Diplomacy - Subterfuge

[Abelard]

PsiDog, that was... actually quite beautiful. Amazingly well-written. I almost bought it.

[Shular]

This is (barring requests for extension) your 23 hour warning

[Kroy]

I would like an extension for an extra day, since I'm still in negotiations.

Edit: Congrats on finishing FoW, Shular.

[Abelard]

Pssst, Sirek? That doesn't make me feel very secure...

[Kroy]

I'm waiting for your response right now.

[Shular]

I would like an extension for an extra day, since I'm still in negotiations.

Edit: Congrats on finishing FoW, Shular.

Thanks. I'll grant the extension, but set it for 24 hours OR when all orders have come in, whichever comes first.

[Shular]

3 hour warning!

[Shular]

Fall 1909 results:



Russia:
Bot - Swe: Bounce with Swe;
StP H: OK
Ber - Mun: Bounce with Mun;
Pru - Sil: Bounce with Sil;
War - Gal: OK
Ukr - Rum: Bounce with Rum; Dislodged by Gal 2:1;
Mos - Sev: OK
Lvn - Mos: OK

France:
Nrg - Nwy: OK
Nth S Nrg - Nwy: OK
Hol S Den - Kie: Void;
Bel - Ruh: OK
Par - Pic: OK
Gas - Bur: OK
Mar S Gas - Bur: OK

Austria:
Kie - Den: Bounce with Den;
Mun - Ber: Bounce with Ber;
Sil S Mun - Ber: Cut by Pru;
Gal - Ukr: OK
Rum S Gal - Ukr: OK
Bul - Con: OK
Con - Ank: OK
Aeg - Smy: OK
Nap - Tyn: OK
Ven - Pie: Bounce with Pie;

England: NMR

Germany: NMR

England may retreat army in Nwy to: Fin

Russia may retreat army in Ukr to: War

Retreat orders due Friday, 23:00
Build orders due Saturday, 23:00

[Kroy]

Well, England's NMR and Frances invasion pretty much screw me over. And, I take the retreat.

[thewamp]

The World is Dark is looking for a replacement player. If you're interested, PM me.

[Abelard]

Well, England's NMR and Frances invasion pretty much screw me over. And, I take the retreat.

You mean Austria's invasion, right? Because I think my taking of Norway is a good thing, for both of us. But ITA on England's NMR.

[Abelard]

I know, I saw the message on the main page that the forums are having issues; it is next to impossible to actually function - especially my PM's.

So I'm posting my builds here, early though it is, because it should surprise no one: Build A PAR and F BRE.

Also, I know we're close to an endgame, but would people mind listing their e-mail addresses in case of further forum issues? The best one for me is karlmullerdip at gmail.com. Thx.

[Kroy]

You mean Austria's invasion, right? Because I think my taking of Norway is a good thing, for both of us. But ITA on England's NMR.

No, because now we definitely won't get his help.

[Jamin]

Woh Blood violence kill each other yah

[Shular]

Russia retreats to Warsaw. No retreat orders received from England, unit in Norway disbands.



Austria takes Smy from Russia.
Austria takes Ank from Russia.
Austria takes Con from Russia.
Austria takes Rum from Russia.
France takes Nwy from England.
France takes Mar from Germany.
France takes Hol from England.
England takes Swe from Russia.

Russia disbands 3 units.
Germany disbands 1 unit.
France may build 2 units.
Austria may build 3 units.

Build orders due Saturday, 23:00
Spring 1910 orders due Tuesday, 23:00

[Psionic Dog]

Hehehe
Some are certainly trying that.

Remember, if you have a special stab, conquest, or center you wish to take this is the year! (There is a chance you won't have another )

And now the supply center count:

Austria: 16 (11 armies, 3 builds + 2 reserve)
France: 11
Russia: 5
England: 2
Germany: Drowned in rip-current of war, 1909.
Italy: Flanked and ally-less, 1906.
Turkey: Fed the Bear, 1904.

Austrian Build Orders:
Build Army Vie
Build Army Bud
Build Army Tri

Ya know, England might just survive after all. On one hand having France and Russia promise pardon and an alliance might see them to the end (not that France would ever agree), but on the other hand since time is England's biggest enemy assisting Austria to an early victory might also let live.

[Kroy]

Disband F Bot
A StP
A Pru
If I'm goin' down, I'm taking England down with me!
Disband: A Ber
A Sev
A Gal

[Shular]

Sorry for the delay. New map:



Looks like this could be the last year, unless some great miracle occurs.

Spring 1910 orders due Tuesday, 23:00

[Abelard]

Correct-a-mundo. Time to start writing those end-of-game statements, a.k.a. revisionist history!

[Shular]

Obviously the boards have been an issue. Deadline extended to
Thursday, 23:00

[Kalirren]

Hey, if Neftren NMRs again on England's part, will you accept my orders for that faction? ::devilgrin::

[Abelard]

No, no, take mine!

In fact, PsiDog told me that since even an idiot could get to 18 from his current position, he's going to let me order his units this season. Hey, I take my compliments where I can get them.

[Shular]

Just to make things "interesting", if I receive no orders for England, then *I* will give orders for those little blue units myself, and will do so after seeing what everyone else does.

[Shular]

Spring 1910 results:



Russia:
StP - Fin: OK
Bot - Swe: OK
War - Mos: OK
Pru - Lvn: OK
Mos - StP: OK

France:
Hol - Hel: OK
Nth - Den: OK
Ruh - Hol: OK
Bur - Ruh: OK
Par - Gas: OK
Bre - MAt: OK
Mar - Pie: Bounce with Ven;
Pic - Bur: OK
Nwy S Bot - Swe: OK

England:
Den H: Dislodged by Nth 2:1;
Swe H: Dislodged by Bot 2:1;

Austria:
Rum - Sev: OK
Ank - Arm: OK
Con - Bul: OK
Ser - Rum: OK
Smy - Aeg: OK
Tyn - Tun: OK
Ven - Pie: Bounce with Mar;
Kie S Nth - Den: OK
Mun - Ber: OK
Tri - Tyr: OK
Vie - Boh: OK
Bud - Gal: OK
Ukr - War: OK
Sil S Ukr - War: OK

England retreats fleet in Den to Ska
England retreats fleet in Swe to: Bal

Fall (and presumably final) 1910 orders due Sunday 23:00

[Kroy]

Here are my orders:
A Fin S F Swe H
F Swe S F Den H
A Mos H
A StP S A Mos H
A Lvn S A Mos H

[Abelard]

Wow, posting orders in the thread? How exciting - I'm game...

F NWY support F SWE
F MAT - ENG
F DEN support F SWE
F HEL support F DEN
A MAR - SPA
A HOL support A KIE
everything else eats souffle

[Psionic Dog]

Me? Upset? Oh no, not really. Maybe just a little irritated but not upset.

And why not, I may as well join the band wagon.

Austrian Orders
A Kiel H
A Ber S [A Kiel H]
A Boh -> Mun
A Sil S [A Boh - Mun]
A Tyr S [A Boh - Mun]
A War H
A Gal S [A War H]
A Sev H
A Rum S [A Sev H]
F Aeg -> Ion
A Ven - Pied
The rest can proofread my Imperial Coronation speech.

There, now once we have orders (or a pass) from England we can listen to all the comments our wonderful host Shular has been itching to share for the past decade.

[Kroy]

Heh, I started a fad!

[Shular]

Fall 1910 results:



Russia:
Fin S Swe H: OK
Swe S Den H: OK
Mos H: OK
StP S Mos H: OK
Lvn S Mos H: OK

France:
Nwy S Swe H: OK
MAt - Eng: OK
Den S Swe H: OK
Hel S Den H: OK
Mar - Spa: OK
Hol S Kie H: OK
Bur H: OK
Ruh H: OK
Gas H: OK

England:
Ska - Edi: Illegal;
Bal - Lon: Illegal;

Austria:
Kie H: OK
Ber S Kie H: OK
Boh - Mun: OK
Tyr S Boh - Mun: OK
War H: OK
Gal S War H: OK
Sev H: OK
Rum S Sev H: OK
Aeg - Ion: OK
Ven - Pie: OK
Bul H: OK
Arm H: OK

Austria takes Sev from Russia.
Austria takes War from Russia.
Austria takes Ber from Russia.
France takes Den from England.
Russia takes Swe from England.

Austria Dominates Europe!
To avoid further bloodshed, all remaining nations sue for peace.

Final Rankings:
Austria: 19 centres
France: 12 centres
Russia: 3 centres
England: Eliminated, 1910 (but abandoned well before then)
Germany: Eliminated, 1909
Italy: Eliminated, 1906
Turkey: Eliminated, 1904

Thanks for playing, everyone. I look forward to hearing you eog summaries.

[Psionic Dog]

I, PsiDog, the ruler of the new Austrian Empire of Man wish to thank my gracious subjects. I wish to think Russia and France for graciously joining their nations as provinces to my empire. We wish to assure the subjects of those lands that their former Monarchs will continue to rule in a slightly limited capacity as the new Dukes of those provinces. Sev and War have been returned to the Duke Sirek's control, but all other captured territories (except Spain and Portugal which shall remain under Duke Abelard's jurisdiction) have will be administered by Austrian Generals appointed as interim Governors for the reconstruction of those war-torn populations.

