Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Actually, no, we're on two different water-masses. I can't get my Giboleths to their side, sadly.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Ah...that's a problem for us then. Both of you have big oceans to yourselves. Looks like 8 provinces for Atlantis with another 3 a hop away, and 11 for Rlyeh.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

I'm sorry, I was away over yesterday. I reset the server timer once when I left, but still two people staled. I was hoping that this was enough to tell people who didn't receive the email where to get the host/port from:

To be honest, I really don't like to host 24 hour games because those do tend to get quite hurried, I much prefer 48 hour games which end up with less stales and more or less the same turn frequency in early game due to quickhosting.

How should we proceed now? Take this as a lesson and continue, or do the staling parties feel strongly that I should reset the game and host the second turn again?

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys (finding host)
 

If you mean spammers by THEY, then yes. I'm on the net for over 10 years now and thus quite aware about those bots that are spidering through the web and harvesting email addresses.

I think that email shouldn't be the transport medium for something which can be done directly on the net. Especially considering how email is encoded and delivered. It's like riding on ox carts for your travels because you're enjoying the countryside so much or whatever. On the user side, I don't like to receive more mail than I must in general, and hate anything other than basic-text messages, plus the downloading of the turn files into the appropriate folders and attaching the proper files into the response messages.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Well, I don't really care too much about that one turn, though it could easily be the key between winning and losing. R'lyeh can produce ~1 chaff army for offense every 2-3 turns. If I don't care about whether or not I use Mind Lords as commanders, I could easily get a chaff army per turn from each fort.

Though resetting the game would be nice, it's not necessary, I think. The other staling party might not think so, though.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

The prophet of Frannabelle fell into a trance. Upon awakening, the fierce warrior-priestess prophesied through her filed, bloodstained teeth, "whosoever captures the middle water shall hold the seas entire."

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

To Ich:
Understood. Can't say I completely agree but this idea has something in it. (on reflection): And probably more the more games/etc. you take part in.
And yes, I meant THEM exactly. BTW, idea of posting mail as picture has something to it, too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

I like the idea of moving the limit up to 24 hours and letting the autohost take care of moving the game faster.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

That is what is happening now. Says it right there in the OP. Not to mention playing the game so far ought to have maybe given you some kinda clue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Whoops! I meant 48. It is very late, I swear.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Haha it's ok, I actually meant to come back and edit out a little bit of the harshness there.

Anyway, has anyone had any lucky events or found any nice provinces, etc, yet?

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Well, I didn't take my 2nd turn... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif Probably because I made "save & quit" to think it up later. Nevertheless, I will probably catch up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Ascendant - Game On!
 

Just to clarify in case a few of you missed, I'll be roleplaying a bit. For example (hopefully this isn't confidential), I offered Caelum (at least I think it was Caelum) a 2-turn NAP a while ago cushioned between praising myself, which he never replied to(I'd at least hoped for a "no").

If it wasn't Caleum, then it was at least the guy who just sent me a message saying "Greetings!".

Re: Ascendant - Game On!
 

I'm rather sure you didn't send 2 turn NAP offer to Caelum. I always reply something to that kind of messages.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Actually, I remembered the "Greetings!" coming from Arcoscephale, but I checked the first post and didn't see Arco there, so I assumed it was Caelum (since, you know, I confuse Caelum and Arcoscephale all the time). It appears this Aboleth's brain isn't quite so large as it should be http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

We Eagle Kings find confusing our glorious nation with lowly humans somewhat insulting but we also understand that prolonged exposure to high pressure of the deeps may be damaging to Aboleth's mental faculties, so we let it go this time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Ninja edit: It's only turn 5 but I've already totally fallen in love with these flying scouts Caelum has. Nothing gives better picture of world happenings than these guys.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Pangaea's harpies are slightly better, but that's it for national recruitable scouts.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Can flying guys fly over neutral or enemy controlled provinces?

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Absolutely.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

We Aboleths do not memorize the names of species we enslave or will enslave. It simply wastes time better spent enslaving.

On another topic, I've gotta say I love R'lyeh's Giboleths. Cheapest mind blasters in the game. When you're done with them, put them on "Attack closest" and let them die.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

The humble envoy of Sauromatia wishes an audience with the ruler of the great northern lake.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Well, he can just enter the water... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Ok ok, the ruler BY the great northern lake.

