Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Well, having been the beneficiary of the last pause, I'd be a complete hypocrite to argue against one this weekend.
So I say, wait for Ylvali.

Nor is it going to be a long delay. Even at 48 hours, if we hosted right now, the next due date would be on sunday anyway. Letting it sit a few more hours to avoid a stale isn't a big deal.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

thejeff seconded. Delay is fine and it's not even all that much of one. About to (finally!) upload my turn btw, and I'm heading to the airport soon. I will be sooooo glad to get home. I don't know how others can do business trips on a regular basis. I'd go nuts...

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

OK. My Water Queens are definitely mad at the Oceanian terrorists now. I would count your days left on your fingers now, Oceania. You have two fingers, right?

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Xox is doing the most amazing job of staying alive and continuously giving it to the enemy.

The only view I've had has been from the coastline but it's been a bitter give and take with truly stupendous amounts of crab bits and whatnot washing up on our shores.

/salute xox

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

R'lyeh believes more fins than crab claws washed up on shore last turn.

But yes, Xox, well done. You have outlasted everything I could throw at you. Even without a castle anywhere, you have continued to vex me. Nagdesh willing though, you should be done this turn.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

In this past turn's battles Man has returned hundreds of longdead horse to their rest and slain a good number of sacred vestals and mortal troops as well, destroying one of Ermor's large armies with minimal losses. Fog Warriors is nice.
Provinces were lost to two smaller armies, but plans are afoot to deal with those.

Still it feels like a drop in the bucket. I destroyed far more troops than I have altogether and the situation hasn't really changed. We'll see how this month's plans play out. I don't expect another huge battle, but I could be surprised.


In other news: Man is in the market for a Firebrand or two. Frostbrands are not particularly useful against undead, nor are any cheap nature weapons. PM me if interested.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Well, that's it. The foul Oceanians are extinct. Amen.

Now what the hell do I do?

Does someone want to sell me their worst shore province? (preferably on the eastern shore). We are quiet neighbors, we don't spread insanity, we won't expand, and yes, you may see some funny lights up in the towers at night, but pay them no mind. My starspawn are night-owls, you know.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Heh. I got another strike to the jaw recently by Man, no doubt about it.

You know, while every single other player is obsessing on me, me, and only me...you may want to notice that C'tis has more castles than I do, and has been very quietly building Tartarians for almost twenty turns now (based on when his Well of Misery went up). Or that Pangaea has built up an army as large as my own with fewer provinces and no true opposition for most of the game, whereas I've been at war pretty much nonstop.

I'm not trying to say I'm not the biggest threat--just that second place isn't very far behind me at all. It's no coincidence that Pangaea is bleating and pointing "Look over there! Not over here! Isn't Ermor big and nasty? Look over there!" ; ) If you all do focus on me exclusively, all you'll be doing is playing Kingmaker, taking my chance of winning and handing it to C'tis, Pangaea, or Machaka.

And if I'm such a threat to winning the game, why can't I get rid of Agartha? Why is Vanheim giving me so much trouble? Why did Man defeat one of my main armies so handily?

The answer is, I'm not as much a threat as I seem--but I am a convenient target for other threats to point to and use as a smokescreen. ; )

And yes, if I am defeated I will come back to point out this post and say "I told you so".

Anyone that wants peace and a NAP with me--except maybe Agartha, sorry. ; )--can have it. I have stated time and time again that I do not want to fight. Except for Abysia, who brought vengeance upon himself, all of my foes so far have attacked me...

Edit: Changed Sauromatia to Machaka.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Actually you attacked Vanheim as well, making claims, to me at least, that you were just trying to pass through to get at Agartha.

I attacked you though. I'll freely admit that.

I'll agree there are other threats, not much weaker than you. What should we do? Ignore the greatest threat and strike at the lesser? And only 3 of us are focusing on you exclusively.
Not that Agartha has much choice.

And I may have destroyed one of your main armies, but one of your lesser ones is sieging my capital.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Yeah, we have more castles than Ermor. We win Dominions. And we have 34034034 Tartarians. That is why anyone watching our fights against Machaka have not seen this vast army of tartarians take the field.

