Solium Infernum: No fighting in the war room

Turn 12-15's actions

As you may have inferred from the chatterings of my fellow Archfiends above, the last four turns have been characterised by the frankly bizarre and distasteful decision by the conclave to award extra tribute choices to the Barons and Lords (Legion, kat, and... the bat-looking one), at the expense of the higher ranks of nobility.

Whether spurred by this sudden shortfall/excess of tribute or otherwise, the demands have simply been flying. Mostly at Marquis nife2o4, who has received one demand from every Archfiend except Baron kat at this point, and has second ones pending from Marquis Deadbuffalo and Baron Bat Looking Demon. The Marquis has thus far caved to every single demand, apparently not wishing to dirty his hands in warfare, and the rest of the infernal aristocracy can thus be forgiven for regarding his corpulent form as a kind of tribute piñata. Especially since he apparently stole from my vaults that one time. Hmph.

Perhaps the Marquis is content to dole out tribute to all and sundry because his position atop the ranks of Prestige remains, for the moment, secure - a good seventeen points above yours falsely. Or perhaps because he is indeed the deceitful being he's appeared to be in that one scandalous breach of my vaults, and can thus burgle back that which he gives away with impunity. Whatever the case, his only legion (N2), while powerful and high level, has remained solid in place without any apparent activity at all....

Speaking of deceitful actions, some Archfiend also purchased the Finger of Betrayal. That was far from the only purchase made: the Praetors Mulciber and Bune were retained: Mulciber by the Bat-looking one, who attached them to his Disciples (B1); Bune by Deadbuffalo, who attached them to his to his Slaves (D1) along with a second purchase - an artefact called the Infernal Engine useful for seizing Places of Power.

Said Slaves, now bolstered by leadership and armament, finally emerged from their lofty mountain perch and stampeded for the up-to-now unclaimed Palace of Gluttony (P8), which they seized control of. This action also created a robust border between the two Marquises, preventing nife2o4 from southerly expansion without warfare...

Elsewhere, a tussle between Baron Bat Looking Demon and Lord Legion over The Temple of the Damned (P2) was resolved in the Bat's favour; Lord Legion had reached an adjacent canton much earlier with his Slaves (L1), but seemed reluctant to chance the actual combat; the Bat's Disciples, led by Mulciber, had no such compunctions. Lord Legion did also flap his Darkwing fellows (L2) to a position north of the Pit of Tartarus (L2).

Baron kat's sole legion (K1) has scarcely moved at all, slothful as they are. Baron kat has been notable for not making demands of Maqruis nife2o4 as every other Archfiend has done; his own demand was instead directed at Bat Looking Demon - a move perhaps reflective of the logistical realities of possessing only indolent forces in range of only the Bat's border.

What am I forgetting? Oh yes, myself. Well, once I recovered from the appalling crime against decency that was the looting of my vaults, I marshalled my peerless, enchanting Hell Blades (M2), now recovered from their earlier exertions at the Altar of Abomination (P4), had them led by the Praetor Baraqiel (purchased back on Turn 8) and, assisted by my devoted if somewhat imbecilic Slaves (M1), they successfully took possession of the Pit of Tartarus (P3).

It would be unseemly for me to exult too much in this victory, especially as on the very turn it was confirmed (the most recent one, which also had a Conclave token drawn) there came the black news that The Beast is loose. It shall come for all of us in turn, attacking a Place of Power for each of us, and its power is tremendous and legendary. Already Marquis Deadbuffalo lost his claim on The Iron Staircase (P7) due to its rampage. The question of who loosed it is not directly answerable, but as for who benefits; well, those who had the fewest Places of Power at this moment, obviously, but I'll note that the Baron Bat Looking Demon's legion The Chains of Torment (B2) is now well placed to steal said Iron Staircase from under Deadbuffalo's nose...

Prestige Totals at start of turn 16 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Marquis nife2o4 - 78 (+3 per turn)
Duke Meserach- 61 (+5 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 48 (+2 per turn)
Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 37 (+1 per turn)
Baron kat - 33 (+1 per turn)
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 31 (+2 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 16, with the drawing of the fifth Conclave Token (game ends and election held at 15).

