Re: Vanishing Commaders
 

Just a note to say that I will out of town until 2300 GMT on Tuesday. It's up to the host what he wants to do, I suppose.

Re: Vanishing Commaders
 

you had now 24h for the turn so i dont understand why you wherent able to get it in, as a short turn will take about 10min, but i might be nice and wait. If someone does not want to wait for Sandman, then say it here and i will host on the sceduled time.

Re: Vanishing Commaders
 

2300 GMT was now and i did not get the turn yet, i will wait about an hour more, and then host.

Re: Vanishing Commaders
 

for further posphonements, plz give a time that has actually some value when you ask for a break, as it makes no sense to wait to a time and then still no turn arrives.

Re: Vanishing Commaders
 

Sorry, for some reason I thought I'd sent it in.

Bandar Log just about toast
 

Arco has won the upper hand again in our "own little war"--permanently this time, I fear.

I have had a fun and instructive time fighting you--good game.

And thanks to the "big boys" for letting us fight it out. A number of you could have taken either one, or both of us, out before now.

The apes and monkeys will fight on, but not for much longer, so I bid farewell to you all now.

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

and so there are only 7 left.

For how long where you fighting each other? you where at war when my scouts first spotted you about 40 turns ago.

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

What turn is it now? I want to say we have been fighting since about turn 10 or so.

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

That's some serious war that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

Turn 61, that lasted long for sure

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

i would be thankful when id get todays turn until 19:00 CET (5h from now) or else the next turn will come tomorrow around 11:00 CET.

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

Sent my turn 1 min. ago

Arcane Nexus has to be dispelled
 

With Arcane Nexus active we request all free nations of faerun not to use other magic than astral or blood. This nexus will draw a part of every hard earned gem used for any other magic than astral or blood.

We would support any dispel try or would take donations to try it for ourselfs. This global is game breaking and should be dispelled as fast as possible. This is a sort of 'gem stealing' is like utterdark or astral corruption an aggressive act to every other nation.

Re: Arcane Nexus has to be dispelled
 

The following is a proclamation issued by the nation of Ulm in late spring of the sixth year of the ascension wars, and distributed by fast courier to all capitals of the world. Also, but obviously slower, heralds headed out from the great city with orders to read the proclamation in every town hall, lord’s manor, or village square in the world.



Years and years ago, in the days of our forefathers, we, who are now the people of Ulm, lived and worked the mines of the old Ermorian Empire. In those days Ermor was still a proud, civilised nation, honouring the ancient traditions, and bringing peace and justice to the peoples of the world.

However, at one point this began to change. We lived too far to the fringes of the empire to notice the first signs, and for the same reason, we are unaware of it’s causes, but slowly, ever so slowly, the once great minds of the philosophers, the teachers, the artists, the politicians… the very people of Ermor began to darken. Whispers began to be heard in our faraway province of dark arts being practiced in the capital. Of honourable dead being dug out of their graves and put to work once more. Of rulers secretly dealing with dark necromancers to enhance their personal power. Of people mysteriously disappearing and never being seen again, their fate unknown, but surely too horrible to contemplate….

Our forefathers heard these whispers, and saw the changes in the ways of high society, and wanted no part of it, so we picked up our tools and our armours, our children and our loved ones, and left, to build our own nation, strong and proud, away from the dark influence of Ermor.

Generations passed, and though the tales of old Ermor’s corruption were still being told around our fires at night, the intervening distance meant we had no sight of how things were developing there. Meanwhile Ulm grew into the nation we had envisaged. Strong enough to withstand the hardships of the world. Brave men in heavy armours protecting our lands, and allowing the common folk to go around their daily life in peace and prosperity.

