Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (RUNNING)

[earwicker7]

EDIT: ALL SPOTS ACCOUNTED FOR; GAME IN BEGINNING STAGES.

http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Rock_the_Cradle

Hey, all. This will be my first MP game, so I'm kind of wanting to wade in with people who aren't going to slay me within a few rounds lol. So... I'm thinking "noob" should be defined as no more than 3 MP games under your belt. I'm also wanting to avoid mods for my first game, so, um, no mods :p

The game will be PBEM, with lovely me as your host. Here are the parameters I was thinking of:

Middle Age.

"Cradle of Dominions" map.

Turns start at 24 hours; will adjust as necessary (I don't want to call this a "busy person" game, but I do want it to be a "has a life" game:rolleyes:).

Number of players is hopefully ten, but if we can't get that within, say, a week, it's cool if we go to eight.

Non-standard settings: Score graphs disabled, 15 Hall-of-Fame. EDIT: By request, re-naming is allowed.

Diplomacy will be decided by vote... I really have no opinion, as it's my first MP game, so I'm good with the majority.

Water races are fine IF there are at least two of them. EDIT: We have two water races. Woohoo!

Abyssia - earwicker7
Arcoscephale - Korwin
Bandar Log - Colonial
Marignon - 13lackGu4rd
Pangaea - nrasch
R'yleh - CthulhuDreams

Atlantis Dead
Man Dead
Shinuyama Dead
Vanheim Dead

[Domenje]

i want to play as marigon

[earwicker7]

i want to play as marigon

Sweet. You're in.

[cwkjc]

+1 as Bandar Log

[Nosantee]

Arcoscophale reporting in.

[earwicker7]

6 more spots available... get 'em while you can!

[Korwin]

dips for Vanheim.

Whats the reasoning behind the disabled score graphs?
Not really against it, but ... it seems to be hard to make an reasoned choice without those graphs.
(well Scouts seems to be more important than they allready are.)

What are the choices for the diplomacy vote?

[earwicker7]

dips for Vanheim.

Whats the reasoning behind the disabled score graphs?
Not really against it, but ... it seems to be hard to make an reasoned choice without those graphs.
(well Scouts seems to be more important than they allready are.)

What are the choices for the diplomacy vote?

Alright, you're in.

I like the graphs being disabled just for realism. Imagine that you are a general, and you're considering attacking an enemy's army; what's the first thing you do? You check the graphs and say, "No, that won't work... even though I only see 200 soldiers and I outnumber them ten to one, my chart says they have five times more total troops than I do, and their dominion is crazy, so I'll hold off for now." :D I'd rather have players say, "I thought they were weak, then they destroyed me the next turn with their stealthed army!"

As far as diplomacy goes, my choice would be the following: no declaration of aggression needed, you can attack out of nowhere, but any treaties made are binding, with three turns warning needed to break them. This is just off the top of my head; I'm totally open to different ideas.

[Korwin]

As far as diplomacy goes, my choice would be the following: no declaration of aggression needed, you can attack out of nowhere, but any treaties made are binding, with three turns warning needed to break them. This is just off the top of my head; I'm totally open to different ideas.

Sounds good to me.

[CthulhuDreams]

This would be game three for me.

Can I join as Ryleh? It's my favorite nation for reasons that should be very obvious.

I would vote to enable score graphs.. it's pretty useful for knowing what the heck is going down, which will be more important in a newbie game.

Edit: I'm not in favour of 'binding' treaties. What does binding even mean? You're going to kick the offender out of the game?

[earwicker7]

This would be game three for me.

Can I join as Ryleh? It's my favorite nation for reasons that should be very obvious.

I would vote to enable score graphs.. it's pretty useful for knowing what the heck is going down, which will be more important in a newbie game.

Edit: I'm not in favour of 'binding' treaties. What does binding even mean? You're going to kick the offender out of the game?

You're in as Ryleh!

As far as binding treaties go, I was just thinking of role-playing, where it's a world where a leader's word is considered important, and treaties are only broken after months of convincing the populace your decision is just. I have no problem with "Do what you want" if that's the general consensus, I've just heard that a lot of veterans say it's not a bad idea to have binding treaties (again, you can break them, just not without three turns notice). How does everyone else feel?

I'm pretty set on ditching the graphs, though. I just don't like them.

[CthulhuDreams]

So.. what are you going to do if someone breaks it without 3 turns notice? Kick them out of the game?

That would, to be, seem pretty weird.

Anyway, from an RP history has loads of examples where people went in for the sneaky backstab. Heck, WWII has an example where both sides were planning on backstabbing each other despite a NAP.

To me, a monomaniacal dictator RP would be a weird one to exclude.

[earwicker7]

So.. what are you going to do if someone breaks it without 3 turns notice? Kick them out of the game?

That would, to be, seem pretty weird.

Anyway, from an RP history has loads of examples where people went in for the sneaky backstab. Heck, WWII has an example where both sides were planning on backstabbing each other despite a NAP.

To me, a monomaniacal dictator RP would be a weird one to exclude.

I'd send out a message (in-game, and in-character) that Player X can't be trusted, and that person would have a hard time making deals with anyone else. I wouldn't kick them out... it's just an honor system similar to what is recommended in some threads I've seen. I'm not dead-set on this, it's just a suggestion.

[Nosantee]

Oh! Also, will renaming be enabled? It makes organizing mages/commanders alot simpler but sometimes people don't like allowing renaming for some reason.

If it's up to vote I vote for renaming. Also for diplomacy, it's part of the game.

[earwicker7]

Oh! Also, will renaming be enabled? It makes organizing mages/commanders alot simpler but sometimes people don't like allowing renaming for some reason.

If it's up to vote I vote for renaming. Also for diplomacy, it's part of the game.

Re-naming isn't a huge deal to me; on the one hand, if you don't allow it, it adds to the immersiveness, as you are able to learn some of each culture's names, but on the other hand, in my single-player game, I did name one commander "Gem Bearing Guy" for simplicity's sake. I'm good with whatever the majority wants.

[CthulhuDreams]

I vote for renaming.

[Korwin]

+1 for renaming.

I plan to keep my word... if I give it.

Site frequency standard or higher?

[earwicker7]

Ok, re-naming is in; I'll edit the original post.

I'm trying to keep things as close to "stock" as possible, since I've only finished one single-player game so far, so I'm in favor of standard site frequency unless anyone objects to it.

[fumanstu]

I'd like a spot if you'll have me? I'll take Shinuyama. :) Will be my first MP game and I've only played SP a couple of times, so I think this game will be a good fit. :)

[Korwin]

For the record: I am playing a (the first, for me) MP at the moment where I'm subing (is that a word?) for Vanheim.
Vanheim didn't get Turns submitted until turn ~8.

Luckily I got peaceable company at my borders.

[earwicker7]

fumanstu is in as Shinuyama.

[Patolixo]

Well, if this is still open for new players, I can take Atlantis.

[earwicker7]

Atlantis it is!

[Xanatos]

im still a bit new myself, more than 3 games, probably closer to 8, and I havent played any MP games recently, in months, and would love to join if you guys need me. just PM me

[nrasch]

I'd like to join please. I've played one other MP game, Crowded. I'd like to try out Pangaea, Age of Bronze. :)

Also, I'm on the Dom3 IRC channel as LeafyBits.

[earwicker7]

Xanatos: Sorry, bro, but I'm really trying to keep this one noob only... I want it to be a "baby steps" game :) But thanks for offering, and I hope to see you in future games!

nrasch: You're in as Pangaea.

Only one spot left!

[Xanatos]

Well, I'm pretty bad=p Leafybits (the post that you just accepted) has almost killed me in a game we are playing where I should have had a huge advantage.

[CthulhuDreams]

Well, if this is still open for new players, I can take Atlantis.

Just a note: Two water nations means that the province ratio is 1 Water per 11 provinces, and 1 Land Nation per 24 land provinces.

If you take out a water nation and add a land nation, you get 1:22 and 1:22.1 respectively.

The Llamaserver version of this map with fixed starting positions also only includes 1 water start and 9 land starts :)

[earwicker7]

Ok, Xanatos, you've twisted my arm enough lol. You're in, just let me know who you want to be.

CthuluDreams: Understood, but the flip side is that if there is only one water nation, they tend to be the winner, because they really have no competition in the early game... most races can't take water provinces until they've either researched the right spells or found the right independants.

Ok, so here we go... everyone please send their pretender files to me at earwicker777@hotmail.com. This will be the email we use for the entire game. Please use the following format for the email title: "(Your forum username)--Dominions 3--(Whatever you are sending... for example, this one would be "Pretender File", then later "Turn 3 orders", etc.)".

Your pretender file will be in the /savedgames/newlords folder. Some people (Vista and Windows 7) may not see it here, in which case you will need to go into the following folders (usually, you will need to enable the ability to see hidden files by right clicking on the folder, and going into the properties menu): (Your drive, for example, "C:")/users/(Your Name)/AppData/Local/VirtualStore/ProgramFiles(x86)/Dominions3/savedgames/newlords.

[Korwin]

Pretender file sent.

[Domenje]

sent

[Colonial]

Damn. My log-in came through 3 hours too late to join this one.

I allume 11 players would be too much of a squeeze?

[Patolixo]

Going to send mine after getting home from work, at around 9:30 PM EST.

[Nosantee]

Sent my guy!

