[spoilers] Gaspar and Commodore welcome you to the islands, mon!

[Gaspar]

Sorry to hang you to dry a bit there, Commodore. I felt like I needed a solid 30-45 to play and not screw things up and I just never got one yesterday or today until now. I could play 24 (completely mailing it in at this point) and 7 (things are relatively uncomplicated) but I felt screwing this up would have caused real damage and so I wanted to hold off until I could give it full attention.

I think you played it right, though I sort of think the window of opportunity with Sian is already past. We invested this many hammers in units, though, so we really eventually have to find something and hit it.

Re: Sian attacking out - if they die, they die. Wasn't a whole lot we could do at that point.

[Gaspar]

Got it.

[Gaspar]

Don't have time for an exhaustive report, but here's the news fit to print.

Sian attacked out with an Axe at 80% odds and killed our Chariot. The rest of the units were untouched. He also pillaged a net near Revantusk. I dialed up more military builds in the homeland - I guess if you're all in, you're all in. I moved the over to his wheat city - its garrisoned by an archer and has a worker we can take next turn if he doesn't cover it.



Other than that I played hopscotch with his triremes and tried to avoid engaging but putting us in threatening positions all over his territory. He's eventually going to have to present us a target. I'm 99% sure I avoided all the triremes.



I went ahead and put Metal Casting at breakeven because I figured having the Trireme option ASAP would be useful. Definitely need to save gold next turn, though. Other than that, only whip I made was the Granary in Malakajin.

Here's the demos, showing our Faustian bargain:

[Commodore]

I spy with my little eye a turn, up to you if you want to take it, I'll be busy for another three hours or so.

[Commodore]

So, after a forum vomit, we're back, and I did take the turn.

Everything seems to be on track. Eight more turns until we can bulb Optics (I'm 90% sure...anyone have the bulb preferences list?). It's not like Echo has that many tiles to work anyway, so I think after this scientist we might make a market and work four specialists for a GM or GS again (wheat farm providing the food).



Sans caravels, we now also have the option for making triremes. Might be a good idea, we can always upgrade them once Optics rolls in too. In the "would be lovely but lack the hammers right now" category is forges, although the lack of precious metals makes them weaker.



The vastly unhappy Sen'Jin needs some sort of relief, so I think we should let it grow to size ten and then five-pop whip in the market, both to get +2 happy and to farm off the far too fecund extra population. Totally the eventual National Epic site, or else a Globe drafting hell.



Another small administrative note, there is a peon I shuffled aboard the galley next to Zim'Torga, slated to move over to the fort and start mining, a 1/5/0 tile will be great for the poor hammer-starved tundra settlement.



Rego is getting nervous, sending a few workboats around to scout our military operations in Sianistan. Dude has reason to be nervous, thanks to Mr. Stopexpandingandmakewalls, Rego has been land-grabbing things in Sian's sphere of influence. Note the paranoid placement, sacrificing a precious mine for a more secure hill plant.



Obviously, I landed next to flatland Sherman's Lagoon with the three axes and one medic Numidian in range. There are two archers in there, unless he whips walls we've got a good shot of taking the place next turn.



I also checked his capital, looks like he's got only a so-so garrison there but our four units near there now won't be taking it with 60% borders protecting. A catapult visible in Zits means that landing stacks will be riskier now.



And beyond that, more wande...hey, what's that? He decided to cover his axe with a spear after killing the archer?

Waitaminute...what do we have in range now...





Okay, I was hoping that he'd leave things open like that, but this really was perfect. I spent the better part of an hour, simulating, and finally decided to let slip the dogs of war.

Moved all galleys in range, and fought (sequence might be off):
Numidian on island -> Spear, lost, but did enough damage to knock it away as top defender.
C1 ship-borne Numid -> Archer, lost, did little damage.
C1 ship-borne Numid -> Archer, lwin at 9.1%!
C1 ship-borne Numid -> Axe, lost
Land axe -> hurt spear, win! Flawless Victory!
C1 ship-borne Numid -> Archer, lost at good odds.
C1 Shock Numid -> Axe, win! Flawless Victory!
Ship-borne axe -> Archer, win! Flawless Victory!

Commemorative buttons for the battle are hereby issued:



Nice haul, good fight, I wonder if we could afford to keep the place...



Um, yikes, I wonder if we could afford not too. That's a granary, lighthouse, forge, courthouse, and HOLY CITY. Yeah, that's making all my hopes and dreams come true.



We should be fairly secure, too, what with the (HE unlocked) shock Numidian defending against that axe while the untouched axe defends against the spear. He'd have to get amazing odds to take the place, and his galleys were burned in port. The Berserker is avenged, my friends.



I made sure that the evil triremes were unable to hit our galleys. Here's to safe zones! Also, as you can note, we are able to port-hop all over the place without worrying about them hitting us.



So yeah, sweet turn. Now I'm nervous, of course, because Sian is doing another long-hold turn...

[oledavy]

Congrats on taking Pedro!

