Thanks to Eric for sharing the victory.
 
It was an interesting early dynamic, with no England around. The power vacuum served me quite well, because I didn't have to be too concerned about France or Germany, because they had easier centers to grab, and I felt like it allowed Russia to get involved, but not too involved in the Southeast.
 
I figured France/Germany would grow but would have to fight each other. I figured Russia could be a major force... but obviously my initial concern was Austria. And when there was a strong suggestion to move to Piedmont, I really felt it inappropriate and a signal that we were going to war very soon. So I hit the streets and seemed to have a sense of interest from Russia and Turkey to either war or at least consider moving on Austria.
 
(Strange how a missing England doomed Austria.)
 
I figured with the west of the board disinterested, and the east mildly interested, I could take the big risk in going all out against Austria. I didn't alert Germany to Tyrolia, but quickly followed up with my explanation. The situation cemented a trust between us early on, because I had several opportunities to stab Munich, but just wasn't about to do so unless I felt comfortable in the Balkans. Which really never happened.
 
Once we hit Austria hard, it was reasonable to divide up the centers. There was a setback or two, but the surrounding of Austria mean a 2-1 advantage on each remaining center, and I suggested everyone be responsible for their attack, and remove the reliance.
 
There were a few Russian NMRs or lack of orders, and I also began the difficult position of negotiating with Turkey -- which I feared growing stronger and immediately impacting me, and Russia, which I feared he would grow enough in the South and in the North and run the board.
 
Because there was ongoing trust issues (some of which I gladly assisted) there was a decent stalemate.
 
Meanwhile, France was getting the worst of it from Germany, and I played nice on both sides until it was obvious what the outcome was going to be. Unfortunately, France hyped up the need for a concerted effort against Germany at a time when I was more trusting of Eric, and less in need of a concerted effort with Turkey.
 
I wasn't about to sail West and allow Turkish supremacy in the Balkans.
 
As Russia started to grow North, I hedged my bets. There was talk of G/R/I alliance and a three way. I had reservations about this, since I was concerned more with Russia rolling south than anything else. But Turkey was strong enough to withstand Russia, and yet not willing enough to work out a plan to move North.
 
I never saw any opportunity to side with Turkey, and at last figured I'd have to break the three-way stalemate, and began working to Greece. I had a few arrangements, and we had a few double-dealing moves in Albania, but I was beginning to see the end of Turkey.
 
Strangely enough, Russia was doomed to collapse first.
 
There was a week or so where the three-way alliance (in theory, because in practice it was mostly non-agression) crumbled. I was relatively safe from Germany, and relatively safe from Russia as long as Turkey persisted. But I did try to point out that Russia was overextended and very vulnerable up the middle.
 
I stirred the pot a bit with Russia, but was wary -- very wary -- of an R/T alliance in the middle of the stalemates, but apparently that never grew anywhere.
 
Once I was able to snatch Spain, I had the muscle to slowly grind out Turkey. Once Germany stabbed Russia, that allowed me to start maneuvering. For a week or so, I thought I could out-race Eric for the solo, but realized he'd have me at his mercy in Iberia.
 
We both figured out that we'd have to stab each other to win, and there was still Russia and Turkey to be concerned about. I think two weeks out of the draw, we both decided that we'd stick to a draw course.
 
Russia's NMR's and then Turkey's merely prolonged the game, and I'm guessing Turkey's intransigence was a way to get back at Andrew ... not sure, but obviously non-votes only prolonged the game until Russia was eliminated.
 
It was unfortunate about the Draw proposal confusion, and that alone almost destroyed the G/I alliance -- because I at first wasn't sure what Eric was getting on about, and was paranoid that he may decide to go for the 18....
 
But we quickly resolved the issue.
 
Great gaming with everyone....
 
Joe Babinsack