A Kaiser can dream, can’t he?
Oh, I suppsed you’d have just held. Boooooring!
Germany: kyyrewyyoae
Looks like a pretty nifty start, but you’d better hope that you didn’t sell your soul to get Italy and England on board. That English army on the mainland is a threat to everyone, and Italy will win the race to Iberia. Also, you’ve left quite a rear flank for Russia considering you antagonized him with that bump.
**France: wevets **
Hmm, feeling a little paranoid are we? Italy and Germany really out guessed you in Marseilles. Still, no need to panic just yet. Use that sweet French accent to lull England and Italy into your way of thinking, it’s certainly more appealing than the German stuccato. Build wisely and hunker down, you may just survive this.
**England: lno **
Very nicely done, but you’d better stake a firm claim in Scandinavia soon. Getting a army ito the main land was a major coup, and getting a second one off the isles would go a long way to a win. You’d better wear that quill down to a nub with all those dimplocatic missives. There’s alot of work left to be done, and not just in your discussions with your 3 local neighbors.
**Turkey: treis **
I’m sure the plan was drwn up a little differently than it played out, no? Russia really must have sweet talked you to have you avoiding the Black Sea like the plague. Then again, maybe not so much considering that move to Rumania…split personality disorder then? You’d better got the left and right hands talking to one another soon, or Austria and Russia will be having a field day…hell, they won’t even need an alliance to do it. Then again, those two haven’t exactly been operating like a well oiled machine either.
**Italy: Shibboleth **
What was that we were saying about Shibb being a duplicitous bastard before this game started? Well, he’s certainly done a nifty job so far. It’s interesting that Italy always used to start the game pretty peacefully, waiting for the eventual opening and generally stirring mistrust among others. Yet, in both games here and in the last couple we’ve played, Italy has gone all anti-France. It looks to be a worth while move here, at least as far as Austria is concerned. I’d have a great plan if I were playing Italy here, but I think it’d be in bad taste to share it all with you. Still, you’d better hope you get some SCs fast or this Italy/Austria alliance could become very once sided fast.
**Austria: Priceguy **
And our first round gold medal goes to Austria. Of course, the first round gold medal is usually a very dubious prize indeed. You’d be amazed how seeing so much red on a map right away can scare the crap out of everyone else. You really reaped some rewards from the Turkish oops, and the Russian bear certainly allowed you to get cozied up close. Still, if Italy gets fickle or the western dogpile changes quickly you might have to hide that target on your back. Nonethesless, you’ve shown some diplomatic skill and I don’t doubt it’ll continue…right?
Russia: CapnPitt
I bet you’ve seen better days, a pair of knives in your back already. Regretting that Warsaw hold, I’m sure. Both Austria and Germany deserve a little white cannon in their kidneys after those stabs. Hmm, where to build, where to build. Count your blessings that you haven’t already been crowded out of Scandinavia, but you’d better find some fast friends pronto.
For all the drama in my game, this one’s no slouch either. And if I were a betting man, I’d wager next year will be even more hazzardous.
Aaaaaaaaah! It’s headed right for us!
:eek:
What? Winter?
Yes it is. Don’t be late with those builds, people!
Of course not, that’s what fake support orders are for. Order F Den S F Nth->Hel to mess with everyone’s head 
Since Omni always has such sweet things to say about me, I’ll return the favor on SDMB Game 2:
Germany: Omniscient
This is a fairly conservative Germany opening, but I can’t say as I’m surprised. This is a tournament, and Germany is a tough country to play. Just too many fronts for my taste. Don’t antagonize the neighbors too much and look for that small opening to gain a little more space.
France: RTFirefly
The big question here was how much of that public breast beating early on was genuine and how much for show, to throw the dogs off the scent. I’m betting on the latter, but you never know. Things seem pretty smooth with England at this point, and Germany can’t be too worried about that French Fleet in Belgium moving inland. He’s got to be a bit peeved with Italy, since Italy’s early moves prevented a fleet build in Marseilles. But so far not bad.