Legend

Territory
Teal - Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
L1 - Slaves of Legion
L2 - The Darkwing Legion
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
N2 - Chosen of nife2o4 (Nota Male: why is this N2? Unacceptably sloppy. I shall have my cartographer fired, and then set on fire.)
K1 - Disciples of kat
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
B2 - The Chains of Torment
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo

As much as it pains me to say, I'm now in the same situation as Meserach. Some dirty thief snuck into my vaults and stole some of the resources that my loving subjects provided to me as a token of their appreciation for my care for them. This is quite dastardly and I demand reparations. Show yourself fiend and submit to judgement! The thief did not even attempt to frame anyone else, they simply snuck in and out without leaving a trace.

I don't believe you, nife! No sir. Because you snuck into my vault and stole 4 cards two turns ago.

Hmm, everyone except kat demanded tribute from you in an order slot? How strange.

I completely messed up my vendetta. Well, it was hard to say for sure that it would turn out this way, but certain events worked out against me.

Well played Saccaroa, well played. Now I know why you moved your legion to where you did.

Wait, what? Who? That my legion happened to be within striking distance of both Nife's POPs is entirely a coincidence!

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize that my lack of a praetor or my slothful legion put me in a position where I could win a vendetta against nife if he refuses my demand. It be great to both waste some of my prestige as well as one of my precious tribute demands -which have been going great by the way, anyone wants blood? I'll trade you 5 blood cards for one soul, just call me on 66-6 666 662.

Turn 16 and 17's actions

Turn 16 saw high drama at the Conclave as Marquis nife2o4, finally sick of capitulating to demand after demand, threw down a gauntlet by refusing the demands of both Baron Bat Looking Demon and Marquis Deadbuffalo simultaneously. Both went on to claim right of Vendetta in the subsequent turn!

Just as these Vendettas were announced, The Beastattacked the Tower of Pride (P6), taking it from nife2o4 and rendering it once again neutral and effectively near-undefended. Good news for scavengers hoping to claim a Place of Power cheaply; bad news perhaps for the Vendetta claimants, for if their vendettas gambled on seizing a Place of Power from the Marquis, nife2o4 now only has one left to take (The Temple of Lust, P5)...

The Bat moved his Disciples (B1) southwards, while Deadbuffalo's Slaves (D1) moved two cantons north within range of the Tower of Pride. In answer, Marquis Nife moved his powerful Chosen (N2) to the canton immediately south of said tower, interposing it between Deadbuffalo's slaves.



From your not-so-humble correspondent's perch, it would appear that Deadbuffalo's Slaves would just have the edge in a direct fight. Alas for Deadbuffalo, he mistimed his Vendetta claim, as the rules of precedence allowed nife2o4 to move first on the crucial turn 18, the first turn of the vendetta...

Meanwhile, and largely unnoticed as no vendetta existed between them, the Darkwing Legion (L2) of Lord Legion advanced into position on nife2o4's border also.


The tactical situation in Marquis nife2o4's lands at the start of turn 18. Note the eyeball, which is Lord Legion's legion, the Darkwing Legion (L2), which has a flying move of 3.

Turn 18's actions

And so it was that Deadbuffalo was to make his moves on the very turn that his actions were set to be executed last in precedence.

Lord Legion flew his Darkwing Legion to the presently unowned Tower of Pride, thereby capturing it.

Baron Bat Looking Demon advanced his Disciples to a position immediately north of nife2o4's remaining Place of Power, the much desired Temple of Lust, which would appear to be a fight said Disciples are almost certain to win.

Marquis nife2o4 moved his Chosen south and southeast, running around Deadbuffalo's Slaves and threatening Deadbuffalo's own Palace of Gluttony.

Only then would Deadbuffalo's orders, whatever they were, be executed. What they were I cannot say; in all evidence, his Slaves failed to move at all. Perhaps they realised the hopelessness of their strategic position and no-orders were given, or perhaps the orders given were superseded by events earlier in the order of precedence. Whatever the case, it is clearly not the outcome Marquis Deadbuffalo was hoping for.


The tactical situation after turn 18's actions were processed. Note the Tower of Pride is now Lord Legion's, but that the Darkwing Legion he used to capture it has disappeared. Note that Deadbuffalo's Slaves did not move.

Then an event: The Infernal Conclave dispatches inquisitors to root out disloyal legions and banish them to the Abyss. Who instigated this I cannot say; although the Archfiends with only their unwaveringly loyal starting legion (Kat, nife2o4 and Deadbuffalo) would stand to gain the most. It eventuates that the Darkwing Legion of Lord Legion and the Chains of Torment of Baron Bat Looking Demon are the (apparent) casualties. My own Hell Blades proved loyal, of course.

Whether in anticipation of these events or otherwise, Lord Legion also purchased the legion known as "the Defilers" this turn, who manifest just east of his stronghold.