Then, the old Pantokrator died, and wars shook the lands. Ulm’s armies were strong and determined, and our nation withstood the ravages of the age, and defeated its enemies, a nation of evil goblinoids destroyed beneath our armoured might, a mysterious race of fish-people eradicated, and two different tribes of uncivilised human savages being brought into our empire to learn the value of discipline and civilisation. Meanwhile on our borders we met other humans, with their own civilisations, as old and honourable as Ermor had been. Peaceful relationships were established by them, and we watched them subjugate their own enemies, a water-dwelling race of people supposedly coming from the stars, and a savage nation of monkey-people. Talking monkeys… of all things imaginable, surely this must be one of the strangest…

In this time, merely a few years ago we came once more into contact with our old masters of Ermor. Unaware of how far the corruption had tainted them, and with our nation exhausted from the constant wars, we approached them peacefully, hoping to find the honourable nation of old had returned. Imagine our joy, when it appeared to be so, our envoys being treated cordially, our talks being conducted in a civilised manner and, in the end, peace was agreed to.

Soon however we began to see the signs of our mistake. Scouts exploring the nations Ermor had conquered began to see risen corpses walking alongside the human legions, merchants travelling to Ermor’s cities told disturbing tales of the debauchery of the rich and wealthy. The old arts of theatre and poetry – while still holding to the ancient form – had acquired a new and dark theme, obsessed with death and the afterlife. Surely this was not the Ermor of old, this was a mockery! A thin outer layer of civilisation remained, but it covered pure and utter darkness.

Seeing the threat to all the human nations of this world we felt the desire to act, to stand against this unfathomable menace. But alas! Our word had been given, and Ulm’s word is as strong and hard as the iron of their forges. Two years of peace had been agreed to with the vile Ermorians, and two years of peace they’d have.

As last and final proof of their corruption – as if more were needed – Ermor itself has now decided to betray the peace. Surely their minds, corrupted by the darkness they had lived in for generations, could no longer fathom the concept of honour, of being true to one’s word, and, wanting to destroy us, a nation and a people who would never, could never, accept to live in a world dominated by the undead decided to strike the first blow, hoping to catch us unprepared.

THEY WILL SOON REALISE THEIR MISTAKE!!!

Ulm’s armies are always prepared! Our people is always prepared! We will never bow to the vile and treacherous death-cult of Ermor! If it is war they want, it is war they’ll get! Ulm’s armies have been toughened and hardened by years of warfare against evil opposition, and are now ready to take on the biggest threat yet. Quite possible the biggest threat this world has ever seen. Ermor’s power is huge, but Ulm stands ready!

We hereby invite all honourable people to join us in this ultimate struggle. Surely this world will be a better place to live in once Ermor has been eradicated. To our old friends of the middle kingdom we say: Join us in this hour of need. Not just our need, but the need of the world. To the ancient kingdom of philosophers and astrologers to our west we extend a hand in friendship. We have seen you fight the wild monkey people and do not doubt you abhor what Ermor has become. A nation who once was heavily influenced by your philosophies and your beliefs. The proud knights and archers of the forests of Avalon, who learned so much from the ancient Tuatha, the mysterious men who ventured into the caves to learn from their huge inhabitants we would welcome at our side. Teach us what they taught you, and we’ll teach you much of our own. Even to the strange and almost extinct bird-people on their mountaintops and to the halfmen dwelling in the deepest woods we extend this invitation: Join us. Join the righteous war against Ermor. Join us in the eternal struggle to make this world a world we want to live in, not one we’re afraid to die in – because death will not allow us any rest.

To the noble in his manor house, to the merchant in his city house or sleeping under the bed of his wagon. To the farmer working his fields, and the craftsman crafting his goods. To the soldier sleeping in a muddy ditch, the servant polishing his masters boots, the filthy beggars in the city streets, and the perfumed ladies at a court ball. To all of you and more I promise: Ulm will do everything in it’s power to make sure that – when your time has come – your life will be remembered by those you leave behind, your body treated with the honour and respect it deserves, instead of used and discarded as a poorly made tool. Any help any of you can give this cause will be gratefully received.



In the name of Ulm, its ruling council, its people and its hope for the future,




Ulfrida, Lady of the Rock, The Fortifier, The Unforgiving Queen.

