Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

OMG Why for the love of god did pythium pick ermor? Is there some reason a living nation wants a death nation?

(Don't mind me...I am just disgruntled over losing the Ermor pick of getting Pan CW + Ermor)

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Maybe the choice was strategic to prevent a super-death team. Hee hee. Or, maybe Tom and I are fools... lawyers, but fools in the Dominions world, nonetheless.... (Actually, I might actually bet on that conclusion, but I think Tom would beat me to it.) [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/egg.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/egg.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/egg.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Now you two would really be insane if you do what Boron and I joked about with your two nation picks in regards to the themes you have available.

But yeah you did stop the uber death team. Boron and I were so close to getting Ermor. We did a big gamble and lost it big lol. We luckily got Abysia because nobody chose it for some reason. If we didn't get Abysia we would really be in terrible shape but it still will be very different from the game style Boron and I thought we would be playing.

Well Pasha you stopped also the Ctis team from getting Ermor as well so lets see how things play out. Will you use one of the undead themes of ermor? Will Ctis use Desert Tombs? Will Pangaea use Carrion Woods? Who knows we may all go death and make the game very chaotic lmfao.

Boron and I will submit pretenders tomorrow, we need another day to discuss wtf we are going to do lol.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Gosh! You and Boron got it goin'!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Dragonfire and I might as well make flash cards with various magical paths, etc., throw them up into the air and base our pretenders on the pretty patterns the cards make when they land. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Target.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/heart.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon20.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon21.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon46.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon22.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Target.gif[/img]

But, you better watch out!! I am still shopping for the right paddle to get Boron back for what he did to the Mad Spider Lord. <http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif froth, froth, wheeze http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif> Maybe I will find it in a Pythium Shop of Curiosities. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Overall, the nations picks were not what I expected at all:

I'm really surprised that nobody wanted to pick Caelum and Vanheim. Especially considering that the map could have been Theater of War, where Caelum could have probably been playing alone http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Then, why Caelumites didn't choose Machaka as a pair? Not that Caelum + Arcoscephale is weak or anything, but how one would counter Caelum + Machaka? Machaka takes red dragon fire-9 and expands like crazy with their spider using Caelum's spare gold, who just keep buying seraphs and researching. By the time somebody can field against spiders (early on even pretenders has trouble dealing with spiders), Caelum's seraphs will start dropping all over the place with lightining and false horrors. Ermor/C'tis could try undead spam vs spiders, but unfortunately for them, Machaka's best squad leaders are priests http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Interestingly, that despite of all air-hype, 3 pairs didn't choose air nations at all (unless Marignon will be conqueror's of the sea). Being last I didn't expect to get Vanheim.

Meanwhile, who deserves a point for style? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
I nominate
- Rise and Fall (Ermor and Pythium)
- When the Winter comes... (Vanheim and Jotunheim)

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Comon me and Boron deserve a lot of credit...we had first pick and we chose PANGAEA LMFAO!!!!

We did a huge gamble in hopes that nobody was insane enough to pick ermor but Pasha unfortunately is lmfao. Now we have to make due of the situation and hope not to die swiftly lol.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Yeah lol .
I really wonder which themes the Mighty Spider Lord and his companion choose .

Imo you would have roxxored though if you picked just Pythium + Abysia and we could have had our unholy alliance http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Are you suggesting a trade? Would that be permitted? Hee hee. (Probably would be against the rules.) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I wouldn't mind a trade yeah http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif .

On the other hand i am tensed to see if i can do anything with pan http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif . Never played them so far and always rated them in my own nation ranking among 5 worst nations but i will see now if this is really true or if pan is not as bad as i think http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

There's always Broken Empire Ermor http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Then you can have hordes of undead spreading growth and order everywhere http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif like me in King of the Hill http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

> Rise and Fall (Ermor and Pythium)
> When the Winter comes... (Vanheim and Jotunheim)

But only if you guys start fighting each other on turn one. Jotun and Vanir are bitter enemies, just like Pythium and Ermor.

We are not too happy with our race selection. Especially now that I know could have had my Vanheim, had Peter not thought that if it had not gotten picked by four teams, team six would pass it as well. I have played Arcocephales exactly once and Caelum is slow starter; I am not sure that we will be able to easily stop a uber-bless team.

But this game promises to be very interesting, that's for sure. I just wish there was no diplomacy.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Why no diplomacy, Yvelina?

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Uber Bless.....
<Cough Cough>
-yc

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Uber-bless?

Me = dumb.

Please... help me... before I start rereading "Beyond Good & Evil" for clues.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Probably referring to some nations may try to go with a bless strat and rush like with a f9 bless and rampage the indies to get lots of land fast.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Jotuns and Vanir were used to fight each other before emergence of man. Later they have made the peace.

