Cradle to the Grave--for noobies with a record of no staling--FULL

[Saros]

Sorry but I will need a longer delay. I live in christchurch city NZ And we just got flattened by a huge earthquake. It will be a day or two before power/net is restored to my home and I work in a medical lab so we are absolutely overwhelmed with work. I would love to continue the game but I understand if everyone wants to look for a sub as it will likely be 2-3 days at least before I can do the next turn and it might be longer.
Cheers
S

[jimbojones1971]

Sorry but I will need a longer delay. I live in christchurch city NZ And we just got flattened by a huge earthquake. It will be a day or two before power/net is restored to my home and I work in a medical lab so we are absolutely overwhelmed with work. I would love to continue the game but I understand if everyone wants to look for a sub as it will likely be 2-3 days at least before I can do the next turn and it might be longer.
Cheers
S

Very sorry to hear that Saros, that's no good at all. I hope that you and all your friends and family are OK.

Speaking for myself, I'd very much prefer to delay and keep the continuity of players going.

[earwicker7]

Sorry but I will need a longer delay. I live in christchurch city NZ And we just got flattened by a huge earthquake. It will be a day or two before power/net is restored to my home and I work in a medical lab so we are absolutely overwhelmed with work. I would love to continue the game but I understand if everyone wants to look for a sub as it will likely be 2-3 days at least before I can do the next turn and it might be longer.
Cheers
S

That sucks... I heard it was a pretty bad one. Don't worry about a sub, we'll wait for you.

[Saros]

Yeah it's bad. I dont even know how to describe how messed up things are here.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/photos/4692812/Christchurch-quake-Day-2

I have power and net back at home but I am working long long hours (just like everyone else) so I will get too the turn when I can.

[jimbojones1971]

What just happened to Arco's army? Its like, one turn he had an army, the next turn they'd all disappeared?

[adder83]

What just happened to Arco's army? Its like, one turn he had an army, the next turn they'd all disappeared?

What ever happend to them it has nothing to do with tien chi as arco is very successful defending its borders repelling two siege armys and now is sieging one of our castle as well....

[kennoseishin]

Wait, I had an army?:confused:

[jimbojones1971]

Wait, I had an army?:confused:

Wow, epic fail - sorry, wrong game :-)

Unfortunately kennoseishin this probably means that you actually never had an army, sorry for getting your hopes up ;-)

On a more relevant note, I can't seem to get Marignon to stop running away and fight. Come back, pretty inquisitors, we won't hurt you*, we only want to play.


* Disclaimer: For values of hurt where "being killed and turned into soulless" doesn't register as true.

[Numahr]

OK guys,

After a last attempt to break the Ermorian army besieging our fortified cave, Zend Kuh has lost any hope on this plane. I therefore turn Agartha AI. There is really nothing left to do with it.

I am sad to leave you but it was a nice game. I had one very unluck event on year 1, and then got double rushed by my neighbors. I have to say that Vanilla MA Agartha is *not* the best nation to resist rushes (CBM is very different in that perspective), which was made worse by a rather long-term pretender design, even though Zendkuh played a key role in a few battles. Being rushed, I focused on one of my opponents, and we had 2-3 very nice battles, my key defeat being a whooping epic duel that i will remember, with Zenkuh fighting to the bitter end with a handful of golems and keeping up Raising Dead against all odds. My last hopes of revival went away with Ermor's victories against Marignon, and I must now start packing for Tartarus.
:hurt:

Fellow Pretenders, Farewell! May the best win!

[Saros]

Cheerio, thanks for all the territory! =D

[jimbojones1971]

OK guys,

After a last attempt to break the Ermorian army besieging our fortified cave, Zend Kuh has lost any hope on this plane. I therefore turn Agartha AI. There is really nothing left to do with it.

I am sad to leave you but it was a nice game. I had one very unluck event on year 1, and then got double rushed by my neighbors. I have to say that Vanilla MA Agartha is *not* the best nation to resist rushes (CBM is very different in that perspective), which was made worse by a rather long-term pretender design, even though Zendkuh played a key role in a few battles. Being rushed, I focused on one of my opponents, and we had 2-3 very nice battles, my key defeat being a whooping epic duel that i will remember, with Zenkuh fighting to the bitter end with a handful of golems and keeping up Raising Dead against all odds. My last hopes of revival went away with Ermor's victories against Marignon, and I must now start packing for Tartarus.
:hurt:

Fellow Pretenders, Farewell! May the best win!

