Rattlehead - MA Newbie game (running)

[Patolixo]

Hi folks, I got the game recently and decided to organize a newbie game on Llamaserver to get some sweet sweet MP action.

Game name: Rattlehead
Era: Middle Age
Number of players: Around 10, depending on interest in this thread
Map: To be defined depending on number of players, suggestions welcome
Diplomacy: Binding
Settings: Standard
Mods: No mods

Players:

Patolixo - Agartha - [GONE AI]
Agent_Smith - Marignon
Dark_Kitty - Shinuyama
Cicero - Arcoscephale
Belac - Machaka
Num - C'tis
SnallTrippin - Man
viccio - Ermor
Skor - Tien Chi

[Frozen Lama]

I'd like to reserve a spot for AgentSmith as Marignon. i'll have him post tonight when he gets off work to make sure he wants in.

[Agent Smith]

Why, I would love to play as Marignon, thank you

[Dark Kitty]

Shinuyama for me, please

[Warhammer]

How new is new?

[Patolixo]

Well, new is pretty new. This is going to be my first multiplayer experience. I wanted to organize a game to get some experience in organizing too.

[Num]

Hello,

I would like to join as a very new player (Only played a few single player games, and not far from beginning). C'tis if it sounds ok, I do not know which nation is under/overpowered...

[Belac]

I am interested! I am also not sure what nation to play as, although I will probably settle on Abysia. Or Machaka.

[SnallTrippin]

I will play. Any nation *shrug*.

[Belac]

Alrighty, I will be Abysia.

[MrBims]

I'll play as Arcoscephale.

[Belac]

Actually, I would like to switch to Machaka. This may go back and forth, but I promise I will make a final decision by the time the game starts :).

[Patolixo]

Ok, we have 7 players now. I will keep the sign up phase open until thursday night, so let's see if we have any more interest until then.

Belac, I have put you up as Machaka, but don't feel intimidated to switch to another nation if you come up with a killer strategy in the mean time, haha

SnallTrippin, I have put you up in the list, just waiting for a nation.

[SnallTrippin]

Just straight Man is fine I guess. I'd rather be put on Random though if that's even possible?

[viccio]

If it's possible i play with Ermor

[Belac]

In terms of maps, I am generally in favor of ones that wrap around.

Depending on the size we want, I suggest:
Desert Eye
Alexander
Urraparrand

[Skor]

Sign me with Tien Chi, please.

[Patolixo]

All right, nine players now. The game is going up on Llamaserver tomorrow, so any last minute entrants please make your move!

Snalltrippin, I have put you up as Man, since Llama does not have a built in Random nation function, as far as I know. Please advise if you would like another nation!

[Belac]

What is the map? With 9 players I suggest The Desert Eye, but I'd be happy with anything that size or bigger (somewhat of a preference for wraparound maps).

[MrBims]

Posting to cancel my slot. I think I'm gonna be busy with a few other games.

[Cicero]

I will take Arcoscephale in place of MrBims, then.

[Patolixo]

All right, game created on Llamaserver, waiting for pretenders. Map is going to be Urraparand.

[Patolixo]

Just waiting for Ermor, game should start soon. Yay!

[Num]

As it happens sometimes (That is for my job), I will not stay at home, with any computer with Dom3 installed, thursday/friday this week. So I will play with delay at this time.

Sorry for that.

[Belac]

In the forests of Urraparrand, a rustling is heard. Hunters skulking through the trees in search of their prey halt, their skin prickling. A whispering wind seems to rise, eerily chilly even for early spring.

The spiders are coming. The few woodsfolk who see them are not believed, but the stories run wild around the slopes of the God Mountain. The sorcerers have found their God, and the paths of the forest are alive with giant spiders racing toward the hidden halls of sorcery. Soon a name is whispered in hushed tones around the fireside...Belakkah! That is the name of the mysterious God who has roused the sorcerers and in whose name they have called the spiders. Now village priests arise, naming young warriors of each village. Some come with spear and shield only, others with bow, others in the red cloak and armor of the elite hoplites...and others with the secret bane blades of the assassins. Now a host is gathering on the God Mountain, and the hills are alive with rumors of where it will strike, and of the nature of the God who moves it.

Some say Belakkah is a giant statue, mobile by the sorcerers' strange arts. Others insist it he is a foreigner, who through still subtler arts enspelled the sorcerers and commands them. Few have seen a woman, unnaturally pale of skin, dancing at the God Mountain's peak at the new moon, and believe that to be Belakkah. Many insist that to see Belakkah is instant death, save for a priest or sorcerer. All know that the mountain is alive, and it is the doing of Belakkah.

[Num]

Whatever they are, false gods shall suffer of diseases and die without glory, poisoned by the minions of Numa, also called the True God :sick: .

