Last update: Feb 28th 2012

Host:PBEM Llamaserver.
Age: MA
Map:Cradle of Dominion (12 players)
How Often on Turns: 24 hours quickhost to turn 20 (or requests), 48 hours from there, slow to 72 hours late game if necessary.
Number of Players: 12
Mods: CBM 1.92 and I personally use the Streamers and Standards mod (llamabeast version) and the Community Sprites Mod.
Non-Standard Settings: Special Site freq. 45%, Hall of Fame entries 15, Renaming is allowed, No graphs.
Victory Conditions: Last one standing
Diplomacy Policy: None; do as you wish, keeping in mind consequences in future games, as well as later in that game (if you stab someone early, any alliance later in that game is likely to prove less trustworthy). Trades should be fulfilled
Cheesy Tricks: New players won't know them and won't be ready for them. This is things like sending 50 bad items to someone right as they put up forge of the ancients to make them waste gems, using scouts to constantly siege someone's fortress, and there are probably a few others I historically read about but have since forgotten.

NATIONS (12/12)
My race: Caelum. (and no, I don't mind losing)
Parone: Ulm
Blubbernaught: Pangaea
Legowarrior: T'ien Ch'i
Groundworm: Bandar Log
don_Pablo: Abyssia
Mattyburn7: Ashdod
Dojango: Machaka
Ossa: C'tis
Zywack: Shinuyama
Ragnarok-X: Vanheim
Earcaraxe: Oceania

Note: Please mind that this is supposed to be a newbie friendly game, so leave the stronger nations for the newbies and be so kind as to choose a weaker nation if you have enough experience with Dom 3. We should all be able to learn from eachother.

Note2: The hosting time limits are slightly indicative, but we are pressed to make them whenever possible. In other words; if you can't make the turn limit, be sure to post in this thread to let me know in advance so I can extend the time.
I have an irregular working schedule with stops abroad sometimes, so I might put in the odd request for a few more hours/days as well.

Note3: (By Lung Drago) As this is a newbie game I optimistically do not expect to meet problems regarding using of exploits that I stumbled upon reading on these forums. But just for the record, I dislike such behavior. Stay fair, people. If you cannot swallow a defeat, then you will be a newbie forever. In spirit of my previous sentence, please do not go AI after a single major battle lost
I will keep this fist post updated with status changes and info as it comes through.

Note4: Remember to keep an eye on the turn interval. I will update changes in interval in this thread.
Be sure to report EARLY if you will not be able to send in a turn in time.
WE CANNOT USE THE ROLLBACK FEATURE! Due to possible savegame corruption.
(Thanks to 3V4JKZ2 for the above format ;) )

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

I'm in. This will be my first multiplayer ever, although I've played SP off and on for a year or so. I'll take Ermor if it's open.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

still looking to get in on my first MP game. would love to get in.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

Name your nation, parone! ;)

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

I'll jump in on the fun! Lets give Pangaea a shot and see how it plays out.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

4 players in, 7 or 8 to go.

Parone, which nation would you like?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

i think i'll take ulm. since i like armor and suck at magic.

do i need to download these mods? i am a true NEWbie

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

Yes, you should download the mods and unzip them into the dominions/mods folder.

When you create your pretender, make sure that you have at least CBM 1.92 enabled, as the mod changes the potential pretenders costs a bit. I recommend having the listed mods enabled (and no other ones enabled) when creating the pretender.

Since CBM makes some big changes overall, might want to try playing around with it in single player a little to get a feel for it. If I remember right, Ulm has been tweaked a bit from the vanilla.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

I'm in. I'll use T'ien Ch'i I think.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

hmm. ulm in the cbm appears to not be...ulm. think ill change to machaka. ill die just as fast, but it's cool to have big furry spiders

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

actually, screw it. ill stay with ulm. (reserve the right to change my mind 8 or 9 more times)

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

do you have to create your own 'mods' folder?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

I'd like to join in. I have a fair bit of MP experience (probably around 10 games or so), but most of it has been late age. I'd like to try Bandar Log, which is a nation I've never played and have been having trouble coming up with a strategy for. I think this will offset my experience somewhat.

If I'm too experienced for this game, I understand, but this sounds like exactly what I've been looking for to try Bandar with.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging]
 

Groundworm, no problem at all, you're welcome to join. ;)
If in the end you trample us all, then we'll talk again. Just kidding. :)

As for the mods;
The Streamers and Standards and the Community Sprite mods are graphics changes only. Therefore they are highly personal, but I've listed them here to make sure everyone known what I am using.
Also, Llamaserver likes to know which mods are to be used. I do *NOT* know however, if everyone has to run the SS and CP mods if I have selected them when creating a game.
Obviously Llamaserver asks to prevent cheating and streamline the gamesetup, but I am not quite sure how this will work for sprite-only mods.

The Streamers and Standards mod, however, makes the different logos and flags of the nations better distinguishable, I find.
The Community Sprite Upgrade mod enhances some sprites which were still of lower quality than most others. Nothing big, but nice enough.