Farewell Zend Kuh, it was a good fight I have to say :-)

[earwicker7]

Sorry to see you go, Agartha.

It's only a few hours before hosting, and 1/3 of the players haven't turned in anything, so I'm going to go ahead and add an extra 12 hours just in case so that there are no stales.

[jimbojones1971]

Sorry to see you go, Agartha.

It's only a few hours before hosting, and 1/3 of the players haven't turned in anything, so I'm going to go ahead and add an extra 12 hours just in case so that there are no stales.

Thanks for adding the extension, the game is much better with as few stales as possible.

[earwicker7]

Sorry to see you go, Agartha.

It's only a few hours before hosting, and 1/3 of the players haven't turned in anything, so I'm going to go ahead and add an extra 12 hours just in case so that there are no stales.

Thanks for adding the extension, the game is much better with as few stales as possible.

Agreed... there can be a major swing in power just from one missed turn.

[jimbojones1971]

Agreed... there can be a major swing in power just from one missed turn.

Yeah, and TBH, even when that swing favours you, it is a really unsatisfactory way to win.

[earwicker7]

Looks like we lost Pythium... it was good to know you.

[Korwin]

BTW. who killed P.?

[earwicker7]

BTW. who killed P.?

Ashdod.

[earwicker7]

Well, everyone, I've had to come to a fairly painful decision about continuing to play Dominions. It's flat out the second-best game I've ever played, with #1 being Demon's Souls. I love playing it; in fact, I'd say I'm addicted to it... and therein lies the problem.

When I started playing the game, I had a lot of free time. My job is somewhat seasonal... I'm employed full-time, year-round, but the company I work with runs two music venues; from fall to spring, we run a 2,000 seat hall, but in the summer, we run an 18,000 seat outdoor venue. Basically, since I started playing in late summer/early fall, I usually had at least a couple of hours of downtime each day at work to play the game (my boss is cool like that). But for the last two weeks, I've rarely had more than ten or fifteen minutes, and as summer kicks in full-swing, that will go down to zero.

If I weren't a single parent, that probably wouldn't be an issue, but I only have about half an hour of free-time during the week, and sometimes none at all. It's at the point where I've been waking up an hour earlier than normal to try to squeeze in turns, and even then, it's tight. I'm also writing a novel right now, and I realized that, because of Dominions taking up all my free-time, I've only written one page in the last two weeks.

The final straw for me was looking at this turn, and knowing that I still had at least half an hour to an hour's worth of play before I finished it, but had no time before the deadline to do it. For a brief minute, I thought to myself, "You know, maybe I don't really need to go to my daughter's orientation meeting about her upcoming first year in junior high." I realized I was getting ready to put the game before family, and that's when I decided that this game is so time-consuming that it's interfering with my life.

So I'm going to have to bow out of Dominions for the time being. I'll miss it... horribly so. I honestly thought this was a game I'd play for years, but real life isn't allowing it. Maybe I'll be able to come back at the end of the summer, although it would only be in those "Real Life" games where there is only a turn every ten days or so.

I'll do my best to quickly find a sub; for now, I'll put hosting on hold. If any of you would like to be the admin, just contact me.

I'll miss you guys :(

[kennoseishin]

It's a tough choice, but it sounds like you're making the right decision earwicker7. I hope all goes well for you.

And honestly, I need to look for a sub, too. When I agreed to sub, I had no idea how micro-heavy arcos was, especially mid-game with a large map. I've treated my past turns with not much more enthusiasm than coursework, and that's just not right for something meant to be recreational.

[jimbojones1971]

I'll start kicking around the bushes looking for subs, see if I know anyone.

Its been fun playing with you guys, completely understand both of your decisions.

[jimbojones1971]

Also, if no-one else steps up, I am willing to be the admin.

[CthulhuDreams]

How big is abysia? If it's not huge I could probably do it.

[Sephorin]

Maybe we could contact one of the eliminated players. One of them might be interested in taking over another position.

[earwicker7]

Also, if no-one else steps up, I am willing to be the admin.

