of Caelum shall be unstoppable,” were the first words The Glacial Yaz spoke, on the evening after the lightning strike. The voice was soft and calm, but thousands heard it and every one of them turned towards the Eagle Kings’ summit.

“Listen, Yazatas. Listen, their children, High and Spire Horn Caelians, bright and dark winged Raptors. The Pantokrator is gone. With its passing I, Yaz, have heeded my summons and my wait is over. Your long wait is over. All of you, your fathers and their fathers and their fathers have been waiting for this day, even if some of you have forgotten. It is time for you to strike this freshly deserted world. It is time for you to reclaim your birthright and more.

“There is much to be done. I shall tell you what will befall…”
__________________

I hope you all enjoy the start of Caelum's story.

Anyway, let the games begin.

[Mithras]

Thats a good piece of writing, hope you started near some mountains ;) I like having big thematic events on the boards, it keeps me in the roleplaying mood, so more and I'll add something at any given opportunity!

[Tifone]

Yeah, that's very nice one Spritz :) All of you seem very wary, guys. Take it eeeeaaasyyy... :D

[Mithras]

*Braces himself for the onslaught* I had to choose the big talking giants! Fun style of diplomacy, just not a very long lived one...

Someone please send me back a head just to make the game interestin ;)

[hunt11]

the nation of Yomi will be glad to help you in your strange fancies. Quick question though. How do you like your heads, bloody, or raw? :D:

[Mithras]

If you can manage to keep it fresh for two months please do so :D

[lwarmonger]

*Braces himself for the onslaught* I had to choose the big talking giants! Fun style of diplomacy, just not a very long lived one...

Someone please send me back a head just to make the game interestin ;)

And waste all that good meat? Sauromatia is not in the habit of giving away food. EVERY part is used.

[Psykmoe]

Well, I'm having a good time so far, even if I'm not a big fan of my starting position. Ulm and Agartha already know where I am, suffice to say, it's not in a rich corner ;)

[Illuminated One]

Yeah I'm enjoing it, too.
I really hope there will be lots of merciless "politics" later in the game. :happy:

[Mithras]

Just started pming to closer nations, so keep an eye on those in boxes :).
I'm expecting to see much more indy expansion and then some sort of world war one style thing when everyone tries to use any alliances they made to get at each other :D.

[Illuminated One]

Omg, just saw the turn... :doh:

[Tifone]

Psykmoe

Yes, you're up for a challenging game. Consider in change, that you are near to some interesting spots and that you area is good for other than gold. I will not say more not to spoil you ;)

Mithras, Illuminated One,
glad you are liking it :)

TO EVERYBODY

Ok, for this game it would be unthematic, as we're all pointing to big late game tactics and to be THE prince :D
But as we're talking about WWI alliances, I'd like to know, for the Middle Age sequel of Principe I'm planning (unless the police arrests me next days, we're occupying my university :D) what would you think about alliance victories. I think it could be a nice thing, your alliances are not necessarily doomed to end bad sooner or later, one alliance can last till the end when you divide your world, or you can use the promise of this to distract your "ally" until you're ready for backstabbing in a pure machiavellian mood. Let me know ;)

[Mithras]

Honourable giants? Why did I come up with that idea, apparently I should rush my first neighbor, but we're all newbs here...

I don't think it would be unthematic, because you could tear up a big alliance as easily as a small treaty...
I really like the idea of alliance victories, I'd also like to play in gmaes where you don't completely destroy your oponents, just take most of their wealth and force them to do things like demilitarize provinces... maybe its just the history essay speaking though...

[Tifone]

I wouldn't change the victory conditions in Principe, Mithras, at game already started.

Anyway, don't get what I said with the feeling that you shouldn't be honourable by any means, or not have alliances in Principe! Ideally, you could end you whole-game-long alliance just in the end when all the other nations have been conquered, to see who is finally the strongest among you 2-3 allies.

Also, you may be interested in what Machiavelli himself says (Chapter XXI):

" A prince is also respected when he is either a true friend or a downright enemy [...]"

"[...] if the party with whom he allies himself conquers, although the victor may be powerful and may have him at his mercy, yet he is indebted to him, and there is established a bond of amity; and men are never so shameless as to become a monument of ingratitude by oppressing you. Victories after all are never so complete that the victor must not show some regard, especially to justice. But if he with whom you ally yourself loses, you may be sheltered by him, and whilst he is able he may aid you, and you become companions in a fortune that may rise again."

[Mithras]

Sorry I didn't realise you were tlking about changing victory conditions, I like this one anyways, its hard to misunderstand :D

[Illuminated One]

Hmm, I think having an allied victory would be a nice thing.
The question is only how you would determine if the alliance has won.

[hunt11]

it would be the same as a normal victory, it is just that it would be when you and your ally had achieved the victory condition

[Tifone]

it would be the same as a normal victory, it is just that it would be when you and your ally had achieved the victory condition

Exactly.

I will think about it for the sequel ;)

For Principe, you could feel free eventually to conquer all the map with an ally and just in the end battle for the ultimate victory... :)

[Spritz]

Omg, just saw the turn... :doh:

;)

I will say no more than that...

[Illuminated One]

Excerpt from "The chronicles", Prologue


It all began last midsummer. The druids gathered at the great henge hidden amidst the Carnutes for the ritual divination of the stars. The moss was removed from the stones and the circles of old drawn anew. For one day and one night the druids would study the stars to reveal the impact of fate.
But when the divination of the signs of the day was about to commence the sun was eaten by the shade of the moon. An uneasy silence fell onto the Carnutes for when the crown is seen the balance of the world is reshaped. And the druids waited for the night, speaking not. When it was midnight they looked to the skies again, filled with stars. But they saw how the moon was eaten by its own shade. And again there was silence for a long time. Finally Carvilius who had read the stars for ages raised his voice to recite the prophecy:
"Two eclipses in conjunction.
The king of old will soon be gone.
Old order is crumbling, war is to come
..."
But he could not finish as the druids started to argue and to shout at each other. For a long time the woods echoed from their bickering. When they regained their sense they focused on the stars again to reveal the fate of the tribes in the struggles to come. But the moment was gone and the stars would no longer reveal their wisdom.
And again the druids argued but from this argument they reached a decision. The tribes had to be united and the druids would lead them to the best of their skills. But not until spring would the major tribes listen and many of the smaller tribes still remained independent. So the chieftains of the Marverni, who work the iron, the Ambitate, who stand in the first line, the Eponi, who tame the wild horses, the Sequani, who gaze at the stars, and the Carnutes, who protect the druids, decided to conquer these tribes by force and ready the warriors against the onslaught.

...