Re: Arcane Nexus has to be dispelled
 

I think I got carried away a bit... It probably has something to do with being a roleplayer. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

And to think I could have used the time to write this to actually make sure all my mages and commanders have the right commands to actually fight this war... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

The Great War
 

So its finally beginning, the war between Ulm and Ermor who was lingering around a long time has now become fact.

We of Man are neutral in this conflict, but we are watching closely and if one of the warring parties should violate our borders we will swiftly strike back.

We are very interested in who will win the Clash of Gigants, Ermors Tartarians or Ulms Elemental Royality.

btw. The people of Man are very interested in Battle Reports so plz write some in the forum.

Re: The Great War
 

And I do like to write them, but it isn't allways easy to find the time and/or the energy to do so.

If it hadn't been a weekend you probably wouldn't have the privilage to read my beautifully written and inspiring Declaration of Defiance http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Bandar Log just about toast
 

Agreed - I learned a lot fighting you in this game. You really caught me the first time I tried assaulting that castle...

Bandar Log declares territories to be open!!!
 

To all nations of the world:

From this time forward consider all territories of Bandar Log to be free and open to transit of your armies. Note however, that due to the current state of our lands, this proclamation may not reach all provincial commanders or expeditionary forces currently in the field, so localized clashes may occur.

Provided that you parole all Bandar Log military personnel captured after any such battle, we have no quarrel with you.

Re: The Great War
 

Well, it seems first blood went to the Tartarians http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Luckily I'm big and strong and can stand a little blood loss http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif



I'm also wondering how people would feel about a 3-day timer. I'm not sure I'll need it myself, but I do have a busy work period comming up just now that all hell broke loose, so I might have to run quite a bit.

Re: The Great War
 

now that a big war is running, it might be time to set to 72h, i think ermor would agree too, as his turns are always arriving on the deathline. (but the next turn will still be tomorrow http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif )

Re: The Great War
 

This time i need a little more time. I had very much work to do during week and this weekend my parents visiting me. I will try to get in my turn till midnight European central time. Please wait with hosting, this war makes a turn really time-consuming.

Re: The Great War
 

ok, but i cant host them, so the next turn will be hosted tomorrow in the morning +-24h from now.

Re: The Great War
 

Aye... merely looking at the turn's messages takes quite a bit longer than playing an entire turn did before the war http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: The Great War
 

My turn was sent yesterday ~10.00 pm. Just to make sure you got it (2h file is more than a MB big now) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: The Great War
 

mid_ermor.trn = 1.8 MB, what are u doing? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: The Great War
 

When I tried to start up my turn I got the message: "turn file is corrupted" after which dominions closed itself http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Any idea what can cause that, and more importantly, how to solve it?


Far less important: for the first time since I got myself Gmail the computer goblins struck again and prevented the turn mail from reaching my original adress. It did arrive fine at Gmail though, so no problem.

Re: The Great War
 

I would try to download it again. Maybe the download was corrupted.

I attach the mid_ulm.trn file to this post (packed with winrar). Maybe this version works.

While war turn 1 was more in my favor and turn 2 more in yours this 3rd turn was more or less equalized.

Re: The Great War
 

Thanks Calmon, that attachment worked just fine. (I had tried downloading it from the mail a couple of times already, with no luck)

Let's go see what more equalized means...

Re: The Great War
 

My turn was sent more than 1 hour ago. Did you get it? Maybe i should start to zip/rar the file. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: The Great War
 

yes i got it, but i cant host, as long as i am not at home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
the next turn should arrive shortly

Re: The Great War
 

Pffft...

Only four turns of war, and I'm already effectively beaten by a very well executed and coordinated Ermor assault. The combination of massive undead armies, many (many!) Tartarians, half of them able to teleport through one means or another, and massive use of ghost riders has pummeled me to my knees.

