[SPOILERS] PBEM14 Lurker thread

[novice]

Upgrading warriors to axemen: not the best use of gold. I've no idea what Lewwyn is thinking. Haven't read his thread yet, though.

[plako]

Upgrading warriors to axemen: not the best use of gold. I've no idea what Lewwyn is thinking. Haven't read his thread yet, though.

He actually has quite nice plan that has some potential to work although it is very expensive way indeed. Serdoa hasn't updated so we can't really say yet, if it really will work.

Now looking at it the main problem might be that the agressive city plant alerted Serdoa too early. It might have been better to wait with it until final moment.

[zakalwe]

Interestingly, he jumped on life in Turkey. I suspected scooter had already figured out the map (sooner than me, actually) when he overreacted to my S. Africa comment, though I discovered that after the fact, since I didn't have a strong map theory yet. The comment about life in Turkey was based on the fact that Lewwyn is playing the Ottomans, who were Turks, had nothing to do with the map. Hell, he's not even located in Turkey really, scooter is more than him, actually. My guess is scooter figured the map out and told Lewwyn, actually. Maybe I'll send something to Sandover to clue him in, since he's my best pal, like it or not.

Gaspar may be behind the curve in the actual Civ game, but he still dominates the WW side game.

[novice]

Proposed message to Lewwyn. It's sorta incomplete as I'm rushing out the door... but I'm a little stuck on how to end it. Suggestions?

Lewwyn,

I've been talking with my ded-lurkers (Dazed in particular) about my situation, so I need to try to explain to you the dilemma I am in. Serdoa is making it incredibly lucrative for me to leave him alone, and that's why I'm in a difficult spot here. Basically, Serdoa offered me this for if I'll make peace with him:

-NAP til T80
-I get all(!!!) lands to his west except for the horse spot
-I can settle those lands in peace, rather than have to defend against him (also a big deal)
-He is offering me 60g per chariot or 20g + worker per chariot.

This is why I'm struggling right now with this... I'm in a war right now that is not really beneficial, and I'm being offered a fantastic deal just to leave Serdoa alone and let you two fight it out like a normal game. So I guess you could say it's difficult for me to want to remain at war right now for this reason, especially with all the reasons I provided for why being at war is a negative thing...

scooter

Won't Lewwyn just undercut Scooter and sign a slightly less lucrative peace treaty himself with Serdoa? Or are those players not rational enough to do that?

[Hesmyrr]

Somehow I'm starting to become skeptical of the odds that Gaspar can maintain his claim on "Australia". I know about marble city deal, but surely Sandover have all the motivation to contest that land? And unless Gaspar goes for the ultimate pink dot maneuver, he will still have to build at least one intermediary cities before Maya can control that land-bridge.

[novice]

Gaspar may be behind the curve in the actual Civ game, but he still dominates the WW side game.

Most definitely.

Interesting. Three possibilities here.

1. I totally misread the situation and scooter and Lewwyn are not together and in fact scooter is the opportunist I think he is.
   
2. I didn't misread the situation, but scooter got a better offer from Serdoa and is bailing on Lewwyn at the first opportunity.
   
3. I didn't misread the situation, but scooter decided this war was a non-starter and took the opportunity to get out while his neighbors warred. His relationship with Lewwyn is slightly strained but probably still active.
   

My guess is 2 or 3 is the likely scenario. Probably knowing scooter, a bit of both, with him extracting concessions from Serdoa and leaving Lewwyn flapping in the wind, but spinning the situation to Lewwyn in such a way that provides diplomatic cover. Maybe I'm giving scooter too much credit and Lewwyn too little, but remains to be seen. If I'm right, Lewwyn put too many eggs in the scooter basket, and is going to be screwed. I could probably sweep in and try and tie Lewwyn up as an ally myself, but I really don't want that if Lewwyn's going to get smoked by Serdoa ultimately. Best in my case to remain neutral.

[zakalwe]

scooter seems to be warming up. Either my messages have done their job (unlikely) or he's doubting Lewwyn's competence given what's become of the Serdoa war (more likely.)

I mean, Scooter might as well just invite him to read his spoiler thread.

[Nicolae Carpathia]

Plako you must think incredibly poorly of Australians/Sheeplandians.

[Hesmyrr]

I've had an alliance with Scooter since the beginning. You know? We kill everyone else until we're the last two standing?

Wow, that was.... very frank admission. Have to love diplomacy in this game. Looks like this move finalized the situation into scooter vs Gaspar, each of them having their respective supporters. Sandover also seems quite pessimistic, is indeed scooter no longer persuable? I don't think I played non-FFH civ game for a year so I personally have no idea how much he is ahead.

Edit: wtf Gaspar is creeping me out

[novice]

I've had an alliance with Scooter since the beginning.

Is it even true though? I think this might come as a surprise to all players, scooter included.