Asia Twist - Wraithlord Wins!

[quantum_mechani]

Who knew there were so many false serpents? In any case we of course refer to the Emerald Empire.

[WraithLord]

Welcome aboard QM :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 24 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday.

Pasha

[Wokeye]

As the only true serpents, the Lizard Kings of C'Tis would be offended by such slanderous banter ...if their kingdom wasn't being ripped apart by an alliance of clumsy giants of Jotun and horse-riding barbarian archers that stangely emerged from the caves, waving banners for Tien Chi !

[PashaDawg]

Turn 25 is out.

Deadline is Thursday night.

Pasha

[mscfish]

*Mictlan* is without a player. Nikelaos has disappeared due to a computer breakdown, and he has not responded to my email. Alneyan was kind enough to act as a temporary sub but cannot do it any longer. Should we turn the nation AI or does someone know of a replacement player?

Please post your thoughts.

Pasha


I have the perfect solution! Set Ermor to AI! Yeah....! >.>

:angel

What a nice joke!

hehehe ~~~~

[Tifone]

Hello mr Pasha...

Can you provide another link to the AsiaTwist map? I wanted to give it a look but it is unavailable, looks like your hosting service has removed it :(

[PashaDawg]

Hi Tifone:

The link seems to still work. I was able to use it to download the file today. Is it still not working for you?

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 26 is out.

Deadline is Sunday night.

[DragonFire11]

Sorry folks but I've not been checking the forum and I learned that folks have been messaging me here. My rudeness was not purposeful.

As for the game, I'm just amazed that I'm still in it. I must be low on someone's To Do list -- I'm looking at you Ashdod.

[Wokeye]

Well, that's it for me :) I must say I really struggled to find 'a way forward' with C'Tis. Oh well.

GG all, thanks for all your organising and hosting efforts, Pasha!

[WraithLord]

Thank you Wokeye.

MA Ctis is a mighty tough nation to play. Their so called strength - the swamp dominion - is also their greatest weakness making them hated neighbors.

[JimMorrison]

Thank you Wokeye.

MA Ctis is a mighty tough nation to play. Their so called strength - the swamp dominion - is also their greatest weakness making them hated neighbors.

And severely limiting their strategic options. :(

[Aethyr]

Thanks Wokeye, Farewell, until we meet again.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 27 is out.

Due to the delayed hosting, the turn will be due on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

Song for a young Jarl

Wails and weepings were the words
of the wives widowed on the north coasts;
from a monstrous terror, striking,
out of the sea's cruel heart.

The Wyrm laid waste, wicked
in the wreck of the Van. Many a hearth's smoke,
down against the trees' line, dark on the water;
the flames, free from their proper bond-place.

So roused the angry one, out of his sick-couch,
calling to him his sword servants and thanes,
and to him his jarl Andre; he of whose fury,
the good lord approved.

Along the kestrel's clamour, out
from wind's home, our lord and bondsman
spied now the beast; massive with menace,
from out of the forest's torn flank.

Prepared they for battle, using the old ways
and wiles of the Vannish. And the beast it did also;
yet the mists held no secrets
from the lord of the Van.

Vast in its bulk, the vile sea-thing
roared out some challenge, heads rampant, sprays toxin;
young Andre felt fear's clasp, yet
stayed steady for his dread liege.

Two swords flamed in the dawn's light, and two serpent's heads
met and missed, the bloody back and forth,
until the Jarl Andre struck in with his true axe.
The fiend, screamed and lashed at his baned one; his two heads tearing in twain.

Yet the Wyrm's ribs now jutted,
ships staves on the founder;
and it, feeling the doom's dire, sped for the cliff's edge,
seeking sea's safety.

But the lord of the Aesir, avenging his sworn one,
cut down the beast by the clash of the waves.
Down to the muck was layed low the mighty Wyrm Pasha;
and the Lord burnt one head on the cairn of his bondsman.

[WraithLord]

I really like this song.
I assume its purely fictitious ;)

[Kristoffer O]

I just want to make a general warning. I have a lot to do at school atm and is under some time pressure, so I might forget that it is time to send in my turns. I don't need any planned delays, but I might lose track of time. It should be mostly over after this weekend, when I have received all essays and papers, with a return in power in about two weeks when grades are supposed to be set.

[archaeolept]

I really like this song.
I assume its purely fictitious ;)I tried to make it as accurate as possible. Pasha's wyrm (air, earth and death) was marauding along my north coast. So I trapezed in my chest-wounded pretender, armed w/ 2 flame swords and a snake ring, and Andre the Jarl, w/ a flesh eater. Pasha's mistform was negated on the first hit, of course, and he had no magic attacks so my guy wasn't about to lose his. We traded a few blows, then my Jarl came up, gave Pasha a chest wound, and was promptly eaten for his troubles :P

After a bit of fighting, the wyrm tried to retreat, but the very last possible attack from my guy finally finished him off.

Anyways, no one likes to lose their pretender, so given how much laudable work Pasha has put into this map, and others, I figured the battle deserved a fitting memorial:)

[PashaDawg]

Excellent job on the ode, Archae! :)

DEATH TO VAN!!!!!!! ONE THOUSAND CURSES!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[PashaDawg]

Turn 28 is out.

Deadline is Sunday.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

Sorry for the delay. I have all the turns now, but I got distracted last night.

I will host the turn after I get home from work today.

Will

[PashaDawg]

Turn 29 is out.

Deadline is Friday due to the delay.

Pasha

[Johan K]

Message from KO:
My internet is out of order so I won't be able to do my turns for a while.

[archaeolept]

ooh - party break!

I hear a band of elk ate the phone line KO uses to dial-up :)

also, death to Okin for crimes against friendly wandering Vans!

[JimMorrison]

Pretty sure it was a moose. :o

A single GoR'ed moose, with a Black Heart. :eek:

[Meglobob]

Ashdod has D gems and limited amounts of W and A gems for trade. I would like E,F and S gems in return. Only 1 for 1 trades considered. Would like to complete any trades ASAP, ie...this turn. Probably going to be delayed again due to the moose rebellion KO is facing. Last I heard they had his home surrounded!?!:eek:

PM me if interested.

[archaeolept]

Pretty sure it was a moose. :o

'Moose' is just a neologism for 'Elk' :hammer:

"the common European name for the moose, which is elk. The name elk is connected with the Latin alces, and with Old Norse elgr, Scandinavian elg, and German Elch" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk

[archaeolept]

so, is there a delay on this turn then? because i haven't done mine yet :)

[vfb]

Pretty sure it was a moose. :o

'Moose' is just a neologism for 'Elk' :hammer:

"the common European name for the moose, which is elk. The name elk is connected with the Latin alces, and with Old Norse elgr, Scandinavian elg, and German Elch" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk

Yes, but it has been scientifically proven that the word "moose" has 98% more comedic value than the word "elk". :p

[JimMorrison]

SO wait, what do you call an Elk? A Deer? And you call Deer Mice? I always wondered where that came from..... European people are always so confused about language. ;) ;)

<3

[archaeolept]

SO wait, what do you call an Elk? A Deer?a type of red deer :)

I like how they all, Elk, Moose, and Deer, are the same form for both one and many.
Except for Meese.

[Kristoffer O]

Hi!

Seems my connection will be down for a few days more. They have contacted a field technician. One of the days he might contact me :(

Anyway: send my turns to johan at illwinter. He will do my turns while I'm waiting.

[PashaDawg]

Hi KO:

Okay, I just forwarded your turn to Johan, and I will wait a bit to give him a chance to play the turn.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 30 is out.

Deadline is Thursday.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 31 is out.

Deadline is Sunday night.

[DonCorazon]

I'd like to alert the nations of AsiaTwist of a very serious crisis. Manead starvation, that's right. The randy Maenads have overexpanded at an alarming rate and as ironic as it may seem, Pan just can't seem to produce enough food to keep all our lovely ladies well fed. Incursions across the Ashdod wastelands are futile in spite of our collection of magical wine bags (these just seem to further fuel the population explosion as the Pans end up with another 20 girls after a night with an endless bag of wine). Our Maenads are becoming skinny and diseased with malnutrition and look like the girls that Heff kicks out of the mansion. We are setting up a charity to raise awareness of this crisis. Donations can be sent to the Feed the Maenads fund. Don't stand by while this tragedy unfolds - act now! :)

[JimMorrison]

It truly is a shame, how inefficient a sprawling horde of naked women can become.

