EA: Master Blaster [NOOB GAME]

[Astyreal]

Some of you may know me from the last game I ran, which I think was (is) a reasonable success. Unfortunately I got knocked out, but I am now back and ready for more. This game is targeted for newish (or poor!) players, as well as those who have time constraints. We will have 72hr turns, but quick hosting will be on.

Game name: Master Blaster
Era: Early Age
Number of players: 8
Map: Shahrivar (changed from Urraparand)
Diplomacy: Binding, NAP only with pre-arranged turn duration
Settings: Standard
Mods: CBM 1.6 (no banners)
Turns: 72hrs

Players:

Astyreal - Abyssia
BlackGuard - Mictlan
rmcolosimo - Caelum
Erebus - Ulm
Debaser8 - Kailasa
Num - Yomi
legolasjrt - Pangea
Penguin Zero - T'ien Chi

[13lackGu4rd]

been wanting to play Mictlan in MP for quite some time now, this seems like a good opportunity for it ;)

[Astyreal]

Blackguard you sure you count as a newb?
;)

Anyway, silly question (proves I'm new). How do you load in a new map (i.e. where to drop the file)? Only ever used the standard maps.

[13lackGu4rd]

Blackguard you sure you count as a newb?
;)

Anyway, silly question (proves I'm new). How do you load in a new map (i.e. where to drop the file)? Only ever used the standard maps.

well, I'm playing in a lot of games(including your newbie only game as well as another newbie game), but I'm still very much a newbie... only joined like 2 months ago and I haven't even finished 1 MP game yet, although a few are awfully close to being finished(with me losing)...

llamaserver.net->map and mod browser->"Want to contribute a map not on this list? Click here to upload it."->"Want to contribute a mod not on this list? Click here to upload it."

[Astyreal]

That's not what I meant...I downloaded the map, I just need to know how to view it in the dominions 3 app itself.

[13lackGu4rd]

That's not what I meant...I downloaded the map, I just need to know how to view it in the dominions 3 app itself.

oh, well each map has 2 files, .tga and .map. you need to cut/copy both of them into your maps folder inside the dominions 3 folder, for example: C:\Program Files\dominions3\maps

[rmcolosimo]

Well I am a poor player, that pains me to admit, but it is the truth.

Could I play Caelum?

Thanks.

[Kupiko]

Hi count me in as Arcoscephale please. Kinda noob as well :)

[Stagger Lee]

Astyreal, most of the maps come as zip files. Just extract to C:\Program Files\dominions3\maps and it is usually set up to work.

[Astyreal]

Is it different for Mac? Because I moved the tga and map files to the directory, but it's causing the app to crash.

[Erebus]

I'd like to join as Ulm.

[Debaser8]

Kailasa please

[paws]

Yomi for me.

Would you mind enabling renaming? I recently had a game where two important commanders had identical names given by Dom3, which is kind of irritating.

[Astyreal]

Yeah, we can turn on the custom names. As long as we don't have to name all our characters, that would be painful.

One more and then the show hits the road!

[legolasjrt]

I can play whit pangea

[paws]

Yeah, we can turn on the custom names. As long as we don't have to name all our characters, that would be painful.


With renaming allowed, commanders are given default names as usual, but you can change them individually.

[Astyreal]

Time to join up.

Game name is Master_Blaster

[legolasjrt]

Pangea is send pretenders

[Astyreal]

Still waiting on Kupiko and Blackguard. I send them reminder pms.

[Debaser8]

What happened to that pretty Persian map? And what does "NAP only with pre-arranged turn duratiion" mean? As for Binding Diplomacy if I agree to go to war with one player against another player can I later stop attacking? Are only NAPs binding? Can I make non-binding peace treaties(though I accept the fact that other players might consider these worthless)?

[Astyreal]

That persian map was pretty wasn't it? I thought it was crashing my system so I changed it up, but now I think it was the streamers and standards mod that was responsible. I'll change it back over.

I don't want to get too crazy with the diplo rules because you can't legislate every single scenario. Diplomacy is intended to be binding, and in effect for an agreed upon number of turns.

[Astyreal]

Ok, I'm booting Kupiko out he hasn't responded to the thread or to any pms. Just need one more, should be easy.

[Penguin Zero]

I'll join as T'ien Ch'i.

[NooBliss]

I'd like to try Marverni.

[Jorus]

I lost count! If you have room for one more, I'd like to play as Agartha. My credentuials? I have played 6 turns in one other NOOB game.

[Astyreal]

Penguin Zero - you are in for T'ien Chi.

Rest of you guys -- sorry, maybe another time!!

[Penguin Zero]

Having trouble with the game crashing. I go to load up the save, click on 'T'ien Ch'i turn 1,' and immediately crash out to the desktop. I've got CBM 1.6 and the Shahrivar map pack installed, and creating a single player game with the same pretender, map and mods gives me no trouble at all. I'm using Mac OS X. Anyone got any suggestions? I have no real idea what the problem could be.

[Astyreal]

Crap, I'm having the same issue with Mac OS X. Is anyone in PC land having similar issues?

Penguin, have you been able to play any MP games in the past? Were you using CBM?

I'm wondering if it's the mod or the map.

[rdonj]

CBM should work, as should streamers and standards. So should shahrivar for that matter. I've played with all of these in the past and never had a problem with them. There's also no particular reason I can think of that the game would crash trying to play the mp game when an SP game works just fine. Are you perhaps trying to use different map/mod versions than the game is expecting? I would suggest posting about this problem in the main forum and providing the map+mod versions you're using so that other people can attempt some testing.

