[Spoilers] Defining the phrase "€˜Hung Like a Horse"€™: Pb & the Kuriotates

[pocketbeetle]

Hello Maksim Darling

I notice you are quite high on score compared to the competition - mostly from the Legends world-spell but also because of your overall good tech position.

Aww shucks, little me?
Dang, it's a fluke I promise.
But for now, I'm as happy as a Frenchman who just invented a pair of self-removing trousers!

Naturally, as you said earlier, it makes you a target.
Do you intend to continue being numero uno in score for a while yet, or do you have a cunning plan to raise it at a lower rate than the rest of them?

Sadly cunning plans are not my speciality, indeed people have told me they've bumped into cleverer people at the Guild of Village Idiots.

But with regard to worrying my dearest competitors, while I'm anespeptic...frasmotic...even compunctuous to have caused them such pericombobulations, I have no intention of trying to slow my score down.
I expect them to catch up at some point, notably that chappy Selrahc, as he expands into his land and builds lots of villages to accommodate his idiots.

More important are the demographics, particularly the GNP stat.
The Crop and Mfg difference isn't a big deal, as they know I will eventually plateau out thanks to the four city limit.
But GNP could continue to rise; indeed, the next tech as mentioned is Archery at 323b. I'm hoping I can push through it in 2 turns thanks to a 1.4x prereq multiplier, but the sight of my GNP reaching those levels, even temporarily, may cause the others to call it a large crisis.
In fact, if you've got a minute, they may call it a 12 storey crisis, with a magnificent entrance hall, gilding throughout, and a sign on the roof saying "This is a large crisis".

Which is why I'm vaguely considering the possibility of sandbagging my GNP, say running at 50% science for a while.
But for the moment, I see no reason to try and be overly clever by slowing down progress to an essential military tech.

Where do you see yourself <<snip>> in twenty-thirty turns?

Why, I see myself in the mirror, (handsome devil that I am!) sitting behind my computer and typing silly posts like this one of course!
Assuming that is, that fortune does not vomit on my eiderdown in the meantime.

Now fetch me another cup of tea would you Darling?
And whatever you do, don't let that other chap, Baldrick, make it.

General Melchett: [explaining why they can't rescue Captain Blackadder] Now George, you remember when I came down to visit you when you were a nipper, for your sixth birthday? You used to have a lovely little rabbit, beautiful little thing, do you remember?
Lieutenant George: Flossie.
General Melchett: That’s right, Flossie! Do you remember what happened to Flossie?
Lieutenant George: You shot him.
General Melchett: That’s right! It was the kindest thing to do after he’d been run over by that car.
Lieutenant George: By *your* car, sir.
General Melchett: Yes, by my car. But that, too, was an act of mercy when you remember that that dog had been set on him.
Lieutenant George: *Your* dog, sir.
General Melchett: Yes, yes, my dog. But what I’m trying to say, George, is that the state young Flossie was in after we’d scraped him off my front tire, is very much the state that young Blackadder will be in now: if not very nearly dead, then very actually dead!
Lieutenant George: Permission for lip to wobble, sir?
General Melchett: Permission granted.

[Adlain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfj8jHgVk...re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Daa8ZnxC-0Y

[Twinkletoes89]

May I enquire when Lord Flashheart will make an appearance?

I am surprised that with all the bearded women in your lands that he isn't here yet!

WOOF WOOF!

[pocketbeetle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfj8jHgVk...re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Daa8ZnxC-0Y

Blackadder: I was wondering whether, after being tortured by the most vicious sadist in the German army, I might be allowed a week’s leave to recuperate.
General Melchett: Excellent idea – your commanding officer would have to be stark raving mad to refuse you.
Blackadder: You are my commanding officer.
General Melchett: Well?
Blackadder: Can I have a week’s leave to recuperate, sir?
General Melchett: Certainly not!
Blackadder: Thank you, sir.
General Melchett: Baaa!

May I enquire when Lord Flashheart will make an appearance?

WOOF!


Edit:
I'm getting ninja'd in my own thread here, disgraceful! ^^

You're only getting ninja'd because your thread is so awesome that our posts have to match it!

