[Solium Infernum] Game for those available throughout the week [Archive]

Mysterio

12-16-2009, 06:39 AM

STATUS
Game Version: 1.05a

The game has concluded! Congratulations to Thesper for claiming Hell's throne!

[x] indicates I've received what I need from you to host the next turn. If you're the only one without an x in your [ ], guess what that means, slacker!

The Archfiends of Hell
Mysterio as Vindicator (#4 Full Metal Armor Dude, Bird icon) [host]
Ethylene Oxide as Zstylzhemghi (#1, Three-Headed Dude) [ ]
JordanP as Reaver (#15 Winged Dude with Helm and Glowing Eyes, Bull icon) [ ]
Gunner as Gunner (#5 Jabba Dude) [ ]
Crater as Old Scratch (#7 Monocle Dude, Eye icon) [ ]
Thesper as Thesper (#12 Griffon, Omega icon) [ ]

Avatar Portraits and Names
Avatar portraits must be unique and will be assigned on a "first noted in this thread, first assigned" basis. Reference the avatar portrait via the number assigned to it in the Avatar Creator screen. List the name you've given to your avatar, as well.

Icons
If you have an icon preference, state it. Otherwise, one will be randomly assigned to you via the dreaded "?" icon!

Game Settings
Name: People In Hell Want Ice Water
Map Size: Normal
Map Type: Acheron's Locks
Places of Power: Uncommon
Game Length: Normal

Crater

12-16-2009, 01:14 PM

Thesper

12-16-2009, 01:36 PM

Make sure your Archfiend has charisma 3. As long as you don't take the -1 orders or -1 moves anti-perks and take charisma 3 it's very hard to make a downright terrible archfiend build. Do that and whatever else you pick you should be able to have a fun game.

Incidentally, I'd be interested in joining this game if it happens to open up to those across the pond (UK specifically).

JordanP

12-16-2009, 01:55 PM

I could go for a more rapid fire game. I'm on the west coast.

Also, there are quite a few builds that work with the -1 move. After the initial land grab movement speed can be pretty irrelevant.

Though I wouldn't recommend taking any anti-perks for a first timer. Just build a prince with three charisma, lust or gluttony public objectives, and either a defensive perk (like paranoid) or a perk that enhances whatever route you want to go (like prince of lies).

I think an easy beginners mistake is to want to put points in whatever attribute, like martial or cunning, that they want to be their primary. If you put as much as possible in charisma it will let you raise your primary skill very quickly.

Thesper

12-16-2009, 02:08 PM

Oh yeah, certainly you could play with -1 moves with a specialist build, but for a first timer it would
a) be risky
b) not be able to get much experience in some of the main areas of the game
c) be boring - you're probably just demanding tribute twice a turn for most of the early turns

Even the -1 orders anti-perk has a possible place in a cunning 4 build.

Ethylene Oxide

12-16-2009, 02:25 PM

Put me down for the game Mysterio.

Mysterio

12-16-2009, 02:30 PM

Really tempted to jump in on this. After all of the positive buzz SI has received, I'm itching to try it. Am I going to be at a horrible disadvantage if I'm a complete noob? (It's okay, I just want to set my expectations appropriately.)

Do you currently own the game, or are you considering purchasing it?

Incidentally, I'd be interested in joining this game if it happens to open up to those across the pond (UK specifically).

Okay. I'll keep you on standby if I have trouble filling the slots.

I could go for a more rapid fire game. I'm on the west coast.

Does that mean you want in on this game?

Mysterio

12-16-2009, 02:34 PM

Put me down for the game Mysterio.

Done! PM me your email address, and post your archfiend name and portrait choice here.

JordanP

12-16-2009, 02:59 PM

I'm in. I'll go with portrait #15 (Shax), called Reaver, I'll take the Bull symbol.

Mysterio

12-16-2009, 03:02 PM

I'm in. I'll go with portrait #15 (Shax), called Reaver, I'll take the Bull symbol.

