Re: I am bigger than you!
 

Ha ha ha, LOL is right!

In case anyone not in the game is reading, only 2 nations sent champions to the arena, and here they are, in all their best gear:


http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...ions/clubs.jpg


It's even funnier when you watch it. My midget got mashed!

Re: I am bigger than you!
 

Too bad Pak-Ur already had the ring of frost when I contracted him, I'd have loved him to wear a slave collar. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Only thing I gave him was the Midget Masher, which ended up in my lab. Another prince from foreign lands died in Caelum this month.

Re: I am bigger than you!
 

Mighty Pak-Ur is seemingly not satisfied with clobbering cavemen, because he invaded Arcoscephalian lands last month. Does he seek a fresh challenge? Does he want someone to take the trident off his hands? Or is there a more sinister reason?

Tune in next time to find out!

Marverni
 

While conducting their investigations of the so-called "Sea Troll Vanishing" event, the Oceania peacekeeping forces were set upon by hordes of berserkers who had been cleverly disguised as bushes. Perhaps this rebel berserker faction was behind the vanishing of our brethren?

Oceania will dispatch additional reinforcements to assist Vanheim in dealing with the rebel uprising.

Re: I am bigger than you!
 

Freed Caelian provinces from their Arcoscephalian usurpers, you mean.

It is unclear at the moment. Pak-Ur was last seen looting the armory and vanished with a few magical items. Friends and co-workers of Pak-Ur claim that he was unhappy that he didn't get to battle a worthy opponent from Arcoscephale in the tournament and will now visit them to show them how mighty he indeed is.

Re: I am bigger than you!
 

Vanheim cordially thanks Oceania for the despatch of its peace-keeping forces to East Vanheim (formerly Marverni). Unfortunately, some of these troops appear to have joined the rebels.

Vanheim sympathises with Oceania's inability to keep its bloodthirsty troops in check (what can one expect of fishmen and trolls?) and is pleased to confirm that the hundred-strong element of the Oceanian force that had been plundering the Marverni forests has now been despatched.

Permanently.

Timer?
 

The timer got reset for Caelum, I take it?

Re: Timer?
 

Jup, had to reset the timer, got real busy. Sorry for that, I will take my turn in time. And cheers to Beefeater for joining the table talk here.

Marverni is haunted
 

Oceania offers apologies to the noble nation of Vanheim for any trouble our investigators may have gotten themselves into. You see, they were celebrating a milestone achievement in their research. In their revelry they over-imbibed on the potent spirits of the woods of Marverni, and got themselves into a bit of a kerfuffle.

Just what was their amazing discovery? Well, it seems they have determined that the Marverni woods are haunted by the spirits of many druids that were slain long ago by a Vanheim ruled by a cruel and ruthless tyrant. The manifestations of these spirits appear to be behind the recent vanishings.

Do not fear, Vanheim! Oceania will not abandon our quest to determine exactly who ultimate fault lies with, in the disappearance of our Sea Troll brethren. Our new crack team of researchers will continue to pursue our official investigations with renewed vigor.

Holiday!
 

I'll be on holiday for about three weeks, from this Friday (December 14) to around January 6 or 7. A pause would be great -- hopefully I won't be the only one away during that time! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Holiday!
 

A pause sounds good to me.

Re: Holiday!
 

I'll turn off the game timer right now, then, although everybody is encouraged to play his turns as it it were on. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Whoa
 

Is my memory playing tricks on me, or did you just lose two globals, Ich?

Re: Whoa
 

Oh, yes. And over a dozen remote spells on my unprotected capitals. Seems like Arco (or whoever else, but I got only attacked from Arco so far) has way too many gems to burn.

Re: Whoa
 

All right, I'm back! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Hope everyone had a great holiday. I'll take my turn in the next few days.

As for Caelum's accusations - I assure you, I know better than to blow so many gems on a single target. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Whoa
 

Accusations? I am the damaged party here.