[CthulhuDreams]

I'll send my guy when I get home from work (also, should jam in Colonial)

[earwicker7]

Now that everyone is in, I need a final vote on diplomacy... as mentioned before, I like the idea that there are no treaties in place at the beginning of the game, i.e., you can attack at will. However, if you make a treaty, it is "semi-binding"... by that, I mean that you can break it, but you have to give the offended party 3 turns notice. I think this will make it a little easier on the noobs. It would be an honor system, so if you break it, everyone gets notified BUT YOU DO NOT GET KICKED OUT, it will just hurt your reputation lol. I need a vote by the time all the pretenders are in; if you haven't voted by the time they are in, I'll assume you have no opinion.

Here's my proposal for turning things in on time... for now, we'll have 24 hour turns; if everyone can get their turns in by 7pm Pacific Standard Time, I should be able to get the new turns out by between 7pm to 8pm. For time extensions, I propose that everyone gets three of them. If you need an extension, please email me BEFORE the deadline; if you haven't used up all three of them, it will be granted automatically, and I'll let everyone know that the new turn will be delayed by 24 hours. If a player does not notify me that they need an extension and misses the deadline, it still counts as one of your extensions (so there is no reason not to ask for it lol), and the turn will automatically be extended by 24 hours; I will notify you by email that you have missed the deadline... if you STILL haven't replied by the end of that 24 hour extension, you will get a stale turn. If you get to your "third strike" extension, all of the players will take a vote on whether they believe it is now appropriate to extend the turn length. If the vote is yes, the turn length will be increased and EVERYONE'S extension count will be reset to zero. If the consensus is that it is too early to extend the turn length, you're on your "final warning", and it is expected that you make a decision as to whether you are able to continue playing, or you need to get either a sub or (hopefully it won't come to this) go AI. I believe this will make sure things don't get out of control, with people missing the deadline by three days and such, while still giving some flexibility to the fact that we do all have lives outside gaming (I hope!). I'm open to changing these rules, but I think they would work well.

[earwicker7]

Received the following people's pretender files: Nosantee, Domenje, and Korwin.

[earwicker7]

I'll send my guy when I get home from work (also, should jam in Colonial)

Sounds good... what the hell is Colonial :confused: :D

[CthulhuDreams]

I'll send my guy when I get home from work (also, should jam in Colonial)

Sounds good... what the hell is Colonial :confused: :D

The guy 4 posts up who wants to join the game ;) (edit: well, 8 from this post)

[Xanatos]

its fine, im gonna withdraw from this one, im getting into some other games as well atm. but ty, and have fun all!

[Patolixo]

Pretender sent!

Yes, I think diplomacy can work in the way earwicker stated... especially this being a newbie game and with everyone learning the nuances of the sofisticated game of Dominions, hehe

I liked the way extensions and turns are to be handled.

[nrasch]

Woo woo, Xanatos is here too. Going to be a fun game. :)

[earwicker7]

Looks like Xanatos is out... Colonial, you're in; awaiting notice of who you are playing.

Received Patolixo's pretender.

[Korwin]

Agree to proposed diplomacy.

[CthulhuDreams]

I broadly agree, but can I propose the following modifications

1) You can agree to a non aggression pact of

* A notification break period (1-1000 turns or whatever)
* A fixed expirary date (We have a NAP until turn 25)
* A fixed duration (We have a NAP for 10 more turns)

2) Trade agreements for fungible goods (e.g. I give you 15 earth gems, you give me a dwarf hammer and/or 400 gold) are enforceable.

3) An agreement to attack a third party is not enforceable (I agree with C'tis to attack Formoria, I don't do anything, that's tough titties for C'tis)

[nrasch]

Goodness! All this talk of treachery and diplomacy!

And here I thought our game was going to be all kittens, glitter, and rainbows. ;)

[earwicker7]

I broadly agree, but can I propose the following modifications

1) You can agree to a non aggression pact of

* A notification break period (1-1000 turns or whatever)
* A fixed expirary date (We have a NAP until turn 25)
* A fixed duration (We have a NAP for 10 more turns)

2) Trade agreements for fungible goods (e.g. I give you 15 earth gems, you give me a dwarf hammer and/or 400 gold) are enforceable.

3) An agreement to attack a third party is not enforceable (I agree with C'tis to attack Formoria, I don't do anything, that's tough titties for C'tis)

I actually REALLY like this! So can we all agree to it? Again, it's the honor system, so you're agreeing that, if you violate it, we reserve the right to spread the word throughout the forum that you are a spoil-sport:D

[nrasch]

Fine by me. :)

[Xanatos]

i just hate PBEM, nothing against it, its just a lot more trouble to think of emails other than llamaservers=p This game is already complicated enough without me having to worry about remembering that too, lol

[Colonial]

That's brillient. Thanks a lot guys.

I will be playing Ulm, If no one objects.


I'll try to get you a pretender this evening (EU time).

[CthulhuDreams]

Warning: They are really bad.

[Korwin]

Agree to Chtulhus modification.

[fumanstu]

Pretender file sent! I also agree to Cthulhu's proposed diplomacy rules. :)

[earwicker7]

That's brillient. Thanks a lot guys.

I will be playing Ulm, If no one objects.


I'll try to get you a pretender this evening (EU time).

Ulm is fine.

[earwicker7]

Warning: They are really bad.

I'm of the opinion anyone can be destroyed with the right combination of diplomacy and strategy. If the Men of the West could defeat Sauron... ;)

[earwicker7]

Received nrasch, CthuluDreams and Fumantsu's pretenders.

I still need pretenders from cwkgc and Colonial. Once these are in, I'll get everything started.

[Colonial]

hmm, they are number 8 on the list of best MA nations, which would put them right in the middle...

but I dont mind loosing

so... how do you upload a pretender?

[earwicker7]

hmm, they are number 8 on the list of best MA nations, which would put them right in the middle...

but I dont mind loosing

so... how do you upload a pretender?

Just create a pretender through "Game Tools". For the rest, I'll just quote my earlier post:

Ok, so here we go... everyone please send their pretender files to me at earwicker777@hotmail.com. This will be the email we use for the entire game. Please use the following format for the email title: "(Your forum username)--Dominions 3--(Whatever you are sending... for example, this one would be "Pretender File", then later "Turn 3 orders", etc.)".

Your pretender file will be in the /savedgames/newlords folder. Some people (Vista and Windows 7) may not see it here, in which case you will need to go into the following folders (usually, you will need to enable the ability to see hidden files by right clicking on the folder, and going into the properties menu): (Your drive, for example, "C:")/users/(Your Name)/AppData/Local/VirtualStore/ProgramFiles(x86)/Dominions3/savedgames/newlords.

[earwicker7]

Alright, I received the pretender file for Colonial, so we only have cwkgc to go.

[Calahan]

Interesting looking game you have here guys, but can I highly recommend using a 3rd party independent server for all games. Or the llamaserver in this case if it's going to be PBEM.

I am not imply or suggesting anything here, but it is really bad practice in general for a player to host a game that he/she is also playing in, as it can lead to a world of problems and accusations once the game gets going. One of the first MP games I ever played in was with a player hosting his own game, and throughout the entire game there was bad feeling and suspicion behind the scenes any time anything 'good' happened to the host player. Be it a good fight, good event, getting a unique summon/artefact etc. As there was no way of the other players knowing how many times the host player re-hosted to get the result that he/she wanted. "Did he really win that battle fair and square, or did he simply re-host and change his orders until he found a way to win it?". Having thoughts along those lines every turn really doesn't make for a pleasant gaming experience IMO. The host might well not have re-hosted a single turn as he claimed, but there was absolutely no way of the other players knowing if this was true or not, as all we had was the 'word' of someone we didn't know at all, and hadn't met before that game. (and it was made worse in the game I played in due to the host not losing a single battle all game, and winning the game by a landslide as a result)

Again, I am not suggesting anything here with regards this particular game, or the players, or host, but the 'suspicious' thoughts I've outlined above will mostly always be the natural thoughts of all players in any game where the host is also playing. Regardless of who he or she is. I guess the world just isn't the trusting place it used to be :( But all of these problems go away with an independent 3rd party server such as the llamaserver (for PBEM) or Gandalf's server for direct connect games. As the hostings in those games are clear for all to see, and no re-hosts can take place without it either being logged (for llamaserver) or done by the server admin himself (for Gandalf's)


Apologies again for the intrusion, but I've seen so many arguments occur over games during my time that I now always try to prevent them in advance if I see an opportunity to.

[CthulhuDreams]

I'm happy with Llama server.

[Nosantee]

Seconding a Llamaserver game. I haven't played one yet, but it's probably much faster and alot less work on the host. Aswell as the whole don't have to worry about any tampering.

[earwicker7]

Alright, though, to be honest, I was kind of looking forward to hosting the game :( I feel like I've had my players ask for a new Dungeon Master.

I have absolutely no idea how to set this up. What do I do?

[Korwin]

Http://llamaserver.Net

Looks relatively simple, there is a FAQ.

[Colonial]

not gunna lie, I'd rather stick to the plan if it gets the game going faster...

I'd like to see turn 1 by the weekend

[Nosantee]

Alright, though, to be honest, I was kind of looking forward to hosting the game :( I feel like I've had my players ask for a new Dungeon Master.

I have absolutely no idea how to set this up. What do I do?

That's a HORRIBLE connection!

"Did he miss??"
"Uhhh... *dice rolls are 1 2 4 and a 4* ... No, infact, he critted, twice. You die, re-roll."
"...Lift your screen and show me those rolls"
"...No"

[Korwin]

While I'm not especially worried about cheating, I'm more worried about RL happening to earwicker, so I'm all for Llamaserver.

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

not gunna lie, I'd rather stick to the plan if it gets the game going faster...

I'd like to see turn 1 by the weekend

To speed things up, I went ahead and made an game on Llama (with the options from the first post)
http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Rock_the_Cradle

After finding you pretender file mail it to
pretenders[ at ]llamaserver[ dot ]net
Subject line: Rock_the_Cradle



[Edit:] Sent Admin-PW to Earwicker7

[Nosantee]

I've sent in Arco's file.

[earwicker7]

This is just depressing. I've always avoided multiplayer games because of issues like this, because you can't play for more than ten minutes without someone accusing somebody of possibly cheating because they don't like the way things are going. I expect this from a game like Gears of War, where the majority of players are a bunch of ten-year-olds, but I'm pretty surprised it happened here, as the community seems to be very mature and interested in the experience, not just being "in it to win it".

People might say I'm getting defensive, but the way I look at it, I went out of my way to try to make a fun experience for all of us, only to have my integrity questioned. I was willing to take time out of my life to track down people who were running behind, help people with any issues they might have had, etc.. I'm a busy person, a single parent with a ten year old, so all of the issues with keeping the game running would have cut into my free time, but it would have been a nice change from my usual routine of taking orders from my boss all day long; I felt good that I was going to be the leader of something.

I'd hate to see the game fall apart at this point, but I'm out as far as any hosting goes; that experience has been spoiled to the point that I don't want anything to do with it. Whether it's by email or by server, someone else can take over and deal with it. I still want to play, so whoever takes over, please let me know how to get things set up on my end (i.e., where do I send my pretender?).

[earwicker7]

Just to clarify the last post, I still want to play in this game, I've just lost interest in being an admin of any type, and hope someone else can do it. I understand if nobody wants to, but hopefully this isn't the case.

[Korwin]

Like I said, the advantage of the Llamaserver I like is the possiblility of changing the admin. (And I think it sends the turns automatically out)

That said, Llamaserver is not an must have for me.
At the moment I'm with Colonial, whatever is faster.
(Thats the reason I set it up on Llamaserver, to get the speed-bumps out of the way.)

So whatever we end up doing, I'm open for both.
**** we could even do it parallel. Same nation/pretender, etc. but the variable factors wouldnt be the same.

For the record, before it comes to pass that the game doesnt happen, I'll do the Admin work on Llamaserver. (shouldnt be to much, I hope.)

[earwicker7]

Like I said, the advantage of the Llamaserver I like is the possiblility of changing the admin. (And I think it sends the turns automatically out)

That said, Llamaserver is not an must have for me.
At the moment I'm with Colonial, whatever is faster.
(Thats the reason I set it up on Llamaserver, to get the speed-bumps out of the way.)

So whatever we end up doing, I'm open for both.
**** we could even do it parallel. Same nation/pretender, etc. but the variable factors wouldnt be the same.

For the record, before it comes to pass that the game doesnt happen, I'll do the Admin work on Llamaserver. (shouldnt be to much, I hope.)

Korwin, that would be sweet if you could admin!

I hope there are no hard feelings with anyone on the forum; I don't want to sound *****y... I guess I'm just a bit of a control freak, so if it's my game, I kind of want to do it my way :)

EDIT--If you want to do it, let me know, and I'll send in my pretender file tonight.

[fumanstu]

I've sent my turn in to llamaserver as well but I really don't mind which we do. If there is less of an admin burden with using llama then I say go for that - one less thing for someone to think about and we can just get on and have fun. :)

[Colonial]

My pretender has been sent to llamaserver

[Korwin]

OK, I'll admin the Llamaserver game.


The more I think about it, the more I would like an "alternate timeline game".
I mean two games with the same starting conditions, same players with the same nations and same pretenders...

I bet after turn 20 the two games look totally different...

Edit: 4 Pretenders from 10 are submited.

[earwicker7]

OK, I'll admin the Llamaserver game.


The more I think about it, the more I would like an "alternate timeline game".
I mean two games with the same starting conditions, same players with the same nations and same pretenders...

I bet after turn 20 the two games look totally different...

Edit: 4 Pretenders from 10 are submited.

You'll have mine in about 5 hours. I don't think I have time to play two games, but it's a cool idea.

[CthulhuDreams]

The main reason to use Llama server is reduced administration overhead

A) The host doesn't have to do any work unless a player drops out

Turn generation and mailings is done by the server. This is great if quick host is enabled and you have players in multiple different timezones, because it doesn't matter if I send the last 2h file in at 3am US time it will be generated and mailed out instantly, not when the host gets back from work.


B) Players can see that their turn has been sent to them by llamaserver, or that llama server hasn't got the turn they sent yet.

This helps a lot with modern email spam filters - as dominions PBEM games are mass mailings with attachments, they look and smell like spammers, and as a result they often get sucked into more aggressive spam filters.

C) If email doesn't work, llamaserver still does because you can direct download

My other PBEM game (which is direct mail) at the moment is on haitus because the hosts email service won't let him send emails. If it's hosted by llama server, you're in business.

IMHO these benefits are worth MUCH more than any cheating protection - the spam filter thing alone is a major issue with direct email games. I've been dinged for not sending a file before, when I had and the host's spam filter ate it which enraged me.

[earwicker7]

The main reason to use Llama server is reduced administration overhead

A) The host doesn't have to do any work unless a player drops out

Turn generation and mailings is done by the server. This is great if quick host is enabled and you have players in multiple different timezones, because it doesn't matter if I send the last 2h file in at 3am US time it will be generated and mailed out instantly, not when the host gets back from work.


B) Players can see that their turn has been sent to them by llamaserver, or that llama server hasn't got the turn they sent yet.

This helps a lot with modern email spam filters - as dominions PBEM games are mass mailings with attachments, they look and smell like spammers, and as a result they often get sucked into more aggressive spam filters.

C) If email doesn't work, llamaserver still does because you can direct download

My other PBEM game (which is direct mail) at the moment is on haitus because the hosts email service won't let him send emails. If it's hosted by llama server, you're in business.

IMHO these benefits are worth MUCH more than any cheating protection - the spam filter thing alone is a major issue with direct email games. I've been dinged for not sending a file before, when I had and the host's spam filter ate it which enraged me.

I see where you're coming from, but my concern is more along the line of looking at it from the opposite perspective; what happens to the person who, through no fault of their own, has their car break down and misses the deadline by half an hour? That would lead to a stale turn, wouldn't it? This seems like the type of game where a stale turn could destroy you.

I actually wasn't that worried about the overhead I'd have to deal with... in a way, I was kind of looking forward to it; as I mentioned before, it almost reminds me of my Dungeon Master days, of which I have very fond memories.

I already fished a couple of pretender files out of junk mail... I'd think most computer literate people would know better than to not check there.

Anyways, if I'm the admin, I prefer a more hands-on approach, but I guess this is all a moot point, as we have someone who doesn't mind administrating from llamaserver, so I'm good to go :)

[nrasch]

Hrmm, for some reason my thread notification wasn't kicking in. I didn't see we were using Llama. Pretender sent! :)

[Patolixo]

Okay, atlantis' pretender sent to Llama.

[earwicker7]

Abysia sent.

[Korwin]

Update:

1: earwicker7--Abyssia -- Pretender submitted
2: Domenje--Marignon --
3: cwkgc--Bandar Log --
4: Nosantee--Arcoscephale -- Pretender submitted
5: Korwin--Vanheim -- Pretender submitted
6: CthuluDreams--R'yleh -- Pretender submitted
7: fumanstu--Shinuyama -- Pretender submitted
8: Patolixo--Atlantis -- Pretender submitted
9: nrasch--Pangaea -- Pretender submitted
10:Colonial--Ulm -- Pretender submitted


Only two to go.

[Korwin]

Hmm, who is Ermor?

[cwkjc]

Hi guys, i think i'm too busy to start, so i prefer to quit now before a more concrete commitment.

[Colonial]

hmmm,

Half a mind to switch to Bandur Log in that case.

is ulm really that underpowered? I see that the latest CBM gave in a silly number of boosts, but Baalz guide and the other one don't make it seem that challenging to work with.

[Korwin]

Do we try to get another player, instead of cwkj?

Did Domenje send an Pretender for Ermor by Mistake?
Or do we allready have an Mystery Player as replacement for cwkj?
If its an Mystery Player, do I set him/her to AI?

[Korwin]

hmmm,

Half a mind to switch to Bandur Log in that case.

is ulm really that underpowered? I see that the latest CBM gave in a silly number of boosts, but Baalz guide and the other one don't make it seem that challenging to work with.

Anyone know if/how the Admin can delete an Nation before the game starts?
If not possible we would need to resubmit the Pretender files, if someone wants to change the nation.

[Colonial]

my changing nation is not worth a resubmit by anyone else, I'm fine with slow, steamroller-y armies.

summoning monkey-laughs would be fun though...

[Korwin]

Do we try to get another player, instead of cwkj?


To answer my own question, I contacted an newbie player on another forum, should register shortly.

my changing nation is not worth a resubmit by anyone else, I'm fine with slow, steamroller-y armies.

summoning monkey-laughs would be fun though...