[Tifone]

Wow, very picturesque and thematic image, Illuminated One. 'gratz ;)

[Mithras]

Agree with the above, people might aviod fighting you to see how the story turns out... :D

[Illuminated One]

Thanks.
That's good to know. :D

[Mithras]

I love this game, I just elevated rp to the point of unnecessarily damaging and I don't actually care! More games like these please :D

[Tifone]

Ahah, thanks Mithras, glad of your appreciation :D After Principe there will be a Middle Age sequel and who knows, a Late Age one... Machiavelli's Trilogy :cool:

[Illuminated One]

The diplomacy is just getting interesting.

And I'd just love to do such a game again as LA Ulm.
The Illuminated Ones plotting the fall of everyone. :D


Tifone ... Get. Your. Turn. In. :poke: :)

[lwarmonger]

Indeed... it seems that many nations are deciding it is better to have the Witch Kings of Sauromatia as friends rather than enemies. That is good, for it means we are both feared and respected.

[Tifone]

Man, don't be bad :D As anyone else, I'm in my right playing my turn in the 48 hours the moment I prefer :) It is 48h turns for a reason. We all have duties and things to do.
Feel free to play yours when you prefer as well.

[Illuminated One]

No problem I just couldn't wait. :D

[Tifone]

Eheh, I admit me neither :D

[hunt11]

what's actually kind of funny is the fact that we are getting turns done like it's a 24 hour host, when we have double that amount of time to actually do our turns

[Mithras]

I've talked myself into a pickle here, who knows how to get your guys to fight themselves? I think theres going to be some purging going on in Neifelhelm soon... :D

[Tifone]

Yep hunt11, I think the pace is fine and makes me very happy, more fun with more turns :) But I just want everybody to remember we're in no rush and whoever needs to take the full 2 days before submitting his turn is in his full right and shouldn't feel guilty or anything :cool:

[Illuminated One]

Are you sure about the 48h?

Llamaserver says its 24h when I look at it. Not that anyone stalls mistakenly.

[Illuminated One]

Excerpt from the chronicles "The first years AD"


"...
And when the tribes had conquered the lands surrounding them they met two races unheard of. To their south lived the giants of frost, strong and proud warriors. And to the east the eagle kings ruled the skies. With both races the tribes sought peace for it was not the will of the druids to start the bloodshed.
But the Kings of Caelum had different plans. They poisoned the ears of the druids with lies about the giants and promises of riches the eagles could offer to the druids.
And at first the druids would believe them. But an unknown giant who would not reveal his face warned the druids of the impending doom and the druids had to decide who was to trust and who was not. Long the druids debated about this and finally reached the decision that it were the birds who were lying.
But alas it seemed to late for the snake showed its teeth on the beginning of the very next month and struck. And so the horns sounded over the hills and valleys to gather the warriors and the men put down the plow to take up the sword.
The war against Caelum had been called.
..."

[Tifone]

Don't worry, it always says 24h but it is 48h :)

Well, looks like we have an ongoing war on fire :popcorn:

[Illuminated One]

Hmm, I thought of something.
While we have no scoregraphs now would does the game create scoregraphs when it is finished? There seems to be such an command but I've never finished a game so I don't know what it does exactly.

--finalhost Generate new turn, send out final score msg and exit

Would be kind of nice to look at them when the game is over just to see if your guesses were halfway right.

[Ephraim]

I must say I'm enjoying myself immensely, and the game has really just begun. The diplomacy and light role-playing have been interesting so far. Hope I can manage to keep myself alive long enough to see how it all works out. :)

[Mithras]

Sneak peak

The Council of Ice is in uproar. The Niefel Jarls that make up the most prominant part of the council are on their feet shouting down the speaker at the centre. The juniour Niefel Jarl speaking looks over to his allies for support, they consist of a large number of Jotun Jarls with a few of the more headstrong Niefel Jarls and several reclusive Skratti.
The words he has just spoken are:
"Today we have begun out invasion of the little ones to the north there has been resistance but we have prevailed under the leadership of the great Prophet Brokk. We march alonside other ice children, the noble winged ones. Victory will be ours before the year is out."
The Jarls shout and argue over honour and peace and profit until sunset when reccess is called.
A group of Niefel Jarls steal away too an isolated chamber of ice and gather around a pile of broken stones, they bring out a map of the known world and pour over it discussing how best to fufil their plan...

In other words the giants didn't have enough popcorn :D

[Illuminated One]

Meh, the two strongest nations beating up the weakest one.
You've just made me remember my childhood. *sob*

Well, I'll just try to survive as long as possible. And if that is the last thing I'll do. :D

[Tifone]

I thought you were allied with the Jarls, actually :shock:
Well, the good and bad things of Machiavellian diplomacy I think... :D

Like one nation's very double tongue, which the Agarthans will NOT name now...

[Illuminated One]

Yeah I thought so, too, until I remembered that I had seen some Niefels in some very bad province. I really tried to do the turn again but I was to slow.

[Mithras]

Alliance? Friendly words... I thought there was a differance :angel
Its all about who the giants respect enough not to attack, and my giants are racist :shock:
I also have two distinct factions in my nation, at least till my pretender arrives, then all hell breaks loose for the jarls :D

PS: Where did I say I wouldn't attack him, gotta be more careful about things like that coming out NEXT time :D

Oh and you may butcher my giants yet, I wouldn't put it past me to forget something stupid... I'm glad you didn't notice I thought it was so obvious, should have waited till you submitted your turn to backstap you... :D

[hunt11]

Guys, I am going to be gone Friday and Saturday, so should i look for a sub, or could you stall the game for me instead?

[Ephraim]

Oh, woe is Koryk! Woe is Koryk! Who to believe? Someone lies to Koryk. Koryk is not slick. Koryk is not even smart! Koryk, Old Man of Ulm, is only God of Ulm because Koryk taught Ulm of steel. Koryk cannot hope to navigate treacherous waters of political politiking without stubbing his tender toes! Koryk cannot hope to know who is false and who is true. Koryk fears giants, and demons, and flaming beings, and flies, and yes, Koryk fears even butterflies! But Koryk knows Ulm must spread beyond the North to survive. Koryk knows he will stub his tender toes, but Koryk must grit his teeth and bear the stubbing! Oh, how brave is Koryk!


Anyway...loads of fun so far trying to guess what everyone is doing. It will be interesting to talk after the game is over and see what was really going on.

[Illuminated One]

I am for a break as well.
My magic isn't any good when I've had to much cervisia. :D
So I'd vote for thursday evening last turn, Sunday afternoon next turn.

[lwarmonger]

Sauromatia will grow larger.

[Psykmoe]

Guys, I am going to be gone Friday and Saturday, so should i look for a sub, or could you stall the game for me instead?

