[Shmonk]

Sorry for the slow response. You played a great game also. While I'd like to think I had a chance, I don't think I did. I was not prepared to launch any major assaults, I was still getting groups organized, and learning new spells and the best benefits.

I think the last few turns I threw up every global I had access to, just to see what would happen. As evidenced by the last round, getting Mechanical Militia and Fata Morgana right before all of your attacks, that actually helped stop 1 or 2 attacks, and cut down on your forces in the other attacks.

Attached is my last turn file (pwd = newulm1). No big strategy on my part. I used an enchantress that saw little or no battles, she was strictly a rainbow / site searcher - 3F 3A 2W 3E 3S 3D 3N. And I found a few libraries close by, so got sages pretty quickly. Having the rainbow mage got me into the sea quicker, and gave me some good income early.

Getting the alliance with you when I did helped, I was ready to expand into 1 or 2 nations, and making the alliance with you got me to go take out Marignon instead (nicely softened up by Ermor), then try and take out Man (which was a tough fight). Like a dummy, I started attacking Man while still at war with Arco, so I was getting attacked on 2 fronts. But I prevailed.

I had Gift of Health up early, and even Forge of Ancients up right after that, and made LOTS of items, so that helped with expansion too. I think I had 3/4 of the unique items at one point, that I had access to (no blood stuff). I forged what I could, just to see how it worked and which I liked best.

Anyway, feel free to peruse my turn file. No big strategy, just expand slowly, search, and got lucky with sages and good gem income. My final gem income was = 27F,30A,25W,33E,23S,12D,19N.

I hope to get this far in another game. Until we meet again WraithLord (changed your name).

Shmonk