Hot Hot Heat [Game In Progress]

[AreaOfEffect]

Hot Hot Heat: Fight to the death. Moderate pacing. All skill levels allowed. Looking for players still. Post if you want to join. Pick a nation when you do. We go live when all pretenders are in.

New Old Rule: Any player who stales a total of 3 times in a 5 turn span will be removed from the game. If their position is good, I will attempt to find a replacement. If not, I will simply find someone to set them to AI.

Details:
-Middle Age Game
-No Graphs
-CMB 1.94 (thread for mod (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=49126)) (direct to ZIP (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12010&d=1347368740))
-Orania Meteor (no download needed)
-llamaserver (game page (http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Hot_Hot_Heat))
-All Other Setting Normal

Players (Nations)
-AreaOfEffect (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=9867) (Abysia) :dagger:
-Ashix (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/member.php?u=98960)(Ulm) :rip:
-Ossa (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=9937)(Shinuyama) :rip:
-Tiavals (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=7154)(Ashdod) :rip:
-ghoul31 (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=24578)(Ermor) :rip:
-Dsarvess (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=99368)(C'tis) :rip:
-YellowCactus (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=5950)(Mictlan) :dagger::dagger:
-Unoptimized (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=9991)(Pythium)
-Lumix19 (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=98518)(T'ien Ch'i)
-HoleyDooley (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=98256)(Vanheim)
-Minden (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/sendmessage.php?do=mailmember&u=99240) sub Jolly Roger(Machaka)
-statttis (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=13251) sub Ashix (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=98960)(Atlantis) :dagger:
-Shardphoenix (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=98479)(Man)
-googly1 (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/member.php?u=98896)(Pangaea) :dagger:

Symbol Key: Defeated :rip:, AI Controlled :computer:, Player Kill** :dagger:, Winner :trophy:

*The number of players will determine the map I choose. There is a large selection of the Alexander maps which can accommodate any mixture of water and land nations in the 16 to 20 player range. Adjustments will be made if needed.

**The player who is defeated picks the player who killed them dead the most.

[Ashix]

I'm in! I'd like Ulm, please.

[Ossa]

Bakenobo please

[AreaOfEffect]

Bakenobo please

Do you mean Shinuyama, Land of the Bakemono?

[Tiavals]

Ashdod for me.

Why CBM 1.92 though? Shouldn't we use 1.94?

[ghoul31]

Ermor

[Dsarvess]

This'll be my first Multiplayer game, but.... If that's alright with y'all, can I pick up C'Tis, Miasma?

[YellowCactus]

I would like to play....Mictlan!

[Unoptimized]

I will throw in my hat for MA Pyth, if you would be so kind.

[AreaOfEffect]

Ashdod for me.

Why CBM 1.92 though? Shouldn't we use 1.94?

Didn't know it was updated. I'll look into it.

[Lumix19]

I would like to play as T'ien Ch'i please.

[AreaOfEffect]

Read the changelogs for 1.93 and 1.94. Not that different for Middle-age games. Ulm apparently gets a slight nerf. I get to summon scorpion kings earlier. Nothing big though.

Apparently the changes buffed LA Man a lot. Sucks cause I'm playing them in a 1.92 game right now. Meh, it would make me OP though. I'm doing quite well as is.

Updated game to CBM 1.94

[HoleyDooley]

Machaka thanks.

[HoleyDooley]

Sorry, change to Vanheim thanks.

[Minden]

Machaka please.

[Tiavals]

Just noticed that the llamaserver game is still at 1.92 CBM. Might want to change that as well.

[AreaOfEffect]

Just noticed that the llamaserver game is still at 1.92 CBM. Might want to change that as well.

Thanks. Fixed.

[Tiavals]

I'm guessing it's okay to upload pretenders now?

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm guessing it's okay to upload pretenders now?

Yup. Anytime after you announce you willingness to play.

[YellowCactus]

Bump! Bump!

This is going to be a fine game of total distrust-ion. Come bring your game face and play with us!

[statttis]

I'll join as Atlantis.

[AreaOfEffect]

Thanks for the bump YellowCactus.

That said, I don't want to hold up the slaughter for the eleven players who have signed up so far. I will start as soon all pretenders are up and I'll just go with an appropriate map.

Currently I'm looking at AomOrc as our map. It has 10 fixed land and 2 water starts and I've always wanted to play on it.

[Dsarvess]

Do you have a link to the version of AomOrc we'll be running? I don't want to download the wrong version by mistake. ^_^;

[AreaOfEffect]

Do you have a link to the version of AomOrc we'll be running? I don't want to download the wrong version by mistake. ^_^;

There is still no guarantee that AomOrc is the map we will being using just yet. I haven't closed enrollment just yet. Here's the link to the map's forum topic anyhow:

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com//showthread.php?t=31509

[Shardphoenix]

Is it still possible to join? I really want to play MA Man, but there are not too many MA games around... :(

[AreaOfEffect]

Is it still possible to join? I really want to play MA Man, but there are not too many MA games around... :(

Sure thing. We'll fit you in somehow.

[googly1]

Hi I would like to play as pangaea.

[AreaOfEffect]

Its been a long enough pause without any activity. I've closed enrollment. Submit your pretenders now and we can be rolling in turns by the weekend, if not sooner.

[AreaOfEffect]

The map I've choosen will be played on orania_meteor, which has 14 fixed land starts and random sea starts. It should only require the original Orania map, which comes with your standard install of Dominions 3. So no download needed, or so I believe.