[Belac]

Any word from Ermor?

[Patolixo]

No word yet. I have sent Viccio a PM, let's see... I think if we do not hear from him until tomorrow, it's best to start the game already with the 8 players we have, what do you guys think?

[Belac]

So are we going then?

[Patolixo]

Yup, we are starting with 8 players as soon as I get home from work, unless we hear from Ermor until then.

[viccio]

Sorry, i resolve my problems

[Belac]

Welcome, Ermor. We are sorry we doubted you, and glad to have you aboard.

[Patolixo]

Great, the world would feel empty without a few undead hordes!

Num, as per your previous post in the thread, will you require a delay for Thursday/Friday?

[Belac]

Ack, I screwed up my turn orders. Could I ask for quickhost to be turned off, so I'll have time to submit my turn tonight? I'll get it in by 8:30 or so.

[Num]

No, I will not be available thursday night, so I can play today and friday night (gmt+1 Paris). I am really sorry, it does not happen often.

I will be at home after that. Thanks.

[Num]

Turn played. I will be back on friday afternoon/evening to look for a friendly marsh...

[Patolixo]

Belac, quickhost turned off temporarily.

[Belac]

Thanks. I will post in this thread when my real turn is in.

[Belac]

OK, my revised turn is in. Quickstart can go back on.

Thanks!

[Patolixo]

Quick hosting is on now again.

[Patolixo]

I have turned quick hosting off as I will be out of town today attending a Metallica concert. WOOHOOO METALLICA

[SnallTrippin]

Well these three turns went quickly, hopefully once we get going we can power through some turns to the meat of the game.

[Num]

The summer was great. Nation of C'tis discovered an ancient fortress in the mountains and a hero came to serve the only God Numa...

But with the fall come the first military defeat. Against proud and heavy armoured warriors, our army was crushed.

Damned, I was sure I made a mistake ! :doh:

Instead of welcoming marshes and charming mangrove C'tis get lost themselves in desert mountains...

[Belac]

Meanwhile, the brave warriors of Machaka have destroyed a Circle Master, routed his army, and liberated his blood slaves.

By 'liberated' we mean 'shot with arrows and our spiders ate them.'

Poor, poor blood slaves.

[Dark Kitty]

Cicero, is there a way to contact you, except ingame?

[Cicero]

Hi, DarkKitty, you can send me a private message, or if you like this is my MSN contact

raistlin(dot)programmare(at)libero.it

[Num]

Sorry for being the last one. I'll be back home at 6 pm...

Please hold your elephants. Peace is the only way ! :cool:

[Belac]

The armies of Arcoscephale have occupied Machakan territory. We call upon them to withdraw at once. We also call upon them to read their email, wherein we attempted to negotiate with them to no response. (Also, Cicero seems to have PMs turned off).

If their occupation of our land is indeed a declaration of war, we will fight bitterly. If it was an honest mistake, we will hold no grudge provided the withdrawal is swift.

[Cicero]

(Sorry...PMs are enabled now)

[Belac]

It appears the alarm is over. Arcoscephale has proved reasonable once we got to talk to them.

Machaka is interested in trading Fire or Earth gems for Air, Water, Death, or Astral. Is anyone interested?

[SnallTrippin]

Shinuyama you're warned to leave the Isle of Man.

[Belac]

May I ask that the turn be extended 12 hours? Super bowl preparations are stopping me from working on my turn.

[Dark Kitty]

The nations of Shinuyama and Arcoscephale signed a NAP-3 (since diplomacy is binding, I suppose pacts must be announced here?)

[Cicero]

The retreat of Arcoscephale's troops from Fennis and Gol Draxos is now complete. Those lands will now be governed by the Machakan tribe, as was agreed.

[Patolixo]

Hosting extended by 12 hours.

[Belac]

Does binding diplomacy mean that we must disclose pacts here to be valid? That was totally not clear to me.

[Belac]

Greetings from the Machaka Board of Trade and Magical Currency Exchange!

We will trade fire and nature gems for death, water, and astral gems. We also are about to open a manufacturing plant, and can supply Const-2 items in the following paths: Fire, Nature, Death, Earth. PM us for pricing information.

[Belac]

I will be unable to submit turns today and request that hosting hold off until tomorrow, if possible or necessary.

[Patolixo]

Belac, I have postponed the hosting by 24 hours, while leaving quickhosting on. So the turn should process when you get the chance to submit yours.

Regarding diplomacy, yes, it is advisable to post any non-aggresion pacts in the thread, in order for them to be considered binding. That's the only way the players may know when they were agreed to, in order to avoid drama.


In other news, the Golem Cult of the halls of the Agarthan caverns is looking to trade Air, Fire and Astral gems for Earth gems. Anyone interested?

