Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

speaking of delinquent turns...my turn is now sent

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Ditto for me, just sent mine.

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

I sent mine a while ago.

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Mine is in as well.

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Turn 3 has just been sent.

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

This ought to give me a chance to see the superior-scout tip in action. =P
Just have to wait until everyone submits their turn...

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Just sent in my turn 3.

Interesting start, some witch cursed my units for stealing gems from her?? I didn't get an email the prior turn, but checking my treasury, I see 5 nature gems. Hmm.... how to put those to use.

And on this rather large map, how is it that I'm only 2 provinces away from one of these false pretenders I'm hearing about (me being the 1 true god)? Argh!!

Questions on diplomacy (since it doesn't apply to SP games. Is it always prefered/recommended early in the game to allow everybody to ramp up? Is it frowned upon too early? Just curious (not that my neighbor "deserves" an alliance with me, but just curious).

- Shmonk

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Players are put on the map fairly randomly, but it isn't really big: there are only 145 provinces, for 8 players (I think), and it is a warp-around map, so you are likely to start with someone very closeby. The maximum distance between your capital and someone's else should be under ten provinces; eight is the maximum I think.

The witch thing was a random event: those happen randomly (duh), though the game can affect them - a nation with a Death scale is more likely to get plagues for example. So you didn't actually do anything, but the dice gave you this event (a good one too, unless the curse happens to target your important commanders).

Ah, diplomacy. There is no hard rule here, but you will usually agree to be neutral with your fellow players... except if you want to attack them early on, of course. Expansion tends to focus on beating the independents as soon as possible, but you might consider province trades after that. Doing too well could result in an early war, but it seems unlikely: having more provinces on turn 15 does not mean much, and if you do have more provinces, you should have the upper hand in a war.

A nation like Ermor (the death themes at least) has also trouble with its Dominion, since nobody wants to see their population dying off (and Ermor will likely have very poor scales). It can be worked around however, especially if the Ermorian player is willing to keep Dominion under control. If this player starts casting Utterdark and spreads Dominion like mad, it will be another matter altogether. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

Turn 3

According to the graphs, Ermor, Marignon, and Machaka each gained a province. Arco jumped close to Machaka in army size by winning the bid for mercenaries. Pangaea now leads in research, with Pythium a close second.

The Hall of Fame shows two Pretenders with kills -- Gran of Machaka and Fortu of Marignon. The Ermorian Prophet Tagg Klatu also made the list.

Re: PBEM game: The first step (Running)
 

By looking at the change in research you can see which players sent their pretenders out conquering indies (since that nation's reasearch flat-lined it means the pretender isnt researching).
Interesting how Ermor and Marignon have the upper hand as far as conquest goes, as they are each others arch-nemesis (as far as the story goes at least, though Marignon should have the upper hand as far as combat goes as well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ).
Cant wait to see some real action (and probably my pretender banished form this world as well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ).