Re:
 

R'lyeh destroyed itself against independents by turn 3. After turn one they conquered one province, and their god was listed in the hall of fame. After turn two the score graphs showed their armies as decimated, and their god was listed as dead. The army size hasn't increased since then.

If a new player is going to playing as R'lyeh let me know now. I may be close to being within attacking distance of R'lyeh and I would want to give the new player a chance.

Atlantis

Re:
 

Would it be safe to say that a nation is overpowered when a few of their regular infantry led by one of their regular commanders can destroy 40ish elite infantry (I'd say Principes are Ermor's best, Triari are armored more, but have stat hits for being old) while losing only ONE of their regular infantry. I mean, this is at a point in the game where magic isn't even a factor due to not enough research.

Kinda takes some of the fun out of it.

Re:
 

Stryke11, can you be a bit more specific?
With all due respect, what's that overpowered unit/nation? Magic IS a factor believe me, but we are very early in game, and magic research takes time in Dominions3. Magic heavy strategies are not for early expansions, and deffinitely NOT for early wars.

Re:
 

Nononono. What I meant was that this early in the game, due to there being very little research at this point, magic has not YET become a huge factor, and as a result, it's easier to compare relative troop strength in a magic-less envoirnment (as we all know once it becomes involved, magic can hugely change things). Kind of a controlled case study if you will. I guess I am not good at articulating as it seems I am misunderstood a lot. I did not mean to come off as saying magic isn't a factor in the game EVER.

I was referring to the 'Heims and their glamour ability. Many people think they are overpowered due to their blessables and elite troops, but I'm not even looking at that. All I'm saying is thier regular, front line grunt troops cut through their opponents like a hot scythe through butter. As Ermor, which as you know has highly armored, protected, and moraled troops, I feel I have a good vantage point from which to compare. Until summons become a reality, the best Ermor can throw out are Principes and Triarii, and I would wager they beat out a lot of other nations as far as protection due to the (relativeley) heavy armor they wear for early age.

I read elsewhere that someone doesn't even allow these nations in smaller maps (for "blitz," though I don't know what this means) because they are too powerful in early game. I don't know what this map is considered, but people were bumping up pretty quickly.

Now of course NONE of this is directed at either Vanheim or Helheim's players, who have no control over the relative strength of their nations. Vanheim's player is role playing with gusto and making the game fun for everyone (except, it can be argued, for my troops on the field http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif ). I'm just saying it seems pretty obvious to me (though some would disagree I'm sure) that as the conceptual balance thingie comes along that these two nations need to be hit (gently) with the nerf stick.

Re:
 

I am now playing C'tis, Rl'yeh and Sauromatia until suitable subs can be found or their rightful owners return. To any prospective subs, I consider all three nations to be in weak but serviceable condition, they all have problems but none of them are basket cases.

Re:
 

wow good to know ctis is gone I was gonna attack um

Re:
 

I am so used to playing with Abysia primarily, I am very surprised at how weak Yomi's troops are. And not a single blessable unit other than commander?

are nations with weak troops early on at a big disadvantage?

Re:
 

Some nations have weaker troops than others and since dom3 is new the balance is still evolving. It's likely there will be a comprehensive balance mod produced at some point similar to what there was for dom2. There are a lot of components that go into making troops good - not only quality but also price/performance ratio, resource cost, tactical shortcomings (you might have really good infantry but bad archers and cavalry, or whatever). Nations shouldn't all have the same strength early troops, nations with good troops often are balanced by bad priests, overpriced mages, or whatever. I guess I think dom3 is still too new to really decide which nations are strong and which are weak.

Re:
 

Actually, I'm Tien Chi - not exactly considered a strong early military powerhouse.

Our strategy of falling back to the castle and researching has proved pretty successful - we just achieved Evocation 2 and with it have crushed Helheim's advance forces. We aren't naive enough to believe that they have run out of Helhirdings - but they did run through 20 of them and 10 Huskarls - that's not an insignificant army to lose to a man agains the awesome might of... Sulphur Haze.

Like the Willow in the Storm, Tien Chi bent but did not break. Our lands will be free of Helheim aggression, his god is now dangerously exposed against an army that has proven in the field that it can trade Lion Clan tribesmen 2:1 against the best armies Helheim can produce. That's not sustainable for them and the time has now come for the sun to again rise on the Empire of Tien Chi!

The Great Catsby has spoken.

Re:
 

Yomi's troops may be weak but they have strength in having one of the most easily massable archers in the game. Your armies should literally be composed of pure bakemono archers +bandit archers led by skeleton spamming hannayas or ones casting flaming arrows.

