My diary:


S01: My first goal: no foreigners in English Channel and Burgundy. That's about it.

F01: And I was right to be paranoid.

I'm crossing my fingers that Germany will realize a golden opportunity to sneak into the North Sea (England will play North -> Norway and probably London -> Channel again). Wouldn't that be fun? Hopefully Germany sees that Russia is in trouble down south and won't feel compelled to bounce in Sweden, so why not?

W01: Betting Italy will be lured east by the empty SC's in the Balkans. Will leave the south unguarded; need at least one more army for basic defense in case Germany decides to overrun the Maginot line but a fleet in Brest is also nice.

PS. Admiring the move by Austria to support Bul->Rum. How often is Bulgaria not occupied after 1901? Turkey and Russia are going to be stuck attacking each other for several years, and Turkey is in danger of being caught severely out of position against an Austrian attack should Austria choose to do so.

S02: Still feeling my neighbors out. I need to shore up the Maginot line, clearly, and if I can get a fleet into the channel, so much the better. I will leave Spain where it is at the moment in case Italy moves west all of a sudden.

F02: I have control over all my borders. I can afford to play the waiting game since I have a build coming when I take Portugal; I can't see what England is intending by his support of Belgium to Holland, at the same time that he moves towards the Channel, so I won't respond. I can see if Germany is hostile or if he goes after the North Sea. (Not mutually exclusive, I suppose.) Glad to see Russia holding her own, and Italy joining the fray in the east. Perfect. It seems that every player is competent, which is fantastic.

W02: England manages to sneak a build as well, at the cost of holding the North Sea. Alas. It will be interesting to note where he retreats to - if Edinburgh, that indicates an anti-French posture, as the only build site remaining would be Liverpool. Skagerrak is what I would root for, though I suspect Norwegian is the likeliest choice.

And Norwegian it is. I will build a fleet in Marseilles, as it gives me flexibility to go after England or Italy. I would prefer to not take on Germany on my own as that's a pretty drawn out fight with no clear victor.

S03: Holding pattern. I can afford to sit back and see if Germany attacks me or England. Will cut support with Burgundy just in case Germany is after Belgium; hopefully Germany reads my feeble unsupported attack merely as insurance and not as hostile. Marseilles to Spain allows me to slip into the Atlantic if I choose to go after England, or to try and pick off Tunis.

F03: I LOVE IT! I have yet to commit myself, but Germany and England should be at war for a long time to come. Choices, choices: I can choose to help either G or E, or can go after Italy, and leave just enough forces behind to be able to keep E/G balanced. The latter seems more appealing, just because I can always pick a side between E/G later - Italy seems set to get pretty big pretty soon. So neutrality it is.

England should be able to survive this turn without losing a center, so I'll play it cool and not support either side just yet. If Italy is lulled to sleep by my move to Spain I can pick off Tunis pretty easily next spring.

W03: Tunis will be mine. Unfortunately Russia made a bad move and Turkey is now ascendant. The three largest powers are all in the Med. With Russia and Austria down to 3 each, Turkey should have a relatively easy time getting fat. I suppose I ought to consider how much I want to keep Italy as a bulwark against the sultan.

S04: Will feint at being interested in joining Germany's attack on England so that he will continue (England has no choice). The fact that they can scrap over the newly vacant Sweden helps my cause as well. Meanwhile I can pour units into the Western Med and hope that Austria doesn't fold too quickly - I want Italy to have to drop a unit next winter (maybe even 2). Very glad that Turkey will have all 3 Russian units to contend with still - that will slow his expansion.

F04: I'm very surprised that Italy has decided to continue steaming east, but don't mind in the least. I can now move to Piedmont and be guaranteed that Marseilles will be left open for a build. If Germany succeeds in taking an English center (there's probably a 50-50 shot, even if I don't help) then I can try for a Ruhr + Tyrolia takedown in Spring. Thus, I'll shoot for status quo in the north by supporting North Sea's hold.

W04: Crap! I forgot about the possibility that England would steal Sweden. He's now in a great position to survive the invasion. If I had to pick either country to actually win the war, I would go with Germany, as it would be easier to take take him down later, so I guess I will have to actively help in England's demise now by building in Brest.

S05: My goal in the north now is to make sure that Germany is kept interested in attacking England. I expect England to support London with Yorkshire and try to destroy the army in Wales; I don't know what Germany is going to do with Wales - cut Yorkshire, move to London, or some sort of support, so probably the easiest thing to do while my other fleet gets into position is to cut any possible support from London. Meanwhile, I'm going to hope that I can get a build out of Italy pretty quickly - I'm feeling pretty naked at the moment.

F05: Nuts, Germany's army is destroyed. If he feels like it, he could pivot and attack me, as I'm fleet-heavy and my armies are not well-positioned, while hoping that England will see that he's calling off his attack and join in. Germany can't really do much else positive at the moment, since his army disappeared. They'd only get Belgium this year, but things would go south in a hurry after that. I could press the attack on Italy, but if Venice is not taken by Austria, Italy will get a build thanks to his swiping Bulgaria from the suddenly crumbling Turk, which will make things difficult. If Venice IS taken by Austria, Italy will still have units in Rome and Venice, and Austria may or may not feel gratitude towards me for saving his butt.