[Mardoc]

Alright!

I knew circumnavigation would pay off sooner or later! At least...I assume it was the large threatened area that let us find a weak point.

Sounds like Pedro alone is worth the war, but also that we shouldn't stop here. I figure we at least want to put him back to his home island, preferably kill him entirely if we can. And there's still those pointy buildings to capture

I suppose my question on Triremes is, do we really need naval superiority(parity)? Or can we get by with staying away from Sian's ships and focus the building on units that can actually take cities? I think, from my not-seen-the-save situation, I'd build maybe one or two to stack with the Galleys so we can afford to enter dangerous waters. But don't try to kill his ships, bypass them and go for the actual prizes.

[Ceiliazul]

Now I'm nervous, of course, because Sian is doing another long-hold turn...

That's cuz he's trying to stop sobbing. Awesome capture! Heroic epic unlocked is icing on the cake.

[Commodore]

I knew circumnavigation would pay off sooner or later! At least...I assume it was the large threatened area that let us find a weak point.

Sounds like Pedro alone is worth the war, but also that we shouldn't stop here. I figure we at least want to put him back to his home island, preferably kill him entirely if we can. And there's still those pointy buildings to capture

I suppose my question on Triremes is, do we really need naval superiority(parity)? Or can we get by with staying away from Sian's ships and focus the building on units that can actually take cities? I think, from my not-seen-the-save situation, I'd build maybe one or two to stack with the Galleys so we can afford to enter dangerous waters. But don't try to kill his ships, bypass them and go for the actual prizes.

I think you've got it about circumnav and our galleys. A trireme or two certainly wouldn't go amiss, might have Revantusk whip us one next, but by and large, we're still on the brave Sir Robin plan.

Pedro was not alone worth whipping out empire to ashes, tears, and dust, nossir. But maybe all of Azteca will see us pull even.

Rego was fishing and cautious, as usual, but I think also relieved. Standard Regoarrarr Operation Procedure ("stonewall, misdirect, downplay") was in effect.

Regoarar: i hear congratulations are in order?
Commodore: Well, let's see what round two bring us. :P
Regoarar: heh
i was wondering what was taking you so long!!
11:59 AM Commodore: Massive turn delays are so scary.
Hey, we needed to use our mobility to make openings.
12:00 PM Sian's a newbie but not a dummy, he's been giving it a good fight.
Regoarar: yeah
sounds like you gave a good blow with pedro though
12:01 PM Commodore: Well, that's the hope.
Without stone he won't be able to dry-whip the walls in Sherman's Lagoon, so we might be neighbors next turn with luck.
12:02 PM Regoarar: which one is sherman's lagoon? wheat island where you dropped 4 units?
Commodore: Yeah
I am deeply disappointed in how long it took for him to settle a "Calvin and Hobbes"
12:03 PM Casus belli right there. :P
12:04 PM Regoarar: heh
do you guys not have code of laws yet?
12:05 PM Commodore: Things been a mite bit more warlike on our side of the world.
Regoarar: so i noticed....
12:06 PM Commodore: Ah well, we're having more fun with our tanking economy and angry, whipped citizens than you with your "smart play" and "wise choices"
12:07 PM Regoarar: lol
wise choices are SO overrated
Commodore: Man, no kidding.

Pindicator was cheerful but also a little green with envy around those gills, methinks. I need to stop mentioning circumnavigation, hurt the poor guy's feelings.

Pindicator: congratulations on taking pedro
Commodore: Thanks man, although it's possible he retakes it.
12:01 PM Pindicator: still, the first blow is struck!
Commodore: Yes!
12:02 PM And no matter what, no more annoying walls.
Pindicator: at least theyre cheap
12:03 PM Commodore: Oh, but now they aren't as much for him.
12:04 PM Pindicator: you took his stone city?
Commodore: That was Pedro.

12:05 PM Let me tell you: 3-move galleys are superweapons.
Pindicator: well, i feel silly for believing rego's paranoia now
Commodore:
Pindicator: i know
12:06 PM just wait til you get 4-move galleys
12:07 PM Commodore: Heh, he's got triremes everywhere.
Right now our galley force is playing tag, not fighting.
12:08 PM Pindicator: you'll have some triremes soon too? or are you content to play tag?
Commodore: Just got MC.
12:09 PM Our forges cost an arm and a leg, so less of a priority.
Pindicator: there's one area i'm glad i'm Ind
12:10 PM i've only had MC a few turns but half my cities have forges
Commodore: Heh, it's why Bismark is chosen in Fin unbanned games.
12:11 PM Pindicator: of course, they usually oracle MC there
Commodore: Yeah
Pindicator: i lost it to turn order...
12:12 PM got lazy i guess, oh well
Commodore: Ah well, Rego's played an amazing game.
Pindicator: true
and yuri's catching him anyway
12:14 PM Commodore: Ah well.
We're going to try to get back with Sian's stuff.
As I just told Rego though, we're having so much more fun than merely playing it safe and REXy.
12:16 PM Pindicator: then it's worth it having fun's what matters
Commodore: Abso-freakin-lutely.
12:19 PM Things going okay on the other side of the world?
12:20 PM Pindicator: calm enough. i'm just trying to keep up with the rexxers
i like your solution for them, though, i might have to give that a try
12:21 PM Commodore: Well, your golden time is before galleons, but once you get maces.
12:22 PM I'd kill for amphibious stuff right now. :P
Pindicator: yeah, it takes 10exp to promote it naturally
12:23 PM but you're right, i wouldn't want to miss out on my golden time
12:25 PM Commodore: Or I suppose a hard push for grens at the rifle age, upgrading berserkers...but that's dicy.
Pindicator: and it takes longer
12:27 PM Commodore: Ah well, at least the extra move lasts all game.
12:28 PM Pindicator: ha
12:29 PM it does for both of us
Commodore: Exactly. Brotherhood of the fast ships for the win.