Oh if only Pan would consent to have some fun with Ermor as well, Atlantis has many Nature gems with no real use..... :angel

[Meglobob]

Ashdod welcomes all naked women to his capital...:)

Bring the wine as well.:D

The Pans can stay at home.

Oh yea, on a more serious note, the Ashdod capital may eventually fall to one of you but it will be over the largest mountain of bodies ever seen in dominions history!:tough:

[JimMorrison]

Is that because your castle is already built on said mountain? :p I'm not sure that the Rephaiim et al will have many realistic uses for human sized women, naked or not. ;) Plus, by the time they reach you, they will have been buffed with Barkskin, blech. :(

[PashaDawg]

Turn 32 is out.

Deadline will be Thursday, due to the delay. That way, everyone should have plenty of time to get their turns in. :)

Pasha

[Slobby]

3 Adons down...

[Meglobob]

3 Adons down...

Baby Adons, with no equipment:)

[Slobby]

3 Adons down...

Baby Adons, with no equipment:)

Then I shall dub the squadron "Baby Killas" :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 33 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday.

[DragonFire11]

My feckless forces forced to flight. The end has dawned. My god still has a sword and will go down swinging.

[DonCorazon]

Do not go gentle into that Ashdod night, rage, rage against the dying of the light!

[DragonFire11]

Ashdod is a secondary consideration. Giants to South. Ch'i to west. I had minimal land to begin with so their expansion quickly drained my coin. Haven't had a recruit in a long time.

Wish I could have done more against Ashdod.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 34 is out. Because of the delay in hosting, turns will be due on Friday instead of Thursday.

Pasha

[Meglobob]

Do not go gentle into that Ashdod night, rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Or you could just grab the provinces of your allies, who actually fought Ashdod, well avoiding any and all fighting yourself. Hope your listening R'lyeh, Caleum, Eriu! Where has all your fighting got you...only the tree huggers have really gained anything! Feeling at all used...?

[DragonFire11]

Do not go gentle into that Ashdod night, rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Or you could just grab the provinces of your allies, who actually fought Ashdod, well avoiding any and all fighting yourself. Hope your listening R'lyeh, Caleum, Eriu! Where has all your fighting got you...only the tree huggers have really gained anything! Feeling at all used...?

I had a very weak start and I did in fact engage Ashdod with my full and total force (including god and prophet) and since then I've had no funds to reinforce. I had to pull back to try to get lands for income. That effort will fail, and fairly so since I'm quite weak and unskilled.

That I’m not very good at the game does not mean I didn’t try. It just means that you could not discern the effort.

[Revolution]

Do not go gentle into that Ashdod night, rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Or you could just grab the provinces of your allies, who actually fought Ashdod, well avoiding any and all fighting yourself. Hope your listening R'lyeh, Caleum, Eriu! Where has all your fighting got you...only the tree huggers have really gained anything! Feeling at all used...?

I had a very weak start and I did in fact engage Ashdod with my full and total force (including god and prophet) and since then I've had no funds to reinforce. I had to pull back to try to get lands for income. That effort will fail, and fairly so since I'm quite weak and unskilled.

That I’m not very good at the game does not mean I didn’t try. It just means that you could not discern the effort.


He was referring to Pangea

[DonCorazon]

Anyone fighting Ashdod is more than welcome to take any lands that they took and then lost and that Pan has since taken from Ashdod. We dont really care.

[DragonFire11]

Then I owe Mbob an apology.

Doesn't change the fact that I'm a Dominions Doormat. :)

[JimMorrison]

Then I owe Mbob an apology.

Doesn't change the fact that I'm a Dominions Doormat. :)

A Doorminions Mat? :doh:

[DragonFire11]

Then I owe Mbob an apology.

Doesn't change the fact that I'm a Dominions Doormat. :)

A Doorminions Mat? :doh:

I love it!

[Meglobob]

Dragonfire I have not mentioned you/Arco in any post I have made. You did very well annoying me on my sourthern flank, when all my other opponents had to come at me from the east. Also, your fully kitted out cyclops pretender was dangerous.

Btw, by horror marking one of my Hall of Fame Adon's, Debir very badly. He got attacked by the doom horror Hunter of Heros the next turn. Debir was very nearly a hero but sadly not quite. He managed to reduce the Hunter of Heros to 25 hps, one blow away from killing him, when Debirs soul was ripped from his body.

@Pan - If you really don't care, then why do you keep refusing to engage my last few remaining giants when I clearly give you opportunity to do so! You and your allies only out number me 1,000's to 1, surely you don't expect me to give up my defender advantage as well?!? Are you a fearsome Pan or a mouse?

[Aristander]

Doesn't change the fact that I'm a Dominions Doormat. :)

Dragonfire11 I saw your battle against T'ien Ch'i you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your Astrologers mind burned his cavalry before they could run you down even though there was nothing in their way. The Celestial Empire's fire arrows fell to earth like a a second sun but did your Heart Companions retreat. NO they stood to the end like true Spartans. In the end your pretender was perfect in glory routing all before him.

Well Done.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 35 is out.

Deadline is Sunday.

[DonCorazon]

Mouse. Lots, and lots of very hungry mice.

[Aethyr]

Doesn't change the fact that I'm a Dominions Doormat. :)

Dragonfire11 I saw your battle against T'ien Ch'i you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your Astrologers mind burned his cavalry before they could run you down even though there was nothing in their way. The Celestial Empire's fire arrows fell to earth like a a second sun but did your Heart Companions retreat. NO they stood to the end like true Spartans. In the end your pretender was perfect in glory routing all before him.

Well Done.
Indeed, it was a most humbling defeat and your pretender is a very mighty foe.

[DragonFire11]

Well he has one last chance to prove himself. At least giant blood tastes good.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 36 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday night.

Pasha

[Revolution]

Damn Meglobob, I think our collective Magery was trying to outdo each other in how badly they could miss with their spells.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 37 is out.

Deadline is Sunday.

Pasha

[Meglobob]

Ashdod has large amounts of A,D and W gems to trade for F,S and N gems.

Offer closed to my many enemies Mictlan, Pan, Caelum, R'yleh, Arco and Eriu or the evil 6 as I like to call them...:down:

Long live the glorious Jotuns, Vans, Spiders, Celestial Masters and anyone else kind enough not to wage war vs the Ashdod.:up:

(My turns have never taken longer than 10 mins in this game, so I have time to post in the game thread and play with smilies:soap::nana::banana::rofl:)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 38 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday night.

Pasha

:jam:

[okiN]

Right. It's almost time for me to bow out of this game.

Anyone willing to swear an oath to wipe out the plague of Vanheim is eligible for a war chest of ~300 various gems. Contact via PM. ;)

[archaeolept]

hey, 3 times I asked for peace and the status quo ante bellum. each time my entreaties were rejected, and you instead rounded up a prominent ally to boot-stomp me. Sorry for not submitting more easily to your plans :)

[okiN]

That's a lie and you know it. You didn't want to return to the status quo ante bellum - you wanted me to submit to the new status quo after your invasion and eke out a meager existence in your shadow until you got around to killing me. No thanks, chief - better to make a go of it and go out in a blaze of glory if it fails.

And yeah, I was kinda hoping Pasha would be more powerful than he turned out to be.

Anyway! The offer stands! All takers welcome!

[archaeolept]

sorry? a lie? lol.

I had none of your lands when I offered that - you had been repelled from the mictlan lands and mictlan had them back. The status quo ante bellum was clearly that of before you attacked mictlan. I had gained nothing, and I had no especial interest in pursuing a war with you. you insisted upon it, and claimed some sort of "defensive pact" w/ BL in order to get them to join what was clearly an offensive response, as I was not attacking your lands, and had said I had no interest in doing so. And now you get all emo about losing when it was you who had the strong ally and were looking to gangbang me.

how this was about you "eking out an existence in my shadow" i have no clue - we only had one province connected, I had gained no lands, and was going about my own business.

And Pasha at least attacked and fought me.

[DonCorazon]

Pan formally submits a request to delay tonight’s hosting by 6 hours so that its leader may return home from the rigors of work, sip some hot cocoa, and adequately contemplate how best to feed his clamoring hordes of maenads.

[archaeolept]

ah good - i could use until the regular time tomorrow to get my turn in. have a friend visiting and must drink alcohol :)

[okiN]

sorry? a lie? lol.

I had none of your lands when I offered that - you had been repelled from the mictlan lands and mictlan had them back. The status quo ante bellum was clearly that of before you attacked mictlan.