[statttis]

My capital (in the water) has 0 population and no neighbors...

[AreaOfEffect]

What?!

[AreaOfEffect]

Apparently, someone has decided to make a map where none of the water provinces connect to each other. Which, by the way, ought to have been listed as one of its features. Instead, it says, and I quote, "Note that sea nations can still play on this map, they just won't have fixed start positions." Not actually true.

I'm going to restart the game and change the map. Sorry everyone.

[AreaOfEffect]

I've updated the original post so that the player names link to either sending them a private message or an email. Private messages took priority. This should make it easier to message other players.

Ashix and googly1 do not have their privates messages active or an email associated with their accounts. Please update me in the future when that is no longer the case.

[AreaOfEffect]

I've also updated the hosting interval to 27 hours. This should help those who want to submit turns on a regular daily schedule.

[YellowCactus]

Ashix, please check your forum account options and enable private messaging. This will allow you to receive messages out of game.

[Tiavals]

How did you manage to get so many devils so fast AOE? Awake researcher god?

[AreaOfEffect]

Perhaps...

Yes. An awake pretender would be a good start I think. Though I must admit, to generate a large number of devils so early in the game would require you to give up valuable time with your national mages, something that most people would not recommend, Baalz in particular. I'll indulge though since your interested in the prospect.

I guess it really comes down to weighing the longer term results versus the short term. You could invest blood slaves into contracts and have your god craft them with only two levels of research. By now I suppose you could have generated, at best, 3 to 5 devils. The real stop gap here is blood slave generation, which conflicts directly with gold generation. The real plus here is that you have a greater amount of total research and a long term supply of devils.

If you went with brute casting devils one at a time, you could in theory keep your god researching. Depending on whether or not you took drain or magic scales, and depending on what pretender you choose, he could amount to the same research as say 4-6 of your national mages. I guess that means that one contract is worth about 5 devils in research. The real gain by brute casting is that you could have a lot more devils in the early stage of the game. Perhaps say, and mind you this would just be a stab in the dark, 17 devils. That would be enough devils to reach their critical mass in effectiveness. A sound strategy for an early rush/mobile expansion.

Though honestly, it sounds like a foolish strategy for the long term. Unless of course there was more to your strategy then just early devils...

[HoleyDooley]

Thanks for the in depth explanation AOE.

Though next time could you phrase it so that idiots like me can understand it!

For example.

Turds smell:down:...ice creams don't.:up:

Thanks in advance.:smirk:

My favourite acronym is KISS!

Keep It Simple Stupid.

HD

[Tiavals]

I'm guessing it will pay off this time, considering you've pretty much taken all of my territory. :)

Thanks for the analysis.

[YellowCactus]

An army of devils.....and taken out a neighbor by turn 12....

The downside to this strategy is.....?

200 lost research points?

[HoleyDooley]

Just fyi... I posted this in the Petrified thread.

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

statttis has staled the last 2 turns whist still submitting turns in HOT Hot.

This is a totally stupid thing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sick of wankers doing this as soon as things go south in a game.

[Tiavals]

Turned myself AI since I have only an empty castle left.

I never do well with this line of giants. It's sad, since they're my favourite. :)

Thanks for the game folks.

[AreaOfEffect]

Thanks for playing Tiavals. I feel a little bad for stomping a player out so early. Its actually the first timeI've done such a thing. Next time I will get mine for sure.

As a side note. To he-who-has-done-a-foolish-thing, I know who you are and I'm coming for you next. There will be blood for what you have done.

[ghoul31]

4 on 1? Seriously?

I should just go ai now

[ghoul31]

I hate playing in games where everyone is a complete and total coward.

[AreaOfEffect]

4 on 1 sounds like insurmountable odds. Not very sporting. I can understand that MA Ermor can be a bother to deal with once they get rolling, but people might be overreacting just a little bit.

Who are you opponents?

[ghoul31]

Van, pangea, shin, and mictlan

[YellowCactus]

Have you tried diplomacy Ghoul? I'm sure Mictlan could be talked into some agreement. Sheriff BoB is a straight shooter!

[Ashix]

Pangaea, Machaka, Shinuyama.... have some Ulm land! Maybe you can snag some of it before triple-bless Mictlan gets to my earth-gem fountain capital.

My first two multiplayer games ever have been squashed by a triple-bless Mictlan both times. I hope this doesn't get to be a perpetual theme.

Ciao!

[YellowCactus]

Hi Ashix,
I didn't notice the pattern. Sorry for that. Hope you enjoy Multiplayer. It's the cat's meeoowww!

Next game, I'm totally leaving you alone! I did try to contact you before I invaded. You and Ghoul were the only neighbors I attacked, so I'm not totally crazy aggressive. I'm just a misunderstood wasteland tribal...that's all.

[Shardphoenix]

4 on 1 sounds like insurmountable odds. Not very sporting. I can understand that MA Ermor can be a bother to deal with once they get rolling, but people might be overreacting just a little bit.
My guess is that Ghoul`s reputation is backfiring on him.

[ghoul31]

4 on 1 sounds like insurmountable odds. Not very sporting. I can understand that MA Ermor can be a bother to deal with once they get rolling, but people might be overreacting just a little bit.
My guess is that Ghoul`s reputation is backfiring on him.

My reputation is that I always treat everyone fairly. I never attack people 2 on one.

The fact is some people are just cowards and and suck at this game, and could never win a fight one on one.

[Shardphoenix]

Well, this game isn`t about fighting one on one... Mostly. %)

[googly1]

I will be away for the next 3 days from tomorrow. Can we please wait for me to come back.
Thanks.