[Num]

Greetings,
This is a message for Agartha : As you see, the armies of Archoscephale and C'tis are marching upon your lands. There will be no mercy.
(There is no reason for this... Except greed and ambition)

[Patolixo]

Yeah, yeah, let's all partake in the age old sport of kick-the-pale-one, haha

[SnallTrippin]

The Lord of Man thinks it may be wise for all pretenders to rise against the lord of the dead lands that is Ermor...

[Num]

Well, you are probably right but I have never seen Ermor. It would stand very far from my nation...

[Dark Kitty]

The nation of Shinuyama is willing to buy/exchange a vine shield and/or boots of flying. You can also contact our ambassador if you need some forging done.

[Agent Smith]

Greetings from the land of Marignon! The board of Foreign affairs has decided to stop it's isolationist policies, and as such the industry guild of Marignon has put forth a request for one dwarven hammer, to be traded for either Nature, Fire, Or Astral pearls. Of course, said item can be traded for up to const 4 items, specifically fire items.

Have a nice day!

[Num]

Hello everybody,
At this point I have a few questions some of you may answer about the game, and this game.
First a general question : There is not a lot of fight : That is because we are all discovering the game ?
Details : How Ermor have and maintain a that large army ? Is there no upkeep for undeads/summons ?
I made a lot of research, and it seems I am almost the only one to do that ? Is it that stupid ?
Do you all have a plan to get to the end of the game ? Do you walk around blind ?
Well I guess it is not easy to answer in a few words, but I am not experimented at all... Thanks in advance :)

[SnallTrippin]

Believe me I'm fighting..and I just wanted my island. I WISH I could afford to research, having to buy other stuff and use my mages as warriors.

[Belac]

Hello everybody,
At this point I have a few questions some of you may answer about the game, and this game.
First a general question : There is not a lot of fight : That is because we are all discovering the game ?
Details : How Ermor have and maintain a that large army ? Is there no upkeep for undeads/summons ?
I made a lot of research, and it seems I am almost the only one to do that ? Is it that stupid ?
Do you all have a plan to get to the end of the game ? Do you walk around blind ?
Well I guess it is not easy to answer in a few words, but I am not experimented at all... Thanks in advance :)

There is no upkeep for undead. Ermor's army is probably mainly undead, and the rest are cheap legionnaires.
Your lead in the research graphs is scary (though not surprising given how good Marshmasters are), and if you have been researching smartly will give you a substantial advantage.
I have a plan, though it has run into some friction.
I expect warfare to spread now that someone is fighting anywhere but an isolated corner of the map (sorry Man+Shinuyama, your border area is pretty isolated). In fact, I should get on that :).

In general, I think there were mostly balanced starts, so everyone has a good enough empire for them to sit in and research/forge without feeling threatened (except for those already fighting). I only go to war when I feel like my expansion's been cut off or I need to grow to survive, or when I can meaningfully help my allies and get something for myself. If no one has been in any of those situations, I wouldn't expect them to go to war.

[SnallTrippin]

Yeah, I'm still having fun but I wish I could have at least gotten 2-3 turns to generate island defenses. Poor lil Man.

[Patolixo]

Also remeber that, while MA Ermor does not get freespawn like LA, I believe all of their priests can reanimate with no Gem cost. So if you play your cards right, it's easy to get a scary number of undead (Which do not require any upkeep to boot).

As for myself, I have been struggling against Arco and C'tis in the last few turns. I do have a long term strategy, but I just can't seem to get the Gems I need to make it work. In retrospect, if I had built my pretender a little differently, things could be MUCH easier overall. Lessons learned for next time, I guess. (And there will be a next time, as I REALLY like playing Agartha, and my head is teeming with better builds than the one I am using in this game)

But don't count me out just yet, hehe.

[Belac]

Yeah, Agartha is fun. MA Agartha's umbrals, granite guards, and marble oracles are just beasts. I prefer EA Agartha (need no supplies, quick sieges, recruit-anywhere sacreds, trogs, all mages are sacred, national low-level Earth Elemental summons, umbrals, nearly all units amphibious...the perfect turtling nation).

[Belac]

Machaka assumes a protectorate over southern Man. The precise borders of the protectorate are to be worked out at a later date, but our troops are on their way to enforce our new regime.

We apologize to the current government of Man for the tragic necessity of this protectorate.

To the civilian population: Our Dominion brings with it good income scales, so you should all be expecting a raise. In addition, we are a hot land, so our troops will be passing out free bathing suits and beach towels in the pacified areas.

Edit: To be clear, we are invading Man.

[SnallTrippin]

What this really means is make sure you get your alliance info on this page and trust no one.

[Dark Kitty]

The nation of Shinuyama signed NAPs-3 with the nations of Marignon and Ermor.

[Belac]

Machaka has signed NAPs with Arcoscephale and C'tis.