It could have been passed if you didn't pick Caelum. Caelum was our first pick, not Vanheim. I would be really surprised though if the last team would get Caelum, after all those discussions about Caelum's superiority http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Realistically, I thought we'd get Mictlan.


[/quote]

Considering that nobody picked Machaka, probably people are not interested in Uber-bless strategies. Some may still change their mind though. Thinking about it, uber-blessed Niefels were rumoured to be quite good.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I had thought a uber-bless strategy was taking level 9 in two schools, like W9F9 and totally trashing your scales.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Wow....
Two Level 9 Blessings would really trash your scales. Never thought of that!
-Yc

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I guess uber-blessings could include three levels 9 blessings as well. Now we are talking about a very nice blessing, though your scales are unlikely to be that impressive. I wonder if it would be possible to get four level 9 blessings and adequate Dominion levels on the same Pretender. Hmm...

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I have finished working on the map now, and it is more crowded than I would have expected. All teams start within three provinces (by the shortest path) of at least three other teams, as I could simply not make it work with a minimal distance of four provinces between everyone.

Teammates start right to each other, but the location of the other teams will be unknown (meaning the .map file will not be sent to the players).

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Right next to each other? Not even a province in between capitals? Poor Mictlan.

Yvelina and I anticipated that there would be a problem and made sure our
domains are matched. I hope no one else did :-)

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I think Mictlan is fine, so long as they have the same Dominion value as the other capital. At least, a Dominion 1 Mictlan kept Dominion alive against its Dominion 1 ally.

It could be a problem however, so I guess I will have to figure out how to make it so there is one province between the two capitals.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

On second thoughts, and after having looked at the map more closely (praised be Illwinter for the Eyes of God spell!), it looks like putting one province between the two capitals should not be so difficult.

Would it be enough to avoid having one teammate kill the other because of Dominion?

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I would suggest to spread out capitals more or less evenly. Alliances would effect positions only by making sure that everybody's ally is one of his neighbours

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

I am not sure I like the idea of spreading capitals around: there will still be not that much room where to put capitals, and I think some nations would start with fewer neighbours (in those slightly harder to travel places) than the others.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

If inland is a pain in the *** maybe we should use theatre of war or any other bigger map maybe.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Any map other than Theater of War will have the same problem, in worse: it is simply difficult to set up twelve starting positions without boxing in someone. And Theater of War failed to win enough support in the vote.

I have revised the map file by putting one province between the two capitals of the same team, and will now be checking if the map remains roughly balanced (I think it will be fine, but better make sure).

I have all Pretender files except Jotunheim.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

After some checking (my first revision was so great someone ended up closer to an enemy capital than to the allied capital), I have ended up with the final version of the .map file.

Its characteristics are as follow: there is one province between the two capitals of the same team, and at least one capital of each team can reach the five other teams in three or four provinces (via the shortest route). There does not seem to be any imbalance, and all starting provinces are connected with several land provinces (at least four, more likely five).

In other words, you may expect some early tension with your neighbours, as everybody should be close to all the other teams. We shall see how it plays out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

The game has just started. If you did not get a mail, please let me know as soon as possible.

Two mails were actually sent to most people (Yvelina and Tuidjy excepted, as I noticed my mistake while making their mail), as I had forgotten to put the turn files *before* sending the mails the first time around, so I sent my template mails instead.

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

YeeeeHawwwww!!

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Wow! You want to die so much that you are eager that the game has started??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

By the way, I noticed in randomosity that you were unable to kill, per your very own words, the 'Spawn of the Panther'.

heh heh

Seriously, though, good luck and play hard, my friend. I would actually like to see the lawyers win this game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Oh, come on Panther! Lawyers win pretty much anything else, why should they win this game as well?

Of course, our team wants to be on the good side of lawyers, how about a non-agression pact, esteemed defenders of law and justice? We could definitely use someone who can convince everyone else that we are peaceful researchers as opposed to landgrabbing powermongers...

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

"Dear Yvelina,

We have received your inquiry regarding the services we provide to all distinguished players, and thank you for the confidence you are expressing towards our Committee. One of our products would be remarkably well suited to your needs: it would consist of advising all the other players about the weakness of your nation, for few would dare question the word of an host.

For example, the following message could be sent late in the game: 'Arcoscephale is a most friendly realm, dedicated solely to the pursuit of knowledge. Old hegemonic pretensions have been discarded with the coming of a new age, and the only lands in their possession are sites of great archeological interest. Their army is a mere militia, and their best mage is barely able to light up a fire on a sunny day. All in all, a most pleasant realm to live in, so long as you are not interest in reckless expansionism, and willing to give a helping hand to repel those invaders: chances are, you will be the best fighter protecting the city.' (First published in the Hitchhiker's Guide.)