[Astyreal]

I'm having the exact same problem, and I've also got Mac OS X. Folks are claiming that there is no difference across platforms, but I am skeptical.

[Astyreal]

Ok, I posted in the main forum. If we don't get it resolved in the next day or two we will try either taking off the mod or map or maybe both...

Sorry for the delay folks

[rdonj]

There are some differences. For example linux complains about mods that use improper cases and slashes. But I'd be really surprised if CBM and streamers and standards were generating issues, they've had lots of testing.

[legolasjrt]

it can place the map to download to me?

[Penguin Zero]

I've played in one MP game before -- it used a different map, but CBM 1.6, and I had no trouble with it. (Well, on the technical end. My actual skill level in the game was another matter entirely.)

So far I've tried downloading fresh copies of the map and CBM, and getting my turn re-sent from the server -- nothing worked.

[legolasjrt]

Plz xD

[Debaser8]

My game was crashing and then I took out a space in the name of the tga file and it works.

[rdonj]

Oh, is that silliness still in there? Yes, that will cause issues with the llamaserver.

[13lackGu4rd]

Astyreal, can you include a link to the map in your first post in this thread? there are many versions of Sharivar around, would help to know exactly which version we're using, and it will allow everyone who doesn't have the map yet to easily find it...

[Penguin Zero]

Aha! Removing the space in the map file names works. Thanks, Debaser8.

[Astyreal]

You can download the map from the llamaserver website (there is a map/mod browser). I am using the sombre version one, not the no independents version. Let me try taking the space out now...hope this works!

[Astyreal]

Bingo!

Name of the map is ShahrivarSom. Need to take the space out.

[legolasjrt]

Thx.. i send mi turn

[Astyreal]

BlackGuard, do you think you will be able to get your turn in on time? I'd hate to have you stale so early in the game.

[13lackGu4rd]

no, I don't think so... I did get it on time, and the next turn too...

[rmcolosimo]

legolasjrt : Turn on PM so I can respond to your questions.

Thanks.

Also, sent message via game.

[legolasjrt]

Done, you can sent me mp.

[Astyreal]

Anyone currently facing the Yomi, pm me for some secrets I can share.

:D

[Debaser8]

So I can have a NAP to turn 20, but I can't have a NAP3 (a rolling NAP with 3 turn notice)?

[Debaser8]

Doh. I wrote that last post late at night and then edited it, but apparently the edit didn't stick. My question is can we use rolling non-aggression pacts with a set turn duration (NAP 3), or do non-aggression pacts have to be configured to expire at a certain point, i.e. a peace treaty ending on turn 20?

[13lackGu4rd]

don't recall having any specific diplomacy rules here, so both options are open for you... generally the NAP-3 is more popular than NAP till turn 20 or whatever, but you can offer both and see what your partner prefers.

[Erebus]

Well, the initial post says "Diplomacy: Binding, NAP only with pre-arranged turn duration".

[13lackGu4rd]

which doesn't make anything I said any less true... pre-arranged duration can apply to both methods, as long as it's a defined term and not just a NAP(without any additions, so indefinite until canceled) and well, being binding...

[Erebus]

Yes, I agree it can definitely be seen that way. But I think it's a good idea to clarify the rules and to make sure everyone reads them the same way. Myself, I'd like to think a NAP3 as discussed earlier is within the intention of the rule statement. :)

[Astyreal]

Yomi, I noticed that you staled the last turn and have not yet submitted this one. Are you still playing? If you would like to find a sub that's fine, but just let us know.

[Debaser8]

Are we going to pause the game until this Yomi situation is sorted out?

[Astyreal]

Guys I think we should postpone until we get the yomi situation sorted.

Problem is I forgot my password and don't know how to get a reminder sent. Help!!

Don't send me a pm, reply to the thread thx.

[Astyreal]

ALL
I remembered the password but not before it was too late.

The the potential player who may be reading this, we have a spot for Yomi, pretty early on in this game. Yomi is an opponent of mine, and as far as I can tell he's doing fine, I haven't taken any territory for him. He staled twice, but seems to be in a good positions.

pm me if you have any interest. thanks and look fwd to you signing up!

[13lackGu4rd]

I think you should pause the game until we find a sub for Yomi. that means keep expanding the timer by 24 hours each time it's about to run out. than when we finally do find a sub give him some time to get acquainted with his new position than we'll get rolling again at standard times.

[Rytek]

This looks like a slower game. I could sub Yomi until you found someone else more permanent. Im in 3 games now and 4 is over my limit. So, I wouldnt want to play it permanently.

Umm, im not a new player. I wouldnt need too much time to get aquainted with the position.

[13lackGu4rd]

This looks like a slower game. I could sub Yomi until you found someone else more permanent. Im in 3 games now and 4 is over my limit. So, I wouldnt want to play it permanently.

Umm, im not a new player. I wouldnt need too much time to get aquainted with the position.

bold part is a bit problematic, this being a newbie game and all that... so, do you consider yourself an experienced player or somewhere in between, say intermediate of sort? if it's the later than I guess it could work, if the former than it would be a bit unfair to your neighbors and eventually to the rest of us.

[Astyreal]

Rytek
Thanks for volunteering but given that you're not a newb and you don't want to sub permanently, I'll try a couple more days to find someone on a permanent basis. But I definitely may be hitting you up if it drags on, thanks much for raising your hand!

