Bay 12 Games Forum

Other Projects => Other Games => Play With Your Buddies => Topic started by: Il Palazzo on August 07, 2010, 10:59:00 am

Title: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four = finished.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 07, 2010, 10:59:00 am
As I still haven't got my fill of winning, I've decided to start another game.
Spoiler: What is this all about? (click to show/hide)
Useful links:
The wiki (http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Main_Page), with loads of useful information.

Llama Server (http://www.llamaserver.net/), which is the automatic hosting server we'll be using.
Llama Server's map and mod browser (http://www.llamaserver.net/mapModBrowser.cgi).

Unless some vehement opposition to it somehow arises, we'll most likely end up using the Conceptual Balance Mod, v.1.6. Which you can get here (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showpost.php?p=710178).


Here's the game's page:
http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Bay12Games4

Other options:
Victory by victory points - 5 on the map, 4 needed to win.
Magic site frequency increased by 5 percent(to 45).
Era is Middle.

As a reminder of how things work: you'll be recieiving .trn files from llama server, which you shoud put into a {dom3dir}/savedgames/{whatevernameyouwant}/
After finishing your moves, a new .2h file will appear in that folder, which you should send to the same address from which you've recieved your .trn file.

The list of players:
1.Il Palazzo - C'tis
2.Kebooo - Marignon
3.Lorak - Ermor
4.Happerry - T'ien Ch'i
5.AlfFan - Shinuyama
6.Puntocom - Abysia
7.Ravenlord - Pythium
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Cthulhu on August 07, 2010, 12:35:19 pm
I might play.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 07, 2010, 12:39:45 pm
What a half-hearted response.
You WILL play! In fact, you've got all new and grand strategy prepared, just waiting for a glorious execution. Etc.
Any thoughts on the setup?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Kebooo on August 07, 2010, 03:44:03 pm
I'm in.  I voted for middle.

Map: No preference.  Something big and wide open.

Faction preferences:
EA: Agartha
MA: Marignon
LA: Ulm
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: EuchreJack on August 07, 2010, 11:40:33 pm
I voted middle just to piss Il Palazzo off.  Me bitter? Never...

Dunno whether I can commit to playing.  Part of me really wants another go at this, but most of me knows that I don't really have the time for this game.

EDIT: Il Palazzo, you really should have quit when you were ahead.  Here's a draft of somebody's first turn personal message to everyone but you:

To: All but Il Palazzo
From: Sender
RE: Beating Il Palazzo
Dudes, remember when we all lost to that barbarian king?  Let's gang up on him!
Sincerely, Somebody who lost last game.

We'll forget my ignoble surrender, for now...
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 08, 2010, 05:20:47 am
That's fine, EuchreJack, I'm willing to experience being zerg rushed and annihilated for once. Winning all the time is boring, no?[/bragging]

Let us know if you'll decide to join after all.

One more organisational thingie: I suppose the turn hosting interval will be set around 48h. Should give those of us with mundane commitments a lot of time to, well, find the time to play.
Having the above, as well as the supposedly large map size in consideration, I'd predict this game to take a bit longer than the last one.

Anyway, more players please!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Lorak on August 08, 2010, 04:06:25 pm
I'm in.  I actually kinda enjoyed all those lightning strikes...   Plus that one battle Il Palazzo and I had was awesome, so I wouldn't mind watching something like that again.

I want more players, though!!  You people reading this - This game is awesome!  I think the fact that pretty much everyone from the previous game is ready to go again is testament to this. 

Plus, don't be worried if you've never played, or you think you'll suck.  I think most of us proved ourselves to be pretty terrible last time around!  But one of the great things I found out last time is that no matter how terrible you are, you can still lie, backstab, and bribe your way to a third place finish!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Lorak on August 08, 2010, 05:30:48 pm
This is a video of said battle between Il Palazzo and myself.  Maybe seeing this can entice some people on the fence to get this game and join us in glory!!   ... Or maybe it'll scare them away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M-njmZd2b4
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 08, 2010, 05:58:50 pm
Oh, sweet, you've recorded it. I forgot how epic that was.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Lorak on August 09, 2010, 03:32:16 pm
Tie breaker!  I voted Middle, cause I've never played it.

Edit:  Also, is there a reason that you very rarely/never see people play on a random map?  I have absolutely no problem with random maps if that would be the best solution to our player:province ratio.  I wouldn't mind a bigger map, but I don't think we should go -too- big... and if we do go too big, we should consider increasing the magical research difficulty.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Kebooo on August 09, 2010, 07:23:03 pm
Last time I got attacked before I had any considerable research finished.  So I ended up not learning much of anything about the magic system.  I'd like to be able to dabble in some advanced magic for once.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Lorak on August 09, 2010, 07:38:16 pm
Fair enough!  All right, I retract my previous statement suggesting increased research difficulty if we choose a very large map!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Now Recruiting.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 11, 2010, 05:47:13 pm
Players!
More players. We need players.
Players please.
Anybody seen players?
Can I haz playerz?
Players, players, do you read me?
Where did all the players go?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Johuotar on August 12, 2010, 11:24:05 am
Still alive and kicking?

I've played this game enough to understand basic system how it works so I decided to play my first online game then.
Middle or high era is my fav, warhammer map is okay by me.

country i want to play in this order:

most favorable -> least favorable playable.

Midgard > Marignon > Jomon> Arcoscephale
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Lorak on August 12, 2010, 12:50:38 pm
That's.... that's kinda... stalkerish.  If only you had Pythium in there, I'd be really scared.  But we have another player!  :-D

All right!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Johuotar on August 12, 2010, 01:03:44 pm
Quote from: Lorak on August 12, 2010, 12:50:38 pm
That's.... that's kinda... stalkerish.  If only you had Pythium in there, I'd be really scared.  But we have another player!  :-D
stalkerish? O.o

So how many players do we need?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Kebooo on August 12, 2010, 01:25:51 pm
He said stalkerish because in our last game we played late era with five players, you listed four of the factions that were chosen, Pythium being the only one you left out.  Personally, I'm offended, there's nothing cooler than giant hydras that don't like to die.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 12, 2010, 01:48:59 pm
Great! Welcome aboard Johuotar.
I think we'll leave Late Age for some other time, and stick with MA for this game, so you better choose some appropriate nation.

As for how many players do we need - five seems kinda too few for such a large map, and I've got a feeling that most of us would like to try a big one after last game's experiences.
I don't know, seven+? Unless nobody else shows up, that is.

Quote from: Kebooo on August 12, 2010, 01:25:51 pm
He said stalkerish because in our last game we played late era with five players, you listed four of the factions that were chosen, Pythium being the only one you left out.  Personally, I'm offended, there's nothing cooler than giant hydras that don't like to die.
Did you know, there's a high-level conjuration spell for Sauromatia/Pythium, which summons a unique hydra "hero", whichi is actually immortal?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Kebooo on August 12, 2010, 07:06:50 pm
All I know is...tangle vines.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 14, 2010, 08:49:52 am
So, eh, what do you guys think? Should we wait some more? Choose a small-ish map? Play on a large one with victory points enabled?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Lorak on August 14, 2010, 02:07:49 pm
How do the victory points work in this game?  I've never played a victory points round.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 14, 2010, 02:23:07 pm
If I recall correctly, there are few options involving VPs:
You set a number of them to appear randomly on the map, and how many need to be under one players control to claim victory.
You can include/exclude capitols as additional VP provinces.
You can opt for score accumulation, where each VP-province gives a number of "score" per turn under a player's control, and the score limit required for victory.

It's a sensible choice if the map is too big - we could set e.g.5 VPs, and you'd need four of them to win. Takes care of all that hassle involved in wiping out a losing nation completely. Might also allow the losing one to raise from the ashes.
More options for diplomacy as well.

I'm not sure if World of Warhammer would fit here, though. Each nation has got a preselected starting position on the map, so it might end with a bunch of us clustered together, while the last players is far away, and can nab all the outlying VPs.
I suppose it could work, If we took care to chose our nations by taking the above problem into consideration.

