EA game - Dreams of Ghatanothoa (Finished - Winner Tratorix with Sauromantia)

[Lihaässä]

New game is about to begin. Everyone is welcome, but I hope that you have some experience in longish MP games and can commit for playing it to the end.

The setup is as follows:

Era: Early
Map: TBD (wrap)
Players: 8-10
Mods: Latest CBM
Winner condition: Last player or consensus
Server: Llamaserver
Banned nations: Oceania, Atlantis, R'lyeh (we can discuss about this) the plan is to play on a dry map with just a few water provinces.

Diplomacy: is encouraged and binding - all NAPs (max 3 turns NAP binding) should be posted to this game thread or not considered binding. Remember however, that the sole purpose is to win the game.. not to play for the second place ;)

Hosting schedule: Fixed hosting time for first 20 turns is every 24hours (no hosting on weekends), the following 20 turns will be hosted every 48hours (again no hosting on weekends), after that TBD. No exceptions what so ever - this is to ensure that the game goes on.

Begins as soon as we get the player criteria fulfilled.

Already picked nations:

Lihaässä - Marverni
Tmoe - Kailasa
Sirjope - Yomi
Nosferatu - Abysia
Olpe - Niefelheim
Ossa - Vanheim
ghoul31 - Agartha
Jimbojones1971 - Ermor
Tratorix - Sauromantia
Gurthang - Ulm

----- NAP3's -----

Yomi - Vanheim
Ulm - Marverni
Niefelheim - Ulm
Ermor - Yomi
Ermor - Vanheim
Kailasa - Vanheim
Kailasa - Marverni
Marverni - Niefelheim
Niefelheim - Kailasa
Ermor - Kailasa
Marverni - Ermor
Vanheim - Ulm
Abysia - Agartha
Abysia - Yomi

[Ossa]

I'd like to join with the Vans.

[ghoul31]

Agartha

[jimbojones1971]

Ermor please.

[Lihaässä]

Thanks for joining Jimbo, Ossa and Ghoul.

We'll wait couple of days before launch. Any ideas for the map? I prefer 10-15 prov. per player.

- Lihaässä

[Lihaässä]

One map option is from Elmokki: Plane of Rusty nails (wrap).

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=45271

It has 143 land and 12 sea provinces, so it should fit perfectly for a game with 10 players if we get two more players.

What do you think?

[olpe]

I don't like the water aspect of that map...

[tratorix]

I'll join as Sauromatia. Map looks fine to me.

[jimbojones1971]

If we use rusty nails, be sure to grab v4 of the map (Calahan has spent quite a bit of time tidying up the map).

With the water we can either:
* Have no water nations; or
* Make the underwater spaces into "dead seas" (no income, no sites).

Given that the newer CBMs mean you can get decent waterbreathing stuff from Construction 2 onwards, I'd favour the first option (leave the map as-is, but have no explicitly water breathing nations).

But really, I am happy either way.

[tratorix]

Leaving the map as is would give Agartha a bit of an advantage, since they're amphibious. But on the other hand, they're EA Agartha, which probably balances that advantage out.

[Lihaässä]

Welcome to the game tratorix. Now we are one player short of 10 players.

Olpe - what don't you like about the map? Also I would appreciate your proposal of a good map, if the only suggestion so far doesn't meet your expectations.

Good points Jimbo - the plan is to play without water nations as the first post indicates. I like to have some water provinces so that nations like Fomoria and Vans can use their national advantages like ocean sailing. I'll use Calahan's v4 fix if we end up using this map.

- Lihaässä

[Nosferatu]

The map looks just fine to me. There are only a few water provinces so I don't mind it.

[SirJope]

Starting locations are random? Tested couple of times and start provinces were totally different. That's ok but theres chance to start in swamp/waste etc.

Is there any version with locked home provinces to 10 player or should somebody do one?

Otherwise map looks very nice to me.

[Gurthang]

If there is still room, I would join as Niefelheim :up:

[ditoLoco]

wanted to join, but found another game

[jimbojones1971]

Starting locations are random? Tested couple of times and start provinces were totally different. That's ok but theres chance to start in swamp/waste etc.

Is there any version with locked home provinces to 10 player or should somebody do one?

Otherwise map looks very nice to me.

