| Press for Fall of 1905 in ghodstoo |
Movement
Private message from Russia to Germany:
Hi Pitt,
>
>That's what I meant. You and I tend to do that about each other.
** Ah, heck; nature of the beast, I guess. Better to keep talking, even
if it is just to clarify misperceptions.
>>I was wrong, and you said
>>so. And my second note DID say I was sorry.
>
>True enough (and, just in case I've given the wrong impression, all of my
>comments are limited to "game" situations...no offense is taken oustide the
>game milieu, if, in fact, any is even taken in the game)
** Ditto here, Pitt. Everyone I've talked to says you're not just a
helluva player, but a Great American as well. I never doubted either!
Game persona and emotions are one thing, just like one would scream at a
muffed play during Sunday football on TV. But it doesn't translate over
into real life.
>
> I hedged my bets, is all,
>
>>I never expected you to give it to me after all your notes to the
>>negative.
>
>Well, it was a difficult decision but, as I said, you convinced me (with a
>little help from AT's continued advance). I *did* expect to be offerring
>to allow you to move in in the fall as opposed to agreeing to let you stay
>there but the result is the same.
** Well, yes, but that's one reason I asked about leaving now. (Kinda
late for that, I guess.) I didn't really hear from you about leaving,
so I assumed the worst and figured I'd just go there -- didn't have
anyplace special to go to besides Swe!
>
>>As for Boh: I didn't expect your move there, given that any support for
>>Italy to Vienna (had I done so) would've been cut by your move.
>
>It seemed pretty clear to me that you were going to be moving instead of
>supporting (plus, I had a pretty good idea of Italy's plans, as well).
** truthfully, it seems YOU are more in tune with my reticent Italian
friend than I've been! I never expected him to support France instead
of me. of course, in retrospect, he's just trying to prop up himself
for a post-Fassio world of supports, si I *should've* expected it. I'm
getting old (and sloppy).
>
>>better by a move to SIL (where our bounce would NOT have occurred, and
>>where you might've bounced Edi), thus giving us pressure on WAR and/or
>>GAL this season.
>
>Perhaps. MUN-BOH was more pro-Italy, though, and as you correctly guessed,
>also protected against BOH-MUN (just in case).
** Oh, understood. I guess that was my counter last point to _your_
point about not divulging moves. I sensed you being reticent about
options, didn't expect any great divulgings from you, and figured I'd
keep people guessing while I tried to help Italy. Moral of the story:
it's necessary to share ideas.
>
>>I'll help you get a center
>>_anywhere you want_ (which is why I offered Swe-Nwy, to get you into Nth
>>for sure in spring '06...after all, it's still a 50-50 crap shoot if Nth
>>and Clyde bounce over Edinburgh...).
>
>That's true but I think it's worth taking the gamble. I can also move
>BAL-DEN this fall rather than make the DEN convoy if I think I need the
>support into NTH next year. I haven't decided which move is more important
>yet.
** Naturally, it's your call. My only concern is that you seem content
to throw these weak kampfgruppen out east (an offshore fleet and nothing
else) when you say you're concerned about AT. It doesn't really show
that much concern from my bunker. Now, having said THAT, I fully
realize that you have to worry about France (I assume that, of course)
and that you'd like to snuff out any latent Eng threats and start
expanding again. So my opinion is tempered; I just get antsy to see the
cavalry make a line in the sand to AT, is all.
But you'd expect that from me at this stage.
>>** Let's hope that Turkey doesn't read this one. (Any thoughts of
>>writing him, describing what a horrendous pain-the-a** I am -- he'll
>>agree with you -- and then try and offer a mutual deal to take me out,
>>i.e., you go for Swe and Nwy, and support him to Mos in the hopes of
>>seeing T stab A? He might read the fake and do exactly what we don't
>>want...but he might bite in the hopes of getting Mos AND StP and seeing
>>Russia gone....whattya think?)
>
>Hmmm...it might work. I'll test the waters and see how he reacts.
** Again, just a thought. He may see through it right away and support
one of us in there (you, no doubt, so he's have no inland threat AND
still see me go -1). Or he may fall for it completely. Frankly, I
think it has a 30% chance of success (he's just not in position to stab
Edi), but you never know.
>>1) Sweden compensation is agreed on, and if it means leaving Swe
>>sometime soon because you can't get an E or AT (or F?) center, so be it.
>> Just let me know. And the fleet is always ready to sortie to help, if
>>your High Command will let it. But just what *is* a good 'compensation'
>>for Sweden at this stage?
>
>Just what you said. A replacement SC is what I'm looking for but I can't
>point to a specific one at this time becaue things are too fluid. Your
>committment to see that I *do* get the replacement is all I can ask for now.
** Well, my friend, you definitely have that! Just keep talking and
proposing ideas. I've already got my orders in per your / our plans.
let's see what damage we can do. You'll probably raise a few eyebrows
with this plan... heh, heh...
Faz
Private message from Germany to Russia:
>Your moves can easily be painted as either anti-AT
>or anti-R, based on whatever final plans you'd craft.
[...]
>I assumed the worst, and said so.
That's what I meant. You and I tend to do that about each other.
>I was wrong, and you said
>so. And my second note DID say I was sorry.
True enough (and, just in case I've given the wrong impression, all of my
comments are limited to "game" situations...no offense is taken oustide the
game milieu, if, in fact, any is even taken in the game)
I hedged my bets, is all,
>I never expected you to give it to me after all your notes to the
>negative.
Well, it was a difficult decision but, as I said, you convinced me (with a
little help from AT's continued advance). I *did* expect to be offerring
to allow you to move in in the fall as opposed to agreeing to let you stay
there but the result is the same.
>As for Boh: I didn't expect your move there, given that any support for
>Italy to Vienna (had I done so) would've been cut by your move.
It seemed pretty clear to me that you were going to be moving instead of
supporting (plus, I had a pretty good idea of Italy's plans, as well).
>better by a move to SIL (where our bounce would NOT have occurred, and
>where you might've bounced Edi), thus giving us pressure on WAR and/or
>GAL this season.
Perhaps. MUN-BOH was more pro-Italy, though, and as you correctly guessed,
also protected against BOH-MUN (just in case).
>I'll help you get a center
>_anywhere you want_ (which is why I offered Swe-Nwy, to get you into Nth
>for sure in spring '06...after all, it's still a 50-50 crap shoot if Nth
>and Clyde bounce over Edinburgh...).
That's true but I think it's worth taking the gamble. I can also move
BAL-DEN this fall rather than make the DEN convoy if I think I need the
support into NTH next year. I haven't decided which move is more important
yet.
>** Let's hope that Turkey doesn't read this one. (Any thoughts of
>writing him, describing what a horrendous pain-the-a** I am -- he'll
>agree with you -- and then try and offer a mutual deal to take me out,
>i.e., you go for Swe and Nwy, and support him to Mos in the hopes of
>seeing T stab A? He might read the fake and do exactly what we don't
>want...but he might bite in the hopes of getting Mos AND StP and seeing
>Russia gone....whattya think?)
Hmmm...it might work. I'll test the waters and see how he reacts.
>1) Sweden compensation is agreed on, and if it means leaving Swe
>sometime soon because you can't get an E or AT (or F?) center, so be it.
> Just let me know. And the fleet is always ready to sortie to help, if
>your High Command will let it. But just what *is* a good 'compensation'
>for Sweden at this stage?
Just what you said. A replacement SC is what I'm looking for but I can't
point to a specific one at this time becaue things are too fluid. Your
committment to see that I *do* get the replacement is all I can ask for now.
-Pitt
Private message from France to Germany:
Re taking Nth, I was thinking about that. If I were to order both fleets
to hold, both English fleets might go to ground. You could then sail into
an empty Nth from Hel. Chances are, I won't take either center this turn,
so that might be our best option. The only risk is that England does go to
MAO, which means I miss the opportunity to pick up Lon.
Even if England does go to MAO, I'll be okay. At worst, he picks up Por,
but at the price of both his home centers. He can be no more than an
annoyance, and probably not even that. He can see that as well as we can,
so he's likely to cover his home.
What do you think?
Needless to say, Edi is quite disappointed about my failure to hit Venice.
I am still talking with him, but I think I'll be supporting Italy for the
time being.
It will be good when we have England out of the picture so you can move
those armies in Bel and Hol into action on the eastern front.
On to victory!
John
Private message from England to Austria:
Edi's Plan:
I'm game if Pitt is.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Italy to France:
> Message from [email protected] as France to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
>
> Say, just out of curiosity, what kinds of tales is Edi telling you about
> me?
>
> Let me guess: France has been pulling a big scam on Italy. I've finagled
> you into inviting my units in so I could stab you and pick up some easy
> centers. I am really a member of the AT alliance. We have been waiting
> for the first chance to pounce on Germany, once you, E and R are out of
> the way.
>
> But now he's seen new possibilities, and he wants a deal with you to hammer
> France, maybe Turkey as well.
>
> Something like that?
That's pretty much exactly right. He knows that for A/T to win, they
will
have to break the F/G alliance somehow before a stalemate line is set up
and he sees you as someone who will be likely to waver in the alliance.
That's one of the reasons he is so friendly right now. Well, that and
the fact that my stubbornness is pissing him off... grin.
Cal
Private message from France to Italy:
Say, just out of curiosity, what kinds of tales is Edi telling you about
me?
Let me guess: France has been pulling a big scam on Italy. I've finagled
you into inviting my units in so I could stab you and pick up some easy
centers. I am really a member of the AT alliance. We have been waiting
for the first chance to pounce on Germany, once you, E and R are out of
the way.
But now he's seen new possibilities, and he wants a deal with you to hammer
France, maybe Turkey as well.
Something like that?
Private message from Russia to France:
>Actually, Tsar, I had thought you might prefer vacation time in Vienna to
>Munich. Wrong time of year for Munich, non?
>
>Jean de France
Indeed it is a bad time, my Liege. That's why I included you in the
reply to Edi, in the event he got antsy and passed something to Germany.
After FINALLY getting into Sweden and obtaining some future promises of
cooperation, the last thing I need is Edi to muck it up by
cutting-and-pasting a phony message to Pitt. Keeping you on the distro
is my reserve, should proof ever be needed of good intent (until you
'accidentally' delete it, of course...)
Notice that my press tried to be sarcastic to Edi, in that he's
'promising' things that aren't his, and not returning things he stole
from me in the first place. Count on NO westward regression by me. (Of
course, if Italy keeps supporting you and not me, I won't get Vienna,
either... grin.)
Here's to solidity vs AT!
Tsar faz
Private message from France to Italy:
What's your thinking on the tactics? What role do you see for A Boh?
Private message from France to Russia:
Actually, Tsar, I had thought you might prefer vacation time in Vienna to
Munich. Wrong time of year for Munich, non?
Jean de France
Private message from Russia to Austria:
DarkestLord
The travel arrangements of course seem tempting; your travel agency
always does a nice job of packaging these offers.
However, before I book any fares on your airline, I was wondering if I
couldn't do a quick Pitt Stop (no pun intended) in my (former) terminal
of Warsaw -- you know, sort of a nice Austrian gesture of sincerity.
Heaven knows it's hard to run an airline these days with AT in three of
my four terminals. And, well, with Sweden back in my hands (and Turkey
backing your hands!), it might sweeten the pot to know that folks care
about long-term cooperative efforts.
I'm sure King Jean also has unease at the apparent "monopoly of travel"
that AirEdi and AirHohn have been doing, and feels equally desirous to
see some Eastern Goodwill before we would *ever* consider to do any
Western Badwill. Si?
Tsar Faz
In Exile and Waiting to Go Home
Private message from Austria to France:
Russia/France
Well it seems that we are collecting tourist these days. You have noticed
that the Fall Fest at Munich is a great attraction for tourists who like to
support themselves for a good time.
This would have the only possibility for preserving the Russian presence in
the future press wars and would be a nice conclusion to the extended southern
wandering of the Russian Bohemians.
Your mutual cooperation in this manner is requested and we look forward to
your confirmation that exit visas from Austrian territory can be issued
immediately.
