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Message from England to France
Prince Boar,
Congratulations.
We may have to add a "go slow" campaign in Italy to the "go slow" campaign
in Germany!
I'm off to work. Don't know when I will get back to you. Later today, I hope.
Ivy
Message from Italy to France
Keep the fleet train a-comin'. Pile it on. Take me out of my misery.
Do you need support into Munich?
Idalia, for the good graces of the ArchDuke
Message from Russia to France
Xavier, My Friend,
We may have a problem... Ivy has the potential
for four builds this year. (StP, Den, Hol, and
Bre.) Germany claims StP/SC-GoB, Nwy-StP/NC
was arranged, but Ivy says he hasn't heard from
Fredd. Fredd could easily be trying to sow
dissent in EFR, but the possibility is one we
have to consider. What are you hearing from
GI?
Nick
Message from France to Russia
Nick:
Germany has pointed out England's build potential, but
did not mention that the moves near St. Petes were
arranged. Of course I see the danger that you are
mentioning. This is why I will likely not move from
Belgium to Ruhr. I am not sure whether to react or
trust Ivy. He could make the big jump to huge. But he
would not damage me too much and Italy would then be
allowed to grow as I retreated to fight England. This
would allow Italy to eliminate Turkey and get to 13 or
so centers and have a 100% defensible line. I will
remind England of that and see what he says.
Has he promised to move out of St. Petes?
--Xavier
Message from France to Italy
Roberto:
I am sorry for bouncing you in Munich. I thought about
it quite a bit, but felt that it was my best defensive
move. In hindsight it was probably a bad move. Oh well.
I did not realize that you were planning on pulling back
your fleets immediately. I figured that you would only
do so if Munich was certain. Hence I wanted to have a
greater chance at taking it.
There still is the opportunity to support you to Munich
and to withdraw except for staying in Tunis. It will
take a little while to sort out all the fall out from
these moves and England's position.
I have been busy all day and still really do not have a
good feel for where everyone ended up.
--Prince Boar
Message from France to England
Ivy:
Rest assured, that I have no plans to sprint out ahead
of you in units and be dangerously large. I may need a
couple extra in the short term because I have a potent
opponent in Italy and you are figthing Germany with
French and Russian help. But I cannot be getting extra
units hanging around without your getting some to
balance those. For now, Italy is far, far from dead.
It has already been pointed out to be how "you are going
to stab me" and get 4 builds. I am sure that you have
some temptation and will at least consider the
possibility. Here is why I think that you should reject
that idea. If you stab me, I will turn to fight you.
Italy will then have no one to irritate him and he can
finish off Turkey without any trouble. Sure I am out of
position, but can recover fairly quickly. Also, you do
not want to lose an ally that you can trust and work
with. Who else in this game would have trusted you so
much, because it was the best thing for both of us. I
do not want to get hampered by paranoia. Your trust for
me is similarly important so you are not hampered by
paranoia.
I have always believe that someone who can trust is
trustworthy, and someone who refuses to trust should not
be trusted. People see others through the filters of
their own reactions, feelings, and personality. We are
building trust, you do not want to lose that.
So reassure me that you will order the fleet in the
Channel to the North Sea and not Brest or Belgium :-)
--Prince Boar
Message from France to Germany
Fredd:
Thanks for your notes. I do see England's potential. I
will consider supporting you back to Holland. But you
may be better served by supporting Denmark. I guess
that Holland could break that support, so maybe that is
a waste. I have not really had time to see the board.
I am sorry for supporting England against you. But from
a completely selfish point of view, that army is out of
Picardy. Yes, I have the fleet to worry about, but it
is a step in the right direction.
You suggest that England will stab me (and Russia)
because he can grow quickly. It is true he would grow,
but is it really his best long term plan? I am not
convinced. But I want to hear why you think that it
might be.
So why did you leave St. Petes? It was not obvious that
you would lose it?
