Gaia

[Illuminatus]

GAIA or GAian Intelligence Agency is elite organisation in Gaian Union. It's task is to search and find any information about possible threars to Gaia. Currently, GAIA is looking for more members to contribute.

What are GAIA's activities? It's currently busy with creating an image of Planet, based on rough radar glimpses. Its second project is creating a virtual simulator of Chiron, in which Gaians shall test their longterm plans. Continuing mission is creating diversions, and misleading other teams while collecting as much information as possible on other factions. (note: creating a double to join other team is strictly forbidden!).

[Illuminatus]

And here I present you, the world! Using extreme zoom out, hills appear cleary on map. If we assume that each concentration of hills is a continet, we get seven continents. Notice supersized X-shaped continent.
Buster (game creator) said that each faction will run into Hive. Also, notice that Gaians are on one of four ends of x shaped supercontinent. If we also take in consideration that each faction has a balanced starting position, which is approximately distanced equally from other factions, we can assume that on each of four ends of X-continent is one of four human controlled factions. A very reasonable assumption. Also, I am completely sure that if this assumption is correct, then Hive must be in the center of the X-continent. This also explains claim that each faction will run into Hive first.
There seem to be two continents, or a landmass with huge two land masses in the northeast from us. If we assume that for each of seven continents goes one of seven factions, and we already know that X-continent is occupied by five factions, we can safely deduct that Lal and Zak are on these two landmasses.



Legend:
Green - rough shape of our continent
Mudblue- continents of other three factions
Blue - center of X-shaped continent assumed containing Hive
Red - other factions on a pair of two continents/continent with two large landmasses

[Illuminatus]

Further analysis shows several more facts: there are two almost completly sure landconnections to other land regions - one that connects us with center of X-supercontinent and one to the southeast that connects us probably with landmass of other two AIs. There is also a wide range of possible landbridges represented on map with indigo and questionmarks. We can guess that Garland crater is in the upper right ends of X-continent, meaning that there is probably at least one landmark per factions. There is an elevation to the north of us that could be Mt Planet, but I cannot say this is probably true, infact, it is probably wrong. I guess that landmark for our faction could be Ruins or Manifold Nexus, and is probably to the east, in barren wastelands (as smacksim clevery proposed).
Only true exploration will solve this mistery. However, facts laid here are to be noted, and taken carefully in future, when planning colonisation and exploration missions.


-acting GAIA director, Obstructor

[Illuminatus]

Also, if you look to the west and little to the south, there seems to be a square plateo. The only landmark that generates these is Unity Wreckage, but I must check and compare sizes between two (first thing tommorow). I will have a MarkI turn simulator by end of week.

[Illuminatus]

Blue marks all sorts of additional possible land connections (for all we know, there might be lowland bridges over whole map. Also, red has two unusual terrain features encircled (Garland Crater and Square Messa).

[smacksim]

That's looking an awful lot like the dunes to our East! Ack. I suppose it could be the Uranium Flats, but I really doubt it. I concur with seeing the Unity wreckage to the NE. The scenario maker did make several Mt. Planet-like areas, so no luck figuring that out.

On the other hand, we have a good long stretch of western-slope (wet) land almost straight to the north. As this is also the direction of all our contacts, surely, I propose colonizing in that direction until we know more about our landscape.

Also, if the Hive is in the middle, we'll want to figure out a way to get around them for contact and probe actions. Probe-foils would be nice, IF there's any ocean to speak of. Also, what are our long term SE plans? If we plan on running green, our navy could get started sooner with a prompt finding of the coastline.

-Smack

[Illuminatus]

I would rather alternate between Planned/Green. We can make a thread about it. Also, I am only sure for Garland Crater. However, the square feature strongly reminds me on Unity wreckage, although it could be just some Messa. I guess we will find out in future by exploring. Ah well, at least we now have some pointers for expansion.

[Net Warrior]

I notice the map size is 88x90. Has anyone figured out how this will impact on our bdrone count taking our efficiency rating into account?

[Chaos Theory]

That would be an actual size of 44x90, which is the "Large" size. MAPROOT ~= 1.1 on this map, making our bdrone count 9.9 -> 9 with +2 effic, 6.6 -> 6 with 0 effic, and 13.2 -> 13 with +4 effic.

[Illuminatus]

I am analysing map again, and I have found what it seems to be very likely, Sunny Mesa at coordiantes 5,25. No other grid line looks similar to Sunny Mesa, and this ones has very artificial plateu outline, so we can count two landmarks located. Also, I tried to determine if thet thing north is Mt Planet - I cannot tell - you see each 3500 elevated mountain produces the same grid outline so we cannot tell in advance. Well we shall find out in 10-15 years anyway.

