MoI - Memories of Ice, EA non newb game - WL Ctis wins

[WraithLord]

"Victory is an illusion. In all things." - Mhybe, Memories of Ice

But boy is victory real in the upcoming Memories of Ice game.
This is the sequel to the Deadhouse Gates (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=47401) & Gardens of the Moon (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=46381)games and will share many settings w/ it.
Main difference is the era, EA and that we will only use CBM mode.



Victory condition: 50-60% of # players capital VPs. Each capital is considered to be one VP. Capitals will be marked.
Nations: All EA nations are allowed.
Mods: CBM 1.92. I'm considering to increase EDM summons costs and would hear your thoughts on this.
Map: According to players number/wish/vote.
Hosting Pace: First 15 turns every 24h, turns 15-30 48h, turn 30-45 72h, turn 45-60 96h, turn > 61 120h.
Hosting is planned for busy ppl! This means that extensions would be given when needed. If you're looking for a blitz type game or get bored when things get slow then this is probably not the game for you. Make no mistake though, I've hosted a number of such games and they all end up to have a nice pace and all draw to conclusion.
Disallowed exploits: copying Bogus' orders and overfilling enemy lab to prevent his own forge.
Killing own mages under Ankh or LaD to gain freebe mages and troops.
It's ok in a battle but it's not ok to set it up on purpose (whoever likes to do it knows what I'm talking about). Both are nerfed in CBM 1.84 so the exploit is not possible anymore.
Probing armies with scouts/commanders must be done in such a way so as not to block movement.
Hosted on llamaserver.
Diplomacy allowed.
Warning: As a lesson from GotM I would like to raise your attention to the fact that diplomacy is allowed. In GotM some of the players didn't enjoy that aspect all that much and may have seen it as a chore or whatnot. As a general rule, in diplo. games you should be ready and willing to engage in diplomacy (duh ). I mean you can opt not to but then don't be surprised if you're left w/o allies or that your political ends or views are not met/popular.
That said, NAP's are not considered binding
Warning: This game is planned for players that will stick to the end. So please pay attention, don't go AI, don't chain stale. If you want out, please take the trouble to find yourself a sub. Your fellow players would appreciate that.
Graphs: on
HoF: 15
Indies: 9
Map: Stonehaven?
# of players: 8
Research: Normal
Magic sites: Normal

road-map:
recruit: now. At this point the game is open for both sign-up and discussion. I est. this will take a week or two.
Prepare pretenders: After all players sign-up we shall wait a week for pretender creation.
Game on: we start the game.

Players:
1. Catquiet, Lanka
2. Executor, Pangaea
3. WraithLord, Ctis
4. Amhazair, Mictlan
5 ghoul31, Yomi
6 Dogged57, Niefelheim
7 CUnknown, Ulm
8 dojango, Abyssia

[llamabeast]

My plan for the EDM summons is to keep costs pretty much the same but increase path requirements, so getting them is more special. If it's helpful I can go through them this weekend and let you know my plans.

Example thinking of the top of my head:
Zmey: F4 -> F6
Grendelkin: W3E3 -> W5E5

I think that should fix their ubiquity and make them more special again. Comments welcome!

[WraithLord]

Wow. This sounds like a great idea. Thank you!

[ghoul31]

Yomi

[Executor]

Heh, what no Agartha for me? Well I guess it wouldn't be fair really, though one could use a few additional layers of protections against your diplomatic skills. ;)

[WraithLord]

We have five players already. A few more and we're a go.

[WraithLord]

I don't want to wait too long for more players. I suggest to close the game next week and go with how many players who've joined by then.

[Dogged57]

Anybody mind if I take the reins of Niefelheim?

[WraithLord]

Excuse me for being blunt. I'm obliged to ask, since this is a non newb game, what is your MP game experience. Did you play more than, say, ten games?

[Dogged57]

Excuse me for being blunt. I'm obliged to ask, since this is a non newb game, what is your MP game experience. Did you play more than, say, ten games?

No offense taken. I've completed 12 MP games, 2 organized on this forum. I've never won a game, but I was in the running a few times. Is that sufficient?

[WraithLord]

Definetly. Welcome aboard :)

[Dogged57]

Excellent. When are we planning on getting started?

[WraithLord]

1. Next Monday, close recruitment.
2. finalize settings (map mostly)
3. prepare pretenders, create game

I est. somewhere near next weekend we'll start the game.

[Dogged57]

More time to fiddle with the pretender is always a good thing.

[WraithLord]

ok. Last day to join.
I'm waiting for Amhazair to confirm his participation.
We'll have either 5 or 6 players.

Any suitable maps come to mind guys?

[Valerius]

WL, have you played on Five Lands yet? Another balanced map from vfb but it looks nicer than Sixlands and also, IMO, is designed so that the borders aren't quite as clear cut as on Sixlands (if only because each region isn't color-coded).

[WraithLord]

Thanks for the tip. No I haven't. Where is it posted so I could try it?

[Valerius]

It's uploaded to the llamaserver but I think vfb posted the map on Dom3mods as well? Worst case, I could upload it here if you need it.

[WraithLord]

NP I'll do some searching for it.

[WraithLord]

found it (http://z7.invisionfree.com/Dom3mods/index.php?showtopic=481)

If we end up five then it has my vote :)

Valerius, want to join?

[Valerius]

Thanks, I'm tempted due to the size of the game and relaxed hosting schedule, but I've been playing mostly non-diplo games and find I don't really have the patience for proper diplo anymore (which is quite unfortunate since that was pretty much my main Dominions skill ;)).

[Amhazair]

Yeah, count me in I guess. Would have prefered a slightly bigger game (even though the idea was a not-too-big-one to complement the other game I'm currently playing) but can't allways have everything.

I'll try out Mictlan, as I said before. About time I tried out a real bless strat after almost 6? years of playing dominions. :)

[WraithLord]

Hey, if the rest of the players don't mind I have no problem to make it no diplo game. It would be the first time I'll do a no diplo + known assignments. Could be fun.

Fellow players, what say you?