When we get a moment, someone should check to see if the less desirable provinces have been set to prevent being used as starting provinces. If so, then the random aspect is likely to be less of a problem. (I can have a check in about six hours, when I am home)

[Lihaässä]

Good point SirJope!

Jimbo - if you could check the map and disable some starting provinces that would be great! And if you have a lot of time to spare.. it would be really good to select fixed starting provinces. Thanks!

Gurthang - unfortunately Niefelheim is already taken (I've written the picked nations to the first post). If you want to join with some other nation just look the first post and select one which is not taken.

I'll wait for Gurthangs answer and then start the game to Llamaserver. Please desing your pretender in advance and remember NOT to put a password for him. (It's easier if someone has to quit and we have to find a sub)

- Lihaässä

[Gurthang]

Gurthang - unfortunately Niefelheim is already taken (I've written the picked nations to the first post). If you want to join with some other nation just look the first post and select one which is not taken.


All right, I will play ULM.

[Lihaässä]

Excellent!

Now we just need to fix the map and we are set to go!

[jimbojones1971]

OK,no start has not been set. We can either set starting provinces, or put the time in to identify all provinces that need to be no-start. Thoughts?

[jimbojones1971]

I can set up start points (one for every player) on the map tonight, and upload a version of the map to llamaserver for us to use - does this sound OK to you guys?

[Lihaässä]

This sounds really good Jimbo! We need ten starting provinces in the land. Which name are you going to use for the modified .map file?

I'll try to find time to setup the game tonight (+2GMT) so that everyone can upload their pretenders during the weekend.

If everything is in order on monday I'll fix the first host for tuesday evening. Send me PM if any questions.

- Lihaässä

[jimbojones1971]

Hey Lihaässä, I've set up a version with 10 starting positions. None are in the water, and hopefully they are all reasonably well spaced.

It is up on the llamaserver as "Plane Of Rusty Nails - Dreams". I am fairly sure we can all use the existing v4 map file, as it is identical apart from the server specific start province commands. (I'll do a quick test just to prove this works, very soon.)

EDIT: This works fine, so if you pick the "Plane Of Rusty Nails - Dreams" map during setup and we all have v4 of the standard "Plane Of Rusty Nails" map installed then it will work out fine.

Keen to get started with the game :-)

[Lihaässä]

Thanks a lot Jimbo!

Game is now set up and you should send in your pretenders. You can see the progress in llamaserver website: http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=DreamsOfGhatanothoa

A Guide for joining the game can be found from the link below.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=529316&postcount=2

IMPORTANT:

1. DON'T USE PASSWORD FOR YOUR PRETENDER!
2. ENABLE CBM 1.92 BEFORE CREATING YOUR PRETENDER
3. USE THE LATEST DOMINIONS 3 PATCH - 3.27

Pm me, if you have any problems.

- Lihaässä

[jimbojones1971]

Excellent news, time to start pondering my pretender :-)

[olpe]

Winter is coming!

[jimbojones1971]

Pretender is in! Lord Toys R Us joins the fray for the Empire of Ermor.

[Lihaässä]

Only 4 more pretenders and we're set to go!

[olpe]

2 MORE! Come on guys lets fire this baby up today! I wanna be killed by random indy tomorrow at latest!

[tratorix]

All pretenders are in, we can start whenever.

[Lihaässä]

Game has started!

[Gurthang]

Why was the time limit shifted to Monday?

[jimbojones1971]

Hosting schedule: Fixed hosting time for first 20 turns is every 24hours (no hosting on weekends), the following 20 turns will be hosted every 48hours (again no hosting on weekends), after that TBD. No exceptions what so ever - this is to ensure that the game goes on.

The initial setup notes (see above) indicated that the game would not host on weekends, so I assume this is why it was shifted Gurfang.

[Lihaässä]

@Gurthang - Jimbo is correct. I wanted the keep weekends free of hosting because so many games have people asking for delays on weekends. It's also nice to not worry about having your laptop with you if you decide to go another town, summer cottage etc.

- Lihaässä

btw. I'm about to conquer the world.. who is going to stop me? :)

[Gurthang]

NAP3 in force between Ulm and Marverni! :up:

The common interest in the forces of Nature helped to improve relations between our communities! ;)

[Tmoe]

a NAP3 is in effect between the humble gods Kailasa and Ermor, Praise be to both!