I'm tempted to try to completely swing the other direction and go full bore against England - support Venice with Piedmont, pull my fleets back into the Atlantic and attempt a convoy from Tunis to Clyde or something crazy like that, in a bid to keep Germany interested in our "alliance". What would Italy do? Would he realize that I could let Austria into Venice at any moment, and thus play nice and not attempt to retake Tunis? I think so, given that he hasn't yet, despite my overt hostility. The one problem is if he continues to gain centers from Turkey, but maybe he'll have enough problems just keeping Bulgaria and Greece...

That's what I'll do. It's by far the best play if Germany betrays me, and it's up there even if Germany doesn't. The euphoria I felt in Fall '03 is definitely gone, though - I've missed my window.

S06: Why did Italy move Venice? His move to Tyrolia had no chance of accomplishing anything. (Similarly, his move to W. Med is inexplicable... and annoying, as now I can't convoy Tunis.) Hopefully he has the ability to hold off Austria in a stalemate on the boot, leaving me free to retreat Piedmont to secure my homeland, since I don't want to have to rescue him.

Meanwhile, I'm very grateful to Germany for still being interested in going after England. The fleet build is perfect. I'm debating between convoying to Wales vs. helping North Sea stay where it is. I suspect England might block Wales, in which case I will want Germany to be in position to cut Yorkshire support for Liverpool. Thus it's back to my old strategy of cutting London's support.

F06: Italy is making some inexplicable moves. Just sit in Naples and defend yourself already. :) Austria is going to get big pretty soon; hopefully Turkey realizes that a growing Austria is not good news for him. Better Austria than Turkey, though.

England has to cover London and support Liverpool, which should leave Wales open for a landing army. Germany is guaranteed Sweden, so if he's nice he'll help me out by cutting Yorkshire's support. I wouldn't if I were Germany, but so far he's been playing very nice - why wouldn't he continue?

S07: England has managed to hold on to 6 units for now (that German convoy seems pretty silly to me), but he's a mess. Unfortunately I don't see a way to get two of the three English centers this year unless England makes a mistake, whereas Germany will likely get both of England's Scandinavian centers. I don't have an effective stab, though, so I'll just have to let Germany get fat and wait for the inevitable (?) German-Austrian clash.

Italy is still making no sense. I guess he didn't see that I tried to support Venice in F05 and is still thinking that I'm hostile, and is thus trying to keep me out of the Tyrrhenian while fending off Austria at the same time? Well, now I can't risk cutting his support so I'll try to sneak around him via Tunis. Good to see Turkey attacking Austria finally.

F07: And the moral is, when someone is making no sense, don't expect him to make a rational move! Who's the moron - Italy for giving up on his homeland, or me, for assuming that he wouldn't? Probably both. Grrrr.

I will now have to waste time tracking down the Italian fleet, and can't do anything about the growing Austrian empire. I expect Germany to get dislodged out of the North Sea, so I will retreat my Channel fleet to Belgium so he doesn't get any ideas. Other than that everything else is pretty standard...

S08: An unexpected gift from Italy - Spain has been disbanded! Apparently my show of strength was enough to scare him off.

I have the luxury of choosing my opponent once again, while I clean up the rest of England. Germany and Austria look like they'll be going head to head pretty soon, as I don't think I look like an appealing target for either of them (Austria, since there's only the narrow Piedmont gateway to go through for a country with little navy; Germany, because he'll have Austria on his other side pretty soon). I should make sure by fortifying my German border just a tad; I could attack Austria's Italian position but that opens me up in case Germany moves west. Much better to just take it slow and steady.

F08: Well, I guess Germany is taking what's left of Russia rather than choose between me and Austria. Can't say I blame him. Not much that I can do right now other than wait for England to lose one more unit so that I can take over the rest of Britain. I was hoping England might retreat to Skaggerak just to spice things up, but alas.

W08: Wow, Germany supported me into Edinburgh. I'm dumbfounded.

S09: The nice thing about having Marseilles occupied is that it's a convenient excuse to build a fleet in Brest, in case Germany also built a fleet. That didn't happen, so I guess this one is headed down to the Med.

Even in his death throes, Italy continues to be annoying - I was hoping to have a clear path to the Ionian, but he seems likely to steam this way as well. Now it seems that Austria will make it there before me. I guess it's still worth a shot; Austria will probably need to retreat one of its fleets to cover Venice eventually, anyway. It'll be interesting to see how the Austria-Germany standoff takes place. Who will fire the first shot?

F09: Not much to report, frankly. I will not be getting the Ionian, so I may as well try to prevent Austria from doing so...

S10: Still a slow news day. I will allow Austria into Piedmont so as to make the opening more inviting for Germany. Beyond that, not too many decisions need to be made. In case Germany gets frisky, I'll send Edinburgh into the Norwegian for a pleasure cruise. Why not?