Oh sorry about the Munich bounce as well. I knew that
there was 0% chance at it succeeding. I just did not
want to see armies in Ruhr and Munich. On the plus
side, it does open up opportunities for you in Austria?
But, I have not looked at the board, so I could be very
wrong.
--Prince Boar
Message from France to Turkey
Ali:
Was that satisfactory?
So what do you think about England. He is poised to
grow quickly. Is this a threat? If he does, then it
will be harder for me to help you beat down Italy. In
fact, if he stabs you, I will have to turn away from
Italy and then he will likely finish you off. I hope to
avoid that, but pointing out to England that it would be
a very bad long term move for him, to create a 13 center
Italy. Do you see it the same way?
--Prince Boar
Message from Russia to France
Xavier,
> Germany has pointed out England's build potential, but
> did not mention that the moves near St. Petes were
> arranged. Of course I see the danger that you are
> mentioning.
I really tend to suspect that Germany is just hoping to
sow distrust, but Ivy has been a little too "unconcerned"
about what happens after Germany is eliminated, for me
to trust him completely.
> he would not damage me too much and Italy would then
> be allowed to grow as I retreated to fight England. This
> would allow Italy to eliminate Turkey and get to 13 or
> so centers and have a 100% defensible line. I will
> remind England of that and see what he says.
Good point. Of course, Ivy is also worried about Italy
throwing Centers to you to get out of the ELS bind he's
in.
> Has he promised to move out of St. Petes?
No, given GA Pru, GA Sil, War is under threat, so it's
unclear whether I can afford to move Lvn-StP. We're
still mulling options. He says he wants to see me build
this year, but I'm not sure that will be possible. I did
propose Boh S Bur-Mun to Roberto, though.
Your Friend,
Nick.
Message from Germany to France
Prince:
I just had a long winded press written to you. Then my computer
crashed and I lost it all. Your gain, I guess. As this'll be the
shorten version.
Ivy has three options:
1) Stab neither you nor Russia this next turn. In which case he'll
build one or two. Either way You and Russia get stronger and do a pinch
on Germany. Thereby cutting off the avenues for English expansion.
Except through Germany, and the picking are slim if Germany is split
three ways. More importantly England will go through one of you two
after Germany is gone. Why did you up if he'll just have to attack in a
year or two?
2) Stab just one of you. This is certainly more likely than option 1.
He'll leave himself a place to build in the future. I'll even go as far
as to say that it's more likely that he'll attack Russia. That leaves
you to fight Italy. A very high priority of his. He can also build up
into a stronger power than he now is.
3) Stab both of you. Or more precisely stab you and hold Russia where
he is. The draw of this is that it gives him a much better chance of
winning the game. (With option 2 he'll get stronger, but he really
won't be able to think of actually winning.) If he stabs you, right
now, and not later, there is a good chance that he could dismantle you.
Thereby putting him on equal if not better footing with Italy. You've
engaged Italy, it's very hard to disengage. England and Italy can come
at you from both sides. With England basically picking up most if not
all of France.
After mine and now your influence on Italy he's basically been
stopped. Ivy knows that Germany and Russi will never cooperate against
him. France and Germany haven't ever been able to cooperate against him.
He could very well look at this as an excellent chance to get so big (in
one move) that only FGR could contain him. With the chances of FGR
working together being slim.
Aren't you glad I used the condensed version
Fredd
Message from France to Germany
Fredd:
Thanks for the Reader's Digest version of your analysis.
I would have been glad to have read the other version,
but this one probably covered the basics.
I agree those 3, rather 4 since you have a 2A and 2B, are
Ivy's options. The question will become whether I
believe that his best long term option is to stab me now
or to wait. Italy is far from crushed, but have I done
enough for Ivy to consider him stiffled? A good and
critical question that I must ponder.
Bascially you are asking me to support you to Holland.
If I remain undecided, do you have other plans for it?