I also present my own sally in the Conclave; before the assembled Archfiendery, I call Marquis nife2o4 a corpulent coward unworthy of his inflated prestige station. He can either accept the insult and cede prestige to me, or refuse it and be forced to claim vendetta against me - but while he is already in vendetta with two other archfiends, will he dare to?

Meanwhile, The Beast remains quiescent. Whom shall it strike next?

Weird (and very exciting!) turn of events. I'm not sure why the Darkwings have disappeared, unless somebody dispatched them with a cunning or wrath ritual? I guess I'll see what the turn log says this evening.

edit: note to self, read the text before replying, don't just look at the pretty pictures. D'oh.

Turn 18 was weird, turn 19 seems weirder to me. Clearly there is a lot of attention on the Tower of Pride. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to EduardoX's legion...

Meanwhile, Meserach is rapidly catching up with nife2o4 in prestige without having to expend as much tribute on those pesky vendettas.

You are dead, deadbuffalo!
Wait.
That didn't come off as menacing as I would have liked.

How on earth did Bat Looking Demon's Disciples end up not moving and also losing all but one hit point? A wrath ritual? But from whom? His only Vendetta is with nife2o4...

A base and gross mis-characterisation of the situation. While not only being almost 20 prestige points ahead at present count, as long as he keeps hold of the Temple of Lust, the Marquis nife2o4 has an effective extra 30 prestige thanks to his Lust objective.

Such baseless speculation! Perhaps Bat Looking Demon's Disciples were simply stopped and injured by some other fickle twist of fate. Hell has many ways to wound. Also Meserach has the higher rate of prestige income with my loss of my loyal subjects to the Beast. It is only a matter of time until I am surpassed by someone that just has to sit quietly and wait while I am besieged on all sides!

I do NOT like this^.

Ok, after looking at it a little bit closer, turn 19 makes a little more sense. Bat Demon would have lost his legion and praetor most likely had he pressed the attack on the temple of lust. I wasn't sure if it was that it was a retreat rule or a combat card, but the ownership of that hex directly 2 above the temple of lust makes it clear. He moved to take an extra canton away from nife2o4 right before the census. Since the tower of pride is isolated from Legion's borders, i figured I might as well cut off access to such a valuable PoP since for another turn or 2 i'm always a step behind nife2o4. Based on Legion's movements this was the right step to take.

This is about all the action this turn, nife2o4 successfully took control of the palace of gluttony.
Kat and Mesearch both just continue to sit where they are,above the fray.

The reason I'm now (in-game) hating you is that you could have secured a border with the Tower of Pride without cutting me off. Which won't do you much good anyway if/when you try to take it from me, 'cause we'll be in a vendetta, so I'll have access through that hex of your territory. BUT! Being cut off from it, when Nife (who is the prestige leader and apparently your main target) comes knocking at its doors I'll have a harder time defending it. Therefore, RAAAWR! My vengeance shall know no restraint!*


*yeah ok not really, gotta worry about other fiends with better winning chances than either of us, and be open to compromise. But that's what I would like.

Turn 19's actions

As covered above, and for reasons that remain... disputed, Baron Bat Looking Demon's Disciples (B1) were injured, reduced to 1 hit point. Whether in anticipation of that or not, they also did not march on the Temple of Lust (P5) as expected; instead retreating by one canton to the north east, thus claiming that canton as new territory for the Bat (as you can only claim cantons adjacent to your existing territory). Marquis Deadbuffalo and Lord Legion, meanwhile, moved to secure cantons adjacent to the Tower of Pride (P6) that Lord Legion so cunningly seized on the previous turn.


Tactical situation near the Temple of Lust, after Turn 19's actions. Note the Disciple's (bird head) low hit points, and that the canton they have moved to has been claimed for Baron Bat Looking Demon. Note also the movements of Marquis Deadbuffalo (bull heads) and Lord Legion's (eyeball) legions, attempting to secure access routes to the Tower of Pride.

To the south, the Marquis nife2o4 has cleverly managed to steal his legion away from the warfare in his territory and claim the Palace of Gluttony (P8) from Marquis Deadbuffalo. This manoeuvre gains nife2o4 a replacement for the Tower of Pride, albeit one now separated from his main holdings. Evidently not eager to enter into additional conflict, Marquis nife2o4 also accepts the insult made by the great Duke Meserach (me!) in full view of the Conclave, ceding Prestige to me thereby.

