[SPOILERS-PBEM14] scooter's thread - Mansa Musa

[scooter]

No, no, that makes sense now! Thanks

Another issue is that I think a major selling point to me (and hopefully to him) of with working with Lewwyn is the fact that our UUs are from the same general era. It's like when two civs with rush ancient age rush UUs land next to each other - logically they should not rush each other as they lose their advantage that way. I think it's the same with this game, although admittedly it's not like Janissaries are powerhouse units like Cataphracts are, but you get my point I think.

[scooter]

Got a rather boring message back from Gaspar:

Hey scooter,

Thanks. I actually had originally intended to go Polytheism rather than Meditation, but I had determined you were the likely competition for either, so with you first in the turn order, it made more sense to me to go for the less desirable of the two. Not sure who would have won, but I too, am glad we didn't race. Nothing sucks quite like wasting those early beakers.

Speaking of your rivals in the north, anything interesting going on up there. As I've said, Sandover and I have had pretty amenable relations thus far, though I'm not silly enough to ever let my guard down on that front. As I said in my last mail, I think I'm an unlikely target for a war chariot rush, between Holkans and the jungle between us, would make more sense for him to target ... probably Lewwyn if I'm reading the geography right. I'm moving Mortician in such a fashion as to hopefully run into the Turks shortly, so I'll have to ask him how he's doing on that front. Anything else interesting going on up there? I'm sure there's been some spice in the politics up there already - Serdoa and Lewwyn are both anything but boring. Whether you or I are boring or not, my starting position and your Cataphracts should certainly ensure we contribute to the flavor. Kinda wish I was lurking here rather than playing, actually.

Sorry I don't really have much else to share but some platitudes and questions, but I've already told you just about everything I know. My isolated start and focus on building stone circles rather than scouting means I'm a little in the dark on whatever else is going on.

Gaspar

Meh. I'll respond eventually. I may go choke Sandover with my warrior just for the fun of it. That'll get him talking.

[dazedroyalty]

Yay for early chokes!

I agree with trying to warm Gaspar up regardless of plan 1 or 2. It is never a bad plan to work on good relations. Gaspar does seem to be working hard to stay neutral/non-committal. That could be because he has a deal with Sandover or because he's like that with everyone as he waits for opportunities to appear.

I'm liking the settler push but let's make sure to keep some defense handy just in case!

[scooter]

Yay for early chokes!

I agree with trying to warm Gaspar up regardless of plan 1 or 2. It is never a bad plan to work on good relations. Gaspar does seem to be working hard to stay neutral/non-committal. That could be because he has a deal with Sandover or because he's like that with everyone as he waits for opportunities to appear.

I'm liking the settler push but let's make sure to keep some defense handy just in case!

Some good thoughts here.

1. Not sure that I'll actually do the whole choke thing... It might be more like I swing by his land to see what it looks like, and if I see a nice opportunity, I'll go for it.

2. Yeah - I need to at least make some sort of effort to stay in the back of Gaspar's head. And you're right that I could be reading things incorrectly... I just need to do my best to keep the door cracked open and go from there. Who knows, maybe Sandover will do something crazy (wouldn't be the first tiem) and Gaspar will come running to me with a revenge plot in hand. I just need to figure out how to write him back, and no inspiration is coming at the moment I must admit. I'll figure something out.

3. I am going to try to slip in a Chariot soon to my southeastern city so that I'll have something better than a warrior down there. This is the other reason to check out Sandover's land - to make sure I won't be getting War Chariots coming out of the fog to surprise me. My next settler will go for copper, so spears will be available not too far down the line. But yes, this is a pretty true farmer's gambit with fairly minimal defense, and I'm playing against a group of aggressive humans rather than AIs. There is definitely some element of "let's just hope it pays off" at stake here that's for sure!

[scooter]

Quick report from Turn 33. I finished Polytheism, landing the Hindu holy city in Dominion. Of course, being quick speed, this meant that as soon as I hit enter, Dominion became holy AND I got a border pop:



That was fun. You can see settler 3 en route to the right of the screenshot. Also highlighted my tech choice starting next turn. Quick look inside:



Thanks to beautiful holy city culture, these borders will pop again in 9 turns - also known as "sooner than my next city will."

[scooter]

I finally figured out how to respond to Gaspar... My approach - be as direct as possible and see how he responds. This is probably toeing the line of being too forward, but why not put some pressure on and see how he responds? Here it is:

Gaspar,

Not much interesting going on in the north honestly... I don't think there's anything in particular going on with Lewwyn and/or Serdoa... Or if there is, they sure aren't telling me so far! Sorry if that's disappointing to hear, but to be honest I've had more contact with you and Sandover thus far than with either of them. As the expansion phase heats up I'm sure that will change, but for now, sorry to report that there's not much gossip to spread.

I admit I debated on whether or not to say something along these lines, but I will. I'll be up front with you - I read your response an email or two ago as a "mild rejection" - or that's what I called it in my thread. By that I mean - it seemed as if you were not particularly interested in anything other than loose relations (understandable!), however you saw no purpose in shutting the door quite yet. I get the strong impression from the way you talk and the way Sandover talks that you are trying to align yourself with Sandover rather than me, partially because you are chasing wonders/religions next to a guy wielding War Chariots.

At least, that's my read on things. He admitted to me that you have attempted to play myself off of him, and I felt you were doing the same to me when one of the first things you mentioned when you met me was a potential grudge between myself and him. The logical diplo play for you is to play us off each other and try to buddy up with Sandover in an attempt to sic him on me while you peacefully build wonders and expand. If that's what you're trying then you might be in for a surprise on how impossible it is to manipulate him, but I'm trying to figure this out if you are actually doing that - if you are aligning yourself with him and attempting to isolate me, or if you are simply waiting things out and thus came across as a little uninterested.

Maybe this message will catch you as a little too forward, but I wasn't kidding when I said that's the way I prefer things . Looking forward to hearing from you.

scooter

I expect he'll tell me that he's just trying to keep his options open... It's up to me to figure out if he's lying or not. I'll actually be really impressed if he just blatantly says that he's aligning himself with Sandover. Lots of factors contribute to determining how straight he is being with me. Should be interesting . I'm curious - how many of you would've never sent that message if you were in my shoes? It's sent already, but I'm just curious. If you have questions for why I'm approaching it this way, I'll be happy to answer.

[dazedroyalty]

Edit: haha... i guess that one hasn't been instituted yet!

[scooter]

Edit: haha... i guess that one hasn't been instituted yet!

Sorry, let me help you out there. Don't worry, I brought enough for both of us.

[dazedroyalty]

That better not be kettle corn! Salted, buttered, cheese, caramel: all good, but you can keep that kettle corn cr*p to yourself! :D

[Mardoc]

That better not be kettle corn! Salted, buttered, cheese, caramel: all good, but you can keep that kettle corn cr*p to yourself! :D

Blasphemer! Kettle corn is the only popcorn worth eating. The rest might as well be packing peanuts for as much as I'm willing to put it in my mouth.