I'm afraid that's simply not true. You took from me many territories that Mictlan had no claim whatsoever to, including Java and the coastline on the mainland. Either you don't know what you're talking about, or you're running some sort of game here, I don't know. There's no denying the fact that you launched an unwarranted war of aggression, thus I'm not interested in discussing the matter any further.

I had gained nothing, and I had no especial interest in pursuing a war with you. you insisted upon it, and claimed some sort of "defensive pact" w/ BL in order to get them to join what was clearly an offensive response, as I was not attacking your lands, and had said I had no interest in doing so. And now you get all emo about losing when it was you who had the strong ally and were looking to gangbang me.

how this was about you "eking out an existence in my shadow" i have no clue - we only had one province connected, I had gained no lands, and was going about my own business.

You're free to stick to your story for all I care, but it's pretty far removed from how the situation appeared to me. The defence pact was no excuse, but something that Pasha and I agreed on at the start of the game. You attacked, we struck back as best we could. As for getting "emo" - I don't see how that has anything to do with me taking all the last available chances to harm you. Losing with dignity is for chumps.

"From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee." :p

And Pasha at least attacked and fought me.

True enough. None of the pieces really fell into place - Pasha was very slow to mobilize after your attack, I was too afraid to take any action before I had confirmed his support and was hardly prepared for war myself -- not to mention the fact that I had hardly any idea what I was doing. I don't think Pythium is really for me. :)

You crippled me so fast I hardly even noticed it happening, and by the time Pasha was ready to join the fight, I was already out of it. No denying it, you completely outplayed me. Of course this could have been avoided, or at least delayed, if I'd accepted your terms, but that's just not how I do things; there's no fun in that for me. Granted, although I knew it would be ugly going in, I didn't think things would go quite this badly, but there it is.

I doubt my empire is long for this world, but I'll keep fighting as best I can, if only to inconvenience you a little. And for the same reason, my inheritance is still promised to the one I believe is most likely to do you the greatest harm.

Man, that was wordier than I was planning to make it. Thanks to everyone for a good game!

[archaeolept]

I'm afraid that's simply not true. You took from me many territories that Mictlan had no claim whatsoever to, including Java and the coastline on the mainland. Either you don't know what you're talking about, or you're running some sort of game here, I don't know. There's no denying the fact that you launched an unwarranted war of aggression, thus I'm not interested in discussing the matter any further.I had java for a couple of turns before you took it back. it was certainly included in the status quo ante bellum. I had none of your territories and made no pretense to any of them - the only territories you had lost were those around mictlan, which mictlan gained back, and the coastal province, which mictlan had gained.

I know that I had made no territorial gains, nor asked for any, and that my supposed "war of aggression" had been limited solely to defending mictlan's viability from your aggression. I offered peace 3 times; 3 times it was rejected.

[WraithLord]

Hi guys,

I'm going on a vacation until March 25th.
Our esteemed lore master Baalz has agreed to sub for me until I'm back.
Please contact him for anything related to Jotun.

[DragonFire11]

Guys, thanks for the good game. And to the giants, that was a good final battle. I liked going down swinging. I needed double the meat shield but beggars can't be choosers.

To Pdawg, thanks again for doing a great job hosting!

[WraithLord]

Yes indeed. It was a good fight. You nearly had me there DragonFire11.

Hope to play with you in the future preferably as friend not foe.

[PashaDawg]

Thanks for playing Dragonfire.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 41 is out.

Deadline is Thursday.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

Nations of Asia Twist are all too cowardly to send a champion to the arena? Where is the national pride? Our champion's name sums up how we feel about this general lack of manhood.

Also sad, as a community service, the Anti Ashdod Alliance has spent the entire game trying to keep Ashdod in check while the vultures of war (Jotun) have begun to pick off our honorable and war weary members like Arcos and Mictlan. How about the giants of Jotun pick on someone their own size? (Note: Pans are size 3, ehh, to be clear, we are suggesting they pick on someone with units size 5 or greater) :)

[quantum_mechani]

I'd just like to apologize for dropping the ball with Mictlan, a bad time for a series of stales. When I started subbing for the game I had a lot of free time which has since dried up. Anyway, I think this ended up being just one game to many (or maybe one of several too many).

So, one way or another I guess I'm out of the game, hopefully Pasha can find a sub otherwise maybe an AI. Sorry for any destabilization the lack of Mictlan defense may have caused.

[Meglobob]

Nations of Asia Twist are all too cowardly to send a champion to the arena? Where is the national pride? Our champion's name sums up how we feel about this general lack of manhood.

Also sad, as a community service, the Anti Ashdod Alliance has spent the entire game trying to keep Ashdod in check while the vultures of war (Jotun) have begun to pick off our honorable and war weary members like Arcos and Mictlan. How about the giants of Jotun pick on someone their own size? (Note: Pans are size 3, ehh, to be clear, we are suggesting they pick on someone with units size 5 or greater) :)

If I had a spare Akon, it would have gone to the Arena but sadly they were all engaged in controlling Asia Twists growing Maenad epidemic. The slight downward spike in Pans army graph represents 500'ish dead Maenads.

The cowardly tree huggers (Pan) are running out of vassel nations to take the brunt of the fighting, Arco gone, Mictlan going down, Eriu occupied in a war with another nation. Only Caelum/R'lyeh left to hide behind. He always rewards his vassels by adding there lands to his (the recent provinces he took where Caleums), so sign up now. Join Pan who the graphs say is one of the strongest nations in Asia Twist and help control the so very scarey Ashdod (voice dripping with sarcasm) who the graphs rate as one of the weakest nations.

Face facts Pan if you want me dead, you are going to after do it yourself. Now be a Pan, not a mouse.

[DonCorazon]

Normally, we ignore Ashdod's ramblings but this latest rant is so self-contradictory, we must respond:

... Arco gone, Mictlan going down, Eriu occupied in a war with another nation.

Who is killing all these nations? Are they just evaporating? Or is Ashdod so overpowered that any monkey with an E blessing can crush multiple neighbors with ease. The world should take note, once Pan falls or gives up, Ashdod will be their problem. Now is the time to jump on them.

Only Caelum/R'lyeh left to hide behind. He always rewards his vassels by adding there lands to his (the recent provinces he took where Caleums), so sign up now.

Well, if Pan is hiding behind Caelum, why is Pan kicking Ashdod off Caelum's land? Oops. And how does Pan hide behind an ocean nation? Anyhow, the AAA are always welcome to take back any lands recovered in the war. Frankly we are just tired of those Adons running away into conquered lands (by the way we had no idea til this last turn how far Ashdod had spread in Caelum's lands 148, 165, 156....

IThe slight downward spike in Pans army graph represents 500'ish dead Maenads....The cowardly tree huggers (Pan) are running out of vassel nations to take the brunt of the fighting...Face facts Pan if you want me dead, you are going to after do it yourself. Now be a Pan, not a mouse.

Apparently we aren't bearing the brunt of war but we lost 500+ good citizens of Pan? Strange logic. Shows how effective naked women are against bladewind, shadow blast, earthquake spamming mages backed up with Protection 24, fireshielded, reinvigorating Adons. Oh, but Pan does have those great 350 gp non-sacred N3 combat mages (voice also dripping with saracasm)

Join Pan who the graphs say is one of the strongest nations in Asia Twist and help control the so very scarey Ashdod (voice dripping with sarcasm) who the graphs rate as one of the weakest nations.

Strongest - are you kidding - what is land without gems or research or income? Lot of good 500+ Maenads did. But a nation that can recruit an SC every turn...I know who I'd rather face. Pan knows its lost this game, now we are just trying to have fun seeing all the ways we can lose trying to stop the big A.

[PashaDawg]

I have turned Mictlan, AI. Thanks for playing and filling in while you could. QM. :)

[Baalz]

How about the giants of Jotun pick on someone their own size? (Note: Pans are size 3, ehh, to be clear, we are suggesting they pick on someone with units size 5 or greater) :)


HAHAHA. LOOTLE FURY MAN FUNNY. WE SEND VAETTI TO PLAY WITH YOU SO YOU NO FEEL TO SCARED TO COME OUT OF CASTLE.

[Meglobob]

Normally, we ignore Ashdod's ramblings but this latest rant is so self-contradictory, we must respond:

... Arco gone, Mictlan going down, Eriu occupied in a war with another nation.