[Rytek]

ok, let me know. I would say I am at least at intermediate experience.

[Num]

Hi,
I am looking for a game since my first one (Rattlehead) is finished. It would be the third one (I am playing in Let's Try Again, where Astyreal and Blackguard have played too). So third mp game, a few sp games (Until turn 50 max), I am still a poor player, but noot a complete noob, I do not know anything about Yomi, but I DO like the EA music.
Let me know if you are interested.

[Astyreal]

All I have to say is: Welcome Aboard!

pm me your email address!

[Num]

I have just received the file, thanks.

I will not make any miracle though :rolleyes:.

The map is beautiful, never seen another one that great.

[Astyreal]

Ok everyone, get your turns in.

We have a new Yomi player and he is up and running!

[legolasjrt]

i Have a Nap3 whit yomi. Still live this pact?

[Num]

Yes ! I came in peace. Long live our friendship.
I mean it.

[Num]

Astyreal, please look at your private messages.

[13lackGu4rd]

you should remove the "looking for sub" part as we've found one... other than that, how are y'all doing? this thread is very quiet, no drama or anything like that ;)

[Num]

Here is a tragedy : I have no gem, no magic site searched, my pretender is dead, I have only one castle, almost no research already made, only a few mages, no scout... Well that is a challenge.

[Astyreal]

I postponed the game for 72 hrs as I am on vacation, and while I have some internet access, it will be difficult to get my turn in. Hopefully get it in in the next 24hr. Sorry for the delay.

[13lackGu4rd]

Here is a tragedy : I have no gem, no magic site searched, my pretender is dead, I have only one castle, almost no research already made, only a few mages, no scout... Well that is a challenge.

yeah well, there was a reason why the previous Yomi player bailed out after all... however, Yomi is generally considered to be a weak nation, mainly due to a pretty poor start, but if you survive it you have a solid mid and late game. so I guess it should be expected that Yomi in a newbie game has done poorly, but on the bright side, you can only make it better, and if you lose than it's hardly your fault.

[Debaser8]

I am playing Yomi in another game. I think they suffer from a lack of magic diversity, a lack of sacreds, and a lack of high level priests. My advice is to go lanterns/mentors for research and hope for magic diversity through indies. The situation you inherited might not be redeemable though.

[13lackGu4rd]

yes they lack sacreds, but they got recruitable sacred SCs called Dai Onis, now these guys are pure awesomeness! by far the best thing about Yomi... well, they got pretty good summons as well, shared with Shinuyama and Jomon, but he said he doesn't have that many gems...

[Num]

That is not a question of weak or strong nation (I do not think it matters for beginners anyway). And Yomi do not seems weak to me.
But the early game was surely awful (War in the very beginning of a game looks very hard to handle, diplomacy makes everything). The situation is probably desperate, but I knew I was going to inherit a bad position, no problem :cool:. I only want to survive a little to learn about this nation and this situation. That is why I am looking for peace !!
Dai Onis looks indeed very powerful, and magic variety is maybe balanced by the pretender, I do not know, I did not seen him, nor the prophet...
In my first game, Shinuyama has won, There are probably not much differences with Yomi.

[13lackGu4rd]

actually there are quite a few, but yes they do share the same unique summons... oh and before saying your pretender is dead, are you sure it's actually dead and not say imprisoned? imprisoned pretenders break out anywhere within years3-4, we've just started year3 so he could just be imprisoned. unless of course you have the ability to "call god" with your priests, which suggest he's in fact dead not imprisoned.

and well, if you want peace than I suggest you PM your aggressive neighbors, it would do you a lot more good than saying it out loud over the forums. talk to them, engage in diplomacy and hopefully you can get some peace to learn the nation.

[Astyreal]

Nah, he's dead. I killed him!

[Astyreal]

I postponed the game 24hrs as it looked like a couple players were going to stale.

Get your turns in guys!

[13lackGu4rd]

Mictlan is willing to buy dwarven hammers and earth gems. in return we can send water, fire, nature and astral gems. prices would depend on the amount of hammers/earth gems as well as which type of gem you'd want in return.

PM me on the forums with offers, the sooner the better.

[13lackGu4rd]

going out of town tomorrow, until the weekend than again next week. got my current turn in but I'd need an extension for next turn until Thursday or Friday night than I'll try to do as many turns as I can during the weekend and leave again on Sunday, until next Thursday or Friday.

sorry for these delays :( oh and before you guys ask, no I won't have internet access, nor a lab top for that matter, so I won't be able to do my turns while I'm away.

[Debaser8]

Blackguard, I don't see your Turn. Anyways we should probably pause the game till you get back, unless you don't mind taking a stale.

Game: Master_Blaster
Turn number 39
Next turn due: 14:35 GMT on Wednesday July 14th

Join up mates!

Abysia Waiting for 2h file
Caelum 2h file received
Kailasa Waiting for 2h file
Mictlan Waiting for 2h file
T'ien Ch'i 2h file received
Ulm Waiting for 2h file
Yomi 2h file received

[Debaser8]

I'm worried that Blackguard might stale again. Can you please pause the game until this is sorted out? Also, if you aren't going to check the thread regularly could you please give somebody who does co-admin powers.

Kind of a shame for all of us to put a ton of time into playing a game and then have players stale because the admin doesn't check the forum.