[SnallTrippin]

Lol.

[SnallTrippin]

Hmm, can't seem to find an edit button for my last post? Anyway:

Looks like I'm boned soon. Should have built my Pretender better to use my blessed troops and should have kept pressure on Shinyuma, not to mention above comments, but I had a good time. I'll try to hurt you three but me thinks it shall mostly be mosquito bites.

[SnallTrippin]

Put a nice dent in Ermor's undead, if you guys were smart you'd pounce soon!

[Patolixo]

Well, going stale last turn really killed any hope I once had for continued survival. I am going to make my last stand an have some fun doing it, but who is up for admin duty after I bite the dust?

[SnallTrippin]

Who killed you? I will do Admin, but you'd have to show me a FAQ of how to run the llama server stuff.

[SnallTrippin]

And somehow my God killed 220 undead by himself. Good job pal!

[Patolixo]

Who killed you? I will do Admin, but you'd have to show me a FAQ of how to run the llama server stuff.

Arco, C'Tis and now Marignon too. Basically, most everyone who is not busy killing you right now, haha. There's really no trick to admining, most options are self explanatory, and the Llamaserver FAQ explains any questions that might arise:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=35160

But I am going to fight until the bitter end in this. Note to self: Overlooking blood stones when playing vanilla MA Agartha is just suicide. Oh well, I guess that's what your first MP experience in dominions is supposed to do, teach you lessons the hard way, haha.

And stay tuned folks, I intend to organize a LA newbie game soon, and I would like to see you all again on the battlefield.

[SnallTrippin]

I'd def be in to starting a new game anytime. Also I'm about the end myself..good times though.

[Belac]

Good fighting, Man. My scouts seem to have missed all the big battles of you and Ermor, but it sounds like you acquitted yourself well enough.

[Num]

Is it because Patolixo did not play the last turn that some of my moves did not happened at the same time (Moves within Agartian land of course)?

@Patolixo/Agartha : I am sorry for you, I offered you a deal, you throwed it away... Althought you could not destroy both of us.
See you :)
Did I see a scavenger lately ?

[Agent Smith]

Hey, I will admit that was pretty bad, I didn't realize at the time it was such a bad scavenging move, I had been thinking of war with agartha, but it won't happen again. I will remove my forces from province 3 and 50. To Arcoscephale and Ctis, sorry about that.

[Patolixo]

Well, and I have just played my last turn, setting myself as AI. Good game, everyone. Several lessons learned in this one!

Snall, I have sent you the admin password in a PM.

Aaaand I have a bit of a weird request. Could someone volunteer to send a copy of their turns from now on to me at patolixo[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]br? I would like to continue looking at the game progress as this was my first MP game and the first game I created. You need not to worry, as Llamaserver won't accept turns from any e-mail address other than the one already registered for the nation in question, and I am an honorable man and you have my word I will not discuss or disclose information to anyone else in the game. Thanks!

[SnallTrippin]

Not sure what I do other than make sure the turns keep going regularly and we halt if necessary, I will be following this thread/forum so just post or pm me if you need something done for the game.

EDIT - I have to say my prophet did quite well anyway.

[Num]

Hello,
Patolixo, I just sent you my turn 43. Any advice, idea, suggestion or insult is of course welcome (I admit you know most of the diplomatic situation).

[Num]

Hi,
Nation of C'tis is pleasured to send to Marignon his best delegates. The Devourer of Souls, the forgotten gods and all their dead servants, poisonous creatures from the marshes guided by our best mages are going to corrupt the lands of false justice.

[Belac]

Machaka and Shinuyama have a NAP-3.

[Agent Smith]

To the cowards,
I commend your ability to learn from the writings of Machiavelli. You really had me going there with thoughts of plunder, adventure and conquest. Now, the true face of evil is revealed. My name is Agent Smith, you took my borderlands, prepare to die.

[SnallTrippin]

You'd think people would have learned from my death..heh.

[Belac]

Machaka will end its NAP with Arcoscephale in due time (3 turns).

[Dark Kitty]

The nation of Shinuyama is cancelling its NAP with Arcocephale

[Cicero]

Well, I think I've gone far enough for a first play. Honor to Tien'Chi that has massed an impressive army.

Just one note: as diplomacy was stated binding, I think that Shinuyama has acted in a very irregular way. It is useless to say you will cancel the NAP in 3 turns and then taking three of my provinces before the right turn by the excuse of failing stealthy armies. I know that there is no referee or similar, still I don't want this to go unobserved.

[Dark Kitty]

EDIT : Argh, double post, please see below

[Dark Kitty]

Yes, it happened two turns in a row : 58 and 59 (however if memory serves, I took "only" two provinces that way : 136 and 154, what would be the third one?). I wrote to you to apologize both times in all good faith. And what I said was true : my orders were "sneak", not "attack". I don't mind someone looking at my turns and the orders I submitted to check. I guess it would be SnallTrippin.