If you want to, I'll send you the password.

[earwicker7]

How big is abysia? If it's not huge I could probably do it.

33 provinces.

[Ragnoff]

I would be willing to sub for either nation. I am not really a noob, but not far out of noob-hood either. I have played each nation once in MA.

I am willing to take either, just let me know.

[CthulhuDreams]

How big is abysia? If it's not huge I could probably do it.

33 provinces.

I know jimbo, so I'll get him to hand it over to me.

[jimbojones1971]

Sounds like we've got CthulhuDreams for Abysia, and Ragnoff for Arco. Both fun players, so should be a good addition to the mix.

And me for the admin. If you wanted to please PM the the password, I'd be most greatful earwicker7. :)

[jimbojones1971]

OK, I've swapped the email addresses for Abysia and Arco and requested turn resends. I'll check with CthulhuDreams and Ragnoff to make sure it worked successfully, but hopefully we are back in business!

[jimbojones1971]

OK, so the two new players (and associated countries) are:

Abysia: CthulhuDreams
Arco: Ragnoff

[CthulhuDreams]

Anyone with a diplomatic relationship with Abysia contact me with infomation.

[jimbojones1971]

At the request of CthulhuDreams I have now postponed the next turn by 24 hours.

The game will now host at 06:50 GMT on Wednesday March 9th.

[Ragnoff]

I will also need to be updated on Arco's diplomatic situation! Please let me know (by PM)

Ragnoff

[Sephorin]

OK, so the two new players (and associated countries) are:

Abysia: CthulhuDreams
Arco: Ragnoff

A big thank you to Jimbojones for taking over as admin. I look forward to getting the game back on track.

[Saros]

Hey guys i'm afraid I am going to need an extension for a few days as I am moving to a different (and hopefully earthquake free) city. I will likely not be back online until the end of the weekend.

[jimbojones1971]

A big thank you to Jimbojones for taking over as admin. I look forward to getting the game back on track.

Not a problem, my pleasure :-)

Saros: I'll extend the next turn, and keep an eye out so that we don't process the turn until you are back online.

[jimbojones1971]

Guys, I've extended the hosting until Saros gets back online after his house move. Basically, I'll do a rolling 24 hour extension (checking once a day) until he submits his turn.

In the meantime, I suggest you all do some serious plotting and backstabbing. If you are stuck for targets, I hear that CthulhuDreams guy who is playing Abysia is quite a shark ;-) (I joke, I joke!)

[jimbojones1971]

As previously advertised, I've extended the hosting time by 24 hours (and will keep extending until Saros is finished with his move).

[Saros]

Sorry guys my computer got broken in the move so I will have to try sneak off after work today and see if I can get some turns done at a net cafe or something.

[Ragnoff]

Do to a personality conflict it would be best if a sub is found, I will continue the position until someone can be found.

[jimbojones1971]

I'm currently looking for a sub for Ragnoff (who has kindly agreed to continue until we find one).

On a related note, is anyone interested in subbing in as T'ien C'hi for another game? I gather they are basically doomed as Man is in the process of exterminating them, so what is needed is someone who is stubborn enough to make Man pay in blood for every province they take, and optimistic enough that they still believe in improbable victories:

http://tgdmb.com/viewtopic.php?t=52001&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Zinegata]

I'm not exactly "exterminating" TC (I'm playing Man in that game). But I am winning the war against them.

What really kills TC in our game is that Agartha has also declared war on them. There's simply no way TC can survive a two-front war, which may even become a 3 front war if Ulm joins in.

[jimbojones1971]

Good news, a kind soul named Brasidas has agreed to sub in for Ragnoff as Arco. Brasidas is still getting his registration to the board up and running, but once he has done that and turned on his PMs we should be away once more.

We will likely have a small extension while Brasidas comes to terms with things.

I really, really, really hope that this is the last disruption for a long, long time!

[jimbojones1971]

Our new Arco player is thranite. He is still waiting for his account to be confirmed by the shrapnel admin, so we'll give him some time to do that and then get up to speed.

[Thranite]

Hello, I'll be the new Arco player. I'm new to the game, so y'all should have a fine time taking my stuff. :)

[jimbojones1971]

I see you've got the hang of how this works already!

