Running - FastBlitz 3

[Graeme Dice]

The game is now accepting pretenders on Llamaserver. See the attached map file in this post.

Since my first version of this game was something of a minor success and was certainly different, I've decided to start up another version. This one is similar, but not identical to the first Fastblitz.

If there's any significant disagreement on game conditions, I can easily change them.

Game conditions:
Conceptual Balance mod v. 1.6
Endgame diversity mod.
36 hour timer to start, add 12 hours to the timer every 15 turns or whenever enough players ask for it.
Middle Era
Medium Random Map
9 starting provinces
Independent strength 9
75% special site frequency
300% money, 300% supplies, 300% resources
15 Hall of Fame entries
Random events common
Score graphs on
Difficult research
Renaming Allowed

Game ends whenever the players agree to end it.

Open diplomacy with as much backstabbing as people feel like. Please try not to take the game too personally.

Players:
fungalreason: Ulm
Aethyr: Shinuyama
Graeme: Atlantis
feniel: Ashdod
Folket: Ermor
Ossa: Abysia
Rytek: Man
Euarchus: C'Tis
Inindo: T'ien C'hi

[fungalreason]

I'll take Ulm

[Aethyr]

I think I have time for another game. Shinuyama please.

[feniel]

I'd like to take Ashdod if it's aviable.

[Aethyr]

Since we're using the Endgame diversity mod, how do you feel about making magic not as difficult (hard maybe?) so that we can give this mod some real MP testing?

[Graeme Dice]

I could reduce it to very difficult, which will make research about as fast as a normal game.

[Folket]

Perhaps I can play Ermor.

[Graeme Dice]

Since we have to make a combined mod to include both CBM and the EDM, would anybody object to also modding out the upkeep cost for summoned trolls and sea trolls?

[Folket]

Given the high income setting I do not think that will matter much. But I'm positive to everything. I think we should mod in clams again. They are not as powerful when things will be as aggressive as they are when playing these settings.

[fungalreason]

Ugh... a big NO from me re: adding clams.

[Graeme Dice]

Heh, I don't think I can put clams back in just yet for this game. Otherwise I'd pretty much have to play Bandar Log.

[Aethyr]

No clams!

[Folket]

Ok, I can survive without clams, but will I thrive?

[Graeme Dice]

We've got five players now, so let's start the game this weekend with whoever else we can recruit in the meantime.

[Ossa]

I'd take Abyssia

[Aethyr]

I'm looking forward to getting this game started.

[Folket]

Let us create a game at llamaserver and send in our pretenders.

[Aethyr]

Graeme, will you be using Pyg's quick fix in the End Game Balance mod thread, or will you be waiting for Llamabeast to harmonize the mod with CBM?

[Euarchus]

I'm interested. Sauromatia please.

[Graeme Dice]

Ummm. Sauromatia doesn't exist in the Middle Age.

I was hoping to wait for Llamabeast to make his own fixed version, but we can use the quick fix if that's not around by the weekend (tomorrow).

[Rytek]

I woould like to join as MAN please.

[Euarchus]

Oh, heh, sorry didn't think - I'll take C'tis then.

[Graeme Dice]

The game is now up and accepting pretenders.

[Rytek]

I just ran a test with the end game mod and I noticed that it added an extra attack to Man's knights. They now get a "Shishi claw attack" which does a dam 2 (x2 vs demons) attack, 2 attacks and counts as magical. I also noticed it on the indep heavy calvalry. MAybe I downloaded the wrong one. I will use your link provided and try again

[Graeme Dice]

Make sure you are using the version of the Endgame diversity mod found at:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=735416

[Rytek]

ok, that fixed it. That claw attack made the knights insane.

[feniel]

I had some days off and I'm just back home.

Tomorrow evening I'll send my pretender.

[Folket]

I have to go away for couple of days. But I will send my pretender on Thursday.

[Maerlande]

Is T'ien Ch'i still open?

[Graeme Dice]

No, TC has already been taken. I'd let another person join, but that would mean setting up another map.

[Maerlande]

Don't worry about it. I just saw it listed with no name.

[Folket]

I have mailed my pretender now.

[Folket]

Is there a better way of contacting Inindo then sending in game messages?

[Graeme Dice]

He has a forum account, so try searching for it?

[Inindo]

Yay, finally have forum access.

[legolasjrt]

This full already?

[Rytek]

So, Ashdod must have been licking his chops when he saw his starting location. 2 land spaces seperate Man and Ashdod. Ashdod has the standard E10N6 Bless. Im not sure I can come up with anything that can even hurt his Sacreds beyond the initial charge of some knights. I almost went with a B8/W9 bless just in case I ended up next to Ashdod. But alas, I did not.