Of course, there is the small matter of fees and similar petty squabbling, but we are confident you will find our service to be admirable. You should also expect us not to abuse our position of de facto monopoly; fairness is, after all, a hallmark of us.

Yours sincerly,
The Committee of Opportunist Hosts."

Silliness aside, everything seems to be working fine. Good luck to all the teams!

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

Bah!! The PantherSpawn failed to understand that if he killed me that I would only become more powerful than he could possibly imagine... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: PBEM game: Entwined Destiny
 

<[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon41.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon41.gif[/img] ears perking up [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon41.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon41.gif[/img]> And would your team be prepared to pledge adequate security to assure prompt payment of our customary fee? I would be happy to draft the necessary documents for your signature. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Hi All
 

I've been a little late in reading these posts. Uber bless? Folks, how ever did ya'll learn so much about this game. Aside from Panther that is, those engineers once they build in the bugs in a system it's a good decade of leisure time to "trouble shoot" (i.e. drink beer and play games). I don't even have a clue what normal bless does -- I simply order my priests to do it b/c they have nothing better to do. Anyway, I suppose this is the normal time to trash talk and all, but I really need a victory under my belt before talking smack. Ah what the hell, we’re going to kick your collective butts!!! (Maybe. Possibly.)

Re: Hi All
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif I needed a laugh this morning, and this thread certainly provided it for me!

Keep up the commentary when you all can.

Oh yeah, us engineers know how to design bugs into things. We refer to it as 'job security'. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Hi All
 

I'm impressed Alenyan.
Five turn of 12 players and no stales. Your doing a great job with running this game!
-Cheers, yc

Re: Hi All
 

Yup! Cheers to Alenyan!! [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Can.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Can.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img]

Re: Hi All
 

Alenyan did an awesome job picking players, and making sure the game did not start until everyone knew what she was getting into. We will not have stales, I think, until teams start getting crushed, and even then, with a map this small, once one is broken, it will be a short road to demise.

But... there is a itty bitty problem. The two of us will go to Vegas to see the Queen show, and it is not clear whether we will be disciplined enough to take our turns. We will try to make it, but...

Re: Hi All
 

Hehe.
You'd have to have an 'iron will' to achieve that standard turn scheduling in Vegas! I'm all for playing on only when all turns are in.
-Yc

Re: Hi All
 

Well, I am not responsible for the lack of stale turns in the game. We may hope not to see the tail of a stale turn: I think there was only one staled turn in King of the Hill, after fifty turns (so 300 turn files received).

Yvelina and Tuidjy, feel free to submit your detailed instructions if you would have me play your turns while in Vegas. While I am usually not such an amazing player (*Coughs*), I should be able to follow orders without too much trouble.

Re: Hi All
 

The Great Pythium God has no objection to putting the game on hold while Y & T are playing in Las Vegas. However, how do you have a Queen concert without Freddy Mercury?

Re: Hi All
 

Could the team with Ulm e-mail me please?

Re: Hi All
 

I suppose they've researched to ritual of rebirth...

Re: Hi All
 

*Grumbles* Looks like someone forgot to send the roster along with the mails. Wonder who it is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif I will send a list of all players and their teams along with next turn.

Re: Hi All
 

So, Alneyan...
Do we run a turn today or are we waiting for Queen in Las Vegas?
-Yc

Re: Hi All
 

Well, I haven't heard any objection about waiting for them, so I guess I will wait for a while longer. Does anyone know when that show will happen, or when Yvelina and Tuidjy plan to return?

Re: Hi All
 

Crossing fingers that this game continues to be a blast. Its only turn 7 and nothing spectacular is happening, No good luck, no bad luck, no wars...but the diplomacy has been incredible. Expecially between my team-mate and I. Movements are co-ordinated at a much stricter level than ever and tasks for THE EMPIRE are deligated to the most capable faction.
I enjoyed the rumor mill that the host sent out in leu of the power bars. Nice Nice Nice. This one has the feel of a board game with lots of care to the details.
Game on!
-yc

Mail Status....
 

Alneyan,
The Ulm/Mictlan turn should have come in right about now. Several Factions have just found each other and we're all deciding weather the time is right to club each other with national troops and alteration spells, or smile for a few years to get the good Tartarian beat-down going. I think the Mail delay is more from Team's "Getting they're heads together" than from idly ignoring the 12 hours until hosting....
-Yc