Apart from plain and simply being stronger than I was (which was the case), the main cause of this fast collapse was that Calmon was apperently perfectly ready for the war, and I wasn't. I needed about a turn or two (without enemy interruption, which I obviously didn't get) to get everything in place to start a war as I'd have wanted to start it.

You could argue (and you wouldn't be wrong) that it was not very smart to cast a powerful spell like the Arcane Nexus when I wasn't totally ready for a war. I did however have a NAP with Ermor lasting until turn 70, and after having read this http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...art=1&vc=1 thread some time ago, I was under the impression that even the casting of such a powerful global would not be considered enough cause to break it. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame Calmon in any way - comming from a (board)gaming background where a rare, carefully planned and game-winning betrayal was much admired I was quite worried about being tied hand and foot by "the way things were done here" unable to react if a player I had a deal with did something potentially game winning. I'm quite glad that this at least seems to be considered just cause to attack the offender. - but that thread had me convinced that I was free to do what I wanted untill turn 70, and I was aiming for a war at that point, and not earlier. (with Ermor at least, I was less worried about some other nations http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

Having said all that: anyone who's still planning of doing something in this game better to it soon, while Ermor is still occupied with me (I still do have some forces left), because soon he'll be able to turn his full attention elsewhere. And trust me, his attention hurts a lot. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

P.S. I did have some smaller successes spread around the heavy blows I kept receiving. Honorable mention for fondest memory for a battle in this game goes to an attempt to break the siege of my castle in Veldorn. Most of the reinforcements I planned to arrive for that battle were stopped by teleporting (or cloud trapezing, or gatestoning, or otherwise jumping about) nasties, so in the end I only had about 50 regular troops with massive mage support to face a roughly 1000-men (3/4 undead) army. The result was a totally destroyed opposition, with only 1 master smith and 2 heavy infantries dead. (and 2 charmed legionnaires to replace them with http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif) Even though it wasn't a terribly important win (there was nothing particularly valuable in the opposing army), I still thought it amazing fun. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: The Great War
 

Is that it, then? Should we declare Calmon the winner?

Ermor has an unstoppable advantage in money and gems. I saw that much when I had Eyes of God up.

Re: The Great War
 

I weren't prepared for this war. For me this declaration was also surprising. Maybe we can provide our passwords and 2h files at the end of the game. Not necessarily for this issue but because of the much and often nice battles we had (and will have). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

The thing with our NAP and arcane nexus may be discussible. As i said before for me is nexus a very aggressive spell (like utterdark) which has a heavy impact in all others gem using. This spell could be taken as a declaration of war to everyone. However thats my viewpoint but i admit that this may be debatable.

Well, i think you aren't defeated. You take over my best combat global and you have much armies with very good combinations of mages. Your huge arcane income give you a big advantage and good options to react. How many gems did you get from the nexus each turn?
Furthermore T'ien Ch'i decided to attack my backlands and take out most of my water provinces.

I appeal on all other player not to believe that ulm is defeated. Like a good diplomacy player he just play down his own strengths.

Re: The Great War
 

I dont think this game is over yet as Agharta and I have some forces left to join the battle at some point. But in the moment it is not easy to say who will win, as ermor might be stronger now but Ulm with the Arcane Nexus will become very powerful in the long run. Too bad i neglected my scouting and cannot say how the war is going in the east.

Re: The Great War
 

I didn't necessarily mean that you had planned out your moves in advance or anything, but apparently (a large part of) your forces were in position to attack straight away. While I was using the first turn(s) of the war to move my forces from where I had recruited/summoned them to where I actually needed them, you teleported stuff on top of them, preventing them from arriving (and incidentially also destroying much of them http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif), while your conventional armies moved into my un-reinforced border provinces. You might have noticed that all my moves up to now where made in an attempt to counter your attacks, and that I didn't manage to launch any (even minor) offensive of my own.

As I said: I totally agree that this is a valid reason to attack me. I just thought that the gaming community on these forums thought otherwise, and as such I was not prepared. I won't make that mistake again.