The map called Orania(one of the default ones included in the vanilla) could be nice to play with that system. It's got a bunch of special sites, which can act as VP if chosen. It's also large and a wraparound. Might be good.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Kebooo on August 14, 2010, 03:25:10 pm
I'm up for either way, I doubt I'll be the winner so I'm not as concerned about the conditions to win.  The more people the better, though.  A 5 vs Il Palazzo phase one would go very smoothly.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Lorak on August 14, 2010, 04:08:14 pm
XD

All right, I'm cool with a VP option than.  I'm pretty agreeable as far as the rules go.   While more players would be nice, we have been waiting for a pretty significant amount of time already. 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 14, 2010, 04:18:35 pm
Ok, unless somebody else objects, I'll put up the game sometime on monday.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 16, 2010, 11:46:08 am
Doesn't seem like we're getting any more players.
With only five of us playing, I don't think it's advisable to use the World of Warhammer map, as it's too big.
My proposition would be to play on "Desert Eye" - one of the vanilla maps.
It gives each of us about 20 independent provinces to conquer, before pvp aggression will be deemed necessary to expand. It's also a wraparound, which should help guard against the "fuck I'm stuck in the corner" situations.

As for other options:
Victory by victory points - 5 on the map, 4 needed to win.
Magic site frequency increased by 5 percent(to 45), so that there can be a bit more magic in this game.
Era is Middle.

I'll give you guys some time voice any complaints and propose whatever changes you want. I'll set up the game on llama server in about six hours time, which should be around 11PM GMT. I'll post the link then.

If somebody'll be late, and will want some changes, we can always restart the whole thing.

I'll be playing C'tis, Kebooo opted for Marignon. I don't know about the rest of you, just make sure no two of you try submitting the same nation.

ed: Damn, this silence is unnerving. I hope nobody decided to drop out.

Here's the game's page:
http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Bay12Games4

To submit your predenders:
Quote from: Cthulhu
Make a pretender
Find the 2h file for your pretender in C:\blahblahblahdominions3directory\savedgames\newlords\
Email it to pretenders@llamaserver.net with the name of the game (Bay12Games4) in the subject line.

As a reminder, you'll be recieiving .trn files from llama server, which you shoud put into a {dom3dir}/savedgames/{whatevernameyouwant}/
After finishing your moves, a new .2h file will appear in that folder, which you should send to the same address from which you've recieved your .trn file.

Also, remember to install and activate a CBM v.1.6 mod(link on the game's page) before creating a pretender.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Kebooo on August 16, 2010, 08:37:49 pm
Let it be known, the great KillPalazzo has awoken and entered the fray.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Lorak on August 16, 2010, 08:39:58 pm
Haha KillPalazzo, I like.

I'm not home right now, but I'll be back late tonight, so I should have my pretender up by tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Lorak on August 17, 2010, 12:54:03 am
Did a random pick, came up with Ermor.

I know I have heard in the past that LA Ermor is overpowered, and I don't know if MA Ermor is the same way.  So if you guys want me to choose something else, just let me know.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 17, 2010, 05:06:05 am
I'm no expert on Ermor, but I don't mind.

kILlPalazzo? I'm sure we'll be friends.


All the lizards hated the old miasma, it was boring and not smelly enough. But then they felt a warm and stinky breeze of change, when the New Smell of Freshness began awakening.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Lorak on August 17, 2010, 11:33:56 pm
Mine's sent in.  Is Bandar Log one of us?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 18, 2010, 05:31:44 am
Dunno. It'd be nice to hear from Johuotar, and especially, Cthulhu.

I suppose we can grab some random people for the game, if they happen by. I've put a message for those on the game page, so that they should announce themselves here etc.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Johuotar on August 19, 2010, 08:19:19 am
Sorry, but due to unfortunate events I can't play with you.  :-\
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Submit your pretenders!
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 19, 2010, 11:09:43 am
It's a plague, I'm telling you.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 19, 2010, 05:12:50 pm
Hi! I would want to join.

EA - Caelum
MA - Pythium
LA - Caelum
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 19, 2010, 05:35:05 pm
Great! Feel free to do so. All the necessary information regarding the setup should be in the opening post.

We've got 5, shall we start or wait a bit longer?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 19, 2010, 05:43:08 pm
I won't be able to play tomorrow so can we wait at least one more day?

Btw "Desert Eye" is quite big for 4-5 players game. Meybe change the map?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Cthulhu on August 19, 2010, 05:44:45 pm
Oh jeez, you added me to the list?  Yeah, I'm probably not going to be joining this, and  by probably I mean definitely.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 19, 2010, 06:00:59 pm
Grumblegrumblegrumble. What the heck.

I've got an idea. Let's put this one on hiatus, maybe some other time of year will be better, or something.

Quote from: Ravenlord on August 19, 2010, 05:43:08 pm
I won't be able to play tomorrow so can we wait at least one more day?

Btw "Desert Eye" is quite big for 4-5 players game. Meybe change the map?
See, buddy, the remaining 3 players, that is me, Lorak, and Kebooo, wanted to have a larger map=longer game experience this time around.
But having four players only sucks very strongly, as that's not even enough for some rudimentary diplomacy.

I'm sorry, guys, but unless some sudden influx of new players happens, I won't be interested in doing this.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Lorak on August 19, 2010, 06:46:59 pm
All right, I can agree with that.  I'll definitely watch this space for any sudden influx of interest, cause I do want to play this game some more.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Kebooo on August 19, 2010, 07:43:15 pm
Yea, I'd like a more 'advanced' experience, or even if I was to die early, read about some epic final confrontation.  Last game went out with a fizzle.

In the mean time, anyone want to play al-Malik in our EFS game?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Lorak on August 19, 2010, 09:25:10 pm
I downloaded EFS and checked it out a while ago.  It seems interesting, and being made by the same people that made Merchant Prince, it's probably good, but it doesn't seem like the kind of game I would want to jump right into the middle of a game in progress, haha. 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: EuchreJack on August 19, 2010, 11:35:22 pm
Oh, then you should definitely join the other EFS game, Escape from Earth.  The player slot that needs filling has a definite lead, giving you plenty of time to learn the game.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Happerry on August 22, 2010, 03:57:03 pm
Any room for a mostly newb playing T'ien Ch'i, Imperial Bureaucracy? Well, if I can figure out how this multiplayer thing works.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 22, 2010, 06:05:04 pm
Certainly. If you don't mind waiting a little bit more. I guess one extra player would do the trick.

Quote from: Happerry on August 22, 2010, 03:57:03 pm
Well, if I can figure out how this multiplayer thing works.
There's some info in the first post, some can be found on the llama server, I guess. If you've got any specific questions, feel free to ask.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Happerry on August 22, 2010, 06:41:44 pm
It's more that this is my first non-hotseat multiplayer game, so I am sure I am going to mess something up in the process of figuring out how everything works. I'll ask my questions once I figure out how I am going to mess up. Also, sent my god in.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: techno65535 on August 23, 2010, 03:29:13 am
I'd consider joining if A) I had the money for the game and more importantly B) I could get the demo to run so I could see if I liked it. Never seen a .run file before.

Pre-emptive strike: I use linux just fyi.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 23, 2010, 03:47:27 am
Quote from: techno65535 on August 23, 2010, 03:29:13 am
B) I could get the demo to run so I could see if I liked it. Never seen a .run file before.
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/gaming-games-multimedia-entertainment/35202-installing-run-files.html

Ah, the powers of internet search engines...
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: techno65535 on August 23, 2010, 05:33:36 am
Heh, just haven't tried looking yet really. No real motivation while at work. Thanks for the link though.

Edit: So, tried to run it again, got this error.
Code: [Select]
dominions3demo_installer.run: 1: Syntax error: "(" UnexpectedIt's like it doesn't want to be installed. >.>
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: AlfFan on August 27, 2010, 10:01:39 pm
I just joined as Shinuyama. I'm looking forward to this
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: puntocom on August 28, 2010, 09:20:18 am
Hi,

I am new in the game (and in the forum xD).