Regards,
BirSauron/Dark Tours Unlimited.
Private message from Italy to France:
> Message from [email protected] as France to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
>
> I don't have any worries about Germany at the moment . I don't think he's
> eager to have France for an enemy just yet. I don't think he'd hit > Tyrolia just to mess me up. What gives you such misgivings?
Well, Pitt has been "promising" to help against Edi since the very first
year and has yet to do anything constructive. In fact, he has been
downright wishy washy on the subject. When I combine that with Edi's
claim that Pitt has been on line with him (Edi) since the start of the
game, I start wondering. Maybe I'm just alarmed by exactly how MUCH
damage could be done with that army in Munich. He's likely to get
another build this year too. If it wasn't for the fact that YOU aren't
in a position to make an enemy of him, I'd almost want you and Russia to
take Munich this turn. Too bad it isn't feasible...
> In any event, I appreciate your word of caution re moving to Piedmont.
> You are right on that, I think.
I was also worried about your army in Tyrolia having a place to retreat
given any perfidy on Pitt's part. Have to plan for junk like that,
y'know... :)
> I'll order gol-tys. I had ordered gol-wes, as you'd suggested earlier.
> I'm not ready to concede the Med to AT, either. I might gain a fleet, and
> even now it's 4 v. 4.
Glad to see we're on the same wavelength. I was wondering though, if
you see the future of the game in the same light as I do? I think our
only chance of doing well is to stick together and force the others to
deal with us as a single power bloc. With the board position as it is,
I see it as an obvious case of "together we stand. divide we fall".
Comments?
Regards,
Cal
Private message from France to Italy:
I don't have any worries about Germany at the moment . I don't think he's
eager to have France for an enemy just yet. I don't think he'd hit Tyrolia
just to mess me up. What gives you such misgivings?
In any event, I appreciate your word of caution re moving to Piedmont. You
are right on that, I think.
I'll order gol-tys. I had ordered gol-wes, as you'd suggested earlier.
I'm not ready to concede the Med to AT, either. I might gain a fleet, and
even now it's 4 v. 4.
Private message from Italy to France:
John:
Here's the followup letter I promised you.
What is your current relationship with Germany? It seems to be one of
cautious optimism. I have real concerns that he may be working with
either of A/T (in the long run that is) and can't be trusted to do
anything to really help us. The worries I expressed about A Mun hitting
your army in Tyrolia are quite real. What is your impression?
If the opportunity presents itself, presumably after England and Russia
are gone, will you be willing to attack him? I think that if you and I
stick together as a real bloc, we will be able to really dictate the
balance of power in the game. Comments?
Please get back to me as soon as you can.
Regards
Cal
Private message from Italy to Russia:
Mark: Got some mail from Pitt asking me what I'd like to see from him.
Basically, I told him I'd like to see him get off his ass and help out
against Edi. It'll be fun to read his reply.
I think Pitt is hoping to wait until all us little guys are gone and
then he and Hohn will take out Edi and race to 18 (or a two-way). That
would explain why he doesn't want to do anything to upset Edi right now
- he doesn't want to tip his hand while there are others around who
could conceivably take advantage of the situation. I told him that in
hopes of getting him to do something to help us. Who knows? Maybe he
will.
What did you want to do with A Boh? I assume you got the letter I sent
to you and France. I meant it when I said that if you want to try for
Vienna, I'll support you. Let me know.
Regards!
Cal
Private message from Italy to Germany:
> Message from [email protected] as Germany to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
> Russia's innuendo filled message notwithstanding, I am still very much
> concerned about AT (and, in particular, A). My MUN-BOH order was made in
> the hope that I woud take BOH on the slight chance that Russia's BOH-VIE
> order succeeded. The idea was to get another friendly unit alongside
> Austrian SC's. I didn't really expect it to work but I figured it couldn't
> hurt.
>
> Anyway, I will continue to try to get into position to further the cause.
> Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to see.
You know what I'd like to see? Some firm, aggressive moves against Edi
that
let me know exactly where you stand. So far, you haven't done anything
to
make me disbelieve Edi's claim that you have been part of HIS team since
S'01. While I'm not as paranoid as Mark (heh heh, thank God), I am
still
very concerned by the apparent lack of interest on your part to stopping
the A/T juggernaut. I know you're aware that, in any two-on-two
situation
(here I'm assuming a F/G vs A/T), the duo that crosses the stalemate
line
first wins all the time (barring internal stabs). You haven't tried to
take
advantage of the fact that I can slow A/T down very seriously for
another
one-and-a-half to two years. Instead of farting around against Russia,
you
should be trying to sweep across central Europe to engage Austria in a
fight
for position, ESPECIALLY while I'm around to help run interference.
Near as I can tell, the only reason you could have for waiting until the
minor powers (currently me, England, France & Russia) are goneis that
you
have some kind of long range deal with Turkey. When the little guys are
toast, you two crush Edi and race to 18. Pretty decent plan, but I bet
I can organize us "little guys" long enough for that to not happen. You
won't be able to afford to sit around doing nothing without tipping your
hand to Edi.
Of course, I could be totally wrong. In which case, never mind...
(grin).
However, I don't think I am. Regardless, I'd say it's time for you to
show me
your intentions towards Austria.
Regards!
Cal
Private message from Italy to France:
> Message from [email protected] as France to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
>
> Say, just out of curiosity, what kinds of tales is Edi telling you about
> me?
>
> Let me guess: France has been pulling a big scam on Italy. I've finagled
> you into inviting my units in so I could stab you and pick up some easy
> centers. I am really a member of the AT alliance. We have been waiting
> for the first chance to pounce on Germany, once you, E and R are out of
> the way.
>
> But now he's seen new possibilities, and he wants a deal with you to hammer
> France, maybe Turkey as well.
>
> Something like that?
Funny, I already answered this one once, but it came back as unsendable.
Anyway, you have it pretty much on the head. Although Edi hasn't
mentioned
you much, he has maintained that you will inevitably pounce on my
"weakness".
I have told him that you're obviously going to realize that I'm your
best
ally/buffer in the Med.
ttyl
Cal
Private message from Italy to Russia:
> Message from [email protected] as France to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
>
> What's your thinking on the tactics? What role do you see for A Boh?
I'm sending this note to both of you, so we can get together on what
moves we want to make. I'll also send follow-up notes to each of you
after. No objections, I hope. Let me know if there are. I'm not
trying to double deal (yeah, as if, with MY position...grin), it's
just that some aspects of the situation are of interest to one and
not the other.
My feelings on tactics? My feeling is that I wish I could get IBM's
chess computer to look at them for me.
Here's a few thoughts:
- A/T's priorities are taking: 1) Trieste and 2) the Ionian.
- minor priorities/concerns for A/T are: 1) protecting Vienna and
2) covering Warsaw.
- they have four units on Trieste and three on the Ionian
- we have three supports on Trieste, but will Munich cut the support
from Tyrolia? I see this as a real danger. John, what's your
feeling on this? You talk to Pitt more than the rest of us.
- I wonder if a gamble of A Tri-Vie, s by A Tyo & A Boh would work?
- I don't see any way to get Mark into Vienna as I'm assuming Tri
will be cut and Gal will support Vie. I'm willing to try if you
guys think otherwise. Mark stands a chance of being eliminated
if we don't.
- I think we will have to cede the Ionian to A/T in a turn or two
regardless of anything else that happens. I'd be in favour of
having F Lyo move to the Tyrrhenian THIS turn. I'll move Tyn to
Naples and let Ion retreat to Tunis if necessary. Comments?
- as a summary of tactics, here is my current suggestion:
F: F Lyo-Tyn; A Tyo s A Tri-Vie
I: A Tri-Vie; A Ven-Tri; F Adr s A Ven-Tri; F Ion-Adr; F Tyn-Nap
R: A Vie s A Tri-Vie
Notes: John, I don't want you to move to Piedmont as I don't think
you should leave your homeland with only one army to defend it.
Mark, as I said, if you think we'd have a better chance of success
by supporting YOU to Vienna, I have no problem with it. I just want
to make sure we can do something offensive-minded this turn. We'll
be falling back into stalemate-mode all too soon as it is.
Comments? Suggestions?
Cal
Private message from Russia to Austria:
Edi:
Just an addendum to what I sent about earlier...
You are very, very good at getting others to do your dirty work: me
hitting Turkey, urging me on vs E and G, etc etc. ironic as it seems,
though, now that I'm at 3 -- and a potentially stable 3, may I add -- I
actually am in a better position to hurt you *now* as a weakling, than
when we could've been equals. If Germany accedes to my requests for
SWE, then a northern stalemate line is formed, and France bottles up the
south. I get to keep BOH as a rogue, and even the center becomes
problematic for you -- witness that one central unit tying down your
War/Gal, Vie, and Bud for lo these many turns.
In that event, either I get stabbed by a German (in collusion with Hohn,
probably), or we hold the line and Hohn eventually stabs you (probably
in cahoots with a F hit of I). Either way, YOU are the exposed ally of
the AT confederation, faced now with a wall to its front, and the
prospects for a restless Turk in your rear.
You see what I mean about having a quasi-advantageous position right
now? Tiny little Russia....
Unless you figure a way to honestly deal -- and that includes returning
WAR to me -- you're on your own with the bed you chose to lie in.
Good luck, amigo. I'll take my chances as they stand. It's starting to
get fun watching the board "ferment."
Faz
Private message from Russia to Austria:
>I have tried to get a hold of you but to no avail.
** I'm sorry you couldn't; when did you try to reach me? My wife said
nothing about a call.
> I am rather curious if you
>are going to go for the sure thing at Munich or not.
** The "sure thing?" What do you know that I don't? What about
Warsaw? Should we just shrug that off and add it to Rum and Mos?
Faz
Private message from Austria to Russia:
I have tried to get a hold of you but to no avail. I am rather curious if you
are going to go for the sure thing at Munich or not.
Edi
Private message from England to Austria:
Edi,
I haven't heard a word from Pitt. He is just not paying much attention to
the game, I think. Ironic that he's winning. (Well, insofar as there is
such thing as being the leader in Diplomacy.) I'm not sure that anyone is
paying as much attention as I would be if I were still in real contention.
Maybe you and Hohn are, but up here in my sphere there is almost no talk,
nor has there been for most of the game. And I don't think Cal is doing
much diploming either. It's kind of a shame, considering the intent and
nature of the game. With lots of talk and sneaky plans, I think I'd have a
much better chance of getting myself back in it. Still not *much* chance,
but with things as they are I see John just continuing on his stolid course
of action, and Pitt just continuing to move conservatively to consolidate
the fragments of Scandinavia. Oh well.
I don't think I'll order my fleet to Norway if I hear nothing from Pitt
about it. I *might*, but probably not.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Germany to France:
>Re taking Nth, I was thinking about that. If I were to order both fleets
>to hold, both English fleets might go to ground. You could then sail into
>an empty Nth from Hel. Chances are, I won't take either center this turn,
>so that might be our best option. The only risk is that England does go to
>MAO, which means I miss the opportunity to pick up Lon.
True. You might be better off just trying for one of his home SC's in the
hopes that you outguess him. Odds are, if he's even thinking of taking the
risk of any aggressive action he will leave LON uncovered in order to gat
to MAO. So, if you go for LON, you may bounce but you will be bouncing ENG
and not NTH.
>Needless to say, Edi is quite disappointed about my failure to hit Venice.
>I am still talking with him, but I think I'll be supporting Italy for the
>time being.
I think that's a good idea, though I wouldn't have felt comfortable raising
the issue if you hadn't done so first. By propping Italy up, you slow down
the AT advance and ensure that Italy will get more and more out of position
against you while you get the perfect ecuse for snuggling up to his centers.
>It will be good when we have England out of the picture so you can move
>those armies in Bel and Hol into action on the eastern front.
You bet. I expect to be on the receiving end of some aggressive action
from Turkey (and possibly Austria) in the near future. Those armies would
be a great help if they were further east.
-Pitt
Hi folks. Sorry for my silence the last few days, but I've been
quite busy. With the long weekend coming here in Canada, eh?, I'll
have some time tomorrow to catch up on my mail.
