New type of diplo game

[OzzyKP]

I'm a bit frustrated we disabled all types of victories as I think that has spoilt some game dynamics (sorry Gilgamesh!). Sure Egypt may think it could have done an SS now but Egypt would then have been the focus of animosity like the Hindustanis are. It's interesting that Rome who was sworn enemy of Egypt for so long is now actually helping Egypt win by eliminating the Hindustani DV.

Domination and space ship were turned off?

[Robert]

I think only SS victory is turned off.

[Babylon (DoD)]

Numbers of mobile artillery - maybe it was 3 or 4 then. The stack was so big the list of what was in it wouldn't fit on the screen and I didn't note it all down just remembered the general gist, and yes I had no way of knowing whether the galleon was loaded or not. As for the oil - Rome supplied me with oil for a brief period - between him deciding he liked me again and then betraying me. But the major determinative of Babylonian policy has been the lack of oil in the whole of the north-west of the world (damn that Ozzy!).

As for victories, I think that Gondor is right that if there was space Egypt as techno king would have gone for it which would have created its own political dynamics. However I think the main thing over recent centuries has been a kind of balance of power which has created a great hesitation. Definitely be interesting where it ends. And as for why I didn't abandon Hinduism to save my own skin - because we are Hindus (maybe I take the diplo role-playing too far?)

More to say OCC but Eygpt is right, now isn't the time - well it is for me since Hindustan is now over - but not for the rest of you!

[Babylon (DoD)]

(I'm able to play my turn in an hour)

[Rome (DoD)]

OOC response

I think this game is great.
The balance of power is really awesome. So far it only worked out that civs were eliminated. (eventhough some did have no problems conquering whole civs while others did. But that's a personal opinion. After this game I'll certainly enjoy another one! And then I won't be so kind on other civs Rome lost it's #1 position in the early game because it attacked the (2nd) strongest civ (twice) and because it did not attack it's weak neighbor (but helped it))

Anyway, I think that it's great what Hindustan is doing.
A bit stubborn as well of course. In a diplogame, even in a full diplo game, one can decide to bend the story in such a way that he will avoid destruction.

Now I could not do anything but help Egypt to attack the Shrine, simply because I couldn't trust Hindustan to not try to win. (and credits were credits are due: An AMAZING job that Hindustan is/was so close to victory! Of all civs, only Hindustan so far has been close to a victory.

But call me crazy, I also want to win. the odds aren't that big. I'm not Sumeria, Egypt or Russia. But the game ain't over yet.

Anyway, good game so far, Hindustan.
I'm not sure if Julius Caesar will have mercy on you because of such an OOC consideration

[Rome (DoD)]

IC:

Messianic Warrior,

Our armies are in front of the gates of the Holy Shine City.
If your religion is that sacret to you we will allow you to keep the city on the terms that you will hand over all your remainig continental cities to Rome. That will remove your chances for religious world domination while you can continue to worship your unnamed gods in your most holy place. Of course we expect you to research Mass Media within at least 20 turns.

You do not have to switch religions or civics if you accept these terms.
If you do not accept these terms then we will burn your most holy city to the ground and pee on the alters.

You had no mercy with Augustus, when your secret agents murdered him on the Forum in Rome.
Consider this proposal as my gift for that.

For a long time we tried to be friendly to you and help you out. Unfortunately you continued to follow a path that scared our people too much. Romans may be nice, we're not crazy.

Julius Caesar

[Babylon (DoD)]

Thanks Rome. And yes I know I could have had, in very good diplo form, a revolution, the overthrow of the great conclave etc. But this just seemed a better storyline!

[Babylon (DoD)]

What - you mean the Shrine hasn't been destroyed yet? Need to get home to log in fast! I thought the situation I left it in before your last turn, after wounding and killing most of my troops in martyrdom operations, was utterly hopeless - and I read Egypt's post above about him having saved (past tense) the world from Hinduism as a statement that the shrine was gone.

[Rome (DoD)]

Well, you have like 4 defenders left and we have a force of like 80 units outside the gates. So there are some odds that you will survive. I won't count on it though

We just didn't have enough armies.
I lost only 2 in combat btw. (out of 25 or something). I don't think Egypt lost a lot either. (excluding your attack of course, which killed quite a lot on his side, and like 6 artillery on my side)

[Babylon (DoD)]

Oh dear - just imagine wha the Hindu department of truth is going to make of that - the massed hordes of the wicked assault the great shrine, which is full of units depleted and half destroyed by martyrdom operations, and they are resisted!

As for surviving - we trust the gods - when your computer goes down with a virus this afternoon - you will know why

[Babylon (DoD)]

The martyrs dug in in the outskirts of the Holy Shrine. Every modern unit had taken part in the martyrdom operations of the previous year, destroying one of Egypt's massive technological armies as it appraoched in the hills. Every unit was severely depleated in its heavy weaponry and ammunition. But every unit had seen friends and comrades granted martyrdom and longed for the same.