[13lackGu4rd]

no idea why I staled on turn 39, I was pretty sure I sent in my turn before I left. oh well... so anyway, got 2 turns in this weekend and tomorrow I'm off again, the current turn is in, I checked llamaserver this time to make sure, so if the game will continue on its 72 hour schedule than I should be fine. next turn due on tuesday, than the 1 after that on friday(should be back home by than, hopefully) but just in case I could use an extension for the next turn until saturday, if the admin is even checking this thread...

oh and if you guys play fast and get the turns rolling faster than I will need an extension until saturday, whenever next turn will begin...

[Debaser8]

Ulm, who I am currently fighting a war against, staled. I wonder if it was a one time thing if or if we should try and find a replacement. I think he is significantly better off then Yomi was...

Maybe Num wants to take over another nation :).

[Num]

No thanks. I was a little disappointed with the position of Yomi when I joined. I expected a bad one, but not that bad, and it is less fun without any hope nor plan to do anything. So I will not replace anyone soon ;).

[Calahan]

Ulm, who I am currently fighting a war against, staled. I wonder if it was a one time thing if or if we should try and find a replacement. I think he is significantly better off then Yomi was...

Maybe Num wants to take over another nation :).
I have no connection to this game, but want to post to say a big "Thank You" to Debaser8 for reporting that he was fighting a potentially staling opponent :up: A very good sporting gesture indeed, and one that deserves much praise IMO. As it seems to be getting ever rarer in MP games these days :(

Personally I find it very sad how rare it is that players actually report this sort of thing, as too many seem to prefer getting an unfair advantage fighting stalers or AI's :( rather than fight honest hard-fought wars against other players :) Or they try to make claim they didn't know their opponent was staling (yeah right, likely story. How is it possible not to notice that your opponent is doing nothing to defend himself turn after turn as you attack freely)


Anyway, interruption over. Happy gaming, and best of luck to everyone :D

[Erebus]

I sent a private message to Astyreal asking for an extension, around 16h before the hosting I think. I'm rather unhappy about the game now, since I expect to have lost two forts and my serious attempt at countering Kailasa's armies (I didn't see the new turn yet) due to not getting the extension I asked for. I think a rollback is called for. I can promise to not look at the new turn before scripting by defenses.

On an unrelated note, I'll be out of town for around two weeks starting next friday so I'm going to need a sub soon.

[Num]

I am afraid I disagree with you Calahan. Maybe a lot of experienced players care only about winning, and nothing else. But in the few newbie games I have played, sportmanship is very present, exactly like in this situation. Lot of fair players (Well maybe not in diplomacy :)) and lot of fair conducts.
With the big exception of time management and sudden disappearance of course.

No problem for the rollback.

[Debaser8]

I've requested co-admin powers from llamabeast. Please let me know if you object to a roll back.

[Penguin Zero]

No objections to a rollback -- I don't mind one way or the other. I'm definitely in favor of making sure everyone gets a chance to play.

[Pelthin]

Same here..Rollback is fine.

[Debaser8]

who are you?

[Astyreal]

To be honest after reading through the llamaserver rollback warning I am not all that keen to try it.

Seems like it could be more trouble than benefit.

[Debaser8]

Hmmm, I guess no roll back. I only took one fort. I will send Ulm all the items I took, some money and some gems. Who is Pelthin btw?

[Erebus]

All the rollbacks I've been involved in earlier have been smooth. As far as I've understood it, Llamaserver keeps all the old .2h files, so that only I'd have to send in a new one.

[Astyreal]

Ok, I gave it a shot -- the game has been rolled back.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Erebus, I believe you are the only one that submits a new file.

Everyone else, do NOT do ANYTHING no matter what the server says about your files being submitted

After Erebus puts his file in I will force hosting.

Thanks.

[Debaser8]

Caelum put in a turn. Not sure the best way to deal with that is.

[Penguin Zero]

Gah, likewise for T'ien Ch'i. I saw the new turn file come in, and redid my turn before coming here to check it out. Sorry -- I can dig out my original .2h and resend it if that's better.

[Erebus]

Thanks for the rollback. I really appreciate it. I've sent in my turn. Now I just have to hope my defensive plans aren't useless or worse. :)

So now I need to find a sub for around two weeks. I've posted in the stickied "looking for players" thread about it, hopefully someone will answer. I can probably play the next turn, but I'll be gone after that.

[Debaser8]

Remember to delete your old 2H files.

Interesting communion on that 2nd battle. I think your Air communion master kept the guys from attacking. Also the auto rout at 75% hp losses hit you. Probably better to keep a lot of body guards for your masters to prevent routs and use junk summons to buy time.

[Astyreal]

It got all messed up with other turn files submitted. Not sure what the best way to deal with this is, can someone look into it?

[Debaser8]

Did you erase your old 2h file? What is all messed up?

[rmcolosimo]

I am sorry, I got a turn and just did it. I am very sorry. What do I need to do to change it?

[Debaser8]

If people generated new 2h files with the roll back turn they got and submitted those we should be fine, I think, otherwise:

Well we can start a new game or
This:

Debaser8: Anybody have experience with rollbacks?
Debaser8: What if people submit the 2h file from the formerly current and now future turn?
Debaser8: I feel a little bit like i'm watching back to the future or terminator and dealing with time paradoxes

Sheap: don't submit .2h files from the wrong turn

Debaser8: That advice is a little late now

Zeldor: game will be utterly broken
Zeldor: you need to roll back again or finish it

Debaser8: thanks
Debaser8: so we roll back to the same turn?
Debaser8: and then people who submitted future turns submit over them?

