Abysia CB 5.0 AAR

[RedRover]

TURN 40
Oceania has been eliminated. At times like these I really want a post-game playback. I haven’t done much with that nation, and I’m curious to see the progress of its collapse.

In the northwest on the western continent, the Devils attack, hopefully opening my way to the special site. The Amazon Sorceress at the fort site builds a Lab. The cheap Priest I built here is on his way to the Amazon province and another has been recruited for local defense.

On the coast and capital region, I’m reorganizing and resetting the blood hunting. I rarely play Blood magic, as I prefer “good guy” factions overall, so I’m on a fairly steep learning curve here.

The blood hunts all failed this turn. I have enough for 4 Devils, or 3 and a rod.

In the north, the attack against Bogus goes in. The forces cut off by his siege overloaded their province, but I doubt it will be a problem. If I win, there’s plenty of food in the Citadel. If I lose, there won’t be enough troops left to trigger starvation. In we all go.

My script for the Manticore: Berserkers, Twist Fate, Astral Weapon, Attack Large Monsters; I positioned my Pretender carefully next to Rexor. Besides the Manticore and Rexor, there is a small squad of 3 Lizard Warriors, a squad of 5 Militia, and a unit of 17 Archers, backed up by a Salamander priest with orders to cast Blessing first, followed by general spellcasting. Everyone else dogpiles Bogus (attack/fire at large monsters). Waiting for this turn to resolve is tough. Bets are on the table.

On the northeast C’tis border, he threatens with 80 Militia, City Guard, and Tomb Worms. I shove all local troops in to face off, increase province defense to 10, and build a Lab in the northeast corner province.

The east bridge area is quiet, but small C’tis units of 30-40 seem to be moving into the area. The balloon might go up next turn.

My scout against Caelum had been following a trail of temples back to the capital. He didn’t get there, this turn he is discovered and killed.

Scores: For provinces, Ulm is ahead, I am second, followed by C’tis and Man, though Pythium is accelerating and should pass Man soon. For income, it’s Ulm, me, Man, and Caelum. Man actually led me for a short time, but I’ve spiked up past him. For gem income, C’tis leads, I’m second by a gem or two, Ulm is third and static. Man and Caelum form a second tier at a little more than half our levels. For research, Arco leads, Caelum is a clear second, and Man is clear third. I’m fifth by virtue of Oceania’s elimination, though I still am below it in the third tier pack that includes Pythium and me. For dominion, Caelum is still first and declining, with Ulm almost caught up and climbing. C’tis is third and static with an up-tic. I’m fourth and stagnant with a down-tic, Pythium has plateaued behind me and is static. Man is far behind and static, while Arcoscephele has declined almost off the graph. (Forgot armies again—I’m last.)


TURN 41
In the northwest on the west continent, the Devils open the way to the special site. However Caelum turns up next to my base with 60 Caelian Archers, independent Archers, and Militia. I ramp up the province defense and order the Devils back to hold the fort. A cheap Priest is recruited.

In the north, Bogus is annihilated in an epic battle. The enemy Dark Knight Griffon Rider swooped down and slew the commander of my archers. I am disappointed that the Berserker spell only affects four barbarians, and they’re in the back.

The raider Warrior-Mage and Troll Mage buff, the Troll Archer shoots, and Bogus the Troll just looks mean (Str 31!). The Dark Knight is killed immediately by Rexor’s barbarians, while we suffer incoming Shards and Ghost Wolves. The barbarians turn and charge the advancing Bogus, supported by my Archers (I don’t mind a few friendly fire hits on the barbarians; it just makes them mad). The Manticore finishes buffing with Twist Fate and Astral Weapon, then flies to the attack and slays the Warrior-Mage outright.

That leaves just the Troll Archer and Bogus. The Archer took on the Manticore, while Bogus was swarmed by the entire barbarian force. The Archer didn’t like the odds and fled, narrowly missed by a Fireball, but Bogus did not go down until the Manticore itself entered the fray. Rexor took Precious (the ring) and Black Steel Armor, Abysia recovered the Faithful short sword and a Cat Charm. The victorious survivors received a great feast that night. I recruit a cheap Priest here, renew Rexor, and bid on the Ghostfather. Next target, the local Amazons.

In the northeast, C’tis backs off as the Celestials show up for me. Turns out they are a little battered but still potent; about half have an affliction or two, but no disease. Should they last until I can summon a Faerie Court (Conj 8), I might be able to restore the entire unit.

At the east bridge, I recruit an Anathemant Dragon. My total income now is 1,112 gold, with troop upkeep 310 gold. I have reached a milestone in which I can build a fort without saving for a turn. Next turn should see another Warlock or two and, finally, the rebuilding of the Lizard Lab.