French and Russian have been added to list of official languages in which binding contracts and government business may be conducted. German was already an official language of Austria, but for the ease and comfort of our Military Generals now functioning as interterm Royal Governors English, Turkish, and Italian will not be recognized as officially binding. As a reminder, for the unity of our new united land Hungarian, German, Russian, French and Croatian are the official languages. Cultural dialects and regional languages may continue to be spoken and tought, but no agreements shall be legal binding unless conducted in an official language. To facilitate communication, all school children must receive instruction in on official non-native language.

Furthermore <Insert 3 more pages of long winded Royal Decrease that compose the Imperial Post-Cornation acceptance speech>


So yah, this was quite a game and quite a start. It was a very pleasant surprise when I went from thinking "How long can I delay my demise" to "I might win" and then to "I will win"

"How long can I delay my demise"

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The game did not start well for me. We started out not having a clue who everyone else was. In hindsight it appears only to be an advantage if everyone knows who you are but is clueless about the adversaries. Kalirren opened up with a post implying control of France, and I took the opening to reply from the English perspective. In the last game I'd played in an English/French alliance had charged to victory, so in addition to the usually friendly banter I was also trying to kill any such alliance at the bud in this game. As our banter continued Kalirren and I found most of the other players to be holding tight to their secret identities (and often either silent, arrogant, or manipulative) and soon formed an informational alliance among ourselves with the objective of untangling the identity mess. Before the alliance I hadn't a clue who was who, but between the spring and fall of the first year I am proud to say we successfully identified all the players.

Unfortunately, that informational alliance was the only thing that worked out for me at the start. I had started the game determined to be the the most deceptive manipulative magnificent-bastard player this game had seen and win. I did everything I could to spread confusion, misinformation, and more with half-trueths, deceitfully implications that wasn't quite a blatant lie. It didn't work. By the end of the first year I was being crushed by the Turkish/Italian alliance, was ranking myself 6th or 7th, and suffering a minor mental breakdown. My conscience was practically smacking me with a 2x4, and screaming "No More Deception, Speak no Evil!" I tried arguing it was a game, but lost to the argument that games are just practice for real life. Yah, I have that distinct ability to loose arguments with myself. So anyway, I almost quit the game after the first year. The stress was getting to me and I didn't know if anyone could win without lying through their teeth.

"I might win"

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I didn't want to quit either, so I decided I'd have to swap out deception for persuasion and make the most of it. Funny thing that, It seems Diplomacy checks trump Bluff checks after all. You'd think the game's name would have clued me in earlier.

I looked up the Russian identity from the Information Alliance and PMed what amounted to a charisma check, and a season later I had an alliance with Russia. Suddenly Turkey was the one being crushed, and I had a second life. I owe Russia for my surviving to the end.

With Turkey gone I figured I was 2nd, right behind Russia. I was all too happy to continue the Russian/Austrian alliance, and we made plans to divide the world between us. At the time I trusted that Russia had Bigger Problems with England to attack me, and had no intentions of stabbing Russia in the foreseeable future. With two new territories from Turkey and peace to the East I was able to turn West and crush Italy. At this point I figured the game would end in a grabbing race between me and Russia for the 18 victory, with 2:3 odds favoring Russia.

"I will Win"

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In 1905 as I organized the the invasion of Italy it became clear that unless there was a sudden shift in alliances and personalities I would win.

The 'plan' in 1904 was for me to sweep North West into France, and then jointly crush Germany with Russia with the hope of capturing more of Europe faster than Russia. I also considered, and rejected plans to stab Russia almost every year. However, at this point Kalirren had handed control of Germany over to Jamin, and the Germany/Austrian alliance soon faded into neutrality as communication between us faded and Jamin allied with England, my Russian allies enemy. Russia soon became my primary ally, and the benefits of the alliance were two good to throw away.

Obviously that wasn't what happened. England had adopted a Mad Cow Defense plan, and threw everything into stopping the Big Man, Russia. (Incidentally, I've heard that whoever establishes dominance first in the game rarely wins) Germany and England had not only stopped Russian expansion, but were also driving Russia backwards. France then gained a new leader, who took that tattered country and transformed it into powerhouse. In short, Germany had stalled and wasn't becoming a power after all, Russia was no longer in a place to win, England was gaining a few territories, but the New French were poised to sack England from behind. Meanwhile, I was getting fat from eating Italy whole and had zero enemies, allowing me the luxury of picking targets.