[Amhazair]

I... think I'd kinda like that, to balance my other game with diplomacy active. But don't feel to strongly about it either way, and since it wasn't anounced from the start if someone objects to it that should probably carry more weight than someone agreeing.

[WraithLord]

agree. one no should suffice to drop the no diplo suggestion.

[CUnknown]

Is this game still open?

I'll play! I haven't played in -years- so I'm probably a lot rusty, but I used to be halfway decent, I think. The slow hosting schedule will probably help me get back into it. I haven't decided on a faction yet.

[sansanjuan]

I'm in if it's no diplo.. If you'll have me.
ssj

If I made the cut I'll try sauro.

[WraithLord]

CUnknown, still open. Welcome aboard.
Please choose a faction.

sansanjuan, As Amhazair said, since no diplo wasn't in the original charter it's enough that one player objects to it for it to drop. So far all I heard is yes so looks like it may be ok. I'd like to hear from most if not all of the players before making the change "official".

[CUnknown]

I'll take Ulm.

Does no diplo mean you can't trade items, or talk in any way at all?

[Dogged57]

The problems with known nations and no diplo are that you'll have to make the decision whether to allow talking about the game in thread (which could affect the game, depending on what information people share), and that you'll have to trust people not to talk to one another.

[Catquiet]

Hey, if the rest of the players don't mind I have no problem to make it no diplo game. It would be the first time I'll do a no diplo + known assignments. Could be fun.

Fellow players, what say you?

Either way is fine with me.

[sansanjuan]

No worries guys if you decide to stick with plan "a". I realize no diplo can monkey up a build since you are self sufficient.
ssj

[dojango]

hey, if it's not too late, I'd like in on this. Abyssia, please.

[WraithLord]

ok. I think I'll drop the no diplo. Just b/c it may cause too much hassle that late down the road. let's stick to the original road map and start the game sooner rather than later.

dojango, welcome aboard. you will be our eighth and final player.

Let's hear it for your fav. 8 player map. I suggest Stonehaven.

[WraithLord]

shall we do 4 or 5VPs?

Let's take a day or two to decide. If I don't hear otherwise we'll go w/ map Stonehaven and 5 VPs.

[Amhazair]

That's a beautiful map, didn't know it yet. I approve.

(I knew of the slightly larger Shadowshore with a similar aestethic (same mapmaker) which could be an alternative if we want a slighly roomier game, (120 land + 13 water vs. 108/16) but as I said, I definitely approve with your proposal too.)

[CUnknown]

How many VPs would we need to win?

[Amhazair]

How many VPs would we need to win?

shall we do 4 or 5VPs?

Let's take a day or two to decide. If I don't hear otherwise we'll go w/ map Stonehaven and 5 VPs. Seems I have to write at least 3 characters of my own and can't just quote the relevant post and leave it at that. So just imagine me writing something useful to go with the quote.

[WraithLord]

LoL, Amhazair you're a true master to have said so much with so little ;) :)

So far only heard back from Amhazair. He approves of the map. Unless I hear different by end of the day we will finalize the game settings - map Stonehaven + 5 VPs.

This means that tomorrow I can create the game on the server and then we can start uploading pretenders.

[dojango]

Can you post a link to the map?

[WraithLord]

http://z7.invisionfree.com/Dom3mods/index.php?showtopic=373

[Catquiet]

Renaming is allowed?

[WraithLord]

Yes.

[WraithLord]

Guys when creating your pretenders please use the modified (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=804194)version of CBM 1.92 that fixes the recruit-able Wild Ettin bug.

[WraithLord]

Game (http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=MemoriesOfIce) started and accepting pretenders.

[WraithLord]

4/8 sent pretenders. 4 more to go :)

[Amhazair]

Pfffft... I'm quite out of my depth here. I have something in mind I'm pretty confident is at least a decent build for Mictlan, but... Where are my scales? Where is my guaranteed absolute magic diversity? How do I play this out? (Once "Take jaguar, smash face" stops working.)

Will probably submit later tonight, after a bit more fiddling.

[Dogged57]

Pretender submitted. Two to go.

[CUnknown]

You should name your prophet "Jaguar SmashFace."

:D

[Amhazair]

Not a horrible idea, but I allways choose pretender names that would be appropriate 'in character' for the nation/pretender type, so I'm afraid Jaguar SmashFace it won't be. Unless I take the Cyclops maybe... :)

Nop, his name will be (is?) Acolnahuacatl. His titles remain to be discovered/decided.

[Executor]

Should have set the game to autostart WL, won't have time to play the turn until tomorrow evening the earliest now. ;)

[WraithLord]

Game is on. GL all and have fun :)

[WraithLord]

I stopped doing auto starts due to past issues w/ outside players sending pretenders. I prefer more control and less hassle.

[Dogged57]

I really like the north/south divide on this map. The only problem is that from the south, there's only one land passage to the north. That spot is going to be a killer choke if someone can hold it.

[dojango]

some of the landmarks have teleporting sites; look at the province connections.

[Dogged57]

some of the landmarks have teleporting sites; look at the province connections.

Provinces 26 and 27 in the south have connections to the central island and the three northern teleporters. Province 26 is underwater. 121, 88, and 97 have teleporters in the north. So, unless we have the ability to send water-breathing armies, getting to and from the south can only be done through province 26. Seems a bit unbalanced. Should be an interesting problem.

[WraithLord]

Let us see how the game develops and whether it would turn out to be problematic or not.

[Dogged57]

I really hope C'Tis is on the other side of the divide.

[WraithLord]

C'tis nation is interested in peace with it's neighbors. War is against the principles of the desert religion who sacrileges life in all it's forms.

Life in C'tis are so good that the surrounding desert tribes sing its praise as follows:
"
If you're looking for bliss
Then head straight for C'tis
Where you'll find wonderful things
That you just can't miss
"
No wonder the tribe leaders willingly join C'tis :up::up::up:

More cause for alarm is the "one minute you have a kingdom the next poof and it's gone" doom days weapon - yes dom kill I'm looking at you :eek:

But all this talk is premature. The world is young and magic is strong. Peace prevails and hopefully will for generations to come.