I understand this must have messed your preparations and/or defense and I apologize once again, however I did not do it on purpose (that said I saw in a thread on NAP yesterday that it was of bad taste to sneak troops in your new ennemy's territory before the NAP was completely over so I'm sorry for that too)

If you really feel it was unfair (and I would understand), how would you feel about extending the end of our NAP to when you see it fit? (+2, +4, +6 turns, etc...)

[Num]

See you out there, very soon :(

Sorry for have been a so weak ally

[Dark Kitty]

@Cicero : Having received no answer here or to my PMs, I assume the war with Arco is starting/continuing after all?

If you would like to "postpone" the end of our NAP or something like that, please post here or send me a PM, I won't do my turn until a few hours from now...

[Num]

Hello,

I have two problems I cannot get and it strucks me a little :

Some of my mages have a script with a battlefield enchantment (Cast specific spell, Darkness or Foul Vapor for exemple and that is all, enough magic path and personal gems) and they do not launch it damn it (Well sometimes they launch it....) !! Is there something I miss ? Though they do launch simple spells like terror or raise skeletons, but that is not fully fulfilled (some use other spells... for fun ?).

The second problem is about movement : Armies can cross each other without battle ?!? Is it because first, all movement are completely done and second, if there are different armies in the same zone, there is a battle ?

Thanks for answering, I would like to ask a lot more questions, but those ones are more urgent :rolleyes:

[13lackGu4rd]

Hello,

I have two problems I cannot get and it strucks me a little :

Some of my mages have a script with a battlefield enchantment (Cast specific spell, Darkness or Foul Vapor for exemple and that is all, enough magic path and personal gems) and they do not launch it damn it (Well sometimes they launch it....) !! Is there something I miss ? Though they do launch simple spells like terror or raise skeletons, but that is not fully fulfilled (some use other spells... for fun ?).

spells like Darkness and Foul Vapors have a gem cost. this cost is to be payed inside the battle itself, with gems on the pretender(not your laboratory), so the most likely cause for your mages to not cast them is that you didn't give your mages the required gems.

The second problem is about movement : Armies can cross each other without battle ?!? Is it because first, all movement are completely done and second, if there are different armies in the same zone, there is a battle ?

Thanks for answering, I would like to ask a lot more questions, but those ones are more urgent :rolleyes:

movement is pretty complicated. if 2 opposing armies are moving towards each other than 1 of these will happen:
1. first army will move, second army will stay and become the defender.
2. second army will move, first army will stay and become the defender.
3. both armies move and avoid battle altogether.

[Belac]

If the enemy is too weak, the AI won't cast gem-cost spells. That's to stop your 100-gem Darkness+Foul Vapors+Flaming Arrows+Howl+Gaia's Blessing+Fire Storm scripted barrage from going off when your enemy sends in 1 scout set to retreat. It also means that sometimes your scripting screws up against slightly more threatening foes.

[Num]

If the enemy is too weak, the AI won't cast gem-cost spells
Thak you "Talleyrand" Belac :)

movement is pretty complicated. if 2 opposing armies are moving towards each other than 1 of these will happen:
1. first army will move, second army will stay and become the defender.
2. second army will move, first army will stay and become the defender.
3. both armies move and avoid battle altogether.
And thank you too C'ti comrade :)

[Agent Smith]

Alright Everyone, I have to say this was a good game. To Num, I congratulate you on your victory.
To every one, you can expect me to go AI sometime in the near future, and thanks for the great time :)

[Num]

See you Agentsmith. I did not think it would be so difficult to defeat your armies. Sorry for have taken you out.

Anyway, my turn mails are blocked and returned back by the Llamaserver. So I do not know if I will be able to continue playing.

[Belac]

See you Agentsmith. I did not think it would be so difficult to defeat your armies. Sorry for have taken you out.

Anyway, my turn mails are blocked and returned back by the Llamaserver. So I do not know if I will be able to continue playing.

IM Snalltrippin and ask for an extension. You're too important a nation to let drop. IMO, one of the players still in the game should be admin, as they're more likely to be paying attention.

[Dark Kitty]

It looks like you fought well Agent Smith, see you in future games ;)

[Num]

I expect to have (easily) solved the problem. Thanks Llamabeast and Snalltrippin.
I am cursed : The AI Marignon Cyclop is besieging me, my Well of Misery have been taken out and a master thief (?!?) has stolen me something like 60 or 70 gems, maybe more.
Very bad mood:cold:

[Dark Kitty]

The nation of Shinuyama cancels its NAP with the nation of Ermor. Hostilities may begin on turn 75, unless further discussed.

