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Message from Germany to England
Well Ben it's time for drastic meassures and weird and bizzar moves.
I dont need comformation but here is one move I WILL BE DOING.
i WILL BE PUSHING den - swe.
I leave it up to you to decide if you cut support from NWY and support me into SWE allowing us to pick up NWY in the fall. If on the other hand you decide to use this information and support yourself into NWY is up to you.
I am even a little tempted to push for PRU & SIL just to have some sort of revenge on the Russian and at the same time allowing France to take MUN & KIE. Rather a french solo that a draw excluding me.
So it's up to you. I dont need a reply to this press but DEN - SWE has been ordered.
Message from Italy to England and France
Erik....
Help me out here....
Explain the builds. I want to hear it, in your words.
Message from France to England and Italy
> Erik....
>
> Help me out here....
>
> Explain the builds. I want to hear it, in your words.
Andy:
I'll be happy to explain the builds, but not in my words. Instead, I'll
use the words of a fictional, hyperbolized 18th-century pirate.
Arrrr, 'twas a hard bargain the yellow-bellied English dog struck with me
and me mateys -- no fleets in Brest, he tells me, lest I should wish to
see the Armada strike out across the channel in search of French blood.
So here's what I'll do, I tells myself, I'll build me a fleet of stout
sail and sturdy cannon in the drydocks of Marseilles, and keep her there
as a reminder to me Italian friends and neighbors that the French still
keep a keen eye on their southern shores. And there she shall stay, until
such time that she is called out to sea by salty Italian brigands or a
battle up north for which I am ill-prepared.
Listen, last I checked, you just wanted me to make good with England and
keep plugging away at your nemesis, Tony. We never made any agreement
about building / not building in Mar, so I didn't think it necessary to
keep you informed of 11th-hour horse trading. In any case, it's clearly no
help to me against you except in defense, so as long as you keep your
fleets on your side of the Med, you don't need to worry about it. Right?
Erik
Message from Italy to England and France
>
> I'll be happy to explain the builds, but not in my words. Instead, I'll
> use the words of a fictional, hyperbolized 18th-century pirate.
Erik...let me paraphrase my interpretation of your response to me.....
"Tough shit, I dont trust you at all"
Thats ok....and with our history its not all that surprising.
I just want to make sure that we both understand how I feel about this.
Message from Russia to England
As promised, StP is clear.
I was looking over the board, and with France looking to make gains quickly,
I was thinking that it might make sense to try to get you two builds this
season rather than you one and me one. I'm thinking that after you take Den
(and to be optimistic, let's assume that's successful), I should support you
to Kie (that is, Den-Kie, Nth-Den, Lon-Nth/Eng/whatever makes sense to you).
If France gets much bigger then there's not going to be anything we can do to
slow him down. While arguably you can say the same thing about me, I'm much
less of a threat to you.
Anyway, this is my first checkin. No doubt Tony's offers to support you to
Swe (no, for real this time!) will come rolling in shortly. I hope my build
made it clear I am committed to ER cooperation for considerable time into the
future.
Gotta run -- Jury Duty is likely to keep me off line all day. Talk to you
when I can.
--- Eric
Message from England to Italy
Andy -
I would tell you if I thought he wanted to attack you - why wouldn't I -
right now I think he didn't know what else to do with the build. I could be
wrong & I'm not asking you to do anything particular, just sharing my 2c.
Probably because of your history, you scare the crap out of him.
Ben
Message from England to France
Erik -
> I'll be happy to explain the builds, but not in my words.
> Instead, I'll
> use the words of a fictional, hyperbolized 18th-century pirate.
:->
Gave me a good laugh.
As I begin to think about the spring - will you be available to support me
into HOL?
Ben
Message from England to Russia
Eric -
> As promised, StP is clear.
Thank you.
> I was looking over the board, and with France looking to make
> gains quickly, I was thinking that it might make sense to try
> to get you two builds this season rather than you one and me
> one.
Sounds good to me!
> I'm thinking that after you take Den (and to be optimistic,
> let's assume that's successful), I should support you
> to Kie (that is, Den-Kie, Nth-Den, Lon-Nth/Eng/whatever makes
> sense to you).
Sounds good. If I fail to capture DEN in the spring, in the fall would you
be willing to support me in? Not sure how long I can go without building. .
.
> If France gets much bigger then there's not going to be
> anything we can do to
> slow him down. While arguably you can say the same thing
> about me, I'm much less of a threat to you.
Yes, yes, echoes of the raison d'etre for the ER.
> Anyway, this is my first checkin. No doubt Tony's offers to
> support you to
> Swe (no, for real this time!) will come rolling in shortly. I
> hope my build
> made it clear I am committed to ER cooperation for
> considerable time into the future.
Yes, we are on the same page. Tony is swearing he will order DEN - SWE,
which means either (a) he will, or possibly (b) he won't.
> Gotta run -- Jury Duty is likely to keep me off line all day.
> Talk to you when I can.
Ok - we have plenty of time.