Everyone having a good time? What's going on with Lanka? What happened to Claire? Is Kailasa clashing with another great nation or with barbarians? These are the days of our lives.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Lanka unfortunately starts with quite a crap army and has had a little bit of a slow start but hopes to pick up the pace very soon.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Don't tell Lanka, but I'm secretly glad that they've been a touch slow at the beginning, because they are just scary quite quickly and then thereafter.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Kailasa is fighting another nation, and is getting its butt kicked.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Don't worry, I won't tell Lanka http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

It's a bit early to say getting its butt kicked -- we have yet to fight a major battle -- but yes, I'm being rushed by Caelum. And Kailasa has the same slow start as Lanka.

I am now 2 for 2 MP games in "getting rushed by the first nation to touch borders", and 2 for 2 games in "being attacked by Caelum the turn after touching borders". I'm really starting to hate Caelum.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

I may or may not tell R'lyeh of Kailasa's plight. It all depends http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif R'lyeh may or may not entreat a bystander nation to attack either participant in this war of Kailasa's. (A hint: The reason monkey PD supposedly sucks is because of this tiny little monkeys. Trample works much better on the size 1 units. Build bigger units?)(no offense to you, currently unknown second participant, just diplomacy)

Also, for all to see, I offer this to Atlantis:

PREAMBLE

The seas of Ascendant are beginning to be divided. Already, at least two nations have laid a significant claim to the seas. Soon, as many new nations begin to grow, the seas will become a divided mess, and inevitably lead to the downfall of the great nations of R'lyeh and Atlantis, who have begun in the sea and should, by rights, control the sea and all of its inhabitants. No land-dweller should control any water province without the consent of one of the great two nations under the water. Without further ado, I present an Alliance which well serve to intensify the goodwill between R'lyeh and Atlantis and increase the chances of both nations surviving past the first few years of this chaos. Without further ado, here is the offer:

/PREAMBLE

Fellow sea-dwellers! R'lyeh humbly offers you this proposal of a great alliance to be accepted or decline upon your whims. The specifics of this alliance are as follows:

1. R'lyeh and Atlantis, and all vassal states of these nations, may not in any way purposefully harm the other faction. This includes, but is not limited to, war, bribing or in any purposeful way causing a nation to declare war, or aiding in a war against the other faction in this Alliance unless the other faction is given five months' notice. This Alliance of R'lyeh and Atlantis may only be released from effect by one of the founding members of this Alliance after seven months' warning to the other founding member of this alliance.

2. R'lyeh, Atlantis, and all vassal states of these must aid in a war in which the other participates, if that is possible, and it is not against any parties involved in this Alliance.

3. Sea territory shall be divided so that R'lyeh may take all sea provinces fully or mostly west of province 100(the northernmost province in the middle lake), and Atlantis all provinces fully or mostly east of said province. This will divide the middle lake into two equal parts, one owned by R'lyeh and another by Atlantis.

4. A "vassal state" is any nation which has acknowledged defeat against R'lyeh or Atlantis, and acknowledged that it will in some way pay tribute to R'lyeh or Atlantis. Paying tribute to includes, but is not limited to, ceding provinces, paying a monthly gold or gem "tax" to R'lyeh or Atlantis, giving items to a member of this Alliance whenever demanded, declaring war upon another nation when demanded by a member of this Alliance, and periodically giving a member of this Alliance maps.

5. A nation can gain membership in this Alliance with the permission of both Atlantis and R'lyeh, or if it is a vassal state of either of these nations.

6. All members of this alliance must help forcibly expel any nation which has claims in a water province without the express permission of that province's intended owner.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

So, if R'lyeh and Atlantis team up to keep all us land nations out of the oceans, should us land nations decide to keep R'lyeh and Atlantis from taking a single land province? Who loses more, there? Not us.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

A wind cold and silent as the grave itself blows from the Spire Horn towards the lands of the monkey people and ravens black as night come along with it as they can already taste the coming feast. Soon the ancient people of Kailasa will depart this world and join their ancestors residing the celestial sphere.

Third party nations should think twice about the whisper of R'lyeh, which are trying incite a larger war. Getting involved in the war between Caelum and Kailasa isn't wise for by doing so one is only serving the devious agendas of the aboleths.

-----

@Shigure: We will have a major battle soon enough. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Please don't nurture hateful thoughts towards Caelum for Eagle Kings are quite fun. Instead, give them a try yourself and soon you will love the sweet odor of ozone.

-----

@Darkwind: Now that's quite an announcement your Aboleths made there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Fat chance on getting all 13 or 15 or however many land based nations to all work together on that

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

I was really hoping you'd go straight for my capital instead of taking the scenic route through the hinterland. But yes, soon: yavana versus mammoth! ... why do I suspect I'm in trouble?