[AreaOfEffect]

I will be away for the next 3 days from tomorrow. Can we please wait for me to come back.
Thanks.

Sure thing. We will delay for 72 hours. That should be more then enough time.

[AreaOfEffect]

Updated the original post to show who was defeated, who went AI, and to give myself a dagger. I actually didn't remember seeing C'tis go as AI, anyone have news about that?

[HoleyDooley]

Okay I'm pretty big on nailing people when they do the wrong thing. So here I would like to point out "fighting it to end is worth it".

Ghoul, and I hope this is a new trend he will continue with, did not go AI and now has a large and nasty army sitting in amongst a host of different nations all hoping for some easy prey.

Sure, he is out of this game but holding up everyone else is I'm sure putting some plans behind schedule. Plus the fact that you get some satisfaction in doing this...I know I do.

In another game where someone went AI in the first 12 turns, and DEFENDED his actions as NOT unbalancing the game!!!!!! I was also at that time gone for all money but fought it out.

I managed to kill 60 (mostly good giants) Jotun Giants and his Immortal pretender whilst defending my capital. I wonder how hard the opponents of the AI guy had to fight for his capital? Did they even have to fight for it?

Had Ghoul gone AI when he said he would, his nation would already be just a page in history, but right now, its a fearsome force.

[AreaOfEffect]

Looks like the server has the hick-ups.

[HoleyDooley]

Okay...we need to hold this game up NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

statttis...the turd has bailed on three...yes three games he is playing in, which, I believe is a 100% record of his current games.

He has staled his last two turns in this games and his position is good, at least in this game.

Thus we need to find a replacement ASAP as opposed to trying to find one when his position is hopeless.

He has NOT visited this forum since 17 October...and unfortunately I am sure he will resurface and continue to play Dom 3 with the crapy staling he has done previously under a new name.

HD

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm establishing a new policy, which is actually an old policy. I've hosted games in the past and for some reason forgot all about this rule and why it so important to announce it ahead of time.

Rule: Any player who stales a total of 3 times in a 5 turn span will be removed from the game. If their position is good, I will attempt to find a replacement. If not, I will simply find someone to set them to AI.

That said, Atlantis does not yet qualify for this rule just yet. It is an old rule and I will not change it or hold up the game this turn. Though it looks as if I will have to take action come the end of this turn if you are correct.

[AreaOfEffect]

I will now search for a replacement for Atlantis.

[HoleyDooley]

Thx AOE, I know I get a it hot under the collar at times, but damn, why do people want to play in a multi player game if they don't want to respect the other players and play the game out?

Which is exactly what they would expect other people to do if they themselves were in a strong position and others in a weak position?

[AreaOfEffect]

Holey, your not the first to be frustrated by such practices. Baalz created a pledge for other player to take just for the purpose of getting together a pool of players who wouldn't do such things.

I've delayed the game 48 hour while I look for replacement for Atlantis. I've started by contacting former players of the game first.

[Ashix]

Hello sweet world,

Atlantis desires nothing more than to be a peaceful community among such great nations.

That said, if you would like to ensure that your coastal provinces are not viewed as potential acquisitions, please PM me to discuss NAPs.

I will give everyone the benefit of a doubt and three turns of peace for the time being, since I have no idea what your previous treaties with Atlantis were.

Mictlan, I forgive you for attacking me AGAIN. :angel

-A

[Sluagh]

googly1, if you're around, we need you to send the password for Mictlan in Middle Age Crisis to Smeghead, our sub. You seem to have PMs disabled.

[YellowCactus]

Hello Ashix!
Good to have you in the game as Atlantis. Your position is secure from Mictlan. We will be honored to trade with the true lord of the seas!
-Mictlan

[YellowCactus]

Mictlan has all gem types for trade. We are seeking research items.

Thanks!

[HoleyDooley]

Okay, googly1 has bailed in Middle Age Crisis game. They have made repeated requests for him to give them his password so as to set his nation to AI...without response.

I suggest we hold this game up until Googly1 can assure us he will stay the distance in this game and NOT bail as soon as his position looks bad. That will make finding a replacement difficult.

He just lost a big battle to Ermor, including having his pretender killed.

His account shows he has visited the forums today, so I don't see what the issue with him NOT helping out the admin in Middle Age Crisis with his password considering he just dropped the game like a hot potato.

[Unoptimized]

Argh. I am very sorry about the recent stales. My labwork has been particularly demanding lately. Can we move up to a 48 hour time limit? It seems a bit crazy to still be on one turn a day.

[AreaOfEffect]

I had moved us to 32 hours already. I'm okay with moving to 48 if it means that everyone can get their turns in.

[Ossa]

Please find a replacement for me. I'm not going to continue this game and I'm further not going to play in any game where YellowCactus is taking part.

I do not mind being ambushed by a nation I'm NAPed to - that's what machiavellian rules are for (I assume we have them in this game). It sucks if it happens to you, but that's just a part of the game which spices things up.

While preparing my moves to contain the damage I wrote Yellow a message, just to make sure he did this on purpose instead of just having forgotten the NAP - in which case we still could just duke it out or return the our previous borders.

As it happens, he answers that we were not NAPed, shortly followed by a message that he found the message with the accepted NAP and that he was willing to honor it and retreat his troops. I redo my orders, and it turns out he didnt, continueing the attack.

So whats the deal? I'm going to loose, no problem. What I do mind is the way he handled this feigned apology.