We still have that mysterious Ermor Pretender, hope its Domenje who changed his nation to Ermor (sent him an PN)

[Nosantee]

Sometimes people just open llamaserver and join games without the reading the threads. When you create a game on Llamaserver it's advisable to post a link to the thread that is hosting the game and give a description saying 'This is a noob game for the people of the Shrapnel Dominions III forum' or some such.

For all we know Ermor is some veteran player looking for a game and just signed up without being a forum goer. Since there's no description on the game on llamaserver, he'd have no idea.

[earwicker7]

Admins can delete pretenders... we might want to consider this if Ermor doesn't make himself known.

[CthulhuDreams]

hmmm,

Half a mind to switch to Bandur Log in that case.

is ulm really that underpowered? I see that the latest CBM gave in a silly number of boosts, but Baalz guide and the other one don't make it seem that challenging to work with.

Ulm is ****ing terrible for three reasons

A) They have no diversity in their armies. Sure the heavy infantry in heavy plate is a great infantry type.. but that it's. It's one type. Many other powers would touch themselves if they could have it in their armies as well.. but that's as well.

And unlike say, Abysia's flaming magma men, they are not great enough to carry the team by themselves.

If Ulm has some sort of super sling rock spammer unit or something that synergised it would be good, but ulms ranged units are highly armour peicing which makes firing into melee super dangerous.

B) All teams with ****ty mages just have great MR out of the box. Ulm has ****ty mages.. and ****ty MR.


C) Ulm's mages are really crap, and the unaffected by drain dominion thing does not compensate for it. Like, at all.

Any one of these issues would make a race small in the pants, but it's really bad when you have all of them.


Bandar log are actually really good. Their high level summons are ****ing awesome. Rudra's are arguably the best value SC chassis going around - Mandehas are sweet as well.

Standard operating procedure as Bandar log is to try and pile up clams to get a huge pile of astral gems and then convert these into really hard hitting SCs in the late game.

They are a bit weak early on, but if you can muddle through the mid game your late game is awesome. It's actually really ****ing important to smash Bandar Log right in the face before they get the clam -> Pearls -> Rudra thing going.

[Korwin]

@Colonial
Found the Delete Pretender button and used it on Ulm.
You can now resend an Ape Pretender.

And posted Link to the Forum...

[Colonial]

I will play around with this barrel of monkeys this evening.

sounds like I went from 'attack him because he's easy pickings' territory to 'attack him before he gets too goddamn powerful' territory...

[earwicker7]

Korwin: You should use the "Send Message to Players" link on llamaserver and send out something (it may come to all of us, but no harm in that) saying that, since this is a noob only game, Ermor is deleted, but if the player is indeed a noob, he can post to this thread, make himself known, and then get Ermor added back to the game before we start. Otherwise, we may have a wrench in the gears ;)

[earwicker7]

I have Domenje's Marignon file from when I was going to be the host. I emailed him asking if it was ok for me to post it to llamaserver for him.

[Korwin]

Send an Message to Ermor, then deleted him.
Good thinking earwicker7.

[earwicker7]

I realized that sending domenje's pretender from my email address might cause all of his future turns to be emailed to me, so I just emailed him instructions on what he needs to do. Assuming he gets it in quickly, that makes us good to go, correct?

[earwicker7]

I think we may have another person wandering in from nowhere... anybody know who sent in the Man pretender?

This is one of the reasons PBEM was appealing lol.

[CthulhuDreams]

You can change the email address turns are mailed too via llamaserver.

[Korwin]

Man should be Kaelik. (not shure if this will be his forum name here.)
I think he allready registered here, but theres the holdup before he can post.
He get us up to 10 players again, after cwkgc got out.

Actual player list:
1: earwicker7--Abyssia
2: Domenje--Marignon
3: Colonial--Bandar Log
4: Nosantee--Arcoscephale
5: Korwin--Vanheim
6: CthuluDreams--R'yleh
7: fumanstu--Shinuyama
8: Patolixo--Atlantis
9: nrasch--Pangaea
10:Kaelik--Man

Domenje's Pretender is still missing.
I only hope he is still playing.

As CthulhuDreams said, we could change the E-Mail later.

[earwicker7]

I'm pretty sure Domenje is still in, it's just his first MP game, so he may be having issues with posting his pretender.

[Colonial]

hmmm. any way i can re-upload the pretender file? forgot a passworld again...

[Korwin]

You should be able to send a new pretender file from the same eMail.

[Colonial]

brilliant

[earwicker7]

I'm showing EVERYONE is in! Woohoo! Let's get this party started.

[Nosantee]

Agreed, let this slaughter of non-humanoids commence.

Arco shall cleanse the world of of all non-humanoids. Demons, Monkeys, Monsterous Humanoid, Animaloid. There shall be no remorse. Human bretheran, let us join hands and slaughter the wicked.

[Kaelik]

Technically Monkeys and Monstrous Humanoids would still count as humanoids.

Also, this is Man checking in after a long wait for post approval. This will be my first MP game, and I haven't actually finished a SP game, because I mostly get tired of all the management and give up and go start a new one after about turn 50-70.

My strategy for dealing with that problem is to lose by turn 70 ;)

Or you know, it will still be fun against humans, because it won't be an inexorable march slog to victory by that point.

[Korwin]

Let the Game of Pretenders begin.




Files should go out in a few minutes.
I did press the Start game button.

[Nosantee]

Huh, can anyone tell me what those little crowns are on some provinces?

First MP game. Does that mean where a pretender is? Some special item?

[Kaelik]

If you mean the white star icons, it means the province is more likely to have multiple magic sites on it.

If you mean something else, I'm not sure.

[Nosantee]

Nah those I know, I mean for about 5 provinces there are little crowns with red gems on them scatted through-out the map.

I HOPE it isn't marking a pretender/starting location for someone, cause they're about to get rushed really quick like if it is.

[Korwin]

I think that would be victory Point provinces if we played with VP.

[Colonial]

the crowns are strange. this map doesn't ship with them, which makes me think we have victory points on.

@ Nosantee & Kaelik:

Monkeys are totally humanoids. 2 arms, 2 legs. the nobility don't even have tails. how much more human can you get?

[Kaelik]

@ Nosantee & Kaelik:

Monkeys are totally humanoids. 2 arms, 2 legs. the nobility don't even have tails. how much more human can you get?

I just said that monkeys are humanoid.

[Colonial]

yeah... I was agreeing...

[Patolixo]

Nah those I know, I mean for about 5 provinces there are little crowns with red gems on them scatted through-out the map.

I HOPE it isn't marking a pretender/starting location for someone, cause they're about to get rushed really quick like if it is.

These are provinces that would grant Victory Points, if we were playing with VPs on. For a reason I do not know, maps on Llamaserver have these even when VPs are off.

And well, Shamblers are humanoid too, ok? And they have emotions, please make sure to not hurt their feelings, they are sensitive.

[Colonial]

r'ylah's shamblers don't have feelings...

[nrasch]

Did Llama server send you guys a turn? I haven't seen one in my email yet. :(

Also, I warn you now, interlopers into my tree huger forest domain shall be attacked by angry killer bunnis!!!

[earwicker7]

Did Llama server send you guys a turn? I haven't seen one in my email yet. :(

Also, I warn you now, interlopers into my tree huger forest domain shall be attacked by angry killer bunnis!!!

Check your junk mail. If that doesn't work, PM the admin, as he can (to the best of my knowledge) check to make sure llamaserver has the correct email address.

[Korwin]

I got my turn file.
I did an resend turn for Pangea.
Hope it gets to you.

[Korwin]

Also I don't think I can check the EMail, I could change the Email if thats wanted.

[earwicker7]

What would llamaserver do in a situation where he didn't get his turn... do you have it set up to automatically "time out" someone, or are you giving approval before the next turn starts?

Oh, and as a side note... prepare to die! lol

[nrasch]

Thanks for the help all. I went to llama server and requested the turn be sent again. Ready to go now. :)

[Domenje]

i dont know how to join

[earwicker7]

i dont know how to join

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

Make sure you have the current patch (3.24).

[Colonial]

might want to update the first post of the thread... still says I'm playing ulm

(w/ link to llamaserver as well)

[earwicker7]

might want to update the first post of the thread... still says I'm playing ulm

(w/ link to llamaserver as well)

Done.

[Colonial]

nice :D

also, you can't re-upload your turn... better make bloody sure that you aren't gonna change your mind...

[Nosantee]

Aw man you actually disabled score graphs.
Since someone else was hosting I was hoping they stay enabled

[Korwin]

Colonial, you should be able to resubmit (at least the FAQ says so).
Unless you are the last of course.

[Colonial]

yeah,just noticed my resubmit was in 'save drafts'...

[Kaelik]

Aw man you actually disabled score graphs.
Since someone else was hosting I was hoping they stay enabled

Just as well, now you can't see my patented don't designate a Prophet and get a second province on turn one technique.

[Korwin]

I think that means R'ley has an Kraken Pretender?

[Nosantee]

I think that means R'ley has an Kraken Pretender?

Keep it in the water and I'll see to it that it retains all eight of its arms.

[Colonial]

I would say atlantis has a Kracken, not r'yleh.

seeing as how hes sitting on top of the hall of fame with thirty nine kills by turn 3...