Zeldor: well, future turns cannot be submitted
Zeldor: or they break the game
Zeldor: it's jsut cheating

Debaser8: but would the server remember the future turns that have been submitted last time it was rolled over?
Debaser8: and therefore they would have to be submitted over?

Zeldor: when you roll back, all .2h files are in
Zeldor: even though it shows no one submitted

Debaser8: so we roll back to a previous turn?

Zeldor: well, yeah
Zeldor: as far as you need to get before those future turns submitted

Debaser8: from before turn we originally rolled back to?
Debaser8: ok and then people have to find the right turns and submit them?
Debaser8: hmm...sounds like a lot of possibilities for fail

Zeldor: to where you rolled back
Debaser8: ?
Zeldor: well, to where people submitted wrong turns
Zeldor: so if it's new turn now
Zeldor: you need to roll back just 1
Zeldor: not 2
Zeldor: and those that submitted future turns, need to redo them
Zeldor: deleting .2h files

Debaser8: ok
<Debaser8: so hopefully they have the originals?

Zeldor: of course using proper .trn file
Zeldor: well, if you want to be sure, you can order everyone to redo the turn
Zeldor: they got proper .trn file with rollback email
Zeldor: if someone still submits wrong turn - turn him AI

[rmcolosimo]

Just set me AI if I was cheating then, not worth the drama.

[Debaser8]

I don't think you were cheating. It was obviously an honest mistake. I think that was just a throw away line from IRC about how submitting the wrong turns is bad.

[rmcolosimo]

Sorry, too curt of a response. I really meant if I did something that kind of 'broke' what other people had done, then I will forfeit, and go AI, or better yet just get a replacement for me who would be new and not know any of the decisions, ect..

I honestly just did a new turn, not even really remembering what my neighbors had done.

But to be fair, I will bow out and get a sub if that is a good solution. :)

[Debaser8]

I didn't have any problems with my new turn. So, I'm curious to hear what is messed up myself.

[Erebus]

It looks like I was a bit too optimistic about my schedule. I didn't have time to play the current turn, so it might be a good idea to extend the turn until a sub is found. If there's no sub soon, you could also set Ulm to AI. That'll certainly let Kailasa off too easily, though - I still have some tricks up my sleeve, but the AI is certain to mess them up :)

[13lackGu4rd]

wow, a lot happened while I was gone, was hoping nothing would happen but I guess that's out the window... :S
so, we got a rollback, than another stale from me? Astyreal...? you had more than enough time to fix the situation, why haven't you done anything about it, again...?

[Astyreal]

not sure what to do at this point, it would be great if someone could step in to fix things.

[Herode]

not sure what to do at this point, it would be great if someone could step in to fix things.
Hello guys.

I'm going to sub Erebus on EA Ulm while he is out of home. I've received the .trn file from Erebus but no confirmation from the game admin and/or the llamaserver about the email address switch, so let me know as soon as all is tuned on.

About rollbacks : I played several games where rollbacks occured and, as game admin, I rolled back several games without any problem as long as all players send a new .2h file after the rollback. If you try to merge new and old .2h files, then you're for sure running into heavy trouble.

See you soon on the battlefield,
H. - temporary Chancelor of Ulm.

[Debaser8]

Look like we should:

1. All delete our 2h files
2. Do a roll back and send out an e-mail notification including instructions to delete 2h files for those that haven't
3. All redo our turn using the new turn file from the new roll back
4. Continue with the game

[Debaser8]

I added 48hrs to the clock

[Num]

I do not understand anything of the problem nor the answer, but I am ok for everything you want.

[Astyreal]

Debaser8 I hereby deputize you to carry out all the steps you have outlined.

Work has gotten really hectic for me and I am unlikely to be able to spend as much time on this game as previously.

[Debaser8]

Ok. Waiting for Ulm to get it's email changed to Herod, if it hasn't already. Then I will start the roll back.

[Debaser8]

The game has been rolled back. Delete your 2h files. And download and do the new turns. Hopefully it will go smoothly this time.

[Debaser8]

Mictlan and Ulm please do your turns. But remember to delete your old 2h files and download the roll back turn first.

[Debaser8]

Postponed hosting for 24hr. Wasn't up to doing turn.

[Debaser8]

Abysia is out. I think the roll back didn't help him. I am going to post for a sub. Let me know if you have an opinion on the best course of action.

[Num]

I am going out for a small week, and cannot play in this time (be back on Sunday the 15th). Well, with the remnants of Yomi it does not hurt that much, I do not need any postponing.
For Abysia, his situation seems very powerful, a subbing would be better...

[Meursy]

Hi guys, I can sub, I'll send a PM to Debaser.

[Debaser8]

Added 36hrs for the new player.

[Meursy]

Ok guys, I've started looking at the turn, let me know if you had any special diplomatic relationship with Abyssia (NAP's, wars etc.), and also if you'd like any special diplomatic relationships with Abyssia (NAP's, war etc. !).

Also basic info that Abyssia would have known about the world would be nice, this is a no graphs game I see.

Enjoy the game :)

[Debaser8]

I think you conquered much of Yomi. Not sure about your relationship with Tien Chi. Everybody is pretty much reliant on scouts/diplomacy for info. If you have scouts out you will see that there are a few wars going on.

[Num]

You are at war with Yomi since the beginning of the game (I was not playing this game at this moment). The Abysia previous player has won a decisive victory at something like turn 20, make a long pause, and just conquered all my provinces the last 10 turns. Abysia was just about to attack my capital before staling. This is my last province.