[Belac]

I will be away for the weekend and unable to send in turns from thursday at 9PM GMT to Sunday at 9PM GMT. Can I get a postponement?

Also, Ermor has been staling. We should find a replacement or set him AI.

[Num]

A sub will not be a great idea, as he will probably not appreciate what is coming next and the way it is coming (This is my opinion).
So I think the best thing to do is expecting Viccio to come back to the game soon... And if he does not, well, see you next time, what can we do ?
Or maybe it is a trap ! He looks like dead.... That is pure role playing strategy. Attackers will suffer !!

[Belac]

At least have Snalltrippin set him AI. The AI wouldn't do much useful to prepare for a war, but it could at least fight.

Also, I am hoping Snalltrippin either acts as an active admin or passes the duty off, so I can get that weekend delay I asked for.

[SnallTrippin]

No one has posted about your delay against it so I will be delaying in 10-12 hours for 72 hours. And Ermor is going AI.

[Belac]

Thanks!

[Belac]

I still need a turn delay until Sunday. Thanks!

[Num]

The next turn deadline has not been changed....

[Num]

So Snalltrippin thanks to make the rollback (Belac has not played, nor Skor, and nor me)

[SnallTrippin]

I had it set to wait till Monday at 11am EST, wtf is going on?

[Num]

It has failed. Could you make a rollback so that we can play and send turn 77 ?

[SnallTrippin]

Ok can everyone else post too? We're now on 79 do we need to go back to 77 or what?

EDIT- Think I can only send it back to 78 now?

[Num]

Please answer quickly. this is total nonsense, I am going crazy with this.

[Belac]

I'm sorry I couldn't get to the forum yesterday. It is fine, I accept the stale, I'd staled before without complaint, and nothing bad happened to me on the turn I staled. If anyone else wants to roll back, I would be OK with it, but don't roll back on my account.

However, I think Snalltrippin should pass the admin reins on to an active player. That would make it less likely for snafus like this to happen again.

EDIT: I would also accept a rollback of 1 turn, which would perhaps be a balance between the chaos of rolling back 2 turns and unfairness to C'tis of moving forward.

Num, if you want to roll back to 78, I support you. If you want to go forward with no rollback, I support that. Only if everyone else is in favor of a 2-turn rollback would I go along with that.

Since it seems to be currently all human players vs AI-Ermor, I think this makes less of a difference, since there's no player-on-player war where 1 side staled and the other didn't.

[Dark Kitty]

Since all players except me stalled turn 77, maybe it would be a good idea to roll back to this turn.
Rollbacks are often chaotic but since every human players are at peace, I think it should be ok...

Maybe Snalltrippin doesn't think as often as before to check the thread (and I understand perfectly as he was the first player eliminated, and it has been a while) and he could pass this duty over to another player? (I don't volunteer for the job however as I have some exams soon, plus I never did admin a game)

[Belac]

OK, someone should do something in the next 5 hours. Snalltrippin, can you put more time on the clock or pass the adminning onto someone else? I would volunteer, but I am generally unreliable on the weekends so it might be better if someone else took charge.

It looks like Num and Snalltrippin are in favor of rolling back to turn 77. I would support that, if Skor doesn't mind. Let's try and do something soon though.

EDIT: We shouldn't let it host again without coming to an agreement. Also, if the game is rolled back to turn 78, it can then be rolled back again to turn 77. So we can do a 2-turn rollback, it just has to be done in 2 steps. If Skor doesn't object (and based on what my scouts saw during the stale turn I think he wouldn't mind), let's roll back to 77 and pass the adminning on to an active player.

[Num]

Ok it looks like that mess could last for years.... Thank you very much Snalltrippin !

I am going to play and send turn 79 so we can continue and most important, my small and delicate nerves will maybe survive a few days more.

Please give us the admin control.

[Belac]

...ok, so are we rolling back to 78? 77? no rollbacks and going forward?

I don't think it makes much of a difference, I just want to continue on some turn or other.

[Skor]

I agree with all options, I accept any decision.

[Num]

So no rollback, too complicated now, it is too late and Snalltrippin is not available easily (that is logical). By the way, he will give us the admin options (I can do it, until I am not eliminated or forced to stop playing) once he will see those posts...
Everybody stale one turn (except Shinuyama, not sure), I stale two but that is not that important. So nevermind.

We are all lucky Ermor has abandoned, he would crush some of us with a head at this nation right now.

[Belac]

Alrighty...that was a real mess. Glad we're moving forward. I accept Num as admin.

Was anyone really hurt by the stales? I got besieged but didn't actually fight any big battles while staling. Fought an Ermorian army underwater that I would have fought on land.

[Num]

I break my NAP with Machaka.
I think all of you know why. Belac, I just told you why I cannot trust you anymore.
May the Creator save your soul.

