Dark Elf wins game 305 on Turn 22 Rex

[VballMichael]

1     DA    Canticar                  16,080    19,728
2     UN     Rogal                      8,935      12,077
3     RD     Vball Michael              8,700      11,723
4     GN     Lord Brogan                7,900       9,925
5     WI     Jhereg                     5,400       8,200
6     BL     Whitewolf                  4,200       7,675
7     GI     Cloud                      4,500       7,378
8     EL     Rotor                      4,100       6,550
9     WA    Damelon                    3,400       4,600

Congrats to Canticar on a Rex victory on turn 22 as the Dark Elf. And to all of the other 8 finishers and podium folks.

I took over as RD on turn 8, and Mad Hatter had left the position pretty well situated, though we had an impossible ESO .
Was happy to squeak a 3rd place out of it. Looking forward to some nice write-ups. Had a lot of fun in this game with lots of conflict.
I will do a write-up later today.

[Lord Diamond]

End of game details attached.

[mafmiller]

WA -
Now I feel bad that I was pounding on you, Cloud! I've enjoyed interacting with you in full-diplomacy games in the past.

 I "shared" the region with the GI, of course. I expected he would want control of the region, but was a little miffed when he also didn't let me have Avalon, but OK. When, despite controlling the region and Avalon, he proceeded to take all of my PCs except for my capital, revenge became my only motivation. I had never dropped a game and wouldn't do so now. I quietly ... and slowly, due to limited funds ... raised my wizards and then proceeded to destroy towns and villages of his in Amberland. Sorry, Cloud!

Congrats to all the podiumists!

[Cloud]

Actually, in my mind you attacked me on turn 2 when I issued a 350 order for my Duke who had jumped to Avalon from Runnimede.  My 350 didn't go through because he was Slept while you Incited.  I thought 'Fine,  you want me to say here, I'll just Ward and 310.'

So, I tried to let you have Avalon but you didn't let me.  If I had scored a resist on your Sleep on turn 2, it would a been a very different game.

[mafmiller]

Actually, in my mind you attacked me on turn 2 when I issued a 350 order for my Duke who had jumped to Avalon from Runnimede.  My 350 didn't go through because he was Slept while you Incited.  I thought 'Fine,  you want me to say here, I'll just Ward and 310.'

So, I tried to let you have Avalon but you didn't let me.  If I had scored a resist on your Sleep on turn 2, it would a been a very different game.

Interesting! This is why I prefer full-diplomacy games.

[gkmetty]

DA

This was an interesting game from the start. When turn zero was delivered and I saw that the RA and DW both were absent from the game I immediately made plans to expand quickly into Synisvania and the Talking mountains. I knew the SO was weak to start but could become very powerful if left alone. With Synisvania affected by the seasonal effects of the south, it was an even more appealing target. I also thought it would take the RD some time to consolidate his forces, which I hoped would mean some free early pop centers in region 3.

My plans in Synisvania went well and I thought I would split the region with the SO. We both worked towards taking neutral pop centers and avoided pop centers controlled by the other. This was the case until turn 7 or 8. At this time we both landed at the same neutral pop center. Unbeknownst to each of us we both tried to take the pop center and we both succeeded. The SO took the neutral pop center and then I took the SO controlled pop center. I dont know if this upset Feral Kolala or if he chose at that time to go for the region but after that he started to take my pop centers.

In region 3, I had picked up a few neutral villages to supplement my holdings in the Eastern Steppes but the RD consolidated his forces there very quickly. One of his groups landed at one of my villages and moved away so I pulled my resources out of the Mountains and focused on Synisvania. The RD did declare me an enemy but he did not threaten any of my PCs until around turn 10. I now know that the RD position had changed hands and VBallMike took those PCS from me. He did not move on the Steppes so I ignored region 3 for the remainder of the game.

The SO and I continued to fight over Synisvania but with his limited political resources and his Magic having been hampered by having limited resources I was able to make slow and steady gains against his position until he dropped.

