Asia Twist - Wraithlord Wins!

[PashaDawg]

Greetings:

This PBEM game uses the Asia Twist map that I finished recently. These are the settings:

Era: Middle
Map: Asia Twist (with randomly assigned preset starting positions that come with the map)
# of Players: 19 (16 land; 3 water)
Starting provinces: 1
Indies: 7
Special Sites: 45
Money/Resource/Supply: 100
Random events: common
Score graphs: on
Hall of Fame: 15
Research: Standard
Renaming: on
Mods: none

Victory condition: 1 victory point in each player capital. Must control 7 out of 19 to win.

Hosting schedule: Daily through the first 15 turns, then 3 turns/week hosted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at approx. 9:00 pm. Boston time.

By the way, I still host games by hand. This is not a llamaserver game (although I think the llamaserver is way sassy). :)

You can find the map here. You should download both the .rgb and .map files. http://www.mediafire.com/file/12jekd3hzgz/AsiaTwist.zip

Player List:

Arco - - - > Dragonfire
Ashdod - - - >Meglobob
Atlantis - - - > Jim Morrison
Bandar Log - - - > Pasha
Caelum - - - > Revolution
C'Tis - - - > Wokeye
Ermor - - - > mscfish
Eriu - - - > Slobby
Jotunheim - - - > Wraithlord
Machaka - - - > KO
Mictlan - - - > Nikelaos, then Alneyan and now Quantum Mechani
Oceania - - - > Dectilon
Pangaea - - - > DonCorazon
Pythium - - - > okiN
R'lyeh - - - > Aristander
Shinuyama - - - > djo
Tien Chi - - - > Aethyr
Ulm - - - > Grudgebringer
Vanheim - - - > Archae


WRAITHLORD WON ON TURN 79.

[PashaDawg]

Welcome, Meglobob!

[PashaDawg]

Welcome, Slobby!

[JimMorrison]

CBM, maybe? ;)

As far as VPs go, maybe 7 would be better, would require a bit of momentum to get there, but shouldn't drag the game out tooooo long.

Maybe Magic Sites at 50%? :D

Okay, I'll be good. :p

[Meglobob]

I have only just joined but I would love CBM mod as well, remember it includes worthy heros as well.

Everything else looks good.

[PashaDawg]

Welcome, Nikelaos.

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

Because the map is big, I'd prefer to keep special sites at 45. A 7 victory point requirement is okay. I don't think we want it to be any higher than that. I like it when games end by around turn 80.

I have nothing against the Conceptual Balance mod. I like the game both ways, but I think it would be groovy to play the game with KO in full vanilla style.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Welcome, Dectilon

[JimMorrison]

I have nothing against the Conceptual Balance mod. I like the game both ways, but I think it would be groovy to play the game with KO in full vanilla style.

Pasha

Ahhhh! You have a point..... He is likely here to test someone out a little, and needs to see how they play out as is. Oddly though, if that weren't the case, I think it would actually be really awesome if he could see how CBM plays out (do you play SP ever, KO? :p), just to contrast with the vanilla game, in case any of the changes might be implemented officially. ;)

And I'm fine with the Magic Sites, just figured I'd try. :p I likes me some gems!

[Aethyr]

Thanks for pulling this together Pasha and for the beautiful map. I'm looking forward to a vanilla game.

[Meglobob]

Oh I forgot KO was playing! Hope he gets a nation that needs some developer love, Ma Mictlan became a great nation to play with the changes he made after he last played them.

[okiN]

KO, huh? That's pretty cool. :)

I have no particular preference in the CBM matter. I usually play CB, but since I've not played a vanilla game in ages it might be a welcome change.

[Dectilon]

Hey, feels great to finally be in an MP game! I'm going to get my *** kicked so hard ;)

I guess I'll go off and practice vanilla...

[Aethyr]

Oh I forgot KO was playing! Hope he gets a nation that needs some developer love, Ma Mictlan became a great nation to play with the changes he made after he last played them.

Right you are. KO, there is no nation in need of more love than Machaka. :)

[Kristoffer O]

I don't mind CBM. It was ages since I tried it. I'm familiar enough with most vanilla nations to identify CBM changes I think.

I have no preferences regarding nations. I did not sign up primarily to test, but I don't mind playing any nation, and I will likely get ideas for the nation I play. Perhaps more so in MA, since most MA nations are older and haven't been changed much since dom2.

Is 45 a common setting? Seems high, but I haven't played much MP. I have no objections, just wondering.

[JimMorrison]

Well, default for MA is 40, of course - but it seems one of the most common settings tweaks in MP, is a slight increase in site frequency.

I for one am actually more excited that you joined this game just for fun, Kristoffer. I had gotten the impression from a few things you and others had said, that you only ever find time for a game when you have a specific purpose to do, so it's good to see you just coming for the enjoyment of it!

I would agree with the consensus that Machaka could use some attention, but if you didn't come here to play them for inspiration, then I'd wholeheartedly encourage you to play someone that is more interesting already.

[DonCorazon]

Gahh...can't hold back any longer. I am in.

[PashaDawg]

Okay! Welcome DonCorazon and Revolution.

I think we have a full house now.

[PashaDawg]

I don't mind CBM. It was ages since I tried it. I'm familiar enough with most vanilla nations to identify CBM changes I think.

I am happy playing with or without the CB mod. What do other players what? Are there any players who specifically *don't* want to use the CB mod?

Pasha

[archaeolept]

we already got a game set - let's just go for it :)

[Slobby]

I don't want to play with cbm

[PashaDawg]

I don't want to play with cbm

Okay. We will keep it vanilla. Given that this game was originally posted as vanilla, I think it is best to keep it that way, unless no one had an objection to the switch.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Archae had a good suggestion concerning the map. The starting positions in Japan and Korea have a disadvantage because they only have 3 neighbors each. Some others have 6. I tried to stick swamps and waste next to starting spots that had a lot of neighbors, but nonetheless.

Archae suggested placing a mine or something next to the Korean and Japanese spots. I think I will do that.

Pasha

[Wokeye]

Yay! I get to conquer part of my home turf (Australia). :)

[okiN]

You do? Where is Australia on this map?

[JimMorrison]

The southern edge of the map, is the northern shores of Australia.

[okiN]

No, it's a wraparound to the same continent.

[JimMorrison]

The precise features are slightly modified, in brilliant Pasha fashion, to allow a seamless wraparound effect. However, I must assure you, the map as designed, before wraparound is applied (see the preview in the map thread, or load in Map Editor and uncheck Wrap Around), is based directly off of Earthen geography. As noted, the only major changes were the shifting of Japan, and the inclusion of the tip of Scandinavia to achieve the end result as desired, but Australia is where it should be, what little of it we get - that is not the northern edge of Russia, I assure you.

[PashaDawg]

Jim is absolutely correct. The northern section of Australia blurs into Northern Norway to the east and into Russia on the west. There is a little bit of imaginary coastline to finish the transition but not much. Even several province names are from a map of Australia. (Most provinces are named after real places, with some named after players or given fun names.)

Japan was moved west. Korea was moved south, closer to Beijing. Some islands near Papua disappeared. There is a wee bit of Germany south of Denmark, and Estonia is across from Helsinki.

:)

Pasha

[okiN]

Ah, fair enough, then. I hadn't checked the province names, but from the wraparound I assumed it was just the one land mass.

[DragonFire11]

Well hello all. I have to say that I've been away from the game for a long time. Thank you Pasha for bringing me back. Now, these forums sure have gotten spiffy and it's quite limiting that I cannot "disparage the other person" as set forth in my agreement with the forum holder. I wonder, can I disparage myself? Considering that my dominion skills peaked in Dom2 and never reach higher than a worm, I'd say some self-disparagement is in order.

Anyway, I hope to live long enough to maintain some decent measure of reputation intact.

Bring it on! I already have my mission accomplished sign blowing in the wind.