No problem with a break, personally. What IO said sounds fine by me.

[Mithras]

I'm not complaining and therefore abstain from any vote that might be taking place on the break.

[Mithras]

I forget to send the vital comander for the vital battle! Told you I'd make a newb mistake :D

[Mithras]

Sorry for triple post, for some reason I can't edit...

Brokk was furious. At his feet lay the corpse of a giant messenger.
"What do those fools at the Council think they're doing?" He ranted "I may have just lost the best opportunity to strike at the heart of the tribess' alliance!"
A messenger rushes in from the north, takes a look at the corpse at Brokk's feet and hesitates.
"What is the news from the capitol of the druids? Speak up man."
"We have lost the battle, great one, the Jarls are scattered, many ice giants have been slain..."
Brokk disimisses the messenger and fumes for a moment before calling in a scribe.
"Send a message to the Ice Council. Tell them that children of the glacier have been slaughtered in cold blood. Tell them a turncoat informed the druids of the invasion and they were abushed." He begins to pace up and down his tent "Now that I am done with pandering to those arrogant Jarls and their decrepit hags, we move on to business. Send messages to the surrounding territories call in the reserves, and make sure we get a steady stream from the capitol, we will make the loss of those giants unoticable."

Well thats my turn for you IO, hope it helps :D.

[Tifone]

I see it's ok for many to postpone this turn as hunt11 asked, I see no problem in this. Turn 16 will work normally, then I will turn autohosting off and set turn 17 to end on this Sunday/even Monday if I will see not all turns in. As all of you know, it's the first game I admin, so should I mess up something, we will just rollback later :D

Glad you're having fun, guys :cool:

[Illuminated One]

Hmm, I was kind of missing Brokk, yes.
I was just thinking there was a hidden meaning in Brokk not showing up and was going all "Ah!" and now you tell me its a mistake?
Anyways ... he can run but he can't hide. :D
Shame about those robots though.

edit: And curse those blasted elephants. They show up at the fortress like they should but on the wrong side of the walls.

[Mithras]

I make the story to fit the situation I manage create. Not the other way round :D
Pity about the robots? I do not consider a few robots as compensation for what I lost, it will take me two turns to make that up :D

Yay, to rub it in I'll tell you the elephants were an afterthought, they obviously turned up and decided to fight the good fight, or more likely, decided that shutting themselves in some sharpened logs on top of a mound of dirt wasn't their scene :D

[Tifone]

W H A T
T H E
H E L L
H A P P E N E D
T O
C A E L U M
??????????????

[Tifone]

In other words, please tell me you guys have killed Caelum, and not that Spritz has set himself AI without saying anything... :shock:

[Illuminated One]

Whoot he is AI? :shock:

Well, that kind of explains the rather uninspired attack of the last turn.

Well, as far as my scouting is accurate he's still pretty much alive in game although hes lost losts of troops.

edit: Could you confirm this please so that I don't waste half an hour of useless diplomacy?

Gosh, looks like he's gone for real.

[Mithras]

I keep sending him PMs and he hasn't replied... I hope he hasn't taken off, that would leave me a little out in the cold :o

[Illuminated One]

Well I'm not sure if I should be doing this, but that somehow spoils it for me. So, would it be possible to find a sub for Spritz, I'm not planning to do the turn before tomorrow evening anyway.

[Mithras]

For purely selfish reasons I propose we postpone the turn if we do indeed decide to find a sub, I don't trust the AI ;)

[Illuminated One]

Does postpone mean that my succesfull turn might become a really bad one (=redo turn)?

In that case I'd be against it for purely selfish reasons. :)

[Mithras]

The war with the druids is over. The matter has been settled peacefully.
A NAP has been declared (no escape clause)
In addition to that the giants now garantee Marvani territory. In the case of future NAPs with the giants any invasion of Marvani will be considered an invasion of Neifelhelm and thus in violation of such treaty, unless stated other wise in the treaty. (have covered everyt thing that needs covering.
Will post long flavour thing tomorow.
Oh and in view of the recent changes I now vote to keep the birds AI ;)

[lwarmonger]

Sauromatia and Abysia clashed unintentionally in the wastelands near the swamplands of the Eastern Continental Mass. Poison versus blessed burning ones... the poison was winning out, but then a lucky fireball hit killed my Witch King, and my cowardly androphags ran. The vast majority of the Burning Ones were killed however, so we can call this a Pyrric victory for Abysia.

So far as the Sauromation Witch Kings are concerned the honors are evenly divided and peace may continue between our peoples.

[Illuminated One]

Well, I've reviewed my turn and the strategies I was planning for the next turns and allthough I first asked for a sub I am now against it.
Mostly because I'm really seeing some light again :) but I don't think it will make much difference anyway. So I guess I just fill you in on how I see the situation.
When Caelum and Niefel attacked me I couldn't really fight back so I just turtled in and put every gold I could come up with into PD, troops and battlemages while researching like mad. Got a little lucky against Caelum and with this turn against Niefel. :D
Now I've got counters to both of them and for the next turn I was planning to try and force one of them into an alliance or at least a peace in my favor and march against the other.
If that had failed and they still both attacked me I would have been able to defend my last castle for quite a long time, but in the end I'd be dead anyway.
So for me it looks like one of us is AI soon, sub or no sub.

[Tifone]

There's no use for subs - as his nation can't be set to be played again after being set to AI. And of course we're not rolling back a turn. Not for personal reasons - I lost a mage with very lucky picks to Bogus last turn - but many battles have been fought and allowing people to change or avoid them now seems just wrong.
Keep up the good playing, guys ;)

[Illuminated One]

A druid and a Niefel giant appear at each court in the known world.

The druids takes the word.

Fear no longer for the fate of Marverni, people of the world.
The Eagle Kings have been beaten and upon the battlefield of Nilmeria the leaders of Marverni and Niefelheim have sworn an oath of peace.
Furthermore we agreed that should war be brought to the giants then it is brought to the druids as well.

[Mithras]

Brokk has redeployed to the south but he has passed through the capitial of Niefelhelm in the proccess. He calls a meeting of the Ice Council. There is a long debate but eventually a conclusion is come to.
This is the proclamation of the ice council, a copy of which is sent to the druids.
"The druids of the Marveni have been noble. Therefore we have proclaimed them part of the alliance of the Jarls. And so we invite them to send a representative our council."

[Tifone]

Turn 17 is in and it will be delayed as decided :)

(If someone wants to give me game-related or game-unrelated communications in the meanwhile, feel free to PM me ;) )

[Mithras]

Just noticed we all sent our turns in but autohost is off...
Is there a reason I don't know about that we need to keep from hosting the turn?

