Broken Crescent Hotseat - Wrath of the Khan

[phonicsmonkey]

I should be done by then but I'll pm you later tonight for some instructions if I won't be..

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?tzwlgzeatmj)

[phonicsmonkey]

Also, check out the new graphic in the first post - thanks to Quirl!

[barcamartin]

Turn done, Ghazni islanders go!! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?odmiwz4jozm)

[Zim]

I'll have this done within the day, but feel free to skip if you think I'm taking too long...

[Zim]

So...who's playing the Rajputs this turn?

http://www.mediafire.com/?t4zzimgj4yn

[phonicsmonkey]

I am trying to find a new player. In the meantime Lemon, would you mind continuing to sub them?

[The Lemongate]

Here it is: Mamluks (http://www.filefront.com/15487305/BCWoTK17-06.rar)!

[Quirl]

Oh. Just saw this. ^_^

Will have it up later tonight!

[Quirl]

Mongols!

http://www.mediafire.com/?mknnyk0zjyx

[The Lemongate]

Caliph! (http://www.filefront.com/15498675/BCWoTK18-02.rar)

[phonicsmonkey]

Al'hamdilallah that turn took nearly four hours of solid play to get through...I'm lucky Mrs Monkey is out tonight

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?vyfdbyem4tm)

[Quirl]

:laugh4: Does she mind you calling her "Mrs. Monkey?"

[The Lemongate]

I thought I should let you guys know. The last few turns, I got to play the Rajputs as well as the Mongols, and I must say, the Rejputs are simply more fun. Or rather, the Mongols are as boring as boring can be. With a treasury of -300K, no recruitment capabilities, no intel on anything that's happening or troop placement because I have no spies, and catapults which are only now nearing targets (I give them another 2 to 3 turns) - and let's be realistic, you guys are going to suicide-kill those catapults as soon as you can, which shouldn't take long, the Mongols are just no fun.

The victory conditions might have created a challenge before the fort-fiesta erupted. Now the Mongol turns take about 5 minutes. I autocalc' the fort sieges, siege the next while trying to gather my armies together so that they don't get wiped out. I think I played 1 battle in 17 turns as the mongols, in the first few turns, against one of Zim's armies. The rest was autocalc' against armies of 12 ghazi, or other meaningless fights.

I understand you guys might have the pressure of defeating those huge armies coming towards you. But that's about the same thing you can do in SP. Except of course I'm moving forward.

Heck, going around the Caspian could've put some real challenge to find a counter. Except the counter is obvious. A plethora of forts in the Caucasus which will take me 10 turns to battle through, 1 autocalc' at a time. And when I'll emerge, there'll be some nifty trap with 4 or 5 stacks waiting for me on the other side. Stacks that I'll never be able to engage, but who'll engage me at their leisure.

If anyone has some sort of idea how to make playing the Mongols' enjoyable, please share it. Otherwise... I don't know. This game is on a pretty fast pace, but it's annoying to have it pop-up every now and then just to play through the same run-of-the-mill "hey I can't do a thing!" turns I've been having thus far.



Edit: And yes, phonics' "victory" is the reason I'm posting this. I've been seeing it coming for the last few turns. I'm even surprised it isn't barca who got the first strike. The armies you have amassed are larger then mine. Not stronger. Not even close, but you get to fight them. I don't. It's boring. And yes, it's unfair.

[phonicsmonkey]

Well, it's attritional warfare, and while I'm not going to tell you how I managed to kill more Mongols this time I can tell you it wasn't easy and won't be repeated often. Hence I bothered to post it. But as you know I'm not shy of posting my dramatic defeats either..

I can see your frustration with the slow pace of your advance through the forts, but it's the same for us - we have to bring siege engines to the front too or we can't break through. And as for our armies being larger - not a bit of it. According to the military charts you have about three times as many troops as we do combined! Every time one of my spies turns around he sees another fort full of mongol lancers. Even those heavy horse archers are more than enough to wipe out a bodyguard unit.

Without the forts you would have won almost instantly - it's next-to-impossible to get one of your generals to rout. If you like I can post the save of the first battle of birjand and you can see just how tough these fights are. barca has called it 'throwing your head into the mongol metal' and I can say it's just like that.

I'm sorry you're not having fun though..I'm surprised you like playing the Rajputs better because they are at a natural disadvantage as they can't build any siege engines and we're not using spies.

Would you like to take them on permanently? Would that make the game more enjoyable for you? It would certainly make things easier for us as there doesn't seem to be much interest from new players..

I'm also open to any ideas you might have as to how to spice things up a bit for you.

But i'm fairly confident that once you get your siege engines to the front you'll steamroll your way to baghdad or rayy and finish the game pretty quickly.

[The Lemongate]

I know exactly the king of fight the mongols give. I fought them off as the Romans in SP. Even worst because in SP they keep their stacks all bundled up. But for numbers, I have no clue how the charts work, or if they even work at all. But I can tell you barca alone has more armies then me, and that's the armies I can see. But my main point is: I haven't fought a single battle, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

The Rajputs on the other hand, they can play the same little forts game and force their enemies to come to them. The mongols? Everytime I press end-turn I wonder where the strike will come. What is annoying is having no control over the game. There's nothing I can do but hope you guys don't win heroic victories.

That's also why, if you skip a mongol turn here or there, I don't care much. Nothing I'll do will make them move faster or slower, or make my position more secure. Yes, yes they're incredibly strong, but that's you're fights, you're fun. For me, they could be strong, they could be weak, I don't fight the battles and there's really no way for me to force the issue.

Anyways, I'll just stop whining and end-turn some more.

[phonicsmonkey]

But you have advanced into our lands right? You took out Ghazni, you forced the Rajputs into vassalage and you made it all the way around the Caspian Sea.

So it can't be the case that you have no way to force the issue.

You've just gotten ahead of your supply lines so to speak and your advance has stalled.

When your catapults and trebuchets arrive you'll cheer up, I can feel it.

EDIT: By the way I think you're right in one of your early points about the victory conditions. At the outset we tried to create a structure that would promote some infighting among the non-Mongol factions. I don't think we really succeeded. Ramses gave in to you or he would have been wiped out, but even he can't win the game unless you are destroyed. So there's nothing the Mongols can do right now to realistically drive a wedge between the members of the anti-Mongol alliance, except destroy them one by one.

So if you can think of something we can change in the VCs to give you a bargaining chip to use in diplomacy, let me know and we can all consider it. I'm open to anything.

[Quirl]

I tried to promote some infighting amidst the slaves with my "loyalty" thing (that is, the Seljuks and Abbasids competing for the mamluk family members' loyalty--because this "Fourth Caliphate" is a bit vague. Who holds the real power? The Seljuks or the Caliph?). I even had the idea that, should the Mongols score some key victories, the slaves would be introduced with a "heretical" branch of Islam that viewed the Khan as the new Caliph (because, clearly, he is blessed by Allah and the Mongols ARE Islamic). This heretical branch would become a problem the leaders of the Caliphate would have to deal with (somewhat managing their slaves). But I felt that by adopting such personal roleplaying methods, I was "pushing" my little roleplaying game onto other people, forcing them to compete for "loyalties" and such--which they may, in all fairness, not care to do. So, I ended up dropping my original role playing ideas and just decided to play as a more typical faction.

However, seeing as this is coming up now, maybe I could re-implement some of those old ideas? I could restrict myself to dice rolls, make ways in which the slaves can be "influenced," and play as a somewhat pure RP faction.

This is just one suggestion. There are probably many others. Perhaps some that can even be melded with this idea?

[The Lemongate]

Ghazni was unprepared. And frankly, the ghaznavid was the weakest human faction. Plus the rajputs butted in, putting the ghaznavid between two fronts. And they didn't fall quickly. The last afghan settlements must've fallen after the tenth turn. When you look at the disproportion of forces, taking that long to mow through them is not actually an accomplishment. As for the caspian, yeah, I caught barca unprepared. But he used boats to simply move faster. The empty steppe allowed me to go around his forts, but once I entered the caucasus, I knew there'd be legions of those things just waiting for me.

And Quirl, it's not a question of winning or facing difficult odds. I don't face anyone. I don't fight any battles. It feels more like I'm giving the Mongol AI the input to actually attack other players (which it doesn't really do if you play SP and let the Khwarezm Shah defend itself). I move armies around, and then wait to see if barca or phonics has a devious plan to beat them. I can't engage the enemy. At most I can besiege forts which are rebuilt faster then I can siege them.