PS. Though to answer your questions, nations with weak troops early on is at a big disadvantage.

Re:
 

I've been offered to take over C'tis and I gladly take up the challenge!

I havent' checked out their situation yet though, so we'll see how it goes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re:
 

Excellent. I already played the current turn but you should have plenty of time to submit your own orders since it probably won't be hosted for several hours or maybe until tomorrow.

Anyway, I will send you a PM telling you what I have been up to.

Re: Huh?
 

So is this turn supposed to be patched or not?

Re: Huh?
 

Ok, C'Tis is now on the move again. Heh, one of the Commanders (the first-turn "General" I assume) has "Heroic Stupidity". I've never seen that heroic ability before. Glad that it was a combat General that got it, not a mage.

By the way, I'm patched, not sure if the server or other players are or not.

Re: Huh?
 

The server isn't patched yet. Recommend not patching until the server upgrades although apparently no one has had problems yet?

Yeah heroic stupidity is hilarious. It's almost as good as battle bellow (which I once had on a commander who had the "mute" affliction... so he could yell, but not say anything intelligible http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )

Re: Huh?
 

Hmmm...Darn it, too late for me, already patched a couple of days ago.

Well I suppose I could re-install and replay my turn. I guess I'd better go ahead and do that.

Re: Huh?
 

OK, PM sent.

Re: Huh?
 

Kydorias, I'd like to welcome you!

While I'm still around to do so http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Huh?
 

Ok, I reinstalled back to v3.00 and replayed C'Tis' turn. Hope I didn't screw anything up.

Re: Huh?
 

The other day the cowardly Abysians made a failed attempt to assassinate some poor old man of my kingdom. As of now all Abysians will be killed on sight, no mercy, like the dogs that they are.

However, if this was some sort of rogue black-ops, and the higher-ups had no knowledge of this then I will be amenable to peace talks.

Re: Lamentation
 

Horrible news from Helheim. Magical pixies have apparently spend up time, confusing Aeforge. Last month's orders were not sent, resulting in a powerful and unexpected assault by T'ien Chi', an incursion into Helheim lands by Kailasa, and a vampire count deciding to be a jerk. Oh, and I have a battle affliction somehow. With all these bad revelations, I have decided to ask my former enemys, T'ien Chi', for a truce. Though this pains me to say it, I can not fight a war on two fronts. I am willing to give you back your province that borders your capital and 200 gold for this truce. I also offer this apology, I am sorry. I was too aggresive and attacked you without provocation. I now see the error in my ways. Please forgive me, Aeforge, and my nation of Helheim.

Re: Lamentation
 

We accept the offer of truce from Helheim, we shall turn aside from our bid to destroy your god and instead take back the province which is rightfully ours.

We shall send the armor of your fallen warriors back to you so that your priests may consider the wisdom of invading Tien Chi.

The Great Catsby has spoken.

Re: Die Kailasa! Die!
 

Thank you. I hope we will manage to have good relations between our two nations after this unfortunate shortsightedness. Your gold is on the way.

News
 

Hahaha, I am glad the wars are raging http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And glad to see you guys are using diplomacy to boot. It is an invaluable tool.

In other news, replacements have been found for CTis and Sauromatia, so those nations shouldn't stale anymore. New players, why dont you introduce yourselves...

Re: News
 

Waiting for Abysia.

Re: News
 

On the subject of diplomacy I present "Sheap's Mini-Rant: Recommendations for Diplomacy":
1) Don't make any agreements prior to the start of the game.
2) Don't bring alliances or enemies from one game into the next.
3) Do remember to draw a clear distinction between your in-game (role playing) persona and your out of game self. This is especially important if you are planning on lying and backstabbing.
4) Don't let in-game conflicts turn into out-of-game conflicts. Don't let out-of-game conflicts turn into in-game conflicts either. Keep the wall between the game and the forums/real world.
5) Don't trade things in one game for things in another game, or use position in one game as leverage to bargain in another one.
6) If you agree to a trade that requires several steps to complete or is otherwise more than simple gems or gold, you are obligated to complete the transaction once it has begun, even if you change your mind later. If something intervenes (a third party invades the province you were supposed to give away, for instance) you must make a good faith effort to come up with a mutually agreeable settlement.

I don't speak with the force of law... but if everyone follows these rules as well as simple etiquette, the likelihood of hard feelings is much reduced.

Re: News
 

Don't Patch the server! From what I am hearing in other thread the patch has a bug that causes horrors for no reason to attack hall of famers. This used caused Mp games to halt, and forces people to go back to the unpatched version.

