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This is the song I queue up right before a turn when I'm planning for glorious action. Every time. Never fails.  8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esmxa3Zk7TA

Do actual humans play there, or are they all Turning Bots? Seriously. I'm not even joking. Nothoi's been called a graveyard, but at least there's anecdotal evidence that people actually communicate with each other IC. What's up in Spearhold?

It's in caps, so you know it's gonna be good.

We've had these threads before, but I love them every time they pop up and I think it's time to get another one going. I'm interested in stories. Let's hear about the funniest/craziest/coolest character/battle/shenanigan you can recall witnessing in BM. The older, the better. New stuff is also welcome! And frankly, too many people are taking this game way too seriously. It's time to deflate the balloon and sit in awe of/laugh at the collective hijinx over the years.

I'd like to start this party by giving a nod to the Ninja Assassin Wizard that was Jaeger Guile. Through the crafty use of scrolls, this infiltrator would drop monster bombs in Melhed, teleport to another realm, stab the Melite Queen, and then teleport away for plausible deniability. The guy was a one man army for the better part of two weeks, and did as much as any single army to lock that war up. His actions also started a raging debate in Thalmarkin about what "honor" meant, and whether we had become a realm of necromancing northmen. So, here's to you, Ninja Assassin Wizard. Blazing a trail with an army of undead in the vanguard.

At any given moment, #thalmarkin is more active than at least eleven other channels (including the main channel—#battlemaster) combined. I have no idea what that signifies, but considering it's mostly talking about Noldorin's french girlfriend (lately) or borderline-childish sexual innuendo (frequently), it must not be anything bad. This is why Thal is sometimes jokingly referred to as an IC clan by the people who play there. It's a joke. Seriously, don't even try to read too much into it.

So, consider this a challenge for those of you who are maybe the chatty type but not especially proficient with IRC, or really active on BM and thus capable of being on IRC, to find a way to connect with other people that play in your realm(s). It's pretty rewarding.

http://np.ironhelmet.com/

Neptune's Pride is a multiplayer game of Strategy, Intrigue and Galactic Conquest!

The game is real-time and played over several weeks. You can log in at any time of the day to check the progress of your fleets, view the results of battles and issue new orders.

It's the game you know and love with a twist. A 4x Strategy game with its complexity stripped away to reveal an exciting game of diplomacy and strategic command.

PC Gamer UK - Webgame of the Year!
"Five weeks of plotting, bluffing and double-crossing with Neptune's Pride, the most duplicitous strategy game of the year."

Edge Magazines - Most Effective Tool for Ruining Freindships!
"It's either the ultimate office game or an exercise in social devastation"

This is absolutely my new hotness. It works beautifully on phones, tablets, desktops, you name it. Games take WEEKS AND WEEKS. You theoretically only need to spend 5 minutes a day, but I'm sure this crowd could spend hours. It's in beta, and free accounts are only limited to one game at a time, which may be the way to go if you're just learning. Otherwise, it's $2 a month for quite a bit more. It isn't super complicated, though. It strips out a lot of the monotonous stuff in 4X games. I would liken in to BM: WI in space and with a rudimentary tech tree and far better messaging. My alias is Solari if anyone wants to track me down.

This is maybe the coolest synthesis of of IC, OOC, and "personalization" I've seen from a banker, ever, and from anyone in very recent memory. Michael, I don't know if you're on the forums, but I hope you don't mind me sharing it. Even if you do, I kind of don't care, because you should be cheered for this. ;-P

Report from Brant Everland   (9 hours, 24 minutes ago)
Message sent to: Dunbor, Enzo, Fingolfin, Immanuel, Jaeger, Outo Olavi
My King, Dukes of Thalmarkin, Baron of Jedinchel and Margrave of Sandefur,

I'm afraid while collecting information for the last report, all indications are that Thalmarkin's future is a bit more tight than we've become accustomed to.  (OOC the rebalance)

Unger:  Taxes have every indication of increasing, our investments have paid off and it looks as though some of the tradesmen have decided to stay. Unfortunately, they've built homes atop what was some of Unger's last farms.  (Gold +40%, Food -24%)