[Belac]

Num, you have me wrong. I plan to -be- the Creator.
It is your soul which I will have the chance to save. Or perhaps you will spend eternity in Tartarus as a Cyclops's anvil.

[Belac]

It is our understanding that this is the turn on which attack orders can be given. Let the Hunt for the Monolith begin! Belakkah decrees that whichever commander among Her worshippers slays the Stone of C'tis shall be given a mighty artifact to wield, and should a soldier of the line land the final blow he shall recieve the Gift of Reason at Her hands and the command of Her bodyguard.

[Num]

Let's be honest, Belac. You have paid all that players who trust you ?
That is supernatural.
You deserve victory for that , I cheer that talent to always be placed on the right side.
:)
I will sure die but all of you will suffer a lot before.

[Belac]

I don't understand what you are talking about. Also, you and your marshmasters will be a very tough nut to crack. I am not expecting quick victory, and your swamps will be the grave of many brave Machakans.

[Belac]

Also, do we have an active admin? Num, did you ever get the admin password from Snalltrippin?

[Num]

No he did not give me anything.

I ask him one again right now.

[Num]

No news from Snalltrippin. So I hope we will not need any admin option.

Belac I am waiting for your surrender. Your armies and tartarians are no match for my marshmasters. I accept Belakka's head, I will mummify it (and maybe put it at the front of the main gate of my capital).

[Belac]

Yep, I about surrender. I could claim it's because with 24 hour turns and being attacked by 2 players I don't have time to give proper attention to the turns (which is true), but the real answer is that Shinuyama is kicking my ***.

Perhaps were it just C'tis and I, your marshmasters would eventually overwhelm me before I figured out how to take them out. But it's really Shinuyama who's done it.

I see only a future of slow retreats in former Ermor and swift defeats in my homeland, punctuated by intermittent stales, especially on the weekend. Especially after Shinuyama just annihilated the majority of my troops on his front, I don't think I've got much more in the tank.

[Num]

I am sorry but I disagree : That was a 1 versus 1 when you attacked on turn 87 or 88, and that became 2vs2 on turn 93. I was and I am still in the same situation as you : Stuck between 2 opponents, one attacking some turns after the first one. Like you, my empire is not in its best shape right now. But it is surviving and will cause again lot of suffering before disappearing !
Anyway I agree it would be another story if it would remain like on turn 87 until now.

Skor, the map was a mess, I have cleared a little all of that. You should be thankful, I am taking care of your nation upkeep.
:D

If you get time once finished playing, I would like that all of you will write what you are thinking about the game, Dom3, strategy and everything you want. I will do it and I expect you will do the same...

[Skor]

Thank you very much for Alliviate my unkeep, you are a good friend for care my economy.:p
Seems that finally you will win the war. You see that you don´t have be pessimist.;)
Congratulations for you victory. Dark Kitty and you had played very well.:up:
I going to resist while i can, but going to be very dificult.:doh:
Greeting.

[Belac]

I am sorry but I disagree : That was a 1 versus 1 when you attacked on turn 87 or 88, and that became 2vs2 on turn 93. I was and I am still in the same situation as you : Stuck between 2 opponents, one attacking some turns after the first one. Like you, my empire is not in its best shape right now. But it is surviving and will cause again lot of suffering before disappearing !
Anyway I agree it would be another story if it would remain like on turn 87 until now.

Skor, the map was a mess, I have cleared a little all of that. You should be thankful, I am taking care of your nation upkeep.
:D

If you get time once finished playing, I would like that all of you will write what you are thinking about the game, Dom3, strategy and everything you want. I will do it and I expect you will do the same...

The difference is, you were winning the first war, and your 2nd opponent didn't smack you down hard right when you were about to launch your 2nd offensive...losing Arcane Nexus and the Astral gems I lost trying to retake it was the killer.

Anyhow, if we still have no active admin I am completely hosed (not that I'm not hosed anyway), as I will again have to stale at least once over the weekend. Frankly, I'm shocked we made it to turn 76 without anyone needing more time per turn, and that it hasn't been that much of an issue since then.

[Num]

Snalltrippin does not answer to my pm, you can try if you want, maybe you will have better chance. I cannot do more. Having an Admin out of the game was a complete noob mistake.

However C'tis Empire is just about to collapse. Numa thought his marshmasters were mastering death but the dead monsters davastating his lands are showing that he was wrong. He has no answer to that threat, far too powerful and unpredictable.
C'tis Empire will defend itself until the end anyhow.

[Dark Kitty]

Beware ennemies of Shinuyama, for the Bakemono sorcerers have grown tired of waiting in their castles and are joining the battle now.