Re: News
 

Hello, I'm Kydorias and I have taken over rulership of the nation of C'Tis. Apparently the previous leadership had lapsed into several months of scaly decadence, turning their attention away from neighboring chaotic lands and instead focusing on the emerald curves of their sacred snake belly dancers.

But Sheap cracked the whip and got them moving in a cohesive manner once again before turning the reigns over to me to continue instilling some discipline in the ranks.

As far as me, this is my first MP Dom game, so I'm eager to learn some of the tricks of MP play (most likely at my detriment, hehe...). But it should be fun. I'm going to play this one honorably and with plenty of diplomacy especially since C'Tis is "restarting" quite a ways behind many of the other nations.

I look forward to working with you all in order to have a fun game!

Re: News
 

Lord Upstreamedge of Oceania,

The forces you have amassed in your Kelp Citadel north of the C'Tis capital are at the most a direct threat to the soveriegnty of the glorious nation of C'Tis and at the very least alarming.

I can only assume the mobilization of your troops are due to an uneasiness concerning the intentions of C'Tis. Know that C'Tis possesses neither the inclination nor the desire to initiate conflict with Oceania. Should you decide to take advantage of the recent domestic unrest within the C'Tis nation and initiate military operations against C'Tis, you will find that our citizens and military are united in our determination to achieve victory.

If indeed your intentions are peaceful, know that C'Tis respects its neighbors and the soveriegnty of other nations and perhaps our futures may be cooperative and beneficial for the both of us.

Kydorias,
Supreme Leader,
Revolutionary Council of Sauros,
Glorious Nation of C'Tis

Good and Ill News From Vanheim
 

Ill news,
Perhaps because of lack of compass vetured an army of Atlantian troops inland - and again to much disputed Bandar-Kadek, south-western port town, that has seen many battles already.

Atlantians have been warned that a dry, cold grave awaits them if they do advance further into Vanir tundra.

We Vanir truly hope that Atlantians see what's best for their prizey troops.

War with Ermor progresses in schedule and our larger divisions arrive to the border as you read this message. We do need many men to breach the Fortification that awaits holding the prize of Ermorean capital in its stony hug.

Good News,
A non-agression pact was firmly sealed between mighty nations of the Caleum and Vanheim.
This gives both time and safety to operate in the directions both feel best to concentrate.
Formal Pact was signed on the very holy ice of inland sea that Vanir calls Kianta.
The NAP can be dismantled by either side in three months time. If not dismantled the NAP stays.

-Jörund, the messenger of death and prophet of Vanherr Thanatos

Re: News
 

Heh might I point out though, if one of your games you're remembered as a lying backstabbing cutthroat player, players tend to disregard more your diplomatic advances in other games. =)

Re: Good and Ill News From Vanheim
 

Ermor remembers.

Even if utterly crushed, the few the survive will raise their progeny to seethe in hatred for Vanherr Thanatos. No matter how far and spread out they go, this alone shall unify them. Time, space, and reality are nothing compared to this.

Ermor remembers.

Those who have shed blood, even for partly selfish reasons, to ease the pressure and burden on Ermor's children. They shall be forever praised in song and their leaders shall know, should they ever stumble upon the descendents of once mighty Ermor, wherever they may be, under whomever's banner, that they will be welcomed as friends.

Ermor remembers.

In blood, dust, and fire, all will know that long after the final lights have gone out in Eldregate and seemingly all of Ermor's children have been slain, that even a victory is not a victory. Through all the planes of existence, in times past and future, the dogs of vengeance, empowered by the spirit of fallen Ermor, will nip at the heels of those who now bring treacherous and unjust war upon them. There will be no end. Through thousands of worlds, in thousands of ages, you have been marked, you have been chosen. Hell will meet you wherever your spirit chooses to arrive next.

Enjoy the fruits of your victory. Sip the sweet wine of your arrogance. But take heed, and never rest, never forget.

For Ermor remembers.

Re: Good and Ill News From Vanheim
 

Much debouchery is to be had in the forests of Pangaea! Women shed their very clothes to dance in the moonlit forests with the Pans of our mighty nation. Murmurs of war rumble in the distant lands, whispers of battles and clashes brought upon the winds reach our ears.

We share a border with the nation of Tien Chi to the north, and our Satyrs watch, bewildered as their mages work so seriously on crafts of the arcane. Why all this seriousness when there is so much fun to be had in this world?

The Ermorian Legions engage in a bloody war with the Vans, pounding out weapons of metals and fashioning shields to protect themselves from death and release from this grand world.

The lady of Springs comes soon, Nemain shall return to this world with a message of hope. No longer shall you humans have to be under the thumbs of false pretenders forcing their will upon you, driving your menfolk to war. When Nemain returns, the world shall be liberated from greed and the pursuit of power over fellow creatures.