[CUnknown]

Ulm also wishes peace with its neighbors, and we will happily send our legions of diplomats to meet with you. Don't be offended if they happen to wave their swords and axes about menacingly, it is the way we greet strangers in our culture.

Conan the Diplomat rides up, dismounts, and delivers this message:

"What is best in life? To 'love' enemies, see them 'grow and prosper' before you, and to hear the 'friendly banter' of their women. Yes, indeed. :D

Wait, you don't seem convinced. Ehh.. enough talk!!"

*draws weapons*

I guess my barbarians aren't very good at diplomacy, sigh. :doh:

[Dogged57]

We just have trouble not squishing the littles when they come strutting around in our neck of the woods. And then there's the balmy weather around here. We have no idea why anyone would want to be melting all the time.

[Executor]

Abysian bastards!

[Dogged57]

Abysian bastards!

I thought it'd be Abysia getting all fired up, not the tree lovers. Did he burn your forests down?

[Executor]

Fight like a man, don`t steal my mercs!

BTW, this map has some issues.

[Dogged57]

Fight like a man, don`t steal my mercs!

BTW, this map has some issues.

Merc stealing. A time honored tradition usually saved for actual war time. I've never considered stealing another's mercs during expansion. That's actually not a bad idea...

[dojango]

I think you should examine the fine print of the contract that you signed with the mercenaries. "theft" is such a specific term.

[Executor]

Heads up to Ulm and Lanka, you do not want to clash with Yomi expansion party...

[CUnknown]

:eek:

Let me be the first to welcome our new Oni overlords to the neighborhood...

[Catquiet]

Looking at the score table, the Oni have 666 income this turn...probably just a coincidence.

[WraithLord]

Just a head up. Turn 13 is available, if you didn't get it (like me) then go the game page and ask for a resend.

Niefelheim, Why did you stale?- Did you require an extension?-Next time plz give me a heads up (as in ask for an extension) so you would avoid staling.

[Dogged57]

Just a head up. Turn 13 is available, if you didn't get it (like me) then go the game page and ask for a resend.

Niefelheim, Why did you stale?- Did you require an extension?-Next time plz give me a heads up (as in ask for an extension) so you would avoid staling.

Considering I was home writing and watching tv last night... Wow. I had no idea a turn was due. I received no warning email and I didn't check on my games before heading to bed. Thanks for the heads up on turn 13. I haven't received that either.

[Executor]

Yeah, me neither. Also, missed warning email in some other games.
WL, you might want to use the admin option to email all players. Some people don`t tend to check the thread regularly, and it seems no one got the current turn.

[Executor]

Errrr, I have a fort which refuses to be built for some reason. It`s been 3 turns of construction and it should have been done this turn but it says two more turns. Any ideas as to what the heck this is would be nice.:confused:

As a side note, with luck 3, turmoil 3 I`ve been having 2-3 bad events a turn for the last couple of turns...:rolleyes:

[WraithLord]

Yeah, me neither. Also, missed warning email in some other games.
WL, you might want to use the admin option to email all players. Some people don`t tend to check the thread regularly, and it seems no one got the current turn.

If I spot such a glitch again I shall email all. Thanks!

Edit: "As a side note, with luck 3, turmoil 3 I`ve been having 2-3 bad events a turn for the last couple of turns"

I hate L3T3. It's supposed to work like a charm and every turn you expect that 1.5K gold event or some other fabulous stuff but most what you get sucks.

[Dogged57]

Yeah, me neither. Also, missed warning email in some other games.
WL, you might want to use the admin option to email all players. Some people don`t tend to check the thread regularly, and it seems no one got the current turn.

If I spot such a glitch again I shall email all. Thanks!

Edit: "As a side note, with luck 3, turmoil 3 I`ve been having 2-3 bad events a turn for the last couple of turns"

I hate L3T3. It's supposed to work like a charm and every turn you expect that 1.5K gold event or some other fabulous stuff but most what you get sucks.

I have fallen out of love with L3T3. There's a ton of gem events, but also the chance for barbarian attacks, hurricanes, cursed troops. Every bad event makes you feel cheated. And don't get me started on the upkeep causing militia events.

[dojango]

Quiet thread... how about some Abyssian jokes?

Q: Why did the frost giant cross the road?

A: Because he was afraid of the chicken on the other side!


Q: What do you call a frost giant who pushes you in the water and laughs as you struggle?'

A: A loyal ally!


So, a frost giant and a jaguar warrior are walking along and they see a gold coin on the ground. The frost giant picks it up, throws an arm around the jaguar warrior, and says, "Come! Let us share this bounty like brothers!"

But the jaguar warrior says, "Nah, how about we just split it in half."


An Abyssian, a Mictlanese, and a frost giant are walking along. They come to a river that is too deep and wide to cross. The Mictlanese says, "I shall pray to my god for the power to cross this river."

The Abyssian says, "I will study great and powerful magic to cross this river."

The frost giant suddenly picks up the Mictlanese guy and throws him into the river, where he drowns. "What did you do that for?" asks the Abyssian.

The frost giant replies, "You can solve any problem by throwing more mictlanese at it."

[Dogged57]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but I like the way you're saying it!

[Amhazair]

I think He's saying I should build more Mictlanese, which I will try to do. Thanks for the tip.

[Dogged57]

If my prophet didn't have 132 HP to start with...YEESH.

Abysia cast Rage on my prophet on turn one, before he could cast Divine blessing...insane. I can't believe we won anyway.

[dojango]

Probably shouldn't have told all though nasty jokes about frost giant'ts momma's. Wanted them riled up enough to attack but not so much they'd win.

[ghoul31]

Well I'm being attack 3 on one as usual.

I guess I need to work more on diplomacy

[Dogged57]

Well I'm being attack 3 on one as usual.

I guess I need to work more on diplomacy

You did bust out the early game thug/SC chassis.

[Amhazair]

Also your research graph doesn't really inspire fear, to be honest... :)

[Dogged57]

dojango, are you receiving my PMs?