As for installation;
You will find a 'mods' folder inside your Dom 3 folder. If its not there, make one.
The archives of most mods are all 'preconfigured' in the sense that you can normally unzip them into your mods folder and the files will be ok.
But just to check; all .dm files need to be in the root of the mods folder and all supporting mod files will be inside their <modname> folder inside the 'mods' folder.
Example: For CBM you will find the CBM1.92.dm file inside the root of the 'mods' folder, while all the supporting files are inside the CBM_Sprites folder in the 'mods' folder.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

Hi.
I'd like to join as Abysia, Vanheim or Eriu.
I'm not a newish player so you could apply the mentioned restrictions.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

All the 'heims' are considered powerful, are they not?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

Hey there,

Please pull me out of the Ermor spot, as something in RL has come up and I won't be able to play.

Thx.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

Oh that's unfortunate myrmidon.
I hope its nothing serious!
We'll be staging for a while longer I think, so if you want back in, you're welcome!

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

With some other games being wrapped up, I can propably start a new one too.
Having written a fairly well received guide on CBM Ulm in the wiki, I am not exactly new though.
As long as it isnt a water nation (I just hate those, especially on cradle), I am willing to give nearly anything a go in MA.
Considering DonPablo, of the three nations he is proposing MA Abys is imho the weakest due to its extremly limited magic abilities.
Eriu is actually quite strong imho, and Vanheim is imho middle of the pack.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

Thanks for the input, Mightypeon. What nation would you suggest for yourself?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

I'd like to join as Ashdod if that's ok?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

I agree in general.
So sign me up as Abys.:)

BTW what's about Indy and Research settings?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 6/12]
 

Indy and research are set at default, if I interpret right. Since they were not listed in the 'non standard' settings.

Re: MP Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 7/12]
 

Yes Indy and research are default. I didn't give them any second thought to be honest.
Indy set at 7 is mainly a fix to play a less easy game against the AI AFAIK which isnt applicable here. Research I have never altered before.

Re: MP Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 7/12]
 

I'd like to give Machaka a try.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 9/12]
 

So what horribly weak nation is left for me, hmm Man and Marignon I guess.
I would prefer MA Man.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 9/12]
 

finally got cbm installed. briefly thought of killing myself but guess i am good to go.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 9/12]
 

In preparation for kicking off; does anyone know if its possible to use the graphical mods I linked in the first post, while some of the other players do not?
They are just cosmetic and therefore not gameplay altering, but Llamaserver asks which mods are used for the game, suggesting we might run into problems if we all do not use the same mods...

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 9/12]
 

I'd like to go with Ctis.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 9/12]
 

I want to join in. This will also be my first multiplayer game. I am just going to poke at my screen here...I would like to be the Shinuyama, please.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

Perfect! That makes 11 of us. I think there is only one waternation spot left. Shall we start with what we have?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

im for going now!!!!

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

Wait for one more?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

Well waternations are not very popular, from what I gather. But we can wait a short while longer before we start.
A full map is nicest.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

Unfortunatly, I have to withdraw, too much real life workload, and one of the game I thought to be finished isnt.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 11/12]
 

That's a pity, mighty.
Hopefully next time then!

One spot open; we wait.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

Im in.
Noob, Vanheim.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

If there's still room, I'd like to join in, as Eriu if possible.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

I'm in with oceania if its ok.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

I think we have room for 1 land and 1 water nation.
So Oceania will work, however Ragnarok and Legendary where first, earcaraxe (nice to see you around btw!).
In neither wants a water nation, you're in with Oceania.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

As mentioned, im on Vanheim.
If you give me the go ahead, i will rdy the pretender.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

Well, I can try out R'yleh. I'd be running everything on the fly (was going to do that for Eriu too, but was testing everything for them out already), however (but I do grasp the theory and basic mechanics behind it: communions are bork though).

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Staging 10/12]
 

Dear LL!

Would you be so kind to let me play oceania here? I'd be grateful. I've been just waiting for this kind of opportunity to try out a water nation.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

Go ahead, then.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

many thanks!

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

That's generous LL.
Let's get this started then!

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

i have never played a MP game. what do u need from me(playing ulm). i have a pretender ready. how do i get him to u?

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

We need to wait for the game to be made.
This tells you how to use llamaserver once that happens.

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

Great stuff and thanks for the generous offer, LL.
Welcome earcaraxe! :)

I will create the game on llamaserver in a few minutes and will post when its ready. Then you guys can upload your pretender and we're set to kick the game off.

Standby...

Re: Giants and Dwarves [MA; CBM ; Noob friendly] [Full 12/12]
 

The spears are sharpened, the most foul rituals are being cast...
Giants and Dwarves will color the lands crimson in the Cradle of Dominion. Treaties will be forged, but yet, only one empire will rule once the dust settles.

You can now upload your Pretenders on llamaserver.net
Look for Giants_and_Dwarves .
But I will have to add everyone as a player first, so its time to send your email and name via PM. Also provide your (alternate) email address on which you will want the other players to contact you in diplomacy.

One final note on llamaserver;
It's an AUTOMATIC turn resolver based on the interval set by the admin (me). This means that if you do not upload your turn within the interval, the system will still go ahead and process the turn without your orders. You can still play, but your empire will have been idle for the turn.
So I stress again; if you are unable to make the interval, PM or email me or post in this thread IN TIME.
Rollbacks are technically possible but are known to cause savegame corruption. Therefore we will NOT use rollback.

Good luck!

EDIT: It seems I just lost the 'Add nation' button on the admin page. Please let me know if you have trouble getting setup. I might need to re-create it.
In the mean time, please send me the above requested info. ;)