In any case, Ashdod has invaded Man in the lower right hand corner of the map. Any help is appreciated.

[Graeme Dice]

Actually legolasjrt, we're already on turn 6.

[Graeme Dice]

I'll be extending the turn timer on Friday so that the next turn will occur on Monday.

[Folket]

Those were short 100 hours.

[Graeme Dice]

I know that I postponed the hosting by 170 hours after the last turn, so I'm not sure what happened. Abysia certainly should have had time to do his turn. Does postponing the turn on Llamaserver not actually work?

[Aethyr]

I've never known it to not work.

[fungalreason]

Hmm, I'm certain I saw it say that turn was due some time next Tuesday. That's very bizarre indeed.

[Inindo]

Nice double knockout in the arena

[Inindo]

and then there were 8... farewell man

[Rytek]

Sorry for the bad showing. I knew I was in trouble with my capitols bad placement, my best province having ink pot end in it and all the rest of my provinces having less than 5k populstion and being right next to Ashddi. Ashdods build really thru me for a loop. When I saw that he had an awake pretender who researched like 29 rp on turn 1 I figured it was a rainbow and he wasnt pursuing a heavy bless. The placement of my capitol right on his border allowed him to cut off my inital army and park right next to my capitol. Later on in the struggle we had a few good fights with sleep and some hero blades causing some damage. The critical loss came when I positioned my army in the corner to give my mages time for the sleeps to take affect and he won the random roll on who attacks who. I bumped my PD up. His sacreds routed the pd before my special forces with the hero blades even got into the fight. Army was cutoff and that was that.
GG.

[Aethyr]

Starting right next to Ashdod is a bummer, but you did a good job holding out as long as you did.

[feniel]

Man did a incredible job. It was a great honor to fight against him.

When I was besieging all his fortress and I had spread my armies too thin on the map, we had a couple of tough battles. I was very close to be defeated. I felt in my own Satalingrad battle in a desperate fight. Fortunately, as Rylek sais, I was lucky.

[Inindo]

Here here! If it's any consolation, C'tis fell one turn after. Has anyone else noticed the turns are now more than 48 hours? Maybe 72 but not sure.

[Folket]

I will be gone Friday to Sunday this week, perhaps I will have time to play my turn Friday morning.

Next week I will be gone Thursday to Sunday.

[fungalreason]

Ulm is interested in trading for a few air gems. Please send a PM if interested, and I'm sure we can work something out.

[Folket]

Remember to delay the hosting of the next turn til sunday evening.

[Graeme Dice]

Thanks for the reminder.

[Folket]

I'm sorry, but I got home now and I'm a wreck. I missed two nights ff sleep while I was gone(my throat hurt so much that I was not able to sleep). I feel better now but I'm just so tired that I can't play my turn tonight.

Could the tun be delayed an other day?

[Inindo]

I will be away next weekend from Friday to Tuesday and will need a delay

[Graeme Dice]

I've taken account of both delays.

[Graeme Dice]

Aethyr asked for a 48 hour extension and it has been granted. Let the carnage continue.

[Inindo]

Please remember to delay the next turn till after Tuesday for me, thanks

[Folket]

I refuse to fight anyone, I'm a pacifist.

[Folket]

I must have been thinking wrong about the time. I thought I would be able to play the turn tonight.

Can you delay the hosting three hours so that I have time to get home and play my turn?

[Graeme Dice]

Hosting delayed by 6 hours just to be on the safe side. These turns are getting kind of important.

[Aethyr]

I agree, centainly for some of us more than others. The enhanced resources are perhaps demanding more time than one would typically see at this stage of the game. Would you like to make some accomodation in the hosting time for this, or am I the only one that's feeling a bit pinched? :)

[Inindo]

After watching many comrades disappear in sudden puffs of blood and gore at the battles conclusion, the victorious Tien Chi Horsemen must now trudge home and utilize the famed senior citizen pension system of the imperial bureaucracy with the haunting sounds of the Wind of death spell forever lingering in their Alzheimer riddled memories.

[feniel]

Something very weird. One army (13 leaders and 24 troops) didn't move. They just stayed in the same province patrolling. I've checked my previous turn and I sure it was a server faliure.

Did you have anything similar?

[Graeme Dice]

There is a movement bug that sometimes shows up, but I don't know what causes it.

[Aethyr]

Probally the same malfunction that caused me to try to fight that water queen in the water...:doh:

[Inindo]

I take it that the battle ended badly for you?

