The First Mega Game International Bank

[Darkwind]

If the customer wants, Ulm shall supply! There shall be enough paper money that it'll be cheaper to burn it than buy wood!

Also, about the pre-game alliance stuff, well, other people have said it better than I could (probably because I was waiting for someone to win the debate and hoping I wouldn't have to close shop before shop opened). And it's nice to know that I have a fan

Although about 'refreshing ourselves on the abilities of our nation', since I've only played Ulm in the Dominions II demo, I've got practically no idea what to expect mid- and late-game. That argument doesn't necessarily apply to new people.

[Kristoffer O]

@AoE (and other bankers):

I saw that you've got a third member in your bank. Given the sentiments on some players regarding pre-game-start alliances I think it might be wise to wait with applications on membership until the game starts.

I like the metagaming idea of the bank, and it might be nice to know the dynamics and organization of it before the game starts, but since the game has not officially started yet it might be best if you waited with the in-game stuff, membership etc until the game actually starts.

That way I don't think anyone will have anything against the idea.


A bit off topic: I once played a fantasy PBEM game with 12 players. It went well. I defeated a neighbour or two, as did some other players. I ended up in an alliance with two other players pretty early on. Probably because we were the ones that communicated at all. We ended up in a war with another strong player and suddenly the game ended !?! All small nations and dropouts had been defeated and the strongest player had joined our alliance and game mechanics ended the game. Most annoying. One reason I dislike built in diplomacy

Why do I mention this? If there is a big alliance before the game starts and everyone likes to be in, there is no need for war, and no one dares to be left out. Thus all live in a happy democratic banking environ. Thus better to start banks etc when the game has started and a few alliances and grudges build up regardless of meta gaming policies.

[chrispedersen]

Ok.. well with that .. I'll think I'll just back off and concentrate on D.I.C.E.

Does anyone have comment on whether prices are in the ballpark?

[atul]

A bit cheap maybe, but it really depends on the situation. Usually in the beginning gems aren't worth much but later on the going price does increase considerably.

If you're planning on stocking on each gem in order to facilitate a working DICE, good luck. But wouldn't it be easier for two parties just to agree on exchange with a middle price, thus saving money and cutting you off?

I personally felt the market thread of Perpetuality worked quite well with exchange economy. Yet if people insist on bringing capitalist market devices in essentially non-capitalist environment, feel free to prove me wrong.

[Darkwind]

As Kingmaker has started, I'll give out a bit more info regarding the Bank of Ulm.

The Bank of Ulm will (probably) be closed until the beginning of year two, at which point Ulm will (probably) donate 500 gold and perhaps 10 or so gems to the BoU. As no one wants someone taking all of the Bank's precious gold and gems, the bankers will refuse some offers for loans if they think it outrageous.

Also, the Bank has set up a prestigious organization which any nation can join, the Favored Customers of Ulm. For a measly donation of 100+50*years-after-bank-opened gold and 1+.5*years-after-bank-opened gems of any type to the Bank of Ulm, any nation can become a Favored Customer of Ulm for twelve full months, or one year! With this comes an as-yet-undisclosed discount on gem and/or gold interest rates and an as-yet-undisclosed discount on items hot off the forges of Ulm, Forges of Ulm! The Guild of Bankers of Ulm would like to thank Monny, god of Ulm, for his participation in FCoU, and all of its future customers for trying the services they offer.