[dojango]

I had thought my post on the forums had made it clear, but I'm not interested in your proposal. I won't let you cut and run and abandon Mictlan to his fate... you will share it.

[Dogged57]

I had thought my post on the forums had made it clear, but I'm not interested in your proposal. I won't let you cut and run and abandon Mictlan to his fate... you will share it.

I knew you wouldn't take the deal, but thought you might come up with a counter offer.

We'll just continue to grind you under our heels. That's a mighty fine fortress you have...

[dojango]

I had thought my post on the forums had made it clear, but I'm not interested in your proposal. I won't let you cut and run and abandon Mictlan to his fate... you will share it.

I knew you wouldn't take the deal, but thought you might come up with a counter offer.

We'll just continue to grind you under our heels. That's a mighty fine fortress you have...

It will look even better once we put a few frost giant heads to counter-balance all those jaguar warrior heads (I do like how they shapeshift when you poke them eith a stick).

[Dogged57]

It will look even better once we put a few frost giant heads to counter-balance all those jaguar warrior heads (I do like how they shapeshift when you poke them eith a stick).

Sorry to disappoint.

[CUnknown]

Fritigern, what is best in life?

To crush Dai Onis, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the Bakemono.

Yes, this is good.

[ghoul31]

The memories of Ice

My memories are being ganked 3 on 1 and being done on turn 22

Such fond fond memories


P.S. those books suck

[Dogged57]

I'm going to be out of town and most likely in an area with no wifi or cell service for about a week. Would it be possible to put the game on a long timer?

I'll try to get turns in when I can, but service will be intermittent at best.

Badlands!

[Executor]

That's a nice army down there it is, Wl! I'm waiting to see what Amhazir tries to smash it with!

[WraithLord]

Thank you Executor. I had my soldiers bath in the swamps for three days straight and then clean their scales claws and fangs before marching.
Good to know that the great eye of Sauronutor is always watching ;)

[Amhazair]

That's a nice army down there it is, Wl! I'm waiting to see what Amhazir tries to smash it with!Yes, that. Not too shabby an army that is. I'm getting on it though. It's good you mention that army so everyone knows I'm serious. My current plan is: "Dump my complete gem stockpiles as fast as possible for anything even remotely useful and hope it's enough." Unfortunately, the only gem-type that's really going to make a difference (Due to research-and-especially-casting-time-constraints is Nature. So, I hereby declare a crash fire-sale of everything else.

Who has a use for FIRE gems? (Up to 66)
Who craves some WATER gems? (Up to 60)
Who'd love some AIR gems? (Up to 19)
Who admires the purity of ASTRAL pearls? (Up to 29)
Who's addicted to those excellent DEATH gems? (Up to 18. And yes Wraithlord, I might even be temped to trade with you, allthough I will think twice about any offer.)
(Unfortunately I don't have a single EARTH gem to offer.)

EVERYTHING MUST GO! GET THEM WHILE THEY'RE FRESH. Etcetera, etcetera.

We accept NATURE gems, and can allways be tempted by fresh virgins. Trades probably need to be concluded this very turn, so come on in and sample the products, but don't dally over your choises, for tomorrow it might be too late for you. (And especially for me.)

[Amhazair]

Also, Wraithlord, could you keep an eye on the turn timer for me? I went home to my parents straight from work today since my sister (who lives near them) had to go to hospital, (she'll be fine) and since tomorrow it's my day off work I thought I'd visit. So I do have internet access, but no dominions.

I'll probably be home before hosting time, but if I'm not could you add a couple of hours?

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 12 hours. The game will now host at 05:16 GMT on Friday June 29th.
Just to be on the safe side.

RE. said army I've no doubt it will be smashed, I just hope that fateful battle would be glorious :)

OMG Amhazair, how much gem stockpiles do you have? :shock:
What the hell are you gonna summon from nature's offerings?-Now you got me real scared (I'm not cynical - just really scared).
Thank the gods it will at least take you some time to summon all those monsters.
I'd have traded w/ you but I need my N gems too. Hey, maybe I'll watch what you summon and summon the same?- Yeah a twisted eye for an eye will serve me well :p

[Executor]

Good to know that the great eye of Sauronutor is always watching ;)

What the heck's a Sauronutor? Sounds like a carnivorous dinosaurus.

Amhazir, I might be persuaded to trade nature gems if the price is right.
Purely to balance out the war of course, not out of personal interest. ;)

[Executor]

Huh, transformed Pans don't summon Maenads...

[Dogged57]

Huh, transformed Pans don't summon Maenads...

Don't you have enough of those by now?

[Executor]

What? Never.
I like frenzied, drunken, intoxicated, man, children and animal devouring dancing women with uncontrolled sexual behavior.

[Amhazair]

You bastard! This is the turn you decide to stand and fight, is it?

Ah, well. I knew I was taking a big gamble. I also knew I wouldn't survive another round of you rampaging through my lands with me inefectievely chasing you so...

Bugger.

And now I still don't know for sure if I could beat that damned army. :(

[Dogged57]

9 fiery dragon heads could not stop the glacial advance of the ice. Glacial as in inexorable, not super slow. Though it did feel a bit slower than it should have been. In the battles of Fire and Ice, the flames are sputtering and about to die out.

Well fought, dojango.

[WraithLord]

Blame not me but rather my general who disobeyed a direct order.

I'd have him drowned in the swamps for that but for his actually gaining me a castle. So he'll get 20 young egg baring age female slaves instead :D

[CUnknown]

The only good demon is a dead demon, growls Fritigern as he sharpens his sword and prepares yet for another campaign -- with the fate of the Ulmish people, and likely the entire world, hanging in the balance.

He reminds himself that you cannot trust man, woman, nor centaur beast.

Steel is the only thing you can trust.

[Dogged57]

The only good demon is a dead demon, growls Fritigern as he sharpens his sword and prepares yet for another campaign -- with the fate of the Ulmish people, and likely the entire world, hanging in the balance.

He reminds himself that you cannot trust man, woman, nor centaur beast.

Steel is the only thing you can trust.

Cold steel.