[lwarmonger]

One of the players requested a delay for the weekend, and others agreed. So until that time as stated on Llamaserver comes around there will be no autohost.

[Mithras]

I understand that, but everyone sent their turns in... perhaps I misunderstand autohost...
Does it host automaticaly when you have all H2 files or when the time limit is reached or both?

[Illuminated One]

Quickhost (host when all turn files are in) is off, but the server will host tomorrow morning automatically I thnik.

[hunt11]

it's both, and if you can't tell from my turn file, I'm back, so when ever the game can be started back up again, that would be great, and thanks again for the delay

[Tifone]

Hey there. Hosting now :) Glad you're back hunt11

[lwarmonger]

Hmm... Agartha, Abysia, Yomi and Ulm are the four nations nearby. Sauromatia would like to make it clear that we have benevolant intentions towards all, and for the moment are content with the taking of blood slaves from our own lands.

[Tifone]

...blood slaves to summon devils to use to attack us poor Pale Ones? We hope not :D

[lwarmonger]

Sauromatia would never do a horrible thing like that. Our Witch Kings are chosen for their peaceful tendencies, and those blood slaves that we collect are used for only the most wholesome and pleasant of rituals.

In an unrelated matter, all young females fleeing our lands MUST be returned to us so that they may be... reconciled, yes, reconciled with their "parents."

[Tifone]

roflcopter :D

[Illuminated One]

Are there independent Agarthans in the game?
My scouts just insist that they see Oracles towering over Caelum's armies which strikes me as really odd.

[Tifone]

:?: :confused:

Your scouts have eyesight problems :D Which grade did they have in ethnology?

[Mithras]

I'm allied to this?
I think I may be eating my words when my giants wander into said oracles but I just had to say it?
Hmm I searched the poptypes in the data base, there is a paleone poptype but that only has pale one commanders...
What do scouts have to eat to look at mammoths and see oracles. I mean honestly an 8 foot high hairless thing is pretty identifiable...

[Illuminated One]

Sorry, but it really says Oracle, just checked again.
Maybe a special site that allows to recruit them?
Or maybe it is a new unit from CBM?

[konming]

It has nothing to do with CBM. Sometimes game will put strong monsters in a province. You may meet cyclops or whatever. Here is just one example, you meet an oracle, which is the statue pretender, not marble oracle.

[Tifone]

Eheh, probably simply Spritz had an Oracle pretender (the fountain thing) :)

Really, I don't lead the chickens around :D

[Mithras]

Knocks himself out slapping forehead.

[Ershalim]

There's another possibility. Perhaps they were simply seeing a very enlightened mammoth. Such a tiding could mean that the true Pretender would be returning soon? The High Priest of Mictlan is certainly taking it as such a tiding.

[Tifone]

Well, we're going for the 20th turn now and everything seems has gone fine (except for Caelum's player disappearing suddenly) :D

I'm very glad of it and I hope all of you are having the expected fun. :) Wars seem to be on horizon or on fire for everybody so I hope you were able to take advantage of this game's settings and prepare the best weapons :cool:

New thematic events on the board are absolutely welcome from everybody ;)

[Illuminated One]

Of course it must be his pretender.
How embarassing... :cold:

[Tifone]

Should someone have Astral and researched Construction, Agartha is interested in Starshine Skullcaps and Robes of the Shadows. Contact us for the deal! Thank you ;)

[Spritz]

Hi, guys. It’s Caelum here.

I figured I’d show my face in this thread again to apologise for dropping out without warning fifteen turns in. Suffice to say that real life came and made a nuisance of itself. I’ll spare you the details but I will say that I was in a fowl mood and politely bowing out to a bunch of people I didn’t know on a forum was low on my list of priorities.

So… yeah. Sorry.

[Tifone]

Ok, thanks for coming anyway. Sh*t happens. Hope everything is as fine as possible now. Good luck and see you around.

[Mithras]

I'd just like to say that I'm very glad you did what you did from an IG perspective. (It's much easier to backstab AI)
I'm sorry RL got in the way though... hope things get better/less busy soon.

[lwarmonger]

Sauromatia would like to protest to the unprovoked attack conducted by Agartha against our people. YOU WANT OUR VIRGINS!!! But you can't have them. They are ours. They are happy here. You hear us? HAPPY!!!! You may think because you are so big that you impress them, but that is not the case. They care more about skill than size (they said so), and that is why you will be crushed. Besides we ride on horses and wear the skins of our enemies. Nothing impresses a Saromatian virgin like a cape of 100 sewn together foreskins!

[Tifone]

Actually, we just remembered we had to say you a little thing about your virgins...
Do you remember that messenger we sent you some time ago? And he wanted to visit your great temple... and then you wanted him to stay and sleep there for the night, because it was already too late for him to go back?

Well... there may have been problems with... a couple of dozens of your... ehm... "virgins" of the temple... you know, the reinvigoration bless helps... :D

[Tifone]

As all of you have probably seen, there are problems with the llamaserver and it will not host turns until the 1st of november. If in the meantime someone gets inspired and wants to continue or start thematic stories on the board, please do ;)

See you soon!

[Mithras]

Just a comment... quite a few of the leaders of Souromatia are female... make of that what you will...
I think we should sign a multilingual treaty to prevent war between nations of differnt races... you know save the sacred virgins some grief :D

[Tifone]

For that, you should not fear. The Agarthans are an ancient and deeply respectful race. The desires of the flesh are far off our noble hearts, and except for the little incident of the messenger (and they were all consenting adults :D ), we wouldn't ever lay a finger on an innocent girl, or even a crazy screaming and kicking amazon. :o

We were a little concerned about the Troglodytes' intentions, though, but they declared themselves fully satisfied with crashing the poisoners' skulls :tough: :skull:

[lwarmonger]

Unacceptable. Nothing angers a Sauromatian man more than large underground dwelling giants coming above ground and violating our virgins before we do. It might also explain the large numbers of young women fleeing our lands towards Agartha (it certainly couldn't be that we are requiring them to give up a teensy bit of blood prior to them dying).

On the other hand, it is quite fortunate that we have many berserker raging females who are "blessed" with the power of eternal mood swings. Your Agarthan giant's lives will be short.

[Tifone]

While the Agarthans are chivalrous, dear friends, we will not let a bunch of "pitbulls with lipstick" :D gang up on us.
The Oracles know that "when the working day has gone, oh girls just wanna have fun", but having fun skinning us alive isn't exactly politeness.
Don't worry, we'll teach your bad party chicks some good manners :cool:

[Tifone]

IMPORTANT, READ CAREFULLY

Due to llamaserver's problems, I have delayed the current turn of 3 days (to be sure everybody read this, not actually to wait that long), so, when llamabeast repairs this, I want everybody who CORRECTED (=sent a second time with changes) their turn these days and received the many emails of answer, to RESEND the right .2h file to llamaserver for being sure the right commands are processed for everybody.
ONLY AFTER LLAMABEAST HAS REPAIRED THE SERVER!