Thankyou.
And apologies to the Americans who are probably not getting the jokes in this part.
Going to have to find a way to introduce some USA flavour.

.

[Twinkletoes89]

You're only getting ninja'd because your thread is so awesome that our posts have to match it!

[Adlain]

May I enquire when Lord Flashheart will make an appearance?

I am surprised that with all the bearded women in your lands that he isn't here yet!

WOOF WOOF!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63K-wEaGxRc

[Birdman]

Posh! Some of us Americans appreciate Blackadder! (Mr. Bean too to a lesser degree)

[Twinkletoes89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63K-wEaGxRc

Even better:

Blackadder 2

[pocketbeetle]

Turn 104:

Giants take up formation around the Dungeon.
If Vanilla Ice gets something incapacitating yet doesn’t clear the tile, will probably just explore straight away again.

Calabim get a crime event in their capital (nothing important).



Moved a worker onto the Deer at Caledor to be ready to improve it asap.
Clicking end turn built a Sage Council in Avelorn, Kwythellar grew to size 12.
Also completed Hunting with enough overflow for Archery to be teched in 2t.



For those that are curious, FoL can now be researched in 4 turns – I checked for purely innocent reasons of course.


Demographics:

• Selrahc gained a pop point, size 4->5, probably Chestnut Roast.
  
• Iskender and Bob gained techs.
  
• Sareln reached size 2 in Schwartzwald and gained cultural score for Nameless Tower founded on T84.
  
• Rival best Mfg: same as me 43.
  Somebody just went heavy on hammers! Last turn the rival best was 26.
  Suspect it’s Selrahc? Just grown to size 8 capital, probably has some mines up now, plus God-King. But what is he building?
  

Selrahc not gaining any cultural score this turn suggests that last turn he researched an 11 point tech and gained a similar amount of cultural score, rather than a 22 point tech.

Bob:
Last turn that he researched a tech: T94 -> Assigned BW/Writing
Next turn he researched a tech: T98
Therefore gap = 4 turns.
GNP during period: 50, research ~ 48.
Additional +6 from maintenance = 54
4 * 54 = 216b
Four possibles: AH/Festivals at 193b or Mysticism/Cartography at 215b.
Mysticism is still low on the priority list for Bob, AH or Festivals are the most likely for food/GNP.

Bob:
Last turn that he researched a tech: T98 -> Assigned Fest/AH (Myst/Carto)
Next turn he researched a tech: T103
Therefore gap = 5 turns.
GNP during period: 50, 53, 50, 50, 41 Average = 48.8, research ~ 45. (One Monument)
Additional +6 from maintenance = 51
5 * 51 = 255b

That figure is in no-man’s land and so gives me problems. Education at 301b is obviously no use, as Bob already has it.
I’m probably underestimating the maintenance once again, ie he’s having to run a lower science slider.
Fair enough, his power has been increasing recently, so unit supply should be going up.

Like Selrahc and Iskender, I’m losing confidence in my numbers for Bob.
Will assign this one to Myst/Carto (AH/Fest outside chance) for the moment, but not happy with it. :thumbsdow
Still think Mysticism is unlikely, will check Cartography with Iskender, or if I have to, Cull.

[pocketbeetle]

Diplo:

Let’s start with a long chat (frequently interrupted) with Selrahc:

(5:55:38 PM) Selrahc: Yo
(5:55:46 PM) pocketbeetle: Hey
(5:56:07 PM) Selrahc: So you've probably noticed that the world is at peace again
(5:56:15 PM) Selrahc: You want an update on that?
(5:56:22 PM) pocketbeetle: I'm definitely curious yes
(5:57:02 PM) Selrahc: Basically, Sareln had yet another city set up on the far side of the world.
(5:57:05 PM) Selrahc: Thanks to Bob.
(5:57:10 PM) Selrahc: Which you warned me about.
(5:57:18 PM) pocketbeetle: Meh
(5:58:26 PM) Selrahc: So, discussion with Bob, I was annoyed at him since that kind of violated the terms of our NAP.
(5:58:28 PM) Selrahc: "No deals with enemies that will harm the other"
(5:59:02 PM) Selrahc: But he talked me into giving peace with Sareln a shot, rather than getting into a rumble.
(5:59:51 PM) Selrahc: Anyway, I'm getting some temples and some Mana from Sareln.
(5:59:53 PM) Selrahc: I was supposed to be getting wines and gold from Bob but he somehow wangled his way out of that.
(6:00:45 PM) Selrahc: And Sareln has agreed to never attack me unless I declare war on him or Bob.
(6:00:46 PM) Selrahc: And... that's basically the events.
(6:00:53 PM) Selrahc: But at least I can stop bleeding out 8gpt on the army now.
(6:01:03 PM) Selrahc: Or.. in 6 turns.
(6:01:30 PM) pocketbeetle: So, to be clear, Sareln's second city is nowhere near Nameless Tower?
(6:01:40 PM) Selrahc: No.
(6:01:49 PM) Selrahc: Right on the other side of Bobs empire.

<<pb’s internet fails. Cue much cursing.>>

(6:13:07 PM) Selrahc: So any thoughts on the situation?
(6:13:33 PM) pocketbeetle: Well, I'm scratching my head slightly dude
(6:13:36 PM) pocketbeetle: By the sound of it
(6:13:38 PM) pocketbeetle: Bob has:
(6:13:47 PM) pocketbeetle: 1) Lied repeatedly to you
(6:13:53 PM) pocketbeetle: 2) Broke explicit terms of a deal
(6:14:02 PM) pocketbeetle: I'm looking at a previous conversation we had
(6:14:04 PM) pocketbeetle:
(4:54:55 PM) Selrahc: Oh, I did extract a promise from him not help Sareln
(4:55:23 PM) pocketbeetle: Not to help how? Isn't he already committed to giving Sareln a city soon?
(4:55:51 PM) Selrahc: To lend him no aid in war.
(4:56:04 PM) Selrahc: Which he wasn't going to do.
(4:56:07 PM) Selrahc: I guess.
(4:56:31 PM) Selrahc: But it precludes a proper vassal

(6:14:32 PM) pocketbeetle: 3) Somehow screwed you on a deal? Not sure how he 'wangled' his way out of whatever
(6:14:39 PM) pocketbeetle: Are you not even slightly unhappy?
(6:15:49 PM) Selrahc: Well yeah. Kind of.
(6:16:04 PM) Selrahc: Except the only real motive to go to war is revenge.
(6:16:26 PM) pocketbeetle: I can see that. You've got plenty of land, going to war for revenge only makes little sense
(6:16:37 PM) pocketbeetle: Here's another motivation
(6:16:57 PM) pocketbeetle: Your military Golden Age (Priests) is coming to an end, Bob is soon to begin (Vampires)
(6:17:17 PM) Selrahc: Or maybe to crush an opponent early.
(6:17:25 PM) pocketbeetle: What do we do when he reaches vamps?
(6:17:57 PM) pocketbeetle: You relying on your NAP to keep you safe? Because it would seem he doesn't interpret deals the way you and I do
(6:18:04 PM) Selrahc: Hopefully he'll hit vamps when Iskender reaches chariots and the two will have a battle royale.
(6:18:12 PM) Selrahc: NAP is due to run out in 15 turns.
(6:18:22 PM) Selrahc: So no, not relying on that.
(6:19:26 PM) pocketbeetle: Okay. Well I know Iskender isn't best buddies with Bob, but even so. I'm not liking the situation
(6:19:39 PM) Selrahc: Yeah.