But I really see no solution to this. It's the way the game works. I'll just enjoy the rajputs and continue moving around the Mongols. I really doubt they can accomplish much though. But India, India has promise =P

[barcamartin]

As phonics said, it really is hopeless fighting your cavalry armies Lemon. There's no chance in hell I can win battles against your forces, unless I outnumber them 5:1 or fight a mainly infantry army. I have no armour pearcing of any kind (excpt merc javs), no anti-cav inf what so ever (again, except for merc crap spearmen) and your cavalry beats the crap out of mine in all aspects. Battles really feel like a chore, there simply is no way I can win against them without getting to use terrain to my advantage (and you don't let me do that). My turns take along time to play, and I don't achieve much but perhaps killing a few hundred Mongols and blocking a bit more of your advance. I have nothing above Castle level, and the blitzing armies I won the original game with have no say vs the Mongols. Even if I have more armies than you, I would need five times the military to have a fair chance of fighting all your armies. Adding to that skipping the forts and letting you fight at will, there would be no way in hell.

Without the forts, you would have crushed us all by now. There would have been no way for me to stop you, and I doubt phonics could've have halted you alone. I understand what you're saying, but the fort warfare is pretty much dull for (at least) me too, but it's the only option. Otherwise I would have been left with only Jerusalem, perhaps.

And about the role-playing, I really loved the idea at the start, but then I realised there was no reason for me and phonics to argue about power, since it was in both our best interests to beat back the Mongols. Also, I have little experience in rp, and not that much time to put into it.

[The Lemongate]

Anyways, I don't think one of you got the point I was trying to make, and I'm actually sorry I even brought it up. So just ignore it, will you?

Or better yet, if one of you wants to play the Mongols for a turn or two, you might get it...

[barcamartin]

I actually think we all got your point very well. I'm just having a hard time figuring how else we would be playing. Of course slogging against forts and seeing your forces diminish without ever fighting a battle sucks, but we as defenders have few, if any, reasonable options.

[barcamartin]

There we go. Ghazni up! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?myhzzqn2xjz)

[Zim]

I'll be on this tonight.

[Zim]

Rajputs

http://www.mediafire.com/?xony5xwmrmj

[phonicsmonkey]

Lemon, your Rajputs are up! Don't make me skip them!

[The Lemongate]

EDIT: No worries, it's working this morning. I don't know what the problem was last night.

[The Lemongate]

Mamluks (http://www.filefront.com/15569853/BCWoTK18-06.rar)

Everything should be working perfectly, though since I reinstalled everything, keep an eye out for bugs.

[Quirl]

Khan!

http://www.mediafire.com/?nmntdlkzmni

[The Lemongate]

Got it! Will be done shortly!

[The Lemongate]

Caliphate (http://www.filefront.com/15578675/BCWoTK19-02.rar)

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?u105d1n5zgd)

[barcamartin]

Should be getting to this tomorrow, sorry for delay.

[Quirl]

Should be getting to this tomorrow, sorry for delay.

Same go with my game, Barca?

[phonicsmonkey]

Quirl, clear your pms

[Quirl]

Ha... yeah. Sorry. I just noticed that. :P

They're cleared.

[barcamartin]

Yes Quirl. :D

Doing them now!

E: Wrong thread, ;P

E2: No time to finish the Seljuk turn now. Hopefully tonight.

[Quirl]

Yes Quirl. :D

Doing them now!

E: Wrong thread, ;P.

So then, was that a yes to the "Same go with my game, Barca?" question? Or a yes to the "get rid of rebel armies randomly perched outside settlements" question? :P

[barcamartin]

Obviously, Quirl, I thought higher of you. Ofc it was a yes to both! xD

Excuse the delay once more, got choked up this night. Tomorrow night, alternatively I'll send words and save-file to Monley and Quirl should the desire to sub the rest of the turn.

[Quirl]

lol. Sorry to have made you think of less of me. *Slits wrists*

I'd be fine with subbing if the GM requested it. Otherwise, I'm personally in no rush and fine with waiting. :)

[phonicsmonkey]

barca, we'll wait for you a while longer

[phonicsmonkey]

Lemon, the story thread is fast becoming the propaganda mouthpiece of the Fourth Caliphate. Anything to add from an Indo-Mongol perspective?

[Quirl]

The Infidel has no voice! Allah has cut out his tongue and severed his DCL connection! (:P)

[The Lemongate]

I dunno. I felt I had actually won a slim victory this turn with my Mongol forces, but that's not the vibe I'm getting. As for stories, if ever I have some time, I'll leave a word about the complex and rather inefficient Mongol economics.

[phonicsmonkey]

I felt I had actually won a slim victory this turn with my Mongol forces.

You probably did mate - such is the dire situation we find ourselves in that a slim victory on your part is celebrated as if it were a crushing victory on ours!

Seriously, you have no idea how demoralising it was losing Ghazni and India so quickly...I had visions of your Mongols waltzing into Baghdad barely having broken a sweat.

[barcamartin]

Ok, doing the rest of my turn now. And for the record Lemon, I feel your depression last week was a bit uncalled for after seeing this ...

[barcamartin]

Done. Sigh, those friggin' Mongol panzarwagens...

Ghazni! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fy4fonwgooz)

[The Lemongate]

You don't see it from my side barca. It's not as impressive as it seems.

And you did make the mistake of slamming some unit right next to a fort.

[phonicsmonkey]

It's not as impressive as it seems.

Time will tell I guess...

[barcamartin]

May be.. Biggest mistake though was not seeing your siege engines, leaving my armies open for attack. :/

[Quirl]

My biggest mistake: dating shrews.

But I guess that's kind of unrelated here. :P

[phonicsmonkey]

My biggest mistake: dating shrews.

Not literally I hope. That would be a mistake...

[Quirl]

Not this (http://dcist.com/attachments/Armsmasher/2009_0309_giant_elephant_shrew.jpg) kind of shrew. This (http://themoderatevoice.com/wordpress-engine/files/2008-november/hillary_clinton.jpg) kind of shrew.

And after a few drinks, she looked like this (http://lh5.google.com/stojanoskislave/RyjZUBHw_xI/AAAAAAAACTs/DQpnggdJGZ8/20070312-Alina.Vacariu.HQ.02.jpg) kind of shrew. But then I mixed the drinks with Pez and she looked like this (https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1469/asdxvidchwdf07616714194ry9.jpg) kind of shrew...

It was weird.

[phonicsmonkey]

Yowzer

[barcamartin]

Haha, lol Quirl! xD

Ahh, the wonders of alcohol! :D

[Quirl]

And Pez! :D

[Zim]

Rajputs http://www.mediafire.com/?cmfwj02mjdy

[The Lemongate]

Mamluks! (http://www.filefront.com/15645333/BCWoTK19-06.rar)

[Quirl]

Let the EVIL BEGIN!

MONGOLS!

http://www.mediafire.com/?uqmgmhkoan4

[The Lemongate]

Turn 20 is a go! (http://rapidshare.com/files/355553508/BCWoTK20-02.rar.html)

More milling around by the terrifying mongol hordes!

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?anmzjztteyj) are up

I'm beginning to feel like that guy in 'A Fish Called Wanda' - feet stuck in the cement and watching the steamroller trundle closer and closer

[Quirl]

Ha ha! Kevin Kline is awesome! :D

"Don't call me STUPID!"

[The Lemongate]

I haven't actually expanded for the last 5 to 6 turns. If not more. All that mucking around for Merv. And there weren't even mountains around Merv!

[barcamartin]

May be a delay on this one... This weekend is choked!

[barcamartin]

Done, finally. Looking a bit sweaty there guys. :/

Ghazni ! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?j24dnwtziby)

[Zim]

Rajputs

http://www.mediafire.com/?mjfyyzjm1nz

[The Lemongate]

Mamluks! (http://www.filefront.com/15730933/BCWoTK20-06.rar)

[phonicsmonkey]

Mamluks! (http://www.filefront.com/15730933/BCWoTK20-06.rar)

woohoo! are you staying?

[TheFlax]

woohoo! are you staying?

I'm sorry to say that I don't think he is staying. If you notice the timestamps, he posted this save a good one hour and a half before his "I quit" post. I'd like to hope I'm wrong though.

If you need a replacement, I'd be happy to oblige, though I don't think the Mongols would be a credible threat with me at the helm. :clown:

[phonicsmonkey]

I'm sorry to say that I don't think he is staying. If you notice the timestamps, he posted this save a good one hour and a half before his "I quit" post. I'd like to hope I'm wrong though.

If you need a replacement, I'd be happy to oblige, though I don't think the Mongols would be a credible threat with me at the helm. :clown:

Flax we'd love to have you on board! Lemon was playing two factions, Rajputs and Mongols - are you up for taking on both? Rajputs are the Mongols' vassal..

This game is one enormous global war, you should enjoy it!

[TheFlax]

Flax we'd love to have you on board! Lemon was playing two factions, Rajputs and Mongols - are you up for taking on both? Rajputs are the Mongols' vassal..

This game is one enormous global war, you should enjoy it!