TURN 42
In the northwest on the west continent, Caelum backs off, followed by one of my scouts. The Devils fly directly to the special site. Lots of enemy dominion popping up to the south; I have to remember that Man is there and we are at war. I need to reinforce this base quickly so I will be hard to push off the west continent.

In the capital, I’m trying to reorganize blood hunting again. I am recruiting another Demonbred, but I don’t have enough Apprentices blood hunting to support two full-time summoners. A continuing problem is the low population of the inland provinces, which is making the coast look increasingly attractive.

In the north, the attack against the Amazons commences. The northeast corner is static; I put the Lizard Shaman on research.

By the east bridge, C’tis seems a little twitchy, and my dominion is shrinking here. The Anathemant Dragon sacrifices a precious Blood Slave to bolster my dominion. My Druid forges a Thistle Mace.

I’m thinking that I’ll probably have to fight C’tis before Caelum. I will try to fortify my foothold on the west continent and expand down the west coast of the east continent first, at least to the large forest, but the instant C’tis puts up a global spell, I will re-evaluate this stance. I figure I have enough Astral gems now for one Dispel attempt, but it’s really hard to build a reserve of these. I have reached Construction 4. I will reach Evocation 4 next turn (rushing a little), so I shift the rest of my production to Blood (to be adjusted to half the following move).


TURN 43
Disaster in the north! Total annihilation of Rexor’s expedition: both mercenary units and commanders, my Hall of Fame Salamander priest, and my Prophet are all dead. I will be devoting half my income to building up the north fort garrison. Right now, I am sending the Manticore and bidding on the Wind Lord to get a force to crush the Amazon resistance. There are 2 commanders and 12 troops surviving the battle, so two turns should see the ladies off. To make sure, I will recall the Celestials and guard the northeast front with Lizard Warriors.

On the west continent, the special site is secured; next step, last independent province adjacent to my base. A new Demonbred flies over from my capital with more Devils; I will build another Demonbred this next turn. I beef up the normal troop contingents and province defense in the west continent provinces.

On the east continent coast, blood hunters flock to my large coastal city, and the first one in gets a Sanguine Rod. Small numbers of troops move in to reinforce the city guard. The cheap Priest arrives in Amazon province.

By the east bridge, the dominion loss is now alarming. Despite this, I dispatch a Druid to the island with orders to raise Shamblers and build a Temple. The Anathemant Dragon conducts a blood sacrifice. If this doesn’t work, I’ll have to pull the priests off research to preach up the province dominion. Incidentally, I have exactly one Warlock with Water magic, and he's in the capital. The Shamblers don’t come with a leader. I must build a replacement Warlock before moving the one in place, and it’s five moves to the island, so I have time to put together a Shambler force before their leader arrives. Or I can make a Water Breathing Ring and send a local commander.


TURN 44
In the northwest on the western continent, the Devils return to the base for refit and reinforcement. It takes three turns of flight to get to this base from the capital. Just hunkering down, scouting, and building a little PD and a few more troops on this front. I’d really like to connect the two cities across the bay, but I don’t think that’s too realistic an expectation at this point.

In the north, the attack goes in on the Amazons. It occurs to me that this may be a poor use of the Windmaster, since I have no Air sites and this is my ticket in. Still, I make sure to transfer 11 of his gems to the Manticore, so I will have a stock if he falls.

I play a deep tactical position, setting up on my baseline to draw in the ground troops. After holding two turns, I’ll attack rear to take out the commanders before the ground troops can get back to them. In the last battle, both commanders had bodyguards, so maybe that will draw in my attacks (normally combat units ignore commanders unless they actually run into them).

The northeast just got interesting. C’tis just took out the Earth Mother with 110 City Guards, Militia, and Falchioneers. We now have a two-province front, and I’m really weak, since his other province has 50 units! It’s a good thing the Celestials are headed for the fort. If C’tis attacks, I will be hard pressed to man it. It is imperative that the Amazons be subdued and added to my forces before a general war starts. Although it will cost me two sure Abysian Infantry, I risk a bid on the Dragon Tamer to bolster the fort.

It’s quiet by the east bridge. I have two Salamander priests out to build temples on my side of the river, but there is no money in the collection box this month, so they preach.

As a refinement of my strategic vision, I will try to slowly shift forces so the east continent is mostly Abysian, while mercs and normal humans spearhead the effort on the west continent. We'll see how it works.