Congratulate him for his supert diplo skills, condemn him - I dont care. I'm pissed off and I'm not going to submit any turns for this game anymore.


So please find a replacement. I got con-8, good income, lots of fortresses. I dont think I can fight Mictlan off at this point though, so you can just set the goblins to ai.

[ghoul31]

what a joke, you attack me 4 on one and you think that's ok.

But someone breaks a NAP with you so you quit the game?


gimme a break

[HoleyDooley]

lol.................

[YellowCactus]

Yea...I'm probably goin to hell for that one.

[AreaOfEffect]

There has been a great deal of flat out lies in this game from my own experience. I started getting messages about unrest in my provinces some time ago. Some people may not know this, but a person attacked by spies gets a very obvious message that spies are at work.

The likely culprits out of my neighbors were Tein Chi and Man. Fortunately for them, the two stats that are best for patrolling are my two weakest stats on all my regular troops. So I went to war with the most likely of the two neighbors, Tein Chi. Tein Chi asked why I went to war and I told them. This is part where the flat out lie comes into play. Tein Chi denied sending spies.

Sure enough, the unrest event stops for a turn. Rather then convince me to stop, I'm even more convinced I'm right and continue to push. Sure enough the unrest continues and I finally catch one of the sneaky bastards. Surprise, Tien Chi was responsible. It also didn't help their case that I got consistent hurricanes on my capitol all of a sudden to compound my unrest problems.

The only part that makes me feel okay about such outright lies was my disbelief in them at the time. Had I for some reason trusted Tein Chi, started a war with Man, and then found out I had been duped into starting a two front war, I might be just as angry as Ossa.

Yellow's way of doing things is rather unsavory. How about this. Instead of quitting the game, how about you and I, along with several of our other players, push out the big bad nation of Mictlan from this game. Honestly, I don't like the way Yellow plays MA Mictlan anyhow, which happens to be one of my favorite nations to play as. Triple-bless has no finesse. Are there any other player's who would like to join this open alliance against Mictlan?

[Lumix19]

There has been a great deal of flat out lies in this game from my own experience. I started getting messages about unrest in my provinces some time ago. Some people may not know this, but a person attacked by spies gets a very obvious message that spies are at work.

The likely culprits out of my neighbors were Tein Chi and Man. Fortunately for them, the two stats that are best for patrolling are my two weakest stats on all my regular troops. So I went to war with the most likely of the two neighbors, Tein Chi. Tein Chi asked why I went to war and I told them. This is part where the flat out lie comes into play. Tein Chi denied sending spies.

Sure enough, the unrest event stops for a turn. Rather then convince me to stop, I'm even more convinced I'm right and continue to push. Sure enough the unrest continues and I finally catch one of the sneaky bastards. Surprise, Tien Chi was responsible. It also didn't help their case that I got consistent hurricanes on my capitol all of a sudden to compound my unrest problems.

The only part that makes me feel okay about such outright lies was my disbelief in them at the time. Had I for some reason trusted Tein Chi, started a war with Man, and then found out I had been duped into starting a two front war, I might be just as angry as Ossa.

Yellow's way of doing things is rather unsavory. How about this. Instead of quitting the game, how about you and I, along with several of our other players, push out the big bad nation of Mictlan from this game. Honestly, I don't like the way Yellow plays MA Mictlan anyhow, which happens to be one of my favorite nations to play as. Triple-bless has no finesse. Are there any other player's who would like to join this open alliance against Mictlan?

Indeed, what AoE says is true but I was concerned when he annihilated Ashdod in the first 12 turns (and I had no idea Instill unrest was not anonymous) which (I hope) is not an unfounded fear. I do apologise for my lies, it certainly wasn't honourable conduct but (not to sound unrepentant) all warfare is based on deception and considering your tremendous power it seemed illogical to not seek an advantage over you or escape a war if possible.
"...if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force." - Excerpt from The Art of War by Sun Tzu

[YellowCactus]

Bring it on, Sissies!

[AreaOfEffect]

Giants are easy once you have an answer to them. If you don't have the right tool they seem impossible to beat. I didn't have incredible power, just the right kind of power. You will note that none of the strategies I employed against Ashdod worked against you.

I only attacked Ashdod because A) they can be a quite the force to deal with later on and B) he was extremely close to my capitol. Its actually the closeness of his capitol that gave me the one edge I needed. I could fly troops from my capitol, fresh with slaves, and reach his capitol in the next turn. I could claim this advantage against no other nation.

[AreaOfEffect]

As a side note, who gets the dagger for defeating Ulm? Is it you Yellow?

[YellowCactus]

This game Mictlan has had battles with Van, Ermor, Man, Ulm, Shinuyama and Atlantis. Mictlan did invade and conquer Ulm, so yes. On a civil note, I do not begrudge Ossa her anger at me. Since she has brought our diplomacy to the forum, I will give my side. Ossa was roundabout in agreeing to a NAP3. I never felt secure with our border. (One province from my capitol). She was lying about the location of her armies and calling me her ally. Allies don't misdirect each other. So I invaded and used Ossa's tactics because I'm a morally corrupt American, and that's what we do.

[Lumix19]

Triple-bless has no finesse. Are there any other player's who would like to join this open alliance against Mictlan?