I think perhaps a more competent player for the Mongols, no? Its not that I mind being crushed, but the mongols should be threatening and I'm at best a small step above the AI. :clown:

[Quirl]

Flax & Phonics, I'd be willing to switch with Flax from the Caliphate Mamluks to the Rajputs and Mongols. I'd be willing to RP more as both factions (revitalize the court room and write some AARS) and you've seen me in action with Rossah. I'd truthfully miss my beloved Mamluks, but this is certainly an option for you guys to consider as well.

I want this game to keep moving. :)

[phonicsmonkey]

Guys, I'm conscious that A) Quirl has been involved in our war plans against both Rajputs and Mongols and so has advantageous information and B) Flax, the Mongols are so unbelievably hardcore that you won't suffer any disadvantage on the battle map. On the campaign map it's been a case (for Lemon) of trying to steamroller through our forts with his siege equipment, and I believe he has been mostly auto-resolving battles because of the huge advantage the Mongols get. So you shouldn't really find it too hard.

So on balance I'd prefer Flax to take over from Lemon if he is willing. However I would prefer the game to go on under any arrangement than to stop now, so have a think about it and let me know what you decide.

[Quirl]

I'm truly indifferent either way. Just one of the many the options before you.

[phonicsmonkey]

I'm truly indifferent either way. Just one of the many the options before you.

It is truly an honour to be surrounded by such helpful folk. :bow:

[Quirl]

Yes, for we must be civil whilst we kill each other in these games. :D

[TheFlax]

I'll accept taking over the Mongols & Rajputs,Phonics, since that's what you seem to be thinking is best. There is one caveat though, I'd like for you to find another player to help me. (I'll play both for now.)

[phonicsmonkey]

I'll accept taking over the Mongols & Rajputs,Phonics, since that's what you seem to be thinking is best. There is one caveat though, I'd like for you to find another player to help me. (I'll play both for now.)

I will do my best old chap - I did try to find a replacement player for the Rajputs when Ramses left, with no success - that's why Lemon ended up playing both.

By the way, the Mongol turn is like your Papal turn in SS - you can't save mid-turn and you'll need to set the Kypchaks to AI and back again each time. I'll pm you the console pw, let me know if you need any help.

EDIT: I just remembered Lemon was also playing the Romans for the hell of it, because he had grown attached to them from CotF. You can just switch them to AI when you are done with the Mongol turn.

[TheFlax]

Well you might have more luck finding someone to play the Mongols. :wink:

As for the rest, alright, can you please send me the procedure in some detail, with the commands, I've never done this before. I'm rather busy this evening, but at worse I should have BC installed by tomorrow.

[phonicsmonkey]

Ok, well if you're flexible between the two factions and we find a new player who prefers one we'll give them the choice.

Thanks a lot for stepping in mate, you're basically saving a game that's been going on (if you count CotF which this is the extension of) for three years now!

I'll send you a pm with the full procedure when I get a chance to type it out.

By the way we've become pretty flexible with turn deadlines in this game so don't stress it if you need extra time, just post here to let us know you're on it and we'll wait patiently.

[TheFlax]

Thanks a lot for stepping in mate, you're basically saving a game that's been going on (if you count CotF which this is the extension of) for three years now!


Not to nitpick, ok to nitpick... Considering that I joined the ORG at the start of CotF and that was at the end of Febuary 2008.... Its been two years in fact. :clown:

That's nevertheless an awesome achievement and I'll make sure we see this through. It's a pleasure to step in.

[phonicsmonkey]

Its been two years in fact. :clown:

Time flies when you're building an Islamic Caliphate.

[Quirl]

KHAAAAN!

http://www.mediafire.com/?ygwzidjlygz

[TheFlax]

I seem to be having technical difficulties finding all the right files for this hotseat. What I'll do is revert to my old computer, which I was using when I played Georgia in CotF. Considering I'm in the middle of packing for moving to condo of my own, please give me until Saturday to set it up and play the Mongol turn.

[phonicsmonkey]

No problem old chap, take as much time as you need - and I hope we all get an invite to the housewarming!

[TheFlax]

Ok, finally got to the save with my old computer and now BC is crashing up loading the save. :dizzy2:

I have a pretty busy day, but I'll try to look into this tonight. Sorry for all the complications.

[phonicsmonkey]

No problem Flax..

Guys, Silvershield is joining the game as the Rajputs.

Welcome to the game Silvershield!

[SilverShield]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

I also will need some time though to install it. Didnt actually realise you were playing the 1.05 version of the game and since right now I just got Broken Crescent 2.02 I have to figure out how to install the 1.05 version. Confident though to get this done.

[TheFlax]

I've downloaded all the files we used for CotF, but the link of the Siege Weapons AOR is broken. Do I absolutely need and if so, could someone upload it and post a link?

[phonicsmonkey]

Flax, I don't think you need that anymore.

Silvershield, there are some instructions on how to run two versions of BC at the start of either this or the LotE thread if you need them.

[Quirl]

Here is the guide Phonics was referring to Silver: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=275081

[SilverShield]

thanks but my technical understanding is very limited so i just installed the 1.05 version of the game on my laptop. tried an older save posted here and it works fine. im ready to get it started

[TheFlax]

:furious3:

I'm terribly sorry. In the past few busy days I've tried playing BC on two different computers, with multiple installs and reinstalls, with Steam and without Steam. Every time, there seems to be a new problem that crops up and I'm sick of it. Since SilverShield is here, I'll give up now before getting too aggravated.

:sad:

[phonicsmonkey]

:furious3:

I'm terribly sorry. In the past few busy days I've tried playing BC on two different computers, with multiple installs and reinstalls, with Steam and without Steam. Every time, there seems to be a new problem that crops up and I'm sick of it. Since SilverShield is here, I'll give up now before getting too aggravated.

:sad:

Sorry to hear that Flax - if you change your mind I believe Zim had a similar problem when he reinstalled the mod and was able to fix it..he may be able to help you out.

In the meantime SilverShield are you willing to take over both the Mongols and the Rajputs? Otherwise I think we are at an impasse.

[SilverShield]

yea i ll do this

The Great Dominion of the East has risen!
The Grand Dominator of the North, the Great Khan and the Grand Dominator of the South, the Great Maharaja have united. Peoples in the west be aware!

…the steamroller is on its way...

[phonicsmonkey]

Awesome! Just skip the kypchak and roman turns which are before and after the mongols - I'll explain later..

[SilverShield]

so no one plays or subs and they arent computer ruled either? mh okay i guess u are sure about that so i ll just skip their turns.

[Quirl]

Yeah. The Kypchaks are there because otherwise the Mongols would be unplayable. I'm not sure how it all works, but Phonics could explain in more detail if he hasn't already. :thumbsup:

[SilverShield]

sorry guys but the mongols turn still is password protected

ah and when i load the kypchak and it asks me whether there should be marriage or a guild thing, do i accept or cancel that? cant just skip the turn unless i did one of these

[phonicsmonkey]

ok I'll have to clear the pw for you later today - sorry about that.

Basically the Mongols are not set as 'playable' in the correct file for this game. So there is an issue where you can't save the game anywhere on their turn or the game will crash when you try to reload it.

So you can't save on the pw screen for example.

This means we need to pass you the save on the Kypchak turn instead, so that it will load correctly for you. Then you just skip past their turn (accepting guilds / adoptions or whatever you need to do to get through it, doesn't really matter).

[phonicsmonkey]

here (http://www.mediafire.com/?ntzvjtywrri) is the new save game file for Silvershield

[SilverShield]

thats like South Africa vs New Zeeland, Cowboys vs Redskins, Red Sox vs Yankees, Ali vs Foreman… truly epic...
rumble in the east… need a drink after doing this mongol turn straight en bloc rushing through the defensive lines. what a run

Abbasids next

http://depositfiles.com/files/8vc2rvyrb

[phonicsmonkey]

Yeah it's getting pretty hectic over there, isn't it?

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?zmmoiww2yom) are up

[phonicsmonkey]

barca, I'm sure you don't want me to skip you! so let us know when we can expect to see the save...

[barcamartin]

Sorry! I am doing the turn, just crashed in the middle of a battle and didn't have the urge to restart at the time. I'll have it up soon!

[barcamartin]

And there we go, Ghazim! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wmt2lddneyd)

[phonicsmonkey]

thats like South Africa vs New Zeeland, Cowboys vs Redskins, Red Sox vs Yankees, Ali vs Foreman… truly epic...
rumble in the east… need a drink after doing this mongol turn straight en bloc rushing through the defensive lines. what a run



Hey buddy, we'd love it if you would add to the story thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?121165-Legends-of-the-Khan-BC-Hotseat-story-thread). It's so far sadly lacking in Mongol testimony...