I will not be able to play next week, be back on sunday the 15th.

[Meursy]

Ok, thanks for the info guys, and apologies for holding the game up. If my mate is ready to head out for beers I'm gonna have to put this turn in tomorrow, there is a lot of stuff to deal with here! In any case I'll try to get the turn in soon as.

[Penguin Zero]

As for T'ien Ch'i, in one of the turns that got rolled back, you had just launched an invasion of the territories I've taken from Pangaea.

It wasn't unexpected, and before I realized you'd taken over, I'd already set up my counterstrike. (Leaving me mildly confused as to why the attack hadn't happened until I checked the thread.) Let me know if you want to negotiate, but otherwise I think we're effectively at war.

[Debaser8]

Thanks for playing to the end Erebus/Herode. My monkeys salute the valor of your people and your pretender.

[Herode]

My pleasure, Ape King. You did deserve your victory.
Good luck and have fun for this endgame, guys !

[13lackGu4rd]

Mictlan is willing to buy earth gems. I'm sure we'll be able to find other things you'll need for this trade to benefit both parties.

[Meursy]

Hi guys,

Apologies for being the last one to submit so often, and also often close to the deadline. I've recently been busier than I expected and my other MP game, which I've been in from the start, has taken up the majority of the time I can allocate to Dom 3.

As a sub, and furthermore a sub in a losing but still fightable situation, I feel that this is more your game than mine and I feel kind of bad for slowing it down.

It's probably going to keep happening, though I'll do my best to speed up...on the plus side Tien Chi and Yomi are after my blood, so it shouldn't be a problem for too much longer (I hope!).

I'm off this weekend and don't have time to give my armies the scripting they need now (even as a sub I can't submit a half-assed turn, I just...have to....work everything out!), so no rush boys!

[Meursy]

So it looks like I'm gonna be last again, I'll keep doing my best but I'm going to post for a sub on the forums, hopefully find someone with more time than me...if you know anyone who wants to try out a few cool spells and likes going out with a bang, direct them my way.

Apologies once more for being the slowpoke.

[Debaser8]

Sad to see you go. Your stout resistance to TC was really aiding me from a strategic point of view.

How is everybody else feeling about this game? TC and I (Kailasa) seem to be the strongest nations, and may end up in a long and potentially grueling war.

I'm ready to call it game (opportune timing on my part with Abysia subbing out/going AI :) ), but if people are having fun I have some summons to test among other things and will play on. I am sure Mictlan will manage to conjure up plenty of chaff and immortals for me to test on...

[Meursy]

He he, except I didn't get around to posting for a sub! I'll try to get this turn in before the deadline, I'd like to keep playing it out to be honest but I've gone from a summer of sloth to sometimes 11 hour work days in a short space of time, and it's taking its toll!

But yeah, I'm totally ready to finish if everyone's keen!

[Debaser8]

Sorry about the stale. Sending this turn in right nao!

[Debaser8]

Tien Chi/Peguin Zero I herby end our NAP. Three turns from this current turn I will attack (is that our agreement? it always confuses me.). It's been fun, but I have a world to claim.

I offer all the remaining powers one nice plump banana to accept the ascendance of Ashvani. Otherwise your armies will be annihilated or bent to the will of Master Monkey. We might want to consider ending the game now.. I am currently in possession of some rather unbalanced magic discount sites.

[Meursy]

Yeah c'mon people, Debaser8's got this one. Let's save our time and energy for games where the result is not in doubt!

[Meursy]

Er, brain fail, that should have read where the result was still in doubt!

[Penguin Zero]

I'm not quite convinced Kailasa's got this won yet -- though admittedly he seems quite powerful. Still, I've got enough strength of my own that I think I've at least got a chance...

We'll see how things go. If Kailasa turns out to be as overpowering as has been suggested, I'll concede when I'm satisfied it's so.

Whatever the case, it's been a fun game -- and I'm quite pleased to have made it this far. (This is only my second game, and in my first I was wiped out by Ashdod in very short order.) Though I need to work on my late-game micromanagement...

[Meursy]

Fair enough Penguin, he should at least have to show you I guess!

Can I request a 4 hour extension Debaser? Thanks in advance!

[Num]

I do not want to vote for a winner, being somehow like out of the game practically. I will continue until someone is elected...

[Debaser8]

Game crashed. Should we roll it back and redo turns or just go forward with all staling? I am kind of for a roll back, because I think it is fairer, but it adds further complications.

[Num]

I do not care, but with a rollback come problems (For what I have seen)...

[Meursy]

I vote rollback, but I since Debaser8 and Penguin Zero are the two remaining players in the game with a stake in the result, I think they should be the ones who decide...the rest of us are just small fry!

[Meursy]

Err, actually I just remembered BlackGuard is still in the game too....feel free to ignore my earlier advice, I'm just a sub after all :)

Also, I'm fairly sure that our game contributed to the llamaserver crash, the llamaserver page stopped updating immediately after I submitted my turn file...I got the confirmation email that my turn file had been received, then nothing for several hours until I opened my inbox today.

[13lackGu4rd]

I'm pretty much dead as well. whatever Kailasa and TC decide is fine with me, as they're the 2 remaining powers in the game.

[Meursy]

Er, Blackguard, I see you submitted a turn...have we worked out what we're going to do yet? I dunno, but I thought we're supposed to wait for a rollback decision one way or the other before submitting turns dude.

I'll go read the Llamaserver page and see.