I must say that I continue to be impressed by your
tactics. Your moves (StP-> BoB, and putting pressure on
Warsaw) were very nicely done. If you and Russia could
only work together, I think that you could take on
England and perhaps beat him. But you indicated that
this is not possible. Why?
--Prince Boar
Message from France to England
Ivy:
I have thought more about the board and realize that you
have a couple options. (Fred pointed the same ones out,
so I am sure that they are obvious to you as well). You
could stab me, taking France on before it gets too
difficult, but I already explained why that would make a
very large Italy. Therefore, I will focus on two others.
You can either try to help Russia, building only 1 or 2
units; or you can betray Russia and get three builds.
Russia and Germany do not seem to be able to get along.
This is in your favor. Even if they could make peace,
you, with a little help from me, could take them on.
This would pretty much even out our difficulties and make
our relationship more stable. The second does have the
effect that Russia would be almost eliminated.
I am not advocating either choice. I can live with
either. My only request is that you not build a fleet in
Liverpool. In fact, I would prefer your not building in
Liverpool at all. I am sure that you feel the same way
about Brest.
Do you want to discuss these two options or would you
prefer to keep your decision private. I may prefer not
knowing :-) But if it is required of our relationship, I
can know.
What did you mean earlier about slowing down my progress
against Italy? Do you really think that I can make quick
gains? He can get armies back into Italy quickly and
that would make going very slow, since I have only
fleets. I can pull one fleet back, if that is what you
are hinting at? Help me to understand your comment and
your concerns. Eliminating concerns, at a minimum
talking about them, is what is important in keeping an
alliance stable and long lasting.
--Prince Boar
Message from France to Master
Doug:
I will be out of town this weekend, including Monday.
Can you please advance the deadline one day (from Monday
to Tuesday). Thank you very much.
France
Message from Master to all
One day extension due to a player absence.
Doug
Message from England to France
Prince Boar,
My version of Eudora (my e-mail program) feels it has to protect me from
inflammatory messages. Several times it has warned me that I should
reconsider sending certain messages. It has flagged your latest two
messages as inflammatory as well. It's those words such as "stab" that
cause the trouble.
>What did you mean earlier about slowing down my progress
>against Italy? Do you really think that I can make quick
>gains?
Exactly. In desperation, Italy is handing you his centers so that I will
take immediate action. This fall he will destroy the fleet in Rome.
>Rest assured, that I have no plans to sprint out ahead
>of you in units and be dangerously large.
So, yes, I do need such assurance.
> I may need a couple extra in the short term
Apparently, you won't need anything extra. In that case, we may want to
equalize quickly. There is no need to take any unusual action this
turn. Let's wait and see if Italy really does carry out his threat.
>It has already been pointed out to be how "you are going
>to stab me" and get 4 builds. I am sure that you have
>some temptation and will at least consider the
>possibility.
That sounds like Germany talking.
Most English players would have tried to walk into Paris and Brest this
past spring. Most French players would have defend Paris and Brest. I
think you and I are very much alike, very compatible.
> Here is why I think that you should reject
>that idea. ... (lots omitted)
The idea was rejected long before you wrote the above.
>So reassure me that you will order the fleet in the
>Channel to the North Sea and not Brest or Belgium
North Sea, yes. The catch is that the will probably fail (see the
discussion on northern strategy). Not Brest. Belgium? Not now. Maybe
next year; maybe never. Let's see what Italy really does, but I am
expecting that it is I who will have to slug it out against determined
opposition and that you will have a cakewalk. We may need to balance
sooner than we had planned.
On to the northern strategy now. Norway was not supposed to go to StP; it
was only supposed to cut the German fleet. Fredd's moves have handed
Russia a real dilemma. And Nick has not written since the spring
moves. If Nick asks me to move back to Norway so that he can take StP as
planned, then Warsaw will surely be lost. The best anti-German tactic,
then, is for me to sit in StP. Will Nick have the discipline to accept
this? Warsaw might be lost anyway, if Fredd decides to use Bothnia to cut
Livonia.
