Noob's shot at an R'lyeh AAR

[CharonJr]

Some thoughts about the overall strategic situation:

I am starting to overextend here I am afraid, while the war vs. Jotunheim is progressing very nicely I am leaving my northern and southern flanks very open to attacks from Ulm/Atlantis and Marignon respectivly.

Due to Man fighting Jotunheim, too, and there already have been 3 clashes between my forces and those of Man this might escalate into a real war, too.

Sadly it looks like Ulm and Atlantis did not go to war about the province of Witches Copse and Ulm even has withdrawn its troops from Witches Copse to the east (Monherboa) most likely to retake the province of Bolfagon.

Ulm has sufficient forces to hit my open flanks and force me to divert a lot of my forces to deal with them.

Since I am fairly certain that my empire is currently number one in number of provinces (likely income, gems, fortresses and research, too) it is most likely just a question of time before the AIs gang up on me.

Due to the lack of forces I am able to see from Marignon I am wondering what they are doing, but I dare to say that the apparent lack of visible forces is a sign that they are at war, too.

With Pangaea, C’tis and Abysia down and Atlantis, Jotunheim, Marignon, Man and Ulm accounted for I am still missing Pythium and Arcoscephale. Maybe Marignon is at war with one of them.

Pythium and Arcoscephale are most likely located in the eastern part of the map (due to Atlantis most likely having started in one of the northern sea provinces).

One of the possible ways to secure my southeastern flank would be to invade Marignon once the war with Jotunheim is over. Currently I am only able to build up a token force in Pangaea and hope that Marignon will keep on being preoccupied for some more turns.

I could build up a decent defensive ring by sending troops and building PDs in the provinces of Gol Ryepe, Abysia, Scytha, Aran Plain and Pangaea which is anchored by the 2 fortifications and would protect most of high income provinces and temples. The ring is still open in the south, but I am not overly worried about this hole.

The defense of Agenor and the 40 blood site there have a very high priority for me, too, because I am currently lacking troops to effectively defend my realm while still being able to field decent offensive forces.

But for the moment I prefer to let my offense be my best defense. In contrast to PDs troops can be moved where they are needed and are able to be used offensively and defensively.

My defensive ring of indies in the sea can be shattered soon by Atlantis especially since they seemed to have not gone to war vs. Ulm. I have to hope that they are at least at war with either Pythium or Arcoscephale.


The key point at the moment as I see them are:

1. Very volatile situation due to me being most likely the leader in most graphs
2. Lack of troops to effectively defend my flanks
3. Reliance on the AIs to be preoccupied by their own wars
4. Lack of ressources to discourage the AIs by building PDs
5. Gem income only slowly starting to pick up to summon forces/empower summoners


The best remedy I can currently think of is a closer focus on getting new gems and getting my mages the skills needed to get good summons.

In order to do this I will keep on using Acashic Record and to get my astral gem production up to a level where I can cast 1 Acashic Record each turn.

In addition I still need a lot of mages to forge the items (I have astral, water, fire, nature, (blood – due to needing him to bloodhunt) but still lack any 2+ mage in death, earth and air). I hope that some of the Lore Masters which I will recruit each turn now will provide me with some of the lacking skills due to their 4?.

The lab in Tiash with the 20% gem reduction is helping in getting the items needed to support the summons (summon enhancers + spell-skill items). I would love to get the costs for forging the items further down, but due to my low earth gem income this would mean using alchemy in order to get the earth gems and currently I prefer to use those gems for other items or summons.

Due to using Enslave Mind and my mage’s poor leadership I have to keep producing some Scepters of Authority to enable them to command the additional troops.

A Staff of Storms would be a nice addition to my defensive arsenal, but I am still lacking a 3A mage.

My summons will be mostly in astral, death, nature and water and I mostly lack in death.

Some items I will forge sooner or later, there are other ones:

All skills:

Robe of the Magi – Slot: Body – magic needed: 4A, 4B – effect: +1 (cursed)
Ring of Wizardry – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 5S – effect: +1


Death increasing items:

Skull Staff – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 2D – effect: +1
Scepter of Dark Regency (unique) – Slot: 1H – magic needed: 4D – effect: +3
Skullface – Slot: Head – magic needed: 3D – effect: +1
Ring of Sorcery – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 4S – effect: +1
The Black Book of Secrets (unique) – magic needed: 2D, 2B – effect: +1


Nature increasing items:

Thistle Mace – Slot: 1H – magic needed: 2N – effect: +1
Treelords Staff – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 4N (will be forged next due to the summon bonus) – effect: +2
Ring of Sorcery – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 4S – effect: +1
Moonvine Bracelet – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3N, 1S – effect: +1
The Tome of Gaia (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 2N, 2E – effect: +1


Water increasing items:

Staff of Elemental Mastery – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 3F, 3W / 3A, 3E – effect: +1
Robe of the Sea – Slot: Body – magic needed: 3W – effect: +1
Water Bracelet – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 1W – effect: +1
Orb of Atlantis (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 4W, 1E – effect: +1


Blood increasing items:

Blood Thorn – Slot: 1H – magic needed: 3B – effect: +1
Armor of Souls – Slot: Body – magic needed: 4B – effect: +1
Brazen Vessel – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3B – effect: +1
Ring of Sorcery – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 4S – effect: +1
The Black Book of Secrets (unique) – magic needed: 2D, 2B – effect: +1


Fire increasing items:

Staff of Elemental Mastery – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 3F, 3W / 3A, 3E – effect: +1
Flame Helmet – Slot: Head – magic needed: 3F – effect: +1
Skull of Fire – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 1F, 1D – effect: +1
The Ruby Eye (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3F – effect: +1 (cursed, +2 water gems/turn)
The Forbidden Light (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3S, 3F – effect: +2 (cursed/horror marked)


Air increasing items:

Staff of Elemental Mastery – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 3F, 3W / 3A, 3E – effect: +1
Winged Helmet – Slot: Head – magic needed: 3A – effect: +1
Bag of Winds – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3A – effect: +1
Tome of High Power (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 2A, 2S – effect: +1


Astral increasing items:

Starshine Skullcap – Slot: Head – magic needed: 2S – effect: +1 + raises skeletons
Crystal Coin – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 2S, 2E – effect: +1
Ring of Sorcery – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 4S – effect: +1
Tome of High Power (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 2A, 2S – effect: +1
The Forbidden Light (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3S, 3F – effect: +2 (cursed/horror marked)


Earth increasing items:

Staff of Elemental Mastery – Slot: 2H – magic needed: 3F, 3W / 3A, 3E – effect: +1
Earth Boots - Slot: Feet – magic needed: 2E – effect: +1
Blood Stone – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 3B, 1E – effect: +1 (+1 earth gem / turn)
The Tome of Gaia (unique) – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 2N, 2E – effect: +1


Summons:

Soul Contract – Slot: Misc – magic needed: 5B – summons 1 Devil/turn
Magic Lamp ? Does is enable the summon of a Jinn each turn, or just once ? (sounds like just once to me)


Well, there is still lot to do, I just have to hope I have the time, otherwise I might have to trade provinces, troops and money (PDs) for time.

Any comments or other ideas ?

CharonJr

[Taqwus]

The Djinni lamp is an expendable artifact; you forge it, use it, and lose it. In exchange, you get a Djinni mage. If anybody else forges the lamp again, you'll lose the mage.

[CharonJr]

Thank you I don't think I will forge that one, enough other things to do

CharonJr

[Arryn]

Have you tried blood hunting with scouts? If you find that it's effective, that may free up mages for you to use elsewhere.

EDIT: in your self-described precarious situation, I'd advise that you knock Jotunheim out as soon as you can and make no aggressive moves towards Atlantis or Ulm. Especially Atlantis. Atlantis may seem a natural next victim for you, but you'll probably be better off with going after Ulm once the Jotuns have been dealt with. Tritons are a nuisance, and land provinces have better/more gem sites.

[ February 24, 2004, 19:01: Message edited by: Arryn ]

[CharonJr]

Originally posted by Arryn:
Have you tried blood hunting with scouts? If you find that it's effective, that may free up mages for you to use elsewhere.

EDIT: in your self-described precarious situation, I'd advise that you knock Jotunheim out as soon as you can and make no aggressive moves towards Atlantis or Ulm. Especially Atlantis. Atlantis may seem a natural next victim for you, but you'll probably be better off with going after Ulm once the Jotuns have been dealt with. Tritons are a nuisance, and land provinces have better/more gem sites.

2 of my hunters are scouts actually, I am only using 1 mage at the moment

I am concentrating some forces in Jotunheim just now and due the castle's 100 defense the walls should be breached fairly soon.

At the moment I am most tempted to go after Marignon since this would shorten my borders.

And yes, mainly due to the pesky tritons my attack vs any water province will be delayed as long as possible. My mages and bLasters need time to be effective and those fliers are taking that away from me.