Who is killing all these nations? Are they just evaporating? Or is Ashdod so overpowered that any monkey with an E blessing can crush multiple neighbors with ease. The world should take note, once Pan falls or gives up, Ashdod will be their problem. Now is the time to jump on them.

I have not killed 1 nation this entire game! Not even Ulm (you did, remember), all I have done is defend myself against unprovoked agression. Arco, Mictlan all killed by other nations, oh sure I weakened them by destroying there invading armies but that was just self defense.

Besides your 10,000's maenads, you have GoR, fully kitted out gargoyles, fully kitted out Pans with simply awesome amounts of magic items. A HUGE blood slave economy which of course does not show up on the graphs, besides your hordes of normal gems. A Gorgon god who stands 1st in the Hall of Heros as the most powerful being in the multiverse.

Don't pretend Pan, your aim is too slaughter all other gods in Asia Twist but you know taking me down will hurt you badly and leave you vulnerable to your neighbours. So your desperate for any poor sap to do your dirty work for you. Come clean, tree huggers, come clean.

Just look at the graphs I say, look at those graphs. They don't lie.

[JimMorrison]

Just look at the graphs I say, look at those graphs. They don't lie.

Graphs don't tend to lie, much (sometimes they embellish ;)). But, people sure do have a hard time reading them, and acting accordingly.....

[DonCorazon]

Haha, Ashdod - you crack me up. I never imagined a single gargoyle with a snake skin bladder would be spun as Pan having "fully kitted out gargoyles" and where you got the idea that I have a "HUGE blood slave economy" and "hordes of normal gems" escapes me. Pan can barely afford a blood slave hunter given our upkeep and the lands of Pan are as barren as an Issaccharite Sybyl. No Con 8, no Conj 8, just Vine Arrows and Barkskin for us. Oh, and our fearsome Tunes.

The only thing you said that was true is that we have the most powerful being in the multiverse (though it has yet to kill a single Adon). Now if you would just bow down and acknowledge that we could all just go home. :)

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Someone patched before submitting their turn. So... now my game crashes when I try to host.

In any case, I patched to remedy the problem, but the Mac patch is version 3.22 rather than 3.23. I have contacted Shrapnel and requested that they update the mac patch.

Sorry for the delay.

Pasha

[Revolution]

Does this mean we have to resubmit a patched turn file or will it be ok?

[archaeolept]

ok

______________________________
"The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 3 characters."

[DragonFire11]

Hey, if anyone ever needs a sub in this game I'm free now. :) Just keep in mind that my skills are marginal.

[archaeolept]

Wow, Pasha - you have created a game so enticing that people are actually trying to sub in :p

[Slobby]

so is it safe to say I can download the new patch?

[archaeolept]

sure thing slobby - we just have to wait until Illwinter fixes the mac patch, or Pasha uses some alternate route to host

[PashaDawg]

Turn 43 is out. Deadline is Tuesday.

The game has been patched to version 3.23b.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

:lightning: :bone: :lightning: :bone: :dagger: :lightning: :bone: :lightning: :bone: :dagger: :lightning: :bone: :lightning: :lightning: :bone: :lightning:
:skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :evil: :evil: :evil: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull:

Go Monkeys! We have Vanheim just where we want 'em!

RELEASE THE ****DOOM WEAPON****!!!! :fire:

(Shouted in an insidious, crazed monkey screech.)

:lightning: :bone: :lightning: :bone: :dagger: :lightning: :bone: :lightning: :bone: :dagger: :lightning: :bone: :lightning: :lightning: :bone: :lightning:
:skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :evil: :evil: :evil: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull:

[Meglobob]

Ashdod marks the passing of Shalim, there hero of hero's, he whom all other Akon tried to emulate.

He died a hero's death, singlehanded, taking on a army of hundreds.

The entire nation moans his passing.

[Aristander]

The seers fortell all and they proclaim Shalim's death as a sign of things to come.

Ashdod Delenda Est!

[Meglobob]

The seers fortell all and they proclaim Shalim's death as a sign of things to come.

Ashdod Delenda Est!

Our seers told us this many moons ago, but there vision, showed the last Akon dieing atop legion upon legion of enemy corpses. Much of which has already come true. The Ashdod have no fear that they may soon pass from this world.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 44 is out.

Deadline is Thursday.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

We salute Shalim - I still can't tell what killed him after several reviews. I do wonder also how that other Adon who has heroic obesity, which now adds like 50HP, should be allowed to fly. I can just see those poor winged boots straining to lift that fat f@#ker... :)

[archaeolept]

I believe the excess blubber helps him to float.

In other news, the nation of pythium has seemingly reconsidered its pacifist ways, and has now attacked the glorious land of the vans. This no doubt heralds a complete change in the course of the war. We salute the brave pyth for having ventured outside of their doubtless exceptionally cozy walls.

[archaeolept]

/me requests a couple hours extension - although tomorrow would also work ;)

[WraithLord]

I'm back in town and will take over Jotun starting next turn.

Thank you Baalz for stepping in for me!

I see that the game has heated up considerably. Yummi :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 45 is out.

Deadline is Sunday.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

and a moment to mark the passing of the splendid civilization of the simians. already we are instituting helpful retraining and educational seminars for the local populace.

[Revolution]

and a moment to mark the passing of the splendid civilization of the simians. already we are instituting helpful retraining and educational seminars for the local populace.

You're making an army of monkey slave warriors aren't you...

Also goodbye pasha and thanks for hosting/continuing to host this game. In a kinder world, you would have sent me your leftover gems.

[PashaDawg]

Thank you.

The extra gems were bequeathed to another, and there were not many.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 46 is out. Deadline is Tuesday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello!

Okay. We are back on the road! Yay.

Turn 47 is out, and turns are due back by Sunday night.

Thanks to Dragonfire for taking over Machaka!

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 48 is out.

Deadline will be Wednesday because of the slightly delayed hosting.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 49 is out. Turns are due Sunday night.

Aristander is out of town for about a week. I have agreed to be a sub for him. If anyone is concerned about that, please let me know. I don't think I have any information about other player's positions that would prove useful.

Thanks.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

Man, how does Ashdod manage to survive against all that's thrown at it???
Were I a bard I'd have written a song worthy of the tale - Alas I'm better with perl and python than with pen and paper.

[Meglobob]

Ashdod are better at swinging a sword then telling tales and singing songs.

Some last intel, from the handful of giants remaining in the twin citys.

We managed to fight off a assault on our capital, Pan attacked with 27 commanders and 354 troops. We killed 4 commanders and 280 of the foe to send them fleeing from the battleground, 11 giants were lost, a grevious loss.

The never ending hordes of Pan will be back.

Caelum has all 3 Air Queens and his god plus hundreds of troops closing in. Never ending hordes of banelords are spewing forth as well.

R'lyleh came a shore with a army of 65 starspawn mages, with too many bottles of water to even mention and a army of 500 or so.

This will probably be the last message to leave the twin citys but at least we killed that annoying pan gargoyle thug this month too...:)

[DonCorazon]

Today Pan mourns the passing of Gary the Gargoyle. Gary was no ordinary gargoyle - when war came to the west and his other gargoyle buddies were hanging around churches or on the walls of castles, Gary took up the call to arms and inspired a nation of naked women to rise up. Gary was poor, his parents couldn't afford to give him much, nothing over 5 gems, and he went around barefoot. Nevertheless, he was the scourge of Ashdod, conquering province after province for years until last month, he flew too high, and was brought down.

Gary, you taught Pan bravery, you showed us the little guy can bring down the giant. And we still don't understand how naked women can kill a protection 37 regenerating Adon but now we see where there is a will there is a way

RIP Gary, RIP.

PS Now if only we could kill that fat Adon, Dar, - good lord he must weigh 4,000 kgs.

[Meglobob]

PS Now if only we could kill that fat Adon - good lord he must weigh 4,000 kgs.

Feel for his boots of flying...:)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 50 is out.

Deadline is Thursday night, due to the late hosting.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

Perhaps the benighted pyth, in the future, might meditate on the value of quality hats.

*'future' being used in the purely rhetorical sense.

[WraithLord]

or BE on round 1, or have S9 bless or... good old metal steal hats :)

Sorry to see Pythium fall for one of the oldest and most hated (when you're at the receiving end that is) tricks in the book.

All in all, archae did some impressive job fighting two competent kingdoms at the same time. He's one guy you *don't* want to get into an argument with!