Watch your diplomacy, you may make more enemies very quickly.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Heh. Whoops. Looks like I need to do some fast backpedalling here.

thejeff is absolutely right; I had somehow managed to forget that I had attacked Vanheim first, it's true. I *did* offer him an NAP before that though, which was rejected out of hand (and rather rudely too! ; ) So it had been a choice of sit and wait for him to attack me, or take advantage of the shortcut he provided me into Agartha's lands...

And to C'tis: sorry if I offended you (and for that matter, Machaka) then. I didn't know you were in a war with Machaka! I was having mildly paranoid visions of Machaka, C'tis, and/or Ulm jumping on the badwagon to take me down--while Pangaea sat back and watched the carnage, rubbing his hands and cackling with glee. I still stand by my accusation to Pangaea of having ulterior motives for urging everyone to attack me!

As to what other options Man has...good question. The unavoidable fact is I am the best contender to win the game. I can't argue against that. (And isn't it ironic that I wish that weren't true right now? ; ) All I'm trying to do is warn you...watch your back. The graphs don't tell the whole story; I am a *long* way from being anywhere sure of winning the game!

Edit: Changed Sauromatia to Machaka.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Sauromatia? Do you mean Machaka?
At first I was thinking, great there's another major power I haven't even noticed yet. Then I remembered Sauromatia is Early Age.

And you always have to watch your back. But you have to act too. I doubt I'll be backstabbed while you're still a threat.
Someone is going to win. Barring a miracle, it's not going to be Man. But I'll do what I can, while I still can.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

And really, no one is willing/able to trade me a Firebrand or two?
Where are the merchants? Ulm? Anyone?

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

We are willing, but we are unable. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I can make you a couple but I don't have any spare gems. Send me 3 fire and 3 earth per brand you want for next turn. Also it depends on how busy my mages are fighting off Ermor next turn...

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

/whistles innocently..

I would never think to say "Look over there and not at me!!"
Well ok in my last post I did mention overthrowing the Ermor horde and then me but..

I'll just say that I wish my army graph was composed of squintillions of undead cavalry instead of these damn maenids. Not much use even buffed!

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

While I'd rather have the cavalry too, with Fog Warriors and Army of Gold/Lead, pretty much anything becomes at least a really solid shield.

And the maenids aren't vulnerable to all the undead counters.

Most of which I don't have, being stuck with H1 priests and Nature/Air mages. The buffs are good, but damage output is low.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

So... I just went to summon my third water queen... Limne I think her name is. But lo..., she did not come.

So some little pissant, with a lake or something, has summoned my third water queen. This really pisses us off. We have nothing of power in this game, except our water queens. And now we have lost one.

Whoever has her, prepare to face the wrath of R'lyeh. We may not be a player in this game, but we will claim our water queens. Scouts are going out in all directions this turn to find the wayward Queen.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

There are two main possibilities; Either someone took a realllly risky gamble and summoned her on land hoping that the other two were already out. I notice that the spell summon water queen isn't water only btw. Or she was summoned in that little 2 province blip of water just east of Ex-Oceanean Territory.

Or the indy's in the far SW corner pool have managed to corral enough gems and sentience to do so. Or.. It's all a giant plot by me to go and get my *** handed to me in the water.

But really.. We don't care for the water. Water and Fur do not mix. Very itchy. Very very.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Dammit, I'm not *ready* for the Armies-are-useless, Mages-are-everything stage of the game yet!

You all may get your wish after all. Looks like Ermor's ship is sinking.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Argartha would like to thank the nation who has been sending us gold(you know who you are). Despite being small amounts it is very helpful to keep our troops from deserting.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Sure, believe that if you want. Perhaps you'd like to surrender now?
Or perhaps we could forswear the use of mages against each other? That would include not using summoned or reanimated troops, of course http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


Seriously, that was a Pyrrhic victory for me. Half my army is dead and the rest are cursed and crippled. Judging by the graphs, it'll take maybe 3 turns to make up your losses?