I actually don't have an issue with Yellow's triple bless. Not to insult you Yellow but I saw a small squad of his Eagle Warriors (blessed) go up against the Vine Army that sprouted in one his provinces. He got trashed and his warriors, despite their triple bless, we're killed. Although I will admit that it was a small army it still seems quite telling. Again no offence Yellow but it seems to me that Eagle Warriors are a bit fragile for such a strategy, Jaguar Warriors are much better of course but their capital only. Also his god and dominion must have suffered quite a bit to get a triple bless so...
But then again I'm not much of an authority on this subject considering I'm quite a distance from the Mictlan/Shinuyama conflict.

[AreaOfEffect]

For me, the real unit to look at when your glancing over Mictlan are the Nahualli. Possibly one of the best recruit-anywhere support mages in the game. When you go triple-bless, you deny yourself the opportunity to utilize these units in mass because of bad scales. Though I also concur that each play style has its strengths. It is easier for players to play to those strengths when their personality matches with the play-style itself.

[YellowCactus]

I've got two jobs, two kids, and too little time for micromanagement in games. Triple bless is an awesome time saving device. Build the holy units, bless them, send them out to die. Make some friends, make some enemies, have fun. That's the plan.

[HoleyDooley]

Yeah, AOE is a good guy and I suspect his earlier comments re YC was more over the treachery than using a triple bless is cheesy.

In fact I don't recall reading on the forums any pretender build labeled as cheesy.

You get four guys and ask them to design a pretender on the same nation and you will most likely get four very different builds.

[AreaOfEffect]

It seems the attempt to get Ossa to stay may have failed. I've put up a request for a replacement. The enticement of an alliance was simply not enough. I retract my call for alliance and go back to smashing and killing in the usual manner. Rage smash kill bash.

[HoleyDooley]

Thats the good ole AOE I know. Welcome back.

[AreaOfEffect]

Game delayed by 24 hours while I look for that replacement.

HD, :).

[AreaOfEffect]

I would like to formally congratulate Lumix on a wonderful display of ranged destruction and on executing quite well one of my favorite strategies. I've always been keen on the classic reverse communion. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was fighting myself. My upcoming commands now have my commanders scrambling across the map to form the shape of a god damn spider's web. You've prompted quite a bit of restructuring and promoted utter chaos.

Well done Lumix, well done. I will now get the utmost satisfaction from harvesting your capitol's gem supply from over your rotting unburied corpse. But seriously, I'm have a lot of fun.

[YellowCactus]

What did he do? I can't do a communion, let alone a reverse communion. My wife won't even let me on a skateboard. Share...share...share!

[AreaOfEffect]

Tein Chi deployed 2 communion masters, and 8 communion slaves in a reverse communion. The key spells that the masters used where summon earth power and power of the spheres. The 8 communion slaves, buffed to have a skill of 3 in earth and 2 in astral, now summoned a hail of meteors to wipe out most of my army. Meanwhile, crossbow men basically took care of the rest. Good times were had by all.

[Lumix19]

I would like to formally congratulate Lumix on a wonderful display of ranged destruction and on executing quite well one of my favorite strategies. I've always been keen on the classic reverse communion. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was fighting myself. My upcoming commands now have my commanders scrambling across the map to form the shape of a god damn spider's web. You've prompted quite a bit of restructuring and promoted utter chaos.

Well done Lumix, well done. I will now get the utmost satisfaction from harvesting your capitol's gem supply from over your rotting unburied corpse. But seriously, I'm have a lot of fun.

Thank you, it was quite a spectacle. I do enjoy reverse communions and Imperial Geomancers were perfect for the Gifts from Heaven strategy.

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm going to make a public bargain with the nation of Man since he or she doesn't seem to respond to private messages.

Dear Man, go home. Not for my sake, but for yours. Me and Tien Chi are having a meaningful war where each person is learning quite a bit about what the other is capable of. I respect Lumix as an opponent and would not want to divide my time away from a worthy opponent. I will destroy all your dudes. I will fight you back to our original borders and stop. If you stop attacking at that point, then I won't be forced to take your unguarded temples from you and raze them to the ground.

[Lumix19]

Very nice work Abysia. You just managed to wipe out my only notable army with... bloodletting? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought it only did 1 point of damage with each casting. It seemed to do a lot more then that.

[AreaOfEffect]

Its armor negating and starts with 1 point of damage, but every damage roll gets a DMR minus another DMR. In some cases, units got hit but didn't take damage because the second roll was higher, but in just as many other cases the rolls swung the other way and you took the damage difference plus 1. Since the rolls are open ended, that could amount to a lot of damage for those who rolled poorly. Due to the nature of the game mechanics, the average damage per unit hit is actually greater then 1. That is mostly because units that roll really well on defense are no better then units who just barely avoided taking damage.

[Shardphoenix]

Dear Man, go home. Not for my sake, but for yours. I`ve over-recruited a little bit and now need to spend those units somewhere. And you are one of two bloodsacrificing nations in the age (bloodsacrifice can be VERY powerful later on, esp. when none of your enemies can do it). So, I`d better help TC to kill you off.

[AreaOfEffect]

(bloodsacrifice can be VERY powerful later on, esp. when none of your enemies can do it).

I don't know what you mean by "later on", I just beat Tien Chi down with little more then a one-armed cripple. (I could have used a healthier unit, but I liked the imagery too much to bother.)

[Lumix19]

I dislike your arrogance Abysia, it doesn't become you.

[AreaOfEffect]

Its true. You are very much a threat and I need to express that better.

[Lumix19]

Its true. You are very much a threat and I need to express that better.

No, no that's not what I meant. My power (and ability to threaten) has long since waned. I was simply asking you to cut out some of the arrogance in your tone that's all.