Sandefur: The fishermen report finding some great crabbing grounds, I suggest a claw excise, to take advantage of it.  The citizens have been taken with my plans for them to plant victory gardens... it won't feed them entirely, but should provide a little more support.
(Gold +15%, Food +95%)

Vore:  I'm sorry to report, Duke Outo, that Vore's distance from the trade routes are slightly reducing the amount of income available from trade fees.  Farmers have left their farms fallow, in search of better markets.
(Gold -19%, Food -24%)

Jedinchel:  As my representative was touring the mines, your workers struck a new vein of gold.  I expect that as soon as the area around it is cleared, excavations there should yield a considerable revenue source.  This means more men will be pressed into service at the mine, and away from the goat herding. I suspect this new richness will put your region on par with Sandefur in terms of gold revenue.
(Gold +42%, Food +37%)

Though these four regions support the most change, overall Thalmarkin will lose 22% of it's food production and 2.5% of our revenue.  Even without 22% of our food, we will be self sufficient but will not have much to spare.  The winters will see your regions starve if you do not start stocking up on food now.

Duke Dunbor, please enlighten us how you manage such a magnificent tax rate?  I'm sure the lords of Jedichel and Sandefur would love to emulate that.  If those regions were able to manage Unger's tax rate, we would easily offset any revenue loss from the rural regions.

My scribe has attached the full report:   https://rapidshare.com/files/1450063128/Thalmarkin.xlsx

Report from Brant Everland   (9 hours, 15 minutes ago)
Message sent to everyone in your realm (47 recipients)
Knights looking for estates,

The following regions have estates open with what I estimate to be acceptable revenue:
Lastfell
Mouzl
Orde
Qual
Unger

The following regions have estates open with limited revenue:
Affkat
Kannoktet
Luhgrethen
Yermon


The following regions lords should strongly consider opening an additional estate and taking on a knight:
Pomatim
Ukh

Report from Brant Everland   (9 hours, 10 minutes ago)
Message sent to everyone in message group "Royal Advisors" (26 recipients)
Lords,

Region tax rates:  If you have a 10% tax rate and are making gold requests, you're doing it wrong.  This is how your tax rates compare against those of your peers.  Keep in mind, that if your tax rate is much lower than your neighbor's then you are making the management of his region more difficult.  A 14-15% rate can easily be sustained without maintenance.  Again, this is informational, to know how you measure against the other lords.  I am not ordering you to maintain any tax rate.

Affkat 10%
Bessimir 15%
Coness 12%
Crim 10%
Jedinchel 15%
Kannoktet 18%
Lastfell 10%
Luhgrethen 16%
Mouzl 15%
Orde 14%
Pellan 14%
Pomatim 15%
Qual 14%
Rafferty 10%
Sandefur 9%
Ukh 16%
Unger 24%
Vore 17%
Wailing Wood 17%
Winifael 16%
Yermon 15%

A New Prophet   
message to the rulers of Atamara
Jovyl Filador, Count of Tarkhog has founded a new religion called "The Way of Da Great Goat" and become its first prophet, devoting his life to religion from now on. He has stepped down from all positions.

YES. YEESSSSS.

[Realm]

Attribution: kudos to Velax for being OCD enough to instigate this with his Grand Survey of the Far East Island!

Ever wonder how big a realm is? What about a continent? Well then, this thread is for you. I think some of you will be surprised by the numbers. I know I was. Point of clarification: these numbers are based on total land area. There aren't really any internal bodies of water in BM. At least, none that contribute to the region geometry calculations! Some amusing observations (these are jokes—sorta):

• Perdan and Suville are roughly each the size of North Korea. It certainly felt that way playing there.
• BoM is roughly the size of Nicaragua. Both were, for a very long time, run by an unquestioned dictator with highly questionable taste.
• Sint and Syria are comparable in size. Which is funny, because everyone else on BT seems to hope that Sint will tear itself apart in a similar fashion.
• Nothoi is almost exactly the size of Greece. A realm created explicitly with a Greek theme. Name, position names, culture, etc. How can this be coincidence?
• Terran and D'Hara are comparable in size fo the UAE. Perhaps that's what all this talk about "occidentalism" is!
• Luria Vesperi is a) the size of the Palestinian Territories and b) totally surrounded and blockaded by Luria Nova. Heh.

East Continent

Realm	Sq Mi	Sq Km	Comparable Country
Perdan:	47,993	124,301	North Korea
Sirion:	98,429	254,930	Gabon
Caligus:	69,068	178,885	Cambodia
Obsidian Islands:	25,651	66,435	Ireland
Westmoor:	28,941	74,956	Panama
Nivemus:	47,373	122,695	North Korea
Eponllyn:	30,186	78,181	Czech Republic
Armonía:	27,226	70,515	Sierra Leone
Continent:	374,867	970,901	Egypt

Atamara

Realm	Sq Mi	Sq Km	Comparable Country
(rogue)	11,613	30,077	Belgium
Eston	40,293	104,358	Guatemala
Talerium	43,957	113,848	Honduras
Cagilan Empire	87,430	226,442	Ghana
Darka	75,040	194,352	Senegal
Barony of Makar	44,845	116,148	Nicaragua
Tara	79,190	205,101	Belarus
Minas Ithil	1,673	4,333	Cape Verde
Carelia	14,790	38,305	Bhutan
Caergoth	21,240	55,011	Togo
Suville	47,913	124,094	North Korea
Coria	39,954	103,480	Eritrea
Strombran	30,706	79,528	Czech Republic
Minas Leon	17,759	45,995	Slovakia
Rieleston	10,702	27,718	Haiti
Continent	567,105	1,468,796	Iran

Beluaterra

Realm	Sq Mi	Sq Km	Comparable Country
Melhed	31,323	81,126	Austria
Enweil	65,362	169,286	Uruguay
Old Grehk	42,818	110,898	Benin
Riombara	61,131	158,328	Suriname
Thalmarkin	57,698	149,437	Nepal
Sint	71,552	185,318	Syria
Fronen	33,998	88,054	Serbia
Nothoi	50,884	131,789	Greece
Continent	449,187	1,163,389	Bolivia

Dwilight

Realm	Sq Mi	Sq Km	Comparable Country
(rogue)	68,048	176,243	Cambodia
Zuma Coalition	37,740	97,746	South Korea
Grand Duchy of Fissoa	30,622	79,310	Czech Republic
Astrum	56,402	146,080	Nepal
Terran	32,339	83,757	United Arab Emirates
D'Hara	33,091	85,705	United Arab Emirates
Corsanctum	25,129	65,083	Sri Lanka
Morek Empire	62,633	162,218	Suriname
Libero Empire	21,599	55,941	Croatia
Asylon	30,483	78,950	Czech Republic
Barca	21,092	54,628	Togo
Luria Nova	53,974	139,792	Tajikistan
Aurvandil	25,003	64,757	Sri Lanka
Iashalur	34,680	89,820	Hungary
Luria Vesperi	2,141	5,545	Palestinian Territories
The Falkirkian Freestate	14,690	38,046	Bhutan
Farronite Republic	26,276	68,054	Ireland
Swordfell	20,399	52,833	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Continent	596,341	1,544,517	Iran

I had some free time and thought I'd work out just how much of the Far East each realm covers, in square miles. Here's the list:

Arcaea: 83435 square miles (22.42%)
Cathay: 60276 square miles (16.20%)
Coralynth: 28672 square miles (7.70%)
Greater Aenilia: 43223 square miles (11.62%)
Kindara: 55809 square miles (15.00%)
Ohnar West: 34625 square miles (9.30%)
Principality of Zonasa: 41370 square miles (11.12%)
Sorraine: 24714 square miles (6.64%)
Total: 372124 square miles

Colonies

Where are the Colonies?! In order to patch trading distance problems on the colonies, we applied a quick fix related to region geometry. What this meant was that, when we ran these numbers, the Colonies were like twice the size of Dwilight. I'll look into a fix, but no promises. One could assume, based on the numbers above, that the Colonies are roughly half, but more likely a third, the size of EC.

I am aware of the problem and am on the case. That is all.

Alright, it's time to fix the mobile site.

