EoG, Germany

The game started with the French proposition of a E-F-G triple-alliance.
As I had very little communication with other powers (including England)
I had to take it. I never believed the triple alliance would last very
long and as France moved into BUR opposed to our deal I decided not to
trust France, no matter what happens. My biggest concern was how to get
England on my side when the war with France begins. I made a terrible
(but intentional) deal: I gave England DEN for free. Now, I was ready to
beat the French, but I also knew that as soon as the French were
eliminated I would be attacked by the English. Had to find a new ally. I
was hoping I could form an alliance with Austria, but he was in trouble
with Italy/Turkey and I was cought in the middle of that war. So,
surprisingly I found out that my allies were Italy and Turkey. From that
point on my plan was to slowly retreat from West, trying to buy some
time (needed to first eliminate Austria) and to keep enough centers so I
could force the other powers to include me in the draw.

It didn't go that easy. Austria fought well and it took too much time to
eliminate him. Italy was demanding help (with a good reason, I admit) to
cope with England
in the Medit. Sea and Iberia. So my retreat was far more faster than I
had planned. In the end I was left with three centers, knowing that my
life was in the hands of Turkey and Italy. To my luck they decided I was
included in the draw. So thank You, Michaels.

This was a fun game. I believe we all made big mistakes in the field,
but the diplomatics were suberp. In the beginning I was a little
depressed as nobody was really talking to me, but as Mr. Stroz entered
the game things started to roll. Thank you Stroz, you gave this game
some life! Also the other Michael, Mr. Holm, should be rewarded. He had
a near-death exprerience, never gave up and became one of the big
powers. Thanks for all the plans and scenarios, they really helped my
game in those time I was too busy in real life.

Thanks for all the other players, including Mr. Stevens (France, my dear
enemy), but excluding those who abandoned the game. And finally, I want
to thank Alan, our excellent GM. No complaints from my part (I was
surprised to see you made my proxy arrangement public, but that's all my
fault - had no time to negotiate the issue with you).

See you in another game, I hope!

-Jyri


Michael Holm kirjoitti:

Turkish EoG.

Again, thanks goes to Alan for a well run game, and the rest of you
for making this game fun and educational.

Just as England did in the west, I focused primarily on the Eastern
part of the board in the first half of the game, but not in the way I
had hoped in advance. I sent some introductions to the
other countries, and I received some tips and pointers from several of
the more experienced players. Thanks, that was both needed and
appreciated.

As to alliances etc., I did not get anything substancial. Mails to
Austria and Italy went unanswered, but I formed an alliance with
Russia. But after the first year, things started to go downhill. The
second ruler of Italy forged a lasting alliance with Austria and a NAP
with France, which was bad news for me. Also, the Turkish-Russian
alliance went downhill fast, as Russia implemented devious but strange
strategies, and the Austrian-Italian alliance made great gains at a
rapid pace. At this point, the only eastern country which answered my
communications were Italy, who remained loyal to Austria, though. As
they were doing great, I can't really blame him.

I decided to put all effort into thwarting Italy in the hope of
turning him against Austria, leaving an open front to the north. With
doom approaching rapidly, an Italian change of power ushered in an
period of new hope. Stroz, thanks for saving my a$$. With the help
from Italy, the attack on Austria commenced. As both France and Russia
were all but exterminated at this point, an alliance between Germany,
Italy and Turkey were formed to prevent an English solo and remove the
Austrian threat once and for all. This succeeded through intensive
diplomacy. Coordinating the moves of three countries is not simple
(with busy real lives going on), and we had some hectic last minute
discussions.

As Alan pointed out, a stab against Italy was tempting. But Englands
position was too strong, and I was not going to hand him the solo.

In conclusion, I think the draw was a fair result. England was the
largest power, but the rest of us were at that point coordinated
enough to hold the line. Well done Mark, and to quote Iceman: "Jyri
and Stroz, you can be my wingmen anytime" (Or most likely, the other
way around) ;oD

Best regards,
Holm

*From:* Alan Farrington <mailto:alley_cat_1990(at)hotmail.com>
*Sent:* Wednesday, August 19, 2009 1:44 AM
*To:* Mark Utterback <mailto:mdemagogue(at)gmail.com> ; Michael Holm
<mailto:zipholm(at)hotmail.com> ; Michael Stroz
<mailto:mistro914(at)gmail.com> ; Rachael Jameson
<mailto:verticallychallangedcutie(at)yahoo.com> ; Santiago Villamayor
<mailto:svillamayor(at)mail.cl> ; Jyri <mailto:jyjusy(at)hotmail.com> ;
DC225 <mailto:dc225(at)diplomaticcorp.com> ; Mike Poobaloo
<mailto:mike(at)fuzzylogicllc.net> ; Anthony Stevens
<mailto:aandtstevens(at)gmail.com> ; Eugene
<mailto:icarusflier(at)gmail.com> ; mc3358a(at)student.american.edu
<mailto:mc3358a(at)student.american.edu>
*Subject:* Dc 225: End Game - Make Love; Not War [a GM's EoG]

Its been 11 years since the continent of Europe was plunged into war,
but finally the seven sinners of Europe have become the four sinners
and decided to put away their guns and agreed to end the war.

A Four way Draw between Sultan Michael Holm [8 centers], Michael
Stroz in Italy [9 centers], Kaiser Jyri Syrja in Germany [3 centers],
and Her Majesty the Queen Mark Utterback [14 centers].

I'm sure everyoen would enjoy reading end of game statements from all
the different players (past and present). Feel free to group email
them to everyone or send them to me and I will forward them along. As
for the GM I have just a few words that I would like to relay about
the makeup of this game.

First of all I would like to thank Michael Stroz for stepping up and
leading italy. He was the third leader to command those pesky Green
units and did a magnificent job. I'd also like to thank Rachael
Jameson, Santiago Villamayor, and Anthony Stevens for keeping with
their declining positions even though the outcome was bleak. Its
people like you that I can count on. Thanks!

I have two points to make about the game: First I think Italy did a
great job getting a leg up on Mark in what is usually a complete
stalemate line. I'm unsure how it would have worked out if the game
had continued. Also, I've been waiting for the Turk to stab Italy
since Fall 1909! If a stab wasn't coming why was that army parked in
Serbia for so long? Turkey did the "right" thing, if he had stabbed I
believe Mark would have won the solo and Holm would have lost his
share in the draw, but the temptation to improve your position must
have been immense.

Lastly I would like to make a shout out to Andy [The White Wolf] who
was there to answer my question and coach me through my fist GM
experience whenever I needed him.

If any of you are still reading I hope to see you in either the next
game I play [South American Supremacy] , or the next game I GM
[hopefully a Modern Variant]

Thank you all,
Alan Farrington

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