Baron kat awakes from her apparent torpor to make a demand of Baron Bat Looking Demon.

At the end of these actions, the second Infenral Census is held, awarding Prestige proportional to everyone's canton holdings once more.

Turn 20's actions

Baron Bat Looking Demon refuses the demand, giving Baron kat the right to claim Vendetta. Does he perhaps have designs on the Iron Staircase? Most unfortunately for him, however, The Beast also chooses this time to strike at her sole Place of Power, the Great Wheel of Pain (P9). With only one slothful legion, it appears Baron kat must choose between pressing the Vendetta and regaining the Wheel.

Elsewhere there are troop movements. Baron Bat Looking Demon moves his (still heavily injured) Disciples (B1) once again to the canton immediately north of the Temple of Lust (P5), but this time the movement claims the canton thanks to his own adjacent borders and continuing Vendetta. Marquis Deadbuffalo moves his Slaves (D1) around the Tower of Pride (P6) aiming apparently to cut off Marquis nife2o4's access to it, while Marquis nife2o4's own Chosen (N1) move northwards with a view to trying to connect the Palace of Gluttony (P2) back to his main territory. It remains to be seen whether these two legions will ever come to blows before the expiration of the vendetta...

Lord Legion's Slaves (L1), lacking an active vendetta with nife2o4 as yet, cannot advance to connect the Tower of Pride to the rest of his holdings.

Some mystery Archfiend appears to be assembling Manuscripts for the Rite of Blood, a sorcery said to boost one's Wickedness....

Prestige Totals at start of turn 21 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Marquis nife2o4 - 128 (+4 per turn)
Duke Meserach - 105 (+5 per turn)
Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 65 (+2 per turn)
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 61 (+2 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 51 (+0 per turn)
Baron kat - 45 (+0 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 21, with the drawing of the sixth Conclave Token (game ends and election held at 15 tokens).

Legend

Territory
Teal - Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
L1 - Slaves of Legion
L3 - The Defilers
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
N1 - Chosen of nife2o4
K1 - Disciples of kat
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo

Turn 21's actions

A dramatic turn! With the advantage of precedence in the turn order, Marquis nife2o4 elects to... banish the snake-like Praetor of Marquis Deadbuffalo to the Abyss through some dark sorcery. Unperturbed, however, the Slaves of Deadbuffalo (D1), now minus the Praetor but still with the fearsome Infernal Engine, march on and succeed in capturing the Temple of Lust (P5).

This action promptly ends the vendettas of Deadbuffalo and Bat Looking Demon - the former in success, the latter in failure. Deadbuffalot thus gains considerable Prestige; Baron Bat Looking demon loses some standing, and Marquis nife2o4's position is largely unaltered - except for all the territory he lost, of course.

Elsewhere, Baron kat claims vendetta against the Bat for her rejected demand; and the Duke (that is, me) makes a demand of Lord Legion. At the Bazaar, Baron kat purchases the services of the legion called the Abyssal Striders (K2), who are noted for their fleetness of foot - which should help counteract kat's inherent slothfulness. Additionally, a mystery Archfiend purchases a flying carpet artifact called the "Vasdrani Carpet". I can assure you it wasn't me; that thing would clash terribly with my colour scheme.

Turn 22-23's actions

With the vendettas against nife2o4 over, it's a time for consolidation amidst the remnants of his former lands. The Bat retreats his Disciples (B1), seizing a canton that straightens out his southern border as he goes; nife2o4 moves north with his Chosen (N1), claiming cantons adjacent to the river, but his demesnes will remain divided by Deadbuffalo.

Meanwhile, Baron kat uses his fresh Vendetta and moves his Disciples (D1) to seize cantons bordering the stronghold of Bat Looking Demon; he is now almost completely encircled. He also moves his new legion the Abyssal Striders (K2) to seize the canton immediately north of the Great Wheel of Pain (P9).

Lord Legion rejects my demand, and I accordingly claim vendetta!

Finally, the Praetor Raum is purchased from the Bazaar by an unknown Archfiend, and the 7th Conclave token is drawn....

Prestige Totals at start of turn 24 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Marquis nife2o4 - 131 (+2 per turn)
Duke Meserach - 105 (+5 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 88 (+2 per turn)
Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 76 (+2 per turn)
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 68 (+2 per turn)
Baron kat - 33 (+0 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 24, with the drawing of the seventh Conclave Token (game ends and election held at 15 tokens).

