Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

96 hour it is then. I stand defeated. But I still stand.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Midgard will be at war with Marignon in three turns.

Hey, I gotta make my stand, right?

Three turns is like a month from now, right?

You know what? Screw it. I am going AI. 96 hour on a game in which a am a marginal player is just ridiculous. I have better games to play. Have fun, all.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Hold on, I just found a new plan. I am not going AI. In fact, I stand to win this game. But Mari, yeah, you are done.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Damn, I'm so cocky. I go back and read the stuff I posted a few days ago, and I'm like, wtf? Why did I post that.

Anyway, yeah, I'm going to war. And yes, you can probably all kick my *** quite easily. But that won't stop me.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Marignon was about to stale so I gave the game another 12 hours.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Damn, what a shame if Mari should stale :)

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

You know guys, I've been a total a-hole in this game. My posts are rude and obscure, my play has been erratic, though I have defended myself in battle.

I just want to apologize for that, and though I am no longer interested in this game, I will continue to play, though not post so much. You guys that are really powers in the game should be the ones posting, not little old me.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

OK. It think it is time for a vote. Midgard and Ulm concede to Bogarus. Anyone else with us? This game has gone on too long.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I would think though, that Bogarus should not count this as a win. Perhaps a stalemate. Since any one of us could have fought you to a draw.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I think that kind of defeats the purpose of a concession, if it's not a win...

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

no concessions.

We have VPs in this game, that's enough to prevent it from becoming a drag. If someone is to be the winner all he needs do is get those VPs.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Sorry for the disapearance act, I managed to crash my computer right before hosting of that first turn, so I didn't manage to get a message to QM before host. I did mail him from the library the day after, saying I should have things patched back up by today, but that mail might have been lost in the pipeline, dunno.

In any case I'm back and ready to give it a go again. (and also dreading to look at my turns ;))

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Heh, yeah you apparently missed Angel-ogeddon.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

My computers gone a bit funny. If I have time I'll turn myself AI. If not then its up to you wether to leave me to stale or turn me AI if you don't want me to slow your turns down. It's a pity I wasn't more of a speed bumb.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

You did well Mithras and under extremely difficult circumstances.
Thank you for the good fight :)

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

OK, fight we shall. You can't blame me for trying though. It's been a long game.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Sorry. I said I would not post again. But you guys know me, I think. I cannot resist posting where possible.

I think my two vp provs cannot be taken. Anyone want to try them?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Apparently Amhazair is the hospital for a week a two. I'm inclined to just extend the turn, he said he would not mind if we found a sub, but finding a sub would not be easy even if we wanted to.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Three turns in a row of staling while in a big war has done much to ruin Mari. Oh and to top that his forge was also overwritten by his foe. Maybe we can try to find a sub but I'm afraid Mari's current position may not be that attractive.

I hope Amhazair gets better soon. That's the most important thing.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Seconded on best wishes to Amhazair, but also wanted to thank Calmon for sticking the game out to the bitter end, he was quite a pain in the *** until the very last. =)

I'm fine waiting on an extension if need be as well, I'd like to make sure we don't completely hose the game this far in, even if it means waiting a bit longer.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

By all means, extend the turn if need be.

And best wishes to Amhazair.

As for Calmon, he did indeed stick it out well.

Did I mention I have a Demon Lord now. Ahh, probably no need to mention that.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I'm also ok with extending the turn.

And yes, Calmon's feat was impressive.
Thank you Calmon! it was a pleasure playing with you.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

good game, Calmon

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I will be going on vacation on May 2, and will be gone for 7 days. This will result in one stale for Midgard. If you guys want to do so, please delay the game. Otherwise, I will just deal with the stale turn.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

just a bump, to keep it on the first page

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I had to cancel the vacation... something came up. So no need for a delay for me.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Hmm. Not really sure where this game is going. It seems to just get extended. I'll stay in for now, but may bow out soon.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Well I'd like to hear opinions on how to proceed. Still no word from amhaizair (hopefully he's ok). There seem to be a few options:

* Wait a while longer.

* Set Mari AI.

* Look for a sub (this could be hard, especially a sub that is experienced enough to not unbalance things as badly as an AI).