In case you speak the truth this makes the whole situation a whole lot more bothersome than it already is, though. You being the top nation since the early game is one thing. But the thought that instead of doing something about it, somebody would target a lesser fearsome threat considering retaliation like me is sickening. Not only are you the only one with globals right now, you have the Forge of the Ancients up since over a year, which quantum_mechani and other veteran players unisono see as a "sure sign to winning the game". So no, I don't want to believe that some other party would enjoy digging its own grave so fast, since I have not threatened anybody but you (for obvious reasons) and you're the most likely party to make sure that nobody gets powerful enough to be a trouble to you. Prove me wrong, show me that it was somebody else who did this, or I'll consider it your doing.

Re: Whoa
 

This game was never a two-horse (or a one-horse) race. I made some really boneheaded moves in the Ermorian campaign that still haunt me, and right now... let's just say I'm probably not the only person with enough intelligence to believe that the game is still very open. I'd rather not go into any more detail on my own in-game weaknesses, and seeing as it's ultimately impossible to prove a negative, I'll leave it at that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I will 'fess up to the botched Mind Hunts on Thuella, though. Hey, you fired Earth Attacks at me first... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Whoa
 

I am pleased how that turned out, yes. Actually it was an oversight on my part - "Hey, you idiot, why do you cloud trapeze into some indies without astral mage support? He's going to Mind Hunt your air queen into oblivion". So I teleported two mages into there, and one of them must have been the very first mage to act in the magic spells phase.

The Earth Attacks was only me toying around, just like the Ettin champion which I used mostly for its comedic value. The situation is a lot more serious to allow such jokes now.

Re: Whoa
 

It was kinda funny, Ich. Not as funny as him midget mashing that Caveman, though. That was classic.

Absence
 

Got a message from Vanheim saying that he'll be away from Wednesday (tomorrow) 'til Monday. Could we get the timer taken off temporarily, please?

Re: Absence
 

Confirming Mind Elemental's message - we've ordered the cab and will be heading for the airport shortly. NB - it's until Monday 28 Jan, not the following Monday - meeting the in-laws overseas!

Re: Absence
 

I didn't get to read this in time before the current turn hosted, I'm afraid. I'll reset the timer over the weekends. Have fun at the wedding!

Re: Absence
 

Is it safe to turn the timer on again?

Re: Absence
 

Maybe in a day or two, I guess? He's probably just landing as we speak. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Server update
 

We have updated to Dominions pi, you'll have to install the update by next time the game hosts. Be aware that the graphs from previous turns will vanish...

Resuming the game
 

Ok, timer is back on.

Re: Resuming the game
 

Have updated and played turn. Things aren't looking good for Vanheim though.

Re: Resuming the game
 

Ah, and now it's me who is stalling the game. I'm sorry, I thought I'd get the scripting done this weekend but there was no time for that. I don't think I'll need another extension.

Re: Resuming the game
 

No problem! Take your time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Suddenly
 

Suddenly... lots of assassins find out that they make very good conductors.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2...enlykm4.th.png

Caelum is - suddenly - in the possession of lots of most fruitful soil, lightly charred. Order three wheelbarrows, get another one free! Ten wheelbarrows free of charge to the nation who dispelled Arco's Forge of the Ancients - please emerge and reveal yourself, we should talk. Soon available among our choice of products: Yummy Mystics on a stick and tender Oreiad meat, shock-fried and encased in magical ice.

Re: Suddenly
 

Perhaps Caelum could use a couple of those spare wheelbarrows to haul away its couple of newly deceased Eagle Kings, while it's at it!

In other news, could we get the timer extended by 24 hours or so? It looks like tomorrow will be a rough day at work, and having a Saturday to play would be a blessing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Another extension
 

I'll even have to extend it another day now, too. I have to teach my father some PC usage and after he has managed to be able to read and send emails for quite a while now, he is trying to come to terms with attaching files and using the clipboard. This takes HOURS and dozens of handwritten pages with instructions. Sometimes I wish my dad was like one of those here on the forum, or at least a little computer savvy.

It\'s showdown time!
 

I'm surprised to see my province count being beaten by another nation, and it's Oceania the Dominion monster, no less! They almost draw even in gem income now, too!

Congratulations, I wasn't aware that your recent campaigns would do you that much good in such little time. You even own as many capitals as I do since quite some time. Do you happen to have encountered these sudden plague outbreaks across them, too?