<<pb’s internet fails again. Cue more cursing and head-slamming on desk.>>

(6:24:28 PM) Selrahc: Okay.
(6:24:45 PM) Selrahc: Um, you missed some half baked rambling about temple of the hand making conquering me an unfavourable proposition from a growth standpoint
(6:24:51 PM) pocketbeetle: lol
(6:25:31 PM) pocketbeetle: You're going to freeze all your frontline cities. Fine, but he'll just use them for feasting
(6:26:10 PM) Selrahc: That's true. Which is why I'd be likely to slave them to the ground if it looks like they're in danger of falling.
(6:26:44 PM) pocketbeetle: k, well. I think we need something a little more concrete than 'making ourselves look unattractive to kill'
(6:26:52 PM) pocketbeetle: If you think of anything, let me know
(6:26:55 PM) Selrahc: Yeah.
(6:27:04 PM) Selrahc: I do have a plan.
(6:27:16 PM) pocketbeetle: oooh. A CUNNING plan?
(6:27:39 PM) pocketbeetle: as cunning as a fox that's just been elected professor of cunning at Oxford University?
(6:27:41 PM) Selrahc: Muchly cunning. But I'm not sure just blurting it out is the key to getting it done.
(6:28:33 PM) Selrahc: I mean much as we've been working well together so far, I'm sure you're not in the mood to just give over the game to me.
(6:28:33 PM) Selrahc: And if I tell you the plan I'm sure at least Veez will get to work in stymying it.
(6:28:34 PM) pocketbeetle: K. Well if you come up with a plan for us, for dealing with Bob, I'm all ears
(6:28:52 PM) pocketbeetle: lol, lies! I'm sure he would never do something (so) underhanded
(6:29:31 PM) Selrahc: If worst comes to the worst I'm sure we can all team up. Vampires are a big enough threat that I'm sure the Hippus, Kuiotates and Illians can assemble some sort of joint operations.
(6:29:43 PM) Selrahc: The GNE alliance.
(6:29:47 PM) pocketbeetle: lol
(6:30:43 PM) pocketbeetle: K, sounds sensible. Did you ever complete your negotiations with Cull? I was honestly expecting you to include a requirement to 'defend you in times of desperate need' sort of thing
(6:31:26 PM) Selrahc: No! I've sent him about three emails asking when would be a good time to talk, or if he wants me to just send him a list of terms.
(6:31:30 PM) Selrahc: No responses.
(6:31:50 PM) Selrahc: Although I did get his map, so I can draw up some proposed borders.
(6:32:15 PM) Selrahc: It's pretty frustrating really.
(6:32:32 PM) pocketbeetle: Okay. He can be frustrating I know. But some extra defenders are always worth soemthing
(6:32:38 PM) pocketbeetle: yeah
(6:33:14 PM) pocketbeetle: Enjoying that 3c trade route?
(6:33:36 PM) Selrahc: Still around?
(6:33:51 PM) pocketbeetle: Just. Assuming you didn't type anything in the last minute
(6:34:15 PM) Selrahc: The trade routes are really handy in preventing my economic collapse actually.
(6:34:32 PM) Selrahc: Building markets everywhere now, so that should be a thing of the past soon enough.
(6:34:37 PM) pocketbeetle: Good. Now hurry up and grow so I can get some 3c ones also =D
(6:36:23 PM) Selrahc: Pfft. Growing. You need happiness for that.
(6:36:23 PM) Selrahc: We can't all be sprawling multicultural utopias you know!
(6:36:23 PM) Selrahc: I'm getting my cotton connected up soon though, that should help.
(6:36:32 PM) Selrahc: People don't mind living in brutal autocratic rule if they have fancy clothes.
(6:36:35 PM) pocketbeetle: lol
(6:36:56 PM) pocketbeetle: Just reminding you I'm interested in that cotton! Not sure what to offer yet, but I'll think of something
(6:37:28 PM) pocketbeetle: K, this is awful I'm going to have to go
(6:38:18 PM) Selrahc: Yeah, okay. I'll talk to you later then. Hope your internet gets sorted.
(6:38:30 PM) pocketbeetle: Yeah. Thanks for keeping me in the loop

It can be summarised as follows:

• Selrahc is getting his arse handed to him, diplomatically, by Bob.
  

It’s okay, I knew this could happen. Bob’s strength is diplo.

So let’s squeeze as many drops of lemonade out of that lemon as possible.