[Aethyr]

Disastrous is the word I would use (although embarrissing would work too). :)

The conclave of Sorcerers now plots thier revenge and the complete utter destruction of Atlantis! :D

[Graeme Dice]

Well, Limne is just as tough above water as below, so I wish you the best of luck in defeating her.

[Aethyr]

Indeed.

[Folket]

Seems like the once proud empire of Ermor is crumbling.

So we make a open plea to our strong neighbours to accept us as a vassal state that will help your ascension under condition that the people of Ermor can continue to worship their god even after some other god is accepted as god of all creation.

[Aethyr]

Folket, you are doing an amazing job fighting against multiple foes.

[Folket]

Thank you. But I know when I have been defeated.

So I just wanted everyone to know I'm open for suggestions that would allow me to stay in the game some longer.

[Inindo]

I'm afraid I don't know how a vassalage works in the first place, could you please enlighten me? I have already learned that a temporary peace can simply be a means for another nation to rebuild and come back to war with you even more prepared and since your nation is still quite large and formidable in terms of provinces, castles, income, troop generation (masses of undead), etc, you possess a tremendous ability to bounce back very quickly, possibly to the detriment of all living beings on the continent.

[Aethyr]

Thank you. But I know when I have been defeated.

So I just wanted everyone to know I'm open for suggestions that would allow me to stay in the game some longer.

Frankly, I'm at a bit of a loss on how best to respond. Any nation that accepted your offer would immediately become the target that all nations should focus on, as the "X"/Ermor alliance would be THE world power.

My suggestion, obviously self-serving, is that perhaps both you and TC could halt hostilties and join me in destoying Atlantis (and their servant Ulm) before they can rebuild their forces. :D

[Aethyr]

Fighting 15 or so Kings of the Deep underwater...ouch.

[Inindo]

Treacherous females! How dare you all betray your god for Ermor's instead of fulfilling your divine mandated mission of unending unrest!

[Aethyr]

GG Ossa, you put up a tough fight and held in there for a long time.

[Inindo]

Yeah GG. Never did hear about how a vassalage is supposed to work in an MP game.

[Folket]

It is all about what you agree to.

[feniel]

I have holidays the next week and planned a 8 days trip.

I'll be able to send the turns but I don't sure when I'll have internet access: please, if it's possible, change the turn interval to 4 days just for the next week.

Thanks.

[Graeme Dice]

Sure.

[Aethyr]

Graeme, slow down! At this rate you'll have knocked me out before I really get a chance to test drive all of Llama's cool end-game additions. :)

Seriously, you are doing a marvelous job in this game and dishing me out a first-class butt whupping.

[fungalreason]

If possible, could I get an 8 hour extension for this turn? I thought I would be back in time, but it looks like I'll be delayed.

[Graeme Dice]

Done

[feniel]

If it's possible, I'll need a new delay. At least 24 hours. Thanks.

[Graeme Dice]

Sure. I've left the timer at 96 hours for this turn.

[Folket]

Seems like Curse of Wendigo does not work.

[Graeme Dice]

That's not good. I'm afraid I have no way of fixing that myself without Llamabeast's help.

I should have let you storm that castle I think. Would have got the antimagic off before your master enslave.

[Folket]

Guess we will have to live with that knowledge. Let it be fixed for hte next version of the mod.

[Aethyr]

Graeme, may I have a 12 hour extension please? I had a bit of a home emergency and I won't be able to get my turn in on time. Thanks

[Aethyr]

You can ignore my previous request, I was able to get my turn in afterall.

[feniel]

I need a 12 hours extension. I have problems with my laptop. I'll try to fix it.

Anyway I could do it with some friend's computer but it's the last option.


It's a shame that there's no "Dominion 3 ipod version" :D

[Graeme Dice]

Will do.

[Graeme Dice]

Is the 4 day schedule good for people? Or would it be better to bring it back down to 72 hours?

[Inindo]

I'm ok either way

[Aethyr]

The slower pace suits me just fine.

[Folket]

Hello, I'm going away to Ukraine on Friday and will returrn on Sunday.

I will play two turns tomorrow and then play turn 56 on Sunday which means I need to get tun 56 delayed one to two days.

[Graeme Dice]

Okay. I'll remember to delay it.

[Folket]

Hello!

I am back now and noticed that the turn has not been delayed.

I have not looked at turn 57 and I would prefer that we roll back one turn and let me submit turn 56.

[Graeme Dice]

I thought from your description that you were going to be back last Sunday, not this Sunday. Which is why the turn was not delayed. The rollback will be granted if nobody complains.

[Folket]

Yes, you are partially right. The description of my leave was misleading, but the request to delay turn 56 was correct.