Done! Email address received.

Ethylene Oxide

12-16-2009, 03:58 PM

Done! PM me your email address, and post your archfiend name and portrait choice here.

I'll take buff folded arms guy with metal helmet-thingie. I'm at work so I don't know which # he is. PM otw

Mysterio

12-16-2009, 04:17 PM

I'll take buff folded arms guy with metal helmet-thingie. I'm at work so I don't know which # he is. PM otw

That's #15, which has already been claimed by JordanP. Try again!

EDIT: Email address received.

Gunner

12-16-2009, 06:14 PM

Hey I'd love to be in on this too. A bit of a faster pace sounds nice. Will send my email right away if thats cool.

Crater

12-16-2009, 07:30 PM

Do you currently own the game, or are you considering purchasing it?

Strongly considering purchasing. My only hesitation is that the only people I know playing it are on this board.

Mysterio

12-17-2009, 01:39 AM

Hey I'd love to be in on this too. A bit of a faster pace sounds nice. Will send my email right away if thats cool.

Done! Email address received.

Strongly considering purchasing. My only hesitation is that the only people I know playing it are on this board.

Well, if Dominions 3's longevity among Qt3 members is any indication, Qt3 members will be playing SI for a long time. You shouldn't hesitate, if that's your only concern. Plus, people who have been playing SP have been saying the AI has improved with each successive patch from Vic.

Crater

12-17-2009, 06:03 AM

Allrighty, count me in. Downloading now.

Mysterio

12-17-2009, 06:40 AM

Allrighty, count me in. Downloading now.

Done! PM me your email address when you can.

Incidentally, I'd be interested in joining this game if it happens to open up to those across the pond (UK specifically).

If the last slot's not claimed by 5 PM EST today, it goes to you.

ron_debry

12-17-2009, 06:58 AM

What are you envisioning? Two turns/day? Ten? Finishing a game in one sitting?

Mysterio

12-17-2009, 09:09 AM

What are you envisioning? Two turns/day? Ten? Finishing a game in one sitting?

At least two turns/day (even on weekdays), hopefully more. One turn/day is not what I want from this game.

Thesper

12-17-2009, 02:52 PM

Hey, Mysterio says I'm in, so I'll take portrait #12 (Murmur) and I'll take the omega icon (5 clicks on the right arrow from random).

My archfiend will be called Thesper.

Mysterio

12-17-2009, 02:55 PM

As soon as I receive everyone's Archfiend portrait # (no duplicates), name, and icon (if you don't want a random one assigned), I'll send out the invites! The goal is to take at least 2 turns/day, hopefully more. So, post those details, so we can get this game underway!

Ethylene Oxide

12-17-2009, 03:42 PM

That's #15, which has already been claimed by JordanP. Try again!

EDIT: Email address received.

Fine fine.. I'll just take buff dude with 3 heads breathing fire in the "I rock" stance. hehe

Gunner

12-18-2009, 09:42 AM

I'll go with the fat poster child of this game for my portrait, #5. Gunner for the name.

Crater

12-18-2009, 12:49 PM

Whoops, sorry. I wasn't checking the thread as often as I should. Put me down for:

Portrait #7, Name: Old Scratch, Icon: The eye shaped thingy.

Mysterio

12-19-2009, 06:58 AM

Invites have been sent! Let me know if you don't receive the invite.

Mysterio

12-20-2009, 04:54 AM

When I host a game, I run a tight ship, because I don't want the players to get frustrated by a stalled game. Knowing that...

It's already Sunday morning, nearly 24 hours after I sent out the invites, and I still have yet to receive one turn (check post #1 for the slacker). When you signed onto this game, you agreed to take multiple turns per day. It's been 3 days since we've had the players we need, and we still haven't started Turn 1. Certain players are not keeping tabs on this thread (you should be subscribed to it if you aren't already) and/or ignoring the PMs I've sent them.