F10: I don't want to send my fleets away, but I want to still send the message that I'm going full-steam into the Med. The solution? Convoy my army to North Africa! The other benefit is that I can move it to Tunis and then convoy it again to Italy or even Albania. Or I can convoy it back to Belgium if I want an extra army to fight Germany.

S11: Austria has got to be quaking right now. I've got a secure southern flank, especially with Turkey on the rise and ready to pin down Austria, and Germany has his armies spread out in anticipation of an Austrian collapse - it's now or never for a takedown of the German. Gotta do it!

F11: Guaranteed Holland. I could try for Norway (it would be 50-50), but it's likely I'd lose North Sea if I got in. I'd rather attempt to destroy one of Germany's fleets by cutting off retreats for Holland.

In the Med, I'm not sure what to make of Turkey's random convoy-to-Tuscany order. Surely he can't believe that such a thing is possible, so I will assume that it's merely a signal that he'd like me to assault Italy. That I can do, landing in Tuscany. My spare fleet will signal that I'd like Turkey to stick to the Balkans.

S12: Germany managed to save his fleet and sneak into Sevastopol, thus not losing a center. Now I'll have to maneuver to make sure my Helgoland fleet is not trapped - I'll retreat it to the North Sea (guaranteeing that space) and try to bounce Munich out of Kiel.

In the south I have to figure Italy will retreat Piedmont, so I won't support into there, instead attacking Rome with Tuscany. I want my other fleet in on the action in the fall, so I'll take Ionian to set up my next move.

F12: Interestingly, I've captured Kiel. It's unlikely that I'll be able to keep it, so I'll beat a hasty retreat. If I sneak into Skaggerak, that will spell trouble for Germany. I can be patient - my line will hold forever if I choose to merely defend.

In Italy, there's a chess match going on. I'll try to sneak into Naples if he tries to bounce a move from Ionian (supporting from E. Med) and attack Apulia with Ionian instead, to cut support for Venice. It's quite possible Venice will retreat to guard Trieste, too.

S13: I completely out-thought myself on Austria and managed to get zero centers against someone who did not submit moves. Oy.

I kind of like my position the way it is right now, so I won't make a huge offensive at the moment - I'd rather wait until fall.

F13: I've managed to sneak into both Munich and Denmark. There are dozens of ways in which I could try to defend, but I'll take the ones that have a consolation prize of destroying German units if they fail.

S14: Austria has foiled me yet again! With Turkey obviously deciding to push west with full steam rather than taking German centers, it might be time to beat a retreat to more defensible borders and support Austria's blockade of the Turk.

F14: It seems clear how this is going to play out - can I take Munich and Berlin before the Turk manages to ride to Germany's rescue?

S15: I've managed to take Denmark but no progress in the German homeland. Kicking myself for being overly cautious and not putting my army in Tyrolia as well. Oh well. I'll console myself by trying to smash more German units.

F15: It is so fun when you force units to disband. I should be in good shape now.

S16: I see that Austria has started to move his fleet back west - a sign that he might be deciding to turn against me? 4 fleets in the Med ought to stopper it up good.

F16: Berlin is mine, unless Germany and Turkey are clairvoyant. That should seal everything up, since Scandinavia must fall eventually.

Spring 1901: Personal Log, Spring 1901:

The revolution is complete. While the (remaining) servants continue to mop the blood up, I sit upon the throne and ponder.

To prevent the other powers from learning of their peril until too late, a custom designed retrovirus has been loosened upon the messengers of all the Continental powers. The chaos should prevent them from comparing notes, and may lead them to blows.

I have done research into my opponents, and find it unlikely that the Russians will move MOS > STP initially. France, on the other hand, will likely be an immediate threat, and it would be... unwise to allow their expansion. Therefore, fleets are heading to the Channel and the North Sea, and the First Division has moved to Wales. If the opportunity to land the army presents itself in Belgium presents itself, we will take it. If not, perhaps we can support Germany into BEL to earn their gratitude... for now
Autumn 1901:

The French attempted to move to the channel as well, resulting in a double bounce. I can still take Norway - and will - but the disposition of the London fleet is open. In the end, I think the best decision is a move to the North Sea, to set me up for a move on BEL next year.

The Germans made a fairly conventional opening, but the French also moved to BUR - we'll see what happens there. The Turks are moving on Russia, which should give me a fairly secure flank there, and the Italians and Austrians appear to be going at it. The choices of Germany shall prove key to the future

Interesting. France move to BEL, which gives him two builds. His fleet moves to MAO, and I'd expect to see it in the Irish Sea soon. Turkey and Austria seem to be concentrating on Russia, so I'd expect to see his (one) build in MOS, not STP. I will have to see who builds what - if the Germans build a fleet, I'm doomed.

Spring 1902: Crap. Fleet builds in Brest and Kiel. I'm supporting Holland into Belgium, and Sweden to hold. Hopefully this will earn me brownie points with Russia and Germany.

Autumn 1902: Taking a shot at STP. Hope this works...