Can I join to the game?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 28, 2010, 11:37:52 am
Quote from: puntocom on August 28, 2010, 09:20:18 am
Hi,

I am new in the game (and in the forum xD).

Can I join to the game?
Go ahead.

I suppose we'll start the game as soon as you do that.
I'm kind of worried about the Bandar Log and it's anonymous controller.
And what about Ravenlord?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: puntocom on August 28, 2010, 12:32:19 pm
Ok, I'm sending the file now  :)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Happerry on August 28, 2010, 01:12:42 pm
Well, if the monkeys refuse to do diplomacy, that only means we all end up ganging up on them. And welcome aboard puntocom.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 10:54:15 am
Sorry! I was on a business trip for few days and I just returned home.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 29, 2010, 11:16:50 am
Quote from: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 10:54:15 am
Sorry! I was on a business trip for few days and I just returned home.
Are you the one controlling Bandar Log?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 11:18:44 am
No. I but I can try if the other player don't show up.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 29, 2010, 11:37:02 am
I suppose we could just restart the whole thing. If everyone is ok with that.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 11:38:33 am
If you vote to restart then I'll be playing Pytium.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Lorak on August 29, 2010, 11:57:33 am
I wouldn't mind.  It certainly seems like interest picked up awfully quickly.

I'm assuming like half the people in the game just signed up to Bay12 for this game?  XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 29, 2010, 12:01:59 pm
Ah, screw it Bandar Log was silent all this time anyway, so no point in waiting.
I've just set the game back to the beginning, so you can submit your pretender whenever you're ready, Ravenlord.
The remaining pretenders need not to be resubmitted.

I'm not sure how the game handles this, so just to be on the safe side:
I'd like everyone to go to their [gamenamehere] save folder and delete both the .trn and .2h files that they received/generated previously.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 01:28:39 pm
My GUI automatically disappears when I start the game. It is first time it ever happens. I just tried reinstalling dominions 3 but it didn't work. Other PBEM games I'm currently playing are running fine. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Lorak on August 29, 2010, 01:33:49 pm
Are you using a non-pirated, fully patched version?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 01:38:34 pm
Of course! I have patched it to 3.24. The thing is that other games are running fine.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 29, 2010, 01:43:36 pm
The only thing I can think of, is some weird-ass save file corruption. Request turn resend and see if it works with the new one.

I assume you've got the CBM mod installed as well, right?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 01:49:19 pm
Yes, I have the mod installed and running and I have requested turn resend 3 times already.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. Additional players required. Apply within.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 29, 2010, 02:37:10 pm
I just reinstalled the game again and it worked. No idea why.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on August 29, 2010, 10:31:56 pm
Nice, my capital already has a negative random event that increased unrest and cursed a unit.  Why me?!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 30, 2010, 10:13:08 am
Can we get a list of what players on here are playing which nations?

I'm too lazy to figure it out myself.

Also, I've been busy all weekend with concerts every night, but that's done now, so shouldn't be waiting on me much anymore.  ^_^
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 30, 2010, 10:33:25 am
There is a list on the first post.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 30, 2010, 10:35:03 am
All right, sweet!   Not only was I too lazy, but I was also too dumb to look at the first post!!  :-D
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on August 30, 2010, 04:27:18 pm
This is a miserable, awful start for me.  I'm already doomed.  I need my hydras!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 30, 2010, 04:48:35 pm
I'm pretty sure Ravenlord can bring some hydras to your capital. This should relieve you of your anxiety, oh mighty KillPalazzo.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 30, 2010, 04:50:37 pm
We wont fall for your little "I'm weak and harmless and dead, so no need to attack me"  ploy again.  I'm sure all of us from the last game remember what happened last time... all two of us.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on August 30, 2010, 07:00:04 pm
Well this time I am weak and harmless because I don't know how to play Marignon.  Last time I played Pythium in single player before the game.  I probably should play some Marignon but I feel screwed already.  As everyone can see in the graphs, I was routed by independents.

Also, let's take a moment to remember who won last game - Il Palazzo.  I'd really just like to state that Il Palazzo won, very easily.  Il Palazzo was the winner of our last game.  In other news, Il Palazzo won, and is very dangerous in general.  However, should I encounter Il Palazzo, I would like nothing other than peace.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 30, 2010, 07:05:32 pm
It's a large map, there's plenty time and room to expand despite whatever minor setbacks you've suffered. I mean, losing the starting army is hardly a disaster. It's basically milita anyway.

edit: unless you're, like, REALLY depressed and feeling hopeless about the current situation/hate Marignon with all your heart/want to dump the game for whatever reason - then by god, tell us now rather than later. Worst things worst, we could always restart the thing again, even though I cannot fathom how annoying it would seem to the non-bay12 players.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on August 30, 2010, 07:25:11 pm
No, definitely not, as in last game, I stick it out to the bitter end.  I was just hoping to do better in this game than last game.  I'm sure I'll recover, but I can already predict I won't be one of the last two or three empires left. 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on August 30, 2010, 08:17:41 pm
You can't really say so after three turns, surely.
This game provides so many options, so much flexibility... I cannot fathom what would need happen to warrant such defeatism.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on August 30, 2010, 08:58:52 pm
I'm just lobbying for pity/NAPs earlier than usual.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Disaster! on August 30, 2010, 09:22:38 pm
You guys have convinced me to buy this game without trying it.

And I love it so far.

Thanks guys!

Also: watching this thread.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 31, 2010, 02:26:29 pm
Sweet ass.  It is a good game, make sure you are around when this game is over (might be a while) to get in on the next one!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on August 31, 2010, 04:54:37 pm
Actually we can play two games simultaneously if you want.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Happerry on August 31, 2010, 05:07:05 pm
Yah, it's not like this is real time or anything.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 31, 2010, 05:48:55 pm
I, personally, would not mind getting another game started at the same time as this one.  XD  It does start taking a long time to take your turn once you hit later turns, but I have plenty of time.

Would be even better if we could get more than 7 in it, too.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on August 31, 2010, 10:42:02 pm
Just got this email:

"Welcome The Last Summer Holiday
with Dominions 3: The Awakening!
Take Advantage Of Special Pricing On The Hit Strategy Title!

Soon it will be Labor Day, that glorious three-day weekend filled with backyard burgers, ice cold beverages, and of course that wonderful day off from work (unless you work in retail, the restaurant industry, emergency services, or you don't live in America). Now you could do something that some folks might consider "constructive", like spending time with friends and families, catching up on the household chores, or watching college football but we have a better idea: three days of round-the-clock, uninterrupted Dominions 3: The Awakening gaming!

In order to ensure that you have enough lead time to start boning up on the game for the beloved holiday weekend, here at Shrapnel we're putting it on sale for you right now! That's right, from August 30th until September 8th Dominions 3: The Awakening has been reduced in price to only $48.95."

What a deal!  Get this shit, people!  That's what, like a dollar off?!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 01, 2010, 04:05:13 am
I suppose it's a part of the joke.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: janekk on September 01, 2010, 11:37:15 am
If you guys will do another game you can send me PM if you are looking for horrible player to steamroll.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 01, 2010, 03:28:23 pm
OK then! Let's start a second game simultaneously!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 01, 2010, 05:15:53 pm
I'm not sure if I'd be willing to go for another one, but my moods tend to change rather quickly, so I might. You guys go on ahead(in case you needed my blessings).