My personal theory is that if you can't win, be sure to die hard and take as many of them with you on the way as you can :-)

[Ragnoff]

Thranite, I was trying to replay but you have not enabled PMs! let me know when you have...

[Thranite]

I see what I did, should be fixed now, thanks for the heads up.

[Thranite]

Sorry for the stale, I'm having some newb technical issues in getting the game saved to the right folder. Hope to have it sorted out shortly. :(

[adder83]

Ashdod!!! You invaded Dash Kazamaal (9)! This provinz is part of the Tien Chi empire....even if it was currently ruled by dissidents. This province was part of "the agreement on borders" of the Tien Chi-Ashdod non-agression-pact.

We demand immediate withdraw from this provinz as long as the "period of grace" of our pact has not expired (turn40).

Otherwise Tien Chi will declare you a "breaker of rules".

Tien Chi

[jimbojones1971]

Ooooh, that reminds me - Ashdod, now that we are neighbors, we should really look at making some diplomatic agreements and stuff.

[Sephorin]

Ashdod!!! You invaded Dash Kazamaal (9)! This provinz is part of the Tien Chi empire....even if it was currently ruled by dissidents. This province was part of "the agreement on borders" of the Tien Chi-Ashdod non-agression-pact.

We demand immediate withdraw from this provinz as long as the "period of grace" of our pact has not expired (turn40).

Otherwise Tien Chi will declare you a "breaker of rules".

Tien Chi

Hrm. That province has been neutral since the beginning of the game. I did agree to leave it to you, but I don't recall it actually being a part of our non-aggression pact. And, frankly, if you haven't taken it by now, then I consider it up for grabs.

Still, I would be willing to offer you compensation if you truly feel as though I have acted unfairly. I will dispatch 200 gold to you, if you wish.

Shelkor of Ashdod
The Hammer of Gaia

[adder83]

Well i dont want to make drama, but for the sake of correctness, a agreementt on borders was a part of our NAP:

Greetings to the fine people of T'ien Ch'i. I would be happy to accept your non-aggression pact at this time (NAP 3). I will recognize your claims on 9 so long as you recognize my claims over 16 and 27. Please let me know if this is acceptable to you. We can then formally sign our non-aggression pact.

Shelkor of Ashdod
The Hammer of Gaia


Hailings to the lands of Ahsdod!

We the people of Tien Chi are greeting you! The people of tien chi are very peacefully so want to to ask if you might want to sign a non agression pact (3turns)? We also want to inform you that we regard the still unclaimed provinz (9) as ours.

I hope our empires can live at peace.

Tien Chi

Compensation of gold (even if it would be not a such puny amount) is ridicoulous compared to your gain of pace.

Tien Chi

[Sephorin]

Hmm, well, since I pulled out of that province this turn, you can't claim that I've gained any pace in terms of conquering your empire. The offer of 200 gold is what I gained from the province by holding it for one turn, and it's more than you would have ever gotten from the province itself since you never conquered it, and our non-aggression pact is ended next turn (40).

Based on the quote you gave from me, I do see how you could have interpreted your territorial claim as being part of our non-aggression pact. But, truly, if a territory on my border is left neutral for three years, I'd say it's up for grabs.

However, if you'd like to move into 9 this month, then go ahead. (I believe it does have 3 province defense.) I might attempt to take it back the month after this. If you decide not to take it, then I would still be happy to send over 200 gold. Of course, if you have a different way that you would like to resolve this, please let me know.

Shelkor of Ashdod
The Hammer of Gaia

[jimbojones1971]

Well, I got next to Marignon's capital this turn - and saw a stack of 600 units?! :eek:

Also, after about 20 turns, I am STILL in the process of digesting the last Pale One province.

[jimbojones1971]

It is probably bad form for the admin to extend the game because they are stuck at work, but I am afraid I am going to add a couple of hours as I am stuck at work.

[jimbojones1971]

I can see Ashdod haven't submitted yet, so I'll extend the submission time a bit just in case.

[adder83]

Hi there,

its eastern ahead and i will be out of town for holiday from friday 22.4 to monday 25.4. During this time i will have no chance to play my turns. Maybe others as well have no time so it would be great if we could extend the turn for this time.

regards and happy eastern!

[Sephorin]

I would also be happy with an extension.