A revolution is sweeping this land, this great war that is emerging shall be the last war ever fought if Nemain succeeds, for never again shall there be anyone called a Lord or Peasant in this wonderful world that is meant to be filled with life, not death and despair.

Pangaea\'s Oxymorons
 

Helheim is a nation of illusions, and, thus, we are masters of them. We are also masters of illusions in the form of words and are capable of seeing right through them. Pangaea claims that it wants to bring peace, freedom, and equality to the world. Yet how do they plan to bring these things to the world when they do not even have them in their own lands? Look into the forests of Pangaea. Do you see peace? No, there is chaos. Do you see freedom? Sure, so long as you do not offend the forest! Do you see equality? No. If there is equality, then why is it that Pans hold most of the power? Why is it that only white furred centaurs are sacred? Why is it that there are no male satyrs who are priests? I will tell you why. Because there is no more peace, freedom, or equality in the forests of Pangaea than anywhere else!

At least civilized nations come together for the betterment of the whole instead of thinking only of oneself. Selfishness is rampant in Pangaea, and only a fool would be too blind not to see it! They dance and frolic around all the time without a worry in their heads comfort in the thought that dawn will bring yet another day. Civilized nations know better! Dawn does not always come. You must strive for the dawn, or it may never arrive!

Perhaps the most telling thing though, is how Pangaea plans on "liberating" us. With all the abundant peace, freedom, and equality in the forests, you would think that they could dream up a better way of facilitating their plan but no. Their answer is of course, war. How surprising! How do you achieve peace? Kill those who stand in your way! How do you achieve freedom? Kill those who disagree with your restrictions! How do you achieve equality? Kill those who are different!

These promises from Pangaea are threats, threats to us all! They merely wish to bring their brand of peace, freedom, and equality to our nations. Will you accept the principles of the half-breeds? For the sake of sanity, I hope not.

This message has been funded by the Hangadrotts of Helheim.
I am Aeforge, and I approve this message.

Re: Pangaea\'s Oxymorons
 

The frost giants of Niefelheim stand watchfully. The time for march is yet to come, but when they raise their sword arms, the very land will shatter. Noone was foolish engough to attack the Sons of Winter, but if that happens only the chilly wind will sang songs about that feebleminded nation who sent soldiers to the land of the Giants.

Awakening
 

The dormant gods are awakening! Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

-- Sheap-Niggurath, regent of R'lyeh

Re: Awakening
 

To the Nations of the World

Long have the Triton Kings ruled from the depths of the blue. Recently the deep ones of Atlantis have made overtures to the world that was given to us. They will be destroyed. To the nations on land you have little to fear of us. Your world is as alien to us as ours is to yours. We do posses land territory, and we will view any aggression against our land as an act of war

Re: Awakening
 

Wait! Don't host! I accidently used 3.01 to take my turn. Do I just go in with 3.00 and redo my turn?

Re: Awakening
 

Heh, nothing can stop the server from hosting once all the turns are in. But if you just replay your turn with 3.00 then you will be guaranteed to be ok.

Is there anyone currently using 3.01? I don't think there are any plans to upgrade the server to 3.01 because of the horrors bug. But if anyone is using 3.01 successfully it would be great for them to speak up so we know if it is safe or not.

Re: Awakening
 

I am using 3.01

Re: Awakening
 

OK, I loaded up 3.00 and played the turn. Thanks for the help.

Re: Awakening
 

I used 3.01 for my last 2-3 turns and it went okey.

Re: Awakening
 

i have been using 3.01

Battle of Shirak Steppe
 

A independent landlords in Shirak Steppe sent word to the two neighboring nations to help him fight of some bandits. The two major kingdoms sent troops. C'tis sent two commanders leading 96 lizards, while the Sons of Winter where in scarce of troops, so DreamSlayer decided to send only a commander with his carefully chosen 11 warriros. The bandits fled from the seight of the two armies. But the question remained open: Who will hold the province. The only method was to decide it in the field of battle. The Niefelheimian battlegroup was prepairing for a fair fight, but then the lizards drew swords OF FIRE. This drove the giants in a berserker rage. They droped the armours and fought with two great swords. At the end of the fight a giant as poisoned by a lizard and he died a heroic death, but the lizards lost 83 and both of their commanders.

Now the emissary of DreamSlayer is sent to C'tis. The fiery weapons used in battle where considered an insult to the very nation of the Sons of Winter. An insult that can be settled only with blood.

The awakening of Sauromatia
 

When the Pantokrator disappeared and portents foretold the return of the goddess, there was much celebration amongst the tribes of Sauromatia. The time for honourable war had come again! And once more, the androphags would have something to eat...