[earwicker7]

I would say atlantis has a Kracken, not r'yleh.

seeing as how hes sitting on top of the hall of fame with thirty nine kills by turn 3...

Day-um!

[Colonial]

don't want to harsh out a patolixo too much, but the hall of fame place does have me worried. The Baalzian Kraken(eg. the pretender designed in the highly respected Baalz guide) is semi-immortal and able to take out all underwater independants solo. but he has no magic or bless:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=37457

if I find out intel on any other pretenders (maybe only from universally visible sources) I'll stick it on here...

[earwicker7]

don't want to harsh out a patolixo too much, but the hall of fame place does have me worried. The Baalzian Kraken(eg. the pretender designed in the highly respected Baalz guide) is semi-immortal and able to take out all underwater independants solo. but he has no magic or bless:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=37457

if I find out intel on any other pretenders (maybe only from universally visible sources) I'll stick it on here...

Why do I have the feeling patolixo is going to put a Boba Fett on your a$$? :D

[Colonial]

looking like we had our first missed turn this time around...

[earwicker7]

Oh, that's never good.

[Korwin]

Uh I just now looked at the stalling statistic. Looks like Atlantis stalled 3 turns allready.
Totally missed that, sorry.

So what do we do?

AI or has anyone someone to sub at hand.

[earwicker7]

Uh I just now looked at the stalling statistic. Looks like Atlantis stalled 3 turns allready.
Totally missed that, sorry.

So what do we do?

AI or has anyone someone to sub at hand.

This is kind of why I wanted to avoid running something on an external server... if we were doing PBEM, I wouldn't have processed the turn until everyone had turned their files in, and if someone was running late, I'd hassle that person to either get the turn in on time, or tell us right away that they were out. This seems to be a very common problem with server-hosted newbie games... instead of saying, "Sorry, guys, I just don't have the time," players just drop off the face of the earth. Three stalls out of six turns leaves whoever takes over, AI or human, with one hell of a mess.

Did he miss three turns in a row? If so, I say try to contact him, and if he doesn't respond by the end of the day, set him to AI for the time being.

[nrasch]

Agreed w/ Earwicker7.


Nathan

[Korwin]

Yes he took the first two turns, then stalled.
I sent him a message.

Hopefully he will respond.
Should I extent the turn time?

I should have seen it earlier, I was wondering Why Atlantis was allways last. I even sent an Message in-game, explaining He could take the next turn immediatly after his last turn, if he's the last... Dhoo, should have checked the statistic...

First time admining an game.
For the future: I shall check the Stall statistic after every turn!

[Colonial]

I did notice that scary-assed 39 kill kracken is, um, still at 39 kills :P

whatever happens, r'ylah's won the water minigame by this point.

[earwicker7]

Yes he took the first two turns, then stalled.
I sent him a message.

Hopefully he will respond.
Should I extent the turn time?

I should have seen it earlier, I was wondering Why Atlantis was allways last. I even sent an Message in-game, explaining He could take the next turn immediatly after his last turn, if he's the last... Dhoo, should have checked the statistic...

First time admining an game.
For the future: I shall check the Stall statistic after every turn!

I say check the status about an hour before the absolute deadline, and if he hasn't responded by then, well... that's four turns in a row with no communication (he could easily have asked for a turn extension), which, IMO, warrants being booted from the game; other than death in the family, there's just no excuse (and to be honest, I'm the type who would still ask for a turn extension if someone in my family died). At that point, turn him into AI and start praying R'lyeh screws up at some point, because they've been handed a get out of jail free card lol.

[CthulhuDreams]

lol, I've already screwed up - three unrest events IN A ****ING ROW WTF THE **** in my capital and no SC pretender has crippled my early game. I'm actually in serious danger of dying to a dom push atm.

Perversely, the AI is more dangerous as it won't respect the NAP we had, and has a SC pretender that I can do literally nothing about.

[earwicker7]

lol, I've already screwed up - three unrest events IN A ****ING ROW WTF THE **** in my capital and no SC pretender has crippled my early game. I'm actually in serious danger of dying to a dom push atm.

Perversely, the AI is more dangerous as it won't respect the NAP we had, and has a SC pretender that I can do literally nothing about.

Eh, it's not like the admin is going to set the AI to aggressive... hint, hint :D

[Korwin]

Anyone any idea how to set Atlantis to AI, without the PW?

I'm afraid to say this page is a trick, since in fact there is no way to automatically set a nation to AI.
The procedure is this:

1) Ask the player playing the dying nation to set themselves to AI. Many players fail to do so simply because they don't realise they're meant to set their nations to AI when they want to stop playing. If you ask them to, there's a good chance they will.

2) If that fails, you need to either do it yourself, or ask some trusted member of the community to do it. The disadvantage of doing it yourself is that you will see the position of the dying nation and its neighbours, which is a bit dodgy. Finding someone else to do it is a hassle though. I recommend asking someone else from that game who's already been knocked out, or else someone random you've played with before. If you always ask me or Gandalf, we will go mad.

3) Having found someone to set the nation to AI, you need to get the player's turn to them. To do that, change the nation's e-mail address to that player's address, and request a turn resend from the main game page. They then need to open the turn up in Dominions, set the player to AI and e-mail the resulting 2h file back to the LlamaServer.

Phew!

[earwicker7]

Anyone any idea how to set Atlantis to AI, without the PW?

I'm afraid to say this page is a trick, since in fact there is no way to automatically set a nation to AI.
The procedure is this:

1) Ask the player playing the dying nation to set themselves to AI. Many players fail to do so simply because they don't realise they're meant to set their nations to AI when they want to stop playing. If you ask them to, there's a good chance they will.

2) If that fails, you need to either do it yourself, or ask some trusted member of the community to do it. The disadvantage of doing it yourself is that you will see the position of the dying nation and its neighbours, which is a bit dodgy. Finding someone else to do it is a hassle though. I recommend asking someone else from that game who's already been knocked out, or else someone random you've played with before. If you always ask me or Gandalf, we will go mad.

3) Having found someone to set the nation to AI, you need to get the player's turn to them. To do that, change the nation's e-mail address to that player's address, and request a turn resend from the main game page. They then need to open the turn up in Dominions, set the player to AI and e-mail the resulting 2h file back to the LlamaServer.

Phew!

I thought the master password allowed this? Just go ahead and use it... we (at least myself) trust you.

[CthulhuDreams]

Spit his turn out to you (or me, or anyone else (The guy admining our gaming den game would be a good independant third party) and see if it has no PW.

Alternatively, use the Master password

[Colonial]

I agree about having one of us convert him to ai. the flow is more important than making sure noone gleans any information from an AI rump state, to my knowledge.

maybe don't have R'yleh do it, but otherwise...

[Korwin]

So now I know what the master password is for :banghead

Turn should arrive in a few minutes.

[Nosantee]

Glad to see we can all return to not waiting the total time for Atlantis to not play his turn lol

I shall prepare the elphants.

[nrasch]

Hi hi all. Hopefully everyone is having a good time; I know I am. :)

Some one was asking about forts, and I replied in game. I also said I'd put some link up in here, so here they are:

Forts: http://strategywiki.org/wiki/Dominions_3:_The_Awakening/Frequently_Asked_Questions#Forts

Really nice reference: http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Main_Page

Also, jump in IRC and say hello (I'm LeafyBits): http://wbe03.mibbit.com/?server=irc.gamesurge.net&channel=%23dominions&noServerTab=false&noticesToActiveTab=false

Thanks!
Nathan

[Kaelik]

Awh, Cthulu, I don't mean to. Where are you on the map, I can maybe choose to not build my temples in that direction just yet.

Not a lot else I can do.

I can see... 2 different opposing domains, maybe three right now.

[Kaelik]

Colonial, check your email/messages, I'm holding my 2h until we have time to negotiate.

[Korwin]

Apparently I'm next to the Spanish Inquisition...

I would appreciate it, if the Inquisitoriat would'nt go further east.
Go west and north and we shouldnt have problems... ;)

[Colonial]

Bring out: the comfortable chair!

reply sent kaelik.

[Nosantee]

You fools! Don't you understand? Calm, peaceful conduct where one simply goes the other way, or agrees to a NAP will be the bane of your existance!

This is Arcoscephale, reporting that if you meet us, prepare for the end.

[Kaelik]

Super important question. If I move into a province on the same turn someone moves out of it, how do order preferences work out.

[Korwin]

Movement to your own provinces is before Movement into enemy provinces.
If both movements are attacks, I think those are simultan. It gets extra dicey if your armies would encounter themselves in the middle, then I think its a coint toss to determine where the battle is happening.

[Nosantee]

Aha! My first contact!

I seeeee youuuuuu R'lyeh!

...Lucky you're in the water. Don't make me come down there!

[Korwin]

If the graphs would be on you all could see the first war.
Apparently Marignon tries to rush Vanheim
I didn't expect that...

On my ToDo list: Rush right back!

[Colonial]

Nice :D

Too bad I'm too far away to graze on the looser.

[Kaelik]

Too bad I didn't start the first war by killing approximately 10 units, primarily consisting of elephants.

I keed. I keed.

I am content with my mastery over my domain, and I still have 1-2 directions for easy expansion for a little bit yet.

[Colonial]

of course, those elephants were all sporting luck, body etherial and gift of flight. its the only way to roll.