We are sending to C'tis the head of Bellakah on a plate right now, next will be the god of Tien Chi ;)

[Num]

I do not know what the God of Tien Chi looks like, but soon a great battle will surely decide of the fate of his lands, and mine.
There are no more elemental Queen or King of anything serving Belakkah. Lizards have slayed them. Sooner or later the remnants of Machaka will follow, and I hope Skor's people will suffer the same destiny in a few time...

[Num]

Outch !

[Skor]

I think that the winner of the game will be Shinuyama, i´m defeated and don´t believe that C´tis would can win to Shinuyama.
Congratulations for your victory!
If you don´t have objetion i going to pass my nation to IA.
Thank for this playing.

[Dark Kitty]

If Num thinks so too, I would be ok with it, as I have exams coming and 24h turns started to be really short a while ago...

I think it was pretty close between the last four of us, I got pretty lucky in the end (but I was about to dispel your last enchantment and cast a few of my own, so I also think I would have won in the end)

However, since I have written exams next week, if the two of you want to continue playing, you can do so without me for a week (I would have to stall most turns anyway), "rebalance" the situation (since I won't be able to defend myself), and we could continue with a more balanced situation when I get back. I wouldn't mind that either :)

So it's really up to you two.

[Num]

I was about to make the same suggestion : Skor, I cannot beat your best tartarians (I do not know what to do against eartquake), and anyway I would be crushed by Shinuyama at the next stage. I do not have any more supercombatants (1 useable I think), I lack that endgame requirement since too much time, and I cannot get more right now. So I cannot win, no chance at all. We have already talked about with Dark Kitty, we knew who would be the winner if our alliance were beating Tien Chi+Machaka.

Bravo au vainqueur ;)

That was a great time playing this game. That was my first one, Dominions is a really good game, I regret not having discovered it before 2010... Thank you all for playing.

A little comment about the only Rattlehead game (If you could do the same...) :
My plan was to play the way I did (lot of research, temples, strong dominion and scales, a not really useful dormant monolith pretender, lot of marshmasters, few troops, Spamming raise skeletons, Darkness+Foul Vapors+Poison protection, that works perfectly, I did not lose lot of battles), but I completely underestimate the SC point in the endgame (I have never played more than 50 turns in a sp, and no mp). Well I did not thought about it... I had some tarts but no more than 3 good ones, despite lot of death and nature gems. In addition, I lost so much time to get a death-4 mage. And I did not have any plan to reach the right numbers in death, astral or nature.
I did not have any access to air, earth, fire or blood paths, I did not know anything about any nations in the game, you cannot imagine the time it takes to me for understanding the game mechanics, the spells, nations, etc...
I survive the beginning thanks to Archos and Belac for not having attacked me (I saw the Archos' elephants very soon, something like turn 5, I was horrified). Thanks Archos for letting me the path to the peninsula, I was stuck so soon, you saved my game definitely. Diplomacy saved me, well everything in Dom3 is about diplomatic moves. Bad strategy, nice neighbours, that is my recipe ! Well, one of them was not that nice, sorry Belac :).
I am sorry for Agartha, Marignon, Ermor and TC, you were on my way. Archos, excuse me for having abandoned you. Belac, you were too much versatile, and that was weird for your allies, well, neighbours...
Thanks DarkKitty for the endgame alliance (obviously, language has helped, but Hey ! France is the heart of the world and deserve victory :cool:).
The Dom3 endgame seems a little standardized, that is the other bad point for me, that is disappointing after so much variety before.
Maybe I am going to play another one soon (I already played in another game but it is slower and I intentionnally do not make any diplomacy, no talk, not a lot of time so).

See you,

[Dark Kitty]

Thanks to you two and the other players, I had fun and learned a lot :)

About Rattlehead : I did get astral and nature on my pretender as I thought they were important paths, plus that way I could easily have access to high magic in every path but air and blood.

My plan was to turtle quietly so I could get a lot of research done until someone decided to attack me and make heavy use of Bakemono sorcerers with troops + Alteration spells, unfortunately I got in an early war with Man and it left me really behind in research for a long time.

I was never the strongest nation (until very late) and I had good diplomatic relations with many neighbours (enough I had to keep an eye out with some^^), so I didn't get ganged upon even though I casted some nice enchantments (FotA, GoH, Maelstrom, Arcane Nexus, etc...). That's probably what allowed me to survive until the late game (even though in this game, the powerful nations of the beginning, Ermor, C'tis and Tien Chi, and then Machaka later on, all made it to the endgame), and then the power of the bakemono sorcerers started to kick in with high research.
So I think the sheer reason of my victory was the strength of the bakemono sorcerers and my lack of strength in early and midgame^^ (I also received a load of gems from an anonymous donator midgame ;))

It was my first endgame so I learned a lot, especially about thugs and SCs.

Thanks to Num for choosing me as his endgame partner and to Skor for being a sportsman ;)