[PashaDawg]

Turn 51 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Jotun has requested that the turn be due on Thursday instead of Tuesday so he can have more time to play his turn.

I am thinking that it might be good to switch the turn schedule to 2 turns / week now that turns are taking more time. Does anybody object?

After Thursday, I am thinking of a schedule of Wednesdays & Sundays.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

Sounds great :)

[DonCorazon]

Word has reached the ears of the forestals of fear mongering, whispers of an alliance, hints of danger. Rest assured, the raison d'être of Pan was to bring down the valiant and ferocious empire of Ashdod. Even in that we have failed, our pretender slain. And now we turn our swords to plowshares, and fall back to the ancient groves. The true threat to this world should be obvious to all. Ask yourselves - who has grown fat plucking off weak nations one by one? who has avoided any serious wars that would strain their resources? who is commanded by a top 3 HoFer whose diplomacy this game should be a case study in MP strategy? and as a result, who leads this world in provinces, gem income, gold, forts, and - if you don't count naked women - army? :)

Pan on the other hand has, probably unwisely, done its best to bring down the mightiest empire in the Middle Era. Despite his claims otherwise, our blood is thick in the soil of Ashdod, our coffers depleted, our people tired. The old alliances are fading. Now we wait for a nation to lead the coming resistance in the new age. And if nobody rises to unite the weak, we guarantee you that this world will be brought to its knees by the lord of the jötnar.

:skull: :skull: :skull: :skull:

[WraithLord]

The score graphs may relay superficial information at times and so wrong conclusions are possible.

While my nation is no doubt strong it has the disadvantage that it had to sacrifice research. Research is very important as well. Why, come late to high const. or conj. and you'll find that all the artifacts are forged and all the unique summons are gone. I just reached const. 8 last turn and lo and behold I found most artificats already forged with only a few crappy ones left.
Globabls are also an important factor, of which I have 0 up and no plans of putting one up so as not to upset the rest of the nations.

And while the score graphs give me lead in gems and gold I'm followed closely by two nations and then there's a host of nations somewhat but not too much behind. As for armies, mine are mostly chaff that I recruit/summon to patrol.

Were I forced to a 1v1 war against any of the two nations closest to me in the graphs, I'm sure the war would be bitter and difficult and waste us both up. A 2v1 war against me will finish me surely -- so how strong does that make Jotun?

The HoF bit may be irrelevant, this game has a number of HoFers in top positions. All are excellent players and the differences in skill, if any, are surely minute.

A diplomatic heavy game like dominions will usually favor the nations that work together so where exactly does that put Jotun?- I'd say quite far behind.

Perhaps Pan is truly concerned about the perceived might of Jotun and perhaps its just propaganda to get the nations worked up so that Jotun would be lynched.
I think Jotun may be first in strength among equals. And yet, it may not - b/c who knows which nation hoarded all those worthy artifacts or uniques or has a tartarian factory running.

I will do some thinking on what constructive steps I may take in order to further alleviate fears of me.
My advise is to be ware of possible manipulations, separate real from perceived threats and consider who stands to gain in the long run from Jotun's fall.
And...
enjoy the game :) it has become quite interesting indeed :D

[Aethyr]

When the mighty disavow their strenght all others should take great care. ;)

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 52 is out.

Because of the slightly late hosting, I'd like to have the turn due on Wednesday. That will give everyone plenty of time and get us onto the Sunday / Wednesday schedule.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

Mundifare the Magnificent, that golden jarl, laid the killing blow.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 54 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday, May 13.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 55 is out.

Let's try to stay on schedule and keep the turn due on Sunday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 56 is out.

I will be away this weekend, and so the turns will be due on MONDAY.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

please host the motherf**king game. There is no reason that the game should be being delayed for Jim Morrison - he took on far too many games, and now can't get in a piddly little turn for his piddly little nation after 9 fricking days.

[archaeolept]

thanks for the turn, pasha. next should be due sunday :)

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 57 is out. Turns are due Sunday.

Machaka has gone AI.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

Pan would like to trade for some death gems, if anyone's interested.

[DonCorazon]

Its not for Tarts, honestly, we are quite a backward nation that just got to Conj 7. Please, open up your heart and your purses and contribute to the Pan Sponsor-a-Spectre Fund.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 58 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 60 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday night at 9pm Boston time.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

Mission Control: “El Greco, this is Mission Control, please report mission status?”

El Greco: “Target has been terminated.”

Mission Control: “Please verify appearance. We have conflicting reports that a large figure radiating invincible power is still alive and well.”

El Greco: “Appearance. Hmm…about 6 feet tall, 2 eyes, pale….”

Mission Control: “Gahh…what the hell. El Greco, the target is 60 feet tall, not 6. And he’s made of solid granite – why do you think we set you up with all that specialized gear from the Pangean Institute of Technology? Damnit El Greco, this is your last f-up. Report back to base immediately. We are revoking your commander status, you’ll be collared and placed back in the shadow fiend division.”

El Greco: “Screw that Mission Control…I’m sick of this BS. Not everyone wants to run naked through the woods. I’m quitting”

Mission Control: “No quitting the Agency El Greco. Your life is forfeit...

Magical 2-way sea shell communicator goes silent.

Warning: El Greco the Pangean assassin has gone rogue. No saying who his target might be. In fact, he might be selling his services.

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

Turn 61 is out.

Turns will be due by Sunday night at 9pm Boston time.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

I think I have noticed what looks like a small bug. Bifrons is 7th in the HoF yet has received no heroic ability - first time I see something like this happen. Poor Bifrons all sad and lonely and envies the heroically-abled HoFers.

Oh and while I'm at it - I noticed that casting BE, luck and/or astral shield removes blessed status from my shrouded specter.

[archaeolept]

uniques don't get heroic abilities anymore.

[WraithLord]

Oh, I thought only pretenders don't get them. Thanks archaeolept.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 63 is out.

Hmmm. We have fallen off the Wednesday / Sunday Schedule. Let's have the next turn due on Wednesday to get us back on track.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

It took 63 turns of concentrated effort to bring down the beast named Ashdod. I shudder to think what would have been the world's fate had not the courages alliance been formed so early.

That said, I do think that MB's resilience and stubborns are awe inspiring. A great hero leaves the game this day.

DonC, congrats for your great victory today, your nation is indeed a power to be reckoned with. Last turns fireworks display was spectacular :)

[Meglobob]

One final note:-

Invincible Power was never defeated in combat and so lived upto his name. He was auto killed retreating into enemy lands.

Enjoy the end game folks...:D

[DonCorazon]

Invincible Power indeed lived up to his name probably slaying or maiming thousands of Pangeans throughout the long war including smiting down our Fair Lady.

A nation defines itself by its enemies - we are sad that our mighty foe is gone, and will have to look for another equally challenging enemy to measure ourselves by, perhaps one who has yet to be tested.... :)

GG MB, you were a tenacious foe that would have handily defeated Pan had you not been attacked by almost every one of your neighbors.

[DonCorazon]

Pan just witnessed the horrible slaughter of yet another weakened nation, our dear neighbors in Shinuyama. We can no longer stand by passively while Jotun continues its practice of preying on the weak, inching its way closer to ascension. Our quest to rid the world of giants hereby extends to the frost jarls.

Pan has been drained in our long fight against the powerhouse that was Ashdod so we do not expect to do much against the Jotun war machine, but at least we will die on our feet.

[Notice on NAP-3 hereby given :)]

[WraithLord]

We have no quarrel with the noble pangaean people and had stood by our end of the peace agreement even during the long period of time in which Pangaea was busy fighting Ashdod.

It is with great sadness that these news are received by the Jarls. Alas, it seems that this time war is forced upon us.

[PashaDawg]

rdonj as asked that I share some back turns with him so he can see how the turns played out. I have each turn archived in backups. Any objection? As long as he does not share the info with the folks who are still in the game, I see no reason against sharing the turns with him.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

I object, while the game is still ongoing. As a general rule, how is one to prevent information from leaking out? While in this case rdonj may be a fully faithful agent, that cannot always be guaranteed.

Unless he is subbing and wishes to see his own nation's back turns???

[Aethyr]

I concur with Arch.

[DonCorazon]

Clearly a Jotunheim ploy to steal secret Pangean war plans :)

[rdonj]

Hey. No, I'm not subbing. I just requested access to meglobob's turn files, wanting to see how an expert player would use them to their best advantage, particularly when by all accounts he did an outstanding job in this game. However it seems that the turn files are all bundled together and I would end up getting all the files for whatever turns I received.