Cheers
Cal
Private message from England to Turkey:
>I actually think you aren't quite squashed yet. I think Edi's
>plan is a good one, and that hopefully you can convince Pitt to
>move against France very soon. With luck, France will move for
>position and you will build.
It will take a *lot* of luck. But, sure, it's possible.
The thing is, if Germany were preparing to invade France, I presume that he
would not like Edi's plan so much, since it allows France to gain a unit
(in effect, at Russia's expense, since I would take Nwy and let France
enter Edinburgh). Too bad, since it really does look like France is ripe
for invading, with at least two of his units committed to the south, and
maybe three, and another two or three tied up against me. Well, we'll see.
>As for stabs, I don't plan on stabbing Edi this turn, FYI. Make
>of it what you will.
Right. Well, I suppose the best scenario for me, anyway, would be to have
you and Edi stick together in the south, Germany take command in the north,
and then I'd play some sort of spoiler role in the ending. To have all of
Edi's attention turned toward avenging a Turkish stab would leave Germany's
hands a bit *too* free for my survival chances.
>Good luck!
Thanks.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Russia to Italy:
Guys, here's my initial reply to Cal's note (thanks for writing)!
>My feelings on tactics? My feeling is that I wish I could get IBM's
>chess computer to look at them for me.
** I'd even let Kasparov look over my moves, if I thought they'd help
me!
>
>Here's a few thoughts:
>
>- A/T's priorities are taking: 1) Trieste and 2) the Ionian.
>
>- minor priorities/concerns for A/T are: 1) protecting Vienna and
> 2) covering Warsaw.
>
>- they have four units on Trieste and three on the Ionian
>
>- we have three supports on Trieste, but will Munich cut the support
> from Tyrolia? I see this as a real danger. John, what's your
> feeling on this? You talk to Pitt more than the rest of us.
** Everything depends on the German's attitude. He seems grudgingly
inclined to let me live up north, if only to buttress HIS lines up there
and prevent AT movement. If he hits Tyo and screws up his (nominal?)
ally's unit, then it's safe to say he's in utter cahoots with AT, and
that should be our wake-up call.
Quite frankly, he may hold in MUN (or hit BOH again), to "prevent me
from going to MUN" (or because he wants to keep his Edi options open
(i.e., nothing provocative to SIL). I see that as more likely than a hit
on TYO.
>
>- I wonder if a gamble of A Tri-Vie, s by A Tyo & A Boh would work?
** never hurts to try. I had seriously intended Boh-GAL this turn,
figuring Edi would go GAL-WAR, or at least GAL-VIE (WAR S).
>
>- I don't see any way to get Mark into Vienna as I'm assuming Tri
> will be cut and Gal will support Vie.
** I agree.
> I'm willing to try if you
> guys think otherwise. Mark stands a chance of being eliminated
> if we don't.
** Yes and no. I can support you, as Pitt may hold in MUN. If Edi uses
his two to hit BOH, I can always retreat to SIL. One oprovince there
will be open for me a s a retreat, regardles, although me in GAL has
advantages....especially if you guys can help me convince Pitt to let me
keep three units (i e hold onto SWE)!
>
>- I think we will have to cede the Ionian to A/T in a turn or two
> regardless of anything else that happens. I'd be in favour of
> having F Lyo move to the Tyrrhenian THIS turn. I'll move Tyn to
> Naples and let Ion retreat to Tunis if necessary. Comments?
** I too see this as the logical move. The front is thus solidified for
most of the south.
The big problem will be the 'creeping" moves along the Alb/Adr/Apu
coastlines, coupled with an Italian center loss. I mean, even if you
get VIE, the advantage in that is not position for you, but denying Edi
builds -- and thus perhaps further enticing Turkey to stab. If you lose
TRi and go -1, then the problem comes in a few game turns: Units are in
TUN, TYS, NAP and ADR, and you have to cover APU against a convoy/sail
there, as well as any moves they make to hit ADR. I see Edi as
supporting Hohn this turn to ION, this giving them that ALb unit as
cover.
If it were me, I would at least *consider* the desperate move of TRI-ALB
(ADR S), in the hopes that Eme or Aeg take ION. If that happens, you
stand the chance of annihilating Edi's F ALB, thus reducing the
longer-temr threat to the Italian heel.
If you guys are content to hit VIE, then in all seriousness I would
suggest France's Mar-Apu (via convoys), or at least as far as TUS.
Untilate destination: APU. I'm sure you both think me mad for such a
suggestion -- Italy because it allows the potential fox in the
henhouse," France because it sends a defense unit halfway across the
continent for a dubious, long-term defense. But short of an Itaoian
gain/stabilization, we need one more unit down there to hold the
coastline. Again, GERMANY is the key to it all. If F/G are in
lockstep, then John and Pitt are gonna hose us all in the long run,
let's face it. If F/G are doubtful, then France has the capabilities of
building from English centers; especially with Germany "maybe" going -1
this turn and not getting into England proper until 1907.
The small "gnat's ass" for France, however, might be England! If Jamie
plays reckless, he could go to MAO this turn, covering one home center,
giving John the other, and then playing Mao as a surface raider along
the French coastline for the remainder of the game. Again, SMALL threat
potentuial, but something to be recognized.
>
>- as a summary of tactics, here is my current suggestion:
>
>F: F Lyo-Tyn; A Tyo s A Tri-Vie
>I: A Tri-Vie; A Ven-Tri; F Adr s A Ven-Tri; F Ion-Adr; F Tyn-Nap
>R: A Vie s A Tri-Vie
>
>Notes: John, I don't want you to move to Piedmont as I don't think
>you should leave your homeland with only one army to defend it.
>Mark, as I said, if you think we'd have a better chance of success
>by supporting YOU to Vienna, I have no problem with it.
** And as I've said, I can support you tere, OR I can go to GAL as
planned. You tell me what you want done with it after you've read over
this (and any other) F/R missives, Cal, and give me your final
'druthers, and I'll do it.
Good hunting, men!
faz
Private message from Turkey to England:
Jamie,
> Have you been in touch with Kaiser Pitt? Because I was just thinking,
> looking at the board (in an abstract, disinterested way with no practical
> implications for myself, of course), and it seems to me that if you each
> stabbed your biggest neighbor right now, it would be awfully hard to stop
> you. But maybe I'm mistaken. You'd have to count on Italy's continuing
> engagement with Austria, of course.
> As you must have noticed, Dorothy has dropped a house on your old sister
> witch up here in this corner. Be careful lest she pour water on your head.
I actually think you aren't quite squashed yet. I think Edi's
plan is a good one, and that hopefully you can convince Pitt to
move against France very soon. With luck, France will move for
position and you will build.
As for stabs, I don't plan on stabbing Edi this turn, FYI. Make
of it what you will.
Good luck!
Hohn
Private message from Germany to France:
John,
FYI, Edi's at it again. He has brokered a deal including me, Turkey,
England and him that will result in Russia's elimination this year. While
I'm all for that (he's been a constant pain to me), I'd prefer not to see
England gain NOR, which is part of the deal. So, I'm going to renege on my
promised support for NTH-NOR. I'll order SKA-NOR instead whcih will
preventEngland from taking it (though it has the unfortunate side effect of
keeping Russia alive...)
I'm passing this along to you because, assuming that England is serious
about trying for NOR (which I believe he is), EDI will be unprotected.
It's important that you take at least one English SC this year so that he
can be easily eliminated next year.
Hope this is useful to you.
-Pitt
Private message from Italy to Russia:
> Message from [email protected] as Russia to France and Italy in
> 'ghodstoo':
> ** Everything depends on the German's attitude. He seems grudgingly
> inclined to let me live up north, if only to buttress HIS lines up there
> and prevent AT movement. If he hits Tyo and screws up his (nominal?)
> ally's unit, then it's safe to say he's in utter cahoots with AT, and
> that should be our wake-up call.
I'm GUESSING that hitting Tyo won't be worth tipping his hand, but I
can't shake this paranoid feeling. John doesn't think this likely
though,
so I'll try to stop worrying...
> Quite frankly, he may hold in MUN (or hit BOH again), to "prevent me
> from going to MUN" (or because he wants to keep his Edi options open
> (i.e., nothing provocative to SIL). I see that as more likely than a hit
> on TYO.
"Makes sense..." he said worriedly.
> >- I wonder if a gamble of A Tri-Vie, s by A Tyo & A Boh would work?
>
> ** never hurts to try. I had seriously intended Boh-GAL this turn,
> figuring Edi would go GAL-WAR, or at least GAL-VIE (WAR S).
> ** Yes and no. I can support you, as Pitt may hold in MUN. If Edi uses
> his two to hit BOH, I can always retreat to SIL. One oprovince there
> will be open for me a s a retreat, regardles, although me in GAL has
> advantages....especially if you guys can help me convince Pitt to let me
> keep three units (i e hold onto SWE)!
Okay, I'll order a tri-vie with the two of you supporting. John, if you
can't do this PLEASE let me know by deadline time so I can change my
orders.
> >- I think we will have to cede the Ionian to A/T in a turn or two
> > regardless of anything else that happens. I'd be in favour of
> > having F Lyo move to the Tyrrhenian THIS turn. I'll move Tyn to
> > Naples and let Ion retreat to Tunis if necessary. Comments?
>
> ** I too see this as the logical move. The front is thus solidified for
> most of the south.
>
> The big problem will be the 'creeping" moves along the Alb/Adr/Apu
> coastlines, coupled with an Italian center loss. I mean, even if you
> get VIE, the advantage in that is not position for you, but denying Edi
> builds -- and thus perhaps further enticing Turkey to stab. If you lose
> TRi and go -1, then the problem comes in a few game turns: Units are in
> TUN, TYS, NAP and ADR, and you have to cover APU against a convoy/sail
> there, as well as any moves they make to hit ADR. I see Edi as
> supporting Hohn this turn to ION, this giving them that ALb unit as
> cover.
Agreed. We'll be in a guessing game for a while, I would imagine.
> If it were me, I would at least *consider* the desperate move of TRI-ALB
> (ADR S), in the hopes that Eme or Aeg take ION. If that happens, you
> stand the chance of annihilating Edi's F ALB, thus reducing the
> longer-temr threat to the Italian heel.
I don't think we need to resort to desperation tactics just yet. With
the units and position we have now, we can make A/T fight for every
inch.
We can hold them to one space a season or so, we can kill all their
momentum. After that, anything can happen.
> If you guys are content to hit VIE, then in all seriousness I would
> suggest France's Mar-Apu (via convoys), or at least as far as TUS.
> Ultimate destination: APU. I'm sure you both think me mad for such a
> suggestion -- Italy because it allows the potential fox in the
> henhouse," France because it sends a defense unit halfway across the
> continent for a dubious, long-term defense. But short of an Italian
> gain/stabilization, we need one more unit down there to hold the
> coastline. Again, GERMANY is the key to it all. If F/G are in
> lockstep, then John and Pitt are gonna hose us all in the long run,
> let's face it. If F/G are doubtful, then France has the capabilities of
> building from English centers; especially with Germany "maybe" going -1
> this turn and not getting into England proper until 1907.
I would have no problem with a French unit in Apu, but I don't consider
this good tactics. For one, it wouldn't get the needed French fleet any
closer to the front and second, it would leave John with only one unit
defending his home land.
> The small "gnat's ass" for France, however, might be England! If Jamie
> plays reckless, he could go to MAO this turn, covering one home center,
> giving John the other, and then playing Mao as a surface raider along
> the French coastline for the remainder of the game. Again, SMALL threat
> potential, but something to be recognized.
Let's deal with that once/if it happens.
> ** And as I've said, I can support you there, OR I can go to GAL as
> planned. You tell me what you want done with it after you've read over
> this (and any other) F/R missives, Cal, and give me your final
> 'druthers, and I'll do it.
See above. :)
Regards, and please get those order changes asap. Ta
Cal
Private message from Master to Master:
This is a commentary that the GM wishes to put into the game record.
For what it's worth.....
Pitt has a relatively crucial decision to make this turn. It looks
like he has decided (as of this instant) to put Russia out of the
game and (effectively) to put England out of the game (by pushing
France to take Edinburgh).
This will leave the board with five players and with Edi and Hohn
moving a little farther than they would under Mark's plan. Whether
this additional gain on their part is important depends upon what
Jamie's reaction is once this move "goes down" (i.e. will Norway
be a puppet to Germany) and on Hohn and Edi's skill in exploiting
it. This game could very quickly lock up into a five way draw
or there could be more play in it. Germany's reaction to the
attack on Vienna also is important. If Pitt cuts either Mark's
or John's support, Vienna will not fall. If it does fall, then
Edi's problems continue.
It is still the GM's opinion that Pitt's inability to negotiate
during the crucial season last year has indirectly led to this
locked up position. Without Germany as an active negotiator,
the anti-AT alliance could not form fully.
I make this (rare) comment to the game record because I see
this season as so crucial. What will Pitt do????
Jim
Private message from England to Austria:
Ok, I've ordered Nth-Nwy.
Gentle King Jamie
I've been buried lately, so I thought I'd just drop a hello into
the mix (along with a gentle reminder that the deadline is tonight)
just so you didn't think I abandoned you.
Your buried GM
Jim
Yes, Hohn is right, I (and I'm sure Edi and John too) did mean we'd like to
see shorter deadlines (NEXT parameter); I don't think anyone was chastizing
Pitt or complaining about any particular postponement.
-Jamie
Retreats
Private message from France to Germany:
Pitt, sorry I did not respond sooner. I was out of town for a couple
of days. I have ordered both fleets to move on England's centers. If
he does anything but cover, he's lost one.
John
--Cyberdog-AltBoundary-000115A5
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
10Geneva=
signon fghodstoo tanner
press to g
Pitt, sorry I did not respond sooner. I was out of town for a couple
of days. I have ordered both fleets to move on England's centers. If
he does anything but cover, he's lost one.
John
Private message from France to Italy:
Sorry I did not get back to you sooner. I was out of town, thinking I
might access a computer somewhere. Anyway, a tyrolia s a trieste - vienna
is in.
Best of luck.
Jean de France
We are having some technical difficulties getting the Judge to process
the moves. if you receive this message it probably means that
things are resolved and the results will be out shortly.
Thanks for your patience,
Jim
Italy: Army Venice -> Trieste. (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Trieste -> Vienna.
Italy: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Venice. (*void*)
Hmm..those sailors must have been a little confused. :)
Rick
Just FYI, note that the builds and removals.... and you all have some....
are due on Monday which is Memorial Day in the US (Cal already has
celebrated his holiday for the month). If you are going away from
your computer, get those adjustments in today. I won't extend the
deadline since if you're reading this message you should be able
to submit your adjustment (this in the spirit expressed by some
that builds should be able to be submitted without much negotiation).
Thanks and have a great weekend!!!!
Jim
I am a little confused on the issue of Judge handlings of retreats.
I received a notice about my retreat but it was not complete in that it
does not mention the Russian Fleet Sweden. Is it that the Judge does not
report a decline in retreat?
Edi Birsan
[email protected]
Web: www.mgames.com
Midnight Games
541-772-7872
Private message from Turkey to Italy:
Cal,
Sigh. Well, it looks like I have to stab Edi now. Good job on
the guessing.
I think it would be in your best interest (and most definitely in
mine :) ) to build an army rather than a fleet. I promise you
that I will build an army, that I will divide Edi up with you,
and that I will get the hell out of ION immediately (probably
into GRE). If you build a fleet, though, I'll have to reconsider
my plans, unfortunately.
I suspect you will be wary of my proposal, but please look at the
board from my perspective. If you disagree with me, and believe
that Edi is _not_ crying out to be stabbed now in light of the
circumstances, then by all means, build a fleet and let's
continue to duke it out. But if you're interested, please let me
know. I'll also be more than willing to consider any reasonable
modifications to the general plan, of course.
Take care,
Hohn
Private message from Italy to Austria:
Well, you ASKED me to leave Trieste...
:)
Private message from Italy to Russia:
Hi guys!
Well, that turn went fairly well. Turkey's in the Ionian, but we took
Vienna and have a chance to keep it AND Trieste. If we can manage to
guess right again, we can make quite a dent in Austria.
Looks like this will be your last turn Mark, but I think you were
expecting that. Would you mind doing us one last favour before
death do us part? (I don't see any likely way to get you a centre;
if you have any ideas, let us know)
Here's my best suggestion for mutual tactics:
F: F Tyn-Ion; A Tyo s A Ven-Tri
I: (Retreat f Ion-Tun) A Ven-Tri, s by A Vie;
F Adr-Alb; F Nap & F Tun s F Tyn-Ion
R: A Boh-Gal (finally, eh? grin)
I think they'll be expecting us to simply support in place in an effort
to hold both centres. I'm betting Hohn will use Ion to hit Adriatic, so
using that fleet to hit Albania will (I hope) be unexpected.
Anybody have any suggestions?
Cal
Private message from England to France:
M. Jean,
It's official: I've now lost count of how many times I've been double-crossed.
But I reckon you've done it the least of all my neighbors, so I will
keep my F Nth and take orders from you. If you want to take London next
year, it's all yours; if you want to keep my fleet on as a puppet, I'd
appreciate it.
Yours in surrender,
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from England to Austria:
No doubt Pitt will say he just got careless and forgot to change his
orders, or something like that.
I guess he prefers to have Russia keep that one remaining unit in *your*
hair, and to give France another unit to use against you and Hohn. I can't
think of any other explanation. If he wanted Norway for himself, he could
have just told me to go protect Edinburgh; then *Germany* would add a unit,
Russia would be out, and France and I would remain at our old strengths. In
effect he gave up the build to Russia, and redistributed a center from me
to France!
Some games nothing goes right. :)
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from England to Germany:
Geez, Pitt. You'd rather have France in Edinburgh and Russia owning Norway,
than *you* owning Norway and me owning Edinburgh?
You won't even help me *puppet* for you.
Ah, well. I'll see if France wants my services, then. What tiny remaining
ones I can offer.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Russia to France:
John
Do you see the board as I do? the more I stare at it, the more I think
you may need to "pre-empt" Pitt.
The facts:
1) He has done NOTHING to prevent ANY AT encroachment westward, and,
mysteriously, they've done nothing to harm him.
2) When a stalemate line could've been done up north with my guys in
'perpetual hold,' thus saving troops for the SIL/BOH/PRU corridor, Pitt
opts to overextend himself and stab me. besides proving himself just
as sleazy as A/T, he now leaves himself exposed in STP...UNLESS he has a
grand plan????
3) Speaking of grand plans, look at his unit disposition. Where are SWE
and DEN going? What's he building? He has a heavy "westward 'lean'" to
him, it seems to me. And if he decides to lean your way, then he and
his buds completely flank the south and do the big "right hoom through
Paris" routine, a la 1914.
I know you have no desire to help England, and you probably could give a
fig about me (let's forget that shifting from your borders that I pulled
off regarding E/I; won't even mention it -grin-). But those western
armies of his, and his build, and the extra fleets -- where do the GO
once England and I are gone?
If it were me (and it's not, I realize), I'd offer Eng amnesty if he
removes Channel. I'd ask him to keep NTH, support me to MUN, and build
yourself A Paris....going Par S Mar-Mun, Bre-Pic, Wal-Ech, and watching
Pittnget hit from three sides (E, F and R) and implode "just a little."
You may ask yourself if that's wise, given you're knee-deep vs A/T now.
but you can't stab Cal without opening up the sluice gates to the A/T
tide (you'd be next), and if you DON'T handle Pitt, he'll be in the
vanguard now when they come west....
besides, if you DO hit him, you can make peace with the Turk, and the
two of you can kill Pitt and watch I/T kill Edi (before you kill Cal).
See how simple it all is?
Please consider my words, even if only fleetingly, King Jean. And that
support to MUn sure would be appreciated....
Tsar Faz
Hopeful but Not Holding My Breath
Private message from Russia to England:
GKJ
Even though it was never your intent, I thank you for your bounce in
Norway. The German has proven himself *more than* the "equal" of Hohn
and Edi this game, so your bounce at least gives me one last defiant
shot at MUN (should France help me, which, admittedly, he probably won't
be prone to do).
I'm disgusted. Disgusted with the bald-faced lies (not even
sugar-coated!) of Pitt, Edi and Hohn; disgusted that the heavy writers
this game (you, me and Cal) are screwed, and -- obviously -- disgusted
with my own play (SUCKER!) and the lack of help I gave you. Well, water
under the bridge at this stage.
I've had it with PBEM. I find that my persona has become TOO
"game-involved" when I get behind a keyboard, and I find little time to
savor either the few good moves or, more frequently, these visible
pummelings. Pressure at work doesn't help much, time-wise. I'm glad I
met you and got to see the 'ghods' in action, but quite honestly, I'm a
troglodyte stuck in the snail-mail motif for the long-term, and I think
I'll slink back that way very soon ... a kindler, gentler breed of liars
in the mail hobby, and probably "more my speed."
I'm sorry the game didn't work well for you, Jamie.
PS) Would've expected you to perhaps do Nth-Lon and Eng-Mao, leaving
Iberia open for raiding...or supporting A/T from behind. Not that I
clump you in with the liars and cheats this game (i.e., you hurting
Cal), but for survival and remaining options, it might've been a good
one to try. (Of course, I'm a fine one to give advice...)
Tsar Faz
Penny-wise, Pound-Foolish
Private message from Russia to France:
John:
Once again, no one intends to keep their word about anything this game.
I'm resigned to death. But before I go, please answer this for me (yes
or no, please; no waffling).
Will you support my A Boh-MUN and allow me to continue to work with F/I
as a puppet?
I've been lied to by nearly every one of my neighbors, and now it comes
down to you. No funny business, please. If you will, please let know
and I'll make the moves. If you won't, TELL ME and I'll move on; no
hard feelings.
Tsar Faz
Tired of This
Private message from France to England:
Gentlemen,
You have both offered to assist France's cause in the coming years of our
tragic conflict. I am appreciative of the offers. I applaud your
persistence against great odds. I must also confess to a bit of
nervousness. Excellent players such as you can turn a desperate situation
into a winning hand, and so I fear that abetting your survival might come
back to haunt me. Nonetheless, I am inclined to accept your offers.
The Tsar has provided with me a most trenchant analysis of the situation.
He may wish to share it with England. In any event, the way I see it is
that the builds and the Spring turn will tell all. If Germany is in fact
allied with AT, now is the time he must strike against me. Thus, any build
other than A Berlin augurs badly for France. More importantly, he would
have to move toward me in the Spring. Both of you will be alive then. If
Germany attacks me, I pledge all my efforts to keep you alive. If Germany
does not, then we will review the situation. I won't foreclose any options
at this point, but I can't pledge support in that event. We shall see.
This is the best I can do for the moment. You have both said that you are
willing to work with me because I have been, if not entirely forthcoming,
not blatantly dishonest like the others. In that spirit, I have tried to
be as candid as possible.
Best of luck.
Jean de France
Private message from France to Germany:
Pitt,
The game has reached a turning point. You have finally turned aside all
the threats. I have all but eliminated England and eased my way into a
commanding position re Italy. It seems we've accomplished what we set out
to do many turns ago. Now we have to cash in. How do we do that?
I think, first, that I have to continue supporting Italy. We stand chance
of winning against AT. Our chances will go way up if you can now start
pressuring them on land. I hope you will build A Ber, in preparation for a
move east. I can probably remove England from NTH this year, freeing up
your other armies.
In the long run, TGF can defeat AT, and then you and I can cut Italy down
to size. Then we'd be into the end game, both as dominant powers. I'll
take it.
Needless to say, I found Turkey's support for your capture of STP quite
interesting. As you might guess, others are pointing to it as proof that
you are allied with AT, which is to lead to my rapid demise. How do you
see it?
John
Adjustments
Private message from Russia to Italy:
Hi Cal,
Reread your letter, and have two small addenda...
>Hi guys!
>
>Well, that turn went fairly well. Turkey's in the Ionian, but we took
>Vienna and have a chance to keep it AND Trieste. If we can manage to
>guess right again, we can make quite a dent in Austria.
** Indeed. I think Edi's still at 5 (Bud, Ser, Gre, Rum and War?), but
he's going nowhere fast. if France sticks with you, you're golden.
>
>Looks like this will be your last turn Mark, but I think you were
>expecting that.
** Actually, Cal, I was not. Oh sure, I suspected it could occur (why
not, given their track records vs me?), but Germany fed me the exact
opposite BS for two turns....I honestly figured he'd be content to leave
me at 3 (fleet up north to help him later vs F or E, armies to
perpetually tie down AT in Scandy). Why he made a half-baked stab and
let a bounce in Nwy occur is beyond me, but frankly I'm miffed that he
went through this whole subtrefuge to stab me, when I told him to just
"get it over with" if he was going to do it. No need to bamboozel me.
But no, he's gotta play Mr Dip.
>Would you mind doing us one last favour before
>death do us part? (I don't see any likely way to get you a centre;
>if you have any ideas, let us know)
** My previous ltr "shows the way," if France will wake up and smell the
roses.
>Here's my best suggestion for mutual tactics:
>
>F: F Tyn-Ion; A Tyo s A Ven-Tri
>
>I: (Retreat f Ion-Tun) A Ven-Tri, s by A Vie;
> F Adr-Alb; F Nap & F Tun s F Tyn-Ion
>
>R: A Boh-Gal (finally, eh? grin)
>
>I think they'll be expecting us to simply support in place in an effort
>to hold both centres. I'm betting Hohn will use Ion to hit Adriatic, so
>using that fleet to hit Albania will (I hope) be unexpected.
But what does this do? If you hit ALB unsupported, you don't cut its
support for Ion-ADr, meaning you still lose ADR and do nothing to ALB.
I mean, it's just as good a move as any, but you're either going to
have enemies in ADR and ALb, or in ALB and APU, probably. But yes, we
WILL have a unit in ION. That means a lot, given another expected Turk
build....
Good luck, Cal.
Faz
Private message from Russia to France:
Guys: My apoligies for the "late flag" showing up about my
retreats/removals. I sent in the stuff an hour after the results came
out yesterday, but apparently my skill at writing "remove" and "disband"
are about as good as my current playing skill.
I will formally clear and reset my moves, but just so you know my
intent, I'm removing SWE and LIV, and keeping BOH (gosh, there's a
surprise.)
Again, apologies from the 1-center guy for holding you all up.
Faz
Private message from Russia to Italy:
Hi Cal,
>Looks like this will be your last turn Mark, but I think you were
>expecting that. Would you mind doing us one last favour before
>death do us part? (I don't see any likely way to get you a centre;
>if you have any ideas, let us know)
** I have written France and asked him to use Tyo S Boh-Mun this turn,
which guarantees the gain. I pointed out Germany's 'westward' lean of
builds, and the fact that all those armies and fleets haven't gone east
when they COULD have, and I don't expect them to do so now. if France
agrees, then I'm hitting Mun. If he doesn't, then I guess I'll die like
I lived -- helping you.
>
>Here's my best suggestion for mutual tactics:
>
>F: F Tyn-Ion; A Tyo s A Ven-Tri
>
>I: (Retreat f Ion-Tun) A Ven-Tri, s by A Vie;
> F Adr-Alb; F Nap & F Tun s F Tyn-Ion
>
>R: A Boh-Gal (finally, eh? grin)
>
>I think they'll be expecting us to simply support in place in an effort
>to hold both centres. I'm betting Hohn will use Ion to hit Adriatic, so
>using that fleet to hit Albania will (I hope) be unexpected.
** The move looks good, although remember that Hohn will just retreat to
APU with the fleet. The short-term advantage is that you deny the
convoy, as well as set them on their heels. it looks good.
>Anybody have any suggestions?
** Let me hear from France, and if the answer is (the expected) "no help
vs Mun," then I'll move to GAL. I just see Pitt as an (in)active ally
of A/T, and spring-loaded to build this turn vs F, and to turn the
central flank on you guys. But I would say that, paranoid that I am.
Faz
Private message from Italy to Turkey:
Sorry about the incomplete message. Sometimes this machine gets
anxious and fires off letters before I'm ready.
Anyway, as I was saying: yes, I'm wary of you, but fortunately, I
don't have to place myself in your hands for a turn or two. I can
wait to see if you stab Edi AND pull out of the Med before deciding
that we are brothers in arms again (again? hmmmm....)
As for other tactics, if you think Edi will not be expecting you
to move back to Greece, I would appreciate it if A Bul would hit
Serbia. This will go a long way towards ensuring me a build and
establishing I/T trust. How about it?
> I suspect you will be wary of my proposal, but please look at the
> board from my perspective. If you disagree with me, and believe
> that Edi is _not_ crying out to be stabbed now in light of the
> circumstances, then by all means, build a fleet and let's
> continue to duke it out. But if you're interested, please let me
> know. I'll also be more than willing to consider any reasonable
> modifications to the general plan, of course.
Tally ho!
Cal
Private message from Italy to Turkey:
> Message from [email protected] as Turkey to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
> Sigh. Well, it looks like I have to stab Edi now. Good job on
> the guessing.
Thanx.
> I think it would be in your best interest (and most definitely in
> mine :) ) to build an army rather than a fleet. I promise you
> that I will build an army, that I will divide Edi up with you,
> and that I will get the hell out of ION immediately (probably
> into GRE). If you build a fleet, though, I'll have to reconsider
> my plans, unfortunately.
I'm certainly MORE than willing to work with you against Edi and
also in the long run. I'm quite aware that, while France has been
a great help to me thus far, he's only there helping me to make sure
he stops A/T. He communicates readily enough, but whenever I ask
about long term plans he ignores the letter. I've come to the
conclusion that he is one of those players (God bless 'em) who
simply cannot tell a bald faced lie. That makes his future plans,
given his silence on the matter, a foregone conclusion.
Assuming I get a build, I will build that army. I can use my
imbalance of a/f's as an excuse. However, if there is a long
term future for us, it will consist of you being the land power and
me being the naval power. That means you'll have to get over your
fear of little green fleets eventually. This was the problem we had
the LAST time I built a fleet, remember? :)
> I suspect you will be wary of my proposal, but please look at the
> board from my perspective. If you disagree with me, and believe
> that Edi is _not_ crying out to be stabbed now in light of the
> circumstances, then by all means, build a fleet and let's
> continue to duke it out. But if you're interested, please let me
> know. I'll also be more than willing to consider any reasonable
> modifications to the general plan, of course.
I'm wary, yes, but fortunately for me, I don't have to place myself in
your
> Broadcast message from [email protected] as Austria in 'ghodstoo':
>
> I am a little confused on the issue of Judge handlings of retreats.
> I received a notice about my retreat but it was not complete in that it
> does not mention the Russian Fleet Sweden. Is it that the Judge does not
> report a decline in retreat?
I suspect the notice you got was just the Judge acknowledging its
receipt of your retreat. I haven't received retreat results yet (aside
from my own), but I DID get the notice that Russia was late.
Cal
Private message from Russia to England:
Ah, funny how quickly we unite again, noble King!
I am remaining mum to all. I did tell Italy I'd "like" to hit MUn if
France would help, but that I didn't expect it. (You may wish to write
and say that we've talked, and I'm now moving to Gal. That's what Cal
recommended.) This will throw off any disingenuous remark Cal may
proffer to Pitt, if he even talks to Pitt.
I'm assuming we're all a "go," although note France's words carefully.
If Pitt smells a rat, or is crafty enough to delay his attack until Fall
to see more anti-E moves from his "ally," then I'm dead for sure (you
will live longer, but in a relative term). I'm discontinuing press to
Edi (to make it seem like I'm committed to him to the death) and will
write Hohn, asking him to "help himself" as I throw myself at edi for
the last hurrah. This will hopefully be communicated to Edi and thus to
Pitt....
Please stay in touch. THIS move I won't err in making!
Faz
Private message from England to Russia:
M. Jean (et le petite tsar Faz),
Your discourse on the present crisis appears sound.
I think you are correct to place your stock in Germany's actual
*moves* rather than trust to in the sound and fury of his words. His recent
machinations could have either of two meanings: he might be preparing the
way for a drang nach Osterreich by weakening the Austrian position and
leaving a Russian army as an anti-Hapsburg gadfly; or he might be keeping
the Kaiserungarn distracted while he readies his troops for an invasion of
France. Time only will tell. I decline to guess.
I shall in any event disband my F Eng.
You are also correct that we (or perhaps I should speak only for
myself) throw our lots with you because we prefer to see the ending, in our
own absences, favor one who has retained the aegis of honor through the
nasty business of war and diplomacy. At the suggestion that you might live
to regret any aid you might supply or succor you might charitably bestow,
as either the Tsar or I should rise phoenix-like to strike you, you receive
only my sardonic smile.
Bonne chance pour tout le doux,
Gentle King Jamie (manning the lifeboats)
Private message from Russia to France:
Russia for one accepts the conditional support of France! Indeed, if
anything other than A Ber appears on the German's home front, then your
immediate time to strike is spring, and at Munich. If nothing else, he
will be forced to fix Ber in position (to defend MUN) if he even
anticipates such a blow. However, be advised that he may delay until
fall or next spring (when I'm gone and he can guage what YOU do...)
Again, much depends on future AT moves. Faced with an F/I southern
wall, they will have to advance SOMEwhere, and Pitt's the likely
approach route...unless he's in cahoots with them????
May I suggest you write the German and tell him that "Russia has
contacted f/i and has been persuaded to die gloriously in a move to Gal,
to help cement the south." If you confirm that Russia has agreed to an
F/I southern approach, we may be able to keep the German quiescent and
in tough straits, should he hit you.
I myself expect a spring move, as he realizes you must build A PAR. In
that case, Mun, Hol and BEL are all available to hit you, which is why I
applaud your inclusion of England for help.
My only point of disagreement (incredulity? humor?) is your (no-doubt
genuine) compliment about good players turning this into a winning hand
for themselves. My friend, I have no homeland for builds; no forces
other than an isolated province, entirely dependent upon your goodwill
to even survive beyond 1906; and no hopes of ever being 'unfettered'
beyond that...I have one card in my 'deck,' so a "winning hand" at this
stage merely means being allowed to remain at the table....but thanks
for the kind words.
Tsar Faz
Private message from England to Russia:
And so, Tsar Faz, our fates appear again to be entwined. How fitting.
Let us be very careful in what we say to Kaiser Pitt, lest he get wind that
something is up. But we must somehow try to convince him to build a fleet,
or failing that an army in Munich. Otherwise we shall die simultaneously
this coming year.
I believe that Kaiserungarn Edi would be happy to assist diplomatically in
encouraging Germany to invade France. Goes without saying. But, again, we
have to approach the matter with subtlety. I've just mentioned the general
shape of the situation to Edi, and will let you know what he says.
To Pitt I expressed only chagrin and disappointment, since anything else
would smack of disingenuousness. But if he tries, I will let him convince
me to use my last unit against France.
I have also dropped a note to Sultan Hohn. I leave Doge Cal to your
influence, if any.
May our dwindling fortunes rise on this last full tide,
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from England to Turkey:
Big Witch,
The King and Royal Family are boarding the royal yacht on the Thames,
preparing to abandon the last stronghold of Britannia in Buckingham Palace.
On the eve of the fall of the British Empire, we wonder whether there is
any last-ditch manouever which could save a remnant.
The larger situation is very delicate. Kaiser Pitt will determine the shape
of the endgame. He could stick with his French buddy and go plowing into
Austria, leaving his formidable navy to mop up the Romanoffs with ease. Or
he could begin his drang nach *oesten* (how do you spell that?)
immediately. I believe either option is viable for Germany; his remaining
healthy neighbors would each separately be glad to leave him alone. All
this is fairly obvious.
I don't know which sort of endgame you prefer. I think if it were me I'd
rather see France and Germany fighting, otherwise you will most likely be
the weaker member of the triad in the ending. But I'm not sure.
If you think your interests might coincide with my (meager) ones, do let me
know.
On the brink,
Little Witch
Private message from England to Austria:
Edi,
You really need to get Germany and France fighting, now. Obviously. That is
also my only hope to survive another year.
France is somewhat wary. If Germany builds a fleet, or even if he builds A
Mun, France expects to be attacked.
If France and Germany fight, Russia and I will let France order our units
around. (Anyway, *I* will, and Mark *says* he will.) France knows this.
Germany doesn't.
I give you this information because (1) it may help you, and (2) you may
have a suggestion for what I ought to say to Pitt to get him to move
against France this year.
At the brink of annihilation,
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Turkey to Italy:
Cal,
> > Sigh. Well, it looks like I have to stab Edi now. Good job on
> > the guessing.
>
> Thanx.
>
> I'm certainly MORE than willing to work with you against Edi and
> also in the long run. I'm quite aware that, while France has been
> a great help to me thus far, he's only there helping me to make sure
> he stops A/T. He communicates readily enough, but whenever I ask
> about long term plans he ignores the letter. I've come to the
> conclusion that he is one of those players (God bless 'em) who
> simply cannot tell a bald faced lie. That makes his future plans,
> given his silence on the matter, a foregone conclusion.
Indeed. I get the same impression.
> Assuming I get a build, I will build that army. I can use my
> imbalance of a/f's as an excuse. However, if there is a long
> term future for us, it will consist of you being the land power and
> me being the naval power. That means you'll have to get over your
> fear of little green fleets eventually. This was the problem we had
> the LAST time I built a fleet, remember? :)
Heh.
I'll tell you what. Let's talk long-term plans.
I'll build no more fleets, ever. In fact, if we can arrange the
dislodgement of one of my fleets some time in the not-too-distant
future, I'll disband that as well. I'll limit my fleets to one
in EAS, one in AEG, and one in BLA (with an army in GRE).
Right after we dice up Edi, we should demilitarize the area and
press northward. This will further reduce the possibility of a
stab between us. The kicker, IMO, is to position ourselves well
enough so that Germany runs into a wall, and is encouraged to
stab France.
I believe this game will (or should) end in a three-way. I'll go
one step further and say that I believe _all_ games with seven
expert players should end in a three-way. I'd like to be one of
those three, and to be honest I'd rather you be the second of the
three over France. He hasn't impressed me overly much, and
you've always played it straight with me (well, except for Spring
1901, but I'll certainly forgive you for that if you forgive my
one turn's dishonesty from a few years ago :) ). You've also
played a better game, IMO.
It looks like there is a high probability that Pitt will be
guaranteed part of the three-way, as well. Which is fine with
me, although I'm certainly open to suggestions if you have any
ideas of how to take him down a peg or three.
> > continue to duke it out. But if you're interested, please let me
> > know. I'll also be more than willing to consider any reasonable
> > modifications to the general plan, of course.
>
> I'm wary, yes, but fortunately for me, I don't have to place myself in
> your
---
> Message from [email protected] as Italy to Turkey in
> 'ghodstoo':
>
> Sorry about the incomplete message. Sometimes this machine
> gets anxious and fires off letters before I'm ready.
No problem. I have the same problem with my call waiting
sometimes.
> Anyway, as I was saying: yes, I'm wary of you, but fortunately,
> I don't have to place myself in your hands for a turn or two.
> I can wait to see if you stab Edi AND pull out of the Med
> before deciding that we are brothers in arms again (again?
> hmmmm....)
Fair enough.
> As for other tactics, if you think Edi will not be expecting
> you to move back to Greece, I would appreciate it if A Bul
> would hit Serbia. This will go a long way towards ensuring me
> a build and establishing I/T trust. How about it?
I haven't looked at the board carefully yet, but that sounds
reasonable so far.
I'd like to stress the importance of secrecy for now, so that Edi
doesn't get wind of our working together. If he doesn't suspect
me (as he shouldn't, since we've been working together so well
this game), I should be able to give you completely accurate
information as to his movements this turn. But that will only
work if he doesn't suspect anything.
I have told him that I'd be sending you a note this turn trying
to convince you to build an army, but he doesn't know the extent
or depth of our communications and planning. If you have to tell
him anything, maybe just tell him that I've been trying to get
you to build an army.
Other than that, any other thoughts?
Hohn
Private message from Master to Turkey:
I have reason to believe that one of the two missing players has their
orders in, so therefore if you are not that player, please send in your
adjustment ASAP.
Thanks, yes, the GM is checking in,
Jim
PS I think I mentioned it, but if I didn't, I'm traveling all this
week and will be accessing E-Mail very sporadically.
Private message from England to Germany:
>>Geez, Pitt. You'd rather have France in Edinburgh and Russia owning Norway,
>>than *you* owning Norway and me owning Edinburgh?
>
>Never let it be said that I was afraid to change my mind...
I don't know what you mean by that.
Is 'change my mind' a kind of euphemism?
>FWIW, I regret having to do what I did but, if you care to know, my
>reasoning was as follows:
>
>- your professed desire to hold NOR and STP as part of the northern edge of
>the stalemate line
>- the fact that my fleet would be in STP without any supporting units
>- the fact that you'd be in NOR and Turkey in MOS
>- the conclusion that STP gets dislodged this year
Yeah? That obviously makes no sense at all. Did you really think I would
swallow that explanation?
You obviously could have simply told me that you were going to move to
Norway, and told me to cover Edinburgh. *YOU* would then have had an extra
center, and *you* would have been able to support your F STP. It's
completely obvious that I would not have moved to Norway knowing that you
would be moving there, that I would have covered Edinburgh instead.
Since that option is overwhelmingly obvious, I know you didn't just fail to
notice it. I am having a lot of trouble avoiding the conclusion that you are
lying through your teeth, even though I can't see the slightest reason for it.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Italy to England:
Gee, we actually have something to talk about! I'm assuming that you
are still interested in having some effect in this game, so I have an
offer for you.
Although I had no choice about asking France to help me against A/T, I'm
still a bit worried about all the units he has around my centres.
Therefore, I wouldn't be averse to seeing something weaken him a bit. I
suppose you've noticed that, if you keep your fleet in English Channel,
you can move to the Mid and then take a shot at Portugal or Spain. If
he doesn't move A Mar-Spa THIS turn you have Por unopposed and even if
he does, you have no worse than a fifty-fifty shot. This is better than
your likely odds of survival with any other strategy.
If you DO decide to try this tactic, I'll do my best to tie his units up
so as to ensure your survival.
Interested?
Cal
Private message from Austria to Germany:
I would like to strongly urge you to build either ARmy Kiel or Fleet Kiel
as this would be a good signal that the western campaign is on.
If you build a Fleet, which may be a better idea it would allow you to
shuttle Army Holland down to Ruhr and use Belgium for Picardy while
shifting fleet Kiel to Holland. I would pull Army Den down to Kiel and
move Sweden to Denmark to Pick up Norway in the Fall and to be able to
threaten North Sea more effectively. AFter all you can also afford to
redeploy F StP to Both and then out to Sweden.
Again I will make it clear that I need your Army in Munich to go to Tyrolia.
Edi
Edi Birsan
[email protected]
Web: www.mgames.com
Midnight Games
541-772-7872
Private message from Turkey to England:
Jamie,
I'll support you in any fashion you choose against Pitt.
Please disband with this in mind.
Hohn
Private message from France to Master:
Jim,
Time again for my review of the situation. I am waiting on Pitt to say
something about the coming year. His lack of communication is ominous,
IMO. I at first waived my build, but I've now changed to A Paris. I had
thought to allay any doubts he might have arising from all those French
armies and also leave open the possibility of acquiring another fleet next
year. Because he won't answer my messages, I've ordered A Paris.
As you know, I have continued talking to R and E. I think they are sincere
in wanting to help me. They are both conscientious and will work to stay
alive as long as they can. I am probably their best hope. If Pitt does
turn on me, I will need them.
The tricky thing about the build is that, if I tell Pitt I'll waive, he
might be more tempted to come after me. If I don't, he'll be more afraid
of me and thus more likely to attack. Lose-lose.
As for me, I continue to believe that GF alliance is the best long-term
option. I don't want to attack Germany. If I do, G will probably join AT
and drive for a 3-way, at least until the rest of us are all but gone.
This is always the worst part of the game for me.
John
Private message from France to Germany:
Pitt, I am very interested in your thinking on the coming year. I would
like to hear from you before the build deadline.
John
((Bohemia Daily; Dateline: Prague))
Tsar Faz, making his last-ditch stand with the troops in the field, sent
the following samizdat literature to the homeland, in the hopes that the
memory of Russian arms will spark a country-wide fire against the hated
occupiers:
Friends! Countrymen! Russia stands occupied, but not pacified. Our
troops run retreated, but not defeated. And our neighbors talk so
nice--but prove themselves lice. We Russians refuse to be cowed into
submission by those who have imperial dreams of repression. In fact,
things are looking bright for Russia! We have hired the services of
Jeanne Dixon, Clairvoyant to the Stars (and to Rasputin). She brings
interesting news. Says Jeanne:
"In the East, the A/T monolith approaches the end of its "free ride."
Tsar Faz, wisely trading space for territoryr, has managed to give up all
his space, and now has lots of free time. (Who said this guy couldn't
play?!) And the rapacious ones now meet each other, with no Russian
buffer to separate them. With no Russkies nearby, the Turkish Gobbler
will hunger for another turkey to fill its plate. While the German
(Pitt's-)burghers look tempting, The Perry Mason of the West will instead
opt for Greece-y 'flank" stakes (made in Rumania by Vlad the Impaler and
in Bulgaria by
Crazy Eddie BeerSon)."
Will this satisfy the Turk after hours of filing habeas corpii and
motions to suppress? Jeanne knows, but she ain't tellin'.
She continues with haiku poetry to describe more Balkan issues:
I feel excessively bored
By the ramblings of the Dark Lord
BirSauron
Inside his castle high
He queries the Russian
"Why?
Why do you hit me, after all I propose
Offers so vague you can't see your nose?
I never reveal my true self
(I'm such a mischieveous little elf!)
And still you refuse to listen..."
...And the treetops now glisten
I see red blood from red blocks
Burnt Vienna pastries
Says Jeanne: "Expect less than four
I can see three from from here in TRI
This is the end...the end, my friend" ((oops, sorry, that's Jim
Morrison))
Ms Dixon, having analyzed the Balkans, turned her gaze to the North. She
opines:
In the North, I feel tension. The old adage, "Pitt, or get off the pot,"
is coming to fruition. A black shadow over central Europe hangs like a
bad temperature inversion. However, winds of change are blowing from
within. The winds blow contrary to each other, creating a tempest.
First they offer warmth and stability to white clouds (or are they
blocks?) in the north, and then the winds grow cold, bringing thunder and
rain. Yet in the center of the storm, units sit placidly, ignoring other,
eastern, gales brewing.
Are we witnessing a bell-weather shift in the North and the center?
Jeanne says: No way. Our forecast calls for continued hot air, lots of
stagnation, and above-average chatter about how wonderful it would be to
see Eng and Rus stay in the game and help versus the east. And then it
will rain again. ((Jeanne thinks she sees Willard Scott in a yellow
slicker, somewhere near Berlin, but she can't be too sure; too much
cloudiness up north.))
In the West, Jeanne sees resignation on the faces of the Italians, for
they sense that their Russian jockstrap (the "24-hour support piece") has
finally lost most of its elasticity. And Jeanne mutters something about
"foxes in henhouses" when she stares over the horizon, beyond Italy to
the West. Russia can only assume her intent.
Tsar Faz, having thanked Jeanne Dixon (and then arming her and sending
her to the trenches) concluded with these words -- quite possibly his
last printed material:
Russians! Stay true to the cause. Despite some bungling among our
staffs, we remained true to our friends, and tenacious against our foes.