[Wokeye]

Indeed, I heard an attack on Darwin (Northern Australia) by Abysian troops is part of the new Baz Luhrmann flick. Timely! :)

[WraithLord]

What about nation assignment?- We need time to make all sorts of crazy experiments :)

[okiN]

"Players should email me their top 5 choices. I have not received choices from: Aethyr, Archae, Wokeye, Dragonfire, DonCorazon or Nikelaos. KO has said that he will play any nation. As soon as I have everyone's preferences, I can then send out nation assignments."

That was the word yesterday, so I guess some people still haven't sent their picks, or Pasha hasn't had a chance to check his mail yet.

[DonCorazon]

Sent mine in yesterday.

[WraithLord]

I say let the late choosers be punished. Give them what other crappy MA nations there are, the last to choose should get MA Abysia, the crippled nation, or the nation of old cripples ;)

[archaeolept]

also, i would like to vote for banning ashdod... seriously :)

unless KO wants to play it for some reason - basically, they're too much of a pain, and need at least some hinnom-like nerf

[WraithLord]

Is Ashdod stronger than Jotum or Pythium for that matter?- Possibly yes. Is it that much stronger as to make it broken?

I'm not saying it doesn't necessarily needs to be toned down. Maybe it does. But I'm not sure it must be banned from this game. This is a diplomacy game, if Ashdod takes a huge lead at the beginning a few nations can band together and stop it. Just like with LA Ermor or R'lyeh.

[djo]

Plus, not all of us are very good at this game. Ashdod is not fearsome in every player's hands.

[Dectilon]

I think I'm pretty much guaranteed to get my first choice. I don't think a lot of people like my team of choice... That's why I chose them to begin with : )

[archaeolept]

Hunan 173 does not seem to be a valid start location.

[Nikelaos]

I think I'm pretty much guaranteed to get my first choice. I don't think a lot of people like my team of choice... That's why I chose them to begin with : )

ooh lemme guess

Machaka?

[archaeolept]

all machaka needs is some improvement on their troops, including the sacreds, and pd with more backbone than a sack of offal. :)

[JimMorrison]

I think if the little Spider Knights were sacred, or there were some sort of recruitable anywhere sacred, they'd be a pretty happy nation.

[PashaDawg]

Hunan 173 does not seem to be a valid start location.

Oh! You're right! There are 16 land starts, not 15! We can fix that easily, but probably need one more player!

Thank you, Arch. What would I do without you???

Pasha

[Nikelaos]

my problem with machaka is they go from hardly armed chaff to pillar of steel riding a giant mutant tarantula with hardly anything in between,

having some sort of medium infantry with less resources than the hoplites (say 15ish) would be nice, offcourse a recruitable anywhere sacred would work wonders. Apart from that i like their magic, like the fact they have unusually low encumberance.

perhaps some national spells?

ah whatever anyway guys i think we should drop it, KO's seems to be here for fun not purpose unlike most times so lets not spoil it with our complaints and ideas, unless he asks in which case we attempt to make his head explode with information.

[djo]

Oh! You're right! There are 16 land starts, not 15!

Asia: so big, you lose count.

[PashaDawg]

We need one more player. I am opening things up for one more recruit!

Pasha

[JimMorrison]

We need one more player. I am opening things up for one more recruit!

Pasha

Mer Dur.

May Hem.

[okiN]

Plus, not all of us are very good at this game. Ashdod is not fearsome in every player's hands.

Heh. Apparently several players are vying for this nation -- Pasha will have to pick very carefully. :D

My nation picks are not particularly creative, but I've never played any of them in Dom3 MP so they should still be pretty fresh. I'm confident I can get one of them, at least.

[PashaDawg]

Sorry for the delay. I have everyone's picks, but we need one more player. I thought there were 15 land starts, but there are 16. I hope to get out the nation assignments by Wednesday.

I have also done 5 test games to check out the capital resource averages of the various starting positions. I will tweak the map file to add some mines to balance things a bit better. Japan, Korea, and the other island starting positions will get the primary boosts. (If anyone is especially interested in helping me find the right balance, let me know.)

Pasha

[mscfish]

i'd like to join this game,
wahahaa ~~~~~

[PashaDawg]

Sold to the fish! Welcome, mscfish!

Please PM me with your email and your top 5 nation choices (middle era).

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Nation assignments are posted in the first post of the thread.

[PashaDawg]

DonCorazon has decided to switch to Pangaea. (Nation assignments are just to avoid a first-come / first-serve taking of nations. Players are welcome to switch or trade nations.)

Pasha

[okiN]

"I am happy to report that most players got their first or second choice."

But I didn't? You suck, Pasha. :(

Also, Meglobob gets Ashdod? That... that has to be bad news.

[WraithLord]

Hey, I also wanted Ashdod. Probably wasn't the only one as well.

Meglobob, better hope that luck holds in game, now that everyone considers Ashdod uber :)

[DonCorazon]

Bookies in Vegas have Ashdod at 20:1 to win. No pressure Meglobob, no pressure.

PS Ryleh was my first choice - I had hoped the sea would hide me from Ashdod. At least with Pangea, I will be stealthed so Ashdod can't find me on land :)

(slight tone of humorous exaggeration should be noted here)

[WraithLord]

Ask Atul how well taking R'lyeh to stay away from Ashdod worked for him. In RAND II that is.

[PashaDawg]

At least 3 players wanted Ashdod, and about 3 wanted R'lyeh. Only 1 wanted Oceania. :)

[Nikelaos]

awww i like oceania, i would have chose them but already playing em in Doedicurus:P

[Aristander]

DonCorazon "PS Ryleh was my first choice - I had hoped the sea would hide me from Ashdod. At least with Pangea, I will be stealthed so Ashdod can't find me on land"

Well I hope my good luck in getting R'lyeh holds well into the game (can you say void gate ). I am confident based on the last game we played together that DonCorazon will be quite happy with Pangaea. Hay you are all invited to email me your r'lyeh pretender design ideas.

The signs are ominous, the return of the Great Old Ones is eminent. Prepare yourselves. fnord ftagen.

[Meglobob]

Meglobob, better hope that luck holds in game, now that everyone considers Ashdod uber :)

Lets do the usual, I will distract everybody and you win it at the end?:)

Ashdod, currently I have no master plan on how to win with Ashdod, indeed I am scratching my head over what pretender to go with, perhaps I should PM Calmon?

I am as a rule really, really bad with giant races! So you may all be over hyping me/Ashdod thing.

[GrudgeBringer]

Speaking of Pretenders...I have NEVER played Man OR NA (so of course thats who I get).

AND I feel like a light weight in with a bunch of heavyweights!!!

Soooooooo, any one that wants to take pity on me and help me with a Pretender Design and any hints would be gREATLY appreciated (not to mention confidential, as I wouldn't want others to know you spoiled thier fun at knocking me out by turn 19!!):eek:

[GrudgeBringer]

Thats MA not NA (sigh)

[PashaDawg]

I would be happy to help, and I am sure there are others who would help, too, especially in the IRC room. Also, if you'd rather play Ulm, it's open.

[GrudgeBringer]

I sent you an e-mail

[GrudgeBringer]

Yes, Please change me to ULM Thanks!!!!:D

[Dectilon]

GrudgeBringer, eh? The name suggests you're trouble when it comes to diplomatic relations ;D

[okiN]

Yes, Please change me to ULM Thanks!!!!:D

Can you say "bad call"? ;)

I kid, I kid. After all, winning isn't everything!

[JimMorrison]

Yes, Please change me to ULM Thanks!!!!:D

Can you say "bad call"? ;)

I kid, I kid. After all, winning isn't everything!


Well I know I'd rather play Ulm, myself. :p Tried to play Man in SP once, I got bored before there was even a war. Ulm makes me happy, it's gothic Germany. :p

[GrudgeBringer]

I just need to face it...I don't know anything about MA. I am playing with a BUNCH of very good players and I also know nothing about ANY of the MA nations but that map is Dang pretty.

Pasha was kind enough to realize that and give me a nation that was pretty straight forward, and somewhat easy to play as I have no delusions on where I am going to finish in this race.