Ulm has gathered a huge army (about 170 troops including the pretender) next to me. This might get VERY ugly soon. On the other hand I would no longer have to think about what to do next since fighting for my life will have a fairly high priority

Thank you

CharonJr

[CharonJr]

Turn 32

Conjuration is up to level 7 and the research points will be split between construction and blood magic (blood magic will reach level 4 this turn).

Acashic record was cast on Cacian Forest and 2 sites were found, a Cedar Forest (+20 prod, +2 nature gems) and The Jervellan Wall which created the Jervellan Wall (0 Admin, 1000 supply, 30 defense).

7 blood slaves were captured in Gol Phalas and 4 in Gol Ryepe.

A vengeful witch has cursed 1 of my troops for taking her gems in Cacian Forest.

200 additional taxes were levied in Aenasia.

Ulm did attack in Bolfagon as was to be expected. The attacking army included the Ulm pretender (a Moloch) who caused the indie Barbarians to route on the third turn.

When my forces attack the Moloch summoned some Imps who were quickly dispatched. The Moloch jumped behind my troops and attacked the Illithid Soldiers. Shortly after this (about 70% of the militias were killed) the forces of Ulm routed.

The battle in Faran was easily won vs. PD forces.

Glisas only faced PD forces in Black Forest, too, which were defeated without any problem.

In Birman Highs my troops faced roughly 20 Jotuns lead by 3 Nifel Giants. 2 of the Giants were enslaved and fought very well for my side Overall I lost about 6 fodder troops, but gained 2 Nifel Giants and 3 Jotuns.

In Jotunheim my forces were mainly met by 25 Jotun Militias (in addition to 4 Hurlers) some were enslaved, but due to just one enslaver in my forces a lot of my troops had to engage in close combat. In the end I lost about 4 Centaurs and my other Centaurs routed while the enemy lost about 50% of his troops and routed due to my summons keeping the preasure up.

Atlanasha managed to summon 1 Greater Otherness bringing her skill up to 17.


Provinces: 31
Treasury: 1.187
Income: 1.728
Upkeep: 890
RP: 314
Fortification: 4
Temple: 8

Conjuration – 7
Alteration – 6
Evocation – 6
Construction – 6 (researching)
Enchantment – 7
Thaumaturgy – 6
Blood Magic – 3 (researching, will reach 4)

Fire gems: 11 (+5)
Air: 41 (+2)
Water gems: 1 (+8)
Earth: 10 (+1)
Astral gems: 8 (+9/+9)
Death: 40 (+5)
Nature: 15 (+11)
Blood: 24


Updated province information:

Due to the map (and time constraints ) I will skip this section and just make some general comments here.

I can see 2 provinces of Pythium to the east now making it very likely that the still missing Arcoscephale is located in the northeastern corner of the map.

Atlantis took the indie province of Endless Oceans with 60 troopers commanded by a Wyrm (likely the Atlantis pretender), destroying my buffer and making the situation even more volatile due to the fairly large force close to my capital and my forging province of Tiash.

Ulm has massed 170 troops including their pretender in Monherboa and this has me VERY worried, but at the moment there is not much I can do about it if they should decide to attack. If Ulm should attacak me I will wait till the armies are starting to split up and then try to destroy the smaller forces with coordinated attacks and potentially some PDs.


My Provinces:

R’lyeh (10) – 29.740 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 284 inc, 72 res, 25 def, dom9 – magic site (+3As/+2W) - Temple
Gol Phalas (26) – 12.680 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 68 inc, 8 res, 0 def, dom 5 - Temple
Dunheim (28) – 11.440 pop, 80% tax, 6 UR, 45 inc, 4 res, 0 def, dom 5
Talito (36) – 7.320 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 33 inc, 11 res, 0 def, dom 2 - magic site (+2W, +1N) - Temple
Dershid (20) – 6.380 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 35 inc, 9 res, 0 def, dom 8 – magic site (+1W, +1As)
C’tis (27) – 32.790 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 223 inc, 108 res, 0 def, dom 1 – magic site (+2D/+2N/+1W, +20prod, +10gold) - Temple
Hoburgdorf (34) – 13.670 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 80 inc, 9 res, 0 def, dom 3
Abysia (40) – 24.680 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 153 inc, 103 res, 0 def, dom 1 – magic site (+5 fire, +30 gold)
Nifel (57) – 1.560 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 3 inc, 28 res, 0 def, dom 3 – magic site (+1Ai, +1D/D imp, +1D/D imp, +20prod) - Temple
Gol Ryepe (46) – 18.430 pop, 90% tax, 2 UR, 65 inc, 8 res, 0 def, dom 1 - Temple
Glimmering Field (61) – 23.770 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 104 inc, 11 res, 0 def, dom -1
Giant’s Rest (67) – 1.520 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 5 inc, 28 res, 0 def, dom 1 – magic site (+1A, 1+D/increases death)
Scytha (35) - 4.890 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 24 inc, 26 res, 0 def, dom 1 - Temple
Kolermegor (5) – 9.650 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 52 inc, 30 res, 0 def, dom 2 – magic site (+2W, +2S/recruit loremaster/sage)
Vepitre (14) – 5.040 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 44 inc, 12 res, 0 def, dom 3 – Marble Temple (UR-5/+20 gold/can recruit High Priest)
Aran Plains (23) – 11.890 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 62 inc, 24 res, 0 def, dom 1
Pangaea (12) – 26.810 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 125 inc, 92 res, 0 def, dom -4 – magic site (+5N)
Tiash (15) – 2.510 pop, 100% tax, 0 UR, 13 inc, 42 res, 0 def, dom 6
Oune (19) – 1.730 pop, 80% tax, 10 UR, 5 inc, 12 res, 0 def, dom -1
Old Aran (29) – 3.990 pop, 90% tax, 2 UR, 15 inc, 6 res, 0 def, dom -1
Agenor (37) – 11.120 pop, 90% tax, 4 UR, 46 inc, 15 res, 0 def, dom -4 – magic site (40 blood magic bonus, +1E/+1N)
Cacian Forest (45) – 6.580 pop, 70% tax, 10 UR, 17 inc, 24 res, 0 def, dom 1
Aenasia (54) – 12.310 pop, 90% tax, 5 UR, 42 inc, 13 res, 0 def, dom -5 - magic site (+1S)
Birman Highs (24) – 4.880 pop, 70% tax, 15 UR, 10 inc, 27 res, 0 def, dom 0
Black Forest (31) – 7.010 pop, 60% tax, 18 UR, 13 inc, 21 res, 0 def, dom -1 – magic site (+2S)
Jotunheim (68) – 35.770 pop, 70% tax, 15 UR, 51 inc, 34 res, 0 def, dom -7
Faran (60) – 4.020 pop, 60% tax, 20 UR, 8 inc, 9 res, 0 def, dom 0
Bolfagon (63) – 1.850 pop, 70% tax, 13 UR, 19 inc, 11 res, 0 def, dom -3


I got a 1FA, 1W, 1E, 3S mage and a 1F, 1S, 2N Lore Master who will research for now. The Lore Master might later be used for summons, too.

A Treelord Staff (32N) will be forged in addition to a Clam of Pearl (8W), a Water Bracelet (4W) and a Starshine Skullcap (8S).

Glisas will fly from Black Forest to The Weald and try to take it before Atlantis gets any funny ideas.

My 2 armies from Birman Highs will move to Solam and should be able to conquer it without to many problems.

My commander and 20 fodder troops from Runia will move to defend Black Forest.

The 2 mage lead armies from Runia will attack Vldmyre and should face no opposition there.

The Troll King and his 15 trolls with move from Aenasia to Jotunheim in order to support the siege there.

The 2 remaining mage lead armies from Aenasia will attack the 2 Jotuns in Iron Range and even with just 2 Greater Otherness and 6 Centaurs will hopefully able to conquer the province due to their spells.

My priest from Nifel and the 2 mage lead armies from Faran will reclaim the province of Chilad.

The 2 armies from Bolfagon will move to Faran in order to support the siege in Jotunheim on the next turn.


I will buy 1 more starspawn mage and a Lore Master, in addition to 7 Crossbowmen, 9 Heavy Infantries and 1 Archer.

A lab will be build in Gol Phalas in order to transfer the blood slaves from Gol Phalas and Dunheim faster to one of my labs.


To be continued...

CharonJr

Map: http://homes.highspeed3.de/CharonJr/R'lyehAART32.JPG

[ February 24, 2004, 19:38: Message edited by: CharonJr ]

[CharonJr]

Turn 33

Blood magic is up to level 4 and I will continue to split the RPs between blood magic and construction

3 blood slaves were captured in Gol Ryepe.

Chilad had been conquered without any problems (10 knights and 10 militias) and my troops were able to enslave 5 knights.