In any case I fully understand your reticence and will respect your wishes.

[archaeolept]

well, they shouldn't need to be bundled - a starting .trn file, and the list of ashdod .2h files wouldn't cause me any issues. Really, all you could see would be "public" interactions between ashdod and those fighting him. As long as .2h files from active nations aren't given out, I would be fine with it. The OP was unclear about what was being proposed.

however, the .2h files would need to be "de-bundled"

[PashaDawg]

The backups are zips of the game folder for each turn. While I could do it, it would be a pain to take the time to delete lots of files, etc. I suppose I will send him a few now, and if he wants more after the game is done, then I could send more.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

I see no urgency here so I vote for waiting until the game ends.

[Aethyr]

I concur.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 65 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday.

[PashaDawg]

I see no urgency here so I vote for waiting until the game ends.

Okay with me. I will wait to share the turns until after the game is done.

Pasha

[Aethyr]

To the Lord of Vanheim:

We appreciated your message, but we must respectfully disagree. We post our notification here so that you and all others may know. This is the last turn of our peace. Prepare thyself.

The Celestial Empire

[archaeolept]

Hi Aethyr. we had a 3 turn nap. Last game turn, turn 63, I received a notification of NAP ending through the ingame message system. As such, last turn counts as the first of the 3 turns; this turn as the second, and next turn will be the third of the 3 turns notification. I'm not sure how you can squeeze 3 turns of NAP into 2 turns of notice.

as it is, you are saying that a notice given on turn 63 means attacks can land on turn 65. 65-63=2.

[archaeolept]

ah sorry, I was confused by the turn numberings from pasha's emails. notice of end of NAP was received turn 64. it is now turn 65. So there should be one more turn of peace, as I maintained. I believe Aethyr thought he had sent the notice a turn earlier. Thanks Pasha for checking that out.

[Aethyr]

Arch, I sent you an e-mail as well. I was wrong; you are absolutely correct. Thanks Pasha for setting me straight.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 66 is out.

Turns are due by Wednesday.

Pasha

[Aristander]

Wow! the whole Starspawn teleport thing can be really devastating.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 68 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

Wow, both heims are under siege. That's plain discrimination against the nordic peoples. Shame on all who makes war on us.
Go go go xxxheim!

[archaeolept]

confirming that we are devastated.

also, will purchase remote rituals... EA, GR, horrors... reasonable reimbursement.

:)

[archaeolept]

It is the fate of the Van to be beset by foes.

Originally, a small group of Van engineers was surveying a local swamp in order to consider possible drainage due its the well-known propensity for causing disease. Unhappily, the surverors were set upon by some of our idiot cousins (due to a distant shameful episode with some forest dryads) who had no doubt been overly-indulging in nettle-beer and huffing swamp gas. Our purely humanitarian mission was massacred. This led to the necessity of certain measures for the maintenance of public order and good governance, and to the disarming of bands of inchoate rabble that were to be found roaming in the area.

While our peace-keepers were occupied, unbeknownst to us, it would seem that some renegade pythian criminals had been spreading hateful propaganda and astral degeneracy to the weak-willed practitioners of T'ien Ch'i. It is clear to us that the mind-destroying scourge of astral magic is to blame; who can doubt that only specially trained academics should be allowed to learn even a modicum of such foul arts? In lockstep with the Easterners, the vile void worshippers of the deeps also joined in a pact to make the doom of the Van.

But it is not our lot to walk meekly with heads bent into the eternal sun of the North. We shall continue to resist the astral scourge as long as there is one Van left breathing; or even not breathing.

[Aethyr]

Not breathing indeed. Many celestial maidens lost thier lives to spy out the secret locations of Van's foul magics. The barbarians have opened gates closed long ago...gates through which insane elder once-gods have stepped.

The ancient scrolls foretell of such an occurance. While the outcome of the struggle has been lost to the mists of time, one clear message is conveyed: The Celestial Empire must resist the Van even though it may mean the utter destruction of our nation.

To the nations of the land: our trading houses are open and the fires of our forges are hot. Though your own wars may prevent you from assisting directly, your patronage can help us resist this predator of blood and death. Send your requests privately via your swiftest courier.

May the celestial lights guide your decesions,

Aethyr,
Grand Minister to the Celestial Court

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 69 is out.

Deadline is Sunday.

Wraithlord has expressed a desire to slow the pace of the game to perhaps one turn every five days (maybe a Thursday-Tuesday-Sunday schedule). What do other players think? I am happy with a slower pace, but I am not a player.

Thanks.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

Thank you Pasha for posting this.

Fellow players - I hope you won't mind the slower pace. I can tell you my turns take about 6 hours. In-fact they were getting so long that I had to divide them into distinct phases just so I can keep track. Since finding those 6 hours during work week is hard enough and given that we have three days (3.5 on avg) between turns - well I hope you can understand why I'm requesting a slower pace.

I warn you, I'll take no responses for an agreement :)

Thank you for your understanding!

[archaeolept]

5 seems a bit much to me... that's the sort of pace I expect for a huge late-game empire, like turn 90-100. I'm generally fine w/ this pace, though I could live w/ slower hosting I guess. How about a solid 4 days per turn, as Pasha is quite amenable to delaying a turn a day if necessary, that should help you out whenever you have a difficult turn?

But I'm fine with whatever consensus is reached.

I figure my empire is as complicated, and I know that at least one of your adversaries tends to lose interest in a game if the turns become too stretched out :(

[archaeolept]

ehhh, i'm on the downswing anyways... as no one else has expressed any care one way or the other, go ahead then.

[Aethyr]

I'll defer to the group.

[WraithLord]

My empire now takes more time to manage than the one I had in artifacts game on turn 104+. I was 2nd place in most graphs then and had a pretty sizable empire.

How about a compromise?- Let's slow down to 4 days until turn 80 and then move to 5 days. Would that work for you?

[Revolution]

My empire now takes more time to manage than the one I had in artifacts game on turn 104+. I was 2nd place in most graphs then and had a pretty sizable empire.

How about a compromise?- Let's slow down to 4 days until turn 80 and then move to 5 days. Would that work for you?

sounds fine to me...I don't need the longer time, but I'm ok with the change.

[Aristander]

I would like a longer time. I feel rushed to get my weekend turn in because I to to a place without internet Friday, Sat, Sun for the next month.

Aristander

[PashaDawg]

Okay. Let's go for a turn every 4 days until turn 80, and then one every 5 days.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 70 is out.

Deadline is SATURDAY.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 71 is out.

Deadline is Thursday night at 9:00 pm Boston Time.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 72 is out.

Deadline is MONDAY.

Thanks.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

nice siege-breaker from Eriu. Definitely a victory for him, even if pyrrhic. It was a good case study in the importance of the quality of chaff - my corpse constructs vs. his sea trolls and mechanical men. I knew my chaff were sub-standard, but fighting a multi-front war necessarily leads to certain corners being cut.

good fight :)

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 73 is out.

Deadline is Saturday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

requested a one day extension until sunday.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 74 is out.

Deadline is Thursday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 75 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

A good fight by Slobby - ended somewhat unexpectedly, due to jotunheim teleporting in on his last remaining provinces. Almost sorry I didn't get to fight his super speed hero - something like 250 movement after he casts quickness. Higher than I've ever seen :)

I would say that jumping in and taking neutral/eriu territories right in the middle of the fight, provinces that had previously been held by me even, is a very borderline interpretation of a NAP. Anonymous remote spells are perhaps a legitimate grey area, but contested lands in the middle of a military campaign? I take it that if barbarians or caelum grabs one of Jot's territories it is thus equally non-aggressive for me to help myself to them. :)

[archaeolept]

Aethyr - routing an SC is a classic cheap way to deal with them. I strongly advise against using something like that as support to a bunch of otherwise fairly unimportant scrub troops. He escaped that same fate previously when you threw up that insta-castle; now his luck has run out.

Wraithlord: having not paid any attention to victory conditions, I was a bit shocked to see (two turns back) that this game only has a 7 vp victory condition. I had completely forgotten about this, although I must have known at one time. Ok, so I'm stupid :)

It seems a bit sad for such an epic game to rest upon teleporting on someone's poorly defended vp, but I don't really see a good way to modify the conditions. Perhaps that one has to have the walls on an 8th breached before trying for the 7th?

[Slobby]

gg all was fun :)

[Aethyr]

Bye Slobby..