With that many battlefield spells up, the armies essentially couldn't hurt each other and neither of us have real area effect mages. Thunderstrike is nice, but fairly small and the few crones I have who can cast it won't spam it.

I may have missed something, but I think it was: Fog Warriors, Mass Regen, Mass Protection, Arrow Fend and Wind Guide, versus Army of Lead, Antimagic, will of the Fates and the Ermor undead boosts. All in Darkness. Oh yeah, with Doom cast on my troops.
And then they just stood there and took futile swipes at each other for 50 turns.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Heh. You have still taken the castle, decimated two major armies so far, including over two dozen leaders, and you have cut my lands in two. You have also thrown me out of your capital. All for the loss of less than 150 units and around a half-dozen leaders.

And Vanheim is using the opportunity to gain back the lands I have conquered from him; soon I will probably be evicted from his lands entirely.

And meanwhile, Pangaea continues to grow, secure and unopposed in the west.

No, this will not be easy to recover from.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Yeah, being first is rough. Not looking forward to my turn if it comes. Hopefully folks will be too distracted by all the Maened breasts to plan out well thought out attacks. I'm just hoping to be the last person in first place if ya get my drift.

Unlikely though as I've never played Pangea before and never experienced a real end game where mages, tartarians and whatnot reign supreme. It's starting to look like I am the only real blood nation left though and that may prove critical. Although how there are any virgins left in my nation full of Satyrs and such is beyond me!

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I did take the castle. True. Cutting your lands in two was part of the plan. As was giving Vanheim a reprieve.

Just being able to hold back the small armies you've got around my capital is hardly a major victory.

And I lost more than a dozen commanders this turn alone. Not sure how many died storming the castle. Including my only thugs and at least one critical Crone. At least I found her boosters after the battle.
And a 150+ troops may be little to you, but it was half my army. I'm working on a different scale here.

Most of the few of your mages I've been able to kill have been your cheap thaumaturges, and they've mostly communioned themselves to death.

Another victory or two like that, and I'll be done.

It's sort of amusing that we're both proclaiming how weak we are. Most be hell on the troops morale. On your part, it's probably partly propoganda, trying to convince others you'r e no threat. There's also a tendency to see your own weaknesses and others strengths.

As for Pangaea, he's fighting some sort of desultory war with T'ien Chi. Maybe my scouts are just missing the major battles. Not much I could do about that. And if I hadn't attacked when I did, you would have rolled over the rest of Vanheim and been well in the lead. I'm still not convinced you're as far out as you claim.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Pangea and Tien-Chi have resolved their differences quite some time ago. Any battles you may have seen were me trying to kill off some pesky militia and reduce my crippling upkeep.

Just to let ya know.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Oh, I knew you'd started a war. Hadn't seen anything in awhile and then saw one of those militia battles last turn, so assumed I'd just missed the excitement.

Never mind, then...

Carry on with the fear mongering about Pan's unstoppable hordes.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Ahh. We see now. Should have just looked at the Hall of Fame to begin with. C'tis has our Water Queen, and is holding her against her will.

Well Lizards, you can use her for now. But I would not get her killed. She would return to her rightful place the next turn if that happens.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

In the halls of Mictlan layed Fu-tsang lung, god of tien chi, dragon of wealth and order. His eyes clouded by pain, still his divine aura was one of peace.

Mo hi hai stood trembling below his gaze, shying from the divine kindness of his beloved god.

-master...you are in bad shape. I...don´t know if my efforts will be sufficient this time. I´m sorry...but...

-My child! The dragon mildly interrupted.

-how great is your devotion? I besieged the monkey people and was wounded, you did not fail me then. Now I have layed Mictlan under my rule after long and bitter struggle and I am wounded once more, you will not fail me now. I know you better than yourself, I can see into your heart and it knows no hesitation. Only your brain plays tricks of despair. Remember that we have won! Hopefully a time of peace awaits, and you will have time to cure me before my strenght is tested again.

