SharpAxe (for newbish players)- running

[Groundworm]

We're on 24 hour turns right now.

I notice that Lanka is no longer on the list of nations in the game, and Veraticus (who is playing Lanka) has neither responded to a PM I sent him 2 days ago, nor has he logged in since the 28th. I'm inclined to find a sub for him. What do the rest of you think?

[Calahan]

Originally Posted by Groundworm

I notice that Lanka is no longer on the list of nations in the game, and Veraticus (who is playing Lanka) has neither responded to a PM I sent him 2 days ago, nor has he logged in since the 28th. I'm inclined to find a sub for him. What do the rest of you think?

Just an observers comment. If you check the in-game Pretender list, you will probably see that Lanka are AI (rather than Human). The list of natons that appears on the llamaserver status screen is a list of non-AI nations in the game. So if a nation in the game doesn't appear there, then they are either AI or have been eliminated.

Once a nation is AI, there is no way to un-do the order unless you roll-back the game to the turn the "Become Computer Controlled" order was set. It is of course up to the admin and players whether or not to do that.


The only other thing to do is put the Lanka player on your quitters list. Since he/she has choosen to do the classic "bailing to the AI without asking or giving notice" tactic, which you will see so many players talk hatred and annoyance about on these (and other) forums. As it is one of the most selfish things a player can do in the game, as it can and often does seriously disrupt the balance of games. And maybe think twice in the future about letting him/her play in any games you are playing in or organising.

[Drog the Destroyer]

Sigh, that was the first name in my book of grudges . It's especially annoying since it was early game and Lanka was in good shape, as far as I can tell.

[Ragnars Wolves]

I guess we take that chance when we are all new and there are some whose attention span may somewhat 'shorter' than others.

How far back was he with us for a roll back? I now understand how someone can REALLY upset the balance of power by just giving up.

Well, what do we want to do, or better yet...what CAN we do?

[Drog the Destroyer]

We would have to roll back and redo turn 15 if we want to find a Lanka sub.

I guess the options are:

1: Carry on
2: Find a sub and roll-back
3: Re-start from scratch

I can live with all of them, option 2 is probably the best, even though I just won a crucial battle.

[Calahan]

Your stalker here again to say that if you do roll the game back to turn 15, then the llamaserver will automatically use the turn 15 .2h files you sent in when the turn re-hosts. This isn't always obvious, as the status screen will say "Waiting for 2h file" wehn you rollback, but it does still have the .2h files that were sent, so no need to send any in. (and it's actually considered cheating by many if a turn file is sent in during a roll-back)

Only the sub-Lanka player should send in a turn file during the rollback, and then once he/she does send it, the admin should force host the game. After which, things should be back to normal (with the sub-Lanka player in place).

Of course, you need to find a sub for this to even be an option


Your stalker out

[Drog the Destroyer]

I think we should postpone hosting until we have determined a modus operandi

[GrudgeBringer]

Greetings gentlemen,

Ragnar was just up here telling me of the problem you have with Lanka bolting on you and asked what options you had. Let me give you a couple of options as in your guys situation, it may be a little deeper than you think.

First, Calahan is a VERY capable 'Stalker' as he puts it as well as a formidable player. So make sure you run all this by him if you find something that you would like to do or use.

I looked over your situation and at first glance it would seem easier to find a replacement and roll back just one turn. And in a normal game that would/could be the best option. But you have a game of NEWER players and it may be hard to find a new player that is willing to sub in. That would mean you would have to go with a more vetern player, and at this early part of the game MAY (and I mean 'maybe' not for sure) unbalance it for a couple of players that are his neighbors.

There are a couple of other options avaiable that might meet your needs.

1. See if Helheim (Vultor) who has 3 provinces and is fighting like a trooper it looks like (hats off to you sir, no wanker in you!!) would like to take over Lanka.

You could do 1 of 2 things after that.

1. Find a wily 'ol' vet who will play Helheim out to the end in a kama-kazi setting (they are around, I assure you). THIS could also upset play as it will make it MUCH tougher to knock Helheim out and could deal a blow to the new player who is at war with him.

2. Put Helheim on AI as it is on its way out but you will be handing 2 forts to someone (according to the graphs) that they are at war with.

Of course there is always the third option of playing it out. In my experience usually two or 3 nations will go to war and divvy up the nation (Lanka) quickly so no one has too much of an advantage.

Just some different thoughts on the same options you have. I have seen a Vet come in and really make it rough on those in a noob game. On the other hand, maybe you want a ringer in the mix...a lot of ways to go guys.

Me personally, I would see if the nations around Lanka wanted to divide up his provinces etc and at 3 each isn't that big a deal (providing no one gets greedy and a REAL war breaks out).

(Calahan, is there a way to destroy 1 of the forts if the players would feel handing 2 forts to who Helheim is fighting is too much?)

Don't mean to butt in here, just wanted to give you some stuff to think and talk to Calahan about.

GB

[Groundworm]

First off, thank you to Calahan and GrudgeBringer for the useful advice.

I am not at all against finding a sub for Lanka and rolling back the turn, the only problem is that I'm not exactly sure which turn it was that Lanka went AI. It may not have been as recent as turn 15.

That being said, I'd like to hear more opinions from others in the game (as well as Calahan or GrudgeBringer), as to whether we should find a sub, roll back a turn, and see what happens, or continue on and distribute Lanka's properties as equitably as possible among his neighbors. I also personally think that if Vultor is willing, having him take over for Lanka is an excellent idea.

Groundworm

[mockingbird]

I am in favor of continuing on as much as possible.