LOL, I keep driving him crazy changing back and forth between Man and Ulm as I read this post and then another Post.

I don't know if Pasha needs to know for sure which one I will take but when Sunday rolls around I will have my Pretender in (on One of those 2 nations) and ready to absorb my A** whoopin in style!!:p

[Nikelaos]

i would stick with ulm to be fair, man just ain't worth it, nice things to know also to get you started (and hopefully have you contribute more to and awesome game), you're national mages are completely unaffected by drain (though the lack of high power mages means you may like to take magic anyway)

and you're gaurdians aren't sacred (unlike their LA counterparts) but are still armed with those lovely halberds with the bane of heresy (also they are heavier hitters than you're other infantry and cost slightly less resources than you're other 20 protection troops so they may very well make the core of you're armies along with sapper/arbalest support and later mages casting you're national earth/holy evocations.)

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

I am gonna be making some last minute tweaks to the map. I think the island starting positions are a bit too isolated. So, I am going to add some sea port provinces. I will let everyone know when the "final" version is available.

Go! Bandar Log! Go! Rah! Rah!

Pasha

[Kristoffer O]

Here we go in a flung festoon,
Half-way up to the jealous moon!
Don't you envy our pranceful bands?
Don't you wish you had extra hands?
Wouldn't you like if your tails were -so-
Curved in the shape of a cupid's bow?
Now you're angry, but - never mind,
Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!

Kipling: Road-song of the Bandar-Log.

[Nikelaos]

awww i want a theme song now

*thinks hard*

They came flying from far away, now I'm under their spell
I love hearing the stories that they tell
They've seen places beyond my land and they've found new horizons
They speak strangely but I understand
And I dream I'm an eagle
And I dream I can spread my wings

Flying high, high, I'm a bird in the sky
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

As all good friends we talk all night, and we fly wing to wing
I have questions and they know everything
There's no limit to what I feel, we climb higher and higher
Am I dreaming or is it all real?
Is it true I'm an eagle?
Is it true I can spread my wings?

Flying high, high, I'm a bird in the sky (I'm an eagle)
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly (what a feeling)
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please

And I dream I'm an eagle
And I dream I can spread my wings

Flying high, high, I'm a bird in the sky (I'm an eagle)
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly (what a feeling)
Over mountains and forests and seas
High, high, I'm a bird in the sky (I'm an eagle)
I'm an eagle that rides on the breeze
High, high, what a feeling to fly (what a feeling)
Over mountains and forests and seas
And to go anywhere that I please


Abba: Eagle

[Zeldor]

Kristoffer:

Didn't you get Machaka? :)

GrudgeBringer:

Nah, don't talk like that about Man with KO present! I was complaining once how bad MA Man is and he said he got discouraged and won't fix them soon. So be silent and calmly lose your war with KO, maybe then smth good will happen :)

[DonCorazon]

I feel honored to be playing with GrudgeBringer, the one honest man in Babylon.

[GrudgeBringer]

Thanks all for the hints, help, and encouragement.

Arco...you just lEAVE ME ALONE with them dang elephants!!:D

[okiN]

Hi:

I am gonna be making some last minute tweaks to the map. I think the island starting positions are a bit too isolated. So, I am going to add some sea port provinces. I will let everyone know when the "final" version is available.

Go! Bandar Log! Go! Rah! Rah!

Pasha

While you're at it, fix the name on prov 244 - Pohjois-Karjala, no n at the end.

[Kristoffer O]

Kristoffer:

Didn't you get Machaka? :)



What do you know? You're not even in the game! I play every nation I want!!! :) Ftaghn!

[PashaDawg]

While you're at it, fix the name on prov 244 - Pohjois-Karjala, no n at the end.

Done! Thanks for catching that, okiN! :)

[PashaDawg]

Kristoffer:

Didn't you get Machaka? :)



What do you know? You're not even in the game! I play every nation I want!!! :) Ftaghn!

Zeldor is the Official Asia Twist Peanut Gallery. :D

[Aristander]

Kristoffer:

Didn't you get Machaka? :)



What do you know? You're not even in the game! I play every nation I want!!! :) Ftaghn!

As the semi-divine creator of Dominions 3, Kristoffer should get any nation he wants and if it is his will I would even give up R'lyeh and take Machaka. I bet those Spider Warrior's can hold a line.

Yes, those stealthy bane spider's are just as much as an abomination to one's sanity as the dark monoliths of R'lyeh.

You can see I start my diplomacy early:)

[DonCorazon]

I am confident based on the last game we played together that DonCorazon will be quite happy with Pangaea. The signs are ominous, the return of the Great Old Ones is eminent. Prepare yourselves. fnord ftagen.

Aristander, Hopefully the ancient Pangean whale breeding grounds of Belugus Horibilis won't be in Ryleh waters. :)

Earth First!!!

[Kristoffer O]

Hmm, just realized I had 3.20 on this computer. I'd better upgrade :)

[Aristander]

Well, I am afraid of Jim Morrison and his Monstrum Pisces Horibilis.:)

[PashaDawg]

I updated the map today. I sent y'all a link to download the updated version.

Now is the time to send in your pretender if you have not done so yet.

I am looking forward to starting the game! :)

Thanks.

Pasha

[Zeldor]

I think you forgot to add Valley of Shame next to Ashdod cap...

[Nikelaos]

i'm having trouble downloading the new map file, i downloaded the version before fine so i don't know what's gone wrong.

[PashaDawg]

Hmm. I don't know what to say. I am able to download it even when not logged on as me to the mediafire site, and it has been downloaded by others 20 times since posting last night. If you're still having trouble, is there another way for me to get it to you? The file is a zip and 25mb.

Pasha

[WraithLord]

I could D/L it as well.

Maybe its your machine/browser settings that causes this?- Maybe you can try from different machine/browser.

[Aristander]

i'm having trouble downloading the new map file, i downloaded the version before fine so i don't know what's gone wrong.

I have sent it to you as an email attachment. (Used my work email so please use my yahoo email for diplomacy)

Aristander

[Aristander]

Well Nikelaos the email address I took from pasha's emails for you keeps coming back as a failed address.
I can send attachments up to 30mb in size so send me your email and I will try again.

Aristander

[Dectilon]

March, march and swim! For the surfacers the lights will dim!
With our brothers from the deep the souls of surfacers we reap!
Join our song ye mighty capricorn! Your mighty reign has been forelorn!
Return now to your rightful place, at the helm of every race!
Fear ye, who walk on soil, for we have cauldrons in which to boil... you.

- First draft of the Oceanian marching song

[Nikelaos]

nvm guys i got it downloaded.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 1 is out.

Deadline is Monday night at 9:00 p.m. Boston time.

Pasha

[okiN]

The chase is on! Everyone gank Meglobob!

[WraithLord]

:cheers: and may the best man lose :)
kidding.

Good hunt everyone and have mercy on the frozen giants, its so cold and lonely out there in the north.

[GrudgeBringer]

I got the new map (Asia Twist with ports) Pretender sent in OK, and I placed the first turn in my Saved games Folder as usual with 4 other games. It doesn't show up in 'Play a current game'. I have repeated this 2 or 3 times.

I have even Created a new game in SP just to make sure its working.

Any suggestions guys?:confused:

[archaeolept]

create new folder in saved games, rename it asiatwist, place .trn file in folder, restart dominions if necessary. game should be on game list. Make sure you don't have two installs of Dominions and you're placing the turn in the wrong one :)

[okiN]

I got the new map (Asia Twist with ports) Pretender sent in OK, and I placed the first turn in my Saved games Folder as usual with 4 other games. It doesn't show up in 'Play a current game'. I have repeated this 2 or 3 times.

I have even Created a new game in SP just to make sure its working.

Any suggestions guys?:confused:

My guess is that you are trying to create a folder called Asia Twist. The game doesn't support spaces in game folder names. Call it Asia_Twist, AsiaTwist, Asiatwist or whatever you like, and it should work fine.