I'm not going to waste my time and effort hosting this game if the players aren't going to provide what I request and submit multiple turns per day. I realize this is a busy time of the year, and don't expect a lot between now and the new year, but we should have been on Turn 1 by now.

BTW, if you plan on being on vacation and unable to take any turns for a period of time, please post so in this thread so we're all aware. It's the courteous thing to do, mm'k?

Crater

12-20-2009, 10:48 AM

Mysterio

12-20-2009, 11:22 AM

Mmm, public shame. Perhaps I should have taken Sloth? Anyhow, here's my excuse: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/12/20/winter.weather/index.html

FWIW, if I'm holding up the game too much, I won't be offended if you want to turn me into an AI. I'm around this week, but for some things, Real Life (tm) has to take priority.

Oh, sure--blame Mother Nature. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page and able to take at least two turns daily, even on weekdays.

In other news, I suggest we all strive to eliminate Ethylene Oxide and her Archfiend, Zstylzhemghi, simply because of that name. It's atrocious! Where was it wrought, in the bowels of hell? Oh, wait...

Ethylene Oxide

12-20-2009, 11:57 AM

Oh, sure--blame Mother Nature. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page and able to take at least two turns daily, even on weekdays.

In other news, I suggest we all strive to eliminate Ethylene Oxide and her Archfiend, Zstylzhemghi, simply because of that name. It's atrocious! Where was it wrought, in the bowels of hell? Oh, wait...

How dare you, I'm not a girl! lol

Also sorry about not seeing the PMs.. I was expecting emails if you needed anything.

Mysterio

12-20-2009, 02:58 PM

People makin' purchases in the Bazaar on Turn 1. Hell's gone bonkers!

Ethylene Oxide

12-20-2009, 04:45 PM

DESTROY THE WEAK!

err, I mean good luck have fun! ^_____________^

Crater

12-20-2009, 05:14 PM

I know - I clearly don't know how to play this game, as I have no idea how to get that many resources so quickly. It seems like the only option there is to crank your Charisma?

Ethylene Oxide

12-20-2009, 05:19 PM

I know - I clearly don't know how to play this game, as I have no idea how to get that many resources so quickly. It seems like the only option there is to crank your Charisma?

Yeah higher Charisma will increase your tribute quality and options. Everyone has to submit a "Demand tribute" option to get anything in a turn though. There are also other unscrupulous ways to get tribute as well - through demands or pilfering.

Crater

12-20-2009, 05:25 PM

Ethylene Oxide

12-20-2009, 05:45 PM

Ok, I get that much of it, but it's not like you can demand tribute before your first turn. Since you get an initial set of resources to start the game, it seems to me the only thing left is a high Charisma.

Yeah pretty much. Unfortunately I don't think you can get away with not putting at least two points into Charisma, otherwise you'll be at a severe disadvantage. But you could still come out ahead in other ways.

Gunner

12-20-2009, 08:06 PM

Isn't the amount of starting resources you get tied to your rank? Potentially one of the bigger advantages of rank if there's good stuff on the market at the beginning.

Crater

12-20-2009, 08:09 PM

Hmm... let me ask my friend Manuel.

Also, I've sent in turn 2, Mysterio - I can resend it if it hasn't shown up.

Mysterio

12-20-2009, 08:42 PM

Isn't the amount of starting resources you get tied to your rank? Potentially one of the bigger advantages of rank if there's good stuff on the market at the beginning.

Resources is one of the few things not directly impacted by ones rank. Rank affects (all beneficial):

Stronghold Strength
Starting Legion Strength
Lower Wagers for Demands/Insults
Shorter Diplomatic Vendetta Wagers
Shorter Diplomatic Waiting Periods
Longer Vendetta Time Limits

Those are reasons why the highest rank (Prince) costs 40% of your starting Fiend Points, while the lowest rank (Lord) costs nothing. Assuming you choose the Prince rank and Charisma 3, which is a common build, you'll be left with just 4 FPs and not enough points to purchase even the cheapest, beneficial perk (5 FPs), assuming you don't take Lust or Gluttony as a Public Objective or any negative perks. It's rare to see a Prince without either of those two POs.