There was supposed to be a lot of free land to expand, and I already feel like Kim Jong-Il stuck on his little pennisula, and surrounded by dubiously friendly neighbours.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 01, 2010, 05:59:40 pm
OK! I will create a new game and a forum topic these days and I'll post a link here. Do you want any specific game settings or just go with default and middle age?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: EuchreJack on September 01, 2010, 06:52:48 pm
As an impartial bystander, who is not playing and therefore has no reason to bend facts or mislead players, I will offer a bit of sagely advice, which you ignore at your peril:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Thank you for your time.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 01, 2010, 07:18:43 pm
I can feel a bad aura in the air.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on September 01, 2010, 09:20:16 pm
It's called the great and mighty KillPalazzo finally gets his second province.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Happerry on September 01, 2010, 09:24:11 pm
Quote from: Ravenlord on September 01, 2010, 05:59:40 pm
OK! I will create a new game and a forum topic these days and I'll post a link here. Do you want any specific game settings or just go with default and middle age?

I like playing with a bit more magic sites then normal, and don't forget to turn renaming on.  ;D
Need to decide what nation to play though... hum.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 02, 2010, 12:08:48 am
I forgot we had Victory Points on the map, what were the rules set for that?

I can see 5 on the map, and by counting the lines on the victory point graph it looks like somebody needs to hold 4 of them to win?  Is that right? 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four. A GAME WITH A SERIOUS NEED OF PLAYERS.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 02, 2010, 06:56:11 am
Quote from: Il Palazzo on August 16, 2010, 11:46:08 am
As for other options:
Victory by victory points - 5 on the map, 4 needed to win.
Magic site frequency increased by 5 percent(to 45), so that there can be a bit more magic in this game.
Era is Middle.
I appologize, should've put this on the first post.


Oh, my. The evil KillPalazzo just lost her(his? its?) eye!
Damnit, Kebooo. Must we all be so close to eachother?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on September 02, 2010, 10:32:20 am
Go away! 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 02, 2010, 10:36:21 am
I have created the second game.

http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=GloryOfTheGods - link to the game
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=65222.0       - link to the game's topic
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Happerry on September 03, 2010, 08:49:19 pm
Argh. Well, this turn was most definitely not favored by the heavens.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: puntocom on September 04, 2010, 04:08:50 am
Quote from: Happerry on September 03, 2010, 08:49:19 pm
Argh. Well, this turn was most definitely not favored by the heavens.

And the next is not going to be better  :D
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 04, 2010, 05:10:17 pm
One lucky horseman just got behind my hydras and killed the commander and a random event took away one of my provinces. Damn it!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: AlfFan on September 05, 2010, 12:11:23 am
Hey guys, I may be a bit slow this upcoming week. The girlfriends friends are staying with us and I imagine we'll be showing them Portland a bit. I will try to get up early in the morn to knock out some turns though (probably no more than 2 days between turns).
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 05, 2010, 04:30:46 am
No problem. I'll change the hosting interval to 72h.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on September 08, 2010, 10:37:54 am
So my desktop computer won't turn on now, and all I've got is a laptop with Ubuntu on it, which I assume won't run Dominions 3.  Can we stall the turn until Saturday?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 08, 2010, 10:49:14 am
Yeah, no problem.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on September 09, 2010, 05:18:02 pm
Good news, I replaced the power supply today and my PC is back up.  So I won't need any stall if you haven't done so already. 


Edit: Buttt I'm going to be gone on Friday and Saturday.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 14, 2010, 08:28:53 am
Could some players please pick up their phones?

I'm totally not referring to Pythium's lack of response to PMs, in which I set up a masterful plan of destroying the evil Shinuyama.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 14, 2010, 11:57:06 am
My forum account is registered on a e-mail which I don't check. If you want to negotiate with me use the ingame messaging.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 14, 2010, 12:03:56 pm
Try being considerate - there's too much lag with the ingame messaging system to use diplomacy properly.

Anyway, here's what I wanted to tell you:
Attack Shinuyama NOW! They're wide open, don't be a fool and striiiiike.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 14, 2010, 12:17:42 pm
Yeah with in-game messaging, by the time you get a reply, 2 turns have gone by, and if it was something like  "Hey if you give me x this turn, I won't stomp all over your face yet" that 2 turn delay in answering could be bad.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 14, 2010, 01:41:09 pm
OK! You convinced me. I'll change the e-mail.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 14, 2010, 02:43:55 pm
Great, you're a star.
Don't forget to attack Shinuyama too.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: AlfFan on September 14, 2010, 11:55:40 pm
Who me?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 15, 2010, 12:24:28 pm
I watched a battle, which me and AlfFan just fought, and I kept thinking about that Monty Python sketch, about SPAM. All notions of tactics were forgotten, as waves upon waves of skeletons shuffled towards Shinuyama lines.
"Spam, spam, spam, mighty spam!"

ed: a typo
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: AlfFan on September 16, 2010, 11:43:13 am
That was one of the best battles I've seen in Dominions (maybe I'm a little new to this, but nonetheless). Not the best of conclusions, but a great battle
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 16, 2010, 03:02:13 pm
Ah, yeah. My first MP game was pretty epic, so my perception of what is awesome might be a bit skewed.

Anyway, I'm changing the hosting interval back to 48h. This is taking too long.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 19, 2010, 06:22:43 am
So, eh, who's been killing Tien Chi all this time?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 19, 2010, 08:11:17 am
It's Abysia.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: puntocom on September 19, 2010, 09:53:58 am
Quote from: Il Palazzo on September 19, 2010, 06:22:43 am
So, eh, who's been killing Tien Chi all this time?

Me  :D
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 20, 2010, 12:24:01 pm
What's with Shinuyama these days?
Hey, I might've killed your god, but it's no reason to stop playing!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: AlfFan on September 20, 2010, 05:50:03 pm
"These days," since I couldn't play my turn last night? I had to reformat last night and I won't be able to reinstall dominions till I get my disc from Vegas so is there a way you can set me to computer, or does someone want to take it?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 20, 2010, 06:29:02 pm
I was just looking for an excuse to boast my military successes.

How long is this gonna take?
If just a few days, then it'd probably be a better idea to wait.
If you reckon it's a long term problem, then I suppose I could set you to AI.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 20, 2010, 08:01:28 pm
Download the game from your pirate location of choice, then use your legit cd-key on it when you install.

Done.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 22, 2010, 05:13:55 am
Will be setting Shinuyama on AI before the next turn gets resolved(friday 3AM, GMT), unless AlfFan pops in and stops me.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: AlfFan on September 22, 2010, 03:10:16 pm
I don't want to hold the game up any, you better just go ahead and put me AI . Sorry!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 22, 2010, 07:04:47 pm
O.K.
See you some other time.

ed: I need you password, AlfFan.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 23, 2010, 12:37:05 pm
Update:
Shinuyama became computer controlled(turn 23). The game informed me, that the AI assigned was of NORMAL difficulty level. I did not find any way to make it harder.

As for the future, should any one desire to quit the game, do remember to set your nation to AI yourselves, otherwise it's a lot of hassle.

Disclaimer: no information regarding Shinuyama, with whom I'm at war, has reached my eyes during the process of transferring the control to AI.
Theri possible dissapearance from the map in the nearest future should be attributed solely to my asskicking skills, which I've been recently exercising on our late friend AlfFan.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 25, 2010, 12:33:07 pm
I've got my turn done, but I'm having issues with Gmail, and can't get files to attach.

Il Palazzo if you read this and I still haven't sent my turn in, can you please add a day to the time for this turn?

I'll keep trying to get it to work every few minutes in the meantime.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 25, 2010, 12:56:23 pm
OK turn finally sent.  False alarm!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: HLBeta on September 25, 2010, 09:43:43 pm
I'm loving the conversations this is generating, but as a non-player I would appreciate it if there was more information about the game in progress for me to follow than just guessing at events from oblique references. I'm still on the fence about the game and being able to see it in action would be nice, even if the material has to be posted on a time delay to maintain fairness.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Happerry on September 25, 2010, 11:32:24 pm
Abysia bum rushed me a few turns before I could start the acid storm machine up with blessed up lava warriors. I now only have my capital, and am boredly waiting for him to break in.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 26, 2010, 01:59:16 pm
My laptop is barely strong enough to run the game alone, so I can't get you any videos. I might post a screenshot or two from time to time. No promises though.