[Executor]

I'm a need 30 hours on this turn WL.

Oh, yeah,
Molten rock, 1000°C+

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 36 hours. The game will now host at 06:19 GMT on Wednesday July 18th.

[Dogged57]

Good to have this up and running again. It's been an interesting game so far. Lots of wars :)

[CUnknown]

And more to come, Dogged! It don't stop!!

I hope we get on a more regular hosting schedule though, I totally forgot what I was doing. Then I remember -- plotting to kill centaurs and demons, got it.

[Amhazair]

Phew, finally got around to actually watching my turn. (Yes, a bit late, sue me.)

Guess that's it for me, I'm done for. Good game Wraithlord.

The only thing I managed to accomplish was force him to commit a ton of mages to the war effort so his research graph is pretty anemic. Wonder how long that'll last once all those Sauromancers hit the books... (There's about 216RP involved in the battle at my capital. Don't know about anywhere else since I haven't found a single damned scout province all damn game! ;) Not that I'm bitter or anything...

Edit: Also, great timing on that random event siren you stupid RNG. That abo****ely vital air magic sure is going to prove useful now.

Edit2: Hurray for tipos and the word filter working in beautiful conjunction. The word above should have been absolutely, but (after intense study) I'm guessing I typed the o and the s in the wrong order. I'm leaving it in regardless, cause it adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the post. ;)

[CUnknown]

So the war has begun.

Crom laughs at your meneads! :happy:

[Executor]

The brave Ulm cowers and hides before an onslaught of unarmed naked Pangaea women! Mighty warriors indeed... ;)

[Dogged57]

The brave Ulm cowers and hides before an onslaught of unarmed naked Pangaea women! Mighty warriors indeed... ;)

Naked chicks are scary, dude.

[WraithLord]

Phew, finally got around to actually watching my turn. (Yes, a bit late, sue me.)

Guess that's it for me, I'm done for. Good game Wraithlord.

The only thing I managed to accomplish was force him to commit a ton of mages to the war effort so his research graph is pretty anemic. Wonder how long that'll last once all those Sauromancers hit the books... (There's about 216RP involved in the battle at my capital. Don't know about anywhere else since I haven't found a single damned scout province all damn game! ;) Not that I'm bitter or anything...

Edit: Also, great timing on that random event siren you stupid RNG. That abo****ely vital air magic sure is going to prove useful now.

Edit2: Hurray for tipos and the word filter working in beautiful conjunction. The word above should have been absolutely, but (after intense study) I'm guessing I typed the o and the s in the wrong order. I'm leaving it in regardless, cause it adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the post. ;)

Thank you Amhazair. You played well and gave me a lot of tough moments. These kind of wars can go either way. I could have just as easily lost a few key battles and with them the war.

EA is known for scarcity of scouts and it is a significant factor.

I did take a hit to research but luckily a few key spells are enough for start to mid game for Ctis.

[Dogged57]

Maenads + Ironskin. Nice.

[Catquiet]

Did Pangaea stale last turn?

[Executor]

Yes I did. One minute too late with submitting my turn. Literally.

Ulm, mind providing some insight into what paths you site searched your lands? Perhaps the population in your capital as well? I'm trying to match up my girls here. They heard there's some good lookin' folks in Ulm.

[CUnknown]

You heard right! :happy:

Ulm wishes you luck in disciplining our ruggedly handsome, but unruly, population. Sometimes we have this tendency to throw axes and great swords through the spleens of visitors (ask Lanka.. but in his case it would be empty, skeletal ribcages -- somehow still effective). This rule applies even to naked women. Maybe that's why we don't get a whole lot of second dates.. :doh:

Continue your invasion at your own peril. We will never surrender.

[Executor]

Huh, 68 commanders! Didn't really expect that many. Don't you think that's a bit overkill? Well at least the taunting worked. You definitely mustered a force to be reckoned with.
Should have maybe just quaked you like I planned but those mages of your are tough old bastards. Takes at least 4 quakes to do any damage!
Ready for wave two this turn?

[CUnknown]

Overkill? I think it's just enough kill. Do you think I'm going to be able to research my way out of this? Do you think I'm playing for the long game at this point? It is do or die. :(

I am here to stonewall and undermine your victory so Ctis or Neifelheim can win (Lanka can go to hell where demons belong). Me and every single commander under my authority are absolutely committed to your destruction. Researching is for pussies!! Or, actually, I mean its for people who have a chance to win.

My empire has crumbled, but all that matters is that few stood against many. Many ... many ... naked chicks ... everywhere... :o

[Executor]

I am here to stonewall and undermine your victory so Ctis or Neifelheim can win

Hey!? Where's all that love and respect your enemy stuff?
Pangaea may be Ulm's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy!:)

Heck, I don't usually play to win either, not that I don't try to win of course, but sometimes just it's just much more fun sidelining the win part and killing everything you can. I think WL can testify to that from our former encounters.

Hey, maybe you'll get lucky in the end with those maenads. How ambiguous.

[CUnknown]

Oh, I do respect you. :)

I am playing to win, it's just I know I don't have much of a chance.

I do love you Executor! *kissy kissy* I must kill whom I love. It's so tragic. :cold:

[WraithLord]

Yes. Executor is like this. A force of nature sweeping all in it's path.

Don't change Executor. We all love you :heart::heart::heart::ghug:.
And in this game this usually means we'll go to bloody war with you :fire: :p

[Amhazair]

I'm leaving on a trip tomorrow morning. I have already submited my turn for this turn, and might very well be dead the next one. (Walls are breached and WL already checked out my defences with a scout, while dominion also looks dicey, though I think it'll hold.)

I didn't bother looking for a sub though. If I somehow do not die this turn, everything is set up to continue on in my abscence. (Defence is scripted, Blood saccing will continue with my capital income, my meager gem income is converted in more dudes by monthly casting.) Going AI would ruin this, so If I survive the turn just let me stale. (and feel free to force hosting if I'm the only one still having to submit a turn.)