Ben
Message from France to England
> Gave me a good laugh.
Well, games are supposed to be fun, after all.
> As I begin to think about the spring - will you be available to support
> me
> into HOL?
>
Absolutely. I've been going back and forth with Russia a little bit, and
I'm very pleased to see that he chose not to build F StP (nc). I honestly
haven't had a chance to look at the map, but I am willing to get you into
Holland, especially now that I've secured Belgium.
I think I've calmed Andy down. Either that or he's just playing nice and
planning an attack.
I'll look at the map and get back to you with some plans later. We need to
talk about Russia, too, because while he may be helpful in taking out
Germany, we don't want to push him past the tipping point of growth. I've
been trying to bring this up with Turkey and Austria, too, but they're not
very good partners, in my experience.
Erik
Message from Russia to England
Ben,
Yes, part of my earlier commitment is that if you don't get Den in Spring, I
support you there in Fall. That commitment is still in place. I just added to
it that if you do get there in Spring, then I should probably support you to
Kie in Fall. If Tony really does move to Swe, you will be in Den. If Tony
fails to order Den-Swe, then I'll be in Swe to help you come Fall. Either way
you will get at least one build.
--- Eric
Message from England to Russia
Eric -
That's what I thought I remembered, but I wasn't sure & I'm at work. I hope
jury duty is treating you well.
Ben
Message from Russia to England
It wasn't going to. I was a prospective juror for what would have been a 4
week+ murder trial. While I'm sure it would have been interesting to serve
(assuming I had been chosen, which is no sure thing either), I had no idea
how I was going to manage that and work AND diplomacy.
Turns out the parties decided to argue the case before the judge (no jury)
and so I was excused this AM. Whew!
--- Eric
Message from Italy to England
> Andy -
> I would tell you if I thought he wanted to attack you - why wouldn't I -
> right now I think he didn't know what else to do with the build. I could be
> wrong & I'm not asking you to do anything particular, just sharing my 2c.
>
> Probably because of your history, you scare the crap out of him.
Thanks, I appreciate that...
Message from England to Russia
Eric -
> It wasn't going to. I was a prospective juror for what would
> have been a 4 week+ murder trial.
Cool. A trial that long, probably has some ugly conspiracy connected.
Drugs, would be my guess.
> While I'm sure it would have been interesting to serve
> (assuming I had been chosen, which is no sure thing either),
> I had no idea how I was going to manage that and work AND
> diplomacy.
Get one of those little handheld e-mail doodads, and play Dip during the
trial. Who needs to pay attention? That's what the other 11 are for.
> Turns out the parties decided to argue the case before the
> judge (no jury) and so I was excused this AM. Whew!
Back to work. And Dip. Together.
For the capture of DEN, I am inclined to order NTH - DEN, to accommodate LON
- NTH, and then in the fall I would have all three units available for
operations against Germany. Slightly different from your proposal, but I
didn't think you'd mind.
Ben
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> Well Ben it's time for drastic meassures and weird and bizzar moves.
And weird and bizarre spelling too! Sorry, couldn't resist.
> I dont need comformation but here is one move I WILL BE DOING.
> i WILL BE PUSHING den - swe.
Ok.
> I leave it up to you to decide if you cut support from NWY
> and support me into SWE allowing us to pick up NWY in the
> fall. If on the other hand you decide to use this information
> and support yourself into NWY is up to you.
I will consult the Parliament and figure out the best tactic. I am hopeful
you understand - it seems you do - if I don't tell you in advance what that
will be.
> I am even a little tempted to push for PRU & SIL just to have
> some sort of revenge on the Russian and at the same time
> allowing France to take MUN & KIE. Rather a french solo that
> a draw excluding me.
I would agree with that - who wants to be eliminated in a draw. Yuck. But
of course you are about a thousand miles from that bridge - do not cross it
yet. Still I would understand you going to SIL, etc.; surely that A WAR is
not pro-German.
> So it's up to you. I dont need a reply to this press but DEN
> - SWE has been ordered.
Well, you got a reply anyway.
Good luck.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
> And weird and bizarre spelling too! Sorry, couldn't resist.>
Well I am dutch ;-)
> Ok.>
Ok
> I will consult the Parliament and figure out the best tactic. I am
hopeful
you understand - it seems you do - if I don't tell you in advance what that
will be.>
Either choice would be a pleasent surprise.
> I would agree with that - who wants to be eliminated in a draw. Yuck.
But
of course you are about a thousand miles from that bridge - do not cross it
yet. Still I would understand you going to SIL, etc.; surely that A WAR is
not pro-German.>
It was ment to compensate a Turkish build, I forget which one. The Russian
did press me to explain.
I will ignore him in press this turn, make him sweat a little ;-)
But you know the score, always offer all builds to one opponent, prefably
the strongest. It would be my last dying act.
Then I can just sit back and watch you to finally come to blows. Its funny
that 99 out of 100 S1901 moves always hold surprises, now only mine did. I
must admit though I pissed myself laughing when I received press regarding
Frances move to PIE. I couldnt stop laughing at the context of the text
where they quewried kweereed kwireed quireed kwiried (chose one) the sanity
of France. It has made the whole game worth while.