As for my current situation - My nation of lizards(C'tis) spawned on a small pennisula, and I've quickly found myself surrounded by other players. For the lack of room to expand, I've hired some fish-men mercenaries, and been conquering the surrounding sea provinces.
At some point, Shinuyama deemed it necessary to declare war on me, which coincidentally was about the time my pretender god awakened from slumber(I love this word). I've sent a few assassins to kill his mages, and found out that they're failed rather miserably. Our armies clashed a couple of times. Since the major battles happened near my capital, I was able to get all my research staff to the battlefield, where they managed to swarm the enemy with hordes of skeletons. As a result, Shinuyama's pretender got killed, mostly due to him falling unconscious from casting spells in heavy armour, and then being crippled on a lucky hit - he did not manage to flee the battlefield, even though he almost made it.

In more global terms, Ermor is leading, having in possesion about twice as many provinces as the second best contender. Abysia most likely prepares to finish off T'ien Ch'i, whose last stronghold is currently under siege. Pythium and Marignon are biding their time and plotting some evil schemes, most likely.
That's all I know.

I'm not sure if I should mention this, but the truth is, I've just had my ass handed to me by the AI controlled Shinuyama. Duh.

ed: self inflicted grammar nazi hit
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 26, 2010, 04:29:41 pm
I'm working on a write up full of screenshots of what I've done so far for HLBeta and people like him who may be watching this thread for some reason.  ;-)

Will probably end it after the first year and do another one  for year two soonish. 
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 26, 2010, 06:21:58 pm
A Brief History of Ermor, The Broken Empire, Through The Eyes of a Centurion.

By: Varrath

Year 1 of the Ascension Wars - Spring
As a Centurion in Ermor, it has always been hard for me to accept what our great nation has become.  At one point we ruled most of the known world but now... now we barely keep a single province under control.  Little did we know that our priests were secretly practicing dark magic, and a terrible event unleashed death upon our lands.  We were eventually able to learn how to tame the undead and keep them under our control, but massive damage had already been done and the long period of anarchy cost us nearly all of our land.  We rely greatly on our thaumaturgs in the Death Cult to keep the dead at bay, and they do a good job.  Still, things could be much better.

This is the world as we know it:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
(Since we are playing with a wraparound map, I tried my best to draw a red rectangle around the actual map area.)

Just as I was thinking about how bad things were, something strange happened.  A travelling musician by the name of Justin Bieber appeared in the city and stirred up a religious fervor not seen in Ermor since before the downfall of the Ermorian faith and the creation of the Death Cult.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The people hailed him as a God, and indeed he demonstrated powers beyond our wildest dreams.  His mere presence was enough to make most people flee, and mortal men seemed unable to strike him.  For some reason he saw something in me... and chose me as his prophet, and lead commander.  We were to start by taking back the lands that rightfully belonged to our people. 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Lord Justin Bieber seemed eager to gain control of 5 specific provinces he claims are holy lands, and one was nearby to the east.  He told me he would head eastward alone, confident in his abilities to conquer provinces singlehandedly and with minimal bloodshed.  I was to head north while we sent a scout to the south.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Lord Justin began recruiting the Death Cult Grand Thaumaturgs to his cause.  The Grand Thaumaturgs are very knowledgable and powerful, however they are also very old.  It has always been a goal of the Death Cult (And the old Ermorian mages of the past) to find a way to cheat death, and with Lord Justin's guidance, I believe that may very well be possible.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I may not be comfortable with the methods, and in fact I'm not even completely convinced that this ritual will work, or even if it does work, that the resulting "mage" will have any part of the Thaumaturg's soul or mind within it.  I fear this may be the beginning of a return to Death and destruction overrunning our land, but it's best to keep that to myself for the time being.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Three months have passed since last I wrote, since I have been too busy fighting to do much of anything else.  In three months my army has managed to capture three provinces, including one of the holy sites, but we are down to only 12 men and I must return to the city for more troops.  My scouts inform me that Lord Justin Bieber has captured just as many provinces, and does not show signs of needing a break anytime soon.  I am certainly impressed with his ability to convert the local provinces to join us, by himself.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

When I returned to the castle I was shocked to find I was easily able to recruit nearly 50 more soldiers to add to my force.  I was even more shocked to hear that Lord Justin Bieber has conquered 6 provinces in as many months.  Maybe he truely is as powerful as he appears to be.  I will be fighting alongside him for the first time soon, as our next target is a well defended province, and it would be safer for us to attack together.  Oh yeah, did I mention Lord Justin Bieber can fly?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

We managed to hire a group of 50 mercenaries to take care of our northern expansion.  They were cheap, and look kinda small and weak, so I'm not sure about them, but of course there is always strength in numbers!  Lord Justin decided we should work together for another month to take the next province, since heavy cavalry is never fun to go up against.  In non-expansion related news, our scout to the south has made first contact with another major power, Abyssia.  They are still quite far away, so we decide not to contact them just yet.  Our Thamaturgs are making excellent progress in their magic research.  I hear they can raise some skeletons and stuff, now, and I'm still not sure I like the direction they are heading.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The mercenaries failed miserably.  They didn't even capture one weakly defended province.  Totally useless.  Winter is almost over and I have been fighting for a year straight with only a small break to recruit reinforcements.  I'm really starting to feel the strain, but I know things will only be getting tougher later.  Our southern scout found another kingdom, Tien Chi, who are adjacent to Abyssia.  Hopefully they will fall into conflict with each other and leave us alone.  Lord Justin and I have split up again and will continue to try to capture one province per month each, for the forseeable future.


And now the graphs after year 1:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

And here is what I believe the political map to have looked like after year one.  Note this is not completely accurate, it's just my predictions based on the information I have now.  Black X's are locations I believe to have been in conflict at the time.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I would also like to take this opportunity to point out that having a great starting position with no other players within 6-8 provinces of me had absolutely nothing to do with me being in the lead.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 27, 2010, 10:30:03 am
Nice.
I'm sure HLBeta would be most grateful to you, if you only could be bothered to include more recent troop movements and strategic plans.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 27, 2010, 11:13:30 am
I really hope people aren't meta gamey enough to use my screenshots posted to know the location of my capital without scouting and bombard my capital with flame bolts.  ;-)

Guess I'll have to get some shielding up...
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 27, 2010, 01:23:02 pm
FUCK!
FUUUUCK!!
I give up. So far, my each an every attempt at setting up archer decoys ended up in them drawing fire exactly towards my mages. I don't even keep count anymore of how many I lost this way.
This last battle - two lizard kings, at the back of the field, where I reckoned they would be pretty safe. But no, bakemono shortbowmen can reach you everywhere. Four of the 40-something force guarding them got hit, as well as both of the kings. Good bye 500gp+400 for the temple they were building.
Ugh.
And the silly Marignon moves their army towards my border. Shoo! Shoo, I say. I spared you when you were weak and vulnerable, don't be stabbing my back now.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: HLBeta on September 27, 2010, 09:42:47 pm
Quote from: Il Palazzo on September 27, 2010, 10:30:03 am
Nice.
I'm sure HLBeta would be most grateful to you, if you only could be bothered to include more recent troop movements and strategic plans.

Ayup. I'm all about those troop movements and strategic plans.

Seriously, thank you for posting. It's nice to catch a glimpse of the game in action beyond the limited scope of the tutorial/demo.

Quote from: Il Palazzo on September 27, 2010, 01:23:02 pm
FUCK!
FUUUUCK!!
I give up. So far, my each an every attempt at setting up archer decoys ended up in them drawing fire exactly towards my mages. I don't even keep count anymore of how many I lost this way.
This last battle - two lizard kings, at the back of the field, where I reckoned they would be pretty safe. But no, bakemono shortbowmen can reach you everywhere. Four of the 40-something force guarding them got hit, as well as both of the kings. Good bye 500gp+400 for the temple they were building.
Ugh.