[WraithLord]

Your wish is my command ;)

But seriously looks like you've put your last army to auto pilot quite nicely. Probably better than some human players, not to mention the AI would :p

[Executor]

WL, if you see this in time please add 24 hours. Won't need that much probably but just in case.

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 24 hours. The game will now host at 17:09 GMT on Monday August 13th.

[Executor]

Hah, that was some freaky action in 108.

[Dogged57]

Hah, that was some freaky action in 108.

I don't remember where 108 is. Got any more details you can share?

I hate being stuck at work when a turn comes in.

[Executor]

Ulm used the Wolf Soulstone on me. A bunch of wolves attack a 5 PD province, kill most of the troops which routs the PD minotaur commander, and than just a few squares before he runs off (and the battle ends) a wolf catches up to him and makes him berserk and trample them all to death. :)

[Dogged57]

So you haven't completely eliminated all my forces in one bold move. I'm still waiting for that.

[Executor]

I'm working up to it I promise! Tricky business plotting to annihilate someone in a single stroke of brilliance.

[CUnknown]

Yeah, just because of that berzerking minotaur commander, I now think that Pangaea's PD is actually pretty excellent. At least at low PD values, it's very good, compared to some others at low values.

You learn something new every day with this game. Or maybe this is just a special case. :hurt:

I am actually disappointed with the Soulstone in general, I remember it from Dom2 where it was amazing!! I mean it's still good in this game, just not what it was.

I'm surprised with all that research you didn't beat me to some of these artifacts, Executor! I guess you were busy researching spells to give you total dominance on the battlefield... not a bad call heh..

With Neifelheim hurting now apparently, C'tis, you might be our last hope unless Lanka decides to pull his weight in this game! I know I probably made some diplomatic blunders to piss you off, Lanka, but Pangaea is in a solidly dominant position in this game. I think we're going to have to 4 v 1 him.. and even then he'll probably win..

[Executor]

The minotaur is very useful. Pangaea is safe from any of those low level remote attacks. Last turn I saw you lose to 1PD with Call of the Wild, though it was fought under GoH.

Yeah I rushed battle magic, that was a priority. There was no point in risking construction 8, figured you'd get there first even with my research lead.

C'tis already declared war on me btw!:)
Though, thankfully, he'll probably have some logistical problems which might give me some advantage.

[Executor]

Gonna need another 24 hours again WL.

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 24 hours. The game will now host at 13:30 GMT on Friday August 17th.

[Executor]

WL, I need another 24 hours please. :)

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 24 hours. The game will now host at 13:30 GMT on Saturday August 18th.

[Executor]

You're very official when postponing the game. :)

Could we possibly put the game on hold until Sunday? We're doing some reconstruction, paintwork, etc, in our home and things go very slow when you're working with a bunch of lumbering drunken idiots. So a two day job is turning into a week long **** up... :p

[WraithLord]

Haven't you heard? That's the new llama talk ;)

GL with the reconstruction. I'll postpone 2 Sunday .

All. Have a quiet & restful weekend for you'll need your strength for the coming and ongoing wars :)

[WraithLord]

Executor, by putting GoNB up you've declared war on all the nations. Or was it the other way around? :p

To whom who may not know GoNB is a killer global (+ 2 more globals doesn't hurt either ;) ). Right there with AN, FotA etc. If Pan can't be put down quickly, a joint dispel should be considered.

[Executor]

I do think it was the other way around. Hey, given everyone already declared war on me, including Lanka as of last turn, I think I'm entitled to all the help I can get!
Hmm, does this seem familiar to you WL? People declare war on me, I start pulling out all sort of crazy ****. Good times. :)

BTW, would anyone be interested in selling me a Winged Helmet? I will pay generously.

Oh, and I totally support a joint dispel attempt. In fact, not only on GoNB, all of them.

[WraithLord]

Lol. You're the best, err the worst, foe :)
And when put in the corner, phew, may the gods help us all.

[Dogged57]

Yeah, ouch. You could pull punches just a little bit, Exec. I almost regret landing that army. I keep wincing in anticipation of the violence that is about to be visited upon those poor, innocent giants.

Pandemonium?

[Executor]

You flatter too much please, I'm sure you'll the better of me soon enough. ;)

WL, I need a delay again. 24 hours should be enough.

[Dogged57]

You flatter too much please, I'm sure you'll the better of me soon enough. ;)

WL, I need a delay again. 24 hours should be enough.

I was just about to ask for the same thing. Scheduling turn time is getting to be a bit rough. Should we extend the deadline permanently by 24h?

[WraithLord]

The hosting interval for MemoriesOfIce has now been changed to 96 hours, and the deadline for the next hosting has been automatically postponed by 24 hours.

Executor, what is more flattering?- My high opinion of you or the fact that it takes four nations to, maybe, stop you? :eek:

[Executor]

Perhaps actions do speak louder than words. :D

[Executor]

Sorry WL but I am going to need 12 more hours.

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 12 hours. The game will now host at 02:48 GMT on Friday August 24th.

[Dogged57]

It is way too damn easy to counter Niefel giants at this point in the game :)

[CUnknown]

But we're doing well, Dogged! We've got those naked chicks on the run!!

[Dogged57]

But we're doing well, Dogged! We've got those naked chicks on the run!!

I'm not sure what game you're playing. Definitely not the one I'm in.

[CUnknown]

Oh come on Dogged, my area of the world is so much more friendly now that you showed up! I've got you, my comrade in arms on my left, Lanka, my... umm.. frenemy? on my right... and soon the naked chicks will be driven out of my lands completely.

I assume that the rest of the world is peaceful rosey happy land, I refuse to scout and figure out that's not true. Don't burst my bubble.

[Executor]

Dogged has made an entrance, now it's time to bow down and leave the stage. ;)

Time for WL to step up! Central isle or north for crossing over, what will it be than?
And Lanka too of course. Take the fort in 98 with our compliments, please, we insist. And by no chance am I forced to give it up due to a stale on my part, I promise.:rolleyes:

I was quite surprised (was actually doing my turn at that time) when the game hosted twelve hours after the twelve hour reminder email...

[Executor]

Oh boy, it's hard not to gloat in moments like these!

