Thanks to Steve for finishing up the GMing of this game! I was the
last replacement to join in the fray and had no clue that you were a
replacement GM.

Thanks to all the other players for keeping to the schedule.

It had been a while since I jumped into a replacement position with
anything more than a mercy position. Kind of fun to be able to not
only survive, but make a play towards a win. If it wasn't for (1) the
upcoming holidays, (2) a tight RL work schedule, and (3) Anthony's
newness to this site, I probably would have continued on to try for
the Solo. But time is short, and Anthony was a great partner, so I
saw no reason to make his first foray into our group a bad experience.
[ Note to Anthony: Every game plays differently. Next time..... ]

When I came into the game, I talked to several players, but focused on
my neighbors: England, Germany, and Austria. England (Joe) and I have
played together before, and he immediately told me that if I chose to
work with him, he'd play, but otherwise he had basically checked out
of the game. I was willing to form an EF until I talked to Germany
and Austria and figured that they would be better early partners.
Sorry Joe, but you saw it coming, so I know there won't be any
lingering grudges.
Austria and I worked out a plan to hold back Turkey, and after I
grabbed England, I had enough units to march into Germany.
At the time I made my first moves in that direction, Turkey and I came
up with a 'Replacements Rule!' plan to take over the map. I kept
directing Austria in ways to 'survive' --- all the while, filtering
the same plans to Turkey so he could attack accordingly. I was able
to convince Austria to let me move into sensitive areas to block the
Turkish advance, and found myself in a position to grab a bunch of
Austrian centers without resistance. That was too much of bonus not
to take.... and thus the FT alliance was in full effect.
Anthony and I continued working together, and I proposed the plan to
knock out Russia as well. He saw the writing on the wall: if Russia
pulled his forces out of Germany, I had a Solo in hand. Yes, that was
my goal! But Turkey reacted strongly against attacking Russia and
when he proposed to Russia to accept a 'survivorship' if we declared
an FT Draw, I felt obligated to go along with it.

Good game all! I had a blast!

Michael Hoffman
---------
"Shared Pain is lessened, Shared Joy is increased" --- Spider Robinson
"Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is
sent" --- Pope Saint Gregory the Great



On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 2:38 AM, Stephen Lytton <stevelytton(at)hotmail.com> wrote:

Dc194 Spring 1908

First of all I was concerned that I could not find anyone's moves, but then
I realised that everyone alive had voted
YES for the draw.

Dc194 has officially ended with a France - Turkey Draw.

Final Standings.
1st (Draw) Mike H. France 16 Sc and Anthony Turkey 12 SC

Third (Survivial) Bill. Russia 6 SC

Fourth Eliminated Winter 1907, Rachael (Germany) and Andy (Austria)

Sixth Eliminated Winter 1906, Joe (England)

Seventh Eliminated Winter 1904 David (Italy)

Thanks for a good game everyone, End of Game Statements by all players are a
welcome read after the game.

Steve

Stephen Lytton
Knight of the Rose
www.diplomaticcorp.com




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