Thanks for your attention :)

[Tifone]

Hey there folks! Long time no see :D

Looks like Llamaserver's problems will be solved tomorrow. From the moment they are solved, you will have around 30 hours to resubmit your turn - which is necessary ONLY IF YOU HAVE SUBMITTED THE TURN WITH CORRECTIONS MULTIPLE TIMES, as you can't be sure if the good or the bad version is actually in the server to be processed. Otherwise everything should be fine.

I dunno if resubmitting now (before the llamaserver is fully functional) will work.

Best wishes ;)

[Tifone]

HERE YA GO! UP AND RUNNING AGAIN!!

We are among the lucky ones. Principe wasn't hosted or autohosted so no real problem having to rollback or so. The only problem is that your .2h files may be a little messed up, expecially if you resent them with corrections.

So... send your turns again guys (better if everyone does at this point).

You have time till Sunday ;)

-As I have no way to control who actually resent his turn and who didn't, the quickhost is off and the turn WILL be hosted on Sunday.-

Let'z continue wif teh funny :)

[Tifone]

Ok, looks like the game was hosted as Llamabeast repaired the server, afterall. I hope there were no problem for anyone. The game continues normally from this moment. Best wishes again :)

[lwarmonger]

Dastardly Abysia has decided to hop on the Agarthan's treacherous bandwagon. So be it. Abysia will die like the cave dwellers.

[Illuminated One]

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. And I planned to work tomorrow. :D

@Tifone

Could you explain what you mean with send your turns again?
Yesterday turn 21 came and it looks ok to me.
So should I send my turn 20 again or should I send turn 21 (which I've never played)?

[Tifone]

Hey Illuminated One! :)

Never mind. I asked to resend the orders for turn 20 when we were in turn 20, but then the game auto-hosted when llamabeast repaired it so we'll just continue normally now ;) I hope all the orders for turn 20 were processed correctly. :smirk:

[Illuminated One]

Marverni is looking for earth gems.
We can offer money or water or nature gems in return.

If you like we would also trade items.

[Tifone]

Ok, we're back and working. Thanks llamabeast!
Autohost is on but I've set a little delay for Ershalim to play his turn for Mictlan. If he doesn't play in 24 hours though, I'm sorry but we'll need to search for a sub. Obviously I hope it's not necessary :)

[Tifone]

Still no answer from Ershalim. 12 hours from now and I'll ask a sub or, in the worst of the scenarios, set him AI, but I really hope it is not necessary.

[Illuminated One]

It might be good to ask for a sub now with the option that the sub will not be needed. It seems to take some time until sub requests are answered.

[Tifone]

Ok. Sorry for that guys, but further 24 hrs delay. I'll ask a sub in this time for Mictlan so if we find one, the sub will enter the game from the next turn. Sorry for the waiting but as you see that's not my fault. :(

In this time, it would be great if all of you update to the next patch (the next turn won't open if you don't ;) )

[Tifone]

Hey guys!!

Say hello to slayers_ai, he's taking the role of Ershalim and will guide Mictlan. :cool:

I ask the neighbours of Mictlan to stop any possible current war against this nation for at least a turn, to give slayers the possibility to examine the situation Ershalim left him peacefully :)

Thanks ;)

[slayers_ai]

hello everybody...I am the sub for Mictlan:)

[Tifone]

Hey there ;)

You have plenty of time to play your turn, so don't feel in rush. :) I've sent it to your mail, it may take some time to arrive nonetheless.
Shouldn't it arrive in your mailbox you can ask for an automatic resend from Principe's page on llamaserver, if it doesn't work let me know and I'll reinput your address :cool: There have been some problems with the server lately, they should've been solved now but you never know :D

[Ephraim]

Hmm,

The new turn file got to me, but I can't seem to open it--dominions crashes when I try. I see that others have been able to play their turns, so I'm not quite sure what my issue is. I hope to figure it out soon.

ps. Welcome to slayers_ai !

[lwarmonger]

Have you patched?

I would also like to note that Abysia's armies have not been covering themselves in glory in their dastardly backstab against Sauromatia.

[Illuminated One]

Well, you just gotta love Bogus. Escpecially when he drops in unexpected on your successful army with the extremely expensive mages.

[Tifone]

Nobody of the interested ones writes a couple of thematic lines about Yomi's premature departure? :(

Btw, is Caelum still alive or not? (To update the list in the first post)

[Illuminated One]

Yes.

I think it will create an ingame message once he's completely extinguished.

[Mithras]

Er? There is still significant chicken guerilla resistance, so they're still there, for a while.

[Tifone]

...
:confused:

How is the server waiting for Yomi's 2h file? Didn't Yomi die last turn? You got the in-game message too right? I think I'll have to turn Yomi A.I. - it is considered dead from the game so probably hunt11 will not even give a look, and it's pointless to wait for it.

[lwarmonger]

...
:confused:

How is the server waiting for Yomi's 2h file? Didn't Yomi die last turn? You got the in-game message too right? I think I'll have to turn Yomi A.I. - it is considered dead from the game so probably hunt11 will not even give a look, and it's pointless to wait for it.

Agreed! I got the message too.

[Tifone]

Mmh... Time almost gone and Abysia hasn't played yet. I set a 12 hrs delay just in case.

When Abysia has played, I'll force hosting and see if Yomi's problem gets resolved, otherwise I'll ask to llamabeast. ;)

(Sob, why everybody disappears from my lil' gamey :( )

[hunt11]

I just sent my 'turn' in so that may help with things.

[Tifone]

Hope it helps - thanks and good game nonetheless, hunt11. Hope you'll be of the crew with Principe's Middle Age sequel (with Jomon? ;) ) after Principe itself is finished.
Hope any error you may have made (over-researching?) has taught yourself enough to make you an unbreakable player next time :)

EDIT: The server got Yomi's turn, great. Hope Psykmoe isn't disappeared :(

[hunt11]

I'm looking forward to the sequel, and I have now learned that you need more then large amounts of chaff to achieve anything

[Tifone]

Lol ^^ Having casually scryied a couple of your battles, the Oracles get what you're referring to :D

Would you be interested in being contacted if we need a sub? That might be a second chance for you and a nice help for us not to stale, eventually ;)

[hunt11]

sure, sounds like fun:D

[Tifone]

Guys...

Unfortunate news. Real life calls. I have to turn AI from this very turn, as I have to gradually exit even the games in which I only play.