Spring 1903: Got STP. I also have a Germany fleet in the North Sea, and a lack of hostility between Germany and France. This does not bode well

Spring 1903: Crap, Germany convoyed an army to Yorkshire. I'm screeeewed

Spring 1904: Russia destroyed their unit in Sweden, but I'm going to have to let Germany move in - I need to destroy that army in Yorkshire while I can

Autumn 1904
So Germany made some assumptions on my moves,and that didn't work out too well for them. I thought Russia was brillant to leave Sweden unoccupied, as Germany and I would continually bounce, but that's not what happened. Had Germany supported his convoy into London, I'd have lost it - but he didn't, and now I get a build. France moved out of BEL to go pester Italy; I'm willing to bet he's going to come to regret that decision.

Pause while Kestas fixes the system: Ursa (Germany) is a poo poo head! ;)


(and at this point work picked up and I couldn't keep a log any longer. Germany and England beat the snot out of me, despite hanging on much longer than I anticipated)

Gunboat with a diary
===============
Ursa - Germany


30 DEC, SPRING 01 - The game has begun. I'll be last to finalize this time, appearantly the game has started 14 hours ago. It should be much fun, and a challenge. I wonder who I will offer an alliance (and how).
I'll open on Denmark to prevent Russia getting six SCs too soon. Last time I was Russia I was totally screwed by most of my neighbours, but I think this guy certainly knows what he is doing. Anyway, let's finalize!

#NOTE: It's WTA... might be cool to win, but probably will be a draw. I wonder how that will work without communicating...

FALL 01 - Interesting opening moves all over. Turkey goes head on against Russia, and he'll probably lose SEV. Austria goes for the hedgehog, works always fine. I wonder how the conflict with Italy will work out. Maybe I should let Russia into SWE now, considering his chances on more than four SCs are slim. If he is smart, he will certainly thank me for it. Now for the west. England chooses an anti-French approach,
and will certainly hope that I join him. A very good option indeed with Russia busy in the south.
Thereby, France is being irritating by entering BUR, I guess I should've bounced him there. I could bounce him in BEL but I think it's too dangerous. I'll kick his ass next year...

WINTER 01 - I thought wrongly about SEV. Turkey did not even have a fleet in the Black Sea (yet). Still I probably surprised some players with not bouncing Russia in SWE. He'll have five SCs now.
England is going for easy gain, I guess. Those westeners bemuse me, first they bounce, then both move different ways,
as if agreed. I wonder what this will bring for me. If war escalates between me and France, what will England do?
It's quite easy to take Denmark when you're in the Scandinavian peninsula anyway. Better build at least one fleet.
France's move to MAO suggests a southern interest so he'll probably build a fleet in MAR. And an army unit in PAR.
England will build a fleet in LON or EDI.
Looks like Italy is going for a Lepanto.

Turkey and Austria are allying against Russia, nice support there. I think Turkey will build a fleet in CON, to support movement into the Black Sea, and keep off the Italians if they get greedy.

If there is a Franco-English relation, let's put it to the test!

02 JAN, SUMMER 02 - A late entry.

I thought it best to build a fleet in Kiel and an army in Berlin.
This way I would be protected on sea and could do a land war.
I thought of warring the French and made move so I can now take BEL. But France made some moves I did not foresee.
He built a fleet in Brest - clearly directed to the north. And he placed a support hold on HOL, a very clear sign that he wants an alliance. So now I'm thinking about it. I could still kick France's ass, and England would probably join the fray. Whom can I trust? On the other hand, England could be pounded for years and not give up. When I gain that extra SC I may be too late and the Eastern powers are closing in.

OK, that does it. I've just looked to the order history, thinking it strange that Englands North Sea fleet would do nothing.
Instead, he bloody supported BEL to HOL. England it is then. I hope France remembers the choice he made.

03 JAN, SPRING 03 - Summary.

Let's review what's happened and wat did not happen. France chose for a defensive stance. Logical, I would have done the same. I hope we can work together to get this English guy down. England has five centers now already, taking StPete. Russia bounced him in Norway again so he had to retreat. If we play it well, it's Russia, me and France against England. But how do you coordinate attacks without being able to communicate? I'm going to get an army into Yorkshire - I hope it works. Otherwise I'll await French movement to the north, into the Irish sea, so we can take out LVP and Londen together. I don't trust France wholly but I have to use HOL as convoy. Besides, he's got only one unit on it.
England is still quite strong though. I fear France is going to be overly defensive, regarding the fleet build in MAR.
Or he is going for some Italian candy.

The East is a mess. Italy's got a good position (hence the French fleet) on Austria and will probably take more out.
Turkey should get his fleets in the Med. As long as Turkey and Russia keep eachother occupied, things will go smoothly.
However, Italy will probably prevail over the others.

I think my moves will work out well. The convoy can only be stopped by a bounce on YOR. If England decides to dislodge my fleet it can always flee to YOR.

Funny, I always end up in conflict with Stratagos - last Wilson game was also a hard one. Support on BEL-HOL is, however, unforgivable.