* Call the game off/call a winner.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I really do hope amhaizair is ok and am looking forward for him to come back and confirm that soon.

That said, I think the best option for the sake of this game going forward is to set Mari to AI.
The other options are bad:
-> Wait longer means ppl lose interest. I know I do, though I won't bow out of the game but it kinda sucks to wait that long. I completely forgot what happened last turn and what's the grand context. The longer we wait the more likely it becomes for this game to just die out.

-> Sub will force us to wait more and the chances we even manage to find one are not very good at this point considering Mari's situation. This may lead to the same result as the first option.

-> Call the game over is the worst option. You don't do that after playing for so long and with such fabulous players. I mean the company is great, the game is interesting so why on earth would we want to call it over???

I think we have already waited for a very long time. Now is the time to move forward. Had I been in amhaizair's place I know I'd want the players to wait for me a week, two weeks, but not more than that. After that I'd want them to cont. with the game and (if finding a sub is pointless/unlikely) set my nation AI.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I think taking a day or two to at least look for a sub at this point would be better than skipping straight to AI. I realize that it's unlikely that we'll find anyone, but another 48 hours at this point doesn't seem like a killer (especially since I want to redo my turn using much of that time, especially if Mari's going AI).

And I'm with Wraith on not wanting the game to get called without a winner.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Good suggestion Micah.

So, are we giving the search for a sub a try?- And in 48h we continue the game, either with a sub or by setting it to AI?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I'll stay in (though I am a bit player), if we just allow this thing to host. Another interesting game has come up though, a new Pashadawg RAND game, and I need to clear a slot for it (I am in my personal limit of 5 games already). This would of course be the first game I would choose to quit to make room, since it hardly ever hosts, and I have no chance of winning.

If you want a definitive ending, give Micah the win. I'll vote for it... I think QM would, and Baalz might do so as well. That just leaves you Wraith.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I agree with you on one thing Lingchih, the game has to host.
Micah, we waited not a day or two, but more like four days and counting. Add to that to two or three weeks of not hosting. That sucks :(

QM, I think the time has come to host the game or else the risk of it dying out becomes very realistic.

I don't think Baalz is ready to throw the game. I know I ain't throwing it.
Let's host the game and get it moving again ASAP!

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Well I postponed it once more, simply because I don't have the energy to do my turn tonight. One way or another it should be the last postponement though, if we decide to continue and no sub is found I will turn Mari AI.

My 2 cents though- an AI Mari simply leaves too few real players left. I personally can only see this game working out one way, so I'm a bit reluctant to put much more effort in to it.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Utgard declares for Bogarus. Sorry Wraith, I'm with everybody else on this one.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

What is this? Has my lumbering zombie creation finally coming to a close?? :) You know it cost me 10 Death gems to summon this game?! Heheh.

Hats off to Micah on a tremendous effort tho! While I thanked my lucky stars to leave the game when I did I must say that I have never seen such a titanic episode of dominions. Good game to all!

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Why is everyone so happy to close this game?

Anyway, I do not concede.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I don't think that matters Wraith. You have been outvoted.

Anyway, congrats to Micah. I played two nations in this game, and got beaten with both. But it was an awesome game for a time. I will always remember my battles with Baalz as he tried to take over my homeland. It was great stuff.

Good game all, and sorry if I made you mad Wraith.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I disagree with you Lingchih.

Its not a matter of votes and this is no election.

Its an MP game with victory conditions.

If you want to surrender the game that's your right, but you don't get to decide who wins. That would be decided in the field of battle and according to the game's victory conditions.

Baalz, do I understand right, are you not interested in playing this game anymore?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I understand your position Wraith. I guess what I meant to say is, I consider the game over, and if it does continue, I am going AI.

Good game all.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I must admit, with Mari and Midgard AI, and only Caelum unconceded, I'd be sorely tempted to go AI myself for all the difference it would make.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Ok, so let me make a constructive suggestion.
I'll compile a list of all the nations that want to go AI/surrender.
I then volunteer to search for a sub for each of this nations. If any of you put a pwd I'll ask you to send it to the sub once one if found.