Legend

Territory
Teal - Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
L1 - Slaves of Legion
L3 - The Defilers
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
N1 - Chosen of nife2o4
K1 - Disciples of kat
K2 - Abyssal Striders
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

(it's not the disposable legion or the 7 prestige, it's the principle. Just one hit point, just one!)

Turn 24 vendetta update, yeah, I think this came a little bit closer than someone was expecting, certainly within a luck roll.

To be fair, the luck roll went my way. Still disappointing.

So anyway, now that Meserach cunningly attracted everybody's attention to the fact that he's the prestige leader and he's running away with +5 per turn, how will the others react?

It was incredibly close indeed, thanks to Lord Legion's deployment of some very powerful combat cards...

What's that kat, you need more ichor?

Turn 24 and 25's actions

The main interest this turn was in the little contretemps to my northern border, as I pursued my Vendetta against Lord Legion after his unaccountable rejection of my entirely reasonable demands. In an unexpectedly close-fought battle (due to the deployment of some dastardly tactics by my opponent in the form of a combat card which heavily improved his Defilers' (L3) Ranged stats), the incomparable Hell Blades slaughtered Legion's legion with only one health point of their own left remaining.

This satisfied the terms of my vendetta with Legion immediately, and I reaped the prestigious rewards. Let me here publicly assure Lord Legion that there are no hard feelings. I celebrate by hiring some new friends, the Plague Bearers (M3) who are just delightful at parties. Lord Legion purchases some new chums of his own on turn 25, the Fallen (L4). May I say that I sincerely hope this new legion endures with him for longer than the last two.

Meanwhile to my south, Baron kat led his Disciples (K1) to bisect the lands of Bat Looking Demon, thus winning his vendetta against him; he also marched his Abyssal Striders (K2) to seize back the Great Wheel of Pain that was torn from him by The Beast a number of turns back, and also the bridge over the river adjacent to them. He surely couldn't be considering a march on Pandemonium? What a terrible thought! In turn 25, kat continued this aggressive stance with demands to both Bat Looking Demon and Marquis Deadbuffalo.

Further bad news for the Bat comes as the very aforementioned Beast strikes at his own Place of Power, the Temple of the Damned (P2). Whether by luck of judgement, he's well placed to seize it back fairly shortly with his Disciples (B1).

Marquis nife2o4 is sending his Chosen (N1) in what would appear to be the direction of the Iron Staircase (P7) as he tries to rebuild his somewhat shattered holdings. Finally, Marquis Deadbuffalo appears to have done nothing at all; his Slaves (D1) remaining parked between the Temple of Lust (P5) they seized and the Tower of Pride (P6) that is still held by Lord Legion.

Prestige Totals at start of turn 26 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Duke Meserach - 142 (+5 per turn)
Marquis nife2o4 - 135 (+2 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 92 (+2 per turn)
Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 71 (+2 per turn)
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 64 (+0 per turn)
Baron kat - 41 (+1 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 26, with the drawing of the eighth Conclave Token (game ends and election held at 15 tokens).

Legend

Territory
Teal - Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
L1 - Slaves of Legion
L4 - The Fallen
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
M3 - The Plague Bearers
N1 - Chosen of nife2o4
K1 - Disciples of kat
K2 - Abyssal Striders
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo

Everyone in this game needs to stop what they're doing and take their turn. Turn 28 is too tense.

I start today to find that some cowardly member of the council is so afraid of my magnificence that they have started a fraudulent vote to have me excommunicated. I would ask that my fellow denizens vote down this proposal to remove me from the council. I have not moved against anyone that has not provoked me and have just by chance managed to remain the prestige leader (while Meserach will soon surpass me anyway no matter the outcome of this vote). This vote is simply a waste of the council's time and effort that could be better spent on other matters (like determining the thief that is looting all of our vaults and stealing our things). And I hope everyone will stand with me now so that you do not find yourself as the next person up for a sham election. Remember that a vote to keep me in council is a vote for all of our freedom.

I need to THINK, man! Such choices are not to be made lightly.

Actually, when you account for the 20 prestige that Meserach already has in the excommunication vote, he already has surpassed your prestige total (150 to 145)

Turn 26's actions

Turn 26 saw a considerable consolidation of almost everyone's position in hell, with nearly all archfiends seizing vacant Place of Power, purchasing new forces, or both.

Baron Bat Looking Demon marched his Disciples (B1) to take possession of the Temple of the Damned (P2) once more. He also hired the services of the Sisters of the Flame (B2), a legion possessed of a flaming aura. Ahem. His position bolstered by these new forces, the BAt also felt able to refuse fellow Baron kat's earlier demand. kat, for his part, seemed to anticipate this and moved his Abyssal Striders towards Bat's border.

