RB Pitboss #1 SPOILER - Catherine of Sumeria

[kalin]

I unfortunately don't have that much time to reply properly right now. You have a lot more experience with MP and I would not "vote" against your "vote" ... but I would like a bit more discussion as I am not entirely convinced yet. Anyway, since we are a league of two I think we'll need unanimity

Your simulation looked reasonable, but if that's the case we should see a warrior next turn. If we don't go in, I'd like us to get at least some good will back

Also, we still need to wait for sunrise to end his turn. I couldn't help notice this delay

Kalin

[Dreylin]

Well we finally got a message back from sunrise:

Greetings Dreylin. I'm glad our fine civilizations could meet.

I'll give you some free info: From what I can tell my capital is on a peninsula. Possibly we share an island, but I've only discovered water to my north, south, and east. Also, regoarrarr is somewhere across the channel to the east. I'll arrange a meeting once I can figure out where to direct you - rego spotted my borders but we've not officially met...I'm not even sure his email was allowed.

Finally, can I assume this email exchange means you don't intend to declare war on me? I have a unit I can build in time, but I'd prefer to let a worker finish first if I don't have to worry about any attacks.

-sunrise

Some very interesting information here (if true) about the shape of the map.

I'm not sure what to make of his last paragraph; maybe he didn't notice our message immediately, but it was sent several turns ago. I'm not sure whether or not to believe his claim, but I think that we're better off not risking it right now, and considering a declaration later on once the area is better developed and we have Vultures.

I'm going to log in and have a look, but not move the Warrior until I hear a confirmation from kalin. I'll also start drafting a message to sunrise and post it here before sending.

[Dreylin]

A bit more info - sunrise is now not working any of the tiles we can see.

Warrior out of Lin, started Worker as planned. Warrior moves SW to get a view of the coast down there. Scout moved SW, S and revealed Wines. We have a choice now between heading West and heading South into the Desert. Desert would let us take best advantage of our Scout's 2-move ability, though West is closer area and we may reveal some of the coast with our Warrior's exploration.

[Dreylin]

OK, so Alin and I managed to have a chat this afternoon and decide on our route forward:

Alin: here's my thinking
I think we shouldn't attack
but
I think that if we did
it would be to his disadvantage a lot more
he won't lose the game because of this
but we'll set him back quite a bit

me: True

Alin: he'll have to get a warrior in
cannot attack us
too risky

me: Yeah

Alin: then either build another
or return his initial one

me: judging from his exploration though, his starting Warrior should be close by

Alin: meanwhile ours will be fortified in a forest

me: Yeah

Alin: even with two warriors
it's not enough
but
it's a bit risky for us too
although to a much lesser extent

me: We guarantee ourselves an enemy, certainly

Alin: so as I said in the post
we should make that clear
to him

me: Do we wat to offer him a NAP

Alin: not sure about NAP tbh

me: to t100
e.g.

Alin: does that benefit us?

me: His Warrior is going to head our way

Alin: we are IMP
should get that corn/cow city from him
hopefully

me: It's slightly closer to us

Alin: that will irritate him

me: couple of tiles
I marked a potential spot

Alin: do we want to attack him with vultures?

me: he's long way away
to be attacking that early

Alin: other thought
a couple of chariots to pillage...
I guess I am in an aggressive state of mind right now

me: Heh

Alin: if he's map info is correct

me: Well next month it'll be all you!
we're going to end up fighting

Alin: he'll have us as the most likely neighbor to attack

me: better to do in before Conquistadors...