[jimbojones1971]

Hi guys, will do with the extension.

Any news on the wider world? I am up to my armpits in Marignon, but from what I can see things are getting very interesting on the southern continent :-)

[Korwin]

Interesting? Well I hope I'm able to bleed the red horde of Vanheim.
But I think I'm only - best case - a speed bump for Vanheim...

[jimbojones1971]

Interesting? Well I hope I'm able to bleed the red horde of Vanheim.
But I think I'm only - best case - a speed bump for Vanheim...

Ouch. On the plus side, I hear that Vanheim have pretty ponies. Not that this helps you much, on second thoughts.

[jimbojones1971]

Fairwell to the simians of Bandar Log. Alas, I never met you - although we probably would have promptly stabbed each other, so perhaps it is just as well ;)

[Saros]

Well that was an exciting turn. Looks like a solid victory to me and boy I just looked up how much those sacred giants cost and man they are expensive.

[Sephorin]

Hmm. That's odd. The Ark didn't seem to have any effect whatsoever. None of the Vanheim troops were blinded or diseased. Does anyone know anything about this?

Perhaps all the Vanheim soldiers are secrectly followers of the true god. :) In any case, congratulations on the victory, Saros.

Oh, could we switch to 72 hour hosting?

[Saros]

That's likely because I had antimagic up and the troops would have all been resisting the MR checks.

[Sephorin]

That's likely because I had antimagic up and the troops would have all been resisting the MR checks.

Ah, I see. And here I thought it was just automatic. Bad item to base a strategy around. :p

[jimbojones1971]

Yeah, Dom3 is full of interesting rabbit holes like that. One the one hand, it is what I love about the game. On the other hand, it is never much fun falling in such a hole! :)

I'll switch to 72 hour hosting from next turn. I've extended this turn by 24 hours (and will try to keep doing so until everyone has lodged their turn).

[Saros]

Well that's certainly spiced things up a bit. Good job Abyssia.

[Saros]

Ermor just contacted me saying he is willing to concede. I gotta admit it would be an interesting me vs the world fight but with BoT, Nexus and Corruption up I would probably win especially as ermor/abyssia mages are all old and dying while mine all live to 500 or so =P
Dispelling either the BoT or the Nexus is rather unlikely as there are hundreds of gems in each and I literally cannot spend all my gem income which at this point is mostly divorced from territory thanks to gem generators and Nexus.

Also I have a blood 60 site so demons for everybody!

[jimbojones1971]

You make a compelling case, Saros :-)

I will send out a global message to see if anyone really really objects, and extend the game 3 days to give people time to respond.

[Thranite]

Arcosephale cannot contest the might of Vanheim. We are willing to declare him victor if the rest agree.

[jimbojones1971]

Arcosephale cannot contest the might of Vanheim. We are willing to declare him victor if the rest agree.

From what I have heard, you have actually done rather well just to survive this long (given what you inherited) Thranite!

Thanks for subbing in, and for playing on. I would be keen to play with you again in the future.

[Saros]

I also cast armageddon this turn just for giggles. ;)

[jimbojones1971]

OK, no objections from anyone, so I officially declare Saros of Vanheim to tbe the winner of Cradle to the Grave - congrats Saros, very well deserved! :D

[Numahr]

Hi every one! I think I was the first eliminated, by a combined war against Ermor and Vanheim... I did not follow the game since some time, but I see that my two victors became the two main powers. Damn it, my arch enemies grew and one of them even became Pantakrator!

Congratulations Saros :up:

[jimbojones1971]

Thanks for popping back in Numahr, good to hear from you again :-)

Saros totally dominated the game, I have to say.

My favorite bits were my war with Agartha, and then the following battles with Pythium. Both were lots and lots of fun - Especially the battles with Zon Kuthon the Lich :-)

[Numahr]

Especially the battles with Zon Kuthon the Lich :-)

Happy you remember my Lich... but he will awake once more with how you call him! He was "Zend Kuh" = vaguely "Life-Mountain" in some kind of Persian, which refers both to his immortality and to the Agarthan cult and the Mountain Deeps awaken by his presence... In the other game with Agartha "Yash Tagh" had the same meaning but based on Turkish. Next game with MA Agartha I'll have to learn a new language I guess!