I'll admit, you might not have caught me at my strongest...

but yeah, cant say i'm feeling cramped either. a couple of my scouts moving steadily in 2 different directions have just found a sea of indies so far. I was expecting a more peaceful early game than that from the ### of provences per person.

[earwicker7]

Had my first battle with a human's army this turn! Someone is more than welcome to offer tribute to Abyssia in order to keep the oceans from turning red with their blood :D

[Kaelik]

of course, those elephants were all sporting luck, body etherial and gift of flight. its the only way to roll.

I'll admit, you might not have caught me at my strongest...

but yeah, cant say i'm feeling cramped either. a couple of my scouts moving steadily in 2 different directions have just found a sea of indies so far. I was expecting a more peaceful early game than that from the ### of provences per person.

Yeah, you are the only person other than Cthulu that I have even seen.

[Nosantee]

Aha I (Arco) found BandarLog!

LET THE BATTLE OF THE LUCKY ETHEREAL BODIED FLYING ELEPHANTS ENSUE!

[Colonial]

hmmm, tecnically I found you I reckon.

you really want to try out the elephants? I seem to recall a recipe for hummus that features puree of hoplite...

[earwicker7]

Does anyone know if the lucky/unlucky events are effected by the scales? For example, if an unlucky event happens in a province with Death 3, is it more likely to involve population loss? As in, the same random event happens like three times already? If not, I think one of you punks is trying to spam me with a ritual, and I will find out who you are. The results will not bode well for your nation's survival.

[nrasch]

I just checked the forum tonight (been super busy with work), and my goodness what a blood thirsty lot is in this game! ;)

Good thing we pangeans are safe in our forests hugging trees....

Also, did anyone want that smell, earth loving hippy we found a few turns ago? The smell of patchouli and tie-dye is really quite horrid....

[Korwin]

I hope you are not talking about me.
While Earth loving does describe my dwarven smiths and they do have Long beards, they are not exactly peace loving or tree hugging ones...

[nrasch]

Korwin:

Dwarves, eh? So THATS why you are so blood thirsty! ;)

Midgets stuck under the ground w/ no sun, hangovers from the night before, and yer women folk sporting full beards.... Yes, I'd be grumpy too!

Tell you what, my main satyr, Fabio, just scored a few dozen more hot looking maenads, so I'll send you one to cheer you up along w/ a small stool to you can look her in the eye. ;)

With love,
Pangaea

[Korwin]

Well look out. You know how those crazy Inqusitory are when they see naked women.
Awfully fast with burning on the stake they are.

[Colonial]

and my goodness what a blood thirsty lot is in this game!

the bravado is flying thick and fast :D. I reckon thats a good sign

[CthulhuDreams]

Had my first battle with a human's army this turn! Someone is more than welcome to offer tribute to Abyssia in order to keep the oceans from turning red with their blood :D

Or you could just piss off. I'm not even sure why you are trying to rambo me. Because I tried to capture the same neutral provience as you? What the ****?

If you want to start a pointless war we can do that though? I'm happy to abandon playing for the win this game and just make it '**** abysia right up the ***' if that's what it boils down to.

[Nosantee]

Abyssia... Is attacking the oceans? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of fire radiation

Me and Cthulu have been friendly, so don't make me send any elephants down into those waters after you, Abyssia!

...As soon as I figure out how.

[earwicker7]

Had my first battle with a human's army this turn! Someone is more than welcome to offer tribute to Abyssia in order to keep the oceans from turning red with their blood :D

Or you could just piss off. I'm not even sure why you are trying to rambo me. Because I tried to capture the same neutral provience as you? What the ****?

If you want to start a pointless war we can do that though? I'm happy to abandon playing for the win this game and just make it '**** abysia right up the ***' if that's what it boils down to.

Could we please keep this game friendly? I'm fine with "in-character" threats from your pretender, but this post seems to be attacking me personally, unless I'm misinterpreting "Or you could just piss off."

As to why I'm attacking you, there are two reasons... we're obviously interested in grabbing the same areas, given that there is only one province between our capitals that we both attacked. That could probably be dealt with by a non-aggression pact.

The more serious issue, however, and one that seems to trump a non-aggression pact, is dominion. You have cold scales, and I have heat scales. I don't think there is any way that the two of us can exist next to each other because of that.

Could we bury the hatchet personally, and let the pretenders do the fighting? Thanks.

[nrasch]

Well, if Abysia is going into the sea, at least be nice enough to let us know which province. When all that fire meets water it is going to make one hell of a nice steam bath for those of us on the shore. :)


Also, Patolixo, did you get my message about a 5 turn NAP? I'll also agree not to go into the sea if you agree not to come up onto the land around my provinces.

- Hag-a-rific (nrasch)

[Nosantee]

Well, if Abysia is going into the sea, at least be nice enough to let us know which province. When all that fire meets water it is going to make one hell of a nice steam bath for those of us on the shore. :)


Also, Patolixo, did you get my message about a 5 turn NAP? I'll also agree not to go into the sea if you agree not to come up onto the land around my provinces.

- Hag-a-rific (nrasch)

Patolixo isn't here anymore. He's the Atlantis that staled for 3 turns and got AI'd

[nrasch]

@Nosantee - Doh! Well don't I feel silly now. ;) I guess the AI isn't going to agree to any NAP now is he? ;P

[nrasch]

@earwicker7 - I see you and I have found each other. I offer you a 5 turn NAP. I also propose that you don't cross the river to your west, and I'll stay on the other side.

Oh, I also want province 126 as a buffer zone between us.

Sound fair? :)

- Pangaea (nrasch)

[Colonial]

I'll put a fiver on cthulu.

or 500g if anyone wants to support Abysinia...

[CthulhuDreams]

Could we please keep this game friendly?

Sorry, you set being friendly on fire by ramboing into me with no prelude at all. Hint: If you want friendly relations, don't be an ***!

Either you stop attacking me now and tear down that temple, or I'll see you in hell. While that temple is there, it's a standing declaration of war.

[earwicker7]

I'm not in favour of 'binding' treaties. What does binding even mean? You're going to kick the offender out of the game?

So.. what are you going to do if someone breaks it without 3 turns notice? Kick them out of the game?

That would, to be, seem pretty weird.

Anyway, from an RP history has loads of examples where people went in for the sneaky backstab. Heck, WWII has an example where both sides were planning on backstabbing each other despite a NAP.

To me, a monomaniacal dictator RP would be a weird one to exclude.

Had my first battle with a human's army this turn! Someone is more than welcome to offer tribute to Abyssia in order to keep the oceans from turning red with their blood :D

Or you could just piss off. I'm not even sure why you are trying to rambo me. Because I tried to capture the same neutral provience as you? What the ****?

If you want to start a pointless war we can do that though? I'm happy to abandon playing for the win this game and just make it '**** abysia right up the ***' if that's what it boils down to.


Could we please keep this game friendly?

Sorry, you set being friendly on fire by ramboing into me with no prelude at all. Hint: If you want friendly relations, don't be an ***!

Either you stop attacking me now and tear down that temple, or I'll see you in hell. While that temple is there, it's a standing declaration of war.

So, let's see... in the beginning, you were the one who was strongly against rules that would have prevented the situation we are now in, and then you act like a twelve-year-old when the rules you proposed don't work out in your favor.

I tried, REALLY tried (as anyone who looks in this thread will see) to keep things from getting personal. Apparently, instead of seeing this as me trying to be a good sport, you saw it as a sign of weakness, and decided to keep being nasty. Well, you better get used to me posting these quotes every time I see you try to join a new MP game from now on, because NOBODY wants to play with people like you.

[earwicker7]

@earwicker7 - I see you and I have found each other. I offer you a 5 turn NAP. I also propose that you don't cross the river to your west, and I'll stay on the other side.

Oh, I also want province 126 as a buffer zone between us.

Sound fair? :)

- Pangaea (nrasch)

Done! So we have a bonding NAP until turn 21, at which point either of us is free to break it unless it is extended.

[CthulhuDreams]

So, let's see... in the beginning, you were the one who was strongly against rules that would have prevented the situation we are now in, and then you act like a twelve-year-old when the rules you proposed don't work out in your favor.

Sorry what?

We didn't have any sort of deal as far as I am aware. How would those rules have prevented anything? I had exchanged no prior communications with you at all in any format, and even when we 'bumped heads' in that neatural province, went on my merry way. I didn't message you in game, PM you, OR post in the forums about it.

Sure, I was annoyed because I'd lost an expansion force and my start was already pretty shakey.. but thems the breaks in the big city.

Subsequent events

A) You posted an threatening demand for tribute

B) You invaded one of my underwater provinces that I'd for several turns

C) You built a temple right next to my capital for the explicit purpose of dompushing me. You claimed it was to keep cold dominion out of your turf, but I don't think I even had a single candle on your territory.

At this point I get rather snippy and tell you I'd appreciate it if you shoved off unless you want to start a total war.

Your response was to attempt to invade me again. Then you are acting hurt and wounded by my stinging barbs to the effect of 'It's on now, and I am going to murderate [sic] you right in the face'

What did you think I was going to say when you invaded me? 'Welcome to the land of cuddly puppies here in Ryleh, and over there, we have kittens!'

I tried, REALLY tried (as anyone who looks in this thread will see) to keep things from getting personal. Apparently, instead of seeing this as me trying to be a good sport, you saw it as a sign of weakness, and decided to keep being nasty.