Unfortunately our graveyards at home are full and overbooked, what with these sudden and unexplainable plague outbreaks at our magnificent castles. Not even all the corpses have been able to get buried in High Caelum so far!

That's why we sent our funeral processions towards Mount Cephalos now, in the hope that our warriors might find their final rest in the graveyards there. Please excuse us breaking down the castle's entrance doors, we'll be replacing them as soon as we are running the place.

Plagues
 

Oceania has no need of plagues. With our wonderful Death-3 scales, our population can die off all on its own quite nicely. Please keep any infected populations in strict quarantine.

Now, if only we actually had an army worthy of our huge tracts of land! We'd consider ourselves to be doing very nicely if right now it was forty moons since the Watcher awoke, rather than seventy five.

Vanheim
 

Oceania wants to know if Vanheim is going to prepare for what's looking like the soon to be expected siege of their capitol in Oceania's attempt to get a fourth capital city. Since Mind Elemental seems to have been able to reawaken him in the past, is there interest by him in playing the rather unfortunate demise of his nation out? I'd expect that he could throw the last gems that he owns in a desperate attempt to throw back or cripple the invaders. Otherwise I would say there's no shame in setting oneself to AI in this situation.

Re: Vanheim
 

Well, we may be doomed but why not go down fighting? Looking forward to seeing this through to the end.

Re: Vanheim
 

Well, that could have gone better, but nevertheless it was well worth the price. Surprising to see all adjacent provinces to Mount Cephalos fall into enemy hands this turn - I wanted to force your units into the "no retreat" trap, not the other way around. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Caelum has to mourn over the loss of her High Seraphine because of this, her clairvoyance will no longer be protecting the eagle kin from their foes. She will be dearly missed. The battles in Forest of the Dead are another such example of unfortunate timing - the Werewolf goes first and unexpectedly wins the fight against the defenders, only to get slaughtered to pieces by the Ghost Riders that I sent myself. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Injured.gif

Re: Vanheim
 

I was wondering what happened in that province! Thanks for enlightening.

Re: Vanheim
 

I hope that Vanheim doesn't stale this turn after all this preparation of the last one. And neither Arco, of course. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Vanheim
 

Who, me, stale? Nevah! You're not getting rid of me that easily! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Still, could we get a brief extension for the next turn, since I've already taken this one - say, another day or two?

Well worth the price? I suppose time will tell. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Vanheim
 

I'll reset the timer right now so that Vanheim doesn't stale.

War
 

Final War is upon the world, and Oceania marches to battle!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img]
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Penguin.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Dagger.gif[/img]

No longer are we content with our meager holdings in the woods and wastelands.

All our NAPs are dissolved, all our alliances sundered, and all diplomats and foreign agents sent packing. We will of course observe any and all term limits on our (now-terminated) pacts.

Oceania

Re: War
 

I must say, Caelum, your strategy eludes me. You send me a message inviting me to attack Arco, but the very next turn you invade Agarthan lands, attacking the very army you encouraged to strike at your enemy! You don't make it particularly difficult to chose a side with such actions.

Re: War
 

Since Vanheim ended up taking his last turn on time, could we get that extension for this turn, please? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: War
 

There's a communication deficit. You didn't respond to the message, so we had to assume that you were not interested in collaborating with us, but headed for Mount Cephalos instead.

Re: War
 

Almost in time, I think it would have been 2 hours too late for the original timer. Yeah, I'll reset the timer again in the next days in case not all the turns are in. Do you think we'll be able to finish the game within this year? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: War
 

I'm reasonably certain this game will never end.

Oceania is asking to be kicked out soon, though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: War
 

Our waves are impenetrable, our currents strong! Oceania will grow strong, while the pale ones of Agartha stagnate in their caves. Your best years are behind you, and you have nothing to look forward to but death and ruin!

Oceania

Re: War
 

Finish this year? Gee, that's pessimistic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif You could look at it another way and say that the reason playing is so time-consuming is because we're so close to the end.

Re: War
 

I believe that everybody has most of the research at level 9 now for the things that he cares about, so this is late game, yes. But close to the end? I'm really not so sure about that.