While the code base is being ported, we're going to do this with CSS. There's quite a bit I can change with CSS, and I'd like to start with the messages page. There is one glaring omission on the current mobile site that I will rectify first: the lack of colored message types. This is an easy fix, but I also got to thinking: wouldn't it be nice if we could also improve the way that personal messages are depicted? You're all familiar with the single border on the left side to indicate a personal letter. Well, we might as well extend this to all the other message types. But what else? I can change the color of the heading for each message type (so that a personal request might have a slightly brighter color of green than the message body, for example). We can change the way the border looks. Etc., etc. Rather than impose one particular design vision on everyone else, I'm interested to hear what ideas people have, or have been kicking around.

So as I log in this morning, I noticed that a Kabrinski and Himoura stabbed each other in a duel on BT while a Kabrinski and Himoura are engaged in a huge political slap fight on Dwilight. Letters were even leaked where the Dwilight characters are referencing the BT characters. That's a serious rivalry, and it got me thinking about other PvP pairs (or triplets!) that have endured through the years.

Nominations? Try to provide some brief background for people who may be newer or haven't played with them.

[a lot]

I was on IRC a moment ago laying out a hypothetical war plan for someone. I get asked about General-stuff a lot, and it occurred to me that the forums really are the best place for this kind of back-and-forth education. That said, I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I remember Bedwyr had an idea once for this kind of "advanced topic" stuff, but I was thinking of a format more similar to Something Awful's Ask/Tell, where you just bombard a volunteer with questions about a particular topic.

FIRST: is this going on somewhere already? A quick check didn't reveal anything, but it wouldn't be the first time that I overlooked something.
SECOND: if not, is this something people would be interested in, and do we have volunteers? I'd like to have one thread for each topic, perhaps with a prefix to tie it back to a larger effort. Don't anyone go jumping the gun yet. Let's be deliberate and thorough about this.

Letter from Enzo Solari
Message sent to everyone in your realm (38 recipients)
Your Majesty, Lords and Ladies, Feared Warriors of Thalmarkin—

After much consideration, I do not believe that I shall be calling myself General Enzo after the next election. The Duchy of Sandefur requires a firm hand and loving care. As the tavern wenches of the kingdom can attest—my apologies to Lord Yusklin for the damage to his favorite tavern—Lord Enzo is up to the task! One of our commanders must take up the mantle. Each of them is capable. Not just because they have learned from the best—they have!—but also because I am confident that they will continue to enjoy the support of that realm which rose from earth and dust to reign supreme over the north. And to think, our greatest years lie ahead of us yet.

Years ago, House Dunbor sent for brash a yet capable young man who terrorized the knife-ears of Sirion for the Sultanate of Asena. That man has been imprisoned, stabbed, trampled, betrayed, and bloodied for his king and comrades. I have enjoyed every day of it, and I would have it no other way. It has been my deepest privilege and honor to be called General Enzo.

In arms,
Sir Enzo Solari
General of Thalmarkin
Duke of Sandefur
Margrave of Sandefur

Finally got my retirement duchy. WOOOOHOOOOO!  ;D

[The Path Of Chivalry]

I'd like to hear thoughts on religions that aren't really religions, but shells to keep religions out of realms, or more like guilds (ab)using the benefits that accrue to religions. I'll submit Exhibit A for consideration:

The Path Of Chivalry
The first organization of Oritolon, we are not what you might call a true religion.
The Path of Chivalry offers protection from enemy religions while supporting the chivalrous beliefs of loyalty, honor and trustworthiness.

The rank of the path goes as follows:

Elder Ranks:
the Almighty Cleatus: The current supreme leader of the path. Chief patron.(Equivalent to the Grandmaster of the Knights Templar.)
Exemplar of Chivalry: Senior rank in the path.

Honorary Ranks:
Honorary Member: Wise men and women that well are known for their lifelong contribution to the greater good of the realm and the path. True believer and upholder the code of Chivalry and Honor. They are real life example of all the teaching of Chivalry. Their achievements and fame are the greatest sources of inspiration to fellow follower of the path.
Role Model: New upcoming example of inspiration in the path. They are dedicating their life to promote the code of Chivalry and Honor. Although they have not yet achieved the achievements of honorary member, but they are certainly on their way to do so. One day they might become a honorary member.

Patron Ranks:
Chivalrous Paladin: Have demonstrated that they are able to uphold the value of Chivalry and made substantial financial contribution. Highest paying rank, require 50golds to advance to this rank.
Stranger of Chivalry: Inspired by Honorary Members and Role Models Already making advancement in rank of the path. They are learning the code of Chivalry and Honor. 25golds contribution to advance to this rank.