[SilverShield]

mh im not sure about what im supposed to write there. u know im only capable of writing about stuff that actually happened AND/ OR is important to ME or emotionalises ME. but this obviously is not that interesting to everyone as it is simply reflecting my view of the world. its kinda impossible for me to come up with stuff out of the blue. (the monk entry post in the lords of the east diplomacy section took me almost half an hour to write.) so the stuff i could write about as mongol is pretty limited.
to illustrate what im talking about… the thing that got me excited was when i realised that i actually had the big catapults at command and thus was capable of rushing through the 5 x 4 forts big defensive wall. that was great! but this is just exciting for me because it reminds me of a good run in a real life rugby or football match. i doubt that this stuff is interesting to everyone hence not that suitable for the story thread which has been on a pretty high level so far…




[...] just crashed in the middle of a battle [...]

i wonder where that took place. suicide mission? those martyrian muslims… they just love dieing a senseless death too much. crazy folks…


mh so what about Ghazim. im not sure whether i can come here over the weekend to check on it.

[Zim]

I'm not getting anything from the link to the last save. :sweatdrop:

[phonicsmonkey]

worked for me

I re-uploaded it here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ydmzytjzm1m

[Zim]

That one worked.

Rajputs are up.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=201&id=5190

[SilverShield]

Its on!

Shiva has risen!

The Great Maharaja and eight of his most loyal generals and ten thousands of men today crossed the Indus. There is no turning back. Eight major armies are now on its way towards enemy territory. The invasion of the southern lands is about to begin.

Praised be the Dominion of the East for having come to save the western civilisation from chaos. Everlasting peace will be brought upon the liberated peoples.








Mameluks next

http://depositfiles.com/files/mgesqmsl2

[phonicsmonkey]

This is going to be one hell of a fight!

[Quirl]

Let the infidels assemble! It is easier to shoot them down in one spot.

EDIT:
Oh, crap. Sorry guys. I had gotten half way through finishing my turn yesterday, then it completely slipped my mind. I've been swamped lately. :\

Regardless, I'll have this up in a few hours!

EDIT EDIT:
Wow. Forgot again... well, even though it's late. I'm going to force myself to do this right now...

EDIT EDIT EDIT:
Done and done. Real sorry for the delay.

MONGOLS!
http://www.mediafire.com/?m3nnommj0id

[SilverShield]

these mongol turns are f crazy. its like a permanent last run in the 4th quarter. u have to be so f careful about not losing any damn yard = any soldier. the fact that due to this high debt the mongols are unable to recruit any new units makes me have to worry about every man i lose. lost almost 100 men alone this round bombing my way through those forts. adding to the 200 last turn... and their wasnt even one major battle yet... those damned forts eat my armies like guerrilla. ...u will be missed guys. and the fact that u cant save this thing inbetween is kinda nerve racking really. simply have to hope that it just doesnt crash. permanent end zone game… anyway… im really curious how this whole thing is going to develop… the battle for this seljuk castle castle at the caspian sea will certainly be the biggest battle ever in those games. i counted 3 major armies in this region already + 2 major armies on ships. this battle clearly will be a decisive moment in this whole match

its ur turn man. hopefully u ll have some brain racking minutes too… enjoy urself…
http://depositfiles.com/files/qfv9bv0sp

[Quirl]

You can't save during the Mongol turns?!

Sucks, man. :(

[barcamartin]

You may think an epic struggle will take place, but you haven't seen the carnage AI Mongols have wrecked upon even the best of Seljuk arms. We're crap, tbh. ;P

[phonicsmonkey]

Guys this might take a little longer than usual as I have been super busy with work this week and have only just got back from a trip on the corporate jet with our company CEO, so I owe Mrs and Little Monkey some of my time. Sux to be me :laugh4:

[Quirl]

Ha! Nice. Yeah. I feel reeeal bad for ya. :D

Have fun!

[SilverShield]

You may think an epic struggle will take place, but you haven't seen the carnage AI Mongols have wrecked upon even the best of Seljuk arms. We're crap, tbh. ;P

i hope so. otherwise there wont be many soldiers left to continue this thing.


and someone is flying private? and is close to the ceo? man... i should blackmail u! i will spare baghdad if u... i ll have to think about a good ransom...

[barcamartin]

Haha. :)

I'll be on a askiing vacation for a week now, just so you know. That is, I won't be able to play my turn. ;)

[phonicsmonkey]

barca, do you want us to sub your turn or wait for you?

[barcamartin]

Either way. I trust you or Quirl to do a terrific job if subbing, so if you have the time/will to do so knock yourself out. :)

[phonicsmonkey]

I have pm'd the save to Quirl so he can sub - thanks Quirl!

[Quirl]

Ugh... these battles are a headache.

Will have to get it done by tomorrow...

[barcamartin]

I know Quirl, they're horrible and not at all enjoyable. ;P

Thanks for putting up with it for me mate!

[Quirl]

No problem, my man. :)

Ghazni's up!
http://www.mediafire.com/?mm5zocvnnyn

Oh, and Phonics... for some reason I keep trying to offer Konstantiniyye (Constantinople) and Al-Mehmed (Varna) to the Seljuks but the diplomacy screen doesn't even show up at the beginning of their turn! Could you, like, hand these to Barca via the console or something? I don't know what else to do. :\

[phonicsmonkey]

Could you, like, hand these to Barca via the console or something? I don't know what else to do.

I don't think this is possible, but you could try handing them to the Caliphate and then I'll hand them on to barca..

[Quirl]

Cool. I'll try that next turn, instead. :)

It's an odd glitch. :\

[phonicsmonkey]

It's very annoying and has started at least one war I know of (between the Romans and Latins in CotF).

[phonicsmonkey]

Sorry, I meant to skip the turn last night but didn't get around to it..I'll do it later when I get home so we can keep things moving.

[Quirl]

What?! Then how can Zim send us those 2 archers he promised would help fight the Mongols?!

:clown:

[Zim]

Turned out to be three French Archers. I'll hold on pming the next player until Phonics decides to skip or use my save.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=201&id=5193

[phonicsmonkey]

well timed Mr Zim! I was just sitting down to skip. Go ahead and pm SilverShield with your save..

[SilverShield]

looks like the battle for the caspian sea already took place – without me. also looks like as if u did a terrific job there Quirl… two destroyed mongolian armies… if there wont be a new wave of mongolian riders they ll be done soon i guess. Quirl the mongol slaughterer… always thought u were a peace loving dude but i guess i was wrong… u not just crushed my poor mongols… u also are packing like crazy there in the gulf!

its ur turn man!
http://depositfiles.com/files/ob712tkjn

[Quirl]

Damn. I wish my ships had cloaking devices. :P

And peace lovers don't play war games. ^_^

Now... it's... time... for...

KHAAAAAAN!!
http://www.mediafire.com/?yejdujeazjy

[SilverShield]

surprise surprise its Easter! and since all bunnies love me, the Easter Bunny had a special gift for me. here they come… sing it! …riders on the storm… there are killers on the road… if u give these men a ride sweet family will die killers on the road…

caliph next
http://depositfiles.com/files/ztuoe7u2n

[phonicsmonkey]

sorry for the delay guys I got back today and I'm halfway through the turn...should have the save up later...

SS, you are stretching my defences! plus I have very little money now...

[phonicsmonkey]

Go Seljuks! (http://www.mediafire.com/?w0wzxnwlznj)

[SilverShield]

SS, you are stretching my defences! plus I have very little money now...

i guess thats good news... though im pretty wrecked up too now after the “Battle of Atrak River”. (ah btw… all of the six atabegs are dead now. maybe u wanna incorporate this into ur story Quirl. : P too bad i couldnt take part at this scene…)

[Quirl]

Silvershield, a martyr for Allah does not die in battle... he merely transcends into paradise. ;)

[phonicsmonkey]

all of the six atabegs are dead now.

that's a lot of dead atabegs

[SilverShield]

well i hope there will be plenty more of them... let them be matyrs or fools... i dont mind as long as they snuff it lol

looks like one of u will have to do the seljuk turn

[barcamartin]

Sorry guys, completely missed it was my turn! I will have it up asap !

[barcamartin]

Here we go. Zim! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mzqzzznjirj)

Quirl, that is indeed an awesome story you have written there! A great read!

[Quirl]

Thanks man! I felt I had a big responsibility to honor all your generals I got killed. :\

[phonicsmonkey]

Yeah, very nice job there Quirl - living up to your award I see!

And Silvershield, a very well timed contribution too, thanks! It's good to see something from the Mongol perspective.

[Quirl]

Thank ye, sai. And yeah... it was nice to hear from the nefarious Khan in the Legends thread... albeit intimidating as well. @_@

[barcamartin]

Subbed as requested.

Rajputs aight? :) (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?lyytinh4jmw)

[SilverShield]

mh there is a major problem. my spies no longer can infiltrate anything. no matter whether it s a fort, an army… it always sends me straight back to the desktop.
now this problem did occur before but only when i was doing several spying things straight one after another but now its like doing it even if i attempt any at all. i got no idea whats going on.
i hope we can solve this coz otherwise its impossible to go on. maybe it s coz the game wasnt saved after the Seljuk turn, passed on, saved again, passed on again. maybe not following this procedure somehow f ed things up. dont know. maybe just redoing this procedure could help… dont know… man this really sucks. now that it got exciting

[Quirl]

Weird... well, hope it gets solved. Still, though, would it really make it impossible to go on? I mean, spies are important and all, but they aren't allowed to open gates anyway, so...