EDIT: Also, by testing in map simulator I confirmed it all, and additionally, I now think that UNS wreckage is located near in 82,30 84,20 86,34 0,32 (edge coordinates) with center in 85,31.
There is also Nessus Canyon with center in 21,71.

[Illuminatus]

I am trying to locate Pholus Ridge, which should be easy to spot ny its distinctive long vertical line, but it seems Buster either didn't plant it, or modified it with some mountains. Anyway, if it does exist, it could be verical line of moutanins west of Garland Crater at column 63.


Does anybody remember that square plateu southwest from us? I have done some testing, comparing grids that produce various landmarks, and I found out that it is not UNS Unity Wreckage . However, it's size and shape have a striking resemblance to one other landmark - Ruins. I am afraid that we got Ruins for landmark.

[Net Warrior]

Hey, if even a few of those monoliths in the Ruins will give morale boosts, we'll be fielding a pretty good army.

[Illuminatus]

Each monolith gives a boost, but only one per unit. However, it would be a neat location for a base in center of Ruins.

[Chaos Theory]

I normally prefer to place 3-4 bases around the periphery of the Ruins, but heavy fungus may preclude that.

[smacksim]

I'm with Chaos on that, though it all depends on how many formers we can field and subtly, how fast research is going. With fast research to restriction lifting and condensors (since everyone else seems to think we should forgo role-playing adversity to such), the ruins don't matter nearly as much. In most cases, 3-5 bases around the ruins is most profitable, but if we get there late in the game, it won't matter a whit.

-S

[Chaos Theory]

As far as RP aversion to advanced terraforming, consider whose voice is on the WP (in favor of it, not chanting "We must dissent"), the SP that lets you build lots of terraforming, and advanced terraforming early.

[Net Warrior]

Yes, to me, as long as we aren't "in the red" with our base ecodamage rating we're ok role playing wise.

[smacksim]

Everyone will have a different opinion on this, as just demonstrated I think. Partly this is from the weird mixed-messages in the game:
"Terraforming is good, terraforming is bad, trees are good, no, fungus is good. MW's are our slaves, no, they are our masters...etc."
Irrespective of everyone's point of view, the ruins would be a boon to a slow-technology game, more than a fast one.

-S

[Chaos Theory]

In any case, the Ruins are good. Monoliths are nice tiles for quite a while, and the Gaians have less trouble with drones than most factions, given high efficiency and a guaranteed ability to use police.

[Illuminatus]

According to Enigma, Angels have broken the game rule, by 'accidentally' discovering coordinates of a base. We shall soon find out if they discovered one of human team bases, or base of an AI.

[Illuminatus]

First successful desinformation: due to joint work of Ouro and me, Enigma now believes we popped a Battle Ogre or such. Also, try not to disapprove this idea, and mention project Pegasus unrelated, but do not explain what it is

[Net Warrior]

We had an earthquake NE of Fallow Times in 2104. We're still awaiting word from the CMN as to whether the other factions were notified of shifting rainfall patterns near our base----and thus perhaps are able to locate us!

[smacksim]

Goodness, I hope the CMN's don't notify us. That's leaking info. No no no. I highly doubt anyone could figure out a base location from that, especially since map-of-planet is off.

-S

[Net Warrior]

I hope you're right but you have to allow for the possibility. Someone could look at their map on 2103 and compare it to 2104. If they've been notified, they could find us if they are very determined.

[Net Warrior]

I tried to make an update of our continent as of 2108

http://apolyton.net/upload/view.php?...108endmap2.bmp

It's kinda rough but it might be close.

[Net Warrior]

Here's my latest effort at map making

http://apolyton.net/upload/view.php?...end2109map.bmp

if you don't see it right away, try refresh.

[smacksim]

Looks good, and is quite useful. I was hoping for more land, but I think you have it right. -S

[smacksim]

Possible/probable base sites to bring us to the b-drone limit. Targeted sites are the ones I'm suggesting for bases 3 and 4.
#3 is an obvious choice given it has immediate access to a 2-1-0 and a 1-1-2. It's also on the route to the Uranium flats, which I'm sure will be high priority for base placement.

#4 has a possible view of the sea, which allows for probe foils or IoD hunters sooner, should we magically get doc-flex. It also allows 'back-forming' terraforming of the interior, extends our borders quite far, and provides a nice base of operations for further pod-popping exploring.

[Illuminatus]

Please, when you download turn from turn tracking thread, do it at least twice. It doesn't take long, it helps us, and confuses other factions who are think we are extremely active. Such assistance would be of great value.

[Net Warrior]