Anyway Sauro was doing pretty well against me (looks like I, as Yomi, researched too much maybe) so really this doesn't come on top of my victory :D

Very sorry. I had fun and I hope you will continue to.

Whoever wants to substitute me as Admin write it here and I'll PM one the passwords. If someone has some admin experience even better, if not, it is a totally easy thing trust me ;)

Well... bye :( I'll miss you guys, have fun and let me know how the game proceeds so I can update the first post's list the rare times I will be able to connect :)

May the Principe win!

[Mithras]

I think I should stop trying to build diplomatic relations with people it seems to have some sort of correlation with there RL.
Hope you sort out stuff in RL and come back as soon as possible. And thanks for the game, still loving this one. :D
Is it so urgent that you can't post for a sub? It seems a pity to have yet another nation go AI...

[hunt11]

It's sad that you have to leave for RL, if you want somebody to sub for you, I would be more then willing to do it. Hope to see you soon:)

[lwarmonger]

I think the problem that you are having is that you are so reliant on sacreds (who even for Agartha are hard to mass, especially with sloth) and those expensive troglodytes (they really aren't that useful, your staying power is the sacreds). I can mass huge armies of very good cavalry, battlefield undead, and archers very quickly (I had actually stopped creating armies after my initial expansion phase, but when you and Abysia jumped me I was able to start turning out 100 of those poison archers a turn, and over 90 of my heavy cavalry in addition to continuing construction, mage recruiting, and acquiring substantial numbers of useful indies like those fireproof spearmen... more than enough to be quite effective). As a result you have been forced to play defense with those huge armies, but if you divide them up they will get beaten. Blade winds are effective against my archers, but I can field so many of them it really doesn't make too much of a difference especially as my goal was just attrition.

[Tifone]

Yeah, I must say I wanted to try this strategy with an Imprisoned E9N4 Great Mother with good scales. My battle tactic, as you see, is this living wall of very protected and self regenerating sacreds, to protect the troglodytes, the magma children, the boulder hurlers, the Blade-Winding mages and the Ancient Lords SCs (which I wasn't unfortunately able to field for lack of gems) which do the real beating.
As you see it worked well in the battles, but requires enormous armies and now I just can't produce those anymore even with the 2 fortresses I took from you - building an army takes me several turns while you are expanding fast into my territories (your cavalry is strong and my PD s*cks badly so you can split your armies as much as you want), and the Misfortune scale was expecially nasty in the last 2 turns (3 provinces taken by Barbarians including my capitol, so couldn't recruit precious units there, and now my lab has burned) so well, even with the very big army I have left which is going after your archers without ever taking them before they move (d*mn :D) and the alive but decimated one which is sieging your third fortress, there is nothing I can do anymore. Too many armies after me, I don't know if you're attacking Abysia with the same firepower you are using against me, if not looks like my temporary-ally left too much pressure on me too (but I hold no grudge ;) )

Well, gg :)

Would you like to turn admin Iwarmonger?

(I appreciate your offer, hunt11, for subbing but it would be pointless for you to take my doomed nation :o)

See you around for the next game hopefully guys :happy:

[lwarmonger]

Unfortunately my job has been taking up between 12-14 hours of my day recently, and I am barely able to make the games I am currently playing in. But a most entertaining war!

[Illuminated One]

Well, if you are too busy I can admin, if someone explains what I'd have to do.

And just as a remark - this game is madness.
The AI is throwing so much chaff around I think I'm in Serious Sam.

[Klepto]

Thanks for giving us a most entertaining game Tifone, it's a shame we never met in-game. I'm very much looking forward to the sequal, Ermor is much more fun to play in mid. Can we sign up now? :)

[Tifone]

The feeling is reciprocal Klepto :) Pity I'm a decent battle tactician but a mediocre overall strategist so I didn't last enough to meet :o

Of course the veterans of the first game will be all invited even if they passed the "newbie" status, so you will surely have your Ermor spot, u old undead! :D

I send Illuminated One the passwords. Hail the new admin! Illuminated One, you don't have to do almost nothing except the delays :) read the Llamaserver FAQ anyway so you're sure you're not missing anything you should ;)

[Psykmoe]

I think I might also go to AI soon. I'm so far behind on just about anything (except maybe research). I had a cash-poor starting position and wasn't aggressive enough early on to get some better money makers, I can barely turn out 30 infantry per turn all spread out over my nation due to poor resources and most of my money is gone too, I might have bought too many researchers. I have fancy battlemagic but my armies are way too small and half my income is eaten by upkeep regardless because all my provinces turn out like 30-40gold per turn/province.

Really showed me that I need to be more aggressive and have a better long term plan, I suppose. Well, first MP game and all that.

[Illuminated One]

So you think getting a sub is worthless?

[Tifone]

Actually I think, being your lands income-poor anyway, you should have just given up (or almost) the recruiting and just blood hunt like crazy (best provinces to bh = the ones with slightly more 5000 pop) in order to build army of demons, Arch devils SCs, and some Fire summons, as all of those wouldn't have costed you upkeep (gold reserved for fortresses and mages)! Yummy! :p

Also, remember that the swamps are among the best terrain for sites, (and you have some very nice places nearby...) so site researching should have brought you a load of gems :)

[Psykmoe]

Yeah but I didn't know any of those things <_< Also turns out outside my capital I only have 1 province with more than 5000 and 2 with more than 3000, everything else doesn't break 2000, some even less, heh. Well, it was a fun game. I should read up some more on creating a blood economy

[lwarmonger]

Damn... both players who jumped me have gone AI. Makes you think, don't it? :)

[Tifone]

Pride leads to fall my friend ;)

[lwarmonger]

Hey, after being backstabbed by two people whom I thought were heading towards being allies of mine... your AI's are still giving me a bit of a fight though. Forunately for me they are splitting up that gargantuan army you had chasing after me. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with that.

You know, I've been backstabbed in four games now, and only been the backstabber in one (well technically two, but the second guy really did deserve it after what he had done earlier).

[Tifone]

Don't say you didn't know that was gonna happen when you applied :D

[lwarmonger]

Lol... I guess I did kind of expand into positions that you two couldn't afford to let me have. I was kind of surprised/grateful that you didn't go underwater though. It is the source of a fair number of gems for me, and you adapt to it naturally... I have to rely on rings of waterbreathing and indy troops. Something to keep in mind for future reference. Even a small force could still be making my life miserable at sea.

[Tifone]

Surprised? Wow, I think you did it on purpose to cut my way to the sea :D I actually thought it was one great early move for you in sight of a possible future war with me... :p

[Mithras]

Shuts up and listens to the wealth of infomation coming out of victory talk.