Alin: if we end up fighting, then I'd rather do it with Vultures
right

me: Well, let's just carry on on our way now
Send him a message saying he owes us one

Alin: can you do that pls

me: and keep exploring

Alin: will need to run pretty soon

me: I'll put something together

Alin: cool

me: will you be back later?
to see a draft

Alin: although I have to say moving in is mighty tempting
yes will be
and review the draft

me: OK, will draft and let you review

Alin: suggest moving the warrior around his borders btw

me: Yes, definitely

Alin: reveal his land to know horses/copper
I'd move scout to desert hill

me: Warrior2 - heads SW, then circles around to North?
OK
was leaning that way myself

Alin: good, glad to see we think to a good extent the same way
warrior 2 should stay around the capital

me: I'll post this chat in the forum
Yeah

Alin: but yes 3SW, then back...
yes pls, re: chat in forum

me: only a couple of turns to border pop though

Alin: true
capital can get a warrior from 0 in 3 turns
@ 6H / turn

me: plus no-one can see the city is empty

Alin: actually that's true
but they could just step in
do you still want scout after worker?

me: Yeah, wouldn't want to take risk
I think so
to go SW

Alin: ok, that's fine with me

me: still got time to discuss though

Alin: true
ok I think we are good for now

So I moved the Warrior NE and am drafting a message to sunrise now.

Scout going S, SE; Warrior2 SW; Warrior1 I suggest moves NE, SE on next two turns.

[Dreylin]

Sent to sunrise after review with kalin:

sunrise,

Well we sent the first e-mail as soon as we sighted your borders - before we realised any potential vulnerability - so at that point we had no intentions other than to just say hello. I must admit to a little disappointment that it took until you felt threatened before you responded to us. 8-(

Anyway, by now you will probably have seen that the Dove convinced the Hawk that though we could certainly have been a significant annoyance to you, doing so would not be in our best interests.

As you know we come from your West, and have yet to meet anyone else; so since there is the potential for contact with regoarrarr/Dantski, our Warrior will plan to remain in the area for a while. Rest assured he intends no harm to your civ.

Dreylin of the League.

[Dreylin]

OK, so next turn:

Scout moved S, SE - looks like a narrow penninsula. We should probably move E, SE next turn (since Oasis is 2-move tile)



Warrior moved NE and more Spices. BTW, sunrise had moved a Warrior back towards his capital, so maybe he was bluffing about being able to build a guard. Anyway, Warrior should probably go SE next.

[kalin]

E - SE for scout sounds good as does SE for warrior.

It's hard to know at this point but I also think sunrise may have bluffed. Oh well, next time I'll post more tomorrow hopefully, but I am thinking about going after him with vultures if we have copper.

A bit of meta-gaming Noticed how our thread all of a sudden got a large number of views? Also, I am a bit surprised that no lurkers commented on this situation. I can only surmise that people were afraid of spoilers...

K

[Sullla]

Also, I am a bit surprised that no lurkers commented on this situation. I can only surmise that people were afraid of spoilers...

On a decision as big as ultra-early war, we all wanted to see what you guys would do, without affecting the decision in any way. At least, that's the way I approached the situation.

[Dreylin]

Had a chat with sunrise this evening. In summary:

He hadn't been checking the e-mail address on a regular basis, so didn't notice our message.

He had been playing a bit fast-and-loose with his military.

There may be a window for us to meet the regoarrarr/Dantski team across the channel. Apparently there is a rendesvous set up 3SE of our Warrior's current position in a few turns time - although there may be a problem with sunrise's borders expanding before we have a chance at contact.

My reputation from the PBEM is indeed preceeding me.

sunrise suggested that he would be prepared to pursue a peaceful strategy until and across-the-water war could be effectively waged.

He also speculated about a future trade of religion and potential purchasing of Settlers from us.

Kalin, the full transcript is in our gmail account.

[Dreylin]

It's hard to know at this point but I also think sunrise may have bluffed. Oh well, next time I'll post more tomorrow hopefully, but I am thinking about going after him with vultures if we have copper.

The key quote from the chat was:

honestly, I was playing fast and loose militarily - I mistakenly believed that Sullla had given everyone their own island, and then also believed (mistakenly or not) that no RB player would participate in a very early opportunistic war.