Gunner

12-21-2009, 01:09 AM

Resources is one of the few things not directly impacted by ones rank.
You sure about that? I could have sworn I read something about it somewhere and I just popped off several test games. Seems like Princes usually get 5 initial tribute offerings, Dukes 4, Marquis 3 or 4, and Baron just 3. This is just the first turn offerings I'm talking about here.

Mysterio

12-21-2009, 03:46 AM

You sure about that? I could have sworn I read something about it somewhere and I just popped off several test games. Seems like Princes usually get 5 initial tribute offerings, Dukes 4, Marquis 3 or 4, and Baron just 3. This is just the first turn offerings I'm talking about here.

Oh, yeah--that is true. It does determine the number of tribute events you receive on Turn 1. I didn't realize that's what you were referring to. I shall now claim vendetta upon you for your lack of respect toward my poor comprehension skills.

Mysterio

12-22-2009, 04:49 PM

With Christmas right around the corner, I'll be heading out of town Thursday morning and won't be returning until the evening of New Years Day. Since I won't have access to SI until then, I won't be able to take my turn until I return. I hope everyone's too busy to notice the lack of turns.

Ethylene Oxide

12-22-2009, 04:52 PM

Let's try to bang out a bunch of turns today and tomorrow then. I'll be off from work for the holidays so I'll have plenty of time. I may be the guy that's the slowest so far due to my work schedule.

Mysterio

12-22-2009, 04:58 PM

Let's try to bang out a bunch of turns today and tomorrow then. I'll be off from work for the holidays so I'll have plenty of time. I may be the guy that's the slowest so far due to my work schedule.

I agree. Let's try to burn through some turns. In the meantime, you can all blame my girlfriend, since she's not letting me bring her laptop. Apparently, she doesn't understand that playing strategy games is relaxing to me. Sheesh!

Oh, and don't think I haven't been taking note of your slacking turn submission performance, EO. I'm watching you! ;-)

Crater

12-22-2009, 09:19 PM

Yeah, even the (potential) rulers of hell have to take a little time off for the holidays.

Mysterio

12-24-2009, 05:05 PM

Right before heading out the door for the airport, my girlfriend decided she wanted to bring the laptop. It's too bad she didn't tell me sooner, because I didn't have any time to transfer the necessary SI files to it to host and submit turns for the games I'm in. :-(

Mysterio

01-08-2010, 04:11 PM

FYI: Zstylzhemghi may have at least Deceit 4, since he just looted my vault. I'd recommend concentrating all demands on him because of this, and the fact that his public objective is Lust and he currently controls The Temple of Lust.

EDIT: Now it seems Old Scratch tried to loot my vault. Me thinks someone has Ritual Masking.

Mysterio

01-13-2010, 02:16 PM

Oh, boy, it looks like things are finally heating up! Insults and demands are flying, Old Scratch is now my vassal, and Reaver (damn Princes and their invulnerable personal legions) is finally having to deal with other archfiends, besides me and Old Scratch. Let the pigeons loose!

Crater

01-13-2010, 09:05 PM

It's my first multiplayer game of SI, but I've been learning a ton from everyone. I'm really curious to see how all of this is going to play out.

Mysterio

01-13-2010, 09:54 PM

And Gunner's personal legion falls to the Reaver juggernaut, on the same turn he hurls an insult at me. Lose your personal legion, hurl an insult. Only in hell!

Instead of declining to claim vendetta upon me, Reaver decide to, but he may have bitten off more than he can chew this time. Will the Prince's rampage finally be stopped? We'll see!

Mysterio

01-22-2010, 09:42 AM

Really, SI?

Really?