Oh well. Good luck all the same! I'm sure we can get it worked out.

[phonicsmonkey]

have you tried downloading the save game file over again? maybe it got corrupted in the download.

if that doesn't work, barca can try re-uploading it.

[SilverShield]

yea i did download it again. the same. seriously maybe we really have to do the old procedure again.. i mean it has been working so far. maybe not saving and passing the save on and saving it again screwed it somehow. u could just try it. loading the seljuk save, do the turn, save it, load the Zim save, save it again and upload it so i could try. i dont think that the save necessarily has to be send around the world or be done on Zims computer in order to make it work…


ah well the spies are that important for me because i have to know what an army is packed with. and i desperatly need them to get pass forts which is allowed if i got it right. spies are just not allowed to open the gates of settlements right?

[phonicsmonkey]

seriously maybe we really have to do the old procedure again.. i mean it has been working so far. maybe not saving and passing the save on and saving it again screwed it somehow.

We could try that but I doubt that's the problem - we have done that tons of times when one person has subbed for another and it hasn't caused a problem so far.

barca - could you please try uploading it again and posting a new link for SS to try? I remember we have had problems in the past and this helped.

The spies rule is intended to also apply to forts by the way. And the rule actually says 'No spies allowed to enter cities or castles' so technically you shouldn't even be infiltrating. That's because we had a plague war in the last phase of the game and we wanted to stop it from spreading.

Let me know if you have a problem with this - I know it severely restricts what you can do with your rajputs because you can't build siege engines, so I'm prepared to put it to a vote.

Problem is I built my defences with this rule in mind...

[Quirl]

Yeah, Silver. Those rules apply to my hotseat. In LotE, you are not allowed to use spies to open the gates of castles or settlements, but you can use them to open the gates of forts. Easy mix up there. :D

[phonicsmonkey]

mh there is a major problem. my spies no longer can infiltrate anything. no matter whether it s a fort, an army… it always sends me straight back to the desktop.
now this problem did occur before but only when i was doing several spying things straight one after another but now its like doing it even if i attempt any at all. i got no idea whats going on.

Just had a thought - could this be a bug to do with the in-game video that plays when you use a spy? Are these disabled in this game? I have them switched off some how from way back.

Can you infiltrate successfully in a SP game? or in other mods / in vanilla?

[SilverShield]

serious? spies aint allowed to open forts? well… i guess the game is over for me than anyway. i mean seriously how am o supposed to get pass ur defensive line or those notches in the south not to mention the iranian plateau. u can build like 5 forts in a row everywhere. it will take me ages to move on or come up with anything out of the blue like a swift siege of a settlement. now i do support that spies are not allowed to open the gates of settlements i also understand the plague thing and agree on not even entering a settlement. yet a fort technically isnt even a settlement. so when i read the rule i was like yea fine thats okay but i didnt realise forts count as… castles? given the fact that i lack any siege equipment it should be okay to open the gates of forts imo otherwise seriously that is pretty senseless.
btw a Zim spy was kicked out of one my cities last turn. and lots of other mongol and rajputs settlements are displaying strange public order stats as well so i guess the rule of not even entering a settlement hasnt been common sense all along.

however i do understand that u build up ur defence with the rule in mind spies not opening forts so i guess it wont be fair to change this all in a sudden. so maybe u get two or three rounds to accustom to this and to rebuild ur defence.

well… since by all means in this round the old rules will apply i think i can forget about the spies anyway. hence i will do this turn now to not be on halt for too long as infiltrating armies is not that important. but next round the agent thing really should work again even if im not allowed to enter forts yet. i mean to know whats coming isnt a bad thing so i at least would like to be able to infiltrate an army the next turn without the whole thing crashing.

and i just tried infiltrating in the save of the lasts turn on more time. and it sill works so the problem aint with my game i guess

alright i ll do this now wont be much do to anyway since all my plans cant be implemented. wont be much exciting i guess

[phonicsmonkey]

Ok I'm happy to relax this rule to allow spies to enter forts and open the gates as long as no-one else has a problem with it.

Like I said I understand that the rule places a severe restriction on the Rajputs and while Ramses was fine with it (for some reason) I didn't expect that you necessarily would be which is why I tried to clarify it before you started.

Also I accept that my rule was not worded correctly, which would have contributed to the confusion.

I don't think we need 2 or 3 turns amnesty - just this one turn will be fine (again, unless anyone else objects). You're still going to find it a problem getting through more than one fort each turn anyway and if you're playing honestly you should lose spies quickly in the attempt.

I'm also happy to (now) relax the rule about spies entering cities and castles - there's no plague left now as far as I know. However, let's leave the rule in place about spies not opening the gates of cities and castles, otherwise the Mongols are at a severe disadvantage.

It's good that it's working on your last turn - that means we can cycle back and fix it if we need to.

Let's wait for barca to re-upload the save to see if it was somehow corrupted when he put it up last time. If that doesn't work we'll replay some of the turns.

[Quirl]

So... the mongols can now open the gates of forts?

And does this change the rules about assassins? That's the only thing that would annoy me, 'cos I already killed off all my assassins thinking I wouldn't need them anymore. -_-

[phonicsmonkey]

So... the mongols can now open the gates of forts?

And does this change the rules about assassins? That's the only thing that would annoy me, 'cos I already killed off all my assassins thinking I wouldn't need them anymore. -_-

The Mongols have no spies as far as I know (or only very few): hence the rule about cities and castles in the first place. I'd prefer it if they could not open the gates of forts with whatever spies they might have, because we are at such a disadvantage against them in battle anyway and the only thing that's keeping us in the game is the fort line.

SS - what's the Mongol spy situation please?

Assassins are still banned for the same reasons as before - the Mongols don't have any and it would be too easy to wipe them out by spamming assassins.

[Quirl]

*whew* good.

I thought I remembered Lemon saying he made 2 spies before falling into massive debt. Is that right SS?

[SilverShield]

i guess thats how u define irony... for some freaky reason everything now worked fine and now that it does i couldnt open any fort… man… crazyness applied… dont know what happened. didnt even download the save again just did the same i tried before and when the “troop movement” was done i was just like giving it a shot again. and there u go… my spy infiltrated this army at once without crashing me to the desktop. crazy… thats why u have to hate anything related to technical stuff… drives u nuts for nothing and all in sudden its all good… freaky…
whatever…

it s cool that spies will be allowed to open forts. and thanks to Ramses i command the best agency of this time i guess. plenty and well talented agents. i ve not been playing this game for a long time so maybe it s just me who thinks that spies with maxed skills are something special but they are pretty impressive. actually dont know why he invested in that many spies if they werent allowed to do anything. however im glad he did… though actually i d like to get rid of some them coz they unnecessarily drown my budget. how do i do this? i cant just abandon them like ordinary troops.
and dont worry about the mongols spies guys… there are two! thats it… they wont survive opening anything but a girls bra. …and even about that im not sure…

actually i guess that things wont become too easy. iI mean now that the rule has been changed u guys will come up with a tighter defence. i guess u wont keep it to just one fort there in the north Phonics… unfortunately… actually im expetcing some mad crazy fortyfing now…

as for the rule of not infiltrating settlements. im fine with it. i just want it to apply to everyone. i dont necessarily have to waste a whole army on securing a city somewhere in the hinterland so imo this rule could remain in place yet everyone should obey to it.

ah btw… “nice job” there in the north. how could u destroy those 2 Rajput armies there?? that was a low blow… i actually hate those human/ computer battles. coz i simply always am on the wrong side… Murcia, Atrak… and now this. i actually havent fought one battle on the field yet just some lame fort and city captures. come u guys let me experience some of this crazy battles heroism myself!

alright mameluks next
http://depositfiles.com/files/uaeusxptx


and thats an epic story Quirl. considering that the actual event didnt ever happened in real life it got be pretty excited. the cutting of the beast metaphor… nice. well done. first chapter of a screenplay i guess. save the role of the khan for me guys

[phonicsmonkey]

I'm glad it's working now.

I guess Ramses just kept his spies from the previous game (where we were allowed them and everyone had tons of them). I killed lots of mine off by repeatedly trying to infiltrate settlements until they died. You could try that if you want to whittle them down. You can't disband them I'm afraid.

I destroyed those two armies just the same way I'm going to destroy all your other armies that try to invade our lands ;)

If you want to fight on the battlemap you have to manouever yourself so that you get a chance - with spies you should have more of a chance, but I'm not going to make it easy for you!

[Quirl]

Go Caliph! Kill them all!

Now...

it's...

time...

for...