[Gurthang]

NAP3 in effect between Ulm and Niefelheim.

[Lihaässä]

It seems we have some hosting problems. I've sent the following message to you with llmaserver's message tool, but I got informed that the message didn't reach everyone's mailbox.

Llamaserver has changed the hosting schedule on it's own. I've informed Llamabeast about the problem. The server doesn't accept my force host command. I'll postpone the game after the next turn comes so that you'll have 24 hours to play it.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

- Lihaässä

[Tmoe]

The friendly cuddly kingdoms of Kailasa and Niefelheim have agreed to a NAP3.

Winter is coming.. (better get my ape *ss inside)

[Nosferatu]

Vanheim & Ulm:
That happens when you mess with Mighty Abysia.
But after all, I'm going to be reasonable with you. Because of your cowardly actions to againts The Mighty Abysia I insist only 550 gold (per nation) to repay. I you refuse to pay, I must also, like you in first place, act in an aggressive way.

Best Regards

Nosferatu, The Prince of Flames

[Lihaässä]

The bold and bare chested men have been honored with two worthy allies: Niefelheim and Kailasa (both with NAP 3).

Kailasa: Let your tails grow long and hairy so that Niefelheim's chilling winds don't freeze your behinds.

[Tmoe]

A NAP3 is in effect between the furry and not-so-furry nations of Kailasa and Vanheim.

[jimbojones1971]

The Republic of Ermor has entered into the sacred obligation of a NAP+3 with the following most honorable and worthy nations:
* Yomi
* Vanheim

May their wives be fruitful and their enemies live in terror!

[jimbojones1971]

In continuance with our policy of peace and co-prosperity, bolstered by our desire to avoid becoming road kill on the highway to god-hood, Ermor has also entered into a NAP+3 with the most excellent nation of Ulm.

[olpe]

Great council of furry-affairs is praising our beloved neighbor Ulm and re-validating our NAP+3. May their artificial skin keep them warm and prosperous!

[Gurthang]

NAP3 revalidated between Ulm and Marverni :)

[jimbojones1971]

Curse Agartha and his aquatic ways!

[Ossa]

The nation of EA (Jomon) and the Vans sign a NAP-3

[jimbojones1971]

Sauromantia and Ermor are cancelling their NAP, citing "philosophical differences".

[Lihaässä]

Admin note:

I'll set the hosting schedule to 48h as planned in the first post starting from turn 21. Therefore new hosting times will be:

Monday 17.00 GMT (about)
Wednesday 17.00 GMT
Friday 17.00 GMT

- Lihaässä

[Tmoe]

The tiny ape kingdom of Kailasa is confused over the NAP situation.

It seems that some parties are revalidating their NAP agreements and some are canceling them.

My question is this:

Is the NAP(lets say 3 turns) an agreement that starts at the turn when the two parties agree to it and after those three turns are over you have to/may revalidate it

OR

Is it a ongoing agreement which (in gentlemens view) can only be broken after one of the two parties declares it so, after which the three following turns are a peace period after which anything goes?

[tratorix]

The second one.

[Lihaässä]

Alright. Just for clarification, we'll use the second option - ongoing agreement which must be declared broken if you wish to attack. After that you're safe for 3 turns.

I've gathered all of the NAPs on the first post. Please let me know if any are missing. Thanks!

- Lihaässä

[jimbojones1971]

A couple of additions to the NAP list from the Land of the Purple Seal.

Ermor and Marverni have a NAP, praise be to Might Lugh, Pretender of Marverni.

Ermor and Sauromantia have a NAP which expires as of turn 23 (e.g. we can stab each other with pointy sticks on turn 23).

[olpe]

I think there's a problem with llama. I don't get a confirmation message about server receiving my turn file. Also it doesn't show up on a game detail page... Could somebody confirm this by sending ones' turn again to see if the problem is with the new gmail or in a system.

[Lihaässä]

Admin note:

There was something weird in Llamaserver today. Host was postponed with 8 hours but I've changed it back already.

Olpe: I'll put 24h more to the hosting schedule just in case. If I can see the remaining turn files in Game page today, I'll force host.

