ok friends. It seems like the decision has fallen to cede the game to Ermor.
Indeed it seems I got lucky in the sense the Jotun globals backfired on him strategically and actually bought me precious time to solidify my position.
It was a strange game for me all along. I am not used to being in leading position and this is by design. I hate to have the target marked all over me but in this game it sort of happened and I wasn't able to stay back. Like Pythium's attack on me and my consequent conquest of most of his lands. I had to fight him back, though had been up to me I'd have stayed smaller.
I have enjoyed the extensive diplomatic action. As Ahethyr said, plots within plots, and I was aware of the fact that probably all my allies were just waiting for the right moment to back-stab me so I was anxiously waiting for that each an every turn until BoT & AC came up and I could relax some.
All in all, fun game (regardless of the way it ended) with awesome players.
Thank you so much all. It was great having you on board!
Thank you Calahan for raising the flag early and saving us all precious time.
BTW, I would like to arrange a sequel game. I'm now short on time. Later today I will lay out the details here and invite all of you who wish to do so to join it.
BTWX2 what a mystery with R'lyeh (missing, non-existent?) items.