Dogged, it has been an immense pleasure playing against you. :)

[Executor]

WL, I ran into some PC problems. I will most probably have everything fixed by tonigh but could you delay the game a bit for me just in case? I'd rather not stale again.

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 24 hours. The game will now host at 20:08 GMT on Thursday

[Dogged57]

Oh boy, it's hard not to gloat in moments like these!

Dogged, it has been an immense pleasure playing against you. :)

Yeah, I'm just not sure what to do about the Charm spam. With no boosters. Horrifically effective.

[WraithLord]

Ulm was just about to stale. I gave him 24h more (and it was damn luck I noticed that since we stayed very late after a party).

[CUnknown]

Thank you! I will take my turn now.

[CUnknown]

Those naked chicks better get a jacket on or something... it's cold in Ulm! Put some clothes on girls. Oh wait they're all dead.

[Executor]

Hmmm, that didn't go down as planned. I scripted wrong, and there were too many ice elementals. I also forgot about that air dome on your cap. This was a bad turn for me. Lost a lot of Pans.
Did you lose anything meaningful CUnknown? I can't make out which commanders I killed.

Anyway, I seem to be in control of Illwinter now. :)

[WraithLord]

Yes. A broken spell if ever there was one.
Oh wait a sec. there's looming hell ;)


Awesome battle guys. Thanks for the entertainment.
I actually watched it w/ a crowd in the background :)

[CUnknown]

Being completely honest, what I lost was pretty significant. Mostly just steel warriors and archers, but with my gold situation, even just basic troops are hard to come by. I didn't lose anything irreplaceable... but it might be a while.

Obviously I need even more bottles of living water to be my frontline. :up:

I did lose a bane commander (you charmed him so he had to be put down), and I think a waerwolf commander with some items, but that was it. You decimated my frontline and archers though. I think I lost a couple mages as well.

It was a fantastic victory... but you have thousands more menaeds where that came from and I am down to bottles of water as a frontline. So I've got no illusions that I can take you down or anything. Maybe C'tis though...

[Executor]

Treachery! Fire and blood, hecks and curses, plagues and banefires!
The foul lizard of C'tis has lain siege to the good, kind hearted giants of Niefelheim!
Step no further foul lizards! The icy peaks of Neifelheim are under Pangaen protectorate. We have cast out and exiled the false god which sought to use the gentle giants for his own twisted purposes.
Even now the former Skratti and Jarl rebels yield to us. They have seen the error of their ways and swore allegiance to the one true God and have even granted the knowledge of their deepest held secret of everlasting winter.

Pangaea will restore balance to this decimated world. The forges of Ulm will be quenched and forest burning brutes will be punished! The demons of Lanka will be banished and their perverted reanimation ceased once and for all.

Vacate Neifel land or face the wrath of Pangaea. You will not be warned again.

-Pangaean ministry of love and peace-

[WraithLord]

To that we have a saying in the swamps: Brings itss onsss ssssssssss!

If at all possible Ctis will save Neifel. If not, then avenge it. Our only wish is to go down fighting with our claws and teeth dripping Pangaean blood.

Seriously, my only regret is that this map made it very difficult to engage you earlier. In-fact, even now I must tread on Niefel lands just to engage :mad:

[Amhazair]

Seriously, my only regret is that this map made it very difficult to engage you earlier. Yeah. It's too bad, because I think the map looks absolutely gorgeous, but the geography really doesn't lend itself to competitive MP. (The southern half even more so than the northern one)

[WraithLord]

Yes. I regret choosing this map. It is as you say, not suitable for MP.

Executor, are you playing Moses now?- Sending biblical scale plague of toads at us?
Yummi, we love toads :p

[Executor]

While yes I am!

Let's see; I've already turned water to blood (all those poor ice elementals tainted with the blood of maenads), and I've smitten all thy borders with frogs. Than I unleashed disease upon thy livestock (technically that came in pair with the frogs) and I've sent swarms of flies upon thee.
We can't really sprinkle boils all over the world, however a certain Skratti is helping us sprinkle a bit of frost. How's that preaching against the cold going btw? :)

Our Pretender is working up to thunder and hail atm, and we've a little short of nature gems for the locusts but we'll get around to it eventually. Lanks has also been gracious enough to tend to the darkness problem we were facing.
I'm probably going to have to skip smiting you with Lice though, technical difficulties, you understand.
That leaves us only with the death of the firstborn, which is up for debate on who the firstborn actually are; Yomi? Neifel Jarls?

The map is very pretty lookin' btw, but very impractical for MP. Adding a couple of port provinces could fix the connectivity issue. Though in this particular case I'm thankful for the lack of access point to me.:)

[Dogged57]

Did you Charm the guy who cast Illwinter and take over the global? I didn't realize that was possible.

[Executor]

Yeah, I charmed Illwinter Skratti, but tehnically you still hold the global. It's possible to steal a global holding commander but it isn't possible to steal the global itself under any circumstances. No matter what you do, the original global holder remains in control of it.

I wonder what will happen though once I kill you. Maybe the global will disappear or remain in control by a dead nation. :)

[Dogged57]

I have never seen anything like that. Should be fun to find out. Killing me shouldn't take typo much longer. :)

[Executor]

WL, I need some 12 hours on the turn please. My turn is mostly done but I don't have internet access home and probably won't have tonight either as it seems. I'll send it in tomorrow morning from elsewhere if I'm not able to send it tonight.

[WraithLord]

Hosting postponed for MemoriesOfIce by 12 hours. The game will now host at 10:38 GMT on Saturday September 29th.

[Dogged57]

Well, it looks like this'll be my last turn. Both fortresses are breached. Thanks for the game, gentlemen. As always, I've learned a lot from watching some damn good players. The heavy bless on the Niefel giants worked really well in that early-mid war against Abysia. I was surprised at how effective they were against fire flinging mages and heat-aura'ed hellspawn.

I could not seem to get the research going, though; mages are just too damn expensive to upkeep. I was way behind and continued to fall backwards while Pan managed to expand so effectively. The south was definitely more cramped than the north, and getting across the sea proved to be disastrous due to the deleterious effects of a few charming Pans. Congrats to whoever pulls this out. I'll keep my eye on it and poke my head in again when the winner finally emerges.

gg all.