[YellowCactus]

Oh! Smack talk! I love it!!! If you can't stand the heat, get out of Abysia!!!

:doh: Just teasing Fellas!

[AreaOfEffect]

Alright, before I forget, who get the special shiny dagger for felling Ermor? If memory serves me correctly, there is more then one party involved.

[HoleyDooley]

You can put it down mostly to Pan.....others just chipped away. Pan did 90% of the damage in two huge battles one of which Pans pretender went down.

[AreaOfEffect]

Dagger awarded to Pan then. Thanks for the info.

Edit: Also noted that Shin is now AI. Sad but true.

[Unoptimized]

Hey, can we have a 12 hour extension if you please? My labwork will run long tomorrow.

[AreaOfEffect]

Damn Scientists. 12 hour extension granted.

[Shardphoenix]

I wonder, if using trolls as a bait for combat magic qualify as trolling?

[AreaOfEffect]

Well done shardpheonix. It appears I just don't have an answer to the superior units your fielding. I would not be surprised to find myself being booted from the game permanently in the near future.

[YellowCactus]

Really? Wow! What's he trolling with? Share your bloody wars guys!

[AreaOfEffect]

Yellow, I'm not trolling. I have honestly not devised a solution to the masses of Knights that Man is fielding. Perhaps I'll devise a play-by-play later on today.

[YellowCactus]

Yea, I saw those Knights riding by the Mictlan Border and thought.....That's a LARGE group of Knights!

Man has about 3 times your income. But I'm betting Abysia is blood hunting....Add Flames and those Knights bake in their own armor shells...Sort of "Personal Pan-Man".

[AreaOfEffect]

According to the rules I should replace or set Man to AI. Disappointing since he was a great opposition to myself.

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm delaying the turn for 12 hours. This is to see if Shardphoenix will submit a turn and to give me 24 hours to find someone willing to replace him if he doesn't.

[YellowCactus]

Good luck there! It's been a great game!

[Unoptimized]

If we could have an additional 12 hours of delay, I would appreciate it.

[AreaOfEffect]

If we could have an additional 12 hours of delay, I would appreciate it.

Delay Granted. 12 more hours. My pardon to those who have been waiting for the next turn so eagerly.

[AreaOfEffect]

Alright, who's taking credit for the C'tis. I got a dagger with your name on it.

[Ashix]

Stabby rip stab stab!

I took C'tis capitol and killed his pretender, does that count even though he was AI?

[AreaOfEffect]

Alright, I've finally updated the original post. The nations of C'tis and Shinuyama are no listed as defeated. I've already asked about C'tis and Atlantis has claimed the dagger with no contention.

I want to say it is Mictlan that gets the dagger for Shin. Am I wrong in assuming so?

[YellowCactus]

I would give Shin the dagger for Shin...

Mictlan did very little to destroy that strong nation. (Other then lie, cheat and steal...)

[Ossa]

Mictlan should definitly get it.

[AreaOfEffect]

Ossa's say is final. Congrats Yellow.

[AreaOfEffect]

Merry Christmas. And because of the holiday, I'm giving myself a 24 hour extension. Happy holidays.

[Unoptimized]

With the new year coming, can I get a 48 hour extension?

[AreaOfEffect]

Extension granted. Happy New Year.

[Ashix]

Can I get a 24 hour extension? My main computer is a bit... toasty at the moment and my poor netbook can't handle Dominion (sad, I know, says a lot for its processing power).

[AreaOfEffect]

I granted the extension yesterday but didn't bother to announce it. Extension granted.

[Unoptimized]

Sorry, I need a 24 hour extension. This science won't do itself! :D

[AreaOfEffect]

Extension Granted.

[Unoptimized]

Blorg. Once again, I will need 24 hours. Apologies.

[AreaOfEffect]

Blorg. Once again, I will need 24 hours. Apologies.

Postponement granted.

[YellowCactus]

Should we start looking for a sub for Machaka? He hasn't taken a turn in 5 days...

Parone would be my choice, if it comes to subs.

Sorry Machaka if I'm jumping the gun.

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm going to stand by my rule of three stales in five rounds before I do something. Besides, he is primarily in a war with Pythium, who has apparently not submitted a turn in a period just as long. Call it the calm before the storm starts again.

[YellowCactus]

Yes, but Pan has invaded Machaka from the other side, which may have caused Machaka to quit. We'll have wait and see as you say. The player only has 2 posts on the forums, my magic eight-ball is foretelling dire portents!

[YellowCactus]

Abyssia has broken our NAP and attacked with Atlantis. Those B*stards! Hehe. (just teasing, I'm happy to fight you)

You guys are goin down!

Pan, Pythium, Vanheim, send me your terms for peace!

[Lumix19]

Abyssia has broken our NAP and attacked with Atlantis. Those B*stards! Hehe. (just teasing, I'm happy to fight you)

You guys are goin down!

Pan, Pythium, Vanheim, send me your terms for peace!

Sorry to say this YC but you didn't really help your cause when you cast Arcane Nexus, it's one of those spells that you don't cast unless you're sure of your victory.

[AreaOfEffect]

Sorry Yellow. I was pretty sure we had an NAP only to turn 50, which we passed 6 rounds ago. If I had thought that you wanted a literal NAP 50, then I would have either said no, or made the NAP and then canceled thereafter.

Edit: Still, considering your size and advantages, you needed to be taken down a notch. Especially when you started being opportunistic about the Machaka situation, which I can now rectify.

[YellowCactus]

No need to start lawyering AoE. A simple "You got too big" is fine. For the record, you broke our NAP, just like I broke the NAP with Ossa.