On turn 13 or 14 I had two regions, several of my mages had reached P5 or P6 and I had two agents of L14 or L15. I had 13 or 14 emmies and I was ready for my next region. I was considering region 10 or region 3. My emmies were already in the south and when I looked at Arcania I found that the BL and the GI had been battling each other and there were only 4 towns remaining. This meant Arcanina was a perfect target for my fourth region. So I decided that Southern Sands was my next target with Arcania as my fourth target.

I moved fully on the Sands and partially into Arcania. I was able to take the city and every, non-capital, town in the Sands which gave me the region. I moved a few emmies into Arcania and a major Army Group. I was surprised when the BL had his Army and several emmies at Esteria Vale. The defense of this city was also very high so I would not be able to take the city with my group. Instead I moved on the GI controlled Zarathon with my group and picked up the towns with a few of my emmies.

Unfortunately I fell just short of controlling Arcania and this shortfall would extend the game by several more turns as the BL, and I suspect the UN, took out my emmies and my wizards and tried to steal my artifacts. The BL did a good job of consolidating his forces and keeping me from my fourth region.

I knew something was taking place in Amberland as I was trying to solidify my hold on Arcania the GI capital arrived at one of the towns that my group landed at. I had looked at the town a turn earlier and knew the capital was not there. I could not afford to bypass the town so I hit the GI capital and captured his king, sorry Cloud.

In the end the fight between the BL and I came down to the number of emmies I was able to use. Even though the BL and UN were killing and kidnapping my emmies I still had enough to secure four regions. The GN jumped in at the very end of the game but I was fortunate that he chose to attack the same town as the BL. Had they chosen different towns I might not have been able to secure the win.

Congratulations to everyone who finished the game. A special congratulations to Vball who took over a standby position and lead it to a podium finish. I am very interested in seeing a write up from Rogal. His underworld position stayed under the radar for most of the game but he managed a second place finish.

[Ry Vor]

Interesting to hear the tale of a Rex victory.  Congratulations, Canticar.

[Tomag Ironfist]

I love reading these! I'm looking forward to hearing more perspectives.

[Rogal]

Rogal here with my after action report.  To start off  with, I would always play this into soundtrack before I did any of my turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDkCiUhHCc

I started off like I do in every game, try and get my region as fast as possible.  2nd order of business would be to get a sea population center.  Third would be to work on my ESO goals.  The final thing I would do is go crazy with an Excel sheet to track agents hiring and training.  Early questions I wanted to see, would I go to war or cohabit my home lands?  I really wanted to see how good or bad the income would be from other kingdoms and agent activity.  

Turn 1 - 5  With so few orders and so much scouting with agents and groups I had excess gold so I figured going all out on High counsel and in the long run I would be able to get my next few influence raises on the cheap. In return, I sold some food (36000) and made over 30,000 gold from other sources.  This opened my eyes a little, I see a lot of  other kingdoms agent training so lets take advantage of that.  I thought that if agent training was high, I would be the only real agent power.  Prices could also be set low and gain me a lot of gold and indirectly help me deal with wizards cause every one will assume I will be killing casters but in reality, that gains me nothing.   I figured that I would let others do the dirty work, I am after specific targets and hope the WI,SO,WA casters are killed with my ever so grateful gift of cheap agents.  I moved on Cradia and my true answer was near, would I have a political duel with the Gnomes, I did not but had some issues with other population centers.  I also saw some early ally statements, this kind of put my guard up as well as put a target on some kingdoms backs.  

turn 6 - 10 Capital at sea, done.  Gave up on my home region and let the GN have it.  I figured to have just enough to take it over in the  end, but let the Gnomes deal with a Troll, giant, or Dragon invasion for I should of been raising my top agents at first and not so much scouting, if I went  to war now, my agent advantage was not big enough.   From this point on, no issues really would arise from the gnomes again, but did act as a shield wall while I was still weak.   By turn 10, I got my major ESO, Really went to town on my agents, and began looking for targets off all different types (artifacts, pop centers, ect.).

Turn 11-15 It looks like the Trolls and the Gnomes are going to fight, better get my nave in gear, which gets beaten back by the Trolls.   I see that the SO and RD are in a tiff, and look at all those artifacts big red has,  I might need to borrow some of them one day.  found the Warlock capital and sanctuary, need to go see what could be there as well.  Basically these turns were all about training agents and casters  and looking at other areas to move my top agents for better target acquisition and concealment.  How many people really check there own villages for enemy agents? P.S. I found a few who do.  