So far the list consists of:
1. Mari
2. Midgard
3. Ulm?
4. Utgard?

Baalz and QM please confirm whether or not you wish to surrender/go AI.

Lingchih, not mad at all, this is just a game after all, right? ;)

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Damn Wraith, you are a master manipulator. Your last comment about this just being a game almost made me jump back in. Well done. You appeal to my fighting spirit, while at the same time making light of it.

That said, yeah, I will still go AI. I have better games to play. There's no password protection on Midgard. I will set the to AI now, so I am not further tempted.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

I don't see the appeal of playing well past turn 100, but I'll stick it out if that's what it takes to win this thing if I can't get a concession. I do request that my diplomatic agreements be honored by any subs coming in though.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

@Lingchih, thanks pal. I understand why you may like to go AI and yet am sorry to see you go. Would you mind giving me a couple of days to try and find you a sub before you go AI?

@Micah, to each is own - I don't pretend to answer for the rest. For me the appeal comes from wanting a closure. I like the games I'm in to play to the end. Considering that this is a VP victory game there's no way its going to go on forever. The end is foreseeable. You want it to end, then go for them damn VPs :).

I think it goes w/o saying that the diplo agreements be respected by subs.

@Baalz and QM, can you please confirm whether or not you'd like for me to find you a sub?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

OK. I won't go AI for a couple of days. I don't think it hosts (if it ever does) until Saturday.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

As far as Ulm needing a sub, I really would like one, though on the other hand I'd feel a bit guilty if my missing sub was the only thing still stalling the game.

In any case, I'm assuming we are extending the host again in hope of a Marignon sub?

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Well, I think the reticence on everyone's part to play is because there seems very little chance that anyone could stop Micah from winning with Mari going AI, but even if you disagree with this it's going to take scores of turns stretching across many more months. The constant cycle of pummel the leader has left nobody strong enough for a quick decisive victory, just a slow war of attrition with a huge amount of micromanagement and almost nothing to look forward to. No "I'm about to have xxxx researched...", very likely more Armageddons to cut off gold and bloodslaves to further mire things down, and generally just a lot of hunker down and take potshots at each other. Heck, from Utgard's position, with Mari AI it would take probably 2 months with this host time for me to even engage Bogarus in any meaningful way. It's just a whole lot of unenjoyable effort for (in my assessment) a foregone conclusion. To be honest, even before Mari went AI I was only sticking it out in this game out of a sense of obligation.

That said, there's no password and I've no objection to you finding a sub.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

First, we already have a possible sub for Mari - slayers_ai.
I'm waiting for final confirmation from him.
After that, I assume he'll need a few days extension to get going.

@Baalz, clearly we see things differently. I don't want to get into an argument. I respect your opinion yet I disagree.
Small thing though for perhaps I misunderstand: I fail to see the logic of how Mari turning AI is actually bad for you. With Amhazair leading it you'd have a hell of a harder time against it than against the AI.
Utgard with the forge up doesn't seem that feeble either. You lead in provinces and income, are 2nd in gem income and have the forge and nature's bounty up.

QM and Baalz I take it as a yes to my Q whether or not you want a sub. I will thus try to find a sub for you as well.

QM, I have extended by an extra 48h until we sort the subs out.

Re: The Artifacts Game - [ running ]
 

Meh, the score graphs only tell part of the story - I've got guns, but I'm out of bullets. I wasn't really playing for a win at this point, Mari going AI doesn't change (in my estimate) my personal chances of winning - it just removes the last fun thing I was doing leaving the remainder of the game a micromanaged war of attrition. Supplying Micah with items from my forge (he did finance most of it) trying to overcome the extensive casualties I took fighting Mari with my gold and blood economy decapitated from Armageddons, fight off a belligerent AI along a long border, *and* project force all the way across the map into the face of all the nastiness Micah built up while I bore the brunt of fighting Mari...I can't imagine a best case any better than stalemate.

At any rate, it sounds like you're really the only one who wants to keep going. Looks like we've got a group of guys considerate enough to stick it out but a better option would be to call it over and start a new game with people excited to be playing. That said, as I mentioned I've no objection if you want to line up subs, with fresh blood this game could go on for another 50 turns....;)