(9:44:38 PM) pocketbeetle: While I've got you, can I quiz you a couple of really minor questions?
(9:44:44 PM) Iskender: i got lucky last turn as well, but pssst
(9:44:52 PM) Iskender: sure
(9:44:53 PM) pocketbeetle: ooh? how?
(9:45:04 PM) pocketbeetle: nonono, tell me tell me tell me =D
(9:45:12 PM) pocketbeetle: (or don't , it's okay)
(9:46:00 PM) Iskender: this time i'll keep my mouth shut. it's too awesome : )
(9:46:05 PM) pocketbeetle: Questions I wanted to ask: can you please check to see if Bob has Cartography next turn? Trying to keep track of his techs (it's damn hard) and it would be helpful
(9:46:08 PM) pocketbeetle: keke
(9:46:47 PM) Iskender: ok. could you share some of your info on his techs in return?
(9:48:01 PM) pocketbeetle: Hmm, it's a minor piece of info, but I do want to be helpful for you vs him, so I could tell you what I think the last three techs he's gained were? (Warning, they're not specific, only a range, like I said I'm struggling)
(9:48:13 PM) pocketbeetle: Sound fair?
(9:48:32 PM) Iskender: sure, if not too much
(9:48:54 PM) pocketbeetle: It's okay. Secondly, I've been meaning to ask this for a while
(9:49:17 PM) pocketbeetle: You remember when you first asked me about Hyborem, can I ask who told you I founded AV?
(9:49:30 PM) pocketbeetle: Just curious
(9:49:35 PM) Iskender: noone
(9:49:53 PM) Iskender: your score rose by a dozen points
(9:50:05 PM) Iskender: together with culls and selrahc's
(9:50:07 PM) Iskender: iirc
(9:50:14 PM) Iskender: selrahc is agnostic
(9:50:23 PM) Iskender: and cull had puny research
(9:50:52 PM) Iskender: i thought you beelined for AV with kuriotates to summon hyborem - a common strategy
(9:50:57 PM) pocketbeetle: ahhh, you thought I'd researched the AV tech?
(9:51:03 PM) pocketbeetle: Gotcha
(9:51:10 PM) Iskender: yes
(9:51:25 PM) Iskender: i didn't see your gnp back then
(9:51:28 PM) pocketbeetle: Cool, and one last thing to tell you:
(9:52:01 PM) pocketbeetle: Was talking to Selrahc recently. He's a bit unhappy because Bob has been taking serious liberties
(9:52:08 PM) Iskender: got the save. i'll play it in half an hour or later
(9:52:37 PM) pocketbeetle: Apparently Bob not only broke specific terms in agreements with Selrahc, but has been lying repeatedly, about how close he is with Sareln etc
(9:52:57 PM) pocketbeetle: Just warning you, be careful
(9:53:18 PM) Iskender: thanks
(9:53:43 PM) Iskender: i'm testing his truthfulness atm
(9:54:00 PM) pocketbeetle: I'll be interested to hear the results
(9:54:09 PM) Iskender: why do you think he'd want to research cartography? for trade routes?
(9:54:40 PM) pocketbeetle: I'm just working on beaker numbers. One of the possibles is Cartography, and want to ether confirm or eliminate
(9:55:06 PM) pocketbeetle: I can't check anymore since I have it, but I'm correct in saying you don't yes?
(9:55:24 PM) Iskender: i'm wondering if you correctly figured out what i researched recently
(9:55:39 PM) pocketbeetle: No comment. Probably not
(9:56:17 PM) Iskender: i don't
(9:56:20 PM) pocketbeetle: Am I right though, you don't have Carto? You know how to check if someone does?
(9:56:26 PM) pocketbeetle: K