[YellowCactus]

I may need a few hours added to this turn's deadline. Scripting mages for anti-slayer will be time consuming...hehe.

[AreaOfEffect]

I may need a few hours added to this turn's deadline. Scripting mages for anti-slayer will be time consuming...hehe.

Extra time granted. I added 24 hours for you and to give me time to find a sub for Machaka. I put up more then one request this time, perhaps someone will bite this time.

[YellowCactus]

Thanks man, Times is hard! But I'll get the turn in. Meanie

[AreaOfEffect]

Yellow, yes I'm a meanie, and proud of it.

Everyone, I would like you to welcome Jolly Roger to the game. The player has been so kind as to sub for Machaka. I'm sure half the players here are at war with Machaka, and may welcome the player in their own special way. You know, with knives and swords and such.

[Lumix19]

I for one will welcome Jolly Roger with my appreciation and thanks for subbing in, others may have some enmity with Machaka but I'm simply pleased they aren't AI. Thanks Roger! :)

[Unoptimized]

Oh, I am pleased as well! Also, could I have a 12 hour extension if you would be so kind?

[AreaOfEffect]

Edit: Wrong forum. opps.

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks for the warm welcome.
Seems like I have to clean Machaka Empire from hordes of Invaders,
even you my dear YC.....:)
However my predecessor left plenty of stuff to give you hell...:evil:

Have fun,

Klaus

[AreaOfEffect]

Oh, I am pleased as well! Also, could I have a 12 hour extension if you would be so kind?

No!

[AreaOfEffect]

Oh, I am pleased as well! Also, could I have a 12 hour extension if you would be so kind?

No!

Just Kidding. Extension granted.

[YellowCactus]

This was all a BIG mis-understanding!

I surrender!

[AreaOfEffect]

Needed more time. So I extended the turn by 12 hours. And when I say extended, I mean I made the interval 60 hours from now on. It only makes sense since I'm always postponing the turn anyhow.

[Unoptimized]

Hello everyone! First of all, thank you very much with your patience with my delays and stales. I'm right in the beginning of a very complicated and arduous project whilst preparing for qualifying exams :).

That said, we have a bit of an issue. Not to talk about Mictlan as if you were not there (Hi Yellow Cactus, I think you are swell!) but we need to talk about Mictlan. Arcane Nexus is pretty bad.

I have a god sitting at astral 9 and I tried giving it a dispel with 47 gems extra, and it did not work, which gave me a case of the frowns. If people would be willing to contribute astral gems, I can use them for a single awesome dispel attempt.

Secondly, we should probably make with the peace and the taking out Mictlan. This goes double for you, Pangea :).

Let me know if you want to contribute to my dispel attempt, and have an excellent evening. Again Yellow, sorry for the call to arms, but your position is really strong. Without a concerted attack you may well win. Even WITH said attack, you may well win.

[YellowCactus]

Booo!!!!!

I'm a team player though. Sending 50 astral gems!

[Unoptimized]

Well, now you've done it. My brain is leaking from my ears. I hope you are happy.

[YellowCactus]

Sounds like a case of astral herpies! A responsible god would inform his partners of infection!

[AreaOfEffect]

I just got to see an assassination attempt devolve into a battle of rockem sockem robots. Hilarity issued. Bonus, my bot won.

[YellowCactus]

Yea, your winning the assassination wars about 8-3...hehe

Good ol' rock, nothin beats that! (Bart Simpson quote)

[AreaOfEffect]

Is it me, or did CBM break caves and caves fortresses so that they don't come with darkness?

[Lumix19]

Is it me, or did CBM break caves and caves fortresses so that they don't come with darkness?

Yeah, what I heard is that Darkness was removed from caves/cave fortresses because it made some nations too OP, I know Agartha was one of them since it's troops had dark vision.

[AreaOfEffect]

Sorry guys (and possibly gals). I'm at a convention this weekend. I'll need to delay the game until Monday.

Turn Delayed 48 hours.

[YellowCactus]

Oh Poop!

[YellowCactus]

Awesome battle between Van and Pan in the Hoberg province this turn! I'm wondering about the ending though. Did the turn limit cheat Van of victory? What happens to his troops?

Basically Pan retreats, and one paraylized unit is left on the field. Van slowly surrounds the lone Paraylized unit, then something odd happens....the battle ends. Strategic map shows Pan in control of the province with 1 unit.

Did Van's army die? I wouldn't know if it retreated because of scout deficiency...

[HoleyDooley]

Some scum bag auto recruit leader is on hide and summons troops at the end of the turn and thus he gets to own it still.

[YellowCactus]

Haha! That sucks!

Pan-Van are pretty evenly matched. You guys will have a slugfest if your hearts are in it! (Hope no-one stales. Only half players submitted turns with only 4 hours to go...)

[googly1]

This game is taking up a lot of my time!

[googly1]

So Yellow Cactus posted this:
Awesome battle between Van and Pan in the Hoberg province this turn.

Unfortunately I, Pan, missed this turn and so didnt see the battle. I would be curious to know what happened. Is there some way that I can view past turns?

[Unoptimized]

Sorry, the qualifying exam has been eating my life a little bit. The hour is late, but a 24 hour time extension would be appreciated.

[YellowCactus]

Unoptimized, AoE has been away for the past 2 turns.

Googly1, Um...from what I saw it was mutual annihilation. Van effectively used Confusion on your masses. You might try Army of Lead to stop the magic attacks next time. Your guys chewed up Van's holy units through sheer mass with Army of Gold granting high protection.