KHAAAAAN! (http://khaaan.com/)

http://www.mediafire.com/?zynjjfzzmnj

(If you're the Khan, Silver, Shatner can play the part of one of the Caliphs in this scene. :P)

EDIT:
Nice story Phonics! The Legends thread is definitely growing. :)

[barcamartin]

Wow, that was a lot of action in this thread! Glad I read to the end and my Pms before re-uploading. ;P

I'm fine with spies infiltrating forts. Settlements on the other hand should remain forbidden. After all, you need something to shoot those shiny trebuchets at silver? :)

Btw, awesome story pm! I'm glad my nation gets so much mention the stories, since I can't do my brave warriors justice myself. Imagination and time limit my story-telling too much. :/

[phonicsmonkey]

thanks guys - I must admit I no longer know whether I write the stories because I am inspired by the game, or whether I only play the game because it gives me an excuse and some material for the stories..

it's great to have so much history to draw on in writing this stuff - so much has happened in this alternate world since we started CotF!

[Quirl]

Indeed. This game is truly alive. I enjoyed watching it all before I even started playing.

Will be hard to let it go... when we do finally bash in the skulls of those Rajputs and Mongol Infidels. Until such time, I'll have fun doing it with all of you. >:P

[SilverShield]

right forgot there was a forerunner to this so i guess that s why those spies are that pumped up. guess my arsenal will be reduced by default now when i start infiltrating the forts. although i hope those maxed skill spies will last a bit longer and do a better job than like normal spies.

and as for the battles… as much as i d like to finally get a chance of taking advantage of fighting the computer with those mongol elite units… sometimes u have to bait a hook and sacrifice men in order to achieve a higher goal… right? u followers of the six atabegs… though i sacrificed a lot already… so hopefully next turn i finally can go into my hurry up offence… which means more dead atabegs to u guys to mourn for…

talking of the six dead atabeds… nice story too there Phonics. i just hope there aint any real muslims in the house. i mean… relating the story of the six atabegs to mohammad… mh man i already can hear the stones whooshing past ur head…
“the six atabegs” actually has become a dictum already. so u guys really got some talent going on. two emotionalising stories. there really should be a movie about its… and Shatner just is perfectly fine lol someone remember him reading this twitter :daisy: from Palin as poetry on Conan o Brien? lol man that was hilarious.

alright Caliphate next!
Remember the Alamo!!

http://depositfiles.com/files/issdg3nst

man i justed wanted to call it an afternoon an now i have to read such bad words from the mameluks... thats so mean...

[Quirl]

I lol'd at the "Remember the Alamo!!" :laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

[phonicsmonkey]

i just hope there aint any real muslims in the house. i mean… relating the story of the six atabegs to mohammad… mh man i already can hear the stones whooshing past ur head

Just to be clear, for the sake of any muslims who might be reading, I was not comparing the fictional atabegs to muhammed. I was comparing their sacrifice to the sacrifice of abraham, which, according to my research, is believed in islam to have led indirectly to the birth of the prophet.

[phonicsmonkey]

Until such time, I'll have fun doing it with all of you. >:P

Steady on there Quirl..let's keep it clean, eh?

[Quirl]

Really? :uneasy:

Uhm...

... I mean, I'm looking forward to hugging in the shade with all of you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNqiSkd1M6k

[SilverShield]

hey santa anna! turn this ugly old woman into a chica bonita and i ll give the hugging thing a try !

[Quirl]

lol. "Mind your elders." :lost: <--- I thought the "map" was a beard when I posted this. :laugh4:

P.S.
I've been really hyper lately... I have no idea why. Sorry if it is reflecting in these posts. I should take my ritalin. O.o

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?titm2rwntjd)

[barcamartin]

GhaZim! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jzjvctlkmem)

[Quirl]

Sweet story Barca! You should write more often, bro. ;)

[phonicsmonkey]

Sweet story Barca! You should write more often, bro. ;)

yeah, nice work buddy

now we're all getting in on the act! where is the testimony of the Ghazim?

[Zim]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=201&id=5204

[SilverShield]

turning into static warfare somehow… that is coz it just dawned on me that those catapults are not just used for opening gates but of course as regular battle field artillery too. and i guess it s pretty good. it s not that fun to have my armies computer commanded in a battle anyway but if there are catapults on the other side i guess it s a mess

and could it be that those indian troops are pretty useless? somehow more like zulu tribe men than quality infantry. the foot soldier seem to be worth nothing and considering that Phonics killed two armies packed with elephants. elephants dont seem to do the trick either… so much for elephants hah? they just hate me… i just wonder what Civic is up to with those or did they get stronger somehow?

also those medium skilled spies are pretty lame actually. four spies on one fort having one killed… man… so far there is just modest fortification going on but i can imagine some worse case scenarios already lol

yea yea… granny complaining about everything… why dont u call more often?…


like crazy packing mameluks next
http://depositfiles.com/files/lijocs27i

nice story Barca. looks like atrak river will turn red once again soon... poor fish

[phonicsmonkey]

elephants dont seem to do the trick either… so much for elephants hah? they just hate me… i just wonder what Civic is up to with those or did they get stronger somehow?


they are kick-ass in autoresolve but on the battlemap there are ways to make them stampede.

[Quirl]

Khan.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3ydewzat0jt

[SilverShield]

guys u are really giving me a hard time here

caliphate next
http://depositfiles.com/files/hctcp0gog

[phonicsmonkey]

guys u are really giving me a hard time here

glad to hear it! I'll get to this later when I get home.

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?0wqzmt3kdzj)

[barcamartin]

Should get this done tomorrow. Sorry about the delay!

[Quirl]

God. How SelJERK of you, barca.

Thank you...

Thank you...

I'll be here all night.

[SilverShield]

SelJERK

lol

[barcamartin]

Ghazni! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?d1zmg2yqzjw)

Ghazims, rock! And Quirl, how very, errm, Mummyluke of you.. Whatever, I'll leave the name-calling to you! xD

[Quirl]

lol. You didn't go for Squirrel (Quirl)? xD

[Quirl]

Subbed as per request.

Raj!
http://www.mediafire.com/?nnm2mdgkomm

[SilverShield]

The Breakthrough...

Today Rajput Forces break through the defensive lines in southern and northern Afghanistan.

The eastern Caliphate defensive forces entrenched in northern Afghanistan has been drubbed.

The city of Torbal has been conquered during a special operation without any resistance.

As far as is known the entire Caliphate artillery troop in the region has been destroyed.

The pathway into Iran now is open and Rajput forces are advancing on all fronts.





That was intense. Fortunes of war were on my side this time.

Though I have to admit that the conquering of Torbul could only happen due to the fact that there was no garrison at all. Whysoever.

This could have been the breakthrough I was waiting for. Remains to be seen how things will develop. The fortune of war is a fickle bitch. Yet according to my understanding the tide is turning in my favour in the east. Lets see how things will develop in Iran and at the Caspian sea. Those are the more important battle grounds actually. The outcome there will be decisive.

Mameluks next
http://depositfiles.com/files/etgyxdv5v

[Quirl]

Heh. Yeah. You won this game Silvershield. I realized that not too long ago. I'm just going to keep pretending anything I do will make a difference. :P

Khan!
http://www.mediafire.com/?22mgy0ghzjh

[phonicsmonkey]

Yeah, with those high-level spies it was only a matter of time before you broke through my flimsy defences. Also it seems like you occasionally just get a turn where all the spies are successful all at once...I remember that from fighting in Anatolia against Lemon.

Still, you've got a way to go before the Mongols win - and the Rajputs can't achieve their VCs while they are allied to the Mongols, at least not on purpose...

Speaking of which, how many territories do the Mongols have right now Silver?