The storm of airpower overwhelemed the brave SAM units, though they brought down many planes, obliterating whole squadrons. Artillery fire destroyed most of the buildings of the city reducing the glory of the world to a burning wreck. The holy shrine itself taking direct hit after hit, as if the wicked fools thought that the gods lived there and could be destroyed by high explosives.

Egyptian and Roman tanks poured into the city, division after division, supported by endless mechanised infantry. The martyrs fought bravely, though since the earlier martyrdom operation they had neither the heavy weapons, ammunition or cohension to mount a real defence - but that had been the choice - sally forth with courage, take the initiative, and destroy may of hte wicked, rather then be holed up and destroyed by bombers and artillery. Many more of the wicked had died because of this brave tactic, weakness now was simply the consequence.

Yet, in pockets the martyrs succeeded. Modern armour and mechanised infantry units being destroyed where the defenders managed to rally themselves and the gods smiled.

But the wicked were impatient. The frustration of the wicked was overpowering - the losses they were suffering from martyrdom operations far beyond their expectations. So they sent special forces into the city to seek out the Messianic Warrior. He was not hard to find, seeking martyrdom himself leading the defenders openly. He died as the building he was in, leading anti-tank gunners desparately trying to find a weak spot in the armour of the Eygptian modern armour, was destroyed my massive air attack called in by Egyptian special forces. (occ - the message i received was not that my people helped a revolt but 'enemy infliltrators assassinated the governour of the Holy Shrine).

The remaining defenders were appauled, engraged, by the cowardly killing of the Messianic Warrior from the air, the Roman betrayers scornful assertion that they were going to desecreate the holy places, and indeed the fact that they still lived while others had obtained great glory in martyrdom operations.

[Babylon (DoD)]

Then,

a young tank squadron commander had a dream.

[Babylon (DoD)]

Two years previously he had been on wonderful raid to destroy the Roman bomber command at New Vienne. Last year, promoted, he had led a squadron ambushing Egyptian modern armour in the hills. Could it be done again?

The watchword - death and glory - spread throughout the beleagured defenders. Tiny groups of battlescared tanks at the perimeter of the Shrine itself. Word was smuggled out of the city to the hills to the north where squadrons of the Hindu airforce remained. Nobdy thought the attack could work again. Surely even the wicked would not be so foolish as to allow it. But better to die breaking out of the trap than bombarded within it.

The gods provided the perfect opportunity. A great snow storm in the south-west, reaching up to the Shrine, but leaving the land frther east clear for flying. The tank units burst out of the shrine, supported by a new regiment of new mothers - the only Hindus of the shrine who so far had been denied the opportunity to fight, but who could be denied no longer and wished for revenge on those who kill their babies. Particlarly the betraying greed-driven Romans. Deep they drove into Egyptian territory, the tank commander takng them on exactly the same route as two years previously. Surely it would be guarded or the transport links destroyed?

But no.

As the maryrs reached New Vienne they found the airfields around it full of Eygptian and Roman bombers, squadron after squadron till there was no room left, them defended by three divisions of mechanised infantry, carefully dug in in defensive positions. But the gods are more powerful than any armour. Although the tank commander himself died, within a week the airfields were burning, the massed ranks of planes destroyed, the Egyptian defenders sent to hell. And stll the Egyptian and Roman forces had not responded - paralysed with shock it seemed.

And then, a young woman, mother of twins bayonetted by Roman storm troopers, who had become a hero as the first one to break through onto the airfields and set fire the planes, summoned the few who had been denied martyrdom again.

"We have gained great glory, but why wait here in New Vienne for the inevitable crushing force of Egyptian modern armour? These maps show that there are further airfields, deeper in Egyptian territory at Bibracte. Let us drive forth once more."

And they did.

Surely to their doom.

But the gods continued to smile on the brave martyrs. Bibracte - defended by three more divisions of mechanised infantry - again stuffed full of Roman planes - fighters and bombers - every remaining element of the betrayers' air force. It too was recaptured and the planes destroyed when at the last moment a host of women from the northern hills, inspired by the example of their sisters from the shrine, and the pictures the few Hindu planes were bringing back, arrived in suport.

Many more were granted martyrdom, in this most breathtaking martyrdom operation yet - know for ever as "The sisters' vengeance". The few remaining contined to destroy and disable the airfields at New Vienne and Bibracte, knowing that when the Egyptians woke martyrdom would come to them too.

[Babylon (DoD)]

The news of the Egyptian armies' massacring of the woman of Hindustan spread like fire throughout Eygpt. This was the final staw that convinced the Eygptians of their leaders' wickedness.

The women of Egypt would not take it. Using their votes, granted to all in Egypt many years ago, they brought down the government seeking to impose a new Egyptian goverment with at least 50% women who would act honestly and humanely.

But the Egyptian miliary would have none of it. Quickly they seized power and imposed a new government. The old policy of universal sufferage torn up - the one element of Egyptian life which could have been called civilised.

[Egypt (DoD)]

Good to know that Babylon doesn't consider themself civilized.