I haven't actually done anything to you. Let's recap events

A) We bumped heads in a neatural province

B) You threatened me

C) You invaded me

D) You are now trying to dompush me. This is why I presume you are blatantly misrepresenting the candle situation.

That is HIGHLY aggressive behaviour from you. I didn't even talk to you AT ALL until you tried to invade me.

I'm not even sure what I did that you think is being nasty? It's pretty puzzling overall. I haven't made a single move against you to this date.. and I took what as a sign of weakness?

All things considered I'd rather not fight you, and I would have happily lived in peace and harmony, until, and I make this very explicit, you started it! And then having started it, you kept on at it!

All I want is to be left alone.

- Squids.

PS Mate, nothing is personal - we're both trying to win the game.

[earwicker7]

So, let's see... in the beginning, you were the one who was strongly against rules that would have prevented the situation we are now in, and then you act like a twelve-year-old when the rules you proposed don't work out in your favor.

Sorry what?

We didn't have any sort of deal as far as I am aware. How would those rules have prevented anything? I had exchanged no prior communications with you at all in any format, and even when we 'bumped heads' in that neatural province, went on my merry way. I didn't message you in game, PM you, OR post in the forums about it.

Sure, I was annoyed because I'd lost an expansion force and my start was already pretty shakey.. but thems the breaks in the big city.

Subsequent events

A) You posted an threatening demand for tribute

B) You invaded one of my underwater provinces that I'd for several turns

C) You built a temple right next to my capital for the explicit purpose of dompushing me. You claimed it was to keep cold dominion out of your turf, but I don't think I even had a single candle on your territory.

At this point I get rather snippy and tell you I'd appreciate it if you shoved off unless you want to start a total war.

Your response was to attempt to invade me again. Then you are acting hurt and wounded by my stinging barbs to the effect of 'It's on now, and I am going to murderate [sic] you right in the face'

What did you think I was going to say when you invaded me? 'Welcome to the land of cuddly puppies here in Ryleh, and over there, we have kittens!'

I tried, REALLY tried (as anyone who looks in this thread will see) to keep things from getting personal. Apparently, instead of seeing this as me trying to be a good sport, you saw it as a sign of weakness, and decided to keep being nasty.

I haven't actually done anything to you. Let's recap events

A) We bumped heads in a neatural province

B) You threatened me

C) You invaded me

D) You are now trying to dompush me. This is why I presume you are blatantly misrepresenting the candle situation.

That is HIGHLY aggressive behaviour from you. I didn't even talk to you AT ALL until you tried to invade me.

I'm not even sure what I did that you think is being nasty? It's pretty puzzling overall. I haven't made a single move against you to this date.. and I took what as a sign of weakness?

All things considered I'd rather not fight you, and I would have happily lived in peace and harmony, until, and I make this very explicit, you started it! And then having started it, you kept on at it!

All I want is to be left alone.

- Squids.

PS Mate, nothing is personal - we're both trying to win the game.

Just quit calling me an *** and telling me to piss off and I have no problem with you. I'm fine with the "I'm going to burn Abyssia to the ground!" stuff... that's attacking my in-game character, not ME personally. Telling ME to piss off isn't cool, and that's why I'm angry.

Look, our nations are at war, and it's probably going to stay that way... sorry, but it just looks like too good of a strategic option to ignore.

That doesn't mean you need to be angry at me personally. It's a game, sometimes you're going to win, sometimes you're going to lose. I fully expect to lose this game in the end, because I've had some fairly crippling random events happen to me.

I'll say this again, just like I did before... let's bury the hatchet and keep the game friendly. When I say this, I mean all of us who are sitting behind our computers should be decent to each other. I'm not saying we have to keep it friendly in-game, as that would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having a game where you can win or lose.

[Colonial]

Reckon you two could move the yelling match to pm? I'm trying to watch the war (:P)

[CthulhuDreams]

That doesn't mean you need to be angry at me personally. It's a game, sometimes you're going to win, sometimes you're going to lose. I fully expect to lose this game in the end, because I've had some fairly crippling random events happen to me.

I'll say this again, just like I did before... let's bury the hatchet and keep the game friendly. When I say this, I mean all of us who are sitting behind our computers should be decent to each other. I'm not saying we have to keep it friendly in-game, as that would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having a game where you can win or lose.

I'm not angry at you - I'd just be happier if everyone with a flames logo pissed off out of my turf. Or seaweed. Heck, even if they don't have a flames logo :)

PS. Attacking me an extremely poor strategic option. Your flaming fire infantry is EXTREMELY dangerous to everyone at this point. Except it cannot actually go underwater. Maybe if you've got the research sure, but you'd be better off tooling up with flaming evocations and attacking someone on land.

At the end of the day, Abysia has three great advantages

A) Blood magic

B) Fire Magic

C) Seriously hardcore flaming heavy infantry.

None of this works underwater. Attacking me is just picking a fight you cannot win. Sure, I doubt you will actually lose as I don't have the capability to fight your best troops on their own turf, but you're much, much better off attacking someone else.

[Kaelik]

Open call to Marignon, I sent you a PM, you didn't respond.

[Colonial]

any thoughts on shinuyama? staled and is now among the last to upload...

[Nosantee]

any thoughts on shinuyama? staled and is now among the last to upload...

If he stalls again I suppose it's possible he's left

It'd give a pretty big advantage to whomever is near him though since he'd go under AI control and be easy to seige his cap.

Why people must drop I don't know.

[Colonial]

it does get annoying...

I guess stalling going awol is more common for new players, less mental effort invested in the game...

[Korwin]

Let's do an quick vote,
AI or turn extension?

[Nosantee]

If he stales again, set to AI.

[nrasch]

Agreed w/ Nosantee. Otherwise a fun game, and thanks to our host for setting it up. :)

[earwicker7]

Is anyone up to boosting the turn limit a few hours, say to 30? With a holiday weekend, I've been able to get everything in on time, but real life comes back this week, and there is starting to be a lot of micromanaging going on.

[Colonial]

give him another turn at least. there is alwo the option of trying to find a sub...

[Korwin]

Is anyone up to boosting the turn limit a few hours, say to 30? With a holiday weekend, I've been able to get everything in on time, but real life comes back this week, and there is starting to be a lot of micromanaging going on.

Opinions to changing the turnaround to 30 hours?

[Colonial]

I'm just reaching critical mass of mages in my capital, and would not be adverse, not this turn but next?

[Korwin]

Shinuyama submited its turn :D

[Nosantee]

Now though Marignon has stalled! Ohno!

On an unrelated note, I've found Shinuyama's capitol.

[earwicker7]

Holy crap, Marignon timed out? Aren't they like dominating the game right now? Either that, or they just like hiring mercenaries lol.

[earwicker7]

That doesn't mean you need to be angry at me personally. It's a game, sometimes you're going to win, sometimes you're going to lose. I fully expect to lose this game in the end, because I've had some fairly crippling random events happen to me.

I'll say this again, just like I did before... let's bury the hatchet and keep the game friendly. When I say this, I mean all of us who are sitting behind our computers should be decent to each other. I'm not saying we have to keep it friendly in-game, as that would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having a game where you can win or lose.

I'm not angry at you - I'd just be happier if everyone with a flames logo pissed off out of my turf. Or seaweed. Heck, even if they don't have a flames logo :)

PS. Attacking me an extremely poor strategic option. Your flaming fire infantry is EXTREMELY dangerous to everyone at this point. Except it cannot actually go underwater. Maybe if you've got the research sure, but you'd be better off tooling up with flaming evocations and attacking someone on land.

At the end of the day, Abysia has three great advantages

A) Blood magic

B) Fire Magic

C) Seriously hardcore flaming heavy infantry.

None of this works underwater. Attacking me is just picking a fight you cannot win. Sure, I doubt you will actually lose as I don't have the capability to fight your best troops on their own turf, but you're much, much better off attacking someone else.

Ok, I guess you may have a point there.

Look, I'm not going to tear down my temples, but I can offer you a 10 turn NAP and a promise of no more blood sacrifices in the provinces adjacent to yours for that time, which is what is causing the dompush.

Let me know.

[Korwin]

Holy crap, Marignon timed out? Aren't they like dominating the game right now? Either that, or they just like hiring mercenaries lol.

He is at least dominating me.

Turn interval - as requested - changed to 30 h.

[CthulhuDreams]

Gold the game until he resurfaces or PMs you.

[Korwin]

Oh, he has allready resurfaced, played turn 18 and did submit allready turn 19.

[Nosantee]

Man magic sites are non-existant in my little realm.

I've searched almost every province I have with FWES and a few with A (thanks to the Obscuro merc, who has A2) and I've found two, count em, TWO sites!

On the upside, one was a fire site which will help me make lightless lanterns later. Another is a A site

[earwicker7]

Remind me that next time I do 80% of my turn on my home PC, I have to transfer the 2h file to the USB stick to use at work BEFORE I send in the turn. It is NOT good to have lots of blood hunters in your capital, but no patrol squads :(

[CthulhuDreams]

Man magic sites are non-existant in my little realm.

I've searched almost every province I have with FWES and a few with A (thanks to the Obscuro merc, who has A2) and I've found two, count em, TWO sites!