Turn 16 - 22  Now the game begins.   The plan was to hit many empires for things I wanted but not cause a true confrontation if possible.  First up the Trolls and ancient ones.  Nabbed an governor and a 10 agent just before they dropped, oh well.   For some reason, the Giants wanted to take a small water pop center from me, so in return I took a princess,  a Duchess and a small agent in return.  Then, much to my surprise, look who's back, the Big Red Ones with 4 artifacts,  I went for 4 and got 2 of them.  This is why I like Anon games , I would not of tried the robbery if I knew VballMichael was running the kingdom, for I would of assumed he would have counter agents or would move more then 5 spaces the following turn. Nabbed me Elan, the flaming sword of the north, and a Ring of spells which I am guessing at one time were SO artifacts. My question is how the heck did someone get those four artifacts so early in the game, Like turn 10 early.  Once I saw the DA with the first failed attempt at a victory condition, I went after points every way I could.

end results:  
 Total starting agents
44
Total agents in the game
75
Total hires and trainning
279
Total income from others
           418,500.00

400   Regional    Substantial in a region: Runnimede
                              200   Military    Have a marshal: (1UN) Marshal Snake
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (1UN) Pwr-6 Virwild
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (2UN) Pwr-5 Hawkwind
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (4UN) Pwr-5 Takinnia
                              200   Artifact    Item: Demon Doom
                              600   Artifact    Item: Elan, Flaming Sword of the North
                              300   Artifact    Item: Ring of Spells
                              400   Political   Have an influence of 20+: 20.00
                              200   Political   Member on the High Council
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 19 Sudden Seven
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 19 Tragedy
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 18 Gray Mouser
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 17 Sidewinder
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 16 Cobra
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 16 Slip Knot
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 15 DHOLF
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 15 First Silence
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 14 DENTON
                              200   Covert      Have an agent 8-10: Agent 10 DOKKEN
                              200   Covert      Have an agent 8-10: Agent 9 ELSA
                              120   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Princess Yara At Area UA
                              105   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Duchess Zusha At Area UA
                               90   Covert      Prisoner: (Elven) Countess Elros At Area UA
                               75   Covert      Prisoner: (Darkelven) Baron KARL At Area UA
                               45   Covert      Prisoner: (Ancient Ones) Governor ZOROS At Area UA
                              100   Covert      Prisoner: (Troll) Agent 10 Troll's Best At Area UA
                               90   Covert      Prisoner: (Red Dragon) Agent 9 Ruby Sky Death At Area UA
                               10   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Agent 1 ONYX At Area UA
                              400   Economic    Total gold production of 150k+: 163,309 gold per month
                            1,000   Citizenship Survive until end of game

P.S. I did not kill anyone, so If you got assassinated I was not the cause, but maybe me setting the training cost so low led to it.

[mafmiller]

Rogal here with my after action report.  To start off  with, I would always play this into soundtrack before I did any of my turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDkCiUhHCc

I started off like I do in every game, try and get my region as fast as possible.  2nd order of business would be to get a sea population center.  Third would be to work on my ESO goals.  The final thing I would do is go crazy with an Excel sheet to track agents hiring and training.  Early questions I wanted to see, would I go to war or cohabit my home lands?  I really wanted to see how good or bad the income would be from other kingdoms and agent activity.  

Turn 1 - 5  With so few orders and so much scouting with agents and groups I had excess gold so I figured going all out on High counsel and in the long run I would be able to get my next few influence raises on the cheap. In return, I sold some food (36000) and made over 30,000 gold from other sources.  This opened my eyes a little, I see a lot of  other kingdoms agent training so lets take advantage of that.  I thought that if agent training was high, I would be the only real agent power.  Prices could also be set low and gain me a lot of gold and indirectly help me deal with wizards cause every one will assume I will be killing casters but in reality, that gains me nothing.   I figured that I would let others do the dirty work, I am after specific targets and hope the WI,SO,WA casters are killed with my ever so grateful gift of cheap agents.  I moved on Cradia and my true answer was near, would I have a political duel with the Gnomes, I did not but had some issues with other population centers.  I also saw some early ally statements, this kind of put my guard up as well as put a target on some kingdoms backs.  