Yeah, even with my limited experience with the game I am inclined to agree with you on that point. I ended up losing the Wanderer (http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Wanderer) and a few of his druid buddies to archers before they could get their defensive spells up and running. Probably why I laughed so hard when I ended up killing the AI's pretender with massed archer fire. Good times.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Ravenlord on September 28, 2010, 04:15:33 pm
For reasons that do not depend on me I won't be able to play any more. I'm setting Pytium to AI. I'm sorry! I wish you all the best.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 28, 2010, 06:34:03 pm
So it turns out Twiceborn is a pretty useless spell, at least for how I wanted to use it.

For some reason, when a mage dies and becomes a wight mage, they keep all the afflictions they had when they were alive.  So if a mage dies of old age, usually they pick up a lot of bad shit, like Feeble Minded, before they die.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 28, 2010, 11:15:38 pm
Quote from: Lorak on September 28, 2010, 06:34:03 pm
So it turns out Twiceborn is a pretty useless spell, at least for how I wanted to use it.

For some reason, when a mage dies and becomes a wight mage, they keep all the afflictions they had when they were alive.  So if a mage dies of old age, usually they pick up a lot of bad shit, like Feeble Minded, before they die.
I always wondered what it does. Does the mage retain all his magic paths and/or abilities(like forging bonus etc)?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on September 29, 2010, 01:50:18 am
I imagine they would keep all of that.  It seems like they probably keep everything they had, good and bad, though I don't know for sure.

So far the only mage I've had turned into a wight mage was Feeble Minded, so he didn't have any magic paths.  XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 29, 2010, 05:00:45 am
Perhaps you need to cast Gift of Health, so that they die healthy, heh.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: HLBeta on September 29, 2010, 06:29:39 am
Out of idle curiosity, would an effect like Gift of Health's slowed aging (-.5 aging for the base rate of +1) stack with another age suppressant effect like that of the Elixir of Life (http://dom3.servegame.com/wiki/Elixir_of_Life) to make the unit age backwards? Is there some kind of young equivalent to the old age trait? I'd love to experiment with it, but I'm still stuck with the demo for the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 29, 2010, 06:46:31 am
Good question. There's also this blood magic spell called "rejuvenate" that subtracts 10 years from the caster's age - this calls for an experiment, I guess.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on September 30, 2010, 07:01:50 am
To answer the above question, I've made an Abysian Warlock cast "rejuvenate" several times. His age went down to 0, with neither adverse, nor positive effects. Repeated castings had no additional effect whatsoever.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: HLBeta on September 30, 2010, 09:54:10 pm
Quote from: Il Palazzo on September 30, 2010, 07:01:50 am
To answer the above question, I've made an Abysian Warlock cast "rejuvenate" several times. His age went down to 0, with neither adverse, nor positive effects. Repeated castings had no additional effect whatsoever.

"What sick man sends babies to fight me?" (http://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/7/7d/Heavy_taunts19_What_sick_man_sends_babies_to_fight_me.wav)

Sorry, it had to be done.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 08, 2010, 07:41:50 am
I've got a lizardman shaman named Rim Sin on my payroll. I honestly don't know what to think about it.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 11, 2010, 08:10:24 am
Dammit I need to stop slacking til the last day to do my turn.

Unfortunately today is suddenly very busy for me and I may not have time to do my turn until late tonight, so I would like to ask for a one day extension for this turn, just in case.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 11, 2010, 01:14:45 pm
That big undead army is looking pretty scary.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 11, 2010, 01:44:07 pm
Quote from: Lorak on October 11, 2010, 08:10:24 am
Dammit I need to stop slacking til the last day to do my turn.

Unfortunately today is suddenly very busy for me and I may not have time to do my turn until late tonight, so I would like to ask for a one day extension for this turn, just in case.
Done.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 11, 2010, 06:24:45 pm
Okay got my turn in, so false alarm.

Also, that army is (mostly) not undead!!  My guys just like to carry shields with giant skulls on them to look menacing.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 12, 2010, 05:31:21 am
Heh, Lorak, we should totally run a contest to decide whose army(and pretender) is "more undead".
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 12, 2010, 06:39:07 am
My pretender is definitely pretty undead, being a Prince of Death and all (And he has the Undead icon!)  but judging by the blesses I've seen you put on your troops, I'd say yours has more Death magic skill.  ;-)

Plus, Ermorian mages originally learned death magic from the C'tis anyway!  You're like my mentor, but I'm mid-age not late-age, so I'm not really forced into undead, and haven't really been taking that direction this game.  In fact, I can count the number of undead troops I have on the fingers of my...   forty hands.

I had really been saving up death gems, maybe for something truly evil, but these recent attacks on my land have forced me to sacrifice quite a lot of gems.  >:(  Especially Astral.  I had a bunch of mages eating up pearls to spam cast a spell that was too high level for them against Abysia's fire lizard thinggys.  Paid off in the short term, but we'll see if I'll be wishing I had those gems in the future.  XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 12, 2010, 09:17:33 am
Omg Keboo, how the crap do our giant ass armies switch places without combat?!

That's two turns in a row I've had weird shit happen that prevented my army from attacking  (the previous one was with Abysia)

EDIT: Nevermind, I see what happened, we didn't switch places, I'm just chasing you around still.  XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 12, 2010, 07:39:53 pm
I'm totally going to join the party, once I clean up the rotting Shinuyama carcass.
Feel free to send me gifts and other bribes to help me decide on which side.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 14, 2010, 09:40:25 am
Palazzo, think you've got enough gems now?

Share the wealth!

Lorak, I'm enjoying our game of, huge ass army chases my army around.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 14, 2010, 09:58:14 am
MOAR GEMZ! OMNOMNOM!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 14, 2010, 11:29:16 am
Quote from: Kebooo on October 14, 2010, 09:40:25 am
Lorak, I'm enjoying our game of, huge ass army chases my army around.

Haha, at least one of us is enjoying it.

Speaking of which, does anybody know how it's decided what order armies get to move?  Is it just totally random and I've been picked last for several turns in a row?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 14, 2010, 03:23:17 pm
I think(if I remember what the manual said correctly), whenever two armies are attacking each other simultainously, the outcome is randomly chosen from A gets to B first, B gets to A first, and A and B switch places without a fight. I do not know if these outomes are weighed equally, though.
As for one army chasing the other, based on my experience, there seems to be some modifier involved, which makes it somewhat more unlikely to catch a (strategically)retreating army, as such chases happen very often indeed.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 14, 2010, 10:12:19 pm
Is someone going to stop Palazzo's climb to ultimate power?  Cause it's not going to be me.  My pretender's name was a warning to everyone else.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 14, 2010, 11:23:19 pm
Well my troops -were- across the water in that direction when suddenly I noticed five armies amassed on my border, seemingly about to attack, so I had to turn back and re-enact a very unprofitable Scooby Doo chase scene all around my homeland.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 15, 2010, 04:21:21 am
I plead not guilty. My army is small, my research bad, my provinces mostly under water. The only thing I've got to help me ease the pain is those shiny gems of mine.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 19, 2010, 02:18:25 pm
Hosting postponed by 24h.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 19, 2010, 04:51:04 pm
There's nothing quite like losing 6 commanders and 100+ troops to having nowhere to retreat.  Dammit.  I'm not even going to watch that battle.

Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 20, 2010, 07:29:48 am
I bet the leading commander's name was Von Paulus.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 27, 2010, 04:18:51 pm
Hugehumongousgigantic underwater undead infestation, led by two old farts with breathing gear, is messing with my tritons. What's not to love?
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 27, 2010, 04:48:59 pm
I'm simply defending myself from mermaid aggression and reclaiming the land... water they stole from me!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 27, 2010, 07:43:31 pm
So many huge armies closing in from all sides.