07 JAN, SPRING 05

It's been quite a while since I last wrote in my diary, mostly because lack of time. It's a pity, that. Ah well, I decided to invade England. It worked to get an army in YOR, but not much more than that. I made some moves and it happened two times that doing just the opposite move would've brought me a center. Real bummers, those. In the mean time France decided not to help me but go for some Italian centers.
By now, Italy is back to four and under attack from two sides. If only France had helped me instead of venturing on his own campaign. England is now more powerful than ever and I reckon I will not hold out much longer against his forces on the Island. In the future I might go for some Scandinavian centers. Now, I think, I'll lose Wales and have to rebuild in Germany. Oh and if I had just supported Hol-Lon in Fall 04 instead of going for a bounce in LVP. Argh!

I need to consolidate, take my forces back up. Get to know what France wants and prevent England invading my home country. That's hard enough already, I reckon. Esspecially now he has so easily taken Sweden. Time to do some serious damage...

In the East Turkey is rising. But I think it will take a while before things are clear outthere, it changes with the year.

09 JAN - WINTER 05

I have retreated from England for the moment. I plan on going to pester him in Scandinavia. With a little luck I'll have both Norway and Sweden within the year. This should work to get the English down. Instead of hoping France would enter the same orders (we really suck at that part) I'm going to let him take his share, and I'll have mine. So now I brought HOL to Kiel and will build a fleet in BER to enter BAL.
France has just entered NAO and MAO so I guess he'll give England a try too. He's doing fine on his own. Someday we'll probably be at war with eachother, as soon as we've got England down on his knees. The only other player that is doing well is Austria, with five centers at the moment. Hard times for Italy! Turkey and Russia will continue to block eachother, but I reckon Austria will soon help Turkey out in BUL. This way two blocks will rise and will meet in Italy and Moscow. But who knows, Russia might just come back...

12 JAN - WINTER 06

The plan on SWE worked. However, I am still to five centers, due to my own stupidity. I first thought France would've grabbed one of my centers, since HOL is left quite open. But he's doing fine against the English. I should too. Now I need to work out a plan to prevent him fleeing to KIE, get Norway and so on. Spring should now look as this:

A MUN-KIE
F BAL-KIE
F NTH-NOR
A SWE S
F SKA S

This should prevent England going to Kiel, bouncing there, and keep a unit in MUN. And deliver me Norway. Wait,
what about HOL? I need to think about that. Frankly, I can't let England enter the North Sea. Period.

Maybe France wants me to bounce...

12 JAN - SPRING 07

I now know what to do. First I have to get rid of DEN but also protect HOL and BEL. The set of orders will be te following:

F BAL-DEN
A SWE S F BAL-DEN
F SKA S F NTH
F NTH S F ENG-LON
A MUN-KIE

This will possibly leave MUN open, which I don't like. But I need an army to prevent England taking HOL, if he flees to HEL. The best thing would be a bounce so I can remain in position. I hope France won't stab me just yet. The stab will come, I'm sure of that. But he'll probably want England downed first - don't blame him for that. I'm supporting ENG to LON, which may cost England London. It's dangerous, but might work. I think NTH will be attacked anyway. England will also lose LVP. When DEN is taken care of, NOR will be easy to grab (with a force of two). I don't think England will retreat STP - he might give it back to the Russians, but that's a positive thing in my account. Russia is being squashed like a bug. The East is still balanced, Russia won't go down soon - maybe at my hand. Austria may be the new force but still nothing is clear. He's built a fleet so he is mainly focused on Italy, who has a hard time defending. It's getting very dangerous for him...

On the other hand, I'm not going to support France at this moment, he will become too strong, while when I'm lucky I'll be at seven.

19 JAN - SPRING 08 - The long pause

My moves in Scandinavia worked out well. The fleet in North went to HOL and would otherwise be dislogded by a triple English attack. I've got two builds now, and have built two armies to have a better position on land. England is going down, he has to demolish three units and I wondered which it would be. He has chosen for homeland security, demolishing all units that could threaten me. This means I've got a very good position, so caution is at hand. I can now easily squash Russia but must remain strong on land. France has chosen a more defensive stance, to me also. I'll gain his trust by supporting him in England still - maybe I could still get one of those SCs, EDI for instance. Now to clean up the remains of Russia...

19 JAN - End of spring 08

I don't understand England's moves (he had little options). Trying to prevent me get anything? That would work...
The lines are drawed, new coalitions formed. Russia, Italy and Turkey too belong to the past. The game will end in a battle between me, France and Austria. So is the question: what to do next? I've got good relations with France, but I worry. I don't what to give him too much, only to see him turn and devour me with Austria. Austria has still things to do in the south. He will not like me taking Warsaw, and could even block me by supporting Russia - it's a risk though. But then his position is clear and I will invade.
I wonder where he will direct his Italian armies for. Turkey did the stupidest thing by betraying his ally, who was cautious enough. I should get France around the Med and me from the north, crushing everything in our path.