- Lihaässä

[olpe]

I've got the confirmation about receiving the turn file. And everything is updated to llama-game-detail-tab. Force host as soon as possible so we can get back to normal schedule. It's loose enough as it is now :)

[Lihaässä]

Admin note:

Game has been force hosted. We should be back on track in few minutes.

- edit - The server doesn't respond to my commands and I've contacted Llamabeast. Sorry about the delay

Mental note :confused::

I was lucky enough to be available today when something weird happened with server. I cannot watch this forum and the game site all the time so please post here or PM me if you find anything odd regarding to this game.

Thanks Olpe and Tmoe for informing me.

- Lihaässä

[Gurthang]

NAP3 in effect between Ulm and Vanheim :)

[jimbojones1971]

I can't help but notice that Sauromantia seems to have pulled back his initial invasion force, to give him time to gather in the rest of his army for the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny.

Of course, this means the vast majority of his guys are now lurking in the N of his country, and not off defending other parts of it, so ....

[Nosferatu]

(To make this public)

Abysia has now two friends (NAP3): Yomi and Agartha. There were three but obviously Vanjarls has low morale and no backbone at all. And because of that, we can crush Vanheim more easily!

[Lihaässä]

Admin note: Problems with Llamaserver, I'll force host as soon as the server is fixed.

Turn 31 hosting will be postponed to monday.

- Lihaässä

[Lihaässä]

Admin note: Problems with llamaserver - again. Please be patient, I'll postpone the hosting until Monday 17.00'ish GMT.

[ghoul31]

Hey Sirjope, its considered against the rules to send one guy to block an army every turn.

[Tmoe]

Out of general interest, what are these rules that ghoul31 is talking about and where can I read about them?

[ghoul31]

Out of general interest, what are these rules that ghoul31 is talking about and where can I read about them?

http://z7.invisionfree.com/Dom3mods/index.php?showtopic=149&st=15

[Lihaässä]

It seems I've been bested by Agartha. I have no plans to give up just yet but to continue fighting until there's nothing more to do.

Anyhow I would appreciate if one of you would volunteer to take the hosting responsibility. I think that it's important to have a strong player as an admin. Feel free to comment.

- Lihaässä, Marverni

[jimbojones1971]

I'm not a strong nation, but I am willing to volunteer to admin as I am usually acting as admin for a couple of games at once, and one more shouldn't be an issue.

Ghoul is correct about using one guy to block an army. Its an exploit, and shouldn't be used.

[Lihaässä]

Thanks Jimbo for singning up. I'll PM you the details after Christmas.

I'm going to be away during Christmas holidays. How would you all feel about hosting next week only on Wednesday and Friday, thus skipping Monday's hosting?

- Lihaässä

[jimbojones1971]

Thanks Jimbo for singning up. I'll PM you the details after Christmas.

I'm going to be away during Christmas holidays. How would you all feel about hosting next week only on Wednesday and Friday, thus skipping Monday's hosting?

- Lihaässä

No worries, happy to help :-)

Hosting only on Wednesday and Friday next week works fine for me.

[Tmoe]

The turn file I recieved is corrupt :/. Merry Christmas

[jimbojones1971]

Even if you download it again?

Haven't checked mine yet. But worse case, we can do the dreaded roll back.

[Tmoe]

Yeah tried it twice yesterday and once today. Unfortunately that is the case :/.

[ghoul31]

ask for a turn resend.

And delete the old 2h and trn files before you save it

[Tmoe]

turn resend worked and everything is in order now. Thanks for the tip and merry christmas

[Lihaässä]

Excellent! Turn 41 will be hosted on Wednesday as planned.

- Lihaässä

[Tmoe]

Any reason why the game hasnt been hosted on friday?

[Lihaässä]

Don't know, Jimbo is now in charge. Maybe some problems with Llamaserver?

[jimbojones1971]

The turns have fallen a bit out of sync, not quite sure why, so I will push this turn back so that it executes on Friday. Then I'll do the usual +24h for the weekend, and after that we are back on sync for 3 turns a week.

Sorry guys for the confusion and the inconvenience - the plan is to get it right from here on in!

[ghoul31]

Ossa seems to have disappeared. You should find a sub for him

[Tmoe]

I believe Jimbojones and Nosferatu have set their pretenders to computer control, everybody else is accounted for?