[SilverShield]

well… yeah i know the whole spy thing always got a bitter taste going on.
now i have been a “victim” of intense spy action myself before and i gamed u pretty hard this turn so i feel like i have an obligation to come up with some proof which means i ll post some screenshots. yeah u didnt asked me to do so but i just feel like doing it.

i think i still have a save to redo some of the action since i constantly have to save it coz it crashes all the time.
actually had to fight the battle three times and it got worse and worse. in the first battle i lost half the size of the troops that i lost in the last one. although that was coz i simply pumped all troops into the fort at once in the last battle lol making it about 3000 men = cavalry, elephants, foot soldiers in one fort. lol what a mess… putting the speed on six and just waited for what was going to happen. turned out i won…

the sacking of the city was more difficult though. thought i could reach it with a cavalry unit but after i opened all the gates of the forts it turned out that every cavalry unit i had at hand stopped – stopped right on the bridge on step away from the city. nice… but then i remembered the garrison of the forts in the very west. maybe they could reach it. yet there still was a fort on the hill northwards of the city. thanks to the enormous movement radius of the spies i managed to pump the first one in – 95% chance to enter the fort - couldnt open it though, second one – something about 80 percent chance to enter it – however the gates still remained locked although the chance to open it already was in a 60% margin. third one – about 68% chance to enter – got in yet still locked. the chance to open it was in the 80s already! Fourth one in – 62% to enter. Got in – still locked! Fifth!! one – again 62% to enter - chance to open the gate already was 98%!!! yet still f ing locked. lol thats it. screw this sh… clicked on the city in the northwest to build something then it said “agents”… and there he was… the hero who saved it! a one point skill spy… chance to enter the fort 38%… why not… just give it try… uuh man… what the… this f bastard did it! chance to open the gate now - 104%! lol
I hope to redo this and post some pics.

the thing though is that i bought the game in german language. (why the heck? coz it cost me only about 150 rand which was half the price of the english version and at this time i still thought german and afrikaans are somehow the same so i would have any problems understanding it. wrong! still constantly have to look up words.=
anyway… what im saying is that you might not understand the words but the thing that matters are the numbers.


i will try to redo this and post the shots.


yet by any means this thing is not over! some tip of the hat guys… due to you three/ four (u did donate some archers didnt u Zim…) guys strategy i had to retread at large from my positions in the south and west. proof that there really is a long way to go. and the sooner or later there wont be any mongol reinforcement anymore. maybe the wave on Easter already was the last. dont know. so you still stand a pretty good chance to actually defeat them if you – using your metaphor here Quirl – keep on cutting the beast like you already did.

[SilverShield]

i dont know how incorporate pics into the text here really so i ll just attach them

btw... "Erfolgswahrscheinlichkeit" means something like chance of success.

i think i wont make it to the computer today again so for the records i couldnt load the save. crashed immediately. i ll try the re uploaded save tomorrow

[Quirl]

Ha ha! Your dancer is kinda a hot ****. ^_^

And damn. It's probably crashing because of all the modifications I made to the game. You know... gotta win somehow. :P

Seriously though, I'm at work now. But I'll upload it later tonight as soon as I can. :)

[phonicsmonkey]

well… yeah i know the whole spy thing always got a bitter taste going on.
now i have been a “victim” of intense spy action myself before and i gamed u pretty hard this turn so i feel like i have an obligation to come up with some proof which means i ll post some screenshots. yeah u didnt asked me to do so but i just feel like doing it.

Just so you know, there's no need - the game is built on trust and we trust you to play fair. I always like seeing screenshots though, so feel free to post away!


and the sooner or later there wont be any mongol reinforcement anymore. maybe the wave on Easter already was the last.

you're still getting reinforcements? Ouch!

[Quirl]

lol. So you ARE still getting reinforcements. I knew it! God! No wonder! Jeeze we're screwed. :laugh4:

[phonicsmonkey]

thanks to the enormous movement radius of the spies i managed to pump the first one in – 95% chance to enter the fort - couldnt open it though, second one – something about 80 percent chance to enter it – however the gates still remained locked although the chance to open it already was in a 60% margin. third one – about 68% chance to enter – got in yet still locked. the chance to open it was in the 80s already! Fourth one in – 62% to enter. Got in – still locked! Fifth!! one – again 62% to enter - chance to open the gate already was 98%!!! yet still f ing locked. lol thats it. screw this sh… clicked on the city in the northwest to build something then it said “agents”… and there he was… the hero who saved it! a one point skill spy… chance to enter the fort 38%… why not… just give it try… uuh man… what the… this f bastard did it! chance to open the gate now - 104%! lol

Lol indeed - I calculate a 7% cumulative probability of that working. You got lucky this turn! Although like I said it does seem sometimes in this mod like all the spies are successful in a particular turn, regardless of odds. I remember having some crazily improbable runs of success vs Lemon back in the day. It made him mad.

[barcamartin]

Ah, fond memories. For me the first 2-3 infiltration attempts would decide my strategy. If they failed despite high chances, no point in throwing more lives away unless it was strategically crucial to succeed. If some early attmepts succeeded although their chances were low, I threw in all I had. And, apparently, it worked. This spy system is very strange. I am pretty sure the game has an overall succes-rate or something calculated for you before you even start the turn. The individual percentage for each spy means pretty much nothing, in my experience.

[phonicsmonkey]

Ah, fond memories. For me the first 2-3 infiltration attempts would decide my strategy. If they failed despite high chances, no point in throwing more lives away unless it was strategically crucial to succeed. If some early attmepts succeeded although their chances were low, I threw in all I had. And, apparently, it worked. This spy system is very strange. I am pretty sure the game has an overall succes-rate or something calculated for you before you even start the turn. The individual percentage for each spy means pretty much nothing, in my experience. That's exactly how I used to play it - if the first two failed, that was the rest of the turn shot, I just waited for next time.

[SilverShield]

this whole spy system seems to be worse than rocket science… compared to dogs of the war spies here are doing a way better job even if the chance to do so are slim to nothing. actually i just pumped less skilled spies somewhere in the far west into cities to get rid of them. some were facing a 12 percent chance to survive this. yet they did and all in the sudden useless spies turned into 4 points agent skill having spies. also sometimes a one point skilled spy has a less than 20 and sometimes more than 30 percent chance to enter forts. kinda crazy

oh yea i received a wave of new riders. that was what my post on Easter was all about… remember?


surprise surprise its Easter! and since all bunnies love me, the Easter Bunny had a special gift for me. here they come… sing it! …riders on the storm… there are killers on the road… if u give these men a ride sweet family will die killers on the road…



looks like non of u guys sang with me… or u just dont like The Doors…

[Quirl]

lol. I paid attention to your posts there, Silver. I guess I just didn't connect the dots... and I sometimes have a hard time reading what you write. ^_^ It's cool though. My 1337 speck just a little rusty.

And I'm sorry, man. I totally forgot to upload that turn for you! It's finals week and it's really starting to get to me. :\

Here it is, man! Tell me if it works...

Khan!
http://www.mediafire.com/?ogmdyim1d5n

[phonicsmonkey]

hey Silver, does that new save file work for you or is it still crashing?

by the way I didn't understand the riders on the storm reference (although I know the song well) - I thought you were just talking about moving your armies around. Maybe it was a willful misunderstanding and I was in subconscious denial about you getting reinforcements...

[SilverShield]

subconscious denial lol sounds familiar… lol

so yea sorry guys sometimes my mind is just too high above. high on girls, high on weed, high on testosterone or whatever. though sometimes its just a jet lag lol… just overlook it

i will try the save now

alright save works. great! will do this now



5 min. that was the fastest turn ever. playbook turn somehow. u positioned all ur armies pretty well guys. this defence really is blocking every route. tricky… hopefully things in the east can be pushed forward at least

caliphate next
http://depositfiles.com/files/2qsvxkcki

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?dzymwommymt)

Silver, you really must take better care of your elephants! Once they are dead the rest of your troops just seem to want to....run away...

[SilverShield]

ah man... what the? u seriously did attack the fort full of elephants? lol nah… come on man? seriously? u still got catapults there? ah man f it. out of which pocket did Phonics the Magician pull those?
what a f ed up start in the day total war wise. first my sindhies go down and now the indians get screwed too… nice… gotta apply the most corniest proverbs here? lucky in love unlucky at cards? its a give and take? once the elephant goes mad the rest of the troops just suck it? (thats my favourite proverb actually…) seriously...

alright the story section gave it away. btw guys what would the story section be without me getting slaughtered all the time? im really contributing to this! just not the way i d like to
well… looks like it wasnt my elephant army that got killed but it sucks anyway. man seriously… what the heck… this bunch of trapped soldiers won against a major army? those indian idiots are worth nothing and this army already consisted mainly out of swordsmen which is the best close combat infantry i can actually field. yet they sucked epic. im really getting worried about this. but maybe it wasnt my armys fault maybe it was just Phonics the Magician. conscious denial… much better…

btw “And he could see that these men would fight again for the Crown Prince, would pour like molten steel from the gates of this puny fort…” lol nice

[Quirl]

lol. Yes, Silver. You're evil conquest certainly has provided invigorating AAR's lately. :)

[barcamartin]

Ghazni! (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gy430hzgnm2)

[phonicsmonkey]

once the elephant goes mad the rest of the troops just suck it? (thats my favourite proverb actually…) seriously...


I think you just coined a phrase! Well, that's about the size of it - once I get your elephants rampaging (and kill your FM - these Rajput princes are fairly easy to knock off having just the one hit point) the rest of the men take a massive morale hit and there is a small window wherein it's possible to get them all routing.


I've done this a few times now, having been fighting Ramses before you came along. But I'm no magician - I fail utterly against Mongols unless I have a massive advantage.

Actually my main problem here was trying to keep them all from routing long enough to kill enough of them! Unfortunately that one unit of Bharat spearmen I was trying to keep happy ended up coming too close to the slaughter and the battle finished before I could butcher everyone else..

[Zim]

Next turn!