Good luck.
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> > And weird and bizarre spelling too! Sorry, couldn't resist.>
>
> Well I am dutch ;-)
I know. I felt alittle guilty but I didn't pass up the joke. Go ahead and
tease me for not knowing French or Dutch (or Spanish or Italian or
Russian, or Mandarin or Japanese or Portugese. Or German.).
> But you know the score, always offer all builds to one opponent, prefably
> the strongest. It would be my last dying act.
I suppose your experience is giving you some insight I lack - I do not seen
your doom so clearly.
> Then I can just sit back and watch you to finally come to blows. Its funny
> that 99 out of 100 S1901 moves always hold surprises, now only mine did. I
> must admit though I pissed myself laughing when I received press regarding
> Frances move to PIE. I couldnt stop laughing at the context of the text
> where they quewried kweereed kwireed quireed kwiried (chose one) the
sanity
> of France. It has made the whole game worth while.
:-) Queried.
Yeah, that was pretty funny. It was a low risk opening for me, assuming I
could trust France to stay out of ENG.
Well, good luck this spring.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
Just received some information. AI want to reactivate the never active AGI
alliance. Maybe the Juggernaut is about to roll. Interesting enough
information to pass on. You owe me one ;-) support into Sweden will suffice.
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> Just received some information. AI want to reactivate the
> never active AGI alliance.
Ressurrecting the non-dead?
> Maybe the Juggernaut is about to roll. Interesting enough
> information to pass on. You owe me one ;-) support into
> Sweden will suffice.
:-) NWY & STP for me, I suppose?
Ben
Message from Germany to England
> :-) NWY & STP for me, I suppose?>
Hardly.....
you support me into Sweden. I build a fleet in Kiel.
you retreat from NTH, I then take London and EDI in one year and swap them
both for NWY & STP the year after.
chose wisely, there is nothing worse than French Germans ;-)
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> Hardly.....
> you support me into Sweden. I build a fleet in Kiel.
> you retreat from NTH, I then take London and EDI in one year
> and swap them both for NWY & STP the year after.
Hmm, let me check my map.
Ok, as long as I get to finish out the game as a one center puppet in STP.
Agreed?
Ben
Message from Germany to England
How do you interperate the WAR build? a possible FR alliance? GAL/BOH to FR
and then divide England between themselves?
Message from Germany to England
> Ok, as long as I get to finish out the game as a one center puppet in STP.
Agreed?>
I hate it when you beg, but make it a one center puppet in Paris and you are
on.
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> How do you interperate the WAR build? a possible FR alliance?
> GAL/BOH to FR
> and then divide England between themselves?
Russia told me it was anti-German, but the information content is low, as of
course he would say that.
> I hate it when you beg, but make it a one center puppet in
> Paris and you are on.
You drive a hard bargain. I will look into available apartments, as soon as
I stop picking my toenails.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
> Russia told me it was anti-German, but the information content is low, as
of
> course he would say that.>
He told me it was anti Turkish and definitely not anti German. He was
worried that Turkey build an army.
As of course he would say that. Austria informed me that Russia informed him
that the unit wasnt anti Austrian
As of course Russia would say. The turkish build however does point to RT.
> I will look into available apartments, as soon as
> I stop picking my toenails.>
How old fashioned, I usually bite mine or have my wife pick them for me.
Any way speaking of hard bargains here is the deal. No matter what happens I
will be moving DEN - SWE.
I think I owe you this much. I am expect NTH - HEL, LON - NTH, SKA - DEN
supported by SWE.
On the other hand Austria has asked me to move BER - SIL and MUN - BOH.
In one swoop I could lose DEN, HOL, MUN and stand a remote chance of gaining
WAR.
This in conjunction with DEN - SWE could be my last dying act, go out with a
blast kind of thing.
I have started up 4 other games. The above moves may make it interesting for
the gallery (if anyone actually signed on).
Its bed time here, speak to you soon.
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
> > Russia told me it was anti-German, but the information content is low,
as
> of
> > course he would say that.>
>
> He told me it was anti Turkish and definitely not anti German. He was
> worried that Turkey build an army.
> As of course he would say that. Austria informed me that Russia informed
him
> that the unit wasnt anti Austrian
> As of course Russia would say. The turkish build however does point to RT.
And if there were RT conflict, you would expect /F/ SEV, rather than an
army, on this board.
> > I will look into available apartments, as soon as
> > I stop picking my toenails.>
>
> How old fashioned, I usually bite mine or have my wife pick them for me.
Kids are too old?
> Any way speaking of hard bargains here is the deal. No matter what
happens I
> will be moving DEN - SWE.
> I think I owe you this much. I am expect NTH - HEL, LON - NTH, SKA - DEN
> supported by SWE.
>
> On the other hand Austria has asked me to move BER - SIL and MUN - BOH.