Virtually every time I use a Deceit ritual in another game I'm in--even with the perks that add to my deceit roll--the ritual fails. In this game, Thesper tosses a single PCB at my Loyalty-2 Legion and succeeds in taking ownership of it, even though I have the Paranoid perk. REALLY, SI?

At least everyone now knows that Thesper has Deceit 5 and a praetor that no one's able to defeat in single combat.

Mysterio

01-23-2010, 04:40 PM

A couple turns ago, Thesper stole a legion of mine to which is attached a praetor and artifact. Even though Thesper now owns the legion, I noticed that the praetor and artifact show up in both of our Forces screens. I posted this as a possible bug in the main SI thread, and, sure enough, Vic has confirmed that it is. His reply:

Sure enough is. The praetor is supposed to be banished and you do get to keep the goodies (artifacts but not combat cards). I've fixed this now....wish you had found this just yesterday. :) If you want have the host send me the main.sav after he processes the turn and I will edit it so that everything is correct. Sorry about this.

After I process the next turn, I'll send Vic the main.sav so he can fix it before I send it to everyone.

Crater

01-26-2010, 10:20 AM

Hey folks, I'm going to be out for a couple weeks, beginning this Sunday. I'm happy to help try and plow through as many turns as we can before then.

I debated bringing a laptop, but I think my wife would kill me. This is our makeup honeymoon, after the first was cancelled due to a family emergency.

Mysterio

01-26-2010, 11:58 AM

Crater

01-26-2010, 03:06 PM

Two weeks - unless I'm stranded abroad, I should be back 2/13.

Mysterio

01-28-2010, 09:15 AM

I would like to suggest that the other five players concentrate all their effort solely on Thesper. He is clearly walking away with this game, as most of his disciplines are likely at least level 4:

Wrath (confirmed to be level 4)
Deceit (confirmed to be level 6)
Prophecy (confirmed to be level 2)
Destruction (confirmed to be level 3)
Diabolism (at least level 1, likely higher, given the levels of his other disciplines (i.e., spent a lot of tribute to increase them))

He also has 5 known relics and 1 known artifact, but he likely has more relics attached to ritual slots.

Mysterio

01-29-2010, 09:17 AM

Updated Thesper's discipline levels in post 55.

Thesper

01-29-2010, 09:29 AM

Eep. Although well done to whoever's been looting my vaults, in 4 attempts they've nabbed a total of 31 tribute cards :( .

Mysterio

01-29-2010, 09:42 AM

Eep. Although well done to whoever's been looting my vaults, in 4 attempts they've nabbed a total of 31 tribute cards :( .

Yeesh! I don't think I've collected that many tribute cards via Demand Tribute the entire game!

Crater

01-30-2010, 07:29 PM

Mysterio

01-30-2010, 07:32 PM

Well, it's been a great game, everyone. I'm sorry I have to put things on hold when we're this close to the end. It looks like Thesper is going to take this one easily, but I suppose we might have a couple of turns left.

Yup. The 15th token wasn't drawn on the turn I just processed. We'll resume when you get back, but it looks like Thesper's going to take this one.

Crater

01-30-2010, 08:21 PM

Whoa, now there's some drama for the final turn.

Hey Thesper, were you in a vendetta with Vindicator before this last turn? I was hit with an IA that appeared to come from you, but I didn't think we had the correct diplomatic status for that.

Or is that ritual masking at work?

Thesper

01-31-2010, 02:17 AM

Ritual masking, yep.

Ethylene Oxide

01-31-2010, 04:48 PM

I should apologize since it's partly my fault we weren't able to finish this game this weekend.. A few days ago there was a delay in me getting my turn in due to some work related issues. Sorry about that, I've probably been the weakest link in that regard.

Mysterio

01-31-2010, 06:05 PM

I'm looking forward to playing my first 1.05a game (from the start), since there will be other archfiend builds besides Prince with Charisma 3+. Let me know if any of you are interested in joining that game.