[Inindo]

I don't mind either way. What are the rules/procedures for this? It will be my first roll back. I assume nobody else does anything but Folket and that when we get the turn it should have the same results except random events and anything involving Folket?

[Folket]

The turn will be slightly different. Many things involve random number and this will be regenerated.

My experience is that preparation matter more then luck so mostly things turn out similar.

[Graeme Dice]

I'll roll back the turn this evening if nobody else complains.

[Aethyr]

Graeme, I received the rolled back turn and the message that should not resubmit my turn file. However, since LLamaserver indicates that its "waiting" for a turn file, if I don't resubmit won't this result in stale?

[Graeme Dice]

No, your original turn file is still on the server.

[Folket]

I'm sorry but I have come down with some stomach sickness and have not have the energy to play my turn.

If you give me one more day I can try tomorrow.

[Graeme Dice]

Done

[Folket]

Sorry, but I was wrong about curse of the wendigo. It does work. Perhaps it starts of as a non commander and turns into commander when eating some corpses. Or something. I have no idea why I could not find him the turn I summoned him.

[Inindo]

Going to need a delay past the long weekend please 48H should be more than enough.

[Graeme Dice]

Okay. Just delayed it.

[Inindo]

Wow, Land's End this turn was an epic battlefield. Bravo Aethyr.

[Aethyr]

Thank you. I'm afraid however, that I'm no match for Graeme's brutal effeciency; he is playing a truely masterful game. If I can kill that ridiculous kraken before he grinds me down I will die happy. :)

[Inindo]

Yay, first HoF to reach 1000 kills! Am I also the first to get every single research completed?

[Aethyr]

Yay, first HoF to reach 1000 kills! Am I also the first to get every single research completed?

Sounds like you're campaigning to be the target of the next dogpile. :cool:

[Aethyr]

Graeme, I've just not had as much time to focus on the game this week, and this turn is more complicated than most. May I have a 36 hour extension please?

[Aethyr]

Looks like I got my request in too late, so I'm rushing a turn to avoid a stale.

[Inindo]

Wow, big battles in 2 capitals. Um, I was just wondering how every one else is feeling about the game at this point. It's just it seems a very slow grind for me since ever province has a fort which makes raiding hard, and taking forts surrounded by other forts is a massive effort in general with all sorts of spells raining down left and right.

[Aethyr]

How do I feel about the game? I am enjoying every attempt to breach my casltes, and I will spare no effort in an attempt to absolutely destroy any army that attempts to do so. I will be defeated eventually, but the cost will be high.

The Bakemono will never surrender.

[Folket]

I kinda feel slow and am not playing very well.

[Aethyr]

I don't know about that Folket, you've had to fight off multiple foes for a very, very long time. That's enough to wear down anyone.

[Aethyr]

Graeme, May I have a 24 hour extension for the current turn please? Thanks

[Inindo]

I don't know about that Folket, you've had to fight off multiple foes for a very, very long time. That's enough to wear down anyone.

And a stupendous job of it too I might add.

[Folket]

Yes, I'm worn. Perhaps lower the timer to 48 hours =P.

[Aethyr]

48 hours would be to quick for me at this point, but I would support lowering it to 72 if that were the will of the group.

[Folket]

I think lowering the turntimer would help me to enjoy the game more. I'm just draging my feet to much now and that is a downward spiral.

[Graeme Dice]

I'd be happy with it at 48 hours myself. Next turn?

[Folket]

Well, no need to run over Aethyr. Let us do 72 after next turn.

[Aethyr]

Thanks Folket. We have not heard from Inindo yet. If he's willing to go for 48, I'm willing to give it a go as long as you all would not mind an extension request from time to time. :)

[Inindo]

I'm ok either way, if Aethyr needs periodic extensions maybe 72 would be easier for him then

[Aethyr]

Let's give it a go at 48; I'm in favor if it helps keep interest up. If it turns out that it's too much of a struggle for me, I'll waive the white flag and let you guys know.

[Folket]

I'm sorry, I have been sick all week, could someone extend the timer 12 hours for me?

[Graeme Dice]

Yep.

[Folket]

Weird, I thought I posted here...

Still, I'm away this weekend so I would like a one day extension on the next turn.

Thanks for the extension even though it was last turn I wanted it. Still given how I felt it would not have made any difference. =P

[Graeme Dice]

Yah, the difference in our time zones makes last minute extensions kind of problematic. I try and catch them, but I think your message came through at 1:00 a.m. my time. I'll add 24 hours to the timer for the long weekend.

[Aethyr]

You beat me to it--thanks I really needed the extra time.