Bother I didn't mean to post that! Oh well.

[lwarmonger]

Hey, the peaceloving people of the Democratic Republic of Sauromation have no quarrel with the giants of Neifelheim... plus this war was won almost solely by force of arms. The next war (hopefully far away... I really did want a peaceful early to mid-game) will include a great deal of magic. Take what you wish from my description of how this war was won, however I assure you the next one will be quite different.

[Klepto]

Word spreads to all realms carried by messengers traders and minstrels...

Peoples of the world, hear these the words of the great Mortanus of Ermor! The treacherous beasts of the Niefelheim have reneged upon all promises and assurances that we have held in good faith. They march upon the lands they agreed to cede to us despite our honouring of their realm. Beware these untrustworthy dogs.

We call on all the nations of the world to attack our foe now while their armies are occupied with us. You will find their other borders lightly defended, now is the time to strike. There shall never be a better time to move upon them until their homes lie smouldering under the feet of the mighty Ermorian legions. Ermor shall hold those who answer this call in high regard, join with us so we may drive these unholy scoundrels from this land once and for all.

[Mithras]

In response to the neferious romours of Ermor, Niefelhelm has sent out a messanger to each major power.

The Jarls are strong, as are our allies. We made no promises to Ermor, we just returned their honeyed words, and attacked them before the men of their nation grew hungry for our lands while our men-folk were elsewhere.

OOC: Heh nice try, unfortunately I actually trust the only other guy I share a border with :P

[Ephraim]

Aaargh! Just figured I'd let you all in on my latest 'wall of shame' entry. I launched a large army into a battle where I knew I needed superior numbers to win. I think I had enough to win...but what did I do? I forgot that half of my troops were stealthy, and they snuck in, didn't participate in the big battle, then were found individually and slaughtered!

Aaargh!


p.s. Sorry I haven't been as chatty lately as earlier in the game. I'm a grad student and my semester has been pretty busy this last month. I've had a lot of fun...even though I feel like I'm about to be slaughtered any minute...

[Illuminated One]

Good you're here, I have sent you a PM yesterday.


edit:
And something as a nice side note:
When you are besieging a castle barbarians will not attack when the barbarian event happens on the castle. It looks like they pool up and strike when a decision is reached. Very weird.

[Illuminated One]

Something I forgot:

The other games are slowing down hosting because of thanksgiving.
If you are away in the next time or can't play your turns just PM me or write a line here.
As long as the turns are coming in I'll keep the hosting interval as it is.

[lwarmonger]

It looks like Sauromata's war against the Agarthans is (finally) beginning to draw to a close. The Abysians remain remarkably resiliant however, fighting Agartha, Ulm, Miclan and Sauromatia in turn (although now the noose is tightening, the Abysians being saved only by Sauromatia's "Agartha first" policy and the full scale war that has broken out between Mictlan and Ulm).

Just for histories sake, Sauromatia would like to make it known that we primarily relied on easily mass produced androphag archers with limited cavalry support to hold Abysia down to mere acceptable territorial conquests (the wastes Abysia pushed into hadn't been searched for magic sites yet and had negligable incomes) while the vast bulk of our army attacked Agartha. Given the fight that the AI has put up, I would say that things were probably about even between the Agarthan-Abysian Alliance on one hand and the Sauromatian Empire on the other when the human players bailed.

[Illuminated One]

*Excerpt from the journal of a druid*

This was a good month, maybe. At least it could have been worse. They say the last castle of the Eagle Kings has been stormed and the war is over at last.
And finally they have given me some of the items I asked for done the ritual I designed. The stars shine brighter then ever now. There are countless stars that could not be seen that are now clearly visible, as I exected. This will help me to understand the patterns they follow. The patterns that everything follows. There is no magic of earth or life as they are thinking the source of all magic - of all movement - are the stars.
They don't understand how important my studies are. So many resources were by their war efforts and I have to fight for every single coin to fund my research. Where could I have been now if I had just been given what I need.
Even now as the wounded are moving home from the castles of Caelum they are discussing war plans again. "To keep the balance in the world". What is the point of this. War will not solve anything. I will againdiscuss it with them tonight and prove that there will come no good from a new war - but I fear they will not listen. Again I will have to study alone with what is left after the warlords have take what they want.
My only comfort is that future generations will thank me - and the wine.


Come on someone else write something up, this is fun. :)

[Mithras]

In the spirit of following the leader.
The battle for Korrmark, From the historic records of the Council of Ice
The legion attacked at dawn. Accompanied by a city full of pagan mages and a host of medium cavalry. Even though caught at unawares the militia marched out to meet them, desperate to protect their new found homes. The Niefel stayed back, praying to Theag led by the Godes. Fjun, commander of the east, slayer of the winged ones, stood a little way from the rest of the group. His jaw had been torn asunder in a previous skirmish and he muttered arcane incantations with great pain.
The battle field was an old one countless men had died in the recent battles. The magi of Ermor, some who were living a second life brought about unnaturally rites and depraved rituals, used this to their advantage. Those who had been buried long ago were forced to rise against their will.
The militia surged forward, meeting the Ermorian legion head on. But they were made helpless by bonds of living fire. Meanwhile the cavalry of Ermor had outflanked the main body, they were met by the Niefel giants, who suffered casualties in the first charge but slowly put the riders to flight. At this moment Fjun leapt into the air with a disfigured roar, setting down in the midst of the legion and sending men flying with an enchanted blade which was whirled so fast it was beyond mortal sight. A wight stood against the great giant’s onslaught and by some uncanny luck nicked him with a wicked blade. Not only was Fjun moving as fast as the wind but he was aging at a great rate. At first he just grew stronger, but slowly, as the hours past he became weakened. All the while the main body of giants was fighting their way towards him. Finally it was too much for Fjun who once again took to the air, living to fight another day. Though their leader was gone the Niefel though on bravely, eventually putting the Ermorians to flight.

Now I’ve finished boasting about the epic battle time for the real story.
The alliance between Druids and Jarls had been such that some druids had come to worship Theag, while so Jarls had come to worship the god of the tribes. There were few such druids, but they were all wise. They were permitted into the great temple of Theag, where the likeness of him in stone was honoured, only in the hour of greatest darkness each month. It was at such an hour that a solitary druid knelt in prayer to Theag. Suddenly the statue crumbled, leaving only its outline in dust. Curious the druid stepped onto the altar. A strange wind blew coating the druid with the dust of the venerated statue. The druid blinked, suddenly his mind was gone and in its place... Theag had awoken. The first order of business was to find the eldest of the Skratti and hanging them for not recognising that they worshipped a prison...