turn 6 - 10 Capital at sea, done.  Gave up on my home region and let the GN have it.  I figured to have just enough to take it over in the  end, but let the Gnomes deal with a Troll, giant, or Dragon invasion for I should of been raising my top agents at first and not so much scouting, if I went  to war now, my agent advantage was not big enough.   From this point on, no issues really would arise from the gnomes again, but did act as a shield wall while I was still weak.   By turn 10, I got my major ESO, Really went to town on my agents, and began looking for targets off all different types (artifacts, pop centers, ect.).

Turn 11-15 It looks like the Trolls and the Gnomes are going to fight, better get my nave in gear, which gets beaten back by the Trolls.   I see that the SO and RD are in a tiff, and look at all those artifacts big red has,  I might need to borrow some of them one day.  found the Warlock capital and sanctuary, need to go see what could be there as well.  Basically these turns were all about training agents and casters  and looking at other areas to move my top agents for better target acquisition and concealment.  How many people really check there own villages for enemy agents? P.S. I found a few who do.  

Turn 16 - 22  Now the game begins.   The plan was to hit many empires for things I wanted but not cause a true confrontation if possible.  First up the Trolls and ancient ones.  Nabbed an governor and a 10 agent just before they dropped, oh well.   For some reason, the Giants wanted to take a small water pop center from me, so in return I took a princess,  a Duchess and a small agent in return.  Then, much to my surprise, look who's back, the Big Red Ones with 4 artifacts,  I went for 4 and got 2 of them.  This is why I like Anon games , I would not of tried the robbery if I knew VballMichael was running the kingdom, for I would of assumed he would have counter agents or would move more then 5 spaces the following turn. Nabbed me Elan, the flaming sword of the north, and a Ring of spells which I am guessing at one time were SO artifacts. My question is how the heck did someone get those four artifacts so early in the game, Like turn 10 early.  Once I saw the DA with the first failed attempt at a victory condition, I went after points every way I could.

end results:  
 Total starting agents
44
Total agents in the game
75
Total hires and trainning
279
Total income from others
           418,500.00

400   Regional    Substantial in a region: Runnimede
                              200   Military    Have a marshal: (1UN) Marshal Snake
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (1UN) Pwr-6 Virwild
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (2UN) Pwr-5 Hawkwind
                              200   Magic       Have a pwr 5-6 wizard: (4UN) Pwr-5 Takinnia
                              200   Artifact    Item: Demon Doom
                              600   Artifact    Item: Elan, Flaming Sword of the North
                              300   Artifact    Item: Ring of Spells
                              400   Political   Have an influence of 20+: 20.00
                              200   Political   Member on the High Council
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 19 Sudden Seven
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 19 Tragedy
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 18 Gray Mouser
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 17 Sidewinder
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 16 Cobra
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 16 Slip Knot
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 15 DHOLF
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 15 First Silence
                              400   Covert      Have an agent 11+: Agent 14 DENTON
                              200   Covert      Have an agent 8-10: Agent 10 DOKKEN
                              200   Covert      Have an agent 8-10: Agent 9 ELSA
                              120   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Princess Yara At Area UA
                              105   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Duchess Zusha At Area UA
                               90   Covert      Prisoner: (Elven) Countess Elros At Area UA
                               75   Covert      Prisoner: (Darkelven) Baron KARL At Area UA
                               45   Covert      Prisoner: (Ancient Ones) Governor ZOROS At Area UA
                              100   Covert      Prisoner: (Troll) Agent 10 Troll's Best At Area UA
                               90   Covert      Prisoner: (Red Dragon) Agent 9 Ruby Sky Death At Area UA
                               10   Covert      Prisoner: (Giant) Agent 1 ONYX At Area UA
                              400   Economic    Total gold production of 150k+: 163,309 gold per month
                            1,000   Citizenship Survive until end of game

P.S. I did not kill anyone, so If you got assassinated I was not the cause, but maybe me setting the training cost so low led to it.

Wow!