[Folket]

Sorry that I staled. I just forgot to play my turn friday.

[Inindo]

Can I have a 24H extension please

[Graeme Dice]

Yep. Just did it.

[Inindo]

Just checked and Ashdod has stalled the last 4 turns so i'm guessing he's out. Anybody else feel like calling it quits now that Ermor capital is in my hands?

[Aethyr]

Are you serious? Are you assuming that Atlantis, against all logic, will continue to serve your interests?

I recommend that we immediately postpone hosting and try to find a sub for Ashdod.

Assuming that the new lord of Ashdod will not (also) continue to act as your agent, this game is far from over. ;)

Just checked and Ashdod has stalled the last 4 turns so i'm guessing he's out. Anybody else feel like calling it quits now that Ermor capital is in my hands?

[Folket]

I agree with Aethyr. Let us find a sub for Ashdod.

[Graeme Dice]

I'll postpone the game for now then.

[Folket]

I'm not a very good salesman. What is the plan now? Play the rest of the game as if Ashdod did not exist? Turn him AI? Wait some more? Continue playing as if nothing has happened?

[Inindo]

I'm game for anything the majority decides, but i'm willing to just end it now and call it an allied victory between Atlantis and Tien Chi

[Folket]

Would Then Chi agree to share his victory? I find it nailbiting still. i think I have lost but I still enjoy myself.

[Inindo]

The war continues then. Isn't utterdark the spell that crashed llama server a while ago?

[Inindo]

Also, what is the general convention for attacking the now vacant Ashdod then?

[Aethyr]

I'm game for anything the majority decides, but i'm willing to just end it now and call it an allied victory between Atlantis and Tien Chi

This game has been over for me for some time now. I have continued playing to the best of my ability so as to not unbalance the game for others. I am disappointed that Ashdod has been tured AI so quickly, but that's the way it goes I guess. :(

I have no objection to calling the game at this point, but I will continue playing if that is what others want.

[Graeme Dice]

I think I've basically run the gamut of things to try with Atlantis, but I'm still enjoying this game.

[Aethyr]

Oh, I am still enjoying the game as well as I have not finished toying around with the EDM units.

[Folket]

Sorry, forgot to send my turn today. Any chance you are able to extend the turn timer 12 hours?

[Graeme Dice]

I would have, but the time delay meant that I'm just seeing your message now.

[Folket]

It's ok. I just got carried away playing civ 5 and forgot the turn limit.

[Aethyr]

Guys, I'm going to need a 24h extension for the current turn. Thanks

[Aethyr]

Graeme, the project that I'm working on is taking longer than anticipated, and I have a take a day trip. So, unfortunately I need another 15 hours added to the current turn. I apologize for slowing things down further. Thanks

[Graeme Dice]

Time added.

[Folket]

I think it is time for me to surrender. I will continue to play my turns until more people are agreeing that it is a reasonable action.

[Aethyr]

I'm game for anything the majority decides, but i'm willing to just end it now and call it an allied victory between Atlantis and Tien Chi

This game has been over for me for some time now. I have continued playing to the best of my ability so as to not unbalance the game for others. I am disappointed that Ashdod has been tured AI so quickly, but that's the way it goes I guess. :(

I have no objection to calling the game at this point, but I will continue playing if that is what others want.

I've always wanted to quote myself. :)

[Folket]

Well played everyone.

[Aethyr]

My hat's off to everyone:

Folket, who became the early target for the gang up, but fought with skill and courage to hang in there and be a factor through the end-game;

Graeme, who flat out took me to school, as he just pounded me without mercy and forced me to play "defense" from the mid-game on;

Inindo, who essentially controlled the game from start to finsih, first with his masterful diplomacy, and then with his bone-crushing army that rolled over every foe. I think he is the clear winner in this game.

This has been my most enjoyable MP ever--well played everyone.

[Inindo]

This has been a blast. Thanks everyone, I really learned a lot, especially from Aethyr tricks. Folket definitely put up a tremendous fight when facing forces from 3 different nations at once.

Also if anyone here might be interested, I am in another game (Monkey Paradise) and looking for a sub as Abysia, late game, so that I can focus more on real life. Position is reasonably strong. Can send more details and turns to review if possibly interested.

[Graeme Dice]

Are we done then? Cool. The game was lots of fun, and I got to try out pretty much every one of the strategies I wanted to.

[Aethyr]

Thanks for handling the admin duties Graeme.

[Folket]

Yes, you have been very good handling the last minute requests =).

Time to remove the game from llamaserver?

[Inindo]

Thanks for being a great GM Graeme. Cheers everyone.