(France)

Also note that my driver didn't even attempt to take Berlin. This is a clear sign that they are taking the Austrian concerns into account. I truly think that the French driver is aiming for a three way with Austria and England.

(France)

On top of that, Turkey's advice to not cut the support in the Ionian Sea is bad advice because if Austria helps France take the Thyrrhenian Sea then France can support Austria into the Ionian Sea. If France ends up only taking Tunis while Austria takes the rest of Italy that would be fine with me.

(Turkey)
@France But why would Austria want to protect Germany?
I think I understand your point about it not being a full declaration of war, but really - come on - Munich is now threatened and Austria is now clearly hostile, if not downright suspicious. As it should be, especially if Austria follows your advice and taps Ionian. France wins this game because he gobbles up Italy, that much is clear. There's clear French progress in the Med that last turn, and unless something changes that is set to continue. The builds will follow. France's driver is just trying to buy time until that happens.

(France)
@Turkey. As I already mentioned they protect want to protect Germany to slow France down, which is understandable. And Munich is not at all threatened. France can easily support it sufficiently against whatever Austria can bring against it even if they coordinate with Germany.

(France)
Well, it looks like Austria continues to prepare for taking down Italy. Just by itself the attempted move to Tyrolia could have been explained as a defense against the possible Mun-Tyr, but in conjunction with the move to Trieste it is pretty obvious where this is heading. And so, in combination with the Austrian moves against Turkey it appears as though the Austrian driver has accepted the three way draw proposal.

As England and France are well ahead in reaching their final positions for such a draw it is of particular importance that they refrain from the temptation to stab each other. Keep in mind that the game is WTA and so the exact center count is irrelevant. I propose that England eventually adds Norway and St. Petersburg to their current holdings while France takes Tunis and Berlin. The rest we would leave to Austria to round up. As it will take Austria some time to take all those centers England and France would be wise not to put too much pressure on them while at the same time making sure they can move into a stalemate position in case Austria attempts a solo.

In light of the above I would appreciate it if England builds in Edinburgh. Even more so if the new unit is an army to be convoyed to Scandinavia.

My pick of the moves that last turn is... Galicia to Ukraine. This was clearly hostile to Turkey, sadly, especially when combined with the failed cooperation with regards Italy. Austria is clearly adopting a cautious approach to France, but is not yet openly at war. That may yet change. Italy, meanwhile, is toast.

New phase: Spring 1906, Diplomacy

(France)

My prime concern at this time is that England might want to stab us. I truly think that would be a mistake. Neither England nor France can realistically get a solo out of this and so the three way draw with Austria is really the best either can hope for. If we start fighting each other though, then Austria might grab a solo. Well, I guess we'll see where that army in London goes. Hopefully its movement will confirm the Anglo-French alliance.

The army in London should be headed for Scandinavia in order to take Norway and the St. P. Once that is done and we meet Austria in Moscow it will probably be all support hold from there on until Italy and Turkey are eliminated.

It appears that Austria supports the draw. As such I think that as a show of good faith france should start pulling out of that area.

^
|
(Austria

(France)

@Austria
What area are you talking about? The way I see it, if Austria indeed supports the draw, then they should appreciate French help with taking down Italy and stop supporting Germany.

(Austria)

@france: there has been no indication that the French driver is actually going to draw. Even if you completely supported it you cannot force them into doing it. As such I think that they should try to indicate that they are willing to draw. Otherwise we can assume that they are going for the solo.

(Austria)
The area I was talking about was the area around Germany's former territory.

(France)

@Austria
I'm sorry, but that's obviously not going to happen. Berlin falls naturally on the West side of the major stalemate line and so it should go to France to make sure that Austria isn't going to solo. What I can promise though is that France won't move beyond Berlin.

Also, I can easily guarantee that France isn't going for a solo for the simple reason that it isn't possible to achieve one. England will get Norway this year and St. Petersburg soon after and thus they will have units to spare to effectively attack France should we attempt a solo.

As for an indication that France accepts the draw. How about the fact that so far we haven't even once attempted to move to Tyrolia, Bohemia or Silesia. Not even to cut Austrian support for Germany.

