Re: Death of I
I would just like to say, saying that it was 'decided to throw the game to Ironhawk' is a gross misrepresentation of what happened. So, perhaps you will indulge me a quick description of events from my point of view...
As I was finishing the Marignon war I realized I was in a very precarious position, the biggest target for the two most powerful nations, but also threatening enough for minor nations to gang me. Both arch and Ironhawk were pressuring me to their sides, arch with spies, Ironhawk saying he was already prepared for an invasion. So there were a lot of reasons to choose to attack arch:
1. If I didn't, Ironhawk would be attacking right away, and I was not prepared for a war instantly.
2. Boron had already committed to suicideing vs. arch, if I let him go it alone I would end up with a big open border with arch in the north.
3. I hate fighting C'tis.
4. Arch seemed the bigger threat to winning at the time.
So once I was committed to this course of action, it was only natural that I should try to enlist as many allies as possible, and I must admit the number exceeded my expectations. But once they had joined the war, it pretty much precluded me pulling out without effectively backstabbing them.
So now fast forward to when most of my allies are dead, dying or distracted. Now I could probably pull out without to much repercussions there, but there are other factors:
1. If I stopped attacking Arch and just sat and did nothing, the game would get very boring, and I would still lose. If I instead switched sides and attacked Ironhawk, I was fairly sure he would consider that backstabbing.
2. Even at this point, I think switching sides would probably be 'throwing the game to Arch' as much as the reverse is 'throwing the game to Ironhawk'.
3. I hate fighting C'tis.
So I was stuck in a very tough spot diplomatically, no matter what I did I would be insulting Ironhawk or Arch. I very much agree with Caine and Boron that it is unfortunate diplo seems to overshadow the rest of the game, and cause so much animosity. Of all the long term games I have been in were the diplo turned sour (and I have been in a lot of those) this one is probably the worst since there is no one player like stormbinder that can be pointed to as the cause of discord.
Anyway, since as far as I can see there is not anyone still having much fun in this game, I propose we simply stop here and call it a tie among surviving players or some such.
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