[GrudgeBringer]

Greetings gentlemen,

Ragnar was just up here telling me of the problem you have with Lanka bolting on you and asked what options you had. Let me give you a couple of options as in your guys situation, it may be a little deeper than you think.

First, Calahan is a VERY capable 'Stalker' as he puts it as well as a formidable player. So make sure you run all this by him if you find something that you would like to do or use.

I looked over your situation and at first glance it would seem easier to find a replacement and roll back just one turn. And in a normal game that would/could be the best option. But you have a game of NEWER players and it may be hard to find a new player that is willing to sub in. That would mean you would have to go with a more vetern player, and at this early part of the game MAY (and I mean 'maybe' not for sure) unbalance it for a couple of players that are his neighbors.

There are a couple of other options avaiable that might meet your needs.

1. See if Helheim (Vultor) who has 3 provinces and is fighting like a trooper it looks like (hats off to you sir, no wanker in you!!) would like to take over Lanka.

You could do 1 of 2 things after that.

1. Find a wily 'ol' vet who will play Helheim out to the end in a kama-kazi setting (they are around, I assure you). THIS could also upset play as it will make it MUCH tougher to knock Helheim out and could deal a blow to the new player who is at war with him.

2. Put Helheim on AI as it is on its way out but you will be handing 2 forts to someone (according to the graphs) that they are at war with.

Of course there is always the third option of playing it out. In my experience usually two or 3 nations will go to war and divvy up the nation (Lanka) quickly so no one has too much of an advantage.

Just some different thoughts on the same options you have. I have seen a Vet come in and really make it rough on those in a noob game. On the other hand, maybe you want a ringer in the mix...a lot of ways to go guys.

Me personally, I would see if the nations around Lanka wanted to divide up his provinces etc and at 3 each isn't that big a deal (providing no one gets greedy and a REAL war breaks out).

(Calahan, is there a way to destroy 1 of the forts if the players would feel handing 2 forts to who Helheim is fighting is too much?)

Don't mean to butt in here, just wanted to give you some stuff to think and talk to Calahan about.

GB