I hate to delay things again, but...

When I set the deadline for this turn, I had forgotten a few important things. First of all, MeatSpace couldn't get online for the entire weekend for pretty good reasons (namely, he was performing in a play, with three or four showings over the weekend) and BoVinE told me a while ago that he would be in Boston this weekend and wasn't sure if he could get online (I'm assuming he couldn't, since I haven't gotten any orders from him).

Therefore, since they told me of the reasons why they were going to be gone and I completely forgot about them (in other words, it's my fault), I'm giving them an extra day.

Thanks to the rest of you for getting orders in on time, and my apologies for delaying the game after the week-long delay we just escaped from.

People with lives? On MY internet?! I just won't stand for this.

ok, orders in. I just got back from a class.

This was a very...surprising turn. I didn't anticipate most of what happened at all, and this is coming from someone who has been able to tell which way things are going fairly well for the entire game thus far.

Here, for your own perusal, is the map of what happened in Fall of 1905.

First order of business: I need retreat orders for the units in Sevastopol and Sweden.

If you want to send in your build orders before seeing what the retreat map looks like, then here are the builds I need as well.

Note to future gamemasters: if, while calculating the results, you happen to be listening to Blood Suger by Pendulum, do not be alarmed if the turn suddenly becomes epic. I suspect that's what happened here. You have to listen to the full five-minute version.

Anyway...

Song just ended. You have the results. Send in the next orders as soon as possible.

Horray, out of the game already, thanks a lot Saskwach, thanks a lot.

Spartan Bannana:
Horray, out of the game already, thanks a lot Saskwach, thanks a lot.

Yeah...that's what surprised me. I knew I was handing you a country that was doomed, but I didn't think it was that doomed.

Zemalac:

Spartan Bannana:
Horray, out of the game already, thanks a lot Saskwach, thanks a lot.

Yeah...that's what surprised me. I knew I was handing you a country that was doomed, but I didn't think it was that doomed.

Yeah, I figured I would last more than a turn.

I held Warsaw by sheer coincidence there, awesome.

BoVinE:
I held Warsaw by sheer coincidence there, awesome.

Was not coincidence, I was betrayed

Am I the only one who thinks Russia is much prettier with that four-colour pattern? :p
...
Sorry Spartan.

I don't know, I like the subtle tones of grey all over the map more.

So then. I have evidence before my eyes that people have been online, and yet only BoVinE has sent in build orders. I haven't even got any retreat orders yet!

Send 'em in, gentlemen. It shouldn't take more than a day to decide where you're retreating to, building, or disbanding.

Today Emperor Willhelm II announced his plans for a vacation home in the north of England and areas of Scandinavia. In preparation for this, surveying forces have been deployed to these areas. When further questioned about the implications of effectively invading England, Wilhelm responded with "Who else is going to build this damn thing?". Designs as yet unreleased.

Sultan Mehmed VI, feeling he is being left behind in the important area of luxury getaways, has made plans to move further east. He stated today that he would not stop until he had fully conquered India, as he prefers tropical climates.

A rogue caravan of Russian forces was seen moving across Europe today, it is believed that the Tzar is with them, hoping to attain aid from another country,

I've almost got all the orders I need to post the next map. It should be up tomorrow at latest.

However, we have run into another chapter of our ever-continuing story of players dropping out. It seems that Chomesuke is going on holiday in Greece for two weeks. He said he might be able to get online occasionally while on the trip, and if worst comes to worst he told me that he has a friend who expressed interest in playing the next game and who might be convinced to take over England while 'Suke was away. I have yet to be contacted by his friend (if you're reading this, please send me a message), so I'm not quite sure how that's going to work out.

Hopefully this will resolve itself quickly. I am not going to pause the game for longer than necessary.

Maybe... just maaaaybe, I could be convinced to take over England in the next two weeks.

That wasn't quite what I had in mind...

Why? What's wrong with BoVinE taking over? I see no harm in't.

Saskwach:
Why? What's wrong with BoVinE taking over? I see no harm in't.

Conflicting interests, he's already in control of one country, it's much easier to crush yourself then it is someone who fights back.
Although, Chomesuke was going to let me tell him his moves considering he feels doomed anyway, if he gets online he may be able to confirm that.

Sometimes I sincerely wish sarcasm could be properly conveyed over the internet without overplaying it with italics or an emoticon.

Saskwach:
Sometimes I sincerely wish sarcasm could be properly conveyed over the internet without overplaying it with italics or an emoticon.

Oh yeah,it's real annoying.
I absolutely love spinach pie...damn.

Argh...

When I was calculating the build results, I made a mistake. I didn't notice the fleet in Bar. The program I use has just informed me that England needs to disband one unit, instead of there being no change.

That'll teach me for trying to speed things up by merging the retreat and build phases.

Unless I get a disbandment order from England really, really fast, the results should be up sometime tomorrow (good lord, am I an optimist). Chomesuke's profile says that he was last on earlier today, so that means either he hasn't left yet or he's getting internet in Greece. I'm not exactly sure which. Nevertheless, it means he can send me a disbandment order.

Delays, delays...the next game I run, I think, won't rely so much on seven different people sending me messages on a regular basis.

EDIT: In the meantime, here's the retreat map.

A Swe retreated to Norway, A Sev disbanded.

Zemalac:
Argh...

When I was calculating the build results, I made a mistake. I didn't notice the fleet in Bar. The program I use has just informed me that England needs to disband one unit, instead of there being no change.

This is a good thing!

Finally, I can post the results of the 1905 build phase.

Chomesuke is going to Greece today, and his replacement has yet to contact me. As soon as he does, I shall tell you who he is and set a deadline for the next orders.

I'm hoping it won't take too long.

Huh.

Chomesuke sent me in orders in the five minutes that he was online earlier today. So I have orders for England from the guy who I thought wouldn't be able to send me orders. Happy days!

So I can set a deadline for the rest of you. Let's say Thursday, because you've already had a few days to plan and plot with each other without a deadline.

aw :(

So is chromesuke still England or is there someone else we should contact? I'm confused.

Saskwach:
So is chromesuke still England or is there someone else we should contact? I'm confused.

Well, I was waiting for the new England to contact me. But then I got a message from Chomesuke saying "Quick! I've got five minutes online, here's some orders!" or words to that effect. So I'll be using those orders for this turn.

Negotiations with England might be difficult.

I will still be angland, so please keep those Pm's coming. But don't expect a rapid answer XD

Also, I like the food here.

Well, that solves that problem.

I do so enjoy it when difficulties go away on their own.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's the results for Spring 1906.

As you can see, I need some retreat orders before we can proceed. Specifically, I need retreat orders for Tri, Ion, and Eng. Get those to me as soon as possible.

Interesting turn...

fish food carl:

BoVinE:
aw :(

aw indeed. I never expected this I can tell you. I've played enough games of Diplomacy to determine almost any eventuality (to a certain extent), but this was just incredible.

Oh? I had an inkling this game was a bit wonky but is it really that bizarre? If so, how?