Game 152

[VballMichael]

Congratulations to Canticar on his Turn 37 Rex victory as the Troll in this anon game. Very hard fought contest and I really am looking forward to Valhalla write-ups.
I especially want to hear from the Elf (Stillgard) whom I thought I had damaged severely, but who hung around forever, killing at least 5 of my princes and numerous others, and who kept taking me out of control of my regions (well, between him and the Warlock - both were pains ).

[unclemike]

The Valhalla scoring for this game may be delayed for a while.

I have a new procedure in place that created the stats file properly with the correct info but the program failed during the game's cleanup stage (of clearing this game's files from the order checker area, moving XML database files to archive, and a few other things) that caused the software to stop.

Since game 152 was the first one that was queued up today, this problem prevented the other games (155, 163, 164, 165, 167, 300) from being processed at noon today. I restarted the process and the other games should have sent out their turns at around 2:30pm EST.

I'll get to re-running the turn for game 29 either later today or early tomorrow.

[Cloud]

Congratulations to Canticar on his Turn 37 Rex victory as the Troll in this anon game. Very hard fought contest and I really am looking forward to Valhalla write-ups.

Hear, hear.  Well done.  I spent some effort trying to spoil the party for any potential victors - first the DW then the TR, working on knocking TR out of control in R4 when the game ended.  This victory was hard fought and well earned.

[gkmetty]

TR - Canticar

Thanks everyone for a great game.  I was holding my breath waiting for today's results.

I enjoyed this game immensely.  The ANON format with only in game communication was surprisingly fun.  If there is any way to start the in game communication again I would play and recommend this format.

First I need to apologize to Damelon (RD) we had a NAP from about mid-game and I had to break the NAP on turn 37 to win.  I tried to wrestle the Talking Mountains from the DW without the RD pop centers but it was an impossible challenge.  Please forgive my breaking of the agreement.  Side note, a Capital city with a defense of 80k, awesome.

Vballmichael (GN) - we had a NAP from early in the game.  You never compromised our agreement.  For a while I was very nervous, you had two regions and I'm sure you were working on your third.  Because of our NAP we did not interact much but you seemed to grab a lot of attention from many of the other kingdoms.

Lord Diamond (WA) - you were the first to reach out to me for a NAP.  You never compromised our agreement and it worked well for me.  I hope you found our agreement beneficial.  You seemed to have your hands full with the WI but in the end you triumphed and landed on the podium.  You were very creative with the in game communication.

Stillgard (EL) - we also had a NAP.  Our agreement was the most important to me.  In today's Alamaze the EL can, and often does, tear the TR apart.  Our early attempts at communication about artifacts was very humorous.  On turn 36 you had a podium spot.  I'm sorry you just missed out in the end.

Frost Lord (DW) - you took an early lead with three regions.  I can only guess that you drew a lot of attention as the fourth region alluded you.  When I reached the Eastern Steppes I think you were battling in both the Steppes and the Northern Mists.    You held off the TRs for many turns.  The Steppes and the Talking Mountains were hard fought.  I was shocked when I finally moved to the Mountains and found that the towns all had less population than the villages.  You must have had one big recruiting campaign.

Cloud (BL) - the stage was set early in the game when your Army Group destroyed a TR division while we were both in Arcania.  I was not looking for conflict with the BL at that time but after the wipe out I vowed there would be revenge.  Some time later I moved into the Sands and you already had your hands full with the RA.  Your forces must have been run down by the conflict with the RA as it did not take much time to take control of the Sands.  I was targeting Synisvania next but the RD got there before me.  When I moved on the Eastern Steppes you were there but you moved on fairly quickly, I guess to the Mists.  Being persistent as you are I should not have been surprised when you showed up in Torvale towards the end of the game.  I only saw your two groups and I dont know if that would have been enough to take Torvale from me.  Perhaps you were moving in additional forces.

RA Dupont - I thought we were heading for a show down in Arcania but that region got crowed very quickly, RA, TR, BL, RD.  We had a few scuffles in the Sands but then you consolidated back to Synisvania and it looked like you and the RD had a knock out fight.  It seemed that Synisvania was uncontrolled for a long time.  I would be interested in hearing about what happened in that region.

Thanks again everyone, this was my first win and I can only guess that you let me have it.

[Lord Diamond]

This was a very fun game and I'll take some time to do an in-depth write-up. I really hope that whomever the Witchlord is will grace us with a write-up of his own!

[mafmiller]

RD - Damelon
First, congrats to the TR! No hard feelings on breaking our NAP. It was unspoken anyway, but certainly implied by our actions. At the end of the game like that, and for the win, it is, at least in my opinion, absolutely OK! One good thing for me about your win is that it put me out of my misery ... NO ONE SHOULD EVER ATTACK LORD DIAMOND!!! OUCH!!! I did break an agreement with him (WA), but thought I was doing so in retaliation for an agreement he broke first. It turns out it was all a misunderstanding. I actually think one of the more enjoyable parts of an anon game is the garbled attempts at communication through emissaries. The RA was remarkably tenacious. Although I had weakened his position considerably, he was never eliminated. His constant presence really kept me from moving on to any other targets in full force. The DW and GN are gentlemen, sticking to our agreements throughout the whole game. If this had been a regular game, I think I would have liked to have worked closely with one of them. It was a very enjoyable game. Congrats to all those who stuck it out!

[VballMichael]

Gnome.

Very enjoyable game. First time I had a game go this long and continued to enjoy it each turn.

This anonymous game started with no AN, UN or DE, so it was good fortune to be assigned the Gnome. Spent the first few turns developing, made a NAP with the Troll (my only real neighbor), and then just developed until about turn 20. Left the Red Dragon pop centers alone in Runnimede, hoping he would then stay away .

With tons of promoted emissaries, 2 groups, some troops, and tons of wizards (2 power 8, 5 power 7, 1 power 5 - thanks to the Stone of All Minds), and 3 high level agents, I went north to Oakendell because the Elf had just taken a second region (Oakendell and Northern Mists). I took Oakendell pretty quickly, but could not hit his city/capitol nor his large army group. Thus, he stayed around the rest of the game, taking back an occasional pop center, assassinating an occasional emissary, and basically making me pay to keep control in Oakendell AND Runnimede. I kept him hostile and down-trodden, but he just kept at me. In all, I think he killed 5 princes, several lesser emissaries, and two agents of level 14 or 15.

Around turn 28, I invaded Northern Mists to try for a third region. I was making decent progress, but then the Warlock attacked me in Runnimede AND Oakendell and I had to decide. I could keep fighting for three regions, or head back and consolidate two. I chose the latter as we were nearing the end of the game and I was pretty solidly in first in status points (just a few artifacts, but had 2 regions, lots of wizards, agents, production etc for status points).

So, I headed back, took back my two regions, and then turn 36 happened and the troll took his third region. Then, bam, turn 37 the Troll takes a fourth region and game over. I was hoping for First here, but am pretty happy taking second.

As this was anon, I normally would not make recommendations, but I have to nominate Stillwell (Elf) for Iron-willed not just because he hung around, but because he hung around and was immensely effective for a very long time.

[Lord Diamond]

armies
(WA) Congratulations to Canticar the Troll for his first Alamaze win!
 
This was the first, and last, anonymous game where in-game communication was allowed. At some point in the middle of the game the 341 orders were deleted and communication was shut down. This is the log of all my communications this game:
 
T1 – To Giant: Offers to trade PEACE R5 for NK 1TOWN.
 T2 – To Ranger: Offers to trade PEACE R8 for UM 1TOWN.
 T3 – To Red Dragon: Offers to trade PEACE UNTIL for OR-2T ALERT.
T3 – ENVOY SORDOWKNIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE RANGER KING
ACCEPTS THE TERMS OF YOUR PROPOSAL AND WILL INITIATE ACTION IN 1 TURNS.
T4 – To Gnome: Offers to trade PEACE R8 for UM 1TOWN.
T4 – ENVOY ZAX OF FIREMOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE RED DRAGON KING
ACCEPTS THE TERMS OF YOUR PROPOSAL AND WILL INITIATE ACTION IN 0 TURNS.
T5 – To Black Dragon: Offers to trade PEACE R8&R10 for UM 1TOWN.
T5 – ENVOY ZAX OF FIREMOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE RED DRAGON KING
OFFERS TO TRADE 1 GOLD FOR 20000 FOOD.
T6 – To Troll: Offers to trade PEACE R4 for PEACE 4GAME.
T6 – ENVOY KRANDOR ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK DRAGON KING
ACCEPTS THE TERMS OF YOUR PROPOSAL AND WILL INITIATE ACTION IN 0 TURNS.
T7 –ENVOY FUGON THE SMART ON BEHALF OF THE TROLL KING
ACCEPTS THE TERMS OF YOUR PROPOSAL AND WILL INITIATE ACTION IN 0 TURNS.
T12- ENVOY FUGON THE SMART ON BEHALF OF THE TROLL KING
OFFERS TO TRADE U JF FOR ME KI.
T13- To Troll: Offers to trade NOTE NOT for CLEAR NO@KI.
T18 – ENVOY ZAX OF FIREMOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE RED DRAGON KING
OFFERS TO TRADE HELPWITH WITCH FOR ESTERI VALE.
T19- To Red Dragon: Offers to trade DEAL WHEN for R2_GO NEUTR.
T20 – To Red Dragon: Offers to trade WA CLAIMS for ALL R5 PC.
T21- ENVOY ZAX OF FIREMOUNT ON BEHALF OF THE RED DRAGON KING
ACCEPTS THE TERMS OF YOUR PROPOSAL AND WILL INITIATE ACTION IN 0 TURNS.
T22-To Red Dragon: Offers to trade CAN'T LOSE for UM_VS EL&WI.
 