Iron Range was defended by roughly 10 Jotuns and 10 Flagellants. In the end 2 Jotuns were enslaved with my forces losing just 1 Centaur (due to me making a mistake – I forgot the set my Centaurs to hold/attack and they charged on the first turn).

Yldmyre was defended by 15 Jotuns and militias who were easily defeated without losing a single man. Suddenly Pythium attacked Yldmyre with just their prophet (an Emerald Lord), a High Priest and another Emerald Lord. There was no real combat, but my forces managed to enslave the 2 Emerald Lords (sadly the prophet is only holy3 ).

Glisas faced about 15 light infantires, 10 heavy infantries and 5 crossbowmen who were easily dispatched.

Solam was defended by 5 Jotuns and 5 archers who were easily dispatched by my forces.

My forces in Yldmyre are starting to starve and will be moved this turn.


Provinces: 36
Treasury: 1.223
Income: 1.867
Upkeep: 966
RP: 350
Fortification: 5
Temple: 10

Conjuration – 7
Alteration – 6
Evocation – 6
Construction – 6 (researching)
Enchantment – 7
Thaumaturgy – 6
Blood Magic – 4 (researching, will reach 5)

Fire gems: 16 (+5)
Air: 0 (+2)
Water gems: 2 (+8)
Earth: 11 (+1)
Astral gems: 0 (+10/+10)
Death: 39 (+7)
Nature: 25 (+11)
Blood: 43


Updated province information:

Due to the map (and time constraints ) I will skip this section and just make some general comments here.

I can see 2 provinces of Pythium to the east now making it very likely that the still missing Arcoscephale is located in the northeastern corner of the map.

Marignon has massed about 80 troops in Great Aran Waste further adding to my worries. They seem to be boxed in the the southeastern corner of the map, making it VERY likely that they will attack me further strengthening my resolve to attack them next.

Atlantis took the indie province of Devourer with 60-70 troopers commanded by a Wyrm (likely the Atlantis pretender) and keeps on reducing my sea buffer provinces.

For some reason the 170 Ulmish troops have vanished out of my view, with a bit of luck they are fighting somebody.

There is an army of 40 Jotuns in the province of Stone Heavens which might try to break the siege of Jounheim.


My Provinces:

Due to the info about my provinces getting longer and longer I will skip this one, too.

Mainly I reduce taxes by 10% for each 5 points of unrest/raise them again when is unrest is going down.


I got a 1W, 3S, 2N mage who will cast Acashic Record on Feldan Forest and a 2A, 1W, 1E Lore Master who will be empowered to 3A by transforming some death gems.

The Treelord Staff and Ivy Crown are given to the 2N Lore Master who will summon Vine Ogres in Kolermegor.

The Sceptre of Authority, Water Bracelet and Starshine Skullcap are given to a 1A, 2W, 3S mage who will lead some troops to Aran Plain on the next turn.

The Clam of Pearl was given to another Star Child and another Clam will be forged this turn.


My 2 armies from Solam will move to Glade Woods which is defended by 10 Jotun Militias and a Great Hag.

The army from Black Forest will move to Birman Highs in preparation for the attack/defense against Marignon.

The mage and his troops in Yldmyre will attack the indie province of Old Forest which is defended by 10 knights and militias which the priest and his fodder will move to Iron Range.

The 2 mage lead armies will attack the 8 Jotuns in Temiglia.

My 3 fodder armies will move from Faran to Aenasia and finally reach Jotunheim on the following turn. The 2 mage lead armies from Chilad will move to Aenasia,too. If I knew how many provinces Jotun still holds I might move them to the south, but since I lack this information I decide to play it safe.

The priest with his fodder troops from Chilad will move to Bolfagon to build a temple there later.

Since I can’t be sure if the Jotuns in Stone Heaven will attack Jotunheim or just stay there I have decided to attack myself. Since I don’t want to stop the siege of Jotunheim the only forces I can bring to bear is my mage in Jotunheim with his 8 summons, 3 Centaurs Cataphracts and 5 Sea Trolls I have exchanged for 5 enslaved fodder troops which are more useful at the siege. As additional firepower I will send Glisas there, too.

I will buy 1 more starspawn mage and a Lore Master, in addition to 8 Illithids, 1 commander, 4 crossbowmen, 10 heavy infantry and 5 archers this turn.


To be continued...

CharonJr

Map: http://homes.highspeed3.de/CharonJr/R'lyehAART33.JPG