PBEM game: The first step (Running)

[Shmonk]

Great, so we'll get a turn later today then.

And if caught, most spies say nothing, or give up their country and all that. I mean, if they did, what's the point of spying if you know who did it?

[Alneyan]

It's all about deception really: see, you won't really trust a spy, will you? So, if those prisoners tell you they work for XYZ, you may not trust them, and think they work for someone else.

'Course, spies in Dom 2 do not belong to any agency, and lack any sense of duty whatsoever, so they will spill the beans whenever they can... especially when under attack ("Man attacks the Spymaster Nation" isn't all too subtle).

[sushiboat]

Turn 23

The province tally is: Machaka 25, Ermor 23, Marignon 15, Man 13, Jotunheim 13, Pythium 12, Arcosephale 12, and Pangaea 11. Man, Marignon, and Pangaea found gems. Obscuro and the Armored Fist of God are open for bidding.

[Molog]

Turn 23

Everything going its merry way. I finally found a site with a site searching spell. It's a sucky site, but better than nothing.

Any news on a replacement for Pythium?

[Alneyan]

The Pythium player who posted in this thread seems to be back online; no news about Machaka though.

[sushiboat]

Turn 24

The province tally is: Machaka 27, Ermor 25, Marignon 15, Jotunheim 14, Man 12, Pythium 12, Arcosephale 12, and Pangaea 12. Man found gems. Marignon now employs Obscuro, and Pythium has hired the Armored Fist of God. Dagan the Sage and Victor's Villains are open for bidding.

[Alneyan]

Good catch about Machaka and spies. Marignon and Machaka also have assassins, in addition to Pythium, and Abysia does too; in addition, there is a site allowing anyone to recruit them if memory serves.

You can get a random event where the independents try to assassinate one of your commanders too, and that seems to be the more likely explanation here.