And yet, the ancient witch king sat on his throne, and did nothing. The tribes clamoured for action, but the king was too old... he had sat for centuries, gradually consumed by the necromantic magic that kept him from aging, and now he was unable to adapt to the changes taking place around him.

The warrior princesses fought back their frustration, but there seemed nothing they could do - and so the Sauromatian empire stagnated, while those around them expanded rapidly in the new climate of change and empire-building. Then, one morning, the witch king was found dead, poisoned by the blade of an unknown assassin. It seemed the anger of the tribes had grown too much.

While the warrior priestesses and lesser witch kings of the tribes chose a new leader (by means of combat, of course), the High Priestess Sheap took over command of the empire, rapidly dynamising it and raising armies with the vast stockpiles of gold hoarded by the old witch king. An assault from Agartha in the north west was fought off and the position of the tribes was greatly improved.

Now a new ruler has been chosen, and a new witch king sits on the throne. His coronation coincided with the return of the goddess, which was seen as a good portent. The armies of Sauromatia have already swarmed over the surrounding independent provinces, tripling the size of their empire in only two months.

A peace has been found with the Agarthans. They can hardly be blamed for trying to capture the territory of the stagnant empire, but with both sides now possessing large armies a peace treaty seems prudent for both sides.

An army of Arcoscpehale has also been encountered to the east. It is hoped that peace can be negotiated with them as well - the Sauromatians haveplenty of other places to direct their desire for honourable warfare.

A new dawn has arisen for the Sauromatian tribes. They will show honour and respect to those who treat them likewise. Those who do not can expect to be poisoned by hydras, cut down by amazons and eaten by androphags.

Re: The awakening of Sauromatia
 

LOL

In other news: I updated the original game post to include the new replacement players. Long live the new empires!

Important Announcement from Ermor!
 

Ok, so when 50+ heavily armed and armored Ermorian legionnaires are utterly crushed by under ten opponents without even inflicting one casualty, that to me signals it's time to throw in the towel. Oh, and the attack came from a neighbor who announced to everone that they didn't intend to involve themselves in any wars at this time.

I hearby cede what little remains of my lands to Pangaea. All gems and money will go to Atlantis. These two empires have dealt with me amicably and haven't resorted to the kind of scummy lowlife backstabbing and kicking-when-they're-down antics that other, more imbalanced nations have.

Surely the fates will smile upon the honorable and righteous nations mentioned above, and smite down those who spit in the face of honor and are little more than lying, petty, vile thugs who believe themselves strong and convince themselves of this fact by harrassing the weak while hiding from the truly strong.

Remember, life is but a string of consequences for our actions and the choices we make. Dishonor will haunt you and cloud your visage far longer than you can imagine, and your consequences have only begun.

I believe honor and light will win in the end, though the road will be long. The citizens of Ermor, disenchanted with the rule of Aurelios, who slept while they died, have taken up Pangaea on their offer of peace, though they know even under the rule of the forest folk many years of war lie ahead before true peace can be achieved.

May glory and victory follow the hallowed footsteps of Pangaea and Atlantis, and may Neifelheim and Vanheim know naught but pain, suffering, and the sour taste of thier own lack of dignity and integrity.

For the sake of all great nations, do not be so foolish at to believe any words that come from Vanheim or Neifelheim, as they use deceit as the foreguard of their armies. If you attempt to deal with them and expect honor, you will be woefully digging your own graves.

Ermor salutes you. The Senate is disbanded, and the people look to Pangaea for guidance. Goodbye.

Re: Important Announcement from Ermor!
 

An offering of truce has been sent to the ruler of Neifelheim over the unwanted skirmish on the Shirak Steppes. Unfortunately the six months of C'Tis inactivity leaves the nation poorly equipped to deal with a determined onslaught of Neifel Giants. Know ye all that should the terms of the truce be rejected by Neifel, the nation of C'Tis will fight honorably to the demise of its last serpent citizen.

Re: Awakening
 

I thought we were supposed to be using 3.00?

Re: Awakening
 

This is a newbie game. I would rather see Vanheim and the other nation your talking about allow you to come to peace terms rather than Ermor throw in the towel.

If this cannot be arranged, maybe allow someone to take over playing Ermor via a substitute. I appreciate your offer, and I appreciate the honorable way in which you dealt with Pangaea, but I would not like to gain provinces by having them handed to me.

If the above suggestions are not suitable, hand your provinces over to another nation that has dealt with your aimably.

I hate to see you go in this game =/, and I hope to be able to play with you in future games if you do decide to truly quit this one.