Oh, I know, I know. I was this close to choosing Caelum for my first game, and almost did this time around, too. But I am getting thoroughly sick of fighting them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I would make a proposal to all the creatures, be they ape or hairless, of the land -- indeed we should ban the creatures of the sea from our pristine shores, but also the creatures of the sky have no place here. Let them rest upon the water like ducks or soar among the winds, but the land must be reserved for those who would walk or swing from the trees!

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

The prophet of Sauromatia thusly spake, "if the powers of the east and west seas make common cause, nor they shall taste the sweetness of the air long, and be relegated to the depths evermore."

Simians gibber in righteous fury and counterstorm the lands of the winged men, led by shining demigods. The Eagle Lords watch in amusement from their mountain fastnesses and send more of their giant beasts of war to crush their debris-flinging enemies. All of Ulm takes up arms as the expert builders of Marverni raise the first great fortification.

The manflayers seal their borders tight against possible aggression, their heavy taxes oppressing the people who have no choice for the enless, cruel patrols of their masters. The hanged kings and cursed ones quietly and efficiently conquer province after province with none the wiser. The demons, sated from gorging on the hapless populace of their first devastating assault, take another land and begin to feed anew.

The masters of the five elements relentlessly scour their empire for sources of magic, finding trove after trove of places of high magic, and the snake people of the south pursue the secrets of life and death as though their entire culture may depend on it.

The ancient aboleths whisper from the cold seas, and the sleepers awaken...

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

And Rightful Ruler of Ulm and Lands Beyond therefore proclaimes a Holy War on debasable, degenerate and degradate Fomoria! Let's our Blades of bright Steel spill their unclean blood! Let the Land be cleansed of their unholy presence and their ghoulish visages! Surely they are not fitting neighboors for honest humans.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Everyone's rather surprised by my announcement, it seems. However, it all works out in the end. I don't plan on backstabbing Atlantis until the later mid-game, at least. Dividing the seas when there's still quite a bit of significant opposition is a foolish idea. You see, Atlantis, my offer is quite sincere. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Also, thanks for summing up the game so far, Reno. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

And finally, by looking back, I noticed Charshep's last post on this thread was page 5.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

@Shigure: Well fought! Your bless was very effective against my mammoths. However, that wasn't all I have in store for you.

I predicted troubles for you because I'm going to give you some. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

As if I was going to train yavanas en masse without giving them a decent bless. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif If I had known I would be up against a rushing Caelum, though, I think I would have gone with a water bless instead, or maybe even a major air bless. Every turn the yavanas spend walking up to your archers is pain.

I believe you already have, good sir!

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

lol @ R'lyeh - opposition?! What are we gonna do, pee at you?

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

I'm sure someone, at least, has an Ichthyid province by now. It's not hard to get Rings of Water breathing and Shamblers, either. I don't think anyone's really devoted themselves to creating an empire based on the land yet(except perhaps Caelum and Kailasa, who are busy pre-tenderizing one another for whoever decides to eviscerate the winner). If one gathers enough provinces and Rings of Water Breathing, one could probably just spam enough commanders to take down an indy province(although that's a rather unorthodox method).

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

And if you believe that, I've got some wonderful lowland meadows real estate for sale in Sauromatia.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

T'ien C'hi speaks...

What is your intention, Sauromatia? Do not extend any farther past the mountain range you have just gone beyond, unless you wish war.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

We have dispatched our envoy to your many-tiered Palace of The Five Elements atop Mount Fortune. There he will speak our words to your lord.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

At the very least, the alliance will bring peace to the water and dispose of a large enemy for both Atlantis and me.

In other news, Fomoria and Helheim staled.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Only Helheim missed a turn.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Well, it's possible he just slept as dead.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Yow. I was expecting to win that battle, but not so decisively. (I was also expecting to rehire those mercenaries; you must have paid a decent fortune for them, Caelum!)

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Looks like Kailasa has some teeth after all...luckily it is easy to counter yavanas...after all, a water bless won't save you from arrows.

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

That's the funny thing. You're absolutely right, and that is why I was expecting nasty casualties. His army was primarily spire horn archers and mercenary longbowmen, but they ended up wasting most of their effort trying to hit my mercenary heavy infantry.

(By the way, I didn't take a water bless. I have a major fire bless and a minor air bless.)

Re: Ascendant - EA for new guys
 

Kailasa appears to be winning. Perhaps Caelum's elephant rush was not so smart?

In other news, Burning Ones look suspiciously like Slave Princes.

Also, why did T'ien Chi's research drop so suddenly? Hmm . . .