[SPOILERS] DaveV is not clowning around. Well, maybe a little bit...

[DaveV]

No pictures, but I cast my world spell for an 18-turn golden age (one of the most powerful spells, IMO). It may not be the ideal time, but better than holding it in my pocket until too late.

I'm planning to change civics a couple times, to Undercouncil and Conquest (for extra XP on my adepts), so the GA is nice for that. I currently have 8 adepts, 7/10, 6/5, 3/5, 3/5, 3/5, 2/5, 2/5, 2/5 for XP. Not very close to sage status; I may have to do some attacks against the barbs or throw some of them into the Arena.

Even in golden age, I'm nowhere close to Aurorarcher's research, but I've passed him in manufacturing (a close 2nd to coldrain). I'm also 2nd in power, again behind coldrain.

I'll finish Poisons next turn and upgrade a couple freaks to Taskmasters. I'll use them to capture a few of the bears running around the barb city in the south. I have a great person due in 5 turns, 60% sage, 20% bard or merchant.

[DaveV]

... and that's game. coldrain came charging in with a bunch of adepts and super mobile chariots and took Grock and Bozo on his initial strike. Now he's prepared to run through my empire like the proverbial dose of salts.

I offered a map trade to all the other players, so maybe they can strike the other side of coldrain's empire while he's busy conquering mine. I also offered open borders to Aurorarcher in case he feels like sending help.

[DaveV]

... and apparently my puppets disappear before coldrain's turn and don't function as city defenders? Now I'm really sorry I picked Keelyn.

[DaveV]

Lurker poll: what's the consensus on settling far-away cities to stay alive and prolong war weariness for your attacker? Fair play, or just obnoxious?

[The Black Sword]

Super obnoxious and also totally fair play.

[Qgqqqqq]

Completely fair play. Keeps you alive which is ultimately half the goal of civ.

[DaveV]

I'm down to three cities, and there's a chance coldrain could clear the table next turn, so I used DoW teleport shenanigans to build my "from Hell's heart, I stab at thee" city. I offered peace in hope that xist will understand what I'm doing. I nuked his trade routes, but if when I'm down to one city that won't matter much.



It's a terrible city, and not as far away from coldrain as I'd like, but needs must.

[DaveV]

coldrain is in no hurry, I think I could have followed my original plan and settled north instead of south. Maybe this is less of a thumb in the eye for coldrain; I'm still conflicted on whether I should have built the "stayin' alive" city.

[DaveV]

In case a lurker fills in for me: I'm trying not to put my thumb on the scales to influence the direction of the war between xist10 and coldrain, which might well determine the outcome of the game. I'm feeling a little guilty about inflicting war weariness on coldrain; he played a really good early game, and I know how stressful it is to fight against a coalition.

I moved a bunch of skeletons close to the front line to keep an eye on things, but don't plan on launching any attacks unless I can snipe one of my cities back.

I'd like to finish the hunting lodge, build/rush a hawk so I can keep an eye on the war front, then upgrade some scouts to taskmasters. It feels like the game is still very much in the balance but I don't see any path for me to get back to relevance, unless xist10 feels like liberating a bunch of cities back to me.

[Qgqqqqq]

There's no way you should feel bad about a) surviving and b) continuing a war against the player who almost killed you.