Follower: Entry rank, Just ordinary follower. Rank open to all noble. Free to join. Contact the elders if your finances are tight.

The welcome sign to the temples immediately states that it's not really a religion, but a State-run shell and protection racket. When I contacted a few people IC about it, I was told that you essentially have to bribe your way up the organization. While I admire the ruthless pragmatism on display in this religion, I have to wonder if it isn't so blatantly contrary to what was intended when religion was introduced that it borders on abuse.

Are there any other examples like this?

Umbrella thread for all general Lurian chatter which has no other home, defined as being about one of the following realms: Luria Nova, Luria Vesperi, Pian en Luries, and Solaria.

Okay, someone fill the rest of us in.  Last I heard, Aurvandil owed Barca a region.

• Got a character on EC?
• Think the BM map base layer could use a makeover?
• Does this map appeal to you?

If so, make sure you're logged into your EC character and enter http://battlemaster.org/dynamicmap3.php into your address bar.  Then, select the Geography layer in the layer list to the right. 

This thread is not for feedback.  Feedback goes here: http://forum.battlemaster.org/index.php/topic,1887.0.html

This thread is for feedback on the new geography map layer announced in the General Discussion forum.

Things I know need to be fixed:

• Bridges

Things you've suggested I improve:

• Nothing so far

lol "duckface"

Letter from Bowie Ironsides   (1 hour, 45 minutes ago)

Rulers of Dwilight,

So called "Prime Minister" Kalince has refused my duel challenge on the point that it is "illogical." I do not regard his notions of so called "logic," and therefore have decided to publicly insult him. We are two nobles at odds, since when does logic have anything to do with this? This is a point of honour, pride and the most important thing to a noble, territory claims. His theft of Sallowtown must be settled in the tradition set forth in our dignity as nobles: dueling!

Until he responds to my provocation as a proper noble should I shall no longer address him as Prime Minister, a title which, considering his treatment of this issue, he did not earn by being a real man. Instead, I shall address him as Duckface! I encourage all of you to join in the ridiculing. What real ruler does not accept a duel challenge when his honour and title is challenged? Especially when his right to rule someone else's city is called into question!

Duckface Kalince, when the Winter season is over I shall once again commence my trek to your islands. You have until the Spring to cower away in your little dress for when I arrive we must fight! As our peer rulers are witnesses, if the Duckface does not settle my issue with him he shall forever be the lowest of the low. Even lower than Low Edward Raiva! Yes, I went there.

My bullying is over for this season. Come Spring, you better believe it will resume.

Bowie Ironsides
Count of Ashrak

For public record, a copy of Arbiter Malus' recent speechifying on the inception of Solaria:

"It's probably time I write a formal statement, so let me start by saying this: I don't care very much for formalities, so we're doing away with some of them. Respect for institutions and feudal loyalties is central to our ethic, but cluttering up parchment and brains with pretty words should not be.

Why the name? It is not (exclusively) a paean to House Solari. We are the easternmost city of Dwilight. We are the first to rise with the sun, and the first ray of the Lurian Empire. It's appropriate and simple, I think.

What am I aiming to do with Solaria? We will provide grain for Lurian bellies and spears for Lurian borders. In return, we will govern ourselves.  We will become free peoples, and through this agreement our coffers will be full and our armies stronger. This agreement will allow us to eradicate the abominations and fully fund our northern and western expansions.

Councilors are executives, after a fashion. I am trusting them to manage affairs of state, our military and our growth and commerce. A liege and their vassal must be able to rely on Councilors for direction.

Owing to their new responsibilities, lieges will be elevated in standing. There will be only one council for the discussion of military, judicial and commercial matters, with the landed nobility of Solaria being its membership. We must learn to trust one another, and this will be the first gesture.

Knights and Dames shall expect an income sufficient to maintain arms if a warrior or to be justly compensated for service rendered as a courtier, priest, trader or else-wise. You have a right to be heard and fairly represented, and I expect to work out the full details of this with the first Justice.

I will announce more in the future. If you are willing to carve your fortunes out of the wilderness side by side, then welcome to a new opportunity, my lords, ladies and vassals."