[RedRover]

TURN 45
In the northwest on the west continent, Caelum is pushing hard toward the coastal city two provinces south of me. The only way to forestall this is to send the Devils (who are getting a little battered) up against 50 Ichtyids. If they're successful, Caelum’s access is blocked. I can wait a turn and go in with 5 more devils, but run the risk of having Caelum come in behind me while I’m weak.

Since I’ve lost touch with Man, I decide to move immediately. Man may have a problem (war with Caelum?) because in about 10 turns he doesn’t seem to have moved north at all.

((A short digression about my Blood economy. It is very weak and I'm not exactly pushing it hard. A few turns ago I said I had enough Blood Slaves for four Devils. That didn't mean I summoned four Devils that turn. I have one Demonbred raising Devils and one researcher flying them to the front whenever I get a half dozen or so, so the statement indicates my expectation that I have four turns of Devil-summoning before I'm out out Blood Slaves. In the event, as I recall, I summoned one Devil and forged the Sanguine Rod with the other Demonbred.))

In the north, the Amazons are finally crushed. Tempus the Wind Lord, who picks up Precious, sets up a Lab, while the Manticore Pretender flies to the north fort. The Dragon Tamer is there, and the Celestials will arrive next turn. C’tis has moved away from the border, though, so there is no war this season. This sector will henceforth become the "northeast front." The north front has disappeared with the conquest of the Amazons. I own the whole north map edge on the east continent (hurray!).

On my side of the east bridge, I build two more temples to support my dominion. Blood sacrifices continue and seem to be effective, I am holding my own here. No money for new Priests or Warlocks, though. Remote scry turns up a Death gem site here! Gem Income: 7F/2E/5S/2D/2N + 8-9B on average (seems low for turn 45, but it's a low-magic game).

Scores: For provinces, I lead, Ulm is second and declining, followed by C’tis (stagnant) and Pythium (growing); the latter has passed Man. To me, it looks probable that a Pythium/Ulm war is in progress, with Ulm getting the worst of it—probably on the south continent. Man and Caelum may be at war as well.

For income, Man is ahead, growing steadily. I’m second, after a sharp spike up and spike down (blood economy flux, hunting brings unrest, which requires low taxes to fix), then Ulm, Pythium, and Caelum. (Economic advisor shorthand for my condition is that I've "got the bloody flux again.")

For gem income, C’tis leads with some recent big finds, I’m second only because Caelum lost some. Ulm trails me as much as I trail C’tis, and next is Man with about half of what C’tis is getting. (There may be a math challenge in here somewhere.)

For research, Arco leads, Caelum is a clear second at about two-thirds Arco’s value, and Man is clear third. I’m fourth, and growing faster than Pythium, I’m about two-thirds Caelum’s value.

For dominion, Ulm leads, but Caelum is closing the gap. C’tis is third, oscillating but static. I’m fourth, oscillating but growing. Pythium is falling rather sharply. Man is oscillating but static. Arcoscephele has fallen completely off the graph.

For armies, C’tis is looking very scary (if I’m at 1, C’tis is at 18!)--almost as strong as everyone else put together. Ulm and Man are about equal (at about 8), Pythium leads Caelum (about 4 to 3). Arcoscephale edges me into the cellar at 1+. I knew my military was weak, but holy cow! Looks like it’s long past time for me to build more troops!

[RedRover]

TURN 46
Be careful what you wish for! In the northwest, Man showed up adjacent to the blocking province I just took, with 120 mixed infantry! Since the Devils took no losses, I think it’s safe to leave them there.

I build up the province defense, bring in my infernal reserves from the west continent fort (5 Devils + 1 Demonbred and gems) and dig in. This might be an important province, because it’s a source of Ichtyids, which I will need in order to go aquatic, plus there’s an Arena site here. It also would make my fort placement awkward, because if I built a base here to maximize Fish Man production, I would overlap the first northwestern base in two provinces. On the other hand, a base here would secure the large coastal town. Looking back, I think I might have been better served not to try the west continent at all, but to have concentrated on the east continent. Consider:

I am badly overextended now and exposed to Man and Caelum both instead of just Caelum. I am suffering in my blood hunting because I don’t have the populous coastal plains of the east continent. If Man and C’tis both attack me, and Caelum joins a general dogpile, it will be very bad for me. I empower my Amazon Sorceress so she can find Earth sites.

It occurs to me that I might be able to use the map names to target magic sites: Godsgrave Mountains might be a Death site, Aeros River might have Air gems, and so forth. I will test the theory this turn. This wouldn’t work in a standard game, because most of the names are randomized, but I haven’t played this map much, or recently, so I don’t know how much of it is designed (yes, I could look at the map text file, but that’s cheating, so I won’t).