EDIT: Funny, I checked out Llamaserver FAQ and did a forum search, can't find any instructions on doing a rollback, though I'm sure I've read some somewhere before. I think basically we should all delete our .2h files, rollback, and then resubmit new turns. Trying to send the old .2h file again definitely screws everything up.

In fact the main interesting thread I found had lots of people saying don't do it unless the game is bugged...like i said, I don't care that much though I'd try a rollback since there aren't so many players left, shouldn't be a problem.

[13lackGu4rd]

meh, not like I did much in my turn anyway, pretty much dead. so if we reroll I'll just resubmit, no worries...

[Meursy]

Hopefully, I just remember reading game threads where some people did one thing, others did another and it all went pear shaped.

In fact, perhaps it would be easier just to go ahead without a rollback. I mean, I think it hurts me a bit more because of sieging/disease issues, but I don't mind too much...better to be safe than lose the game entirely.

[Debaser8]

That might have been this game thread. We had a previous roll back suffer some difficulties, but everything got put right in the end. That said I'm happy with whatever Penguin Zero decides.

[Penguin Zero]

And I'm happy either way, too. Flip a coin, I guess? Or whichever's easiest.

[Debaser8]

Ok, flipping a coin. Heads roll back. Tales press on. Heads it is, doh. Ok will do roll back tomorrow. I think the key thing is to delete our 2h files so we don't submit them out of sequence.

[Debaser8]

Game rolled back. Remember to delete old 2h files.

[Debaser8]

I somehow managed to roll back two turns. I force hosted through turn 64. We should be on turn 65. I really need to go to bed, otherwise I would check to make sure the turn is right tonight.

[Debaser8]

Ok, turn appears to be fine. It re-rolled so it's slightly different, but that is just a different toss of the dice than last time so no big deal.

Use the latest turn 65 and delete your old 2h file.

[Meursy]

Hi guys, some fairly serious real life has intervened, and I have no way of making the deadline for this rollbacked turn by Sunday 6:15 llamaserver time. If the clock were extended by 18 hours, I believe I would be able to submit the following turn in time.

If you'd like to find a sub then please feel free, I could post an ad for a sub in approximately 10 hours time from now. I could fill in the subbing player with info about the position from that time on as well.

Nevertheless I feel as if I will be able to make the following few turns before Abysia is extinguished if an extension were granted, or find a sub if that turns out not to be the case.

Cheers dudes,
meursy

[Debaser8]

I will extend 25 hours

[Meursy]

Ok, in a new level of suckness I don't have time to play this turn. I've posted a hopefully interesting sub thread in the MP forum. I will make good on my promise to arrange and inform a sub of what's required of them.

Also, since this is really between Kailisa and Tien Chi now, allowing Abysia to stale/go AI is a valid option methinks, though if allowed to stale this turn I wouldn't bother looking for a sub.

Cheers dudes,
meursy

[Debaser8]

Well, I'm postponing another 25 hours, because I just got back from a music festival and am exhausted. Sorry everybody.

[Debaser8]

Adding 8 hours so abysia can get his turn in. If Meuresy has too much on his plate and can't play, then I will set him ai/stale from then on.

[Meursy]

Alrighty, I found a bit of time, but it's gonna be really close to the hosting time if I do make it at all. If you extend 2 hours, I will 100 percent submit another turn, though it'll hopefully be my last one. I was ready to stale out obviously!

[Debaser8]

Added 3hrs.

[Meursy]

Ok submitted. If it crashes again we know it's me, and I just stale out I guess.

[Meursy]

Hurrah, a sub! Herode should be contacting you soon Debaser, he will likely need an extension to get familiar with the position (especially if he bothered to read the piles of drivel I sent him about the game!).

[Debaser8]

That was a pretty big battle.

Tien Chi put up forge of the ancients this turn. I'm not sure if that is something that normally ends NAPs immediately, but since we have no protocol for it I will wait 2 more turns, this turn and next, before attacking.

[Meursy]

Hehe, well in the extensive forum reading I've done plenty of people consider it an immediate break. Of course on the face of it it is in no way an aggressive action, so I guess the shirtiness I see its erection (heh) cause in others (heh heh) is because it is so powerful (heh heh ha!). I've read even if it gets insta-dispelled it's usually worth it in gems, so you might want to reconsider leaving it up two more turns if you want to finish this before 2020. :)

Oh yeah, and the battle, woo my leet Dominions abilities! It wasn't even close :)

Oh, and with the Touches of Madness I misinterpreted the CBM spell description (or it's just wrong), I thought 5 AoE 5 effects would cover something closer to 25 squares, it looks like it's only 5 squares per cast. I certainly wasn't going to be assed to test it beforehand.

At least I didn't send all my little mages charging screaming into the enemy ranks!

Obviously I wanted the big mages doing that :D

[Debaser8]

I thought about trying to dispel it this turn, but that definitely seems like an aggressive action, which would break our NAP, and since diplomacy is binding, I decided not to.

I think the paying for itself in one turns is if you have saved up gems to use to forge the turn it goes up. Though it could be extending the game, or ending it more quickly in TC's favor :).

[Meursy]

Yeah, it's kind of a funny thing, I mean it's not as if he put up Burden of Time, or Astral Corruption or something that directly harms you, but the more experienced players often act as if their mother's virtue has been seriously and repeatedly brought into question or something (when the Forge is put up).

