Stupid question: can I join? ;)

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 02:54

Hi guys,

I know this DG is waaay advanced but I was wondering if I can still join? I'd like the experience for the ISDG.

Usually I don't like to start things when they're already underway (I'm rather new at poly - jan 03) and I was going to wait until this was over but, well, I can't wait

So, can I?

Harovan · March 16, 2003, 03:03

I'm sure you can, but you'll have to choose a team. See the list on top of this page. But don't join Lux Invicta, they're already dead.

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 03:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
I'm sure you can, but you'll have to choose a team. See the list on top of this page. But don't join Lux Invicta, they're already dead.

Yeah, I heard about Lux's fate

I was aiming for Gathering Storm since I have a feeling that's where the warmonger crowd hangs

I'll join!

Harovan · March 16, 2003, 03:27

Good. It may last a while, though, as we first poll about new members, which may last 1-2 days, and then you have to be authorized. Similar procedure as in the ISDG (I guess, as I already left the team).

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 03:52

No problem Dupre...I mean, Sir Ralph...

This Avatar can wait...

Hot_Enamel · March 16, 2003, 04:22

There is a team called Glory of War, and is filled with warmongers....And you choose GS ???

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 05:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Hot_Enamel
There is a team called Glory of War, and is filled with warmongers....And you choose GS ???

Actually I based my decision on who I've crossed paths most on the Strategy forum.

But evidently warmongers abound. We shall spread like the plague...

Hot_Enamel · March 16, 2003, 05:22

Thats all GS needs....another top quality strategist.

Do you want to be 1 of many ?
Or join a smaller team and pit your skills against GS, where you will have a greater voice ?

Vox & GoW are both teams who need more people with your skills. Think about leveling the skill base of all teams rather than just joining the egg heads.....(no offense to GS

)

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 05:40

Hot_Enamel, you are exactly right.

I am therefore reconsidering my options, and I ask any other team members:

Who is in the middle of fighting/diplomacy?

Vox has only 8 members, I like playing the underdog

... I've also heard that GS is rather isolated

which is not a really good way at honing my diplomatic skills.

Note that I have not yet discarded joining GS...It's just that I am so far rather unfamiliar with the strategic situation and would like to know a bit more before I make my decision.

Thanx!

Hot_Enamel · March 16, 2003, 06:09

ND, GoW, Lux & RP share 1 large continent
ND, GoW & Lux were crammed North....resulting in the first war with Lux being destroyed
RP have plenty of land to the south.

Vox & GS share a small continent

Lego have a large landmass all to themselves.

We all have contact with each other. Map Making has recently been discovered, and it is possible to travel to each continent by galley if desired.

So diplomacy is rocking in whatever team you want, but the most "active" I guess is on the ND, GoW, RP continent which we call Bob. I guess this is becuase the teams started so close...but I cant really speak for the others.

I would encourage you to join the GoW as we are warmonger's, are in the most "volitile" part of the planet, and do need more active members.

Regs

Darekill · March 16, 2003, 08:04

Neu Demogyptica accepts every member that can read our private forum which is based on the german Civilization Webring Forum.
We are a bunch of german Apolyton members and the guys here were kind enough to accept us as a competitor.
So if you can read and write in german maybe ND is the team of your choice?

Beta · March 16, 2003, 08:41

'Underdogs'! Ha. All part of our strategy.

And would you rather be one of 9, or one of 24?

Harovan · March 16, 2003, 09:14

GS is neither a peaceful nor a warmongering team. We will do what is appropriate to get as far in this game as it is possible. This includes economic buildup and diplomacy as well as military actions, if necessary. But we won't start to fight just for the sake of war. So if you prefer a game of balance and reason, stick with GS. If you want to emphasize war, consider the Glory. If you're a builder, Lego is your team.

Hot_Enamel · March 16, 2003, 09:22

GS = The Phantom Civ.....They do not exist.

Harovan · March 16, 2003, 09:29

Some people prefer to ignore the danger until it bites them in the ass.

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 14:22

Now THIS is getting exciting!

Gimme a while so I can sort things out... I actually find all teams rather interesting.

Darekill: I started learning German about 4 years ago, but since I know no germans I have not practiced it and alas, habe ich alles vergessen (is that how you say it?)

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 14:25

Oh, and I haven't asked, if its not classified info or anything, which Civ is each team playing?

UnOrthOdOx · March 16, 2003, 14:40

GoW is playing as China,
Roleplay is playing as Spain,
GS is playing as Egypt,
Vox is playing as Persia,
ND is playing as Arabia,
and Legoland is playing as Carthage, I believe.

FYI,
GoW is not simply about warmongering, however. We are also Mercenaries who are willing to do anything for adequate compensation.

Darekill · March 16, 2003, 15:25

It was correct Master Zen. You have a pm.....

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 15:54

Now these civs make it even more interesting...

China is defenitely "the" warmonger civ par excellance but I also like Egypt (my overall fave) and Carthage...

Choices, choices...

Can't think correctly on an empty stomach

so I'll come back to this later today.

Thank you all for the info

-MZ

Togas · March 16, 2003, 16:21

In my mostly unbiased opinion, the best teams for you to join would be: Gow, Vox, RP.

GoW is right in the thick of things, and have some of the most cunning trade and diplomacy tactics around. They might suit your interests very well.

Vox is the smallest team and would be thrilled to have someone with your skill on their team to give them a fighting chance against Gathering Storm ... if they ever decide to do anything exciting.