On the coast, the large city is played out. Apparently, it can’t support two Apprentices with Sanguine Rods hunting monthly. I need to thin out the hunters, only hunt even turns, or maybe transfer one of the Rods to another blood hunter. Unfortunately, this city and my capital are my only provinces with over 10,000 population, and I haven’t had much luck hunting in provinces under 6,000. Provinces in the 6-10K range are scattered widely and few have Labs, so I would need some Scouts as porters or more money for Labs. It would take some time to reorganize along these lines. My blood hunting strategy is still a work in progress.

In the northeast, I move some cheap Priests into position to build Temples, get the Wind Lord busy scrying for sites, put the Manticore back on research, and add a few units to fort defense. And hope the balloon doesn’t go up this turn.

By the east bridge, the outlying Priests are recalled, and I ramp up research. The blood sacrifices to restore dominion seem to be working, and the new Temples should help hold the dominion line. Also, I suspect the reason I started losing dominion was that the C’tis Prophet had moved next to my province. But now the C'tis garrison has shrunk to 20 Militia and no commander is radiating power, so things ought to be back to normal soon on this front.

I rush slightly to get Blood 4 next turn, must rebalance research then. I also need to let my Death gems build up a little. I could use a few Mentor Skulls for research and Horror Helms for the commanders.

[RedRover]

TURN 47
Hmmm. Looking at the Blood 4 spells, I see Call Horror. If I give a Starshine Cap to an Apprentice, he can cast this. Could I nuke a large enemy army by running a single Apprentice and soldier onto the field, cast this spell, then flee while the Horror cuts down their number? Might be a way to preempt a C’tis horde attack—I’ll keep it in mind.

The Godsgrave probe was a huge success! Two sites, 2D1A1W. This gives me unlimited Air scrying as long as Tempus remains, and getting access to Water is a big plus also. I now have sources for all gem types, a major milestone! On the other hand, Aeros River was a bust, so the theory stays only a theory, after all.

On the west continent, Man backs off. I’ll take a chance and send the Devils to grab the last independent province close to the Fish Man province. If I build a Fish Man base, I will need the adjacent province for production. The only danger is accidentally hitting a huge Man force and losing the Devils and Demonbred. Looking at this whole area, I am losing badly here on dominion. I must fix this or my position here will be untenable. Next turn’s priority, though.

In the northeast, I quietly build, scry, and research. The C’tis masses are gone except for a watch group of 50 Ghouls and Tomb Worms, but his Prophet is here. If he starts hurting my dominion, I’ll either have to build a Salamander priest or get the Manticore over there.

The west coast of the east continent has a new development. Arcoscephale (!)--I wondered where they were--has taken the woods province next to the large coastal city south of my holdings. I have to start an offensive here soon or lose the high population centers of the coast. This area is the only expansion zone I have left after this turn. I'm blocked on the west continent by Caelum and Man, and on the east side of the east continent by C'tis. South along the west coast of the east continent is my only growth option.

The God’s Justice mercenary appears at this moment. Perfect! It nearly breaks me to lay out the 400+ gold this turn, but if the bid works I will have a shot at the two Plains provinces along the coast and maybe even the inland town, if Arco doesn’t press. It occurs to me that I wouldn’t have much of a game if it weren’t for the mercenaries. I must play this difficulty level more often and see if I can make it with more of an all-nation army.

[RedRover]

TURN 48
The dead prophet’s power is back, so the Anathemant Dragon gets it. Temple count: 14. I must build at least one more this turn (my starting Dominion was 5, at +1 per 5 Temples, one more temple increases me to Dominion 8, making it much harder for enemy priests to preach down my influence).

In the northwest on the west continent, the attack on the independent succeeds in classic manner. My deep set-on draws in the ground troops, then the Devils pounce on the command group. There is just one more open province between Man and Caelum, but going for it is just asking to get hammered. I patrol and preach, instead.

In the northeast, C’tis is back to 110 Falchioneers, Heavy Infantry, and Tomb Guards, led by the Prophet, and my dominion is down to 0 in the target(?) province. I reinforce with a small force of Lizard Men and the Manticore. Might be a mistake, I don’t think this can hold him off if the intel is accurate. Magnus’s Crossbows come up. Sheesh, am I a merc junkie this game, or what? I think I have to…

On the west coast, the attack on independent provinces begins. A scout reports an Arco force of 50 Slingers and Heavy Cavalry, with an Elephant. May be enough to take the big city, if he attacks. Next turn I may have to choose between a coastal plain and a small inland town.