> In one swoop I could lose DEN, HOL, MUN and stand a remote chance of
gaining
> WAR.
>
> This in conjunction with DEN - SWE could be my last dying act, go out
with a
> blast kind of thing.
> I have started up 4 other games. The above moves may make it interesting
for
> the gallery (if anyone actually signed on).
> Its bed time here, speak to you soon.
I could not handle your game load. I am at 4 right now - one of them I
picked up in what I thought was the endgame, but it turned out it wasn't -
and it's just too many.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
I have 10 games at the moment, seven of which are press games.
I looked back at my moves in this game using the map history, what a bunch
of amateur moves I made.
I am wondering what caused it. Maybe to many late nights. I have played
games where I considered everybody an enemy and treated them as such. I had
better results then than in this game. How I managed to make it to rank 340
with these types of moves I dont know. It must be a dip in my diplomacy
tatctical skills just as these occur in golf.
Question is how to continue. I can only gurantee DEN - SWE. I have asked for
an explanation from IA regarding there sudden friendship. Is it the
Juggernaut that spooked them or the French build or both. I dont mind dying
for a good cause. Especially not if I have made such a mess of moves when in
hindsight basic diplomacy tatctical moves would have surviced.
Any tips on which way to go with MUN, BER, KIE, HOL?
You know the moves I am expecting. I am just wondering if you are keeping an
eye on the big picture.
Hmmmmm blaze of glory exit (attack sil/boh) or just stick to common sense
and try and salvage what can be salvaged. Once again the only set move is
DEN - SWE. I have to leave you with at least one word kept concerning moves.
Interesting though that Russia has probably lied about moves in scandinavia
as much as I did.
If you dont think I will keep my word then expect DEN - HEL.
But as you well know my only chance is you taking Norway so DEN - SWE it
will be.
Message from England to Germany
Tony -
Reading between the lines of press I've gotten, RT is pretty likely. Plus
as we said, the board does not deny it.
> I have 10 games at the moment, seven of which are press games.
> I looked back at my moves in this game using the map history,
> what a bunch of amateur moves I made.
If you're not good - like I'm not good - then your expectations will be
lower. Try it!
> I am wondering what caused it. Maybe to many late nights. I
> have played
> games where I considered everybody an enemy and treated them
> as such. I had
> better results then than in this game. How I managed to make
> it to rank 340
> with these types of moves I dont know. It must be a dip in my
> diplomacy tatctical skills just as these occur in golf.
Yeah, looking back at games I am often disappointed at mistakes I've made at
a couple of critical points.
> Question is how to continue. I can only gurantee DEN - SWE. I
> have asked for
> an explanation from IA regarding there sudden friendship. Is it the
> Juggernaut that spooked them or the French build or both. I
> dont mind dying
> for a good cause. Especially not if I have made such a mess
> of moves when in
> hindsight basic diplomacy tatctical moves would have surviced.
IA is a natural response if they, like you and I, sniff an RT.
> Any tips on which way to go with MUN, BER, KIE, HOL?
Depends. I would expect an attack from Russia and an attack from France, in
your shoes. So, as you've said in so many words, pick your poison.
> You know the moves I am expecting. I am just wondering if you
> are keeping an eye on the big picture.
I try.
> Hmmmmm blaze of glory exit (attack sil/boh) or just stick to
> common sense
> and try and salvage what can be salvaged. Once again the only
> set move is
> DEN - SWE. I have to leave you with at least one word kept
> concerning moves.
> Interesting though that Russia has probably lied about moves
> in scandinavia as much as I did.
True. . .
> If you dont think I will keep my word then expect DEN - HEL.
> But as you well know my only chance is you taking Norway so
> DEN - SWE it will be.
Ok. Last time I told you I was counting on you doing what you said, and it
came back to hurt me, so this time forgive me for accepting your offer
without expressing any reliance on it.
Ben
Message from England to Germany
By the way, Tony,
> I have 10 games at the moment, seven of which are press games.
You are an insane person. I do not know how you can keep track. I am
drowning in my 4.
Ben
Message from Austria to England
Hi Ben,
Unless I'm mistaken, an RT it is. It may help
on the italian front, but I will have to wait to
know for sure.
Have you heard anything on your side?
Philippe
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> Unless I'm mistaken, an RT it is. It may help
> on the italian front, but I will have to wait to
> know for sure.
>
> Have you heard anything on your side?
Reading between the lines of some press I got from Turkey, and on the
builds, I am pretty sure of the RT. I am hoping you can now bury the
hatchet with Andy and work with him - he is well situated to push East, if
he likes. I do not think he has anything to fear from Erik - yet - F MAR
notwithstanding.
Everything I hear from Eric is sugar and spice. So it is difficult to
distill meaning or truth in correspondence from him. But that is my guess.
Ben
Message from England to Italy
Andy -
Philippe I think is ready to work with you. Give it a shot - I believe the
East has drifted (again) into an RT.
No doubt I'm two steps behind & you are on it already, but if not.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
I have 10 games at the moment, seven of which are press games.