Alternatively, Germany might want to double-attack Sweden. The only way to
help Nick there is with Nth supp Swe->Den while cutting Kiel. Whether I am
pro-Russia or anti-Germany (I need to be one of these, if not both) it
seems that I have to do this.
That's why Eng->Nth is likely to fail. Prior to this latest Russian
setback, Nick was supposed to support my North Sea fleet into Denmark.
>You can either try to help Russia, building only 1 or 2
>units; or you can betray Russia and get three builds.
I see no chance to get three builds. Although he hasn't written, Nick will
no longer agree to support me into Denmark when that risks his loss of Sweden.
>Russia and Germany do not seem to be able to get along.
>This is in your favor.
Right. Never, never, exchange angry words with your enemy. You know that,
obviously. ["Baloney" doesn't count. 8-) ] An exception could be make
if it is obvious that either you or your enemy is about to die, but I
prefer to make no exceptions. For me to utter harsh words like "dolphin"
is even out of character. I told you I was square.
>Do you want to discuss these two options or would you
>prefer to keep your decision private.
If Russia is content to let me sit in StP this fall, then I probably should
help him in Sweden. If only Nick would write, I might have a better feel
for the situation. We may also end up having a 3-way conversation on this
also.
Ivy.
Message from France to England
Ivy:
It sounds like we are very much agreed in the path
forward. I repeat that I do not want to get too large
too quickly, because that will make me a target and you
nervous. The only way to keep our alliance stable is to
balance our force, given the situations.
I will get 1 build this year. You will get two. That
seems reasonable for our situations.
I understand that the Fleet in the Channel cannot go to
the North Sea. Is there anywhere else that it can go and
still be useful. I am certainly willing to trust when
the situation requires it. But our situation improves as
we separate our forces, where possible.
I suppose London is the only possibility and that would
cover a location for a build. Although an army in
Liverpool might be OK. Ponder it. We have time to
discuss it.
--Prince Boar
PS: I have heard from Nick. He implied that he heard
from you, but not that he sent you mail I guess.
Message [from Turkey] to all
DATELINE: CONSTANTINOPLE
In a surprise announcement to global press
organizations, Turkey today revealed that Ali Baba, the
Turkish leader thought to have been killed in the
recent naval disaster in Bulgaria, is still alive and
continues to control the government. Apparently, Baba
was found unconscious in the wreckage, and was spirited
away by loyalist followers.
Baba apologized to Turkish citizens for his
previously erratic and unexplainable behavior, accusing
Italian operatives of poisoning his food with
psychotropic drugs. Baba's love for Italian food had
resulted in a large number of foreign nationals among
his kitchen staff, many of whom turned out to be agents
of the Italian regime.
"Though this represents a clear failure on the part
of our intelligence apparatus," Baba said, "we have
taken appropriate and prudent steps to tighten
security, and we now believe that most of the foreign
elements have been eliminated." Baba refused to
clarify what he meant by "eliminated."
Since the Bulgarian catastrophe, Turkish officials
have accused Italy of harboring fanatical zealots who
have carried out a number of suicide attacks against
Turkish interests, resulting in unprecedented loss of
civilian lives.
Referring to Italian leader Roberto as a "crazed
lunatic", Baba's government has attempted to form a
global coalition to fight what he calls a threat to
humanity. "These suicide attacks are an affront to
civilized people everywhere, and we call on the nations
of the world to stand with us against these terrorist
fanatics," Baba said.
"They wish to see us demoralized, but the result has
been an unprecedented level of unity among the Turkish
people," Baba claimed, displaying visible emotion
during the press conference. Outside observers have
confirmed that clashes between rival warlords seem to
have abated. Though many tribal leaders were recently
bitter enemies, most have joined forces in a display of
national unity.
