Mixed Feelings
My very first email to Russia and Austria proposed a 3 way alliance to 9 centers each. Once we achieved the initial goal, England was still such a powerhouse we decided to continue the alliance until England met his end. I'm very proud of the alliance and it's solidity. The three of us remained in constant communication almost every turn, and always moved in concert. It all functioned beautifully. Daan and Hamish, thanks for a game well played. We did it!
To my opponents, you all did well. Turkey clearly never stood a chance against the combined might of three players moving in harmony. Germany, likewise, could never have expected three enemy armies crossing the standard DMZ in spring of 02. He held on remarkably well, but again, sheer numbers were against him. France and England's battle at the beginning worked to my advantage as well, but almost ended up in tragedy, as I barely got to the chokepoint of the med in time. English fleets in the south would have been awful.
England did well the entire game. He continually kept trying to fracture the alliance, but by that point it was like we were playing as a single country, and he never had a chance. Still, he very nearly made a draw of it, and only through patience and trust did the alliance manage to finally topple the english forces.
As the game progressed, I hoped to find a time to stab one of my opponents (probably Hamish), but Daan would never commit to it, and I knew I couldn't carry it off by myself. I considered siding with England at several points, but England (wisely) focused all his attention on stopping me in the Atlantic, and thus had little to offer me as an ally. And I knew I couldn't even negotiate with him, because by that point I felt England was desperate enough to forward my email on to Daan or Hamish (or at least that was my fear).
Thus we have the three-way. But after saying all of that, I hope it makes sense when I feel just a bit disappointed by the end result. I really wanted to see a 2-way draw, but the alliance grew impervious to invitations to stab, apparently even from within! I guess in one sense I don't even feel like it was a "fair" game. And again, I am in no way trying to slight any of my opponents. You all did very well, there's just not much anyone can do against a tightly knit three way like we had.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It's very rare to find two other players so trustworthy and faithful in this game. Hamish and Daan were amazing allies. So while I wish we could have whittled the 3-way down to a 2-way, at the same time, I'm glad I didn't have to stab Hamish (or Daan).
Thanks to everyone for the great game, and thanks to our Fearless GM for sticking with us the whole time. We appreciate it!
John
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 15:56:42 -0700
From: vegas_iwish-at-yahoo.com
Subject: WB10 DC295 IS OVER! AIR WITH E SURVIVAL
To: catsfather-at-gmail.com; daanschr-at-yahoo.com; olson.gregoryscott-at-gmail.com; dec126-at-hotmail.com; m_don_j-at-hotmail.com; Maxatrest-at-yahoo.co.uk; untitled36-at-hotmail.com; dc295-at-diplomaticcorp.com; tfletch33-at-yahoo.com
CC: blitz-at-diplomaticcorp.com
Congrats to all though mostly to the 3 draw guys 
Will close game out on DC. Good luck in rd 2.
The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy.