Munic had to go first. Every country on the map had seven or fewer supply centers, so I had to attack two or three someones. Every plan I could think of included Munic, so that's where I started. Besides, at this point I needed France and Russia to stop the English Expansion. I had hopped to win a year earlier while taking more of Germany and less of Russia, but oh well. 1909 was a stretch.

Comments on others:

German/English Alliance

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That was a good thing you had going, but it could have been better. Y'all should have left at least one unit defending the English Isles. You may have done better if you had each split your forces half against France and half against Russia: it might have helped you crush them faster and thus win... maybe.

Germany[Jamin]:

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Congratulations on your defense. There's not much anyone can do when attacked on all sides, but given the circumstances you did an excellent job. The closest thing to a mistake you may have made was swapping your old allies for your old enemies, and even that small thing is debatable. I can't remember if you made any NMR's, but if you did that would be another mistake.

Germany[Kalirren]:

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Thanks for sticking around to comment. We had a good thing going at the start. It appears all worked out for the best in the end (I'm now the crowned Emperor of Europe after all) but I often wondered what would have happened if the Germany/Austrian alliance had held. I'm glad you stuck around for comments, although at times it felt like a betrayal when you announced the Austrian strengths and weaknesses.

England[Nefren]:

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I think we traded PM's once, and after the slightly cool secretive response I never really tried again, partly because you were already doing what I wanted: slowing/containing Russia. The Mad Cow Defense Plan was a mistake, and those NMRs hurt you.

Turkish/Italian alliance:

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That was an excellent start the two of you had, you nearly ate me. It felt like Italy was holding one army behind my back while Turkey moved in to pummel me. If Russia hadn't joined my defense the two of you likely would have become dominant powers. Bad luck I suppose more than mistakes.

Italy[Moody the Wise]:

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Before the first season I had labeled you as England, and by the time I figured out who was who alliance had already formed. I hate to say it, but you came a cross a little on the arrogant side at the start which was a turn off for me. I don't know if you were trying to destroy me or trying to fight your way to Germany, but our frequent communications always broke down. As I said of Germany, the eventual war was in the end to my benefit, but at the start we might have made an alliance work. Sometimes I wondered what would have happened if we'd been a little more open with each other, or hadn't been hidden by the opening Fog of War. But that never happened, so on to what did.

Your biggest mistakes were your NMRs. I suppose once Turkey fell you might have allied with Germany and gained Land from France, but otherwise bad luck. I understand Italy is a tough nation to play.

Turkey[Aergoth]:

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You were quite the charmer, pleasant to talk to but constantly spouting manipulative lies: I don't know if you ever sent me a PM or post that was all truth. You did much to add to the confusion at the start, but I think once people warmed enough to start talking and comparing notes your silver tongue became a bit of a liability. As you appear to have told different people different things at different times some nations I spoke with mentioned distrusting you. I could be wrong, but that might have been partly why Russia sided against you. Other than that, NMR's were the only mistake that stands out. If Russia hadn't allied with me I probably would have sworn fealty to you and offered my services as a living meat-shield against the rest of the map in an attempt to stay alive, not that it would have worked. One of us appeared destined to be the first country squashed after all.

France[Daniel M]:

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I'm guessing this was your first game? Your biggest mistake were all the NMR's. Poor move choices are usually better than no moves. A lot of your trouble also came from not making the most of the rules, but that's what experience is for.

France[Abelard]:

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I am impressed. Most impressed. I never dreamed France could have such a turn around: If I'd been any slower you may have been able to roll up the board for victory. I had been hoping to limiting you to England while taking the lion's share of Germany, but... impressive. I'm glad I had you as an ally there at the end.

Russia[Sirek Inta]:

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ThankYouThankYouThankYou for coming to my rescue at the game start. I'd like to believe it was my wit that charmed you, but I suspect there is a lot more to the story. I thought I was a goner in those first two years. You had a strong start, but as appears true in this game "He who Starts Strongest wins Not." If you had any NMR's, those were mistakes. Oh, and having me disband your Southern Fleet was also a mistake.

I couldn't believe my good luck when you proposed eliminating your only unit between me and Turkey, and found myself simultaneously trying to both encourage you to go through and to warn you against it. I think all that came out was a "Well, if you insist. Last chance to change your mind." Seriously, one unit to defend three centers is a good deal: it's too small a force to make your ally feel threatened, just enough of a trip line to buy you time to respond to a stab, and lets you project two units to the front. I probably would have stabbed anyway once Abelard turned France around, but it might have limited me to a two-center stab rather than a 4-center stab.