On the upside, one was a fire site which will help me make lightless lanterns later. Another is a A site

My hope is that I have a huge pile of nature and death sites... because I'm not finding ANY elemental sites :\

[Nosantee]

Breaking news! Tensions between the nations of Man and Arcoscephale continue to rise as claim of the North Eastern region of the world are disputed! Arcoscephale is announcing all nations far and wide allies as war with Man will allow possible expansion.

The tiny nation of philosophers hopes to keep their human bretheran out of the choke-point province of 146 and will take any measure to stop them from advancing. Will the elephants and heavily armoured forces of Arcoscephale manage to hold the line?!

The nation of humans hopes to expand and steal the rightfully claimed land of Arcoscephale right from under their noses, sealing their rightful place as the most powerful nation in the east. Will the Knights of Avalon assert the true power of their mighty God?!

More to come at turn 21!

[Kaelik]

Breaking news! Tensions between the nations of Man and Arcoscephale continue to rise as claim of the North Eastern region of the world are disputed! Arcoscephale is announcing all nations far and wide allies as war with Man will allow possible expansion.

Okay, I seriously can't understand what you are saying here.

Is this supposed to be a great call to arms against me like a dick? Or is that just more generic acting statements?

I literally read the last sentence and can't make any sensible statement out of it.

[Colonial]

Baldur log does hereby formally request a 15 turn non agression pact with the forces of Man. to be agreed upon by him.


-----------
I just found a brillient indie mages with fire site-searching :D

[Kaelik]

It is formally agreed.

[Colonial]

NAP in opporation. Man and Bandur will not come to blows before late winter of the third year.

[Kaelik]

NAP in opporation. Man and Bandur will not come to blows before late winter of the third year.

Just enough time to get my pretender kitted up and on your doorstep!

I keed, I keed.

[Nosantee]

Wow that was a very fast turn. I commend everyone on their speedy work!

[Colonial]

especially seeing as how the micro is beginning to become exponential at this stage. I might have to ask for an extension in a few hours. Lets see how it goes...

[Korwin]

Next turn (at the moment) due in ~ 20 h, but since its at 4 in the morning for me I would an earlier notice ;)

[Nosantee]

Here I was today expecting to open the turn file and have a large battle report on my hands. But, there it is. No battle, no enemy army in the adjacent province. All that anxiety yesterday night for nothing! (This game is gonna give me a heartattack from all the suspense)

What happened? I was all geared up! I even brought some of my mages to Vogunmarsh (146)!

Guess that gives me a little longer to prepare then I suppose. Arm the Hoplites and Hypaspist!

/ARCOSCEPHALE SITS AND WAITS PATIENTLY!

[earwicker7]

Shinuyama... you interested in a NAP?

[Kaelik]

Here I was today expecting to open the turn file and have a large battle report on my hands. But, there it is. No battle, no enemy army in the adjacent province. All that anxiety yesterday night for nothing! (This game is gonna give me a heartattack from all the suspense)

What happened? I was all geared up! I even brought some of my mages to Vogunmarsh (146)!

Guess that gives me a little longer to prepare then I suppose. Arm the Hoplites and Hypaspist!

/ARCOSCEPHALE SITS AND WAITS PATIENTLY!

I forgot to bring my casters that supply food.

The benevolent Man doesn't starve it's armies to death if it can avoid doing so.

[Nosantee]

Supplies? SUPPLIES!? You want to march through MY swamps and didn't even think about your starving soldiers before hand!

You are unfit to lead the nation of Man, Arcoscephale would be doing your kingdom a favour by conquering it.

[Kaelik]

Supplies? SUPPLIES!? You want to march through MY swamps and didn't even think about your starving soldiers before hand!

You are unfit to lead the nation of Man, Arcoscephale would be doing your kingdom a favour by conquering it.

Point of fact, my swamps. You own like two swamp territories in the contested zone, I marched through 4 just to get to the edge of it.

I am quite clearly the swamp king.

[nrasch]

@Nosantee - I liked that post you made about a news flash; both clever and humorous. :)

[Kaelik]

@Nosantee - I liked that post you made about a news flash; both clever and humorous. :)

So since he won't answer, can you tell me what the first sentence is supposed to mean?

Is it just a dickish calling out to everyone to attack me to save his ***?

I mean ****, even Van, who has actually been attacked by Marignon successfully and extensively was not a douche enough to leave up his "Here is Marignon, please attack them, this is where they are weak" post. But for Arc to call attention and beg everyone to attack me to save his *** is really ducking dickish, especially since I'm not even out to sack his cap or anything, just settle boundary dispute.

(Of course, given his dickishness, sacking his Capital afterwords is not out of the question.)

[CthulhuDreams]

I recommend giving him a cuddle. A cuddle that provides cover for extracting his brain with your tentacles and eating it.

This solves disputes.

[Kaelik]

I lack the tentacles for such a process.

I'll have to settle for unicorn riders armed with whips and spears and arrow hordes.

[Korwin]

Vanheim is not dead yet!

Marignon lost this turn:
6 of 9 commanders dead
115 of 209 units dead

[Nosantee]

Nicely done! That'll learn those science hating inquisitors what for!

[nrasch]

@fumanstu - Greetings! My magical forest squirrels have informed me that we now share a border. I would like to propose we engage in a 3 turn NAP. And by that I mean we agree not to attack each other until one of us gives the other a 3 turn warning that the treaty will be broken.

Do you accept? :)

Also, please accept this slightly drunken fauna as a sign of our goodwill.

Pangaea

[earwicker7]

I thought I'd let everyone know I've had, and am still having, a really busy day (doctor's appointment in the AM, and working overtime in the PM), so I'll probably be that guy who sends their turn in five minutes before the deadline this time. Just want to let you all know I'm not dead, and I won't stale :)

[Nosantee]

I thought I'd let everyone know I've had, and am still having, a really busy day (doctor's appointment in the AM, and working overtime in the PM), so I'll probably be that guy who sends their turn in five minutes before the deadline this time. Just want to let you all know I'm not dead, and I won't stale :)

How dare you have reallife obligations that would keep you from playing a game. Absolutely shameful

[earwicker7]

I thought I'd let everyone know I've had, and am still having, a really busy day (doctor's appointment in the AM, and working overtime in the PM), so I'll probably be that guy who sends their turn in five minutes before the deadline this time. Just want to let you all know I'm not dead, and I won't stale :)

How dare you have reallife obligations that would keep you from playing a game. Absolutely shameful

Yeah, I know, I know... lol

Turn is in, so all is back to normal, with plenty of time on my hands for now, at least.

[nrasch]

@earwicker7 - Pangaea would like to renew the NAP between us with a 3 turn NAP where we agree not to attack each other without at least a 3 turn warning that the treaty will be broken.

We send you this cute, fluffy, killer forest bunni as a sign of our goodwill.

- Pangaea

[CthulhuDreams]

Wow, Marigon is winning this game SO HARd - they own almost the entire southern contient.


His empire stretches from 9 to 62.

Wow.

[Nosantee]

Hah! They aren't so big!

Is there anyone else down there with them? I know Vanheim and BandarLog should both control some of the southern continent. I'd expect man to have expanded a bit into there as well.

PS: Abyssia and Shinuyama, you both take too long! I'm impatient lol

[CthulhuDreams]

Vanhiem is almost dead and Bandar log has a tiny toehold.

[Colonial]

R'yleh should have inharited several provinces from atlantis to the west of the continant. otherwise does look like it's just marangon

[Nosantee]

I'm not sure who lives in the North West of this game but I am ashamed of you for not moving into the Southern Continent!

Now Marignon is all strong.

[Colonial]

the choke point was all full of cavalry archers. what can I say? needed to wait for the hindu angels replace elephants moment...

[nrasch]

Well I'm happy to go south if I could find even one province w/ some frickin' aquatic troops I could recruit. Also, being Pangaea, I don't have much access to water gems. :(

Anyone want to trade me some forged items lettings my troops enter the sea? I have gold and gems in return. Oh, and that hippy we found in the forest on turn two of the game.... he's also for trade.... haven't been able to kill, eat, or give him away yet....

- Pangaea

[Nosantee]

Well I'm happy to go south if I could find even one province w/ some frickin' aquatic troops I could recruit. Also, being Pangaea, I don't have much access to water gems. :(

Anyone want to trade me some forged items lettings my troops enter the sea? I have gold and gems in return. Oh, and that hippy we found in the forest on turn two of the game.... he's also for trade.... haven't been able to kill, eat, or give him away yet....

- Pangaea

You DO know that the provinces that have little anchor symbols on them let you move across water to the other provinces with anchors on them right?

[Domenje]

who can sell me dwarven hammer?

[CthulhuDreams]

Well I'm happy to go south if I could find even one province w/ some frickin' aquatic troops I could recruit. Also, being Pangaea, I don't have much access to water gems. :(

Anyone want to trade me some forged items lettings my troops enter the sea? I have gold and gems in return. Oh, and that hippy we found in the forest on turn two of the game.... he's also for trade.... haven't been able to kill, eat, or give him away yet....

- Pangaea

You DO know that the provinces that have little anchor symbols on them let you move across water to the other provinces with anchors on them right?

Yes use the habours - actually going into the water will just immediately start a war with me :)

To see the links, press 8 and click around the provinces, shows the links between provinces and the habour links.

[Nosantee]

who can sell me dwarven hammer?

Give me over double the cost in gems to make a hammer, 40 Earth Gems, and I'll send you one the next turn on any turn you send me gems.