However, some observers inside Turkey, who spoke
only on condition of anonymity, remain pessimistic that
these efforts can save Baba's government. As one
official put it, "if someone is so fervently
anti-Turkish that he is willing to give up his own life
to destroy us, there is really very little we can do to
counter such attacks."
Nevertheless, most Turkish military authorities
remain strong in their resolve to combat this new form
of warfare. "Apparently, these fanatics believe they
will receive greater rewards in the afterlife if they
kill our people in the process," one source in the
Turkish War Ministry proclaimed. "If that's their
belief, then we can only endeavor to send them to that
afterlife as speedily as possible."
So far, reaction from Western governments have been
mixed. One French official has reportedly assured Baba
that his nation stands "shoulder to shoulder" with the
Turkish people, and has vowed to do his part to punish
those responsible for these "atrocities". However, it
appears that French assistance may come only in the
form of humanitarian aid, rather than direct military
assistance.
The effect on this war-torn nation has been
significant and remarkable. Though tensions run high,
most Turks remain grimly resolved. "We will fight to
the last man," said one resident of Constantinople.
"They may have superior technology, but they will never
crush the Turkish spirit."
Message from Russia to France
Xavier,
Did Roberto offer to order Boh S Bur-Mun?
He claims that he did. I'm trying to arrange
Gal S War.
Thanks,
Nick.
Message from France to Russia
Nick:
He did ask if he should support me to Munich, but I assumed that he was
being sarcastic. He has not written me since.
--Xavier
Message from France to England, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Turkey
Just to let you know that I will be out of the
country Sat, Sun, and Mon. Do write and I
will try to respond Monday night. Tuesday will
be a humdinger of a day, but I *will* find time on
Tuesday. I do not want to cause more than the
minimum delay.
--Prince Boar
Message from Germany to France
> If you and Russia could
> only work together, I think that you could take on
> England and perhaps beat him. But you indicated that
> this is not possible. Why?
You've talked to him. It's like pulling teeth. He ALWAYS wants to come
out on top, or he's not interested. A win-win scenario never makes it
through his thick skull.
Let me know if you've decided to support me to Holland.
Fredd
Message from Russia to England and France
Gentlemen,
The German move to Silesia suggests that Fredd is determined
to keep me from building, and it looks like he'll succeed. A
supported attack on War, and/or GoB-StP/SC will negate any
attempt by the Russian 2nd Guards Army to control St.
Petersburg, and any action on Denmark will result in a bounce,
or an exchange of Centers. I have concluded, therefore, that for
the good of the alliance, I should once again set aside any attempt
to achieve Russian growth, and focus on causing maximum damage
to the German economy. So, my suggestions are:
England:
F StP/NC HOLD
A Hol -> Kiel
F Nth -> Den
F ECh -> Nth
France:
A Bel -> Hol
A Bur S A Kiel -> Mun
Russia:
F Swe S F Nth -> Den
A Lvn -> Pru
A War S A Lvn -> Pru
Italy:
A Boh -> Sil
If I can't get Roberto to agree to Boh-Sil, I'll fall back to Lvn S War.
Comments, criticism, suggestions for improvement?
Nick.
Message from England to France
Prince Boar,
Welcome back. My moves are in. They might be altered if you have other
ideas, but I think they will by OK.
Notice that Nick suggests Bel->Hol in conjunction with Bur s
Kiel->Mun. This costs Germany an extra unit if he attempts to bounce
himself in Munich. That's OK with me if you want to do this, but I think
it very unlikely that it would pay off. I had been assuming that you would
simply support Belgium to Ruhr in order to take Munich next year. That's
probably what I would do in your shoes. But it's up to you.
I considered Eng-Lon, but right now I have Eng hold. My reasoning has to
do with the anticipated destruction of the Italian unit at Rome. I really
think he is going through with that plan. He threatens to lie down and die
while handing units to you, if I do not attack you immediately.