That being said, I wouldn't mind if my driver supports Tyr-Ven from Piedmont (or cut the support in Tuscany). That would be a clear indication as well.

New phase: Winter 1908

So, the German driver has left, but that probably won't change anything. I feel like the drivers might be getting a bit lazy with this game, like with England not moving North Sea to Norwegian, or no Austrian orders for Mos, Sev, and Gre, and I think this game is destined for a three way draw.

arborinius, you really should think twice before calling people lazy. If you hadn't been lazy yourself and had looked at the orders list or the big map, you would have noticed that Austria actually did put in orders for all of its units...

*blushes in shame* Sorry about that, I was in a bit of a rush.

(France)

I think it is about time that Austria shows some commitment to the three way draw and stops supporting Berlin and St. Petersburg.

(Austria)
I think it's fair to say that currently there is no need for france to gain germany. It currently would not matter. There are 3 more people who need to be eliminated before a 3 way draw is even possible.

(Austria)

@italy: even though I am not the austrian driver, I would still like to apologize for the stab. You were a good ally, thank you for your help. Good luck.

(France)
@Austria
Actually there are still 4 to eliminate: Germany, Russia, Italy and Turkey. If you stop supporting Germany and Russia though we will be down to only Italy and Turkey by the end of this year. In fact if we cooperate we can probably take down Italy this year as well.

(Austria)
I was not counting germany as there could still be a 3 way draw because they left.

(France)
@Austria
I suggest we eliminate them nonetheless.

@England
Both the French and the English builds seem to suggest that our drivers are still committed to the three way. May I suggest that you move a fleet into the Baltic to help us take Berlin in case Austria keep supporting it?

@French driver
Although I appreciate the diplomatic signal in building that army in Paris please do note that unless you convoy an army to Tunis you will need four fleets in the Mediterranean to securely hold a stalemate that includes Tunis.

(England)

@France
I don't see why England couldn't spare a fleet to go to the baltic. We only really need the fleets in North Sea and Barents Sea anyhow.

(France)

It looks like both Italy and Turkey now want to help France against Austria. Although I do much appreciate this I still don't think a French solo is realistically achievable here and so I doubt that my driver will take them up on that. I'm not exactly sure what my driver plans to do in the South so I'm not making any promises. I suggest that my driver cut support in Naples and support Venice to Rome though.

@England
Thanks for moving into the Baltic. I would appreciate it if you now support Munich to Berlin. Unfortunately it will still require some guesswork to both take Berlin and keep Munich safe so I can't guarantee that my driver will accept the support.

@Italy
If you wish to continue to help us I suggest that you move Rome to Venice to help protect Piedmont.

@Turkey
If you wish to continue to help us (and yourself) I suggest you support yourself into Bulgaria. It will force Austria to use Greece in support of it. I doubt that my driver will cut the support in Greece for you but you never know.

(France)
It appears as though by acting upon their fear for a French attack Turkey has now made its own elimination by Austria almost inevitable. In addition the (failed) Austrian support for Ion-Tun seems to suggest that they have no intention of keeping Turkey alive.

@England
Although France currently has an excellent position in the Mediterranean, we have yet to secure a stalemate position there that would hold against the Austrian fleets that they will surely build from their future gains in Turkey and Italy. Therefore Austria still has a small but real chance to solo in this game, especially if English builds or moves prompt France to redirect troops away from the stalemate line in defense against a possible English attack. I suggest that you continue to make sure that your orders don't make my driver nervous. In fact I wouldn't mind if we could DMZ both the North Sea and the English Channel.

@Austria
It would be much appreciated if you could stop attacking Munich and instead start supporting us into Berlin. This would go a long way in convincing us that you do not intent to attempt for a solo.

(Austria)

@france: support into Aegean Sea would be appreciaypted.

(France)

@Austria
Looks like you got into the Aegean without our support. If you want further support against Turkey please ask for it in a timely fashion though. I doubt that my driver had a chance to read your post before submitting his orders.