-yes father. Mo hi hai whispered before hurrying away.

Fu-tsang lung looked after him and spoke, one head to the other.

-I fear this peace to be frail, my physical wounds are shallow compared to those in my soul. Can I bare the slaughter of yet another people? The screams of mictlans haunt me still, how can I find such steel within me.

The other head:

-You worry too much my dear! Sleep brother, sleep and forget. Yesterday is but a memory, tomorrow is illusion. Only now exists.

-Easy to say sister, but my pain is now. And very real indeed.

-Why sooo moody all of a sudden, can I please be spared of your depression? I for one cherish our victory!

-Such is our nature sister, to mirror the duality of ourself.

-Whatever, see you tomorrow.

-very well, good night.

-sweet dreams.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

You pretend to know the will of elements? There is a reason that Limne chose us over all people of the world. She is treated as a goddess amongst our people, and she is given the opportunity to smite those who would be blinded by the flames of false royalty.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Heh. Okay guys, I'm burning out. I find I just do not enjoy Dom3 endgame, so I'm going to find a replacement. Details here.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I'm sorry to see you go. This is my first serious endgame and I've learned a lot. Mostly about what I should have done. I've been lucky that you haven't had a real counter to Fog Warriors. I've go other tricks in mind, but I doubt they'll execute as well.

It'll be somewhat frustrating to lose to someone who didn't do the work of building up the position, or to beat someone who throws it away, but I get not liking the endgame. I avoid big games for just that reason. It's a game, no point in continuing if it's no fun.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

darn.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Thanks guys.

Yeah, in a lot of ways this has been a very interesting game! I've enjoyed the open diplomacy, the showers of love ; ) and so forth. This has been one of the most amicable gang-ups I've played in. And I've been highly amused by that army just parked on top of Agartha for like forever, like a cork in a bottle.

It's the mechanics of the game that are doing me in, not the players. Dom3 is too limited in its options for end-game for my tastes. It would not be so bad for me if the end-game truly came at the end of the game. But we're already at the stage now where all that matters are the gems, the SCs, and the mages--and it will still be a *long* time before a winner is finally decided. (Unless you all want to concede now? Heh.) This is only my second end-game as well btw (the first being Elli; I don't count King, since I never really fought there); if I had known how much I hated the ending at the start, I would not have joined a game on a map this big. Ah well, I have had a lot of fun so far!

I'll keep the turns churning until I find a replacement. Don't think you're getting off that easy! Someone should want the spot; opportunities like these don't come up very often...; )

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Yeah, I think I'll be looking for smaller games too.

So far, at least in our major battles, it's been all about the mages and battlefield buffs. Neither of us has really used SCs, other than my pretender and he hasn't been too effective.

I can think of a couple simple SC builds that would only have trouble wiping out my main army due to turn limits. Kind of surprised I haven't seen them, actually.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Heh. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a replacement. There are not many people that really enjoy playing end game Ermor. Maybe though.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Damn. You did find a sub. I am surprised. Everyone gang up on Ermor... new guy in the house. Mind hunts galore!

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

2.5 hours to go, 3, three, I say of you yet to go.. Snap snap!

Tithonos felt more than slightly sick as his diet for the last few months had been gems, nothing but gems, and he felt he could eat no more. Even his ludicrously bulging muscles failed to reassure (47str centaur /cough!) him past the strength of his reluctance.

Fortunately orders came that very afternoon from the lips of Stheno herself. "The time for liberation of the westernmost of the great southern forests is tomorrow. I shall see you there."

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Blimey, looks like I signed up for a challange. A large nation with lots of S/D mages (which is good) but with a disapointingly small gem income for its size, and very limited magic diversity (which is bad) and at war with no less than 4 (counting Agartha) nations. (which is worse)

I'm curious to see how it will play out.

Hello all, I'm looking forward to playing with you.
I will obviously honour all of Ermor's standing agreements, and extend my hand in friendship to all lands on this earth. Ermor sees no reason for war. After all, in the end all will die, and will serve us then. There is no reason to hasten the process.