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My initial strategy was to gain control of both Avalon and Esteria Vale while avoided an early fight with the Giant. I figured that if all I controlled were two cities and a few smaller pcs, I’d still be in good shape to raise my wizards and gain a solid footing.
 
I did a recon of Esteria Vale (UM) and noted both Gnome and Ranger nobles were there. That was a disappointment, but I hoped a little diplomacy might work. I wrote the Ranger, Gnome, and Black and offered all of them peace if they would allow me UM and 1 other town in Arcania. I never heard from the Gnome, but both the Black and the Ranger agreed. The Gnome left the city, regardless, so that was good enough for me. I really was pleasantly surprised that the Ranger gave in so easily. I always figured that they each thought I’d end up fighting the other for it and that was good enough for them.
 
I didn’t expect to keep Esteria Vale long term, but even a few turns would be well worth the initial trouble. To my great surprise, nobody ever tried to take it from me. Well, the Red did show up with an Army Group during our awkward negotiations, but one Dome of Invulnerability did the trick and he never came back.
 
I was also worried about Avalon, so I asked the Troll for peace so that I wouldn’t have to worry about him showing up. I later regretted that treaty. First, when I realized that he had three towns and a village in R5! That sometimes made it difficult to maintain control. Second, when it was clear that he was going to win the game and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. However, he left me alone, so I left him alone. If anyone was going to stop his rampant advance, it was going to have to be someone else.
 
The Giant dropping was a surprise to me and I am embarrassed that it took me so long to figure it out. Once I did, I still had a difficult time taking the human controlled Evanon because of a Giant brigade squatting at the city. My rabble of an army had to put on their big-boy pantaloons and go knock that brigade out so that my Duchess could parade into the city like she owned it. I didn’t gain control of it until turn 17, the same turn that the Witchlord moved against me. Amberland became controlled for the first time that turn. Having it sit uncontrolled for so long is probably what convinced the Elf-Witchlord Alliance that it was ripe for the picking.
 
Before I get into the good stuff, I should talk about my ‘exploits’ during the early part of the game. I did achieve my minor ESO, which was nice; I went with two Adepts and a Baron. I didn’t manage to develop my wizards very much during this time and for the life of me I can’t figure out why.
 
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I was not able to find a single unusual sighting of my own except for the Gem of the Planes. By the time I managed to locate the Key and sail my fishing boat to its location, the Troll had beaten me to it. To partially compensate for my ineptitude here, I turned to crime.
 
From the Sorcerer, I stole the Key of the Staff. To compound my crime, I used black magic to murder his P-2 and P-3 wizards. I intended to do more mischief, but the Witchlord attacked me that turn so I left the Sorcerer alone after that. I was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t avenge himself.
 
I wish that I could say that my crime spree stopped there. No, I also stole the Key of the Maker from the Darkelf. Again, he was too busy to do anything about it.
 
Later on, I stole the Crown of Anzu from the Elf and the Staff of Disdain from the Gnome. I know I should feel ashamed, but I don’t. Once I used the Keys, my king possessed all three of the true king artifacts. I kept expecting someone to steal them as they were rarely guarded, but nobody ever did.
 
The Witchlord started his nefarious assault by assassinating my P-3 wizard at Avalon. Needless to say, this pissed me off. I knew exactly how I was going to enact my revenge!
 
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With there being no Underworld in this contest, I felt like it was up to me to fill that void. At one point I had three L-15 agents, but only one survived till the end. Please hear my confession of all the misdeeds I committed.
 
Black Magic Murders:
T14 – Giant Captain II Ikavan
T17 - Sorcerer P-2 Avida
T17 - Sorcerer P-3 Yagoris
T21 – Witchlord P-5 Ry Vor
T29 – Witchlord P-6 Mahnivor
T29 – Witchlord P-6 Nulijor
T31 – Witchlord P-7 Flogmor
 
Agent Actions:
T13 – Kidnapped Giant Governor Kraggack
T13 – Kidnapped Giant Envoy Turregg
T14 – Stole the Key of the Staff from the Sorcerer
T16 – Stole the Key of the Maker from the Darkelf
T19 – Assassinated Witchlord Prince Dargon
T20 – Assassinated Witchlord Baroness Fate’s Dark Crone
T23 – Assassinated Witchlord P-3 Kaz
T24 – Assassinated Witchlord Governor Krull the Ender
T25 – Assassinated Witchlord King Dreadlord Abbadon
T25 – Kidnapped Elven Prince Gil-Galad
T26 – Bribed Elven Prince Gil-Galad
T26 – Stole Crown of Anzu from Elf
T27 – Assassinated Witchlord P-6 Diroxa
T29 – Stole the Staff of Disdain from the Gnome
T31 – Assassinated Red Dragon Count Chromis
T32 – Assassinated Red Dragon Governor Inferno
T33 – Assassinated Red Dragon Baron Lux Hoardstealer
T35 – Assassinated Red Dragon L-4 Candle
T36 – Assassinated Gnome Governor Rroy
 
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The Elf didn’t do much damage to me. We traded a couple of pcs and then the Gnome attacked him, which cooled his enthusiasm for a war with me quickly. The worst I did to him was reveal a skeleton which knocked him off the High Council, leaving the seat open for me. Well, the theft and the kidnapping may have hurt a little.
 
___________________________________________________________________
The Witchlord was another story. I felt like I was winning the war and then he arrived at Evanon with a huge freaking army. The only wizard I had capable of casting Dome of Invulnerability was searching an unusual sighting in the Talking Mountains.
 
I did take Evanon back, but as soon as I did he came back with another huge army. He also showed up at Avalon, my capital, with an even bigger army! This was a scary turn for me. I now had three wizards capable of casting Dome, but he had four wizards capable of dispelling it in the region! What to do?
 
Well, I used all three Domes on Avalon and did my best to whittle down the number of wizards he had available. As a result, Evanon was wiped off the map. Man, he must have been mad!
 
This is when it kind of started getting funny. That huge army at Avalon? Well, I am pretty sure it tried to take the city several times, only to be thwarted by multiple layers of Domes. Eventually, it didn’t have enough wizards left to even leave the island. It was around this time that the Witchlord dropped.
 
I should add that the Dwarf invaded Northern Mists during all this and the region went from Witchlord control to Dwarf control all on the same turn. I was a little annoyed about this as I felt that I was in a good position to move into the region myself, but I couldn’t complain too much about my arch enemy having his supply line cut behind him.
 
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At this point, it looked like the Gnome was doing pretty darn well. I couldn’t help but notice that he was a long way from home. He had helped me against the Elf, though unintentionally, but I had declared him and enemy earlier and I believed that he had stolen a boatload of gold from Avalon. So I sent nobles against him in both Oakendale and Runnimede. I even knocked him out of regional control in both regions for a while and ended the game in control of Cradia, which I enjoyed for some time.
 
I found the Gnome capital in the Northern Mists and thought I’d get clever. It had been decades since I had blasted a town, so I sent a couple of P-7s into R2 to give it a try. I destroyed the capital, but I didn’t manage to kill either his king or the P-15 he had there. That was fun.
 
I don’t think I was much more than a distraction to the Gnome, but it kept me busy until the Red Dragon attacked me and gave me something to get passionate about.
 
___________________________________________________________________
I had been under the impression that the Red Dragon and I had a treaty. He misunderstood the terms of our treaty and decided that my aforementioned Dome over Esteria Vale voided it. The result was that the Red Dragon attacked me. I believe that he now considers this to be a mistake.
 
I turned most of my attention away from the Gnome and to the Red Dragon, slaying several of his nobles and invading Arcania with a small cadre of nobles and a single division of troops. He fought back, but I ended the game with Zarathon, a town, and a village. I was positioned to take more and several were neutral. I also took every Red Dragon conquest in Amberland. The Red ended the game hostile in both Arcania and Amberland thanks to the Staff of Disdain.
 
I pretty much shut down the Red armies with Domes of Invulnerability. This was my favorite spell this entire conquest.
___________________________________________________________________

This was a great game. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked) to end up in 3rd place. Congrats to everyone who stuck it out!

[Drogo]

I would like to play in a game with this format. If one starts I will join.

[Jumpingfist]

I would like to play in a game with this format.  If one starts I will join.

I believe they removed the in game messages already