19 JAN - Fall 08

England has retreated to LON. For this I thank him. I don't want France being too big so I'll 'accidentally' support CLY to EDI. This will give him two more centers he would get anyway, so he remains as strong as I am.

20 JAN - Winter 08

Panzers, Panzers! More Panzers!

21 JAN - Spring 09

France has built a fleet and an army. Austria likewise. Austria will be going east and France south. I think and hope France and I will beat Austria. I've got a little test for Austria, leaving Warsaw open... let's see what happens.

21 JAN - Fall 09

France couldn't be more clear - he wants to fight Austria with my help. I'll ready myself. Pity for Russia, but I'm taking UKR too...

22 JAN - Spring 10

Russia, England and Italy have been defeated. The new 'world order' is visible and this spring my offensive against Austria will start. By the end of the year, Austria will have lost its Capital. Mwuhahaha...
I have to keep balance. I must not help Turkey too much or he will profit greatly from the situation. So when the chance arrives I will strike at SEV. However I must also not risk them joining against me. But as long as Turkey remains agressive against Austria, and the fleet build suggests so, I will have the advantage.

I also have a very strong position in the North, France will think twice before stabbing me. All that could go wrong is if Austria decides to fight only me and leave his centers open to others.

26 JAN - Spring 11

I am closing in on Austrian territory. I have to think of the right moves. And to not crush Austria too soon. I must not be spreaded too thin, when attacking Turkey also. It has to be a surprise. I think Austria will still mainly focus on Turkey.

27 JAN - Fall 11

France has stabbed me, the bastard. And pretty good too. I'll probably lose at least one center and have to do a lot to drive him back. The Eastern front will have to wait, Austria and Turkey will have their own fight. I'm going to retreat all my forces. In an other game I went conquering Russia but in the mean time lost all my home SCs. That was stupid and I will not make the same mistake again!
Petty France lets his actions be controlled by fear, fear of me growing too big. I'll show him he messes with the wrong guy.
It's a pity though - we worked so well together. Ah well, Paris it is!

27 JAN - Winter 11

I made a mistake!! I entered the wrong orders and ended up in SEV instead of STP... WTF!!! Now 1) Turkey is mad at me, 2) Austria distrusts me and 3) I am at war with France.

Could it get any better?

29 JAN - Spring 12

I just saw Austria has demolished GAL. That's a good sign, no pressure from the south. For my honour I will leave SEV - some time. Right now it's France, France, France. I must not be blind however and take advantage of the possibilities.

4 FEB - Spring 14

Little has changed. I'm still at war with France and he's managed to destroy two of my units, weakening me.
But he hasn't won yet and I will continue to block him. In the East, Turkey is slowly taking over Austria, with French help.
I guess my hope is to draw this thing.

19 FEB - Last entry

France has succesfully defeated me. I actually knew it from the start he attacked me I had little to no possibility to retaliate and take one of his centers. He has evaded my every move, locking my home centers and pushing me back further and further. I'm sorry I missed some moves, that shouldn't have happened. But it ended my suffering somewhat sooner...

Keeping this Diary turned out to be much more of a drag than I thought. So my apologies if my diary was skimpy, especially since I started the game!

29 Dec 08 Spring 1901: Welcome to Diary with a Gunboat.

Just a quick explanation, then I’ll shut up. And the rest of you shut up too :P

This is a game of Gunboat. That means no Diplomacy, no talking between players, no talking in Global. (Because of this, since there is no need to wait for a response for your ally, there is no reason NOT to finalize your moves right away, so hopefully this game will not need the full 24 hours every turn.)

And I am hoping everyone can keep a diary of their thoughts. You can easily leave notes for yourself by click on any of the country tabs, and then in the URL that comes up, change the country name to your own country, so my link would be http://phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=7691&msgCountry=Russia. And this would be a private tab that only I see. (Alternatively, feel free to save your diary in a word document on your desktop.)

I’m hoping everyone will keep a diary as they go along. Trying to recreate your thoughts at the end of the game is difficult, because things that seem like a minor thing to you (say, moving to Tyrolia instead of Bohemia) might have been a game changing move for Italy or Germany.
So if you ever wanted to ask that question ‘You idiot! Don’t you see country x is about to invade???? Why are you still coming after me?!’ or something similar, hopefully those questions will be answered at the end.

When the game ends, I will start a topic in the Forum for everyone to post their diary at.