Hope that helps!

[Unoptimized]

I could still use that extension, incidentally. With luck he will be around today :)

[AreaOfEffect]

Sorry for my absence. I have been wrapped up in both work related and non-work related activities. I'm sorry if this severely impacted other people's turns.

I will make a more conscience effort to administer this game fully from here on.

Considering googly1's comment, I think it is appropriate to extend the turns to a full 3 days. If more time is needed, considering some armies are clearly larger then my own, then please don't hesitate to say so. Thank you for your patients.

Edit: Hosting interval moved to 72 hours.

[AreaOfEffect]

I will have to excuse both Atlantis and Pythium of the stales in recent turns. This is especially true of Pythium since Unoptimized in fact made a request for more time, which I regret was not fulfilled. I on the other hand have no recourse for excuse.

I will submit this turn. I will then allow myself and all of you to determine if I should go AI for the betterment of the game. My position is weak and not worth handing over to another in my honest opinion.

[YellowCactus]

You have fought tooth and Nail!

[googly1]

Hi thanks for extending the time so we have an extra day to do our turns.

I must say I am new to multiplayer dominions and am blown away by how awesome it is. I cant wait to start a new game with an optimised team.

[AreaOfEffect]

Pythium is once again in danger of staling. I'm postponing this turn and am now in search of substitutes.

[Unoptimized]

Yea, sorry about that, work got pretty intense. I would not look for a replacement for me, as I am largely toast. Frankly, I am with our lovely Van player in terms of the request to end things here. Things seem pretty firmly in Mictlan's favor at this point.

[AreaOfEffect]

From my perspective, its been Mictlan's game for some time as well. When Altantis and I went in against Mictlan to head off the problem, it wasn't enough. Our alliance was suppose to include Tien'Chi, which would have made a huge difference, but that player somehow got obsessed with eliminating the AI player of Man rather then preventing several capitols from falling to the largest player in the game.

I also vote that we hand the game over to Mictlan. Any opposed?

[HoleyDooley]

Nay....

Grats Yellow...well played.

[YellowCactus]

Fun stuff guys! If anyone wants to do a round of death match, I'll wish one up this turn!

[Lumix19]

From my perspective, its been Mictlan's game for some time as well. When Altantis and I went in against Mictlan to head off the problem, it wasn't enough. Our alliance was suppose to include Tien'Chi, which would have made a huge difference, but that player somehow got obsessed with eliminating the AI player of Man rather then preventing several capitols from falling to the largest player in the game.

I also vote that we hand the game over to Mictlan. Any opposed?

Yes I must apologise for that, I underestimated how fast Mictlan was growing in power and was too focused on eliminating Man even though they went AI. On review I should have joined the attack the minute it began whilst still trying to press against Man. Anyway I'll concede this game, congratulations Mictlan.

[AreaOfEffect]

Alright, I still haven't heard any opposition to calling the game. I'm going to close out the game tonight at 9pm and declare Yellow the winner if there remains silence by then.

[AreaOfEffect]

Game over. Congrats to Yellow.

[googly1]

Thanks for the game everyone. It was fun. Must say I think it was a little premature giving it up to Mictlan but then again I haven't played many multiplayer games... I look forward to future games with you all. Cheers.

[YellowCactus]

Googly,
You are right. This game had alot of play left to it. However, I did have control of the seas because of killing off 100+ Atlantis mages in some bad attacks he made.
My Arcane Nexus income was around 150+ astral gems per turn. Blood income was 250+slaves per turn. I had 2 Demon lords and 2 mages capable of casting Wish. 200+ standard gem income. 10 Wraithlords with Skull/Staff and bosters sorcery ring boosters. Water Queens/Air Queens/Tartarians. I was casting 'rain of Jaguars' 3 times per turn for a total of +45 Holy Flying Demons with claw/claw/bite every turn. Because of 3X Bless, they were F9W9A9. My stuff was quite insane. I was putting together a crazy mage group of all Treelords/Trents/N3 mages that would 'Charm' enemy armies. (Yes, I was building Tons of penetration items). Had 4 Ember Lords capable of wiping out entire armies with Fire magic and some Tartarians with W6 for wiping out armies in cold climates. Um...Sucubus' with lots of toys. At some point Mictlan just grew really really ugly this game. It would take Pan and Van and Tienchi to band together. All other factions were basically beaten or drained of strength. Mictlan controlled Shin, Abysia, Man, Atlantis, Ulm, and those other Giants that Abysia took out early. We were about to take Pythium's capitol. And so....it would really take an organized Pan/Van/Tienchi to put up a fight. Who knows, you might have won!

[AreaOfEffect]

I'm sorry if you feel as though you were denied the chance to win. But let's put it this way, it was highly unlikely that you could beat Mictlan on your own. In a sense, Mictlan won in that he achieved a might that could only be rivaled, if rivaled at all, by the combined strength of all the remaining players. A feat such as that deserves some sort of standing akin to victory.

In the end, the real clincher for me was the unchallenged Nexus. End game might comes down to gems, and Mictlan had, on top of his own gem income, half of all the other gems in the game once spent. Hording your own gems didn't stop other players from feeding him. Hording also meant you weren't making anything with magic that could rival Mictlan's arsenal. Spending it all simply made the game progress down its inevitable path that much faster. It was a lose-lose while that world enchantment remained a factor. I know several attempts were made to rid the world of that enchant, and every failed attempt only fed more gems to Mictlan without any gain to the other players.