(10:17:43 PM) Iskender: no cartography
(10:18:06 PM) pocketbeetle: Okay thanks. Weird
(10:18:15 PM) Iskender: why?
(10:18:44 PM) pocketbeetle: I'm trying to figure out his last tech, I've got it in the beaker range of Mysticism/Cartography, with a really outside chance of being AH/Festivals
(10:18:59 PM) pocketbeetle: Problem is Myst sucks for Calabim, and it's not Carto...
(10:19:14 PM) pocketbeetle: Dunno, liek I said, I'm really struggling.
(10:19:51 PM) pocketbeetle: Other two techs: umm, (e)ither BW or Writing on T94, AH/Festivals T98
(10:20:02 PM) Iskender: could it be that he saved some $?
(10:20:17 PM) Iskender: i believe it's BW on turn 94
(10:20:29 PM) pocketbeetle: I think so. It's very hard with the maintenance to figure it out
(10:20:33 PM) pocketbeetle: Why do you think that?
(10:21:21 PM) Iskender: he hooked up copper soon after that. i can't see if there are any warriors with bronze though
(10:21:51 PM) pocketbeetle: Hmm. Would make sense, his power has been increasing, suggesting Moroi
(10:22:19 PM) pocketbeetle: I thought Writing was more likely because he has a NAP with Selrahc, but it's possible
(10:22:41 PM) Iskender: could be moroi
(10:23:18 PM) Iskender: i'm in anarchy this turn
(10:23:27 PM) pocketbeetle: Okay thanks for letting me know, here's a dump of the rest of Bob's techs, hardly a big mystery
(10:23:32 PM) pocketbeetle: sec
(10:24:20 PM) pocketbeetle: Agriculture, Calendar, Exploration, Crafting, Mining, Ancient Chants, Education, Code of Laws, Bronze Working/Writing, Animal Husbandry/Festivals
(10:24:35 PM) pocketbeetle: plus the recent Carto/Myst/AH/Festivals one

Not sure I handled that conversation very well.

Main point was to get the bolded line across.
The extra info was just a bonus, although I let Iskender push me around for a small piece of info that I could have probably gained off Cull.

Not sure about the BW vs Writing, mining a Copper resource is hardly a big giveaway – Bob could just be after the tile yield.
What is more of a giveaway is that Iskender knew where the Copper resource was.
Pretty sure now he has Mining, and I think I have an idea of what that free tech was – will comment next turn.


Also checking in with Sareln, to see if everything is fine between us:

(9:29:41 PM) pocketbeetle: Oh btw
(9:29:51 PM) pocketbeetle: Selrahc let me know you'd signed peace the other day
(9:29:53 PM) pocketbeetle: congrats
(9:29:56 PM) Sareln: yeah
(9:30:01 PM) Sareln: I was pretty happy about that.
(9:30:12 PM) Sareln: he did find me in the end, which is what prompted serious negotiation
(9:31:06 PM) pocketbeetle: Sorry to sound mercenary, but can I just check your agreements/negotiations with Selrahc haven't superceded ours?
Do our agreements still stand?
(9:31:40 PM) pocketbeetle: Because you may have noticed in the tech thread, I've got a golden age currently, and can tech pretty quickly
(9:31:57 PM) Sareln: yes, our agreements still stand.
(9:32:46 PM) Sareln: You're still preferential trade partner For Cotton, still have PoL earmarked for you, and still have a call on the mind mana.
(9:32:49 PM) Sareln: am I missing anything?
(9:32:51 PM) Sareln: :P
(9:33:12 PM) pocketbeetle: Not at all.
Excellent thanks, I'll grill you about how you managed to keep Selrahc happy later. I honestly thought he was dead set on his path.
(9:33:34 PM) Sareln: same here!

Seems so.

Meanwhile, here’s a few recent conversations with Bob:

(7:39:53 AM) BobChillingworth: sure, although it's not terribly likely
(7:40:02 AM) BobChillingworth: be sure to write your turn 100 report, btw!
(7:40:07 AM) BobChillingworth: if you haven't already
(7:40:09 AM) pocketbeetle: I have
(7:40:12 AM) pocketbeetle: it kicks ass
(7:40:12 AM) BobChillingworth: cool
(7:40:15 AM) BobChillingworth: heh
(7:40:23 AM) pocketbeetle: And has lots of pictures of you with darts in it
(7:40:36 AM) BobChillingworth: most of mine is just a series of epithets directed toward you
(7:40:39 AM) BobChillingworth: the rest is invasion plans
(7:40:39 AM) pocketbeetle: lolol

It’s good to know we have an understanding.