The demand kat made to Marquis Deadbuffalo was conceded, however. Apparently unwilling to move his Slaves (D1) from their position next to the Temple of Lust (P5), the Marquis also hired new forces; a now uncomfortably overcrowded hell welcomes the Legion of the Damned (D2). This also has the happy effect of giving the Marquis a force deployed in the southern half of his divided demesne.

Dividing that vary demesne is fellow Marquis nife2o4. His Chosen (N1), still his only legion, claimed the long-ago Beast-wracked Iron Staircase (P7) that had once been Deadbuffalo's. Once again all Place of Power were held by some Archfiend...

...until The Beast again awoke from slumber and had the impertinence to finally assault my house, stripping the Altar of Abomination from my careful curating. I am most displeased.

Finally, the Praetor Thammuz is also hired by an unknown Archfiend.

Turn 27's actions

Baron kat claims vendetta, as you surely anticipated. Baron Legion purchases another new Legion, "Acheron's Butchers" (L5). As his stornghold unaccountably has no space adjacent on to which they can be legally deployed, they end up next to his Slaves (L1). The Praetor Haagenti, a very physical bull-headed fellow, is hired.

All this is next to irrelevant beside the big news, however: due to someone's manipulation of the Conclave, a vote will be held on whether or not to excommunicate Marquis nife2o4! Each Archfiend gets votes proportional to their rank. Should he be excommunicated, not only will his Prestige lead be for naught (as he will no longer be eligible for election), but also the protections of infernal diplomacy will no longer apply to him, putting him into a state of constant warfare with all other Archfiends and Pandemonium...

Prestige Totals at start of turn 28 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Marquis nife2o4 - 145 (+3 per turn)
Duke Meserach - 130 (+3 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 76 (+2 per turn)
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 63 (+2 per turn)
Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 55 (+2 per turn)
Baron kat - 19 (+1 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 28, the turn prior to the vote to excommunicate Marquis nife2o4 (still at 8/15 Conclave tokens).

Legend

Territory
Teal - Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
L1 - Slaves of Legion
L4 - The Fallen
L5 - Acheron's Butchers
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
M3 - The Plague Bearers
N1 - Chosen of nife2o4
K1 - Disciples of kat
K2 - Abyssal Striders
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
B2 - Sisters of the Flame
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo
D2 - Legion of the Damned

That was a weird turn of events, well, I'm sure Duke Meserach and Baron Kat are diabolically laughing now.
Just to describe what happened in detail for those who didn't see it, the excommunication vote was a nay vote. After much backroom dealings and preparations for all out war ,nife2o4 bought an extra legion, transfered his praetor to his stronghold, and Legion also picked up the cheap (like 2 souls, 3 ichor?) order of blood (5 range/5 melee which is good for a basic legion), surely to the dismay of many other demons . There were many messages of "vote yes" and "attack here" and well laid plans. My own vote was a nay to thwart what surely was one of Duke Meserach's schemes until I was convinced by several others, including Duke Meserach himself, to go with yes. As a result, me, Lord Legion, Baron Bat Looking Demon, have lost 20 prestige and Duke Meserach has cemented himself at the top with +10 prestige, and kat has caught up in the lower tier of prestige, but certainly still far away from the top.

Right now you have only Meserach at the top of the prestige, yeah nife2o4 is close, but he doesn't have easy access to any more PoPs, where Meserach can always just retake the alter of abomination. Lord Legion enjoyed the beast landing on Mt.Erebus and not the coveted tower of pride this turn as well, and will continue to enjoy his +2 tribute roll.

Turn 31 keeps the pace of power moves.



Legion has acquired a whole host of um... Legions, including the Demon Spawn this turn. And at first I thought the game was bugged, because I couldn't see any of his legions. Then I realized there was a deception ritual for hiding all your legions from view unless you're adjacent to them. Clearly he is ready to defeat the rest of us and claim hell for himself. It's always the little Lords who try these sorts of things. Someone also bid much earlier on the Vasdranai Carpet and I think we're about to find out who. The 9th conclave token is also drawn this turn, but I have a funny feeling we're not going to get to 15.

In a not directly related note, I'll be starting a new SI game, 6 players, normal size map, probably Dante's peak, rectification and infernal census on. I think everyone agrees the census worked out well here, but i'd be open to having the census off. The goal is to try to do a turn a day.It takes about 40 to 60 days at that pace.If there's demand for a slower paced game then I would host that as well. I'll probably start a new thread for it so this game can stand alone in it's glory.

What's happening here? Who destroyed all my legions?!

Well ok, never mind.

I think the infernal census is mostly irrelevant, but the slight effect it has is positive. I would be up for another game btw, although I don't see this one ending quite so early. Excommunications aren't always permanent...

My most cherished correspondents;

I find myself sorely pressed for time; recent events have necessitated I take a more careful interest in the affairs of my domain. Hence my summary of events here will be brief and to the point; but do not take from this that you have in any sense diminished in my affections.

Turn 28's actions

• Marquis nife2o4 is found innocent thanks to the nay votes of myself and Baron kat, who reap prestige rewards thereby.
• Marquis nife2o4 purchase The Bloody Hands (N2), a legion which hit hard in melee and can resist some ranged damage. I think this was an attempt to defend his stronghold in case he had been excommunicated, as was his deployment of Haagenti, a Praetor, into his stronghold.
• In frustrated anticipation of nife2o4's excommunication, Marquis Deadbuffalo advances his mountain-walking Slaves (D1) onto a mountainous canton within range of nife2o4's stronghold. Only his unexpected non-excommunication saved nife2o4 from a possibly fatal attack.
• Lord Legion hires The Order of The Skull, another legion.
• The Beast finally completes his rounds, causing Lord Legion to lose possession of The Summit of Mount Erebus (P1).
• Baron kat's vendetta against Baron Bat Looking Demon continues, with the Bat advancing his Disciples (B1) over the bridge to threatend kat's Great Wheel of Pain (P9), while kat advances his Disciples (K1) southward. Around this time, Baron Bat Looking Demon's legion, the Sisters of the Flame (B2), mysteriously disappear. I imagine they ended up in combat with the Disciples of kat and were crushed...

Turn 29's actions

• Marquis Deadbuffalo presents a demand against Bsron kat before the Conclave.
• With their vendetta continuing, Baron Bat Looking Demon captures the Great Wheel of Pain (P9) from Baron kat. Baron kat moves his Abyssal Striders (K2) to a position adjacent but does not thereby prevent the capture. Meanwhile, the Disciples of kat (K1) move eastward to cut Bat Lookign Demon's stronghold off from the bulk of his lands.
• Lord Legion recaptures The Summit of Mount Erebus (P1).
• The Conclave conducts the third census, awarding prestige to all houses in proportion to their territorial claims.
• Marquis nife2o4 purchases another legion, The Creeping Doom (M3). They're like the Bloody Hands but more so: they do massive melee (10) but nothing in ranged or infernal... but they do resist a little damage in both phases. DEplotyed south of his stronghold, nife2o4's legions now collectively boost the melee stat of his stronghold to very high levels...
• An unknown Archfiend purchases the services of the Praetor Abraxas.
• The Beast has now returned to slumber for another few aeons. We're all very glad that's over.

Turn 30's actions

• Baron kat refuses Marquis Deadbuffalo's demand, permitting him to claim vendetta next turn
• Meanwhile, kat's vendetta with Bat Looking Demon ends in failure. Prestige is awarded accordingly.
• Lord Legion purchases yet another legion, The Accursed company, bringing him to five current legions.

Turn 31's actions

• I recapture the Altar of Abomination (P4) that The Beast so rudely stripped from me during turn 26.
• Rumours of weakness and decrepitude spread about Lord Legion, who loses Prestige accordingly.
• Kat brings a new demand against Bat Looking Demon...
• Deadbuffalo claims vendetta against kat...
• ..and then all hell breaks loose. Marquis nife2o4 is excommunicated by the Conclave for performing a destruction ritual against Pandemonium... and then Lord Legion is also excommunicated for framing another house through the use of deceit rituals (i.e. for framing nife2o4!). Despite this, by the laws of hell both excommunications stand!
• Lord Legion then purchases yet another legion, The Hell Spawn...
• ...and then all his legions mysteriously vanish! A high level deceit ritual is to be suspected, which is simply concealing his massive army of at least six legions from public sight.
• Almost unnoticed amidst all this, the ninth Conclave Token is finally drawn....