So, if Rome disappears, I see Munich, Rome, and Naples available to you
next year. I should get either Kiel or Denmark, but I may well be handing
StP over to Russia.
So, how do we stay balanced? Eng->Bel may be the only way. I would think
that if I moved Eng->Lon this fall, that I would have to move it back to
the Channel in the spring. The North Sea will be needed next spring for a
new fleet.
But all this raises the question of how best to handle our partnership
should Italy put up no defense. We will have 13 units between us after
this turn and will gain about 4 next year. Is it time for us to make a
power sweep from west to east? Time for me to alienate Russia? Can
Russia/Germany and Turkey/Italy cooperate to stop us? Can you imagine
_not_ taking Italian centers that are open to you?
I am not asking for immediate answers, but if the world isn't discussing EF
already, they sure will be after this next turn.
Ivy
Message from France to Germany
Fredd:
I have returned from my trip.
At this time, I do not plan to support Kiel to Holland.
I am willing to risk that England will choose not to
attack me.
Sorry this is so rushed, but I am very very busy...
--Prince Boar
Message from France to England
Ivy:
I got your note. I only have a second to respond.
I really doubt Germany will try to bounce himself in
Munich, so let's not waste our effort on that.
Your holding in the Channel is fine. I do not yet know
if I will order Belgium to Ruhr. Since you are worried
about me growing, maybe I should just sit still.
As for Italy, he may just be blowing smoke. He has made
no offers to me of handing his centers over. If it looks
like he will offer no resistance, then we will adjust and
I will help you get centers in the north to keep us more
balanced. I really do not want to be the next target and
I want to keep our alliance stable. Do not worry, I
understand the importance of that.
--Prince Boar
Message from France to Italy
Roberto:
I have not heard from you lately, but I guess that I
understand that.
I will probably not be supporting you to Munich, but I
will attempt to keep Germany out of it. If you want to
ensure that I do not get Munich, you can bounce me there.
--Prince Boar
Message from England to France
Prince Boar,
>I got your note. I only have a second to respond.
We're fine. Go to it.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Ivy
Message from Master to France
This message is late, but the fall moves are due tonight -- please
submit yours this evening.
Doug
Message from France to Russia
Nick:
I am sorry that I did not get back to you. I have been
swamped. England and I made the best choice we could
in very limited time. I hope that he will not stab me :-)
Helping you get a center is a priority.
I truly want you viable!
--Xavier
England: Fleet English Channel HOLD
England: Army Holland → Kiel (*bounce*)
England: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sweden → Denmark
England: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) HOLD
France: Army Belgium → Ruhr
France: Army Burgundy → Munich (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon → Tuscany
France: Fleet North Africa → Western Mediterranean
France: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean → Tyrrhenian Sea
France: Fleet Western Mediterranean → Tyrrhenian Sea
Germany: Fleet Denmark → North Sea (*bounce, dislodged*)
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia → Livonia (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Kiel → Denmark (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Prussia → Warsaw
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Prussia → Warsaw
Germany: Army Tyrolia → Munich (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Aegean Sea → Bulgaria (south coast) (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Bohemia → Galicia
Italy: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Serbia → Rumania (*cut*)
Italy: Fleet Greece SUPPORT Fleet Aegean Sea → Bulgaria (south coast)
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea → Eastern Mediterranean
Italy: Fleet Rome → Naples
Italy: Army Serbia → Rumania (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Venice → Trieste
Italy: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Bohemia → Galicia
Russia: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army Warsaw (*cut*)
Russia: Fleet Sweden → Denmark
Russia: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Turkish Army Galicia (*void, dislodged*)
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Constantinople → Bulgaria
Turkey: Army Bulgaria → Serbia (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Constantinople → Bulgaria (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Galicia → Budapest (*bounce, dislodged*)
Turkey: Army Rumania → Serbia (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna → Aegean Sea (*bounce*)
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