I looked back at my moves in this game using the map history, what a bunch of amateur moves I made.
I am wondering what caused it. Maybe to many late nights. I have played games where I considered everybody an enemy and treated them as such. I had better results then than in this game. How I managed to make it to rank 340 with these types of moves I dont know. It must be a dip in my diplomacy tatctical skills just as these occur in golf.
Question is how to continue. I can only gurantee DEN - SWE. I have asked for an explanation from IA regarding there sudden friendship. Is it the Juggernaut that spooked them or the French build or both. I dont mind dying for a good cause. Especially not if I have made such a mess of moves when in hindsight basic diplomacy tatctical moves would have surviced.
Any tips on which way to go with MUN, BER, KIE, HOL?
You know the moves I am expecting. I am just wondering if you are keeping an eye on the big picture.
Hmmmmm blaze of glory exit (attack sil/boh) or just stick to common sense and try and salvage what can be salvaged. Once again the only set move is DEN - SWE. I have to leave you with at least one word kept concerning moves. Interesting though that Russia has probably lied about moves in scandinavia as much as I did.
If you dont think I will keep my word then expect DEN - HEL.
But as you well know my only chance is you taking Norway so DEN - SWE it will be.
Message from Italy to England
>
> No doubt I'm two steps behind & you are on it already, but if not.
>
Just to make sure you understand what you are asking me to do.
I am moving on Erik..right now.
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
I've taken the liberty of encouraging Andy to work with you. Perhaps he is
already, but AI is important in the face of RT. As you know.
Ben
Message from England to Italy
Andy -
> Just to make sure you understand what you are asking me to do.
> I am moving on Erik..right now.
Erm. No. That's not what I had in mind, though I would understand it,
after F MAR.
I believe there is an RT, in which case I hope you could bury the hatchet
and cooperate with Philippe in the East. Surely you are troubled by F SMY.
Either way you go has its advantages for me. But what I'd been asking, was
for you to push against RT with an IA.
Sorry I was unclear.
Ben
Message from Italy to England
Ben,
Let me make it clearer.
> > Just to make sure you understand what you are asking me to do.
> > I am moving on Erik..right now.
> Erm. No. That's not what I had in mind, though I would understand it,
> after F MAR.
>
> I believe there is an RT, in which case I hope you could bury the hatchet
> and cooperate with Philippe in the East. Surely you are troubled by F SMY.
>
> Either way you go has its advantages for me. But what I'd been asking, was
> for you to push against RT with an IA.
>
> Sorry I was unclear.
In order for me to bury the hatchet with Philippe, I *MUST* move on Erik.
Message from England to Italy
Andy -
> Let me make it clearer.
>
> In order for me to bury the hatchet with Philippe, I *MUST* move on Erik.
Ok, now I understand you, but I still don't understand you. What about ION
- EAS/AEG, TUN - ION, VEN - TYR, ROM - VEN? Is this not a Lepanto, several
seasons late? With TYR - BOH - etc. (or TYR - PIE, or VIE, or MUN, or
whatever?)
I'm not trying to get you killed by Erik, obviously that hurts me second
only to you.
What I want to know is, can you wait for me to get in position to work with
you? Depending on how fast Germany goes down - hopefully soon.
So I can be smarter, I'd also like for you to explain to me why you have to
attack France to get Austrian cooperation - I would think for now Philippe
wouldn't be making too many demands. . .
Ben
Message from Italy to England
Ben,
> > In order for me to bury the hatchet with Philippe, I *MUST* move on Erik.
> Ok, now I understand you, but I still don't understand you. What about ION
> - EAS/AEG, TUN - ION, VEN - TYR, ROM - VEN? Is this not a Lepanto, several
> seasons late? With TYR - BOH - etc. (or TYR - PIE, or VIE, or MUN, or
> whatever?)
No...you dont.
Philippe has told me, that if I make any set of moves other than what he
has *requested*, he will fight me an GIVE his dots to Russia.
> I'm not trying to get you killed by Erik, obviously that hurts me second
> only to you.
I think that is a good idea too.
> What I want to know is, can you wait for me to get in position to work with
> you? Depending on how fast Germany goes down - hopefully soon.
Well....maybe...if I dont work with Austria, I might be able to do that.
Andy
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
One thing you can try is, if you can successfully bury the hatchet with
Andy, a late Lepanto. It's like you & he are already set up for it: his
fleets push east & his army VEN goes TYR - BOH to help with GAL and
ultimately to WAR, etc. It's the original Lepanto, and the best way to
bring his units to bear against RT, as far as I know.
It would require some trust on both your parts, but it is the natural &
old-fashioned antidote to the Juggernaut.
Do you want me to bounce it off him, or something? Let me know your
thoughts.
Ben
Message from England to Italy
Andy -
I wrote Philippe - he & I were already corresponding about the Juggernaut -
I extolled the virtues of the good ole-fashioned Lepanto, VEN - TYR - BOH
etc.
Hopefully he will nibble.