Good luck, but now you must die.
29 Dec 08 Spring 1901: Going for the standard opening. Assuming I will be bumped out of Sweden and Black Sea, but able to assure myself Rumania for a build.
30 Dec 08 Autumn 1901: Terrible opening. HOPEFULLY I can still take Rum, but thats looking bleak. And hoping that Germany realizes that a weak Russia is not necessarily good for him, and that he will allow me Sweden, since any build I get will be for my southern front.
30 Dec 08 Autumn 1901: THank you to Germany, Fuck you to Austria. Strange move by England and France. Almost seems pre-planned, though I hate to think that. Hopefully England doesn't move to St Pete, but I fear he will. I can either protect Sev or St Pete. Since its a fleet in Norway, I suppose I will have to leave St Pete free, knowing if England moves there, the most he can get is one.
31 Dec 08 Spring 1902: Ok, try to take Rum. Hoping Italy goes for Lepanto. He's all set up for it. Turkey built a fleet. Possibly to support himself into Black? If so, no sense in my trying to bump him, might as well take Rum if possible. Although with Greece open, Italy may just opt for Greece instead of going for Turkey.
02 Jan 09 Autumn 1902: Well, I have the choice of keeping Rum or keeping Sev. Depending on what Turkey does, I could keep both. I think I have to let him have a shot for Rum, so my fleet can get eliminated. Having a fleet is really constricting. If England is smart, he will move to st Pete this turn and bump me in Norway. That will be the beginning of the end for me.
05 Jan 09 Autumn 1904: Sigh, not much for me to go but repeat the same moves. If only Germany could kill England faster.
10 Jan 09 Spring 1906: Sigh Havent left notes for 3 phases, but I since Ive just been entering the same moves over and over, there seemed little point. France is making headway against England, so perhaps I can take back St Pete soon? But Austria is getting strong and I don't know how much longer he will allow me to keep Rum. And TUrkey is weakened, which is good, but he was weakened by Italy, which has not been weakened by Austria, which is bad. Maybe I should have gone after Bud last turn? That would have been interesting

Crap, I thought I did the opposite back in Spring 02 (re: Belgium and Holland). Woe is me!

Now for the morons diary :D

I lost my last half since its on a diff computer...

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Spring pregame/ 1901… Dingleberries did quite a lot of talking for a no diplomacy game… Noted who has most Php points, dingler berry, also noticed that friendly sword +dingleberry + stratagos are in games with me, Dingleberry and friendly sword I know are pros, not sure about stratagos as he died in my game with him. I imagine I should look at my other games to see their moves but I’m to lazy… So I’ll just wait it out to see what happens, prolly best not to attack quickly since I’m kinda vulnerable with italy…

Moves Naples – Ion
Rome – Apulia
Venice – Hold

Finalized

Realized being lazy prolly won’t work so Unfinalized to do research…

Turns out my neighbor in Austria, pandemic or something, played Austria in a previous Gunboat WTA game and his first move was to attack Venice so… But he didn’t win the game but further research on his moves to be conducted…

During research… What??? These guys moves are weird… Link http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=6960

I took his moves into account and booked mark page incase I ever got into a similar situation.

More research.

During research found this game http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=6601
And am thinking about trying it and weighing the risks out, and will prolly work and if not, it was defensive.

Change moves to
Moves Naples – Ion
Rome – Apulia
Venice –Trieste

Final

Now I’m off to research everyone else and it turns out SSwangs really likes gunboats… He even won one as France
Link http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=5657
but his first moves in that weren’t aggressive towards Italy so I am not worried. How ever at least 3 of the GB games hes played( and playing) are with stratagos so I’m worried about accidental meta gaming. Now realizing I almost took up a page in writing I figure that enough research atm, I will look up my enemies as they come.
End Journal 1- Spring 1901 ---------- Captain CurlyFries
Autum 1901 I just want a SC so I can build, don’t want to risk a bounce in Greece so Tunis is the best bet

Venice – Hold
Apulia – Tunis
Ion – Convoy
Finalized --- End Journal Autum 1901 – Captain CurlyFries

Build 1901
Hrpmh that sucked, could a got Greece, Turkey + Austria, and since allied will most likely go naval and try and get me… Building fleet in Naples to try the lepanto and for defensive maneuvers

F - Naples
-Finalized End journal Build 1901 – Captain CurlyFries


Spring 1902

=\, So many choices. I think turkey will move aeg or Bulgaria… Those are his only possible moves. He has to hold Romania or Russia will attack him and get it and Its key to secure SC’s early in the game so I think that’s his move, Bulgaria and not aeg. That just makes it harder for me to decide between the lepanto and attacking Austria. I wish I only had one option but alas life is cruel. It’s a 50/50. My other option is a waaaay to complex attack on Austria that should ultimately lead to me having a very nice position to attack Austria. I would convoy Tunis to Albania, seeing as he will prolly move Serbia to Greece, Naples to Apulia to help support Ion into ADR in the fall as Austria will prolly move there this spring just to stop my naval movements and possibly attack. Lastly Venice – tri. This should work as it would bounce tri and leave me with a few opportunities. I could attack Trieste with Venice+ Albania, and I know that if he moved to ADR he would move that back as I could break that support and capture Trieste if he didn’t. I could manipulate that and end up not moving to Trieste, but Apulia to ADR, Ion support move to Greece, and Venice bounce in Trieste. I think that would work as I would have an upper hand in Austria and hopefully be able to expand quick enough to stop turkey.