[Gurthang]

Ossa seems to have disappeared. You should find a sub for him

Right. He staled twice in a row and isn't answering my messages.

I think hosting should be delayed and we ought to look for a sub.

[jimbojones1971]

In this game too? Bummer. Any idea how well he is doing?

Thanks for letting me know, Ghoul.

[Gurthang]

He is doing well.

[Lihaässä]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghoul31 View Post
Ossa seems to have disappeared. You should find a sub for him
Right. He staled twice in a row and isn't answering my messages.

I think hosting should be delayed and we ought to look for a sub.

I think using subs don't work. The idea of this game was to have turns roll regularly and avoid delays. It's normal that some people quit without notice and they have all the right to do so.

I would force anyone after 3 continuous stales for AI.. especially if there's no explanation for the stales. The game balance won't be jeopardized if everyone knows this.

- Lihaässä

[ghoul31]

Jimbojones is running the game . Its up to him to decide what to do.

[jimbojones1971]

I will flick Vanheim to AI for the Monday turn, if Ossa has not returned and Van is about to stale.

I intend to stick to the original hosting schedule and no extensions as agreed as a general rule, this was an exception that will hopefully not be repeated (in effect, we have skipped a turn - Friday - in our regular hosting schedule).

EDIT: I also note Lihaässä's comments, and the original setup notes in the OP. I will not delay the game under these circumstances again, and really should not have done so this tume - but what is done is done.

[Lihaässä]

ghoul31
Re: EA game - Dreams of Ghatanothoa (Running)
Jimbojones is running the game . Its up to him to decide what to do.

True, it's up to him what he will do. I am however entitled to my opinion of what I would do.

Jimbo - Thanks for respecting the opening post and the game setup. :)

[jimbojones1971]

Vanheim will go AI this turn (unless he has a password, in which case we are bang out of luck).

[ghoul31]

Ossa is back, so just turn control back to him

[jimbojones1971]

OK, no worries - will do. Thanks for the heads up.

[Gurthang]

Hi there,

I will send turn 54 on time but will be abroad this weekend. Could you please delay hosting for turn 55 until Monday evening if that is not already the case?

Thanks!

[jimbojones1971]

Hi guys, Ulm has gone AI.

[olpe]

Please don't change the hosting schedule! I've staled last turn cause' I didn't know that you have changed the GMT time for hosting.

SAATANA!

[olpe]

Now featuring hosting on Sundays! 3 stales on row with only 2 day trip wed - fri which otherwise would have been playable with normal hosting times. GJ! GJ! Please change host. This is getting ridiculous and also killing my game. It's nice to play 55 turns with specific strategy and then blow the most important 3 turns and in a row.

[Lihaässä]

Even though I'm not in the game anymore I have to agree with Olpe. People who joined the game were given fixed hosting times and there really is no point to change them.. unless host would tell the players of the new schedule.

Sympathy for the devils ;)

[olpe]

If would have astral nation I would start to wish divine intervention and that hosting schedule would go back to normal. It's outrageous now! This is sad way to end all interest to great game which has been going so great this far.

[ghoul31]

I wouldn't call a 48hr hosting scheduling outrageous. In fact its the norm.

[olpe]

Hosting schedule: Fixed hosting time for first 20 turns is every 24hours (no hosting on weekends), the following 20 turns will be hosted every 48hours (again no hosting on weekends), after that TBD. No exceptions what so ever - this is to ensure that the game goes on.

Can you see the no hosting on weekends notation. Also when there are certain rhythm on hosting hours and we all normal working people have to adjust to it. Changing it without notice is not considered as a good policy.

[jimbojones1971]

Apologies for the inconvenience. I had internet issues, and did not appreciate the impact that this would have. Not sure what if anything can be done about it now :-(

[jimbojones1971]

Nief has been staling a fair bit recently, although I think the nation is probably still viable.

If the staling, should we set him to AI, try for a sub, or just let him continue as-is?

[jimbojones1971]

False alarm, Nief appears to be back :-)

[olpe]

Reason is this against the policy hosting schedule. I really can't make it to all hosting dates. Please host, return it to normal! Lihaässä, divine intervention perhaps?

[jimbojones1971]

Reason is this against the policy hosting schedule. I really can't make it to all hosting dates. Please host, return it to normal! Lihaässä, divine intervention perhaps?