The same Riders of the Purple Sage who criticize our moves now feel
themselves losing some power, unsure if and when it will return. Others
will grow greedier and clash with their fellow vultures. Russia will
continue to aid its friends until the bitter end, and then beyond the
grave. You may kill the body, but never the spirit.
Rasputin! Bring me those voodoo dolls of the players; let's give them
some MORE backaches and broken hands. Stab Tsar Faz, will they (jab)?!
Ha! Ya-ha! (jab, jab) Take that, swineherds! cackle,
chortle...((double-jab on Hohn's shrugging shoulders))...saliva begins to
drool down the Tsar's chin as he maniaically jabs the dolls...
We now return you to your regularly-scheduled programming.
Tsar Faz sends regards to the gamers and the observers over this fine
weekend!
Private message from Germany to England:
>Geez, Pitt. You'd rather have France in Edinburgh and Russia owning Norway,
>than *you* owning Norway and me owning Edinburgh?
Never let it be said that I was afraid to change my mind...
FWIW, I regret having to do what I did but, if you care to know, my
reasoning was as follows:
- your professed desire to hold NOR and STP as part of the northern edge of
the stalemate line
- the fact that my fleet would be in STP without any supporting units
- the fact that you'd be in NOR and Turkey in MOS
- the conclusion that STP gets dislodged this year
Even if that were not already a plan between you and Turkey, I didn't see
how either of you could miss it this year. And, given our checkered past
in this game, I sort of assumed that you wouldn't feel any particular
loyalty to me that would prevent you from jumping on the opportunity if
presented.
So, I did what I felt was necessary, even though it allows Russia to
survive a bit longer, too.
No hard feelings, I hope.
-Pitt
Private message from Italy to Turkey:
> Message from [email protected] as Turkey to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
> > Assuming I get a build, I will build that army. I can use my
> > imbalance of a/f's as an excuse. However, if there is a long
> > term future for us, it will consist of you being the land power and
> > me being the naval power. That means you'll have to get over your
> > fear of little green fleets eventually. This was the problem we had
> > the LAST time I built a fleet, remember? :)
> I'll tell you what. Let's talk long-term plans.
> I'll build no more fleets, ever. In fact, if we can arrange the
> dislodgement of one of my fleets some time in the not-too-distant
> future, I'll disband that as well. I'll limit my fleets to one
> in EAS, one in AEG, and one in BLA (with an army in GRE).
This sounds accceptable. If you agree, I can probably have that
fleet in Ionian popped this Spring turn. More on this in a bit...
> Right after we dice up Edi, we should demilitarize the area and
> press northward. This will further reduce the possibility of a
> stab between us. The kicker, IMO, is to position ourselves well
> enough so that Germany runs into a wall, and is encouraged to
> stab France.
Agreed. In fact, we should start propagandizing both Pitt AND John
right after this next turn; Pitt we try to sell on the idea of
taking out France so as to get a three way result without a lot
of hassle. He's an e-mail player at heart, so I bet he goes for it.
With John, we try to plant the seeds of distrust and make it appear
to him that I cannot be attacked. Once you attack Edi, I'll tell
him that he and I have a golden opportunity to take both Pitt and
you out. Combine that with a strong effort on my part to look
invulnerable and we may talk him into attacking Pitt. Then you and
I can make a push west. (Um, heh heh, note that my telling John
it's a perfect time to attack YOU will definitely be propaganda;
as I said, I don't trust him for the reasons I outlined in my last
note. There's something about an honest Dip player I can't deal
with... laff)
> I believe this game will (or should) end in a three-way. I'll go
> one step further and say that I believe _all_ games with seven
> expert players should end in a three-way. I'd like to be one of
> those three, and to be honest I'd rather you be the second of the
> three over France. He hasn't impressed me overly much, and
> you've always played it straight with me (well, except for Spring
> 1901, but I'll certainly forgive you for that if you forgive my
> one turn's dishonesty from a few years ago :) ). You've also
> played a better game, IMO.
Thanks for the compliment, although I think my blind luck has made
up for some bad strategic choices this game.
I agree with you that a normal demo game will probably end in a
three-way. Too much talent (read cut-throatedness) to play to a
perfect 7-way Calhamerian draw, but also too much awareness of
what's going on on the board to let one power get a large lead.
In THIS game though, I see no reason to not try to buck the odds.
IF we can get F/G fighting or at least suspicious of each other,
we can at least try for a two-way. If there's going to be a
three-way, let's at least make sure it's a true stalemated draw,
okay?
> It looks like there is a high probability that Pitt will be
> guaranteed part of the three-way, as well. Which is fine with
> me, although I'm certainly open to suggestions if you have any
> ideas of how to take him down a peg or three.
Basically, what I've outlined above probably offers us the best
bet for taking either/both F/G out of the final results. Just a
thought: I'd prefer to see an "all postal player" victory... :)
> > As for other tactics, if you think Edi will not be expecting
> > you to move back to Greece, I would appreciate it if A Bul
> > would hit Serbia. This will go a long way towards ensuring me
> > a build and establishing I/T trust. How about it?
>
> I haven't looked at the board carefully yet, but that sounds
> reasonable so far.
We'll look at it again after we see Edi's removal.
> I'd like to stress the importance of secrecy for now, so that Edi
> doesn't get wind of our working together. If he doesn't suspect
> me (as he shouldn't, since we've been working together so well
> this game), I should be able to give you completely accurate
> information as to his movements this turn. But that will only
> work if he doesn't suspect anything.
Agreed, but he hasn't written me yet.
> I have told him that I'd be sending you a note this turn trying
> to convince you to build an army, but he doesn't know the extent
> or depth of our communications and planning. If you have to tell
> him anything, maybe just tell him that I've been trying to get
> you to build an army.
I will build that army and that will probably be the last one I
build (unless one is need for a possible French campaign, at which
time I'd let you know in advance).
> Other than that, any other thoughts?
That's about it for now. I'll be writing again this weekend as I
have an unexpectedly free couple of days. I was supposed to "test-
drive" a canoe to see if I will be buying it, but I didn't get a
chance to pick it up. Oh well, next weekend... :)
Regards,
Cal
Jeanne Dixon is, of course, deceased (as Russia soon will be, perhaps?
-- Sorry, Mark, couldn't resist it.....) but your GM is finding the
imperfections in his own (closely held to the vest) crystal ball.
Please increase the forecasting prowess of the GM and keep sending
those current game analyses.
Thanks,
Jim
Private message from Master to France:
Thanks for the update.
IMO you are doing very well here, all things considering. I did see your
initial waived build and the change and already had recorded it, but it
was nice to hear what had driven it.
We will have to see, we're all waiting to see what that German build
will be......
Jim
Private message from Master to Italy:
Cal,
In particular, I'd be interested in hearing whether what you're telling
Hohn is your true strategic analysis of the game.
By the way, you and he are both in the game representing your FTF
tournament prowess (well, sort of). Hohn has never been much of
a postal player.
Jim
Private message from France to Russia:
Let's just say, for the sake of discussion, that all of us decided to give
Germany a proper lesson in honesty (thinking back to the presence of German
troops on sacred French soil so many moons ago). How would we go about it?
Napolean IV
Private message from France to Germany:
Pitt, I hope the broadcast is not too transparent. I thought I might liven
things up a bit. I'm sure everyone's response will be dismissal, but I
also expect nagging doubts in the backs of many minds.
John
Private message from England to France:
M. Jean,
Just to let you know, Italy asked me to keep the F Eng and sail it into the
MAO, to try to take Portugal. Austria agreed on independent grounds that
this would be my best approach.
I don't suppose this will affect your plans much, but it might, somehow.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from England to Russia:
Gentile men,
France has already 'nabbed' Edi, Tsar Faz. No doubt you meant London.
To all appearances Germany wants to make it FG vs AT, with Italy casting
swing votes.
If that's the way it wrings out, then, well, au revoir.
M. Jean, what if the Sultan really does stab into Austria this year? Would
that give you enough incentive to be the aggressor in an F vs G conflict?
My idea is that you'd let Italy and Turkey together remove Austria, and
then Turkey would have nowhere to go but into the Mediterranean, assuring
you a long period in which you could focus on the north. In that case, you
would want to strike first to get the upper hand.
Gentile King Jamie
Private message from Russia to Turkey:
Hohn
While (obviously) less-than-thrilled over your continued screw-over of
my position, I'm hoping that you see the obvious weakening of your
front-positioned ally. Edi's removal of WAR, coupled with your build of
CON, offers interesting possibilities. And, played right (as you've
been doing to date), you may even convince France of the possibilities
of stabbing Italy (or you and France hitting Germany later).
I'm standing by Italy, which means against AT. Germany will take my
last center, so this will indeed be my last fling.
Good hunting. I hope you realize that CON is better off in the Balkans,
vice a useless attempt at convoying to APU.
Tsar Faz
Private message from England to Austria:
Told ya.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from Germany to France:
>Pitt, I am very interested in your thinking on the coming year. I would
>like to hear from you before the build deadline.
Sorry I didn't get back to you before the builds processed, John, but I
thought I had more time.
In any event, I'm building A BER, both as protection against Russian A BOH
(which I assume is the one he'll keep) and as a precursosr to a
southern/eastern push. Having said that, though, I'd like to keep that
plan under wraps as long as possible. At present, I am trying to develop a
relationship with Turkey (witness his support for me into STP) so that I
can convince him to help take out Austria. I am still some way away from
broaching that topic, however, as he appears to be wholly committed to
Austria at this point.
So, to whatever extent possible, I'd like to continue our plan in the north
(finishing off England and Russia) and remain neutral or even slightly
pro-AT in the east/south. That doesn't, of course, mean that you have to
be pro-AT. In fact, it might work to our benefit if we appeared to be
having some disagreement about that area. The more confusion we can sow in
that area, the better.
Please let me know what you think.
-Pitt
Private message from Russia to Italy:
Loyal Doge
Congrats again on gaining Vie. Edi's press to me has "mysteriously"
fallen silent (cackle). Well, he started it...
Do you still require support for Vie? if not, I'm heading east, into
the sun. I have two turns to get GAL and threaten AT even now. (FG are
too tight for any western options, and I can't retake any northern
centers, obviously--so I'm committed to either continuing support for
you, or heading east.) let me know what you want done.
Loyal to the Last
Tsar faz
Private message from France to Italy:
I had begun to have second thoughts about A Mar myself. I think it is wise
to leave it in France, as you have suggested.
I will order Tys-Ion.
I would think AT was starting to crack about now. The Sultan must realize
that with France helping Italy, he has only one ready source of new
centers: Austria. If I were Turkey, I'd be begging Italy to help me take
out Austria. But I don't know how Hohn plays it.
Lots left to talk about, but I gotta go. This afternoon, I'll have a
minute.
Private message from Italy to France:
> Message from [email protected] as France to Italy in 'ghodstoo':
>
> I think I neglected to answer your question about the long-term. I do see
> it much as you do. Although my fear of a German attack is now lower than
> it was, I still think that FI must remain solid, or we both go down. With
> a little luck, we could prosper.
I agree. I think A/T is too strongly allied for us to let our guard
down and
that your erstwhile buddy, Germany, is really in cahoots with them.
Only
our good tactical position has prevented him from moving on us (well,
that
and the fact he wants to finish off Russia...). If we seperate, we're
toast.
> I need to know what to do with Tyr and Tys. I also think that, with A Par
> in place and Germany's build in Berlin, I can afford to move Mar-Pie. If
> we make any headway, I'd like to be able to move Pie-Tyr, after Tyr goes
> who knows where (maybe to Bohemia).
I think we should make an effort to get the Ionian back this turn, so
how
about I support your F Tyn-Ion? I don't have my board set up at the
moment,
but I believe this should force the Ionian (Edi's fleet in Albania is
likely to be involved elsewhere).
As for your army in Marseilles, I don't think you need to move to
Piedmont.
Now that I've built the army in Rome, we're well supplied unit-wise in
the
area. I'm also, as I said above, concerned about Germany's intentions
and
I'd like to see you have units in reserve for any eventuality.