I feel the same way as you in that putting up a non-harming global is not an aggressive action, but on the other hand I'm not so sure that dispelling it should be considered outright hostile either, especially given the Forge's power. I mean, it's not really on the same level as an attack, right? If Dominions were real I imagine there'd be a lot of politcal manoeuvring and spin/counterspin, but not actual war. Like CIA behind the scenes 'fighting', but not official political war. Kinda like finding an enemy's stealthed unit inside your borders.

Just my take.

[Debaser8]

Sending stealthed thugs behind my borders would definitely qualify as a hostile action in my book and the NAP would immediately be void.

[Meursy]

Interesting, there's another game thread, I think it's Troubling Times, here on this forum, where the same thing happened, and a couple of players took it pretty lightly. Of course they'd already declared war, and were waiting for the NAP to expire, but still.....yeah, I also think it is a break! Shows how impressionable I am from what I read. :)

EDIT: The game I was referring to was actually A Song of Ice and Fire

EDIT 2nd: Also, has our sub checked in yet?

[Herode]

Ladies and gentlemen, I salute you.

I'm back on Master Blaster and this time I'm going to sub Meursy. Hopefully I will be more efficient with Abysia than I was with Ulm :D

Just sent my email to Debaser for registration. See you soon on the battlefield ! ;)

[Debaser8]

Changed e-mail address for Abysia. Added 24hrs.

[Debaser8]

Added 8 hours for TC, because I'm worried he might miss turn.

[Herode]

Maybe he lost morale after the last turn. Those TC Tartarians are ****ing fragile :D

I invite TC to admit this war is lost for him. And because I am generous, I will offer peace for the very underestimated price of 12 provinces that TC's armies will have to free ASAP. Hey, that's a deal !

Either that or... endure my wrath :cool:

And... what's the situation on the other provinces of the world ?

[Debaser8]

They are mostly mine.

[Debaser8]

Added 48 hours for TC to show up.

[Penguin Zero]

I hate to say it, but I think I'm going to have to concede.

It's partially in-game matters -- I'm coming to the conclusion that I've mismanaged my gems quite a bit, and I'm less convinced of my strategy than I was a few weeks ago. But mostly it's real life intervening -- I haven't had the time to do effective troop micromanagement for at least a month now, and despite the extension, this time around I haven't even had a chance to look at the latest turn file yet.

Sorry to drag this out as I did, but I'm coming to accept that Kailasa will likely beat me anyway, even if I could drag it out, and I just can't manage the level of intricate planning that might give me even a small chance right now.

So, congratulations to Kailasa, and thanks for the excellent game! Considering it was only my second multi-player game, I'm pleased to have made such a strong showing. Hopefully my schedule will clear up eventually, and then perhaps I'll see some or all of you again in another game.

[Debaser8]

Great.

I'll post my last turn file when I get home. Hopefully you won't open it up and be kicking yourself, "I could have beat that chump."

[Num]

Then Congrats :) .

[Meursy]

Yeah, congrats Debaser, and thanks for all the money!

[Herode]

Congrats to the winner then ! :)

It has been interesting to play those few turns with Abysia in late game. Never tried befored (never played Abysia at all). There are some interesting challenges with this nation.

And thanks to Meursy for his insights about gameplay, very instructive also.

See you later and elsewhere, gentlemen !

[Debaser8]

Here is my last turn. That construction site is ridiculously powerful and right next to my capital. It really helped me. I think next game I play will be on a wraparound map with no overpowered sites.

[Meursy]

Jesus Christ! How do you keep up with such a big empire, all that micro, it must be insane!

And sure, the Construction site next to your capital is good, but how did Mictlan not win the game? He had a Blood 60 percent off site right next to _his_ capital!!

Good call on calling the game now by the way, I'd go bent trying to marshal all those armies, mages and SC's into some sort of order :)

[13lackGu4rd]

I didn't win the game because I played horribly. I should have won easily but I couldn't do a single thing right. from rushing Caelum(rush failed, was stuck in it practically all game long, and he still wasn't completely dead at the end) than a lot of turns doing basically nothing, waiting for you guys to grow until you got too big for me, and ugh... that's it I guess. just totally blew it :(

[Meursy]

Don't feel too bad about it BlackGuard, it's kind of a lame thing to say but I guess you learned things for next time.

Just on the rush, why did it fail, if I can ask? I'm just curious to learn a bit more how the game plays out, and specifically how Caelum countered your Jags.

I've noticed EA Mictlan players often seem to get this huge rush of blood to the head and try to kill someone really early on. I don't understand the value in early game rushing in general a lot of the time, in a 6 player game I played it just resulted in the Mictlan player in question getting gangbanged. So even if you win it can cause you lots of problems, and you have to pour a lot of resources, which otherwise would help you develop, into an early war. If I understand well the Mictlan nation is mainly a late game power who just happens to have sweet sacreds to carry them through early game, not much else apart from blood, and a shaky middlegame.

And at what point did you find the blood site? If you're unlucky it might've been ages, blood searching is not very sexy, too many failed searches! :)

[13lackGu4rd]

it failed because I didn't play my cards right, that's all. basically Caelum didn't really *counter* the jags, he just recruited his regular army, which is pretty crappy. it's just that he had the numbers and I didn't split my forces enough, instead I kept suiciding into his large army with 20-30 jags. I actually found the blood discount site relatively early, as I manually searched with a few High Priests of the Sun, as they got some fire along with the rare holy and blood paths that there aren't too many sites for. again, I didn't take full advantage of this site, and just played horrifically.

as for rushing, each game is different but in this game with graphs off there is no reason not to do it. I just failed horribly at it in this game.