Mysterio

02-15-2010, 11:04 AM

Now that Crater's back in town, all I need is his turn to resume the game. Let's wrap this game up!

Crater

02-15-2010, 09:55 PM

Fellow Despised Fiends of Hell,

By now you have all seen the measures I have taken... nay been forced to take. Those infernal bureaucrats in the conclave were all but ready to award the throne to Thesper, and I could not sit idly by while that happened.

Surely, you will all try to destroy me now. This is the way of things in Hell, just as it is with the 24-hour Hannah Montana music that permeates our reality.

But before you squabble over the cantons I hold, and who will destroy what, I would like you all to think for just a minute. Who will be strengthened by my banishment? Who will claim the throne once I am deposed? Who will reap what you have sown?

Thesper.

He alone stands to gain from restoring the Conclave to power. He alone will send you to the Abyss once he rules Hell. Will you help him claim the throne, and in doing so, bring about your eternal servitude?

All I know is this: Tommorow, we gouge evil from its shell.

Ethylene Oxide

02-16-2010, 08:23 AM

Welp that's the end of that lol.. Woohoo! Second place!

Crater

02-16-2010, 11:12 AM

Welp that's the end of that lol.. Woohoo! Second place!

Well, Vindicator and I had second place pretty much locked up before I went rogue. I just wasn't content to sit around and watch Thesper walk away with it.

I had a great time with the game, and despite horribly gimping myself (Cha 1 was harsh to get out of) in the beginning, managed to get to a better place once I had some shelter under Vindicator.

It seems to me like Deceit is easily the most powerful discipline in the game. I was the one looting everyone's vaults, thanks to Prince of Lies and a +3 Deceit artifact. According to the diplomacy tab, I stole 105 resource cards in total during the game (typically 7 or 8 at a time). I know I bankrupted Reaver at least once, and I think I bankrupted Thesper once too - at least, that's what I assumed when I "succesfully looted" zero resource cards.

Even more suprising to me was that I would sometimes get people's manuscripts. I stole at least one complete 3-part manuscript from someone during the game. Too bad it was useless to me as a vassal.

Back at around the 10 conclave token mark, we knew we were trailing Thesper by a fair amount, but figured we had time to catch up. Since the next few conclave tokens were drawn so quickly, we knew there'd be no way to close the gap.

Near the end, I didn't want to take Pandemonium, but I didn't see any other options at the time. I assumed the next turn would have seen the final conclave token drawn, so I had to act much quicker than I would have liked, leaving my stronghold poorly defended.

I had a lot of fun, and learned a lot about the game. Props to Vindicator for being a great Blood Lord and strategist. Also, excommunication isn't so bad, provided you have some resources ahead of time.

Mysterio

02-16-2010, 11:49 AM

I don't think we would have finished in second place, Crater, unless we managed to overtake those who were in 2nd and 3rd place at the time (can't remember, since it's been 2 weeks since we last played). Reaver was a thorn in my side from the beginning, which made me take my eyes off of Thesper while he turtled. Once you became my vassal and targeted Reaver with a lot of Deceit rituals, he couldn't be as aggressive towards me, so thanks for that! By then, though, Thesper was invulnerable. And I'm with you on starting with a low Charisma...it really is a tough hurdle to overcome, but I'm not sure how Vic could make low starting Charisma more appealing.

It was a lot of fun being able to discuss strategy with another player and each of us basing our orders off that discussion. It makes me wonder how the game would play in a 2v2v2 type setting, or even 3v3. But since it's Hell, it's probably past played as a FFA. But I wonder...

I'm glad that's the last game I was playing prior to the changes to ranks. I would have killed a kitten if I saw one more Prince/Charisma 3 archfiend build. So, are any of you interested in playing another game with version 1.05b Beta? Or, if Vic plans to release 1.05b soon, the release version of 1.05b? Let me know, and I'll host again.