Please explain? Hosting schedule was three times a week, on Mon / We / Fri. Is this not now occuring? The llamaserver is set to 48 hour intervals, and (now that my internet issues are resolved) I have the last two weekends made sure to extend it by +24h on the weekend to keep this schedule.

It is possible that there is something I do not know, as I am not playing in the game. If so, as noted please explain.

Also, in the starting post it does say that the hosting may be extended again - "TBD". If three turns a week is too much, please post and request a slower hosting schedule.

[olpe]

As mentioned, when hosting schedule were off from normal Mo / We / Fr schedule I skipped few turns. Now when it's back to normal I have submitted my turn every time. But as I wrote before, I can't play if the schedule differs from normal.

Actually I didn't even notice that hosting schedule has been normalized -- apologies for that -- But hopefully we can play the game till the bitter end with this schedule :)

[Tmoe]

I think I will be switching to AI soon if we dont find somebody to substitute Kailasa. Really have lost interest in the game a while back but kept it up as long as I could. What do I/we need to do in order to find a sub?

[tratorix]

Make a thread asking for a sub, explaining a bit about the game and position. Once you've found someone to take the position they can pm the admin and get switched in.

[jimbojones1971]

Actually I didn't even notice that hosting schedule has been normalized -- apologies for that -- But hopefully we can play the game till the bitter end with this schedule :)

All good at this end :-)

And I really do apologise for the schedule going wrong a while back - it really was quite a mess.

[Tmoe]

I have set myself to AI. Thanks for the game.

[jimbojones1971]

I have set myself to AI. Thanks for the game.

OK. Thanks for playing Tmoe. Hope to play with you again sometime.

[jimbojones1971]

Nief has disappeared again. If I don't hear from Olpe, and he doesn't post this turn, I am going to set him to AI on the basis that he appears to be on the way out anyway.

[jimbojones1971]

When I get a chance, i will change Nief to AI from this point onwards.

From the stats, it looks like the game is down to the big three final powers, and it is reasonably even!

[jimbojones1971]

Nief has been set to AI. I emailed Olpa, but didn't hear back and he staled again, so I think he's given up on this game.

[tratorix]

Now that we're down to 4 people, does anyone object to the idea of turning quickhost on? Seems a bit pointless to wait out a full 72 hours each turn now.

[jimbojones1971]

Sent a message to players about the above, we'll give it til the end of the week and see if anyone objects.

[SirJope]

1 vote for faster game. Only shadows is almost left from Yomi's ;)

[tratorix]

Quickhost still isn't enabled.

[ghoul31]

Well Ossa, I was going to help you against tratorix, but I guess you decided to let him win

Thats fine

[jimbojones1971]

Any chance of an update on how this game is going down? I got eliminated about 25% into the game, but I'd be curious to hear how its all panned out.

[tratorix]

I think we can pretty much call this one in my favour, if no one objects. Yomi and Agartha are pretty much done, and Vanheim has made it clear he has no interest in actually fighting it out with me.

[SirJope]

Yep. That's fine for me.

[Lihaässä]

Congratulations Tratorix! I've been following this game a bit since I got wiped out and it seems justified that you claim the throne. No one really had a chance against Sauromantia in this game since the middle game.

I'm sorry about the problems with hosting.. but since we were using third party server (which is btw. awesome), I think this went pretty well. I hope you all enjoyed this game and the setup. Finally I'd like to thank everyone joining this game.

@ Current admin - could you close down the show in the llamaserver if no one objects? Thanks!

- Lihaässä

[jimbojones1971]

Will do with the llamaserver.

Congrats to Tratorix! I think I was the first guy to get stomped by Sauro, but far from the last :-)

[Ossa]

Oh, wait please - I'd like to struggle on against Sauromatia, but with a bit of help - Tratorix said he would be ok to set himself to ai;)

So please dont close the game, just set yourself to ai - I'd like to try and see whether I have a chance at all.

And, by the way, congrats to the winner!

[tratorix]

Oops, forgot about that. I'll set myself AI now. I'll try to gear up as many SC's for you to play with as I can. ;)

[Ossa]

Uh... ;) You might also just give me the admin password, I'll handle the rest;)