P.S. Ermor is also in need of nature gems. Anyone not brainwashed by the 'big-bad-all-consuming-Ermor-threat-propaganda' is welcome to contact us for trade.

Edit: Disregard my offer to trade for nature gems for now. While I do need them, after starting to seriously look at things it turns out I basically have nothing much to trade for them. (Unless you'd be intrested in a couple of stray fire gems at least)

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Welcome aboard.
I do hope to help make it a challenge. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And I really don't want to hear anything about small gem income or limited magic diversity. I have plenty of diversity, I've got mages with Air and some Nature and mages with Nature and some Air. How much more diversity does anyone need?

The rest of your message reveals the corruption that is the heart of Ermor. Death is a part of the cycle of life. All life ends in death, but only to make way for new life. The dead should not be forced to serve again. Your tide of death will be stopped.

I suspect few will heed your desire for more gems to grant thought to the ancient monstrosities you have pulled from their rest. At the least, Man will not.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Well, Pan launched his massive assault after I wrote my recruitment post. It probably would have had a completely different tone if written a turn or two later. Looks like I was right; I was ignored, and now Pan will be rampaging through Ermor's lands, growing ever more powerful while everyone completely ignores him.

*ahem*

I told you so.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Ah, well. I guess I just managed to spoil myself in my previous games. Somehow in all my games I manage to acquire high levels in all paths of magic (with the possible exception of blood) so my current situation feels a bit awkward in that respect. I'll just have to find a way to cope with it though, won't I?

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I've been working on that for a looong time. A bit longer than desired as I learned such handy things as Faery Trod needing to have both a forest as the destination AND the departure point.. Not to mention sneaking all those damn dryads in there.

Nice wave of counter assasinations btw.

Oh and I am curious as to whether all those seeking arrows did anything? I am guess not since I heard no complaints!

I am so next, sigh!

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I didn't see any seeking arrows, so I suppose you cast them the turn before last? If that's the case You'll have to ask IndyPendant for the results.

Is the server down, by the way? I've been trying to connect all evening to check how long exactly I had to submit my turn, since I forgot to pay attention to it when I downloaded the turn. But no connection happened. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Yeah. Arsnotoria.net is down in general atm.

Those arrows I asked about were sent turns ago 4 a turn, etc etc http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

I suspect Indy assumed all those seeking arrows came from me or Vanheim. Which was probably intended. You're fighting two air nations and being attacked by air spells, why look elsewhere?

Amhazair, just in case you weren't informed, there is a status page linked on the first post of this thread. It's a little confused, though. It still thinks we're on a 24 hour timer, so the time limit is actually when it says there are -24 hours until next hosting.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Yeah, thanks. I found the status page too, but as you said, also noticed the 24h schedule, so I didn't trust it too far.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

Wow, that must have been some archer. Robin Hood himself couldn't have made that shot. Somehow an anonymous member from the lion clan tribe managed to fire his primitive shortbow at the imposing figure of Man's so-called Lord of the Forest. The arrow sped past his shield, through his armor, and embedded itself deeply in his 'invulnerabylized' body, causing enough damage to kill a normal man, and leaving even his tougher target with a permanent limp. Pity I can't indentify him, cause the guy deserves a medal. (Or a GoR and a magical bow)

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

It was a nice shot. Or a lucky one.

I'll have to watch again. I didn't even notice when it happened. Just, suddenly there's a limp. Oh well, just a limp. Not like he needs to walk around much anyway. Just needs a faster way to kill chaff...

And I need to fire whoever organized the defense in Witches Copse. Actually, I think you took care of that for me...
Not that I would have won, but better placement would have meant more survivors.

Re: Priori - New MA Game (Sign Up Now!)
 

As to the seeking arrows, yeah I just assumed they were from Man or Van--although I did wonder why they didn't target my moving armies, in the hopes of splitting them! Now I know. *glares at Pan* Axis of Evil indeed! ; )

They were annoying; more I will not say. Would not be fair to my successor, should I let something slip by mistake.

Now I shall return to lurking. Have fun!