[Tifone]

Wow, you guys have numbers, great writing, thanks for the great stories and for keeping this alive :happy:

[Mithras]

As IO said, it's great fun.
It's a pity Spitz had to go, he wrote something too.
Oh and I was meaning to write the bottom thing for quite a while, but never got round to it.

[Tifone]

Yay, the thing about your guys venerating in fact the prison of your god was a blast :D Wow, probably with the strenght of their prayer towards it they even reinforced the prison! :shock:

Great that the druids (well, not actually but still :p ) helped ya breaking free. Maybe will this reinforce your alliance? :)

[Mithras]

I designed my pretender as a druid for the minmaxing... then we made an allaince and I thought, yay I now have an excuse. :D

Yeah just a little bit of a thing about some of religions ironies... Dominions is full of them

[lwarmonger]

Marverni has occupied lands that are historically claimed by Sauromatia, and is now bragging about preparing to grab more. Such behavior is unacceptable. Sauromatia is offering a fair monetary sum for the return of such lands. The Druids would be wise to agree.

[Tifone]

The long-gone souls of the Oracles will pray for the warriors of the bare-chest to squish the filthy man-eaters and rule their lands.

[Illuminated One]

Wow, Mithras, I didn't know you had a druid pretender. Strange how things worked out. :)
I've wanted to comment on the religious ironies, too, for some time. You see, Nemausius is the celtic god of springs. I've chosen the name because he is a spring. Now it turns out I'm cornered by Niefel and Caelum who have both a strong dominion and my dominion is pushed outwards into the water. The fishes really seem to know who is their patron. :D


And officially:

The tribes arrived in these lands before Sauromatia. The land has been worked and now the sauromatians come with their horses and historical claims and offer us a measly sum of 500 gold for the return of land that was never theirs.
Outrageous as this may be we will have to rethink our actions.

[Tifone]

Wow guys, you still having problems Spritz's plumed people?? :D

[Illuminated One]

Nah, they were extinguished last turn.
Maybe I should have build larger armies to get the castles down quicker, though. :D

[lwarmonger]

The Sauromatians actually had conquered that province at one point, however in the war of Agarthan aggression it was cut off from the rest of the empire and overrun by hostile bandits. However our historical claim remains. Given how easy it would be for our cavalry to seize the said territory (and how your nation doesn't share a border with mine other than with that lone territory), I think that offering you any compensation at all is extraordinarily generous.

[Illuminated One]

Hmm, could you tell me what are doing when I don't accept? War or no war?

Besides cavalry or no cavalry I'm going to keep it.

[Mithras]

The Jarls would like to point out that they are ready and willing to give the Druids any support they need during any possible war with the man eaters... and we haven't forgotten that messenger we sent you all those years ago... :D

[lwarmonger]

Hey, we marinated him with the very finest of wines (made out of his own blood mixed with the brains of our enemies) and he was priviledged enough to be served to our council of 7 witch kings... quite an honor.

[Illuminated One]

Lol, just good that my renegade druid didn't hold a very interesting speech in sauromatia. :D

[Mithras]

We have only one thing to say to you... We hope he gave them indigestion.

[lwarmonger]

Hey, we are all about freedom of speech... however we consider "freedom to eat" a protected form of speech as well. The one doesn't necessary preclude the other And he tasted kind of like bear.

[lwarmonger]

A wonderful day! Sauromatia would like to announce that a new non-aggression pact-3 has been signed between us and the wise and peaceloving Druids of Marverni. All the world should rejoice in honor of our newfound friendship!

[Illuminated One]

The people of Marverni would like to confirm this. Furthermore we are paying for the right to settle in Nethermark, Vath and Zimmria.

[Tifone]

The people of Agartha would like instead to remind that those pacts have the value of the toilet-paper they're written on :) Have fun! :D


(I love to keep nervous tension up)

[lwarmonger]

Since the only place our two nations come together is at those three provinces I'm letting him hold, I must say that the stakes aren't incredibly high for either of us.

[Illuminated One]

You know what would be awesome is if everyone saved their most interesting turns to let other players see how the really big battles played out when the game is finished.

[Tifone]

Yay, that would be very nice!

[Illuminated One]

Ephraim, are you here?

I saw that Ephraim had a little trouble getting his turns in during the last rounds. I've delayed hosting by 12 hours to give him the chance to play todays turn.

Anyway I thought it might be time to add a little extra time. I can imagine that turns take their time now if you are at war. What are you others thinking?

[Tifone]

Nice job keeping an eye on the turns, you surpass my expectations as admin :happy:

Didn't even expect you guys were still going to 48hrs turns. The point in which you switch to 72hrs ones should be near I think :) Also, in short time you'll have to discuss the possibility and length of the Xmas/New Year holidays :cool:

[Illuminated One]

He, I'm just keeping the tradition. :)


I hoped Ephraim would play in the evening but as it seems he does not and he hasn't been on the forum for a week. I've set the hosting interval to 72h now. If he does not show up tomorrow I wanted to extend this another 12 hours and if he stales look for a sub.
If anyone has something against it just say it.

[Tifone]

Lol, looks like our slayers_ai put some real fear on the once mighty Ulm :D

Good way to go IO ;)

[Illuminated One]

Hmm, I don't know.
I more though slayers_ai would hate me if I wait too long for Ulm. :D

[Ephraim]

I appreciate you giving me the extra time. I just finished up finals...whew! I thought I would have time to play my turns, but was up to my eyeballs in statistics this week.

Thanks again...now slayers_ai has a chance to beat me fair and square. ;)

Now that finals are over, I'll be able to play turns more often. See you in game!

[Illuminated One]

Congrats, Ephraim!
Did you finish school or college?


Ok, for now I'll keep hosting interval at 72h. Shouldn't matter as long everyone gets his turns in.

[Ephraim]

I'm working on a Masters Degree in Statistics right now. The semester just finished, so I'm less busy for a few weeks.


It'll be interesting to see how all this turns out. I've learned a lot in this game...I feel very clumsy compared to some of the other players here, especially recently. I am clueless about the endgame here. I had a decent strategy, but find I haven't laid some of the groundwork I needed. Anyway...maybe too much information there. ENEMIES--FORGET ALL OF THAT...PLEASE?

The point is: I understand dominions better after playing this game. At least I understand what is possible...still not sure how to make it all happen though.

[Tifone]

I understand dominions better after playing this game.

Hey, that's great :)
I hope you will learn even more in the sequel :D

[lwarmonger]

Arcane Nexus huh? Gutsy spell to cast.

[Illuminated One]

Well, Christmas and the New Year is coming so should we make a break?
I'm going to be away from the 25th to the 1st.

[lwarmonger]

Nah, you'll be fine. ;P