@ Arch, yeah pretty dumb move on my part to leave myself vunerable that way, the rit. of returing made me less cautious than I should have been.

[archaeolept]

yeah, I figured that's why you felt secure.

[Aethyr]

live and learn...or in my case, die & learn would be more appropriate I guess. :D

[WraithLord]

A good fight by Slobby - ended somewhat unexpectedly, due to jotunheim teleporting in on his last remaining provinces. Almost sorry I didn't get to fight his super speed hero - something like 250 movement after he casts quickness. Higher than I've ever seen :)

I would say that jumping in and taking neutral/eriu territories right in the middle of the fight, provinces that had previously been held by me even, is a very borderline interpretation of a NAP. Anonymous remote spells are perhaps a legitimate grey area, but contested lands in the middle of a military campaign? I take it that if barbarians or caelum grabs one of Jot's territories it is thus equally non-aggressive for me to help myself to them. :)

Technically, this is not in violation of NAP. However I do agree that this is in the gray area and is not something I'd normally do. The reason I made an exception is that you are very close to winning the game. You have remaining two VPs under siege and will likely take them soon. I need a leverage on Eriu's VP in order to stand a chance. I have waited at least on turn to see if you'll take these provinces back. When I saw you are not doing so I made my move.

You want to do the same on Caelum/Neutral provinces?- Sure, Just wait a turn to see if I take them back like I did before taking said provinces.

[WraithLord]

...
Wraithlord: having not paid any attention to victory conditions, I was a bit shocked to see (two turns back) that this game only has a 7 vp victory condition. I had completely forgotten about this, although I must have known at one time. Ok, so I'm stupid :)

It seems a bit sad for such an epic game to rest upon teleporting on someone's poorly defended vp, but I don't really see a good way to modify the conditions. Perhaps that one has to have the walls on an 8th breached before trying for the 7th?

Heh, there I was thinking you had it all planned ahead :D

Yes, I agree 7 VP is low for this game, or in large scale game for that matter IMHO. I think 9 is a more appropriate number.
We are both two VPs short of victory and both very close to get them. I'd say it's quite likely we either take the last VP at exactly the same turn or one of us is a turn short.
Pretty lame considering the awesomeness of the game so far.
Perhaps we can just call it a draw and end it there b/c there's no way to technically change the victory conditions now?

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

A player has requested an extension until Thursday, which I granted.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Thanks for playing Slobby! You lasted a lot longer than me! :D

[archaeolept]

Technically, this is not in violation of NAP. However I do agree that this is in the gray area and is not something I'd normally do. The reason I made an exception is that you are very close to winning the game. You have remaining two VPs under siege and will likely take them soon. I need a leverage on Eriu's VP in order to stand a chance. this is quite understandable, and I don't even disagree with the appeal to force majeure. Yet if you can decide to interpret NAPs as you wish due to the situation (as well you should), how can I maintain any confidence that you might not decide upon similar, further, interpretations as these turns progress? If my having one fewer VP than you, but having broken walls on another (and having a tart besieging 300 TC troops in another cap, as you had one unit besieging another VP) serves as justification for getting "needed leverage", how much stronger will be the justifications for other acts forthcoming?

I do not wish for the other game players to point and whisper as I pass, a poor cuckold and chump, good only for the derision of the multitude. ;)


perhaps i should probe those territories w/ some scouts, merely in order to determine whether you have decided you were in error and vacated the disputed lands. or should we just dispense w/ the niceties next turn, and set to brawl?

[WraithLord]

Well, I plan no further excursions into the gray area of our NAP, so to speak. I am willing to stand by the terms of our NAP until it expires, to the word and to the spirit. My actions mean no disrespect to you, there's no violation of our NAP and these lands were uncontested for at least one turn before I took them. I already told you that if you want you can answer with the same coin.

However, If you have come to the decision that an immediate termination of our NAP aligns with your interests then I would not force you to wait anymore. We can then agree to give the attack orders next turn.

You see, I'm willing to play it as you will, taking a serious risk that you have a hidden reason for breaking the NAP earlier. I would say this, and being so close to winning puts you quite far from being a poor chump :)

[WraithLord]

[QUOTE=WraithLord;705806]
...
Yet if you can decide to interpret NAPs as you wish due to the situation (as well you should)...

That claim is flawed. NAP stands for no aggression acts which by consensus include acts of war, attacks, remote spells and so forth. Attacking independent or 3rd party provinces is not a breach of NAP and is not a matter of interpretation.

[archaeolept]

Of course it is, as you yourself put forward. How else could it be considered a "grey area", something you "wouldn't normally do", except under the pressure of the situation (namely that I was about to match you in VPs and thus "close to winning the game"). If barbarians attack your province, it is not open to me, conventionally under a NAP, to take it while your attention is elsewhere (and then be defended from any counteraction by the supposed NAP), nor is there any "one turn rule" for dibsies. If this were not so, it would be possible to siege someone's cap w/ whom you supposedly have a non-aggression pact, or block paths of retreat in a war with a third entity (or interdict pursuing forces, as could have happened in the Eriu situation, as I almost sent forces into two of those territories to finish him off). No NAP could hold under such circumstances. Somewhat similarly, as you implied, no NAP can really hold under a situation of imminent victory, either ("force majeure").

But, as I said, I basically agree with your right to do so, though you could well have cleared up this question in advance before taking action, as that would have allowed me to operate under equivalent conditions :)

[WraithLord]

I see your points.
And well, they are not worth all the hassle. I can give 17 back to you this turn, 304 next turn and a province of mine in exchange for 282. There you go, I am stepping out of the gray and into the light ;)
Would that work for you?
I'm off to sleep now, please answer here or PM me if you wish to discuss different amendment. I suggest we come to an agreement before the turn hosts.

[archaeolept]

that's a fair offer, WL - but I don't really mind you setting up to contest that VP - I think it would be better if we are free to contest and counter-contest all the vps, as we are both at 5 and sieging others. Maintaining the NAP in these conditions will just lead to further lawyerly discussions ;p

keep the territories, and have our actions free next turn?

also, I'll refrain from jumping on those tarts :p

[archaeolept]

edit: oic, 282 is the province next to the cap. still a reasonable proposal.

[WraithLord]

Immediate termination of the NAP puts me at a disadvantage since I haven't planned for it. If you like to end it earlier than I suggest we end it on turn 77 - i.e give hostile orders that turn. I think we should have plenty of time to brawl then since it's not likely any of us would get that last VP by then.

[archaeolept]

neither have I planned for it - it is not like I was expecting you to teleport tarts in to territories in active dispute. The status of the NAP is highly questionable due to this being the end-game, and due to your own actions.

I will consider those territories as a legitimate target, as well as any VP area, in accordance w/ necessity, and following your own prior justification, though I am also willing to wait until next turn before any action. I certainly cannot trust that you will not decide to do something similar again, and so cannot deny myself from acting in a like manner.

If one desires to maintain the "technical" sense of a NAP one should perhaps consider the results of pushing a NAP to its limits. Either your anonymous rituals, or your interjection into the eriu territories, could reasonably be considered aggression and so proper casus belli, not even counting the fact that we are now fighting over game-winning VP's. Potentially game-winning VPs trump any prior agreements, anyways, through the logic of necessity. Trying to win behind a technical assertion of a NAP would be inane, IMO. "it's not likely any of us would get that last VP by then" is not sufficient guarantee.

I figured it would be best to discuss this in an open and clear manner. NAPs are not rules internal to the game, but dependent upon mutual consent and understanding.

In passing, it is also a good reason why such long NAPs are best avoided, as they are much more prone to lead to such issues.

[archaeolept]

It is the end-game fight for the final VP's. Clearly, we are already at war. Let us stop pretending otherwise, then.

[WraithLord]

Thank you for giving me a clear warning before violating our NAP. One thing is obfuscated though - whether or not you are willing to wait until next turn before you take action. You say you do but in the same sentence you say you will attack my VPs and disputed territories. Since you are obviously intent on breaking our NAP can you please at least state clearly when you intend to do so?

Pasha, I will need to modify my turn according to Archae's decision. Can you please grant me time for that before hosting?

[archaeolept]

yes i'm happy to wait. sorry for any confusion on that point. I consider the NAP vitiated by your actions and due to the end-game circumstances, not violated by me as if there were no prior cause. If you were sieging the final vp, you would seriously not wish me to confront you? Likewise, you would not wish to confront me? Shouldn't a game of Dominions be decided by full force of arms, not by using some (virtual) scrap of paper? I consider my claim to godhood the stronger - please demonstrate to me that I am in error, if I am. Fight for it.