Over the next couple of days:

(12:36:26 AM) BobChillingworth: oh btw up to you to find me
(12:36:34 AM) pocketbeetle: no leaking!
(12:36:37 AM) pocketbeetle: evil person
(12:36:42 AM) BobChillingworth: my scout, who I believe to be about four tiles from your border, is gonna die
(12:36:45 AM) BobChillingworth: bear chow
(12:36:49 AM) BobChillingworth: om nom nom
(12:36:57 AM) BobChillingworth: he lasted so long, too...
(12:37:12 AM) pocketbeetle: Well if I see a combat 2 bear, I'll be sure to skin it and save for you
(12:37:31 AM) BobChillingworth: thanks, I prefer it if you can get him dancing tho

(7:20:39 PM) BobChillingworth: oh hey guess what the scout I had toward you did not get eaten by a bear
(7:20:54 PM) BobChillingworth: so I moved him forward and ended up next to... two bears!
(7:20:57 PM) BobChillingworth: I hope he tastes like shit.
(7:20:59 PM) pocketbeetle: lol

(7:17:53 PM) BobChillingworth: oh hey guess what the 2X bears didn't eat my scout
(7:17:58 PM) BobChillingworth: I guess he smells bad or something
(7:18:42 PM) BobChillingworth: if he somehow manages to survive to reach you, just be aware that he had to go through a mind-boggling array of near-death experiences

(6:29:32 PM) BobChillingworth: heeeey sup pb
(6:29:32 PM) BobChillingworth: I do not have the turn
(6:29:34 PM) BobChillingworth: however
(6:29:39 PM) BobChillingworth: I did get contact with you
(6:29:42 PM) BobChillingworth: last turn
(6:39:00 PM) pocketbeetle: Ello
(6:39:29 PM) pocketbeetle: Just warning you, my internet is absolutely disgraceful, I'm going to have to go offline in a second, keep cutting out
(6:39:55 PM) BobChillingworth: heya
(6:39:55 PM) BobChillingworth: not sure if you could actually see my guy last turn
(6:39:55 PM) BobChillingworth: he was in a forest
(6:39:56 PM) pocketbeetle: And congrats on finding me. Where are you? I didn't see anything
(6:39:59 PM) BobChillingworth: but I could see your girly pink/purple border
(6:40:13 PM) pocketbeetle: lol. Light purple!
(6:40:19 PM) BobChillingworth: I think it's your NE border
(6:40:31 PM) BobChillingworth: I'm in the tundra
(6:40:46 PM) BobChillingworth: you'll def. see my scout next turn after I move him this turn
(6:40:47 PM) pocketbeetle: I figured, in the bear enclosure
(6:41:03 PM) BobChillingworth: hah
(6:41:05 PM) pocketbeetle: So I was wrong then, about your scouts
(6:41:09 PM) pocketbeetle: They don't suck
(6:41:13 PM) pocketbeetle: they just stink ^^
(6:41:21 PM) pocketbeetle: and taste bad
(6:41:27 PM) BobChillingworth: whatever gets them past the bears
(6:41:30 PM) pocketbeetle: lol
(6:41:41 PM) pocketbeetle: K, well like I said, congrats, and thanks for letting me know
(6:42:03 PM) BobChillingworth: this dude has run across most of Eberus
(6:42:09 PM) BobChillingworth: sure
(6:42:27 PM) BobChillingworth: so I'm sure you have tons of game-related secrets to share with me now...
(6:42:30 PM) pocketbeetle: I'm going to have to go sorry, my internet's just too bad, cutting out.
(6:42:31 PM) pocketbeetle: lol
(6:42:43 PM) BobChillingworth:
(6:42:54 PM) pocketbeetle: Catch me later if you see me on, or if you wanted to propose anything drop me an email
(6:43:02 PM) BobChillingworth: hah, np
(6:43:08 PM) BobChillingworth: k
(6:43:11 PM) BobChillingworth: probably just ob
(6:43:15 PM) pocketbeetle: You got my email?
(6:43:24 PM) BobChillingworth: address? yes
(6:43:50 PM) pocketbeetle: k, catch you soon. Lots of insults -I mean information- to trade!
(6:43:55 PM) pocketbeetle: =D

As you can see, not a lot to talk about with him, although I was being truthful about the internet problems (he contacted me same time as the Selrahc chat).

Next turn, Bob tries sending me an Open Borders request.
Hmmm. :rolleyes: