I’m very glad that there aren’t secret pacts in this game. The diplomatic part is hard enough with open pacts.
Note that it’s not about hurt feelings either, I consider myself pretty good in separating these things. However, it is quite stressful in itself to have to deal with secret pacts, the plotting potential makes that I spend way too much time thinking about the game, and overall I don’t think I even enjoy it.
I agree with this, it would be nice is spectators wouldn’t join the discussions about the game itself.
I will play M10, following it up with M9 next round if @Samraku removes liberties from K3. If @martin3141 plays K9 after Samraku’s move, this would become a double atari and thus game over for Samraku.
If @Samraku does not remove liberties from K3, I will play passively next round.
FROM THE DESK OF THE GRANDILOQUENT EMDASHED HJT OF THE GREEN FEDERATION
To the Righteous Heir of the Rosy Vibrant Kingdom @NeilAgg —
With welcome arms I greet thee to our table. It is my dearest of hopes that we may be able to affirm & enrich our Alliance of Tradition. For what is a Rose without its Leafy Thorn?
It is the stance of the Green Federation to endorse any Gobanian Kingdom in quick & vehement defense against invasion. Should the Orange Organization seek adrenaline in the clashing of swords—then help them to their Blazing Orange Destiny.
Out of Character
We’re finding that some people like the diplomatic/roleplaying complication more than others. I personally love it, especially since this gameplay does appear to be rather aggressively territory-oriented, so not very technical. (I think the relatively small board size could have something to do with that.) I’m enjoying over-thinking the game, so to each their own.
These seem like great discoveries in the testing of this variant
Also, a note: the Capture Go rules means no passing, so surplus territory will really matter when we start to fill in.
So while my play appears like a suicide mission, and it more or less it, but let’s face it so is playing any other move. If I play passively I end up last, if I play aggressively I end up last.
So I would rather to go out in a fight than wait 10+ more turns to self Atari.
In fact, I was hoping that some situation I create on the board might prompt other players into action in order to better their position rather than play passively.
The greatly weakened tengen nation appreciates your support.
Azure has indicated a willingness to assist Pink, but an Orange stone at L2 would create a tiger’s mouth directly above it that Azure cannot risk to play in. However, it seems difficult to make L2 work, when it may essentially be 2 moves against 1, and Azure can anyways continue with their plans at K4. It’d be difficult for another color to join that fray without risking too much.
Maybe a simple extension to K4 buys some time for that outpost by creating some more liberties?
Oh sorry, I completely forgot about that issue. As far as I’m aware, @Auri is gone from the game, and @NeilAgg has offered to take over. This was brought up several days ago, and I don’t think there was any objections.
I think we’re good to go with @NeilAgg replacing @Auri, but please speak up if there are any concerns.
To the leader of the tengen nation:
You have invaded our lands and continued your aggressiveness towards us. We cannot accept these actions and have no choice but to declare war on you. We will defend our lands to our dying breath.
To the Grandiloquent Emdashed HJT of the Green Federation:
The tengen army has also attacked your lands with impunity. I strongly urge you to fight them off and remove them from your lands.
We must advance our troops to L5 in order to protect ourselves from this vicious invasion of our proud nation.
The Supreme Commander of the Great Heliotrope Empire
The wind of Northern Gobania bites cold against my face. However this cold is no match for the conflagration within mine chest. I watch with unbridled pride as my soldiers stand at attention, awaiting my command at the Great Eighth Latitude.
We hear news of nations across Gobania meeting at their borders with increasing tension. I’ve even heard rumors of duplicity between the Grand Crimson @Vsotvep and their southern neighbor The Oceanic @Samraku. It is my dearest hope that Their Radiance @martin3141 does not get swept into any scheming. The Green Folk have always been fond of that singularly Yellow style of raucous drumming and music-making. In fact, I think I can hear their drumbeats now, drifting across the equator.
I agree with your assessment, Oh Heliotripic One — the time has come for unequivocal action. The Ever-Floral Green & Pink Alliance shall be one to shake the wood we stand upon. It is most unfortunate that the people of the Orange Organization must fall before our might—but all of Gobania must understand our power.
Wishing thee good fortune and clarity in strategy,
— The Esteemed Emdashed HJT