I can see us being in a position shortly to think about a possible
attack
in his direction. While A/T haven't been beaten yet, we DO have the
momentum. If we're willing to attack Germany and pick the proper
moment,
we may yet do much more than prosper, we may even finish in the money.
I'd like to know your feelings on this.
Cal
Private message from Turkey to England:
Jamie,
> Very kind of you, witch, but the offer had no effect whatever on my decision.
> :-)
> Good luck and all, but I'm afraid you can't help me anymore.
> Well, actually....
>
> Is there *any* chance you might decide that this is the right time to stab
> Austria? If, for instance, France were deciding whether to stab Germany now
> and could be influenced by your choice?
> Do you want to hear more about this option, or should I save my breath?
Sure, I'm always interested in hearing about options.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Hohn
KaiserPitt heard a troubling rumor over his tea and strumpets the other day.
To wit:
>the French Foreign Ministry said:
>Do the ambassadors to the French
>capital imagine that our Foreign Minister has fallen off the truffle cart
>only yesterday?
KaiserPitt instructed Ambassador Skidmarck to say:
"Mais non, mon ami! We believe it was a wagon that your Alien Minister
fell off of. What other reason could he have for doubting the peaceful
intentions of your Germanic brethren?"
To which,
>The Foreign Minister, it is reported, said to this
>transparent deception, "I wave my privates in your general direction!"
Ambassador Skidmarck was unimpressed.
(mostly because there was nothing to see...a common problem, we understand,
for most men of the French persuasion)
The Ambassador did complain of a strong smell of rotten cheese, however...
Private message from Russia to France:
>
>I assume we can all see that if one word of our plan reaches any other
>player, we are sunk. All the others have reasons to inform Germany of any
>credible rumors. Success depends on Germany's expectation that he can
>safely move east. The more firmly he believes so the better.
>
>Can we agree to complete secrecy?
** To quote a Go-Go's song of the 80s, "Our lips are sealed." I would,
however, urge French-German talks to continue unabated, and to reassure
him after your press concern this afternoon... we can't *all* suddenly
"go off the net" at once, or it won't be just Denmark that has something
rotten in it... .
Three Huzzahs for the Johnnies! (England can just give two, out of
principle, if the fancy strikes.)
Tsar Faz
Private message from Russia to England:
Jamie,
Am in massive hurry--running late for son's soccer game. see below.
>>Of course, if Germany smells a rat and defends MUN, this is all moot,
>>because France would need an A Ruh to ensure my success.
>
>Nah, he won't do that. That's an absurdly defensive move.
** indeed it is. I only mention it in the off-chance he ehdges his bets
with an uncertain, building France and a vengeful Russia. But I agree
it's a doubtful move. Just covering all my paranoid bases....
>
>No, the big question is whether he will be able to make an all-out effort
>to retake Munich in the Fall. I doubt it. Nah, I can't see it. Good.
** Ditto
>
>I think our job now is mostly to shut the hell up and try not to talk John
>out of this new frame of mind of his. What do you think made him decide to
>go for it? Anything we said?
**I agree that silence is golden at this stage. I will do no ore
utterances to anyone, including Cal.
As for France's change of heart, weeelllll....I'd like to think my past
notes and logic (ha!) got him to relook the board, but heck, it could've
been the taco burrito he had for lunch!
>
>Don't tell Cal, please. Have you?
* Didn't, and won't.
>Hohn might be safer, but my view is that
>we should let John decide whom to let in on the plan, if anyone.
** Agree
>Just what
>we need is for him to conclude that one of us is leaking his plans. And if
>you leak he might just as likely guess it was me.
** The leaks stop here! Let's just hope France doesn't puncture our
lifeboats with a slow leak. I think good things will come from this
turn. Interesting turnabout, wot?
Tsar Faz
Private message from England to Russia:
>Can we agree to complete secrecy?
>
>Napolean IV
Yep.
Gentle King J
Private message from France to Russia:
I assume we can all see that if one word of our plan reaches any other
player, we are sunk. All the others have reasons to inform Germany of any
credible rumors. Success depends on Germany's expectation that he can
safely move east. The more firmly he believes so the better.
Can we agree to complete secrecy?
Napolean IV
Private message from England to France:
Since Hohn checks in with me only sporadically, I will wait to see whether
he mentions anything about the topic and give him the "France shows no
interest" line only then. I prefer not to lie to him if it's avoidable.
I'm guessing you'll be hearing a lot from Edi this turn, quite possibly a
phone call even.
>Why did I take this decision? The time is ripe. Pitt had no choice but to
>stay on my good side up to now. Things changed, and besides, I think we
>have an excellent opportunity.
Ok, I guess that's the best reason.
>If the word slips out, the plan is sunk. I think we all see that, and also
>I think the best bet for ER is to go with this. So I think we can count on
>Faz's sealed lips for one turn. After that, who knows? But then the story
>will be told.
I think he will be quiet, but I have reminded him gently. I think he'll
have some urge to mention it to Cal. This would be bad, as you say. A
little thought will reveal to Faz that he has no chance to survive the move
if Germany knows what's coming, so a reminder ought to do it.
And as you say too, after this move there will be no secret left, so that's
all right.
>If this does not work, I'm out, you are out, Russia is out. So, we hang
>together or we hang separately.
:)
I dunno, I personally think you could survive practically anything at this
point. But I'm glad to hear you think otherwise!
>My personal philosophy is that no guarantee is better than necessity. Even
>that does not always work, though.
Your personal philosophy appears to be the perfect one for this game, at
any rate. I misjudged the various characters rather badly, myself. But I
kind of like the way things are headed now. For one thing, it is a pleasure
to see Edi Birsan so befuddled -- it makes me feel a lot better about my
own errors! For another, well, never mind, there's no point in debriefing
now.
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from France to England:
Re stabbing Edi, I think Hohn will make that decision based on what he
thinks Germany will do. Germany will help him if he thinks France is his
friend. I will do nothing to make Germany think otherwise. Actually, I
think if you talk to Turkey about hitting Austria, you should also tell
Turkey that you have had no luck getting France to turn against Germany.
Therefore, Turkey will believe, Germany is free to join the attack on
Austria. Other than that, I have no immediate interest in the situation.
Why did I take this decision? The time is ripe. Pitt had no choice but to
stay on my good side up to now. Things changed, and besides, I think we
have an excellent opportunity.
If the word slips out, the plan is sunk. I think we all see that, and also
I think the best bet for ER is to go with this. So I think we can count on
Faz's sealed lips for one turn. After that, who knows? But then the story
will be told.
If this does not work, I'm out, you are out, Russia is out. So, we hang
together or we hang separately.
My personal philosophy is that no guarantee is better than necessity. Even
that does not always work, though.
Napoleon IV
Private message from England to Russia:
>Of course, if Germany smells a rat and defends MUN, this is all moot,
>because France would need an A Ruh to ensure my success.
Nah, he won't do that. That's an absurdly defensive move.
No, the big question is whether he will be able to make an all-out effort
to retake Munich in the Fall. I doubt it. Nah, I can't see it. Good.
I think our job now is mostly to shut the hell up and try not to talk John
out of this new frame of mind of his. What do you think made him decide to
go for it? Anything we said?
Don't tell Cal, please. Have you? Hohn might be safer, but my view is that
we should let John decide whom to let in on the plan, if anyone. Just what
we need is for him to conclude that one of us is leaking his plans. And if
you leak he might just as likely guess it was me.
Gentle King J
Private message from Russia to France:
NOW THAT'S THE STUFF! As TR would say, "Bully! Bully!"
All Russia salutes you for your stance. I also appreciate supporting me
to Mun, vice yourself. (there is always the chance that Edi would hit
Boh from Gal, however remote, and at least this way we circumvent that
danger, as well as keep me alive...always a nice feeling).
Of course, if Germany smells a rat and defends MUN, this is all moot,
because France would need an A Ruh to ensure my success. But let's give
it a try. It won't hurt.
How ironic. The best cooperation I have to date with E and F comes when
I'm near death and practically negligble in influence. Ah, this wacky
game...
Allons, mes amis!
Tsar faz
Private message from England to France:
Frankly, I don't trust Faz much, though I certainly think he'll carry
through with Boh-Mun. But I guess I'll tend to write to you separately most
of the time.
I have a couple of things.
First, do you want me to talk to Hohn about stabbing Edi? Hohn is a bit on
edge right now, I think. He is very cross at Pitt (Pitt promised last move
to help eliminate Russia and also to prop me up a bit), but on the other
hand it's beginning to look like he doesn't have much of a future with
Austria. I will not, of course, say anything about your plan unless you say
so. I should add that I have been on good terms with him for the whole
game. Too bad it's been of no use to me! But I'd be glad to 'cash in' now,
if it suits you.
Second:
>Well, since you put it that way, how can I refuse?
Uh.
Seriously, what's changed your mind? Just that the time seems ripe?
>I don't like all those German fleets in the north. What possible use could
>they have?
Right. Is *that* it? But they've been there for a year.
When he built that last fleet, it suddenly looked unlikely that he planned
to go with you to the end. I don't know, *maybe* his idea is to have those
fleets up there for the very ending, and use them after the two of you
control 24 centers, or something. Edi sent me a note after that fleet
build, certain that it meant Germany was going for a win and not a big
balanced four-way ending. (Edi also predicted that Germany would build A
Kiel this winter, though.)
Gentle King Jamie
Private message from England to Russia:
Curses, and just when I was looking forward to having some Diplomacy-free
time again!
No, it will be fun for me, definitely. There's nothing like attacking the
guy who's lied and stabbed you the most, especially with one's last
remaining unit.
You (either of you, I guess) will be sure to let me know if you need me.
I'll take a nap until next Monday night.
Sleepy King Jamie
Private message from France to Russia:
Well, since you put it that way, how can I refuse?
I also think nth-hel is the move. At worst, G bounces me out of nth.
Possibly, both low countries fall this year. Of course, we keep our
Russian friend alive, even at some tactical cost.
I don't like all those German fleets in the north. What possible use could
they have?
Let's kick some booty.
Napolean IV
Private message from England to Russia:
Jean (Nap), Faz,
>Well, ASSUMING you're not just trying to sucker us into divulging our
>plans and then hosing us in conjunction with the Hun (and, for the
>record, I do *not* think that)
He said 'for the sake of discussion', Tsar.
For my part, I will not order Nth-Lon in any case. Jean may feel free to
sucker away, but he may as well save his typing fingers since I will not
resist.
>FRA:
>Wales-Channel
>Bre-Pic
>Par-Bur (Mar S)
>Tyo S (Rus) Boh-Mun
And Edi-Nth, of course.
France should consider instead Par S Mar-Bur. The reason is that it leaves
the behind-the-lines army in Paris, where it can move to Picardy and be
more useful than an A Mar. (Just look ahead two seasons to see why.) We
assume, I suppose, that there is no imminent danger from Italy.
>RUS:
>Boh-Mun
>
>ENG:
>Nth-Bel, or to HEL (*that* place again!!)
Yeah, I'd go to HEL (I feel I'm destined....) Nth-Bel is silly, it's a real
long shot and we want to advance the French F Edi to Nth before Germany can
set up two fleets against North Sea.
I do think that ambushing BEL is obviously the way to go (assuming France
embarks on a German campaign, I mean). The real key in the longer run is to
have France's fleets in a good position, though (counting mine as one of
the French ones). There is something to be said for supporting the French A
Tyo into Munich instead, because the resulting position is better (A Boh, A
Mun is better against Germany than A Tyo, A Mun); but in this case that
would mean Russia leaves the game. I guess even for France it is better to
maintain that Russian army, rather than to construct new ones and have to
force them through the bottleneck.
This line still leaves Germany with seven centers; France ends with eight.
But it maintains both the Russian army and the English fleet, and Germany
is seriously outgunned and to some extent outflanked.
My assessment overall is that France has clear superiority but needs about
four years to reduce Germany to harmlessness. Does France have four years
without worrying about a new enemy in the Mediterranean? I suspect so.
Italy is deeply entrenched enough that it w