[GrudgeBringer]

You where right...re-created it with no space and it worked fine, Thanks!!!

[okiN]

No worries.

[Wokeye]

Good luck all! Feel free to drop by C'Tis' loverly swamps and mires sometime for your summer holiday.

Kinda ironic, as I've just taken a job as a 'Wetlands Conservation Officer' in RL. Perhaps I should just learn to spread C'Tis Dominion?

Apologies for being a little delayed in processing turns - my timezone means I'll be a little ahead (which is actually behind). :)

[Dectilon]

Will do! It's a nice transition area between sea and land. I'll be sure to research Serpents Blessing before I book the charter though.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 2 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. Boston time.

[djo]

Excellent variety of god and prophet names! Although I have to rethink mine, now, since my prophet name would have been very similar to one already used (was going to be "Fist of Heaven").

[Kristoffer O]

bong...
bong...
Bong...
Bong!...
BONG!...
BONG!!!

Drums thunder.
Machaka is marching.
Mbaba inhales.

[DonCorazon]

Funny, I almost named my pretender Burn as well. WraithLord and I seem to read the same books. But at the last minute I was inspired by the Muse...

Beware knight-at-arms, alone and palely loitering!

[Zeldor]

Ktistoffer O:

I expected smth closer to national anthem of Zambia, which goes like that:


Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga,
Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Mpalume sha bulwi twa cine,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Bonse tuli bana ba Africa,
Uwasenaminwa na Lesa,
Nomba bonse twendele pamo,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse,
Twikatane tubyo mutende,
Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu,
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.

Lumbanyeni,
Lesa, Lesa, wesu,
Apale calo,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
Fwe bantungwa
Mu luunga lwa calo.
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.

[WraithLord]

Funny, I almost named my pretender Burn as well. WraithLord and I seem to read the same books. But at the last minute I was inspired by the Muse...

Beware knight-at-arms, alone and palely loitering!

Yes I had my doubts about Togg or Fanderay, tried a few test setups with the lovers actually, but then settled on Burn :)

Those books are A-W-Some!- They make me laugh at unexpected moments, which somewhat irritates my wife :D

[Kristoffer O]

@ Zeldor: I like the lesa, lesa, wesu part :)

Mbaba inhales!

[JimMorrison]

Twaliilubula! What an awesome word.

[Zeldor]

Their village and town names are impressive too, for example: Choko Choko, Mwanzachibanza, Yusikwanamwaka, Buluwaleza, Bulelele.

[Nikelaos]

wow awesome,

whilst we are on the subject of languages:

"il ****ta fuq tieghi fartras"

only in maltese would something like the above sentence would mean something as random as "it's raining on my bald head"

my grandfather offended many english speakers with the above phrase:doh:

[PashaDawg]

Turn 3 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday night at 9:00 pm Boston time..... technically. However, I will be traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday in the USA. I will be back late on Thursday. I will be around the weekend, but we will take a casual approach to turn hostings, because I know of other players who will be traveling and probably unavailable.

Pasha

[okiN]

The plague of Ashdod is spreading rapidly, but its dominion is weak! All units, converge on target!

[Kristoffer O]

Mbaba is still inhaling!

- Idi, Voice of Mbaba

[Meglobob]

Ashdod are on the run!

As fast as we can at the enemy that is, to smite and bite our foes. I pray Pythium is one of our neighbours, no mercy to you! Your people will grace our dining table for sometime, as we feast upon your flesh...

[Dectilon]

I just realized my expansion strategy sucks. Improvisation ensues!

[okiN]

Nothing like it! :D

[PashaDawg]

Turn 4 is out. Deadline is technically Friday night, but we are on a casual schedule due to the long holiday weekend here in the USA.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

A foul wind emanates from [wherever Ashdod] is. The hedges have withered and the birds no longer sing. The wardens of the sacred groves are awakening - beware all who would befoul the ancient spring of life!

On a side note, Oprah, the Black Harpy and Prophetess, has achieved unequaled obsesity. Luckily, she can still fly, which allowed her to escape would be Thanksgiving diners in Pangea who mistook her for a turkey. Blasphemy!

[Dectilon]

Was she called Oprah before or after she got unequaled obesity? : )

[okiN]

HoF characters can't be renamed. Nor can prophets or pretenders. From this, we can deduce that she has been called Oprah since turn 1. ;)

[Kristoffer O]

Mbaba is still inhaling, according to Idi, Voice of Mbaba.
A great inhalation must be followed by a great exhalation.
This is the way things are.
Idi has not left the God Mountain in desperation.
There is greatness in wisdom.
It is wise to inhale before advancing.
Blessed be the meek.

- Mbeke, Voice of the Voice, in his Greatness Idi's absence.

[okiN]

Whuh-oh. I don't know quite what to expect, but I'm pretty sure it'll be bad news for somebody.

[DonCorazon]

Was she called Oprah before or after she got unequaled obesity? : )

She was re-named Oprah on turn 1, prior to entering the HoF. The irony is delicious.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 5 is out. Deadline is Saturday night.

Pasha

[Aristander]

Aeon's have passed and the stars have revolved now settling into strange configurations. It is now the time foretold. From an undersea fortress of mind bending architecture Words of Power have been spoken. The great one Begog himself has seeped down from the void between the stars and all space has gloried in his coming.
The Void Gate shall be reopened and His servants shall claim this world.

[archaeolept]

Ah yes, we are well aware of what in the depths' dark lurks.

Oftn, their vile ichor can be found smeushed along the spines of our own sly snake-ships.

As the substance seems somewhat efficacious as a barnacle preventative, we take no offense from this.

[Kristoffer O]

Mbaba breathes.
Wind of Will and Woe is let forth.
Idi, Voice of Mbaba, has passed judgement.

Bloated lifeforms claim greatness.
This is despicable in the eyes of Mbaba.
False heroes will soon be gathered from distant lands and stuffed with yams.
Then they will be placed in the deepest cave and fed to the spider mothers.
Soon the caves will be crawling with little ones fed on the blood of abominations of unequaled obesity.

- Mbeke, Voice of the Voice.

[archaeolept]

we have heard of these animals. they are like those little beasts we call skitterlings which can be found during the short summer months.

They are harmless and inoffensive, albeit they are sometimes disposed of by our house thralls.

[DonCorazon]

Foul winds that some called a god’s breathe, but others said were forge clouds, blew in from the East. The sky itself had aborbed their reddish tint, now like a blood-soaked rag. There they say, men are shackled in chains and called thralls, while the beasts of the wild woods are slaughtered and left to rot.

The Elders say that the when the earth is ailing it manifests its fury in the form of a woman so beautiful that to see her is to witness paradise lost. Those who gaze upon her for even the briefest instant are transformed into a monument to the earth's glory.

She will descend from the skies, they say, and cleanse this world of its teeming vermin, restore the ancient groves older than any civilization, and unshackle the spirits of the wild to run free once again with no fear of fire and iron. Nothing will be left of man but mossy statues in the glade.

[Nikelaos]

The lawgiver has chosen the foul heretics who shall first recieve divine judgement,

"those who had smitten their masters of ancient times to gain power, you have become the very thing you seeked to destroy and for that you must be punished, cherish your days for they are about to end."

so sayeth the lawgiver.

[Dectilon]

In aeons long past, Sjunker was part of the land above the waves. Tall she stood, tall and proud. Her eyes saw all, her ears heard all and her mind grasped all things. But her lips spoke no words. This was a great wisdom, for she knew that giving favor and advice to one would make them prideful and arrogant.

When jealous mages made pacts with demons to bind her to a watery prison she was neither amazed nor angry. She knew the sacrifice was neccesary to save her people from a greater harm.

With eyes shut and mind muddled by demons we found her in the the darkest cave in the darkest depths we found her. We are not her people. We are the godless ones, and we give praise to none but the worthy. Her lips unsealed and she spoke to us. Millenia of clouded dreams had past without nothing but memories. She asked us of her people. How had they fared?

And so we told her. And what we told her did not please her, yet she knew our words to be true. And she told us of the horrors that awaited if she did not return the light of hope and wisdom to her people. And we knew her words to be true.

Now, while Lady Sjunker fights to break free from her demonic prison, we prepare for war. We must conquer, for if we do not everything will dissappear in a torrent of filth, terror and blood.

- Foreword to The Law of Oceania

[djo]

(from the archives of the Bakemono Strategic Command)

To: Sword of Heaven
From: Bakemono Strategic Command
Subj: Operation Autumn Harvest

Orders: Take command of the First Bakemono Expeditionary Force (1BEF). Execute offensive operations until further notice.

Battle plan: 1BEF to be assembled soonest; 1BEF crosses phase line alpha 1rst of month; 1BEF eliminates OpFor at objective Songbird; 1BEF threatens objectives Dog and Eel

OpFor intel: native tribes; expected level of resistance: medium, based solely on numbers

Force composition:

1BEF:
-- HQ, 12th Reg
-- Co C, 17th Inf Reg (Lt Inf)
-- Co D, 17th Reg (Lt Arch)
-- Co H, 12th Reg (Hvy Inf (Spec))
-- Batt A, 12th Reg (Arty)

Reinforcements: replacements only for 2-3 months

Personal note: Go get 'em! We need some success soon--Snake is getting mad. He doesn't understand why we needed to deploy the 17th and 12th regiments on civil peacekeeping in the capital for so long.

[okiN]

Hail, kings and queens of the world! We bring tidings from Imperator Caesar Augustus Arges, princeps of Pythium, divine son of the glorious Caelus, ruler of the Heavens!

See! how He gathers unto Him the power of the earth and of the skies!
See! how all the beasts of nature bow to His will, cowed by His immeasurable might!
See! how His armies march across the land, spreading His dominion unto the horizons!
See! how He Himself strides at the head of the great Pythian host, driving His enemies before Him!

Surely He is the one who shall unite all the scattered peoples of the world under His banner!
Surely He is the one who shall forge all the squabbling kingdoms into one, great nation, united under one God!
Surely He is the one who shall rule over all the world, yea, over the Universe itself and all its innumerable creatures!
Surely He is the one who shall rise above all others who fancy themselves great, the true Pantokrator of a new Golden Age!

None can stand against Him in His terrible, divine wrath!
None can match His unfathomable wisdom and understanding!
None can slow the fulfillment of His destiny, written across the very stars!
None can impede His ascension to the seat ascribed to Him as Lord of the Spheres!

All those who would try shall be cast down!
All those who would try shall know only oblivion!
All those who would try shall know only sorrow and despair!
All those who would try shall know only the darkness of the Stygian abyss!

Those who would aid Him shall be rewarded!
Those who would worship Him shall know His mercy!
Those who would receive the gift of His rule shall prosper!
Those who would dedicate their lives to His service shall stand with Him in Elysium!

Kings and queens of the world! This is the choice set before you by our divine emperor! Choose swiftly, and choose wisely! His time approaches, and those who linger and hesitate overmuch shall be counted amongst His foes!

[PashaDawg]

Turn 7 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday night.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

game crashes when i try to read messages. pasha, could you resend the turn pls?

seems to be one specific message - not important in itself, but worrying.

also: i lost. stupid indy mage racked up w/ gems :(

[DonCorazon]

Arch, for what its worth, I sent you a message. Nothing of note, not sure why it would crash your game :(

[vfb]

A message could crash the game if it includes the '%' character, especially if it's followed by an 's'.

"I'm gonna tax 200% so I get more cash" would do it. If you're lucky this will turn into:


"I'm gonna tax 200(null)o I get more cash"

Otherwise it might crash.

[archaeolept]

interesting, why is that? I figured it was just those dirty Pan fingernails getting earth and filth all over the message :)

[DonCorazon]

it was our user's manual for the Hide Shield, warning you not to expand without it! looking at the hall of fame, clearly the message did not make it in time, thus invalidating your warranty. :)

[vfb]

interesting, why is that? I figured it was just those dirty Pan fingernails getting earth and filth all over the message :)

The game formats messages that are displayed on the screen using one of the printf calls. It should pass ( ..., "%s", message ) for user-entered messages. But instead it passes ( ..., message ). So if 'message' contains printf formatting, it will expect additional arguments. And if the printf code is '%s' (spaces between the '%' and 's' don't matter), it will treat whatever happens to be on the stack as an address to read a string from. IF this address is invalid, that can cause a crash.

[djo]

(seen posted on street corners around the capital)


BEWARE JAGUARS!


Every year, hundreds of unsuspecting citizens adopt stray jaguars. Every year, hundreds of citizens die because of it. Contrary to their portrayal in the popular media, jaguars do NOT make good pets.

* they are NOT cute and cuddly; they cannot be declawed, spayed, or neutered
* over 70% of them are rabid
* they WILL turn on you, no matter how much cat food you give them

So when your little goblin asks if they can take home that scraggly jaguar you see in the alley, just say no! Go home, get your bow, and put it out of its misery. Together, we can ensure that today's future becomes tomorrow's present for the bakemono youth.


KILL A JAGUAR--THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!


Message sponsered by the Bakemono Strategic Command, Civil Health Division

[JimMorrison]

Atlantia speaks. Hers is not the voice of well worded reason, nor is it the fervent clamor of the zealot. Aeons have passed, and she has slumbered under the waves - in the deeps where our great people moved her to safety, so long ago. Now, so long forgotten by the deep ones - we built the Pillars to remind us of her greatness, but in the end, in her silence, they were the only reason we stayed by her side - Atlantia is dreaming of the world once more. Her call comes, in the dreams of Queens and Kings. Images of days past are conjured from her quartz heart, images of a time before the deep ones sought refuge in the reefs and chasms of the sea. She reminds us - oh how glorious was the past! - that we once dwelt in the rivers, and swamps, and jungles upon the land. Now we have once again seen the glory that was Atlantis - a city on dry land, supported by arching basalt monoliths, spanning a great river that has long run dry, those monoliths having been drawn beneath the waves, to become the Pillars in the days of smoke, and pain.

She never knew why the lesser races had feared Atlantis. It was the grandest city of its time, dwarfing the settlements of the fledgeling human race, and only rivaled by great Partholonia. But the libraries were open to all, and great scholars would come from far and wide, many of them stopping to speak with Atlantia herself, their briefly flickering mortal minds straining to gasp the secrets of the universe.

Perhaps it was our culture, so pervasive, so seductive, which made the hearts and minds of the ambitious grow sour. It was a great irony, that in the halls of the wise and the rational, that within Partholonia itself, the crusade was begun. Such a small thing at first, diplomatic ties being cut, contact slowing to a trickle. But soon, those missionaries of the mind, traveling long, studying intently, and then returning to their homes - they would be executed for treason on their return, and their notes seized by those who would use Atlantia's secrets not for the good of all, but to subvert her ever growing influence on the world of men.

Thankfully, the nation of Atlantis had grown large, and quite strong. When the raids began, her people would repel them, but when they continued, the economic might of the greatest nation in the world, slowly began to crumble. Oh, how Atlantia had wished that she could see the faces of those brutal warlords, when they stormed towards the site of fair Atlantis, only to find nothing but the gaping holes where once the roots of the pillars bit deep into the verdant ground. But she knew they were coming, and she consumed every bit of her own power to render the stones, and herself, nearly immaterial. Fading almost completely into the ethereal plane, our people carried these magnificent works of art and beauty beneath the waves.

Centuries have passed, and without Atlantia's presence, petty bickering has weakened our people, allowing our nation's greatness to fade into myth, the same sort of myth told to children to help them sleep - a myth about the great statue standing between the Pillars themselves, being a goddess so wise, and so protective, that society would cease to exist without her. And to a degree, it had.

But again, she speaks. Taxes are levied, and the kelp farms are expanded to increase revenue. The bounty of the sea is leveraged, and young Atlantians leave the city on less diplomatic missions than before - now they forcibly denounce Triton Chieftain and Dear Tribe Shaman alike, adding the bounty of their lands to the burgeoning Atlantic empire. Atlantia murmurs in visions and dreams, but her message has become clear - the children of the deep must rise once more, and proclaim her greatness. Soon, all will proclaim her greatness.

Long live Atlantia! Long live the Princess!

[Dectilon]

Unless I'm mistaken, Atlantis, our divine ladies have a lot in common. Perhaps they are different aspects of the same being? :)

[Nikelaos]

(seen posted on street corners around the capital)


BEWARE JAGUARS!


Every year, hundreds of unsuspecting citizens adopt stray jaguars. Every year, hundreds of citizens die because of it. Contrary to their portrayal in the popular media, jaguars do NOT make good pets.

* they are NOT cute and cuddly; they cannot be declawed, spayed, or neutered
* over 70% of them are rabid
* they WILL turn on you, no matter how much cat food you give them

So when your little goblin asks if they can take home that scraggly jaguar you see in the alley, just say no! Go home, get your bow, and put it out of its misery. Together, we can ensure that today's future becomes tomorrow's present for the bakemono youth.


KILL A JAGUAR--THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!


Message sponsered by the Bakemono Strategic Command, Civil Health Division


Don't take any notice of this, it was made by the same bakemono goblin in the famous Sprite(obey your thrist) advert. He has expperience in misleading people.

Please know that jaguars make wonderful pets and their soft pelts make wonderful clothing.

[Kristoffer O]

All over Machaka people use leopard hides to cover their bodies, beds and sofas. The leopard cap is in fashion. Are jaguar pelts as beautiful, or is this just tradesmen's talk?

[Nikelaos]

leopards, jaguars, their rather close cousins to be fair.

i'd say jaguars and leopards are of a rather similar quality as pets and shag carpeting.

[Dectilon]

Jaguar pelts have a somewhat rougher texture. I would not recommend using them for clothing before proper softening treatments.

[JimMorrison]

Unless I'm mistaken, Atlantis, our divine ladies have a lot in common. Perhaps they are different aspects of the same being? :)

I'm not sure, but one of them may be a forgery. :shock:

[Nikelaos]

Jaguar pelts have a somewhat rougher texture. I would not recommend using them for clothing before proper softening treatments.

yeah well thats what the dampness of the rainforest does to hair of any kind, our jags are specially bread in vast indoor centres to keep them out off the elements and soft and cuddly as ever.

[Dectilon]

Jaguar pelts have a somewhat rougher texture. I would not recommend using them for clothing before proper softening treatments.

yeah well thats what the dampness of the rainforest does to hair of any kind, our jags are specially bread in vast indoor centres to keep them out off the elements and soft and cuddly as ever.

Oh, really? Can I order like 10-15 of them in full scuba gear?

I'm not sure, but one of them may be a forgery.

"We shall use my largest scales!"

[JimMorrison]

She's a witch!

[DonCorazon]

What is a beautiful lady without fine jewelery and what better gift for the queen of the wild woods then a necklace of magic stones (note the avoidance of pearl). The revelers seek gems: Earth, Death, and Air. We will supply the highest grade Nature gems in the land, we're talking 91 octane that will give your Vine Shields that extra snare. We will also throw in an invitation to our famous manaed orgies to the first seller! The Pangean embassy looks forward to your response...

[Wokeye]

Tempting Pangaea, but we Lizard Kings prefer scaly to hairy - so will pass.

[Dectilon]

"We will supply the highest grade Nature gems in the land, we're talking 91 octane that will give your Vine Shields that extra snare."

I wish this was true :(

Actually, it'd be a pretty cool mechanic if you could empower magic items by plowing more gems into them :) But... I guess that would make some items imbalanced.

[PashaDawg]

Turn 8 went out last night.

Deadline is tonight (Wednesday).

Pasha

[okiN]

I'm afraid nature gems don't fetch much on the world market these days, old girl. Everyone and their mother has a steady supply for an already quite limited use.

[DonCorazon]

Pure lies! Pangean Hide Shields are in hot demand these days...especially after a pretender died without using his. Some countries are considering mandatory "Furioso Laws" requiring no mage solo without one. Now is your chance to get them on the cheap before the market really takes off....

:)

[JimMorrison]

I don't know if I'd say that Nature gems have "limited use", but at this stage of the game, maybe most people won't readily give a 1:1 trade for them, as their best uses are mid-late game.....

But, I would like to know more about these Hide Shields! :o

[okiN]

Pure lies! Pangean Hide Shields are in hot demand these days...especially after a pretender died without using his. Some countries are considering mandatory "Furioso Laws" requiring no mage solo without one. Now is your chance to get them on the cheap before the market really takes off....

:)

Yes, well... I've no doubt that *_furioso_* is actively regretting his miserly ways, but it doesn't take an oracle to see that there are far better wares on sale here than your glorified strips of leather. However, quality must be paid for. ;)

[archaeolept]

hide shields are pretty crap - on the same order as enchanted sheilds. Of course, though where you get this "miserly ways" we have no idea. In fact, we must take this as a direct insult to our most noble lord by the wizened eunuchs of pythium.

It is incumbent upon me to point out that Pythium has lands seemingly very rich in valuable gems; riches that should be easy for the taking :)

[okiN]

Oh, so? Well, my dear barbarian friend, you are certainly quite welcome to try. However, we fear that you may come to find violating Pythian borders to be a task more demanding in courage and strength of arms than the idle knaveries your folk seem to be partial to. Perhaps you would be better served to attend to your "noble lord" in his infirmity.

[djo]

(from the archives of the BSC)

"Straighten up, son," says the colonel, "You've got a proud tradition to uphold", and it's weird, because he's a human, not one of us. But he's a good man, and I look up to him, not just literally. I'm the only bakemono-sho on his staff. Sure, I'm just the company clerk, but I stay by him on the battlefield anyway. Just like the dai bakemono officers.

The sitrep we've been waiting for comes in mid-morning. The courier salutes and delivers his message at speed: "Contact 5 klicks south, estimate reinforced battalion strength, marching double-time; no outriders."

"F$@#ing savages," mutters Col. Karel, from the saddle of his own horse. "Wish we had cavalry." But we don't, so he's in charge of Easy company, 12th regiment--light archers. My company, now part of the Homeland Defense Force.

They come over the hill, two companies of warriors and two companies of jaguars. They don't have any cavalry, or any archers, or any heavy infantry, or much armor at all, for that matter. I frown. The colonel reads my mind. "Remember, son, with jaguars, you have to kill them twice." I know that. We all know that. We've been training for days. "Kill the rat, kill the cat", we chant, because some bakemono can't remember anything unless it rhymes.

"Sir...are they carrying...slings?"

He shakes his head. "They never understood the value of superior firepower. We'll show them." And it begins. Their pagan priest-king howls out some kind of prayer over his troops, and they advance.

G company from the 17th takes their initial charge. It's awful. They're our shock infantry, but they're understrength, and the jags walk all over them, avoiding our blows with uncanny fortune, while their fiery obsidian blades cut down the O bakemono. I almost can't bear to watch. But I hear the colonel yell "Fire!", and two companies of archers let fly. Bolts of fire pass overhead from the artillery somewhere behind us. General Fusamasa leads a battalion of bakemono-sho into battle, and they hold. Arrows rain down, and fire, and the men turn into cats, and the cats die.

But not fast enough. Alpha company eventually breaks, then Bravo, and Charlie, and they're on top of us. Easy gets overrun, and most of them head for the castle. Fire is still pouring in from Dog company and battery B. The jaguars are too stupid to notice they're flanked, and that gives time for a few more to die. I'm standing stock-still, horrified, but the colonel is still beside me firing his bow. I'm trying to get my yari pointed in the right direction when I'm yanked off my feet and dragged to the rear by a big dai bakemono, who beats off one of the cats with his nodachi in his other hand.

Later I learn it was General Kiyomune. He promotes me for standing by the colonel, who went and bought himself a plot of farmland. "A good battle," he tells me. "We stung them. With Snake and the First BEF on their tails, the war may have already turned."

Hard to believe it. They overran us, chased us back through the artillery park into the fortress. You see their campfires out every window of the castle. But maybe there's a moral here. They came at us without arms or armor, nothing but their god's blessing protecting them. We met them with arms, armor, and magic, and just about held out. And our god's just over the next hill. We'll see which one wins out.

[okiN]

The bakemono command structure sounds bizarre, to say the least, with a full colonel leading a mere archer company. Still, at least they have a command structure, which is probably more than you can say for some of this rabble.

[djo]

It's a combination of an imperfect translation and the fact that they don't count very well.

[Dectilon]

Desperate times lead to a lack of lower officers ;)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 9 is out. Due to the delayed hosting, the deadline for turn 9 will be extended to Friday at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Thanks.

Pasha

[Dectilon]

Oh no! I don't want to go to Boston :(

[DonCorazon]

When I try to open turn 9, I first can click on "Pangea Turn 9" then just get a message that says "Turn file is corrupted" and Dominions closes.

Never had this happen before. Any ideas? I have re-downloaded turn several times but keep getting the same message.

[archaeolept]

ask pasha to resend.

[Dectilon]

Atlantis: Sorry about that.
Pythium: Nice try, surface dweller ;)

[okiN]

Pride comes before the fall, fish man. Men may yet walk beneath the waves.

[Dectilon]

Pride comes before the fall, fish man. Men may yet walk beneath the waves.

Yeah, I guess so :(

The only victories I expect to claim are those won by accident, like this one ;)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 10 is out.

Deadline is Saturday night at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Pasha

[JimMorrison]

The dark thaumaturges of Ermor think that they can push the proud Atlantians back into the waves. This is utter foolishness. Let it be known amongst the more civilized and right-thinking of the surface dwellers, that you will have an ally of incredible power if you assist now in ending the dark scourge of the Unholy Ermor Empire!

[mscfish]

The dark thaumaturges of Ermor think that they can push the proud Atlantians back into the waves. This is utter foolishness. Let it be known amongst the more civilized and right-thinking of the surface dwellers, that you will have an ally of incredible power if you assist now in ending the dark scourge of the Unholy Ermor Empire!

Ermor just get back the province which should belong to Ermor,but the Atlantics put his hand too deep to the earth.So that behavior must be justice,and the province which should belong to Ermor's must be get back.

[Dectilon]

You boring clumps! :mad:

Why doesn't anyone answer diplomatic messages? Is it because I'm a noob or something? :(

[djo]

It could be a warning sign that you are Next On The List. If a player does not want to (a) warn your or (b) lie to you, then silence is not a bad option.

[Dectilon]

It could be a warning sign that you are Next On The List. If a player does not want to (a) warn your or (b) lie to you, then silence is not a bad option.

Never mind. I had forgotten to put PMs on auto. :)

[DonCorazon]

Hey Ashdod, quit hogging the HoF!

[PashaDawg]

Turn 11 went out last night. Deadline is tonight (Monday) at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Pasha

[Meglobob]

Hey Ashdod, quit hogging the HoF!

The HoF is our rightful place in the world! Ashdod are A list all the way...

[Dectilon]

Hey Ashdod, quit hogging the HoF!

The HoF is our rightful place in the world! Ashdod are A list all the way...

Actually, I thought a "ranked" player playing Ashdod would draw more negative attention than it has :)

[Kristoffer O]

You don't know how many treaties there already is that includes the downfall of the unholy nation of Ashdod!

Actually, you are part in three of them, but it is only in one of them that you have been declared first aggressor, so you can relax for about three turns before going to war. Just make sure you don't set your mages to research.

Besides, Mbaba has started to inhale again :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 12 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday night.

Go Monkeys!!

Pasha

[Dectilon]

"Go Monkeys!!"

Is that like going bananas?

[PashaDawg]

Nah! Just rooting for my team. (Bandar Log) :)

[Dectilon]

I should've figured R'yleh would be grumpy. At least they don't have a Great Chtulhu pretender :)

[Wokeye]

I'll need a 24hr delay on the current turn as I'm headed out for work overnight.

[archaeolept]

^^ you should email pasha too, just in case he doesn't check the thread.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 13 is out. Due to the hosting delay and Wokeye's extension request, turns will be due on Thursday at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Pasha

[DonCorazon]

Krom the Pan gazed across the mighty range of the mountains known in the Pangean tongue as the Stonefangs. His long journey of several seasons had taken him through at least five provinces, beginning in the rolling hills of Greenbriar, up through the icy paths of the Frost King, and now finally to the northernmost peaks of Greyrock. The Pan looked up to the sky and bellowed a roar of rage, for despite his arduous searches, the mountain range was as barren of the essence of earth magic as an Abyssian woman. Krom’s blood boiled in range at the passing of the ancient magicks and shuddered at the thought of how his master, the Fair Lady, would react when she learned that somehow an entire range of mountains could not produce a single gem of the earth. Surely she would assume he had just been lounging back in Greenbriar the whole year with his maenad harem so his thoughts turned to wondering if there were any anti-petrification items in his grimoire… :)

[JimMorrison]

There are Abysian women? :shock:

[Dectilon]

There are Abysian women? :shock:

As much as there are men I guess :/ Wait, wasn't it so that the original Abysians were just burning blobs, but that they eventually split into a 'regular' people?

Now that I think about it, I sure hope this is the case, because I've been writing a little story set in the universe, and one of the main characters is an abysian woman so... Would be a bummer if it turns out she doesn't really exist :D

[JimMorrison]

Well, if Abysians are truly genderless, then it would seem that your protagonist is "gender confused". :shock:

I still don't know how the Warlocks managed to "cross" Abysians with other species, but I guess that's why they call it magic! :D

[Dectilon]

Well, if Abysians are truly genderless, then it would seem that your protagonist is "gender confused". :shock:

I still don't know how the Warlocks managed to "cross" Abysians with other species, but I guess that's why they call it magic! :D

They could also simultaneously be a stagnating society and the greatest scientists in the world :shock:

[Wokeye]

My turn is in, won't need any further delay on my part. Apologies for delaying the game.

[Dectilon]

My turn is in, won't need any further delay on my part. Apologies for delaying the game.

No! We're coming for your left-handed scissors now! :mad:

[PashaDawg]

Turn 14 is out.

Deadline is Friday night at 9:00 pm Boston time.

Pasha

[Dectilon]

I cannot call R'yleh treacherous. They presented themselves as snarling beasts lead by a big squid from the very beginning. Regardless of how this war goes we will make you bleed before the end, and make sure that someone else takes over the task of stopping you if we should fall.

Still, we regret it had to come to this. Diplomacy prevails even with barbarians sometimes, but obviously not today.

Have at thee!

[Aristander]

All hail the Great One, O massive one, O great magician Begog, Oh beautiful rising, lord of appearings.
Who knows that which was forgotten.
Whose words endure forever.
He who slaughters to the limits all he sees judges the Oceanaens to be transgressors upon our dark abyss. You failed to grovel before Him who has gone further than the gods of old. Since you will not serve you must be destroyed. We will fill the Seas with your blood.

[DonCorazon]

I'll do my best but may need a few extra hours to get tonight's turn in.
Thanks, sorry for any inconvenience.

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

We've been hit by an ice storm here in New England. My power is out, and it might not go back on until Monday. Obviously I cannot host turns until power is restored.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

that's what gears and punchcards are for! It shouldn't take so long for so gifted an individual as yourself to make a fully functional analog computer, powered by hand crank, and using bits of scrap paper for memory. :)

[Dectilon]

Hi:

We've been hit by an ice storm here in New England. My power is out, and it might not go back on until Monday. Obviously I cannot host turns until power is restored.

Pasha

Your power is out... and you're in New England? RUN! Soon Dagon will come banging on your door!