By the east bridge, C’tis has bulked up: 110 Militia, City Guard, and Tomb Worms. Not enough to take me here, I think, but may be enough to block my gutting his nation if he hits me in the northeast. No matter. If he attacks, I will go berserk against his forces, cut off his expeditionary force, and ravage his holdings up and down the east map edge, or die trying. I also think Arco may dogpile him if he does attack me. Too bad we are the wimpiest military forces in the game. I convert most of my researching priests to preaching this turn.

[RedRover]

TURN 49
A new arena fight! I didn’t get a chance to buff the Manticore, so I’m not going. Also, C’tis is tying the Manticore down to defensive duties.

On the west continent, I stay defensive. I’ve decided to try for a second fort (in the Fish province), and will start with a Temple because my dominion is so low here. Next, I’ll put in a lab so I can get gems and item production rolling. After that, we will see.

On the west coast of the east continent, I’m off to a rocky start. God’s Justice isn’t that good against Heavy Infantry. My normal troops hit the line slightly first and are ground up, then the mercs start taking hits. Without magic support, I may not have won this (Will’o Wisps surprise me with their effectiveness—I’ve become a fan, plus the graphic is cool). Nonetheless, I advance against the second Plains province, because it’s in range of a small force of Devils I can fly in. Arco just stands there this turn, so I may have a shot at the big city.

On the northeast front, I’m going to build a Lab under the Manticore (province #195), so I can guard and research at the same time. I may even fortify here if the peace lasts long enough. I have scryed a place I already checked—I’m doing this far too late at night. One more turn, I think, and I’ll take a break. Magnus shows up, I stay defensive in the northeast, and C’tis leaves two moderate garrisons. We stare at each other.

Free Nature gems this turn. I can use them! There is barely enough money to cover the mercs this turn. I can’t afford to lose the Wind Master, so I delay the Fish Temple and put the rest of the money into more troops. I also start forging: A Girdle of Might and Horror Helm for the Manticore, and a Wand of Wild Fire for the defense of the northeast or the east bridge.

Current Gem Income: 7F1A1W2E5S5D2N. Gold Income 1,042 this turn. I hit a performance wall and end the session.

[RedRover]

TURN 50
New developments on west continent! Man is definitely at war with Caelum. A force of 20 Blackhawks from Man has replaced the Caelum Militia next to my fort. All my provinces within flight range of this province now need to be proofed against this attack.

It’s just as well I didn’t try the Arena. Caelum’s pretender has almost 500 hit points and regenerates 17 per round, in addition to being lightning- and poison-proof. My 230-point Manticore would have been chutney.

On the west coast of the east continent, I can now see why Arco stopped. The big city’s garrison is 100 Barbarians. I divert my attack line into the smaller inland town (20 Militia/Light Cavalry). Apparently, Arco has only a small bridgehead in this area. I have to seal that off as quickly as possible, so I can mop up the remaining Forest provinces on my own schedule.

For the second turn running, the blood hunts are dry. I pull from the sacrifice pool to summon a single Devil this turn. I *must* solve this blood hunting issue. Interestingly, a Blood economy thread has started on the Forum. Just what I needed!

Scores: For provinces, I lead. Ulm (declining), Man (rising), C’tis (stagnant) and Pythium (dip down), form a second tier pack.

For income, I lead, but have spiked down and Man is close behind and growing. Ulm, Pythium, and Caelum form a second tier, and are declining.

For gem income, I clearly lead, with C’tis more than one find behind. Ulm, Caelum, and Man are almost a dead heat, with Ulm stagnant and Caelum spiking down exactly the same as Man spikes up. They are about half me, and C’tis splits the difference.

For research, Arco leads, Caelum and Man are a neck-and-neck second at about two-thirds Arco’s value, and I’m next, chased by Pythium, I’m about two-thirds Caelum’s value.

For dominion, Ulm leads, but has leveled off, and Caelum is closing the gap. C’tis and I are virtually tied, me rising, him declining. Pythium is falling rather sharply. Man is oscillating but static. Arcoscephele has fallen completely off the graph.

For armies, C’tis is still so strong it’s scary (I’m at 2, C’tis is at 18!), almost as strong as everyone else put together. Man and Ulm are about equal (at 8 and 7), Pythium leads Caelum (about 4 to 3). I’ve passed Arcoscephale.

This changes things a little. The Man/Caelum war is going badly for Caelum. The time to strike C’tis is now or soon, before Caelum falls—I have to beat C’tis quickly enough to bolster the west before Caelum goes completely. Should I close the border with Arco and build more troops before striking? I get the feeling that if I go to war now, I will destroy a mighty empire. Stay tuned.