What I am worried about though is turkey helping Austria. If he support holds Greece, I’m gunna poop my pants…

Ah well. Risk to be taken. Lepanto has been discarded

The fleet at Naples move to Apulia .
The fleet at Ionian Sea convoy from Tunis to Albania.
The army at Tunis move to Albania via convoy via convoy.
The army at Venice move to Trieste .
Finalized – End Journal Spring 1902 – Captain Curlyfries


Autum 1902

Turns out I could a gone lepanto… Oh well. Now I have 2 options, attack Serbia hoping he hold at Greece, or Attack Greece. Prolly the latter. So yep. Fairly no brainer. I just hope turkey doesn’t get involved.

The fleet at Apulia move to Adriatic Sea .
The fleet at Ionian Sea support move to Greece from Albania.
The army at Albania move to Greece via land.
The army at Venice hold.

Final – end journal Autum 1902 – Captain CurlyFries


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA START JOURNAL AUTUM 1902 RETREAT


HAHAHAHAHA REATREAT TO SERBIA! I WIN HAHAHAHAHAH! THANK YOU TURKEY INVOLVEMENT!!!


End journal – Captain CurlyFries


Build 1902

Fleet in Naples to further naval power against turkey.

End journal – Captain CurlyFries


Spring 1903 – Can’t Wait

Another season with options >_<

1. I could attack Budapest and Trieste.
2. I could focus a uniform attack on triste and get Budapest later
3. I could make a go at Greece and Trieste.

And to top it off it looks as if france is going to try and invade so getting a build is crucial… I don’t think turkey will try and help, especially after what happened last time xD.

So what has the least risk and gains the most?

Option 3 is what I’m going for, hopefully if I get those 2 I can also attack Budapest before the year is out.

The fleet at Naples move to Ionian Sea .
The fleet at Adriatic Sea support move to Trieste from Venice.
The fleet at Ionian Sea move to Greece .
The army at Serbia support move to Greece from Ionian Sea.
The army at Venice move to Trieste via land.

Finalized – End Journal Spring 1903 – Captain CurlyFries

Autumn 1903
Lame >_< I got Trieste, but backed up all my other units. I’m gonna try and get Greece while still holding Trieste. Hope it works. If not I am gonna aim towards turkey

The fleet at Naples move to Ionian Sea .
The fleet at Adriatic Sea support hold at Trieste.
The fleet at Ionian Sea move to Greece .
The army at Serbia support move to Greece from Ionian Sea.
The army at Trieste support hold at Serbia..

Finalized – End Journal Autumn 1903 – Captain CurlyFries



Build Autumn 1903

France is making a move =\

So I gotta build another fleet, hopefully I can hold Austria while I deal with France. He’s kind of dumb for attacking me imo. I already have three fleets and he has barely any in defending position so I think snatching Portugal/Spain/Marseilles won’t be too hard

Build a fleet at Rome.

Finalized – End Journal Autumn Build 1903 – Captain CurlyFries


Spring 1904

Ah, finally an easy decision. This makes me very, very happy. Get Greece, hold Trieste, and get in position to retake Tunis xD simple


Except I realized I can’t retake tunis…


Urg… anger move, quick simple, prolly stupid too.


The fleet at Rome move to Tyrrhenian Sea .
The fleet at Naples move to Ionian Sea .
The fleet at Adriatic Sea support hold at Trieste.
The fleet at Ionian Sea move to Eastern Mediterranean .
The army at Serbia move to Budapest .
The army at Trieste support move to Budapest from Serbia.


Final – End Journal Spring 1904 – Captain CurlyFries

Autumn 1905, Diplomacy

Ive been lazy lol.

Well I’ma die soon So go out fighting I say. Try some crazy crap :D

Can’t wait, but atm I must hold what I can

Your orders have been finalized.

The fleet at Tyrrhenian Sea move to Western Mediterranean .

The fleet at Greece support hold at Bulgaria.

The fleet at Bulgaria (South Coast) hold.

The army at Venice move to Tyrolia .


Your orders have been finalized.

The Army at Venice retreat to Rome.


Not bad, getting some help defending



Your orders have been finalized.

The fleet at Tyrrhenian Sea move to Gulf of Lyons .

The fleet at Greece move to Bulgaria (South Coast) .

The fleet at Bulgaria (South Coast) move to Aegean Sea .

The army at Rome move to Venice .




My computer crashed while finalizing so I don’t know what I was thinking but I imagine it was to simultaneously hold vs. France and Austria while gaining ground vs. turkey


Your orders have been finalized.

The fleet at Tyrrhenian Sea move to Naples .

The fleet at Greece move to Aegean Sea .

The fleet at Bulgaria (South Coast) support move to Aegean Sea from Greece.

The army at Rome move to Naples via land.

sorry for the lameness at the end lol.

Whos up for a round 2?

Haha, don't know yet. For some reason I don't really like gunboat, maybe I'm not really good at it. The idea was cool but I see several players were 'lazy' in entering entries in their diary.

I might be. I didn't find the diary too cumbersome - there were several rounds where I didn't have time but I found that later when I did, I could go back and fill in the earlier entries based on what I remembered about my thoughts.

Where's Panda? I'm guessing we won't get a diary out of Turkey, so he's the last one...