**England: Malacandra **
While things seem nice now with France, he’s still got to be smarting that he could open more strongly against Russia. Especially now with all of the unrest on the southern Russian border. Still, don’t be surprised to see England and France stay pals long enough to threaten the northern German coast.
**Turkey: Alan Smithee **
Definitely has my “Reversal of Fortune” award for the first year. From head shaking to “AH!” This is probably the strongest Turkish opening of any game I’ve personally watched. And no one’s in a position to do anything about it.
**Italy: Saoirse **
Take your meds, son. I’ve never seen Italy go so far out of his way to tick off all of his neighbors. Let’s hope you’ve got something really stunning in your bag of tricks a la the Turk, or it could be a very short game for you. Sure, there are no wolves at the door this morning, but it wouldn’t be tough to entice the other’s in the vicinity to put plans on hold and put together a concerted attack on Italy’s shores.
**Austria: John Corrado **
One can certainly do worse in the first year for Austria, and many have. At least you’ve got a friend in the Turks, for now, but Italy has been nettlesome, hasn’t he? Just make sure you get enough of the pie to forestall further incursions in the Dolomites.
Russia: Munch
Poor Russia has gotten the other end of the “Reversal of Fortune” award given to Turkey. Worried about the north, rightly so, then stabbed in the south. This is the Russian paradox: so big, so strong, so spread out, so weak. And just so damned tempting for all his neighbors. Use that one build wisely, my friend. You’re going to need it.
Boy was I ever wrong about that Juggernaut in our game. Just as well for Russia that Germany didn’t peevishly bounce him in Swe. :eek: Looks like I have some negotiating to do.
Had France not moved to Eng. in Spring I could, with what Germany played, have picked up Bel. by now. But then a five-unit England this early would no doubt be looked on as a nasty threat, so it’s not all bad.
Hmm ::bites quill::
I just did the obvious moves under the circumstances. The only vaguely controversial move was leaving Trieste unguarded. It was a gamble, and this time, it worked.
While his position is indeed incredibly strong, I still don’t get that move to Syria.
It was a feint. Let’s assume that Russia and Turkey agreed to bounce Black Sea. Fine. Now let’s say that Turkey orders A Smyrna-Syria. Russia (and all observers) are thinking: what a maroon! Now he could have ordered A Smy-Armenia right away, but that looks a lot more threatening and Russia probably then doesn’t cede the Black Sea. And what would you gain by doing that earlier? Probably not much, since an army can’t support a fleet, but you do tip your hand.
OTOH, it could have been just pure dunderheadness or him just having some fun, like ordering a fleet in Denmark to Portugal, although not as extreme. But my guess is still that it was meant to obfuscate his true intentions.
Map is at: http://www.wooleysark.com/dip
Schedule:
Spring 1902 Orders due: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
Fall 1902 Orders due: Tuesday, December 20, 2005, 9AM Eastern US Time
Winter 1902 Orders due: Thursday, December 22, 2005, 9AM Eastern US Time
And then we’ll take a break for the holiday.
And the orders:
Austria: Build A Vienna
Build A Budapest
England: Build F London
France: Build A Paris
Germany: Build F Berlin
Build A Munich
Italy: Build F Naples
Russia: Build F Sevastopol
Turkey: Build F Smyrna
And one player in game two continues to be late. I’ll have the game at work so I can do the builds there when they come in.
I’m scratching my head about that F Sev build. What I get out of it is an engraved message from Russia to Turkey saying, “I’m going to try to stab you, even though I don’t have the strength to pull it off.” It’ll keep Turkey a bit more tied down on defense than he’d like to be, and Austria will likely benefit.
The builds also say that (a) all of France’s neighbors are still gunning for France, and (b) the Austria-Italy understanding is maintained, which gives both of them unusual freedom of action for this point in the game.
Map is at: http://www.wooleysark.com/dip
Schedule:
Spring 1902 Orders due: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
Fall 1902 Orders due: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
Winter 1902 Orders due: Thursday, December 22, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
And then we’ll take a break for the holiday.
And the orders:
Austria: Build A Vienna
England: Build F Edinburgh
France: Build A Brest
Build A Paris
Germany: Build F Kiel
Build A Munich
Italy: Build A Venice
Russia: Build A Moscow
Turkey: Build F Constantinople
Hm, both France and Italy build armies. Britannia definitely rules the waves in Game 2.
We are a nation of peaceful fishermen. But at the moment I think I’d rather be Turkey.
And we are a peaceful nation of dairy farmers and cheese-eaters.
Not to be confused with Cheeseheads. That’s on a whole 'nother continent.
“Blessed are the cheesemakers.”
–Life of Brian
Map is at: http://www.wooleysark.com/dip
Retreats/Disbands:
German A Burgundy can retreat to Gascony or OTB.
That retreats is due by tomorrow morning or it goes OTB.
Schedule:
Fall 1902 Orders due: Tuesday, December 20, 2005, 9AM Eastern US Time
Winter 1902 Orders due: Thursday, December 22, 2005, 9AM Eastern US Time
Spring 1903 Orders due: Wednesday, January 4, 2006, 9AM Eastern US Time
And the orders:
Austria: A Budapest - Serbia (Fails)
A Galicia Supports A Ukraine - Rumania (Void)
F Greece - Aegean Sea
A Serbia - Greece (Bounce)
A Vienna - Budapest (Fails)
England: A Belgium - Norway
F English Channel - Belgium
F London - English Channel
F North Sea Convoys A Belgium - Norway
France: A Marseilles Supports A Picardy - Burgundy
A Paris Supports A Picardy - Burgundy
A Picardy - Burgundy
F Portugal - Spain(sc)
Germany: F Berlin - Baltic Sea (Bounce)
A Burgundy Hold (Dislodged)
F Denmark - Sweden
A Holland - Ruhr
A Munich Supports A Burgundy
Italy: F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Piedmont Hold
F Tunis - Western Mediterranean
A Tuscany Hold
Russia: F Gulf of Bothnia - Baltic Sea (Bounce)
F Rumania Supports F Sevastopol - Black Sea
F Sevastopol - Black Sea
A Ukraine Hold
A Warsaw - Silesia
Turkey: F Ankara - Black Sea (Fails)
A Bulgaria - Greece (Bounce)
A Constantinople Supports A Bulgaria (Ordered to Move)
F Smyrna Hold
Map is at: http://www.wooleysark.com/dip
Retreats/Disbands:
Russian F Sevastopol has no retreats, disbanded.
Schedule:
Fall 1902 Orders due: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
Winter 1902 Orders due: Thursday, December 22, 2005 9AM Eastern US Time
Spring 1903 Orders due: Wednesday, January 4, 2006 9AM Eastern US Time
And the orders:
Austria: A Galicia - Bohemia
A Serbia - Greece
F Trieste Hold
A Vienna Supports F Trieste
England: F Edinburgh - North Sea
A London Hold
F North Sea - Skagerrak
F Norway Supports F Edinburgh - North Sea
France: F Belgium Supports F Edinburgh - North Sea (Cut)
A Brest - Picardy
A Marseilles Supports A Paris - Burgundy
A Paris - Burgundy (Bounce)
A Spain Hold
Germany: F Denmark Supports F Kiel - Helgoland Bight
A Holland - Belgium (Fails)
F Kiel - Helgoland Bight
A Munich - Burgundy (Bounce)
A Ruhr Supports A Munich - Burgundy
Italy: A Rome - Apulia
F Tunis - Ionian Sea
A Tyrolia - Trieste (Fails)
A Venice Supports A Tyrolia - Trieste
Russia: A Livonia - St Petersburg
A Moscow Supports A Warsaw - Ukraine
F Sevastopol - Rumania (Disbanded)
F Sweden, no move received
A Warsaw - Ukraine
Turkey: A Armenia - Sevastopol
F Black Sea Supports A Armenia - Sevastopol
F Constantinople - Aegean Sea
A Rumania Supports A Armenia - Sevastopol
Wow. Between these two games and Vanilla my head is spinning. A lot to sort out here.