Ben
Message from Germany to England
I think I passed insane when I had 29 games going at once.
Message from Austria to England
> Do you want me to bounce it off him, or something? Let me know your
> thoughts.
Thanks Ben,
I appreciate it, but would prefer you wait abit to see how he
react to your initial approach first. I wouldn't want to rush
him.
Also, does your word carry any weight with Jason? It would
be interesting to have him start thinking to break off the RT,
so it's easier to convince him to do so later on.
Regards,
Philippe
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> I appreciate it, but would prefer you wait abit to see how he
> react to your initial approach first. I wouldn't want to rush
> him.
I do not understand this. My initial approach to him was that he should
try to work with you, because an AI is necessary to fight an RT. Without
it, A goes down first, and I, G and E soon after. The only power that may
benefit is France, and clearly the power that goes down the hardest is
Austria - you. You say you want to wait and see, my friend, if you do,
then you and shortly after, I will pay the price. *My* survival depends on
your ability to fight off an RT, which you cannot do without Italian
assistance both against Turkey - TUN - EAS, etc., and against Russia - VEN
- TYR - BOH. I do not write these words lightly - I am deadly serious. If
you and Andy cannot hold hands for alittle while and play nice, this game
will be over in 1912 or so with a RTF draw.
I do not have blinders on about Andy and I would engage him as an ally only
cautiously. But he has every reason to want to fight *Turkey* - not you -
and he can't really fight France right now, without crippling me, thus
benefitting the RT even more.
This is not good. Andy is well situated to push East - to his natural
target, Turkey - but if he waits a phase or two, as you seem to prefer, he
may not be in such a good position, and may not be able to help you. You
will be the first to go.
> Also, does your word carry any weight with Jason? It would
> be interesting to have him start thinking to break off the RT,
> so it's easier to convince him to do so later on.
Jason listens but he doesn't take my advice. Lately he doesn't have much
to say, either. . .
In this position, as in most, you must choose from among a selection of
imperfect options. Choose wisely.
Ben
Message from England to England
I do not doubt Andy's description of his negotiations with Philippe. They
are consistent with tactics & what I've heard elsewhere, including from
Philippe himself.
My press to him pretty much is how I feel - not much to add.
Ben
Message from Russia to all
Everyone,
Sometime Thursday afternoon I was hit hard by a bug (cold or flu) of
somesort which completely wiped me out. I've been pretty much out of
commission for the last 48-60ish hours. I'll try to catch up with
communications tonight and tomorrow, but wanted to let folks know that I'm
not intentionally ignoring anyone.
--- Eric
Message from Russia to England
Hi Ben,
Checking in after my unexpected absence. Looking over the board there's a
number of things that come to mind. Ironically, it was Tony that pointed
out to me that you might want to move to Hel. He suggested that I offer you
(but not provide) support to Den so that you wouldn't try to go there. If
you were to take Hel, that would give us attacks on both Kie and Den in
Fall, and very likely get your Lon fleet on board against Germany in any
case. From Erik, I also get the sense that he'd be willing to support you
to Hol, and I could see Nth-Hol/Lon-Nth as being something you might like
as well.
If I had to guess, I would say that Tony will indeed make a move that
supports you against me, whether that be Den-Swe or actually offering the
support he failed to provide last season. I'm hoping that you won't take
advantage of any such support, seeing how we've been able to work together
pretty well, but I gave you all the initiative in that respect when I
decided against building in StP.
Let me know what you think. I have selfish and I think self-evident reasons
for preferring you going to Hel or Hol over taking Den in Spring, but I'm
not trying to be pushy. Just want to consider the options.
--- Eric
Message from England to France and Russia
Greetings Erik and Eric. I have been corresponding with you separately
about our approach to Germany and now I write you together.
What Eric had proposed initially is, I attempt DEN while he moves to BAL
and SWE. The idea being, then in the fall he can support me into KIE and
we can do as much damage as possible to Germany in the year.
An alternative, recently proposed also by Eric, is that I try for HEL in
the spring, and (I suppose) he will support me into DEN that same season.
Eric I may have misunderstood but it would seem to me the most logical use
of SKA.
Erik has offered support to HOL.
My preference is to accept Eric's original proposal of fall support into
KIE while I try for DEN in the spring. If (a) I successfully dislodge DEN
then it will surely retreat to HEL. If (b) I fail to dislodge DEN then
with Russian support I can capture it in the fall. If (a) then I am not
going to capture both KIE and HOL in the fall, and if (b) then I will
capture - with Erik's support - HOL and hold DEN. Either way, gaining two
at Germany's expense.
My preference for this strategy is a mild one - I am up for just about
anything. Let me know your thoughts.
Ben
Message from England to Russia
Eric -
I hope you feel better.
I did not think you would mind me including Erik in our discussions.
I have tickets to the game today! Going to see the 'Hawks come to town!
Ben
Message from England to France
Erik -
There is an RT again. I am glad to work with Eric for awhile but for the
good of the Atlantic and the stalemate line, bear in mind that we cannot
let him get further than NWY, and he needs zero more northern fleets.