Roleplay is perhaps one of the most entertaining forums in the game, with a lot of casual roleplaying, good humor, and side discussions that helps keep things interesting when the turns go long and we are between major conflicts. We have very few military strategy types, so you would be admired and respected the same as with Vox. We have a few more active team members than most (and a lot of inactives) so we don't NEED new members and I don't want to try to steal you away from teams that might need you.

Themewise, GoW is more militaristic and machiavellian, with a mean streak of pride and honor.

Vox attempts to speak with one voice and act as a Unity/Collective government. Very Socialist.

RP attempts to mimic history and abide by our actual form of government as well as level of technology. Thus far Despotism has made Spain my own personal kingdom with clan leaders, nobles, wisemen, and generals to advice me. I appoint a lot of individuals to run the nation as governors and generals and tend to issue edicts and proclaimations from my palace in Madrid while my minions tend to the business of running the nation for me.

When we switch to Monarchy, all of my minions will receive noble status, fiefdoms, dukedoms, etc, and I will (hopefully) remain King. Should we ever go Republic or Democracy all hell will break loose, as we'll have to devise a Democractic system and I might have to start running for election or something.

As a sidenote, Legoland actually is a Democracy and Gathering Storm is some sort of a mix with schools and groups ... maybe akin to a secret society as none of us really know what they do over there or how they operate.

--Togas

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 18:24

Togas, you just make things more difficult for me

There's really something about all teams which I like, so in a while I'm going to solve this impasse in a cold calculating mathematical manner as we economists are acustomed to.

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 18:51

Ok, here it is... may sound a little ridiculous but, then again, aren't all economists ridiculous??

I have decided to base my decision on a mathematical ranking system (1-5) based on 5 traits:

MEMBERS: how many and how well do I know the members of each team?

TEAM STYLE: from what I've read, is the team warmonger, builder, etc? which style best suits me?

STRATEGIC SITUATION: is the team isolated or in the middle of conflict?

CIVILIZATION: what civ are they playing? which do I like the most?

USEFULNESS: how usefull will I be to the team? one of many or one of few? a lot of strategists where I won't have a voice?

And the results are: (less is better)

Gathering Storm
MEM = 2
STYLE = 2
STRAT = 4
CIV = 1
USE = 5
TOTAL = 14

Glory of War
MEM = 3
STYLE = 1
STRAT = 1
CIV = 3
USE = 2
TOTAL = 10

Legoland
MEM = 4
STYLE = 5
STRAT = 5
CIV = 2
USE = 3
TOTAL = 19

Roleplay
MEM = 1
STYLE = 3
STRAT = 4
CIV = 5
USE = 4
TOTAL = 16

Vox Controli
MEM = 5
STYLE = 4
STRAT = 2
CIV = 4
USE = 1
TOTAL = 16

BTW, I ruled out ND because my German ain't that good

so, in this unbiased ranking, I guess Glory of War is the team for me

Thanks again to everyone who gave me such valuable insight, and I wish all the teams the best of luck.

Any closing arguments before I formally ask to join GoW?

-MZ

UnOrthOdOx · March 16, 2003, 18:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Togas
GoW is right in the thick of things, and have some of the most cunning trade and diplomacy tactics around. They might suit your interests very well.

Themewise, GoW is more militaristic and machiavellian, with a mean streak of pride and honor.

/me is trying to decide it this was meant as an insult, compliment, or both...

He sure does have us pegged with the Pride and Honor, though.

Beta · March 16, 2003, 20:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Master Zen

so, in this unbiased ranking, I guess Glory of War is the team for me

-MZ

Good thing. Vox was getting kind of large.

Master Zen · March 16, 2003, 23:19

Quote:

Originally posted by BetaHound

Good thing. Vox was getting kind of large.

actually, I'm still not 100% convinced, after receiving some very convincing PMs for some of you...

I thought this was going to be a little easier...

Well, let me just put it this way, it's pretty much between GS and GoW.

I'll have to consult with the pillow...

Thanx for showing so much interest in this humble civver...

-MZ

mrmitchell · March 17, 2003, 16:24

Flip a coin, that's how I picked my team, and so far it's been much better than what the other possibility would have been at the time.

Panzer32 · March 17, 2003, 16:57

Master Zen, unless something really wierd happens, you can join GoW.

Master Zen · March 17, 2003, 17:21

OK, I'VE MADE MY FINAL DEFINITIVE DECISION

After much though, and trust me, this has been much more difficult than I had thought, I have decided on the following:

So far I have been tempted to join Gathering Storm and Glory of War. I like GS because some their members are people I respect a lot in the strat forum and it would be an honor for me to join their discussions. I like GoW because they seem to be in an interesting strategic situation in the game and their warmongering/machiavellian style suits me rather well.

My first "hunch" (the emotional part) says I should join GS. My second "hunch" (the rational part) says I should join GoW.

I have decided therefore to make a compromise. I will create a double login called Zen Master which will...

:

(just kidding)

I WILL JOIN GLORY OF WAR.

buuuuuut....

If there is another PTWDG after this one is over, I will join the strategy guys whether they be in in GS or a new team. You guys can count on me to be part of your team from this moment

I know that whichever of the teams I would have chose, I would have regretted a certain aspect, as I said before, this has not been an easy choice. In any case, I would like to thank all of you who have posted here, and those of you, Togas, Darekill and Theseus who have PMed with with really, REALLY convincing arguments.

Thanx again to all, and I'll see you in the game!

Arrian · March 17, 2003, 17:37

Have fun, Master Z.

-Arrian