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=201&id=5218

[phonicsmonkey]

Silver, are you there?

[SilverShield]

sorry guys was off over the weekend. i ll do this now


sorry for the delay but there was some stuff i had to take care of first

well… u guys really dont like me and the poor indians huh? i mean i get used to my soldiers constantly being slaughtered because they prefer to wear it lose instead of any real armour. alright… but now even my love boats had to feel ur anger? those love boats were full of nothing but love hungry tourists cruising the indian ocean heading towards the persian shores. all they wanted do was to cruise the red sea and visit medina, mecca, sharm el sheikh. they wanted to the see the pyramids, jerusalem … meet some locals, make new friends… all the fun stuff. just some regular armed sight seeing u know… … what a shame that now even innocent tourists have to feel the wrath of the caliph…

mameluks next. u mameluks really missed out a lot on those tourists…
http://depositfiles.com/files/s93grr9fc

oh yea i dont know whether there reallyis something wrong with the game or whether i just got pretty unlucky fort opening wise. i mean its cool that my spies are able to infiltrate forts easily but if i always need six or on even seven spies to open the gates i still have a problem. but u guess that just normal? hopefully it will become better next one

[phonicsmonkey]

u guys really dont like me and the poor indians huh? i mean i get used to my soldiers constantly being slaughtered because they prefer to wear it lose instead of any real armour. alright… but now even my love boats had to feel ur anger? those love boats were full of nothing but love hungry tourists cruising the indian ocean heading towards the persian shores. all they wanted do was to cruise the red sea and visit medina, mecca, sharm el sheikh. they wanted to the see the pyramids, jerusalem … meet some locals, make new friends… all the fun stuff. just some regular armed sight seeing u know… … what a shame that now even innocent tourists have to feel the wrath of the caliph…

mameluks next. u mameluks really missed out a lot on those tourists…

QUIRL! We needed that tourist money!


oh yea i dont know whether there reallyis something wrong with the game or whether i just got pretty unlucky fort opening wise. i mean its cool that my spies are able to infiltrate forts easily but if i always need six or on even seven spies to open the gates i still have a problem. but u guess that just normal? hopefully it will become better next one

This sounds normal to me - some turns you need to get the % above 100 before the gates will open, some turns you only need one guy in there to do the deed.

[Quirl]

QUIRL! We needed that tourist money!

I sowy. :shame:

[Quirl]

Khan!
http://www.mediafire.com/?wjokkwelwef

[SilverShield]

man its like my 6th turn already i think and yet i havent seen my riders of doom in action. how sad is that… sniff

caliph next
http://depositfiles.com/files/7i77r37yi

[phonicsmonkey]

depositfiles seems to be down - if you're around, any chance you could upload it somewhere else like mediafire or something?

[SilverShield]

sorry to hear that

try this then
http://www.mediafire.com/file/0yztml2z5zz/BC-WotK-27-Caliphate.rar

[phonicsmonkey]

thanks Silver

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?giyzrzumyo2)

[barcamartin]

This might get a bit delayed, I'm sorry to say. Hopefully it'll be up in the next 24 hours.

[barcamartin]

There we go, almost within 24 hours of last post. ;)

Ghazni! Damn it, forgot to zip. :( (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gnj12zi1ymx)

[phonicsmonkey]

I'll sub for Zim later (if we don't hear from him) just to keep things moving

[Zim]

Sorry, I'm still getting used to having to check the thread daily and not just my inbox...

The turn can be subbed or skipped as needed.

[phonicsmonkey]

Sorry, I'm still getting used to having to check the thread daily and not just my inbox...

The turn can be subbed or skipped as needed.

You didn't get a pm? Bad barca!

[phonicsmonkey]

Rajputs (http://www.mediafire.com/?dznjojmno2o)

[SilverShield]

mameluks next
http://depositfiles.com/files/1wqno0wtf

[phonicsmonkey]

Mongols (http://www.mediafire.com/?uzz2jgm2wy2)

[SilverShield]

things are heating up...

caliphate next
http://depositfiles.com/files/oynciukta

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?mqtzmlozwf2)

[SilverShield]

u are getting pretty monosyllabic here man. hope thats just due to some stress u are facing and not a sign of the downfall of the caliphate already *twinkle

i think Barca still is in spain so this might take a bit longer. not actually sure about when he is going to get back. due to the stress u are facing maybe the mongol slaughterer Quirl wants to do this? though im also fine with waiting for Barca

[phonicsmonkey]

I am struggling a bit with your Rajput spies - there's not much I can do to defend against them. It's irritating but there just doesn't seem to be a way to make this game balanced...not your fault of course, just the way it has worked out. We killed off all our (multitudinous) spies a long time ago because they weren't to be used...

It looks very much like you will win this game now - but I will try to make it as difficult as possible for you.

I have asked Quirl to sub.

[SilverShield]

yea i do see ur point. its kinda unbalanced spy wise. i do have like 30-40 spies i think and most of them are pretty high level. even if gates dont open that easily i still have enough spies to make it happen. (needed almost 20 of them to open the three forts last round.) in addition to the sheer numbers i think the spies are overpowered here in comparison with the dogs of war game where they are less powerful imo. right in the beginning when i had to rely on lower level spies even the ones with a 62 percent chance to enter did it. actually all of them but one or two i think. so yea spy wise im overpowered especially considering that u guys are lacking them. yet since ii lack any siege equipment as rajput spies are the only way to get pass any fort. so if i gave up on the spies i d castrate myself. then the whole thing for me would be undoable. so yea its a f ing dilemma. though the fact that the indian troops are worth nothing really maybe somehow compensates for the spies. actually i have to ass kiss myself for deploying my riders of doom to the eastern front coz otherwise it would haven broken next round coz the indian troops are pretty useless. so yeah maybe that is a bit of a compensation for the spies. though i gotta admit that the lost of the fort with the two family members and the catapult and consequently the chance to break through and fight the army in the north was pretty intense i give u that. so its cool that u dont ground arms but keep up the fight. there will always be this or that moment of success to make it fun for u too i think. and no matter the outcome at least u can say that u gave it ur best and made the whole thing as hard as possible. for me a inevitable major downfall that im sure of i gave it my best before is more glorious than winning a somehow uneven war. so u guys are winners anyway no matter what

[phonicsmonkey]

What makes it harder still is that your spies can effectively knock out my siege equipment (by opening a fort) while my siege equipment can do nothing about your spies..

I think the main thing is that we're all having fun with it and making the most out of an unbalanced game. It runs both ways as you say and we certainly benefited for a good while from the mongols having no spies and the rajputs having no siege equipment.

If I'm a bit uncommunicative over the next couple of weeks it's just because I am so busy in RL, no other reason.

[Zim]

Barca's turn is finished. Got the pw for it today. Ghazni turn will be done within the day.

[Zim]

Rajputs

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=201&id=5238

[SilverShield]

all quiet on western front...

mameluks next
http://depositfiles.com/files/jukj17zn5

apparently the password of the mameluks has been erased? i mean Quirl is still part of this right? gonna send him a message now anyways

[phonicsmonkey]

yeah he's still playing - I had to clear his pw so I could sub his turn last time

[Quirl]

Khaaaan!

http://www.mediafire.com/?y3niaizmmym

I'm still here. Just busy. :)

[SilverShield]

good thing. though i lost a lot of money again now...and fox a great story... anyways

caliph next
http://depositfiles.com/files/77myc4c19

[phonicsmonkey]

Seljuks (http://www.mediafire.com/?h1df2qtmmj4)

And for those of you who don't remember Khalil, he was last seen here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?100395-In-the-Lands-of-the-Faithful-BC-Hotseat-Story-Thread&p=2324258&viewfull=1#post2324258)

[barcamartin]

Honestly guys, I'm not sure when I can do this turn. Today and tonight is prom, followed my massive partying. Then tomorrow I'm not sure where I'll be during the day, and I reckon there won't be much time tomorrow evening. Saturday looks full up as well. So if someone could sub, that would be awesome.

[phonicsmonkey]

have fun barca!

well, I don't have much time either....studying every spare hour for this exam next weekend and working full time on top of that. sorry wife and child!

Quirl, Zim, could either of you guys sub for barca?

[Quirl]

Sure, man. I'll sub. Give me a an hour or so...

EDIT:
GhaZim!
http://www.mediafire.com/?yz1nmcjmtwg

[barcamartin]

Thanks mate! Really appreciate it! Last night was awesome, and this morning aswell. Tonight it's out again. How am I supposed to survive until graduation? ;)

[SilverShield]

i ll give u some advice on that


Khalil... this mofo!!

[Quirl]

He he. Go crazy, Barca! Send us some pictures (not those kind, though)! ;D

[barcamartin]

https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/363/balyaa.jpg

So, which one of these handsome mfers is me? ;D

[Quirl]

lol. Hmm... the guy in the back, ready to strike from behind like a ninja????