Ben
Message from France to England and Russia
Ben:
Your plan sounds good, but I'm worried about butting my head into Munich
over and over while you two make gains. Granted, you're in a weak
position, and you need builds more than either of us. I'd really like to
get into Munich, though -- any chance that Warsaw could move to Silesia,
Eric?
I also need to keep a close eye on Andy. Ben, any idea what he's up to? His
replies to me are terse and mystifiying, as usual.
Erik
Message from England to France
Erik -
> Your plan sounds good, but I'm worried about butting my head into Munich
> over and over while you two make gains. Granted, you're in a weak
> position, and you need builds more than either of us. I'd really like to
> get into Munich, though -- any chance that Warsaw could move to Silesia,
> Eric?
I would love it if he would. . .
Concerning my two gains: if I am too weak then Russia will be able to
cruise into the Atlantic, across the stalemate line. This I hope you will
agree, is a problem for you. Plus the dots I'm discussing, HOL and DEN and
KIE, I hope you will agree are naturally English. Plus my proposal only
calls on *any* contribution from you in the fall, so you would have the
spring and all seasons following the fall to pursue Munich, should you fail
to capture it this spring.
> I also need to keep a close eye on Andy. Ben, any idea what he's up to?
His
> replies to me are terse and mystifiying, as usual.
It's how he writes. I am applying pretty firm pressure to get him to go
east, to Turkey especially, but I have no particular reason to think he
will listen to me.
Careful how much discussion of Andy we have with Eric - it's important to
the two of *us* that Andy go east, but I am not so sure Eric feels the same
way. . .
Ben
Message from France to England and Russia
So are we all set for this turn? I'm pounding away at Munich, but will be
prepared to support units into Kiel or Holland as requested. Anything else
we need to consider?
Erik
Message from England to France and Russia
> So are we all set for this turn? I'm pounding away at Munich,
> but will be
> prepared to support units into Kiel or Holland as requested.
> Anything else we need to consider?
I'll be trying for DEN & will be seeking support into HOL in the fall. Also
I will be seeking support from Eric into KIE in the fall; I think the
chances of me ending up with three dots are about zero, but we can take
stock after the spring & see where we are. I am hoping for two.
Have yet to hear from Eric; I'm hoping for a note confirming, or a
counterproposal, which would be fine. I will be pretty busy for the next
six hours or so but then should have some access on and off until an hour
before the deadline.
Ben
Message from Austria to England
Hi Ben,
Sorry for the misunderstanding, but when I asked you to wait,
I only meant a few days to see if it was really necessary after
your initial approach. I was simply afraid that Andy would feel
pressured into doing something against his will and decide to
attack me out of spite.
I realise that I can't really afford to fight with him and if I can
believe what I have receive from him, so does he. So, it seem
that whatever you sent him was well received and I could only
wish it was the same for Jason.
Thank you for your effort on my behalf,
Philippe.
P.-S. How is it going on your side? Any chances of Russia
taking a hit in the north soon?
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> Sorry for the misunderstanding, but when I asked you to wait,
> I only meant a few days to see if it was really necessary after
> your initial approach. I was simply afraid that Andy would feel
> pressured into doing something against his will and decide to
> attack me out of spite.
I honestly was not sure what you meant but I did not want to take a chance.
Sorry if I laid it on too thick. . .
> I realise that I can't really afford to fight with him and if I can
> believe what I have receive from him, so does he. So, it seem
> that whatever you sent him was well received and I could only
> wish it was the same for Jason.
:-) I've pressured Jason many times to attack Russia. You can see the good
it's doing. . .
> Thank you for your effort on my behalf,
You are welcome.
> P.-S. How is it going on your side? Any chances of Russia
> taking a hit in the north soon?
In the far north - not particularly likely. I am not as equipped as I would
like to be. I am trying with diplomacy to limit his growth. It might help
for you to let *France* know you are concerned about Russia coming over the
top, if you haven't yet.
As I've written you already, Italy can help you against Russia, if you will
let him go VEN - TYR - BOH, etc. We /are/ dealing with Andy, so there is
some risk, and you will have to decide for yourself the best course of
action.
Good luck, my friend.
Ben
Message from Austria to England
> like to be. I am trying with diplomacy to limit his growth. It might help
> for you to let *France* know you are concerned about Russia coming over the
> top, if you haven't yet.
Are you telling me that France intend to split up Germany
with Russia? It's hard to think of a worst situation for both
of us.
Philippe
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> Are you telling me that France intend to split up Germany
> with Russia? It's hard to think of a worst situation for both
> of us.
They have both approached me about it. The of course have also both
promised me a piece of the pie, which is precisely the reason I asked you to
caution France about the danger of a growing Russia. I am worried about
getting squeezed. . .
Ben
Message from England to England
If this year goes poorly I can start my eog.
I'm worried I told Philippe too much but I need him to work Andy against
Russia if I can at all engineer it.
