Topics

1

Far East Island / Good luck to all

« on: May 27, 2015, 08:45:51 PM »

There are few things we can do to change the fact that Cathay is being marginalized in a continent that is controlled by old mindsets. And for that the King of Cathay should take personal responsibility in being unable to improve the situation. If a change to leadership could bring any hope to this realm, I would rather do that. And that leads to my decision to retire the characters of Liew’s. I could only hope a better player than me can add more favor to the stories of the realm of Cathay and of Far East, a player who is better at playing this game of word-master.

If I could play the characters again, I probably would make the same decisions. But I do regret in making one particular one, which is to appoint an uninspiring Duke into his position. That led to the departure of some talented players, which is a loss to the BM community.

There will be no rage quit, as I have become to take less and less personal feeling in playing the game. I cannot find enough energy to write an angry post on the forum, as I used to do at the time of iceberg. But I do feel disappointed in not being able to improve the situation myself.

I appreciate many players whose stories have enriched the community, and have made the experience worthwhile. On the other side, war is the place to show the ugliness of some human nature, which I have had enough. I really hate reading letters from some characters, who seem to enjoy repeating lies and contributing to the dark nature of this game. And this is not any excuse to exclude myself. My character is part of this world of lies and dishonesty, especially during the period of rebellion. If there is anything I learned from this war simulation game, this is it. Everything seems to happen naturally in any power struggle. No one should blame those lies and dishonesty. Instead those are appreciated by many as they indeed add favor to the game.

It is more so if you are on the losing side. In the past two years that I have played, OW and Cathay lost majority of their battles, yet they continue to be despised, not trusted, and marginalized. Unfortunately there is no way around it. Players of the two realms, no matter how new they are to the game, have to bear the consequences of the historical events that they are no part of. They have too few friends and too many enemies from the right beginning. The rest of the realms, in my opinion, have no actual reasons to fight against each other due to their historical ties. 

So good luck to the game that I loved for two years and to all the players. This experience will always be remembered by me. Gosh I really miss Angela and Usul. Maybe it’s just the right time that Bofeng should leave his throne to seek his soulmate. I hope Cathay and Far East would be a better place without an incapable and tired King.

2

Helpline / What will happen if an army sponsor left the game?

« on: September 11, 2014, 06:07:04 AM »

The army sponsor was paused due to inactivity. What will happen next? Will the army get dissolved?

3

Feature Requests / Generate automatic timeline in wiki for important events (revised)

« on: August 05, 2014, 09:11:43 PM »

Summary:
Much like generating the “unique items” timeline, BM should automatically log important events (huge battles, diplomatic changes, etc) to separate wiki pages.


Related posts:

Improved World News [feature request] http://forum.battlemaster.org/index.php/topic,5923.0.html
Imperial Calendar [Far East] http://forum.battlemaster.org/index.php/topic,5985.0.html
Request: add a property for published documents on wiki [wiki] http://forum.battlemaster.org/index.php/topic,6031.0.html

Details:

Much like generating the “unique items” timeline, BM should automatically log important events (huge battles, diplomatic changes, etc) to separate wiki pages. This will allow automatic generation of the history timeline on the wiki, both for a single realm and for the whole island, or even for each region or a noble.

We should add another infobox called Infobox:events. Then add at least several properties.
The following important events should be documented into wiki (revised, in order of importance):

1.   Creation and Perishing of a realm
2.   Rebellion
3.   Rumours of a Miracle
4.   Tournaments
5.   Unnatural death
6.   Huge battles.
7.   Diplomatic changes
8.   Change in government office
9.   Allegiance change
10.   Lordship change
11.   Noble initiated referendum (e.g. passing a law)

Benefits:

1.   More access to world news to other continents as mentioned in the other post.
2.   Add greater exposure to the wiki.
3.   Players may start adding RPs to the battle wiki page.
4.   Record the history. Much of the BM history is lost forever. No one can remember the king before the previous one or who were the generals during a war two years ago.
5.   Allow manually logging in other important events using the infobox and the “properties”. This allows historians to work in wiki to compile history for a continent, a realm, a region, or a historical figure.
6.   Character wiki page can automatically generate a