:(
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 28, 2010, 04:35:59 am
Quote from: Lorak on October 27, 2010, 04:48:59 pm
I'm simply defending myself from mermaid aggression and reclaiming the land... water they stole from me!
Water for the water creatures! Let every lobster and jellyfish take up arms(pincers, tentacles) against the burgoise ermorian landowners and their undead lackeys! The memory of Y'Gologna, the revolutionary unifier of the seas, lives strong within us.
Vive la Revolution!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on October 29, 2010, 03:27:36 pm
I demand that someone comes and saves me from the endless hordes of Ermor.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 29, 2010, 03:37:21 pm
Coming right up!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: slMagnvox on October 30, 2010, 06:05:57 pm
Howdy guys!

Quote from: Lorak on September 26, 2010, 06:21:58 pm
A Brief History of Ermor, The Broken Empire, Through The Eyes of a Centurion.

<...>

Just as I was thinking about how bad things were, something strange happened.  A travelling musician by the name of Justin Bieber appeared in the city and stirred up a religious fervor not seen in Ermor since before the downfall of the Ermorian faith and the creation of the Death Cult.


Just wanted to chime in I enjoyed your write up Lorak, good fun. Glad to see Bay12ers still raising hell in Dom3. When you guys get the next game running, or need a sub in this one, shoot me a PM. Go go C'tis!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 30, 2010, 06:39:00 pm
Hey, slMagnavox, nice to see you again!
Too bad it's impossible to un-AI a nation, Pythium could really use some sentient guaidance.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on October 30, 2010, 08:13:02 pm
Quote from: slMagnvox on October 30, 2010, 06:05:57 pm
Howdy guys!

Just wanted to chime in I enjoyed your write up Lorak, good fun. Glad to see Bay12ers still raising hell in Dom3. When you guys get the next game running, or need a sub in this one, shoot me a PM. Go go C'tis!

Sweet, thanks!  I may need to do part two sometime soon.  We're almost on turn 50 now.  =-x

Also, F C'tis.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on October 31, 2010, 11:43:54 am
Hehe, sharks fed on heaps of bones this month.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 02, 2010, 12:44:28 am
Haha, damn, good job with the sharks.  I had my guys sitting back there to protect the mages and everything (On accident, but I can pretend it was on purpose!)   XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 02, 2010, 07:25:21 am
To be honest, these sharks were sort of accidental too. I was going to rely on "water ward" and "friendly currents" to make my fishmen into uberwarriors, and I only scripted "school of sharks" to see what they look like in combat. But then my hydromancer kept spamming that spell 'till he was out of gems.
Anyway, those two scubadivers were just asking for an accidental death.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 03, 2010, 06:51:15 am
Heh, there's some serious necromantic battle brewing.
Lorak, be sure to record it for the posterity, when it happens.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Korbac on November 03, 2010, 01:11:59 pm
Hey dudes  :D

Just posting to say I'd be up for a game sometime if my Dominions 3 copy arrives at uni soon. :)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 05, 2010, 02:38:54 am
God dammit.

I make so many stupid mistakes in this game.  XD

Somehow my pretender's orders got reset, so instead of fighting he just stood there being useless and summoning skeletons.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on November 05, 2010, 10:33:25 am
COME GET ME
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 06, 2010, 06:04:43 am
Sorry guys I need to delay the turn 24 hours if at all possible.  There's a chance I may be busy today and unable to get around to doing my shit, but just in case, I'd appreciate a delay.  :-)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 06, 2010, 08:55:23 am
Hosting postponed(in both games).
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on November 13, 2010, 07:23:20 pm
Dear filthy C'tis,

Your mother is an ogre and you stink.  This means war.

Yours truly, KILLPALAZZO
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 13, 2010, 07:40:16 pm
Ha! I knew you'd finally come, oh, my old adversary. Your carcass will rot in the foulest swamp pit.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 17, 2010, 03:26:55 am
So sorry, I need this turn delayed by 12 hours if at all possible.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 17, 2010, 06:36:54 am
Will do.
If any of you guys needs the hosting time to be set at something longer than 48h, let me know.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 21, 2010, 04:06:03 am
Any idea what makes your gargoyle immune to Arcane Bolt?  :-(  As far as I can tell, it should've been damaging him.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 21, 2010, 05:45:18 am
I think it's either high magic resistance, or shield defence. To be honest, I'm not too sure myself.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on November 24, 2010, 06:29:25 am
Sorry to ask for yet another delay, but I would like to have the turn delayed 24 hours.  I might still get around to doing the turn today, this is a "just in case" post.

(This has absolutely nothing to do with the release of Gran Turismo 5, I swear.  <_<)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 24, 2010, 07:09:45 am
I think I'll change the hosting period to 72h(+24) anyway. The turns became a bit tedious to process lately.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on November 30, 2010, 09:55:10 am
Stupid filthy gargoyles.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on November 30, 2010, 02:30:14 pm
If you guys want to concede defeat, and hail me as your new ruler and master, I might be willing to accept...
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 01, 2010, 03:06:32 pm
Is everyone fighting you right now?

If not, they should be!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 01, 2010, 03:19:12 pm
I don't think Abysia can do much difference either way. Too bad Ravenlord left Pythium, as it would've been completely different with them on your side.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 01, 2010, 09:26:53 pm
Oh, I forgot, or I didn't even realize Pythium was AI controlled.  I guess we're screwed.  Especially since I can't scratch your gargoyles.  But you will have to snuff me out!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: EuchreJack on December 03, 2010, 07:39:32 am
Why didn't you guys zerg rush Il Palazzo from turn one, like I wisely advised?

Oh, well, I can honestly say "I told you so".  That is something I guess.  :-\
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 03, 2010, 10:34:33 am
Well, ganging up on someone early in the game like that specifically because of who they are would be pretty unfair and ruin the fun for them.  But I knew he was the greatest threat, my pretender's name is KillPalazzo.  I just saw Ermor as a larger threat at one point, and I didn't realize two different players had gone AI.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 03, 2010, 05:11:00 pm
I probably was a huge threat to the world at one point, however I was silly and let that point pass me by, because I didn't realize it.

I also didn't realize I could summon undead for free until pretty far into the game...

Bad timing also happened, as at the same time I was ready and mobilized to attack Shinuyama/C'Tis, my other neighbors decided it was a good time to attack me, so I had to call that off and switch to defense.

But that's cool, many lessons are learned with every game I play, and maybe eventually I'll be able to get a game where I don't make a bunch of mistakes and overlook key points of my nation.  XD

On a side note, in the other Dominions 3 game, Il Palazzo is being ganged up on by like three different nations... and seems to be winning, or at least holding his own very well, hehehe.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 03, 2010, 06:37:07 pm
I think it's agreed upon that this game is won? We could continue if you think that you can still learn something, or want to see a few more large battles, Lorak, but Marignon is pretty much army-less at this point(And Abysia is hardly a threat either).
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 03, 2010, 06:59:26 pm
I'm willing to call it if everyone else is.  I have some miniature army in the south, but obviously I can't even fight to a stalemate at this point.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 03, 2010, 07:28:51 pm
I'm also open to discussing the mistakes I've seen you guys doing.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 04, 2010, 02:31:53 am
Although I don't mind conceding, I would kinda like to go at least a few more turns as there's a couple things I would like to try before I die.  XD

Also, yes!  Let's discuss mistakes.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: EuchreJack on December 04, 2010, 03:48:30 am
Quote from: Kebooo on December 03, 2010, 10:34:33 am
Well, ganging up on someone early in the game like that specifically because of who they are would be pretty unfair and ruin the fun for them.  But I knew he was the greatest threat, my pretender's name is KillPalazzo.  I just saw Ermor as a larger threat at one point, and I didn't realize two different players had gone AI.

Not if that player specifically stated at the beginning a willingness to be zerged.  The term "zerg" was Il Palazzo's language, not mine.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 04, 2010, 08:04:53 am
I'm o.k. with continuing, if you're up to it. Should any of you feel that they've got enough, feel free to set yourselves at AI at your leisure.
I'm also o.k. with talking about the game as we go.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 04, 2010, 12:41:33 pm
I gave all my gems to Ermor and set myself to AI controlled.  I don't have enough units or income to come up with any armies that will help me learn anything, and since the game is decided, holding out for the sake of it doesn't seem as fun.  Count me in for any future games, though.  I love this game.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 04, 2010, 01:29:18 pm
Thanks for playing Kebooo!