Ben
Message from Austria to England
> They have both approached me about it. The of course have also both
> promised me a piece of the pie, which is precisely the reason I asked you to
> caution France about the danger of a growing Russia. I am worried about
> getting squeezed. . .
With France at 6 and Russia at 7, any cooperation between those
two mean you are allready being squeezed. For God's sake, you
are still at three because of last year.
It look like you're in the same situation with Tony as I am with
Andy, so if you want me to try to return the favor, let me know. I
can't promise anything, but I owe it to you.
Philippe
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> With France at 6 and Russia at 7, any cooperation between those
> two mean you are allready being squeezed. For God's sake, you
> are still at three because of last year.
Well, you don't have to rub it in. . . :-)
> It look like you're in the same situation with Tony as I am with
> Andy, so if you want me to try to return the favor, let me know. I
> can't promise anything, but I owe it to you.
Hmm. Let me see how this next season goes. I think my situation may not be
as desperate as yours, but I could be wrong.
Ben
Message from Austria to England
> Well, you don't have to rub it in. . . :-)
Sorry, I was thinking about France. With a good ally
like you, his job should be to have you get back to the
same level of sc as he, not share some with your enemy.
> Hmm. Let me see how this next season goes. I think my situation may not be
> as desperate as yours, but I could be wrong.
Your call. As for France, how do you think I should
approach him. If he's close to Russia, everything I
say to him migth only incite Russia to eliminate me
more quickly.
Philippe
Message from England to Austria
Philippe -
> > Well, you don't have to rub it in. . . :-)
>
> Sorry, I was thinking about France. With a good ally
> like you, his job should be to have you get back to the
> same level of sc as he, not share some with your enemy.
That's what I'm hoping.
> > Hmm. Let me see how this next season goes. I think my
> situation may not be
> > as desperate as yours, but I could be wrong.
>
> Your call. As for France, how do you think I should
> approach him. If he's close to Russia, everything I
> say to him migth only incite Russia to eliminate me
> more quickly.
That's true, but there are some things you could say that would be harmless
if repeated: "Russia is too big; I'm worried England won't be able to hold
him if he makes a push across the top; I am trying to get Andy to go east
but if he stabs me then most of my dots will go to Russia," stuff like that,
colored to match your ongoing correspondence.
Good luck.
Ben
Message from Russia to England and France
Ben and Erik,
Was offline again all day yesterday. Back now. Given my current
decongestant-induced mental state I don't think I should do tons of
planning, so I'm happy to be a sheep at this point in the negotiations, and
forego further counterproposals.
--- Eric
Message from Russia to England
Ben,
I was so out of it yesterday that I couldn't stay focused on the whole
Raiders game, though I got focused again for the finish. Yet again the
Raiders are just bad enough to lose. :(
I didn't see it, but I heard that your team had an awesome endgame. Congrats!
--- Eric
Message from England to Russia
Eric -
> I was so out of it yesterday that I couldn't stay focused on the whole
> Raiders game, though I got focused again for the finish. Yet again the
> Raiders are just bad enough to lose. :(
Yeah, but the Chiefs are tough. Don't take this one too hard.
> I didn't see it, but I heard that your team had an awesome
> endgame. Congrats!
It was pretty thrilling. . .
I think Erik is waiting on confirmation of the plan, which is pretty much
your Plan A of SWE - BAL, NWY - SWE, with support into KIE or DEN in the
fall, depending on where I am.
If I dislodge DEN he will no doubt retreat to HEL and I will gain, even with
HOL, at most two centers.
I'll be away for the computer for awhile. What do you think?
Ben
Message from England to France and Russia
Ok, then we are on.
Ben
Austria: Fleet Adriatic Sea → Albania (*bounce*)
Austria: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Serbia → Rumania (*cut*)
Austria: Army Serbia → Rumania (*bounce, destroyed*)
Austria: Army Vienna → Trieste (*bounce*)
England: Fleet London → North Sea
England: Fleet North Sea → Denmark
England: Fleet Skagerrak SUPPORT Fleet North Sea → Denmark
France: Army Belgium → Holland
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Ruhr → Munich
France: Fleet Marseilles HOLD
France: Army Paris → Burgundy (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Portugal → Mid-Atlantic Ocean
France: Army Ruhr → Munich (*bounce, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Berlin SUPPORT Army Munich
Germany: Fleet Denmark → Sweden (*bounce, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Holland → Ruhr
Germany: Army Kiel SUPPORT Army Holland → Ruhr
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Holland → Ruhr
Italy: Army Greece → Serbia
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea → Albania (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Rome → Venice (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tunis → Ionian Sea (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Venice → Trieste (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Galicia → Budapest (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Norway → Sweden (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Rumania → Sevastopol (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Sevastopol → Ukraine (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sweden → Baltic Sea
Russia: Army Ukraine → Rumania (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw → Silesia
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Bulgaria
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Italian Army Greece → Serbia
Turkey: Army Constantinople SUPPORT Army Bulgaria
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna → Aegean Sea
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