[Executor]

deleterious effects of a few charming Pans.

Hey, I take offense to that!

The south was definitely more cramped than the north, and getting across the sea proved to be wonderous due to the beneficial, favorable and invigorating effects of a few charming Pans.

There. Fixed that for you! ;)

Thanks for playing it out till the end Dogged57! It's been a great game so far, at least for me, with everyone sticking it out to the end and refusing to die (yeah I'm looking at you CUnkowen:mad:).

BTW, WL, what the heck are you doing with you income? Patrolling the crap out of those caps? Half of your provinces are drowning in unrest and you're barely feeling it.

[CUnknown]

Ulm will never die!!!

Actually, I'm almost with Dogged57 here. I might have a few turns left. It has been a great game! Congrats, Executor, you're a total Dominions 3 badass! :D

[WraithLord]

Yeah, I'm patrolling a bit :)

GG Dogged57. Thanks for playing.

[Executor]

Need 6 hours on the turn WL. Nice job kicking my ars last turn btw.

[WraithLord]

Done.

Yeah, I got lucky I guess. And I know, absolutely know, that my *** is next in line for kicking :)

[WraithLord]

Executor has notified me he can't cont. playing :(
He suggests either conceding the game to me or finding a sub for him.

I asked Catquiet to vote which option he prefers. His vote is to concede the game to me.

So, it looks like the decision by the three active major powers is to concede the game.

I suggest caution here. There's no rush to close the game yet. Let's wait a day or two and see if someone has a change of heart or mind. Only if nothing changes then we can call this game over.

[Executor]

Sorry for not answering WL, some relatives are staying over with me for the annual book fair. I'll make a throughout post tomorrow to answer anything, especially why I'm dropping out.

[Executor]

Okay, finally,
Here's my original PM to WL, I think it explains everything;


Hello WL,
Would it be a terribly dick-y move if I backed out of the game at this point?
I would be very glad to proclaim you the winner or at the very least try to find a sub for me.

I don't think I have the stomach for MM intensive and very time consuming games any more. The last YARG game is still weighing down on me even though the new one is about to end soon.

In any case, I wouldn't mind playing it out if I had little or no actual chance of winning, the problem is I can actually win this and therefor need to put a much bigger effort in the game, and especially for the rest of the players too, you and Lanka.

Lately, the game has been becoming a chore instead of something I come home to relax to and have fun. Last turn I decided to bite a stale as I didn't have the energy to finish the turn at all, even with your flexible hosting schedule.
Might have something to do with the fact I've fought most nation in the game and now I seem to be facing an organized Lanka/C'tis alliance (nice touch on the UD this/last turn btw, didn't realize why Lanka put down the only thing keeping me from attacking him until I saw the turn a few hours ago.).

I don't like when people drop out or turn AI, especially now when it seems I suffered some serious loses for the first time, so I realize how ****ty a thing this is to do. I was nearly in the same situation at the end of last YARG when I *****ed at Rdonj how I wanted to drop out just a few turns before I won, but I managed to bite my tongue and play the game out. Not sure I can do the same here.

I find myself waiting as long as I can to actually start playing the turn, and I can't do it. It's fun playing against all players, one of the reasons I told Lanka several time to ignore the alliance we made and attack me with the rest if wanted to, but it's also exhausting.

What bothers me is that I'm doing what I hate when others do and I may very well be denying you the chance to kill me... legitimately? I guess..?

Please let me know what you think.

Pangaeas had two stales so I can try to find a sub still, not too much damage done. Even with Utter Dark cast last turn to negate my GoNB Pangaea is probably the top nation still. But I really don't think anyone would be masochistic enough to dive into this position now.
I've fought several nations in this game, 5 out of 7 to be precise, and it's been fun most of the time, esspecailly against Ulm, however the game has turned into a dreadful obligation for me, and frankly I don't care about winning games any more and putting in the numerous hours to do so for a game I'm not enjoying any more.
My vote is to proclaim winner the next best nation, that being C'tis/WL. So I guess you can call it WL seeing how it's really only you, Lanka and me left (not counting the remnants of Ulm).

[WraithLord]

Executor, I agree w/ your analysis. Catquiet thinks the same, that subbing into your position will be very difficult.
Pan does indeed have a good chance of winning but the effort to get there is insane.
I personally was looking fwd to having an epic, mega scale late game war w/ you but I also can't frankly say there's not part of me happy that the game ends instead of dragging on an on for months. That way a new exciting game can begin :)

So guys, it looks like this one is settled by consensus and the victory will go to Ctis by concession.

Thank you all for a suberb game. This game was rife w/ conflict and wars and to make it here one had to climb a pile of bodies.
Great game all. See you, hopefully, in the next game - which I plan to be balanced mod nations themed.

[WraithLord]

A random assortment of notes & impressions I have from this game:


My build:
ShadowFang, the God above All, God of Gods, Symbol of Unchallenged Victory, He Who Is at the Center
C'tis, Early Era
Manticore (Body 462, 155 hits)
No magic
Dominion 10
Scales: Order 3 Heat 3 Growth 3 Misfortune 2 Magic 1
Awake

I was happy w/ my choice until Mictlan's armies w/ D9 bless gave him all possible afflictions and more :doh:

After which we made peace

And then war once I realized expansion is not possible and the either Ctis or Mictlan can take our half of half of the world

Long and difficult war w/ Mictlan

Pan getting ever stronger

Fabulous to watch Pan+Lanka vs. Ulm war

Then Lanka and Ulm sign a peace agreement :eek:

Pan overrunning Niefel much faster than I expected :shock:

Finally getting to actual war w/ Pan. Was the best part of the game for me.

Not thinking even for one moment that I have a chance to win. Seriously, most of the time I was feeling like the underdog.

And finally, you got to love EA Ctis. It's dripping w/ flavor. Have excellent pros and crippling cons and really need attention to details and great care in order to thrive.