As apparently our plans are all leftward, might as well keep the right wing safe and happy. Yuri is doing pretty good, but with Seven out and Rego's tech lead I'm less than worried.

Commodore: Hey Yuri
Yuri: hey hey
Commodore: I was just giving you an update in 26, plus trying to get an idea on how Rego's doing.
11:55 AM Took the massively well-defended city of Pedro (Confucian Holy City) last turn, which is probably why Sian's sitting on the save.
11:56 AM Yuri: oh, congrats!
he talked to me a couple of days ago, and called your attack "massively fail attack thats giving them problems pulling out of with the honor intact"
11:57 AM good to see he was wrong
Commodore: We've sent out flanking forces to Sian's western reaches, apparently Rego's been taking advantage by aggressively settling on him
Heh, he said that?
Yuri: yeah
11:58 AM that was about 2 turn ago
if Rego is aggressively settling him, good play from him. I don't have much read on him, we're pretty much leaving each other alone for now
11:59 AM but there is any info I can share, I'd be happy to provide it if I know it
Commodore: Pin seems to be giving him no problems either, which is worrisome.
Thanks, we'll do like wise.
12:00 PM Yuri: Pindicator seems to keep his army small for some reason. strange play after he cancelled our NAP
his power isn't growing at all
12:01 PM Commodore: Weird
Yuri: yeah. Rego says I overtook him in pop now, but I think he has a solid tech lead
12:02 PM I don't know which techs he has though, just the impression he gives, plus the fact that he was first to Currency and first to Monarchy
12:03 PM Commodore: Feudalism, he's in vassalage making longbows.
12:04 PM Yuri: heh, then there's no way anyway will threaten him until the Rifle era
Commodore: Yeah, that's a given.
12:08 PM Oh, any sign of precious metal yet?
Yuri: none at all
Commodore: Right now we're just hoping for a pop.
Yuri: guess they're not on the map
yeah
I explored good 2/3 of the map
and didn't see a single previous metal or gems resource
12:09 PM Commodore: Bleh
Pops it is!
Yuri: yeah, hope so!
12:10 PM Commodore: Our dyes are annoying to grab too, a non-food city. :P
Yuri: yeah, I have a resource I will have to grab with a fort, a city there would have nothing to work except that resource
12:11 PM Commodore: Even if we take the 'mids, we might have a hard time getting out of HR. :P
Yuri: happiness is a big issue
any chance of bulding the Confu shrine?
now that you have the holy city
Commodore: Meh, maybe.
12:12 PM Prophet points hurt to get.
Yuri: yeah
Commodore: Might make the ToA and hope.
Yuri: oh btw, I will probably start spreading Buddhism relatively soon
so taking a Buddhist holy city as well could be a good idea
if you have a chance of course
12:13 PM Commodore: Hrm, who got it?
Yuri: Sian
Commodore: Ah, huh.
Yuri: I believe we have Rego with Hindu and Judaism, and Sian with Buddhism and Confu
Commodore: We're agnostic right now, so if we get the holy city, we might be Buddhists too.
12:14 PM Yuri: I'm not sure I want OR just yet, high upkeep doesn't look attractive with my number of cities
but when I adopt it, I'll have to convert to Buddhism, it's the only religion I have
12:15 PM Commodore: Yeah, we have Confu. Judiaism, and Buddism.
12:16 PM One each not counting the dicey proposition of keeping Pedro intact.
Yuri: one each isn't inspiring...
I think I had 3 Buddhist spreads
Commodore: Wow, nice.

...the rest was PBEM 24 gossip and sighs. Rival here, dedlurker there, it's weird.

[Commodore]

That's cuz he's trying to stop sobbing. Awesome capture! Heroic epic unlocked is icing on the cake.

Heh, not sure about sobbing, but that's got to hurt, coming from the guys who launched a...

massively fail attack thats giving them problems pulling out of with the honor intact

Karma, dude. I'd rather not crow, what with da bad voodoo dat be makin' over dere.