Let me rephrase what I said and clarify what I actually meant: Ermor has dealt me some big blows that hurt me badly, and has huge and powerful forces ready to deal some more blows. If the two of us would be left alone I might still win a battle or two, kill of some stuff, and resist a while longer, but I don't see myself capable of doing any serious harm to his empire. That does not necessarily mean this game is over. If other nations launch a serious attack on Ermor, doing real damage and possibly forcing him to pull back some of his troops, Whatever I still have left at this point might help me hold out long enough for the nexus to pay of more, and then the situation could possibly change.

I also have only very poor information on the strength of the other nations, as T'ien Chi fought his war underwater and thus out of sight of my scouts, Man was on the opposite corner of the map and I only saw some minor engagement where unsupported knights fought of some stupid AI attacks, and Agartha actually hasn't fought any war yet (which could mean he has huge forces at his disposal) In none of these cases do I have the slightest idea of any independent mages they have that might widen their magical spectrum, of their gem income and reserves, of any kind of SC they might have, etc...

Oh, and the income of the Nexus is quite nice. It almost doubled my total gem income. (with less diversity obviously http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif)

Re: The Great War
 

If by 'at some point' you mean now, then there is a slim chance that Ermor may be defeated. Ulm is already in ruins, their astral gems will not save them.

Ashes and suffering on dark fields of bare bones
 

Doubt not the void.

Re: Ashes and suffering on dark fields of bare bones
 

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

Re: The Great War
 

+I conquered 1 ulmish castle in the borderlands to me
-He still has more than 20 castles left

+I took some land in the former machaka domain.
-The rest of the provinces are nearly untouched!

+I destroyed some armies
-i lost some armies too and there are many ulmish armies left

+I destroyed some of his elementals
-I lost tartarians too, he charmed some of mine and build up his own tartarians

If you say ulm is in ruins maybe you should give your scouts a better training.

Re: The Great War
 

Yeah, but at least four of them are under siege.

Re: The Great War
 

Both sides have convincing arguments, i saw Ermorian tartarians being killed by soul slay, but i also saw Queens of water perish to mere skeletons. So id say neither Ulm nor Ermor are as weak as they pretend to be.

btw. players log Hadrian-II: scouts are nice, and you want to have your scouts all over the map so that when a war like this one breaks out, you will have your own sources and dont have to choose which players propaganda is the better one.

Re: The Great War
 

Hosting information, i will leave home in 3h, so if i dont get the turns by then, hosting will posphone itself maybe to tomorrow. (or just to the evening)

Re: The Great War
 

Aargh, somehow I had gotten it into my head that last turn arrived on sunday, so the new one only had to arrive tomorrow, but I just noticed that it was sent on saturday already.

I will play my turn as soon as I can manage, and send it sometime later tonight. (luckily Ermor has been kind enough to severely limit the actions I need to take in one turn, so it won't take 6 hours to play http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ) My apologies to all.


P.S. Damn you, Calmon, how many gems did you use on that Forge of the Ancients? That's my entire turn's Astral income down the drain on a failed dispel http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif


Edit: turn sent.

Re: The Great War
 

T'ien Ch'i managed to kill two of Ermor's Tartarians this turn, and drive back their pretender (who has been empowered with air). But the cost was severe, and with half of Ulm's territory gone, there seems to be little hope left.

Re: The Great War
 

Sorry I'm late, stuff has been stacking up. I'll get the turn done in about eight hours time.

Re: The Great War
 

I didn't get a turn. Was hosting delayed?

However i wish all in faerun a happy eastern! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: The Great War
 

Still no turn here. Anyone got one?

Re: The Great War
 

hosting was delayed as in host was not home, and then host was asleep http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: The Great War
 

In a humiliating underwater fiasco, four Ermorian tartarians routed T'ien Chi's best mages, leading to their deaths. The fight was not completely Ermor's way; three of the tartarians recived multiple serious afflictions. But even if we had won, there would have been more next turn. And the turn after that.