I could not understand why did you not make a better use of your mages? Summoning is nice and all, but having a combination of astral/fire mages lends itself nicely to casting some powerful battle spells. Just start a communion, and your already powerful mages get uber-fantastic. Then try casting some battlefield-wide spells like Heat from Hell(Ench6), Fire Storm(Evo7), Flaming Arrows(Ench4) - does wonders with hordes of cheap archers, like independent markatas/atavis or indie archers/longbowmen, they can really decimate the opponent.
Don't forget spamming fire resistance for your troops with Fire Fend, as needed.
Even without those, a bunch of communion-linked mages can spam Fireballs and Fire Clouds to decimate enemy ranks.
Also, Blindness does wonders for incapacitating super combatants, like my gargoyles. Add some fire resistance to negate the Fire Shield, and you're set.
Fires From Afar lets you remotely damage armies, with some luck, even killing commanders.
Your national Holy Pyre is a good anti-undead spell.

Then you've got your astral component, with spells like Battle Fortune(Alt6) & Doom(Alt7) easily accessible for your communions. The spell Opposition(Ench6) is much more efficient at killing off magic beings(gargoyles!) than e.g. Arcane Bolt.
Then you've got interesting spells like Solar Brilliance(Ench7), and Unraveling(Ench8), which can be cast kamikaze-style by a single, item-enchanced, teleporting mage, to incapacitate large armies.
And of course, once you're able to enchance your mages to Astral-4 power level, you could start casting Mind Hunt.

You'd need some construction research to get magic-enchancing items. Also, at Constr.6, you can cheaply forge Lightless Lanterns, which add +6 to research ability, letting you reach good spells in other schools so much easier.

All in all, I think you should pay more attention to scripting good spells for your mages. But then again, I've not seen your battles with Ermor, so I don't know how you fared there.

Oh, and I couldn't fathom why did you guys not pool your astral gems to cast Dispel and cause all my non-national troops and commanders(e.g.underwater ones) to die of sickness?
Sure, i can cast it again, but I've got only so much Nature gem income, and Astral ones are easy to get from alchemy.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: EuchreJack on December 04, 2010, 04:05:51 pm
Quote from: Il Palazzo on December 04, 2010, 01:29:18 pm
Oh, and I couldn't fathom why did you guys not pool your astral gems to cast Dispel and cause all my non-national troops and commanders(e.g.underwater ones) to die of sickness?
Sure, i can cast it again, but I've got only so much Nature gem income, and Astral ones are easy to get from alchemy.

Maybe they don't trust each other?  :P

No, but seriously, that is a really good idea that I probably would not have thought of if I was playing.  One tends not to think collaboratively (although I was the guy that backstabbed everybody last game, so it might be a personal problem).
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 04, 2010, 04:21:47 pm
There are two ways of doing it: Either the players pool astral gems for one of them to cast Dispel, risking that the power of the spell won't be sufficient, and requiring recast with more gems - obviously this is an easy way to abuse your neighbours trust, and might pose a problem when there isn't any to begin with.
The other way is to pool the gems to counter-cast the same spell. The pros are: whomever casts it, will most likely want to have the casting to succeed, and sacrifice as many gems as he can(through alchemy, for example), as it'll help him directly, and possibly, will be very difficult to dispel, due to number of gems involved. Cons: your current ally WILL inevitably turn into your enemy at some point in the future, so you have to consider if presenting him with such a hard-to-dispel global is worth the edge that your armies will gain over your current foe.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: slMagnvox on December 04, 2010, 05:04:27 pm
Don't forget to mention a carefully crafted and failure prone assassination strategy to take out the mage that cast the global!

Definitely the most satisfying, though maybe not even the most gem efficient way. Especially after you kit out a flying summon or a recruited mage or two to teleport in and spam something like earthquake. You have to get lucky with intel to find the caster outside a fort though; Chain casting remote kill spells remains an option, could even flush them out of cover.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 04, 2010, 05:18:15 pm
Identifying what mage casted it and where they are isn't exactly easy, nor is getting an assassin to actually target that specific mage you want...   Or maybe it is, and I just suck.  XD

But anyway, the real reason I didn't consider dispelling it is because honestly, I didn't know it was really benefiting you that much.  I mean it would be a huge benefit to me with my old ass mages, which are now half diseased due to the spell you casted on my capital a few turns back.  ;-)  But I didn't know you were getting a great deal of benefit from it.

That, and it's not like I have a huge surplus of gems laying around.  I've probably used over 100+ astral gems on my weak 1S astral mages spamming arcane bolt (which I still don't know why it didn't harm your gargoyle).  I'm sure that's not the best use of astral gems, but it was extremely effective in killing Abysia's fire lizard things when they attacked me, so I thought the same strategy might work on the gargoyle.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 04, 2010, 08:16:37 pm
Man, the C'tis miasma is something that practically prevents me from using any non-national troops and mages, meaning that without GoH, I'd be stuck with the three basic magic paths. No teleporting Adepts of the Iron Order(whom you've probably met) for me. Neither could I reliably fight under water, as my fishmen would die off rather quickly.
Also, GoH turns my weaksauce pd into a sensible force, not to mention increasing my Gargoyles' combat effectiveness even further.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 05, 2010, 01:11:49 am
C'Tis miasma...  -gets the manual and looks it up-.

See?  This is a perfect example of the kinds of things I learn every game.  XD  I was totally unaware of any miasma effect that the C'tis dominion produced.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: puntocom on December 11, 2010, 07:00:22 am
Hello,

sorry about not being active, i had some external problems.

Sorry!
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 11, 2010, 09:36:37 am
Heh, no problem. While you were gone, the game practicaly came to an end.

I was just going to set you on AI, as the only reason this game is still not removed from the sever is because Lorak wants to experiment a bit with his natiion.

If you'd rather stay and play a bit more for the same reason, let me know, as I'll need to change back Abysia's turn receiver to yourself(the change was due to the process of setting on AI).

Also, hey, Lorak:
(http://theoatmeal.com/img/quizzes/generated/17_21.jpg) (http://theoatmeal.com/quiz/justin_bieber)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 11, 2010, 10:38:16 am
Hahahaha, that's awesome... and probably true.  =-x

Also, can we delay this turn a day?  I made the mistake of staying up all night doing something and now I'm too tired to mess with this turn, and I'll probably wake up too late to do it on time.  XD  So if you don't mind, delaying for a day would be nice.  :-)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 11, 2010, 10:48:40 am
I think I'll just set it to something stupidly large, like 200h - after all, it's just the two of us left now.
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Kebooo on December 11, 2010, 04:26:13 pm
I had a dream about this game a few days ago.  Il Palazzo demanded we surrender to him, but I led a coalition against him, defeating him.  Then I woke up and remembered I've been set to AI.

:(
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Lorak on December 12, 2010, 06:38:44 am
XD

The first turn of your AI-ness, you attacked and took like 3 provinces from me.  XD
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: EuchreJack on December 12, 2010, 03:29:42 pm
Quote from: Kebooo on December 11, 2010, 04:26:13 pm
I had a dream about this game a few days ago.  Il Palazzo demanded we surrender to him, but I led a coalition against him, defeating him.  Then I woke up and remembered I've been set to AI.

:(

Maybe next game.   :D
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 12, 2010, 06:13:34 pm
WE ARE THE PALAZZO - RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.
(unless it's not. Like in that other game)
Title: Re: Dominions 3 PBEM - Round Four = finished.
Post by: Il Palazzo on December 13, 2010, 04:33:06 pm
I'm going to start gathering people for a new game(yes, I really like Dominions 3), which'll start probably after New Year, maybe sooner.
Here's the thread:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=72919.0
Feel free to join at your leisure.