I'm sure you have a diesel-powered generator in your cellar somewhere, but it has probably been taken over by the undead...

[PashaDawg]

Power is back on. Unfortunately, Ermor sent in his turn without attaching it to his email. So, I sent him an email and will give him a chance to resend.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

We have reached turn 15. This turn will be due on Sunday night, but then we will switch to the 3-turn per week schedule (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday).

Thanks.

Pasha

[Aristander]

Wow, those Mermidons pack quite a punch. Look at the damage they do in my thumbnail shot. I hope that was a good part of his army because they were really nasty. Good thing Lobos are expendable.

[Dectilon]

I constantly researched the wrong things. Maybe it would've been more even if I had had the slightest idea what I was up to :D

[okiN]

It would seem that the creatures of Mictlan live up to bakemono accounts of their savagery -- no attempts at communication, no formal declaration of war, merely a wholly unprovoked act of unbridled aggression.

The empire shall respond accordingly. This shall not be a war, it shall be pest control. By imperial decree, these howling brutes shall be exterminated to the last man, woman and child.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 16 is out. Deadline is Tuesday night in order to get us on the Tues / Thurs / Sunday schedule.

Pasha

[okiN]

Looks like we're about to see our first elimination this turn. Goodbye, Grudgebringer, it was nice having you! Please send me all your gems and gold before dying, and don't forget to wreck your lab on the way out! :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 17 is out.

Deadline will be Friday due to the delay in hosting.

Pasha

[archaeolept]

the peacible vannish folk condemn the unwarranted agression by the pythian eunuchs against our fellow skin-wearing neighbours to the west. Without provocation, and after we had politely left the way open, having no suspicion that the cold-eyed communards would so crassly take advantage of the situation, the senilarchy of pyth has attempted the brute extermination of the forest dwelling jaguar people.

We wish to assure all, however, that previous pyth insults to our lord and liege, the most furious one, had no part in what, to us, is a purely altruistic defense of our skin-wearer brethren.

We, of course, remain open to a diplomatic solution to this crisis; as long as certain guarantees of mictish sovereignty are maintained.

[Dectilon]

I'm out :( I need a better expansion strategy, that much is obvious.

[JimMorrison]

I'm out :( I need a better expansion strategy, that much is obvious.

Take care, Dectilon! Oceania is really not easy to do well with, though they're quite interesting. Unfortunately, R'lyeh isn't too hard to play in the early game, and is incredibly dangerous. ;)

Better luck in the next one!

[okiN]

the peacible vannish folk condemn the unwarranted agression by the pythian eunuchs against our fellow skin-wearing neighbours to the west. Without provocation, and after we had politely left the way open, having no suspicion that the cold-eyed communards would so crassly take advantage of the situation, the senilarchy of pyth has attempted the brute extermination of the forest dwelling jaguar people.

We wish to assure all, however, that previous pyth insults to our lord and liege, the most furious one, had no part in what, to us, is a purely altruistic defense of our skin-wearer brethren.

We, of course, remain open to a diplomatic solution to this crisis; as long as certain guarantees of mictish sovereignty are maintained.

Your campaign of misinformation is for nought, Vannish knave. The border incident with Mictlan is long since resolved, revealed as nothing but an honest mistake on the part of these naturalistic simpletons who have yet to perfect the fine art of mapmaking.

Pythium is the only people in this equation that has yet to violate the sovereignty of another nation's borders. However, it is no secret that the barbarians of Vanheim have long lusted after the riches of the islands, and now they have revealed their avarice in full.

The Vannish invasion of Pythium is an unsupported war of aggression and a war of blame beyond dispute. They shall be swiftly beaten back by the free peoples of the world, and there shall be no quarter given to the elven overlords who have driven their human servants to war under false premises.

It is a supreme irony to hear honeyed promises of peace from your liar's tongue, craven beast. There can be no resolution to this conflict until the golden hall of Vanheim lies stricken, reduced to ash and rubble.

[Dectilon]

t is a supreme irony to hear honeyed promises of peace from your liar's tongue

He was speaking of peas, not peace! :)

[JimMorrison]

Mmmmm, honeyed peas.

[GrudgeBringer]

WOW...I made it 1 turn longer than someone....Ulm will be history next turn (C'mon Ashod, fight harder).

Do I need to set it on AI when I receive that turn that I am history?

That was fun starting next to Ashod....

[JimMorrison]

You don't have to set AI, just End Turn, and then submit it if you could.

<3

[Meglobob]

That was fun starting next to Ashod....

Lets not talk about it, Ulm vs Ashdod, the most embarassing mismatch ever. If I had been Ulm and you Ashdod, I would have have been rolled just as easy. Bad luck.

[archaeolept]

as is their wont, the decadent eunarchs of pyth speak only hoary falsehoods.

the vans have merely come to the aid of our beset neighbour. We have offered to withdraw from the island port and return to the status quo ante the incursion. That there should be further war is solely the choice of the pyth.

[PashaDawg]

Nikelaos's computer is on the fritz, and so Alneyan has graciously agreed to take over as a temporary sub.

Thank you Alneyan, and welcome to the game!

Pasha

[djo]

I have PM'd Alneyan regarding Shinuyama and Mictlan.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 18 is out. Deadline is SUNDAY.

I am getting quite a few messages from players requesting a flexible schedule this coming week due to the holiday. So, after Sunday, we'll be flexible for a bit.

Thanks.

Pasha

[Wokeye]

Don't you just hate that turn in the game where you realise your lovingly crafted little kingdom is just fodder for a neighbour to go "Om nom nom nom!"?

errr...not that I've come to that point in this game yet. :)

[PashaDawg]

Turn 19 is out.

We are on a flexible schedule during this week due to the holidays. If I get all turns, then I will host.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Oceania has gone AI.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

I have not received a turn from Caelum, which is highly unusual. I will send him a private message in case there are special circumstances. I will plan to host on Tuesday night at the latest.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 20 went out last night. Turns are due on Wednesday.

[PashaDawg]

Hello:

Turn 21 is out.

Due to the delayed hosting, let's host this turn on Sunday to get everyone time to play their turns.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Turn 22 is out.

Deadline is Tuesday.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Hi:

Turn 22 is out. Let's try to keep on schedule and have the turn due on Thursday.

Thanks.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Er... I mean Turn 23

[PashaDawg]

*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

[JimMorrison]

*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

[archaeolept]

eh, mictlan was my ally against the aggressive pact of Bandar Log and Pythium, who are invading Vanheim due to my coming to Mictlan's defense. I'm sad that Alneyan can't continue, but we should probably look for a sub then.

[PashaDawg]

I would like to wait a bit to see if we get any takers for Mictlans. Sorry for the delay.

Pasha

[PashaDawg]

Quantum Mechani has agreed to take over Mictlan.

Thank you, QM!! :)

[quantum_mechani]

Times have been harsh in Mictlan. Troops of the false serpent have marched though our lands and total disaster only narrowly averted. But Late winter in the second year of the Ascension War dawns a new era- Mixcoutl has appeared at the gates of Mictlan, and already it is whispered though the city he is the Lawgiver in disguise.

Fervor sweeps the empire as the new ruler calls for new offensive, to the glory of Mictlan, and the triumph of the Lawgiver.

[djo]

Speaking as the aforementioned "false serpent": oh no!

Look, we've only got the one serpent. Why don't you go persecute the whole nation of serpents to the south?

[archaeolept]

heh, I don't think he was referring to Shinuyama :)

Alneyan, who had been subbing for mictlan, said that you two had agreed on peace? You should contact QM as to what the diplomatic situation is.

[djo]

Maybe there are a lot of false serpents? Since my pretender was involved in the Shinuyama-Mictlan war, and his name "Snake" is not subterfuge, I assumed it was Shinuyama being referred to.

[DonCorazon]

Hmm..and my pretender has snakes on her head so thought you might be referring to me. Just goes to show you how prophecies can be made to apply to almost any situtation.