[WraithLord]

Thanks for the clarification.
I have one thing to say to you:

I fully agree with all you say :D

let the :fight: begin, let's see who makes it to :first:

BTW, this game is one the most exciting I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. I think the coming armaggedon war is just the icing on the cake :)

Good luck nemesis ;)

[archaeolept]

yeah, it has been an epic game. I'm sorry for the victory conditions, is all. 9 VP would have been perfect.

[WraithLord]

Agree. I set 9 VPs as victory condition in my games. See YARG for example. I plan to host a new game after this one (well unless Pasha plans to host a new game ;) ). You and all the players here are welcome to join it.
No diplomacy as well means much less hassle and lawyer stuff :)

[archaeolept]

we should go 5 days/turn, definitely. these are f***ing huge.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 76 is out.

Deadline is Monday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

I am happy to switch to a 5-turn hosting period. Just let me know.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

yes, 5 day turns please. host on tuesday. This is now full-on end-game.

[rdonj]

No tartarians? I'm disappointed :(

[WraithLord]

I've asked for 5 turns some time ago. I'm glad we're in agreement now.

[archaeolept]

No tartarians? I'm disappointed :(heh, you spent twice in gems defending than I lost attacking - so I'll put it down as a minor tactical victory. Still, it was a pretty impressive agglomeration of starspawns :)

hopefully R'lyeh is as firmly committed to defending the VP that is now being sieged by its erstwhile ally. Somewhat of a plot twist there...

[rdonj]

Yeah, without killing the tartarians it wasn't nearly as satisfying a victory.

As to the other VP, well, that's aristander's problem.

[archaeolept]

what is the status of the sub for caelum?

[WraithLord]

sub for Caelum?- What???

[PashaDawg]

Caelum is dropping out because of vacation. I was thinking of taking over for him. Any objections? I could seek out a different substitute.

[WraithLord]

Pasha, I would personally prefer if another sub could be found. Being that you are the host and that I tend to chat with you regarding my plans at times I think it may be better that way.

[archaeolept]

ah, all he has to do is defend the castle...

and I can't submit a turn until I talk with the sub, so if we need someone else the turn will have to be delayed longer.

I guess the Caelian player could conduct some raids and the like as well, but really I can't see that as being significant.

[PashaDawg]

Okay. I have asked a friend to be a sub instead. I will keep you posted.

[PashaDawg]

djo has agreed to take over Caelum. Thank you, djo! :D

[djo]

The ghost of Shinuyama has returned to inhabit Caelum's corpse!

I understand that the turn is past due, but I will need until tomorrow to look it over and get it in. If anyone needs to communicate with Caelum, PM me, or feel free to use the email address I used in this game, if you still have it from one of Pasha's old messages from early on.

[WraithLord]

Welcome back on board djo :)

It seemed we're destined to be enemies on this map. I hope this jinx goes away when this game ends.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 77 is out.

Deadline is Thursday night at 9pm Boston time.

Thanks.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

I guess you won that wraithlord :)

[WraithLord]

Yes.I think that even with very pessimistic prediction that my victory is inevitable. Not to take anything away from your awesome game but it does seem like this one is done.

Want to end it now or wait 2-3 turns for me to take them VPs?

[WraithLord]

Oh and Archae. I would of course be willing to cont. the war to the end by victory condition. Tedious as it may be (and blocking me from starting a new game :D ) I would willingly continue if you would so like.

I think you had a great game going and had you not been involved in so many wars for so long our positions may very well have been reversed.
I personally have learned quite a few from watching your moves this game. Impressive indeed :)

[archaeolept]

ah, I meant that I had lost that battle, not that the game itself was lost

you still need two VPs :)

[WraithLord]

Fair enough. Now, off to work :)

[WraithLord]

Oh and re. said battle. What a spectacular show! I enjoyed it greatly yet was somewhat frustrated when the stupid AI disobeyed a direct order to cast storm warriors. Hopefully, in the sure to come next round (this turn), it will show more reason and cast the frigging spell.

Good play and yet another outstanding moment in this game to remember.

[archaeolept]

heh I promised myself that I wouldn't need an extra day this time... but after those crushing losses, this turn is going to be extra tough. hopefully caelum and aristander are able to defend their respective VP's. I'm especially apologetic to people like DC who so much dislike delayed turns; I'm sure WL will just spend the extra time perfecting his mm. :)

[WraithLord]

:lol I was sure I'll need some additional 48h just to complete the turn, but unexpected free time this evening got me close to finishing the turn. So I don't really need more time anymore, but I'll take the extra delay to hone my orders some more -- and hope the AI don't betray me yet again.

archaeolept, I'm sure you'll bring a world of hurting on my armies next turn. * Jotun armies - find nearest hole and crawl in it and perhaps Van's lightninators won't find you *

That said, I do wish you good luck in the coming turn :)

[djo]

Special! This month only! The nation of Caelum is delighted to announce a demonstration of the culinary art of "Cooking with Lightning". We'll be serving "Charred Giant on a Stick" (tofu giant filets available for vegetarians).

Please RSVP with the size of your party so we can let Jotunheim know how many, er, "guests" to send.

[DonCorazon]

@ W/A - hurry up and kill each other before Pan gets bored and starts lashing out senselessly - the fury of nature and all.

Ashdod does rightfully belong to us and our rogue assassin is still at large...

[archaeolept]

:lol I was sure I'll need some additional 48h just to complete the turn about that 48 hrs thing... that looks to be like what i'll need. there's just no way i can get this monstrous thing in by today; so tomorrow, pasha willing.

[djo]

pasha willing.

Our Pasha, who art in Maine,
Hallowed be thy iMac,
Thy Gmail come, thy hosting be done,
In Orania as it is in Aran.
Give us this day our daily turn,
And forgive us our postponements,
As we forgive those who postpone against us,
Lead us not into staling,
And deliver us from MMO-dom.

[DonCorazon]

hilarious djo - i fear i will never be able to hear the original without being reminded of your pasha version.

[archaeolept]

actually guys, I just found out that I'm out all day tomorrow, which should have been all free :(

Hopefully I can get back in time to do the turn; I'm always open to suggestions in situations like this, but endgame turns can be problematic when fitting them in w/ one's other obligations.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 78 is out.

Deadline is FRIDAY.

Thanks.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

I'm quite sick of drama, but it seems pointless to work on a huge turn when the game seems to be being thrown. R'lyeh was completely capable of putting on a good defense of his VP (as I knew since he had a huge teleporting army that rdonj, while he was subbing r'lyeh a few turns back, had created under wraithlord's active help that countered my small assault force), but he left it completely undefended. There might be some explanation, though none strikes me as obvious, but he never responded to my pm's offering help.

So why put in time and effort for a fixed or thrown game?

It's too bad. This has, until now, been a truly epic game of Dominions.

I guess I'm interested in what the other players would like done? Of course I won't be playing any further games w/ Aristander (without some sort of good explanation), but I wouldn't be surprised if he's stopping playing. If I had done some dastardly backstab on him, or something, then I could understand it psychologically. But he attacked me; the only animosity he might hold would be due to me smacking him around some :)

edit: if players would like to continue anyways as is, I have the day off tomorrow and could do the turn.

[WraithLord]

IMO your comments towards Aristander are out of line. He is nobody's puppet and has the right to make his own decisions in the game. From what I know you two were at war and you were on your way to finish him and TC (like you did Eriu) had I not intervened.
Your fate is in your hands and while Caelum obviously works with/for you R'lyeh doesn't. If you wanted to make sure that VP is not taken by me you should have acted directly against me. We are at war after all so there's nothing stopping you from doing so.

Your expectation that R'lyeh do what is best for you is not reasonable, especially considering that you are at war.

I were in similar positions to your own in other games and never held anything against whoever might have refused to "see reason" the way I do or "stop the leader" the way I wanted. So I think that saying that you won't play with Aristander in the future is somewhat childish. You make a personal matter out of what is clearly circumstantial and limited to game politics and climate.

[archaeolept]

that's total bull**** Wraithlord. It's a VP game, and he threw the vp to you. In fact, you besieged it the turn rdonj, who was in his words mostly operating under your directions, ceased to sub for aristander.

So, to be clear, you are not at all opposed to people trying to throw a game?

Personally, I can't think of a non-cheating act lower than that.

Well, then, I ask for a day to consider my options.