Prestige Totals at start of turn 32 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Duke Meserach - 199 (+5 per turn)
The Usurper, Marquis nife2o4 - 171 (+3 per turn) - excommunicated, ineligible to win through Prestige
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 106 (+3 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 82 (+2 per turn)
The Outcast, Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 75 (+2 per turn) - excommunicated, ineligible to win through Prestige
Baron kat - 74 (+0 per turn)


The state of play as of the start of Turn 32, with the excommunication of Marquis nife2o4 and Lord Legion, and the drawing of the ninth Conclave Token (game ends and election held at 15).

Legend

Territory
Teal - The Outcast, Lord Legion's (Saccaroa) territory
Red - Duke Meserach's territory
Magenta - The Usurper, Marquis nife2o4's territory
Blue - Baron kat's territory
Green - Baron Bat Looking Demon's (EduardoX) territory
Yellow - Marquis Deadbuffalo's territory

Places of Power
P1 - The Summit of Mount Erebus (Prestige +1, +2 Deceit roll)
P2 - The Temple of the Damned (Prestige +2)
P3 - The Pit of Tartarus (Prestige +3)
P4 - The Altar of Abomination (Prestige +2)
P5 - The Temple of Lust (Prestige +2)
P6 - The Tower of Pride (Prestige +1, +2 Tribute roll)
P7 - The Iron Staircase (Prestige +1)
P8 - The Palace of Gluttony (Prestige +2)
P9 - The Great Wheel of Pain (Prestige +1)

Legions
Lord Legion's legions are presently invisible, and hence not on the map!
M1 - Slaves of Meserach
M2 - The Hell Blades
M3 - The Plague Bearers
N1 - Chosen of nife2o4
N2 - The Bloody Hands
N3 - The Creeping Doom
K1 - Disciples of kat
K2 - Abyssal Striders
B1 - Disciples of Bat Looking Demon
D1 - Slaves of Deadbuffalo
D2 - Legion of the Damned

The next few turns or so will be absolutely critical. Freed from the constraints of infenral diplomacy, both Marquis nife2o4 are newly powerful but newly vulnerable, being able to invade other's territory at will, while also being allowed to be invaded equally at will. In particular, they can have their strongholds attacked directly by anyone, something diplomatic rules otherwise make it very difficult to do - but in return they can also freely attack out strongholds. Anyone who loses their stronghold is immediately eliminated from contention, banished to the Abyss for an eternity...

How will Lord Legion's invisible army move? Is anyone's stronghold vulnerable to a sudden strike? Has the few turns respite between excommunication attempts given nife2o4 enough time to prepare, and against whom will he move? How will the less vulnerable parties (kat, mostly) choose to exploit the situation?

A minor correction, that's not how the rules work. If I had tried to frame Nife and I had been successful, only he would have been excommunicated. If on the other hand I failed, only I would be. So what the messages in the log really mean is that I unsuccessfully tried to frame someone else while Nife was excommunicated for independent reasons (or I also tried to frame him and succeeded, which is very implausible accounting for how difficult the challenge roll is).

Oho! A most interesting claim, oh Outcast. I confess I have never been mooted by traitorous impulses as to conduct a detailed examination of the rules for excommunication.

Oh, and just to be thorough, there is a third possibility: that I tried to frame Nife, failed, but he happened to be excommunicated anyway for some unrelated reason.

Turn 32's actions

My dearest correspondents

This turn began with... hmm? What's that?

What is it, minion?

Don't be absurd. A flying legion at my very gates, far stronger than they would initially appear? Ridiculous.

In any case, I have received distressing word that my closest friend, the so-called Usurper Marquis nife2o4 has been overwhelmed by the forces of Marquis Deadbuffalo, his stronghold falling and being banished to the Abyss. What a terrible fate to..

Minion, I told you once! How dare you interrupt! Begone!

Minion?

...

Oh.

...it appears I have underestimated Lord Legion....

(Recovered from the former stronghold of the now-banished Duke Meserach. The missive ends here with some rather unsightly stains.)

Prestige Totals at start of turn 33 (with current earning rates from Places of Power)

Duke Meserach - 199 (+5 per turn) BANISHED TO THE ABYSS
The Usurper, Marquis nife2o4 - 171 (+3 per turn) - excommunicated, ineligible to win through Prestige BANISHED TO THE ABYSS
Baron Bat Looking Demon (EduardoX) - 109 (+3 per turn)
Marquis Deadbuffalo - 98 (+5 per turn)
Baron kat - 81 (+0 per turn)
The Outcast, Lord Legion (Saccaroa) - 75 (+5 per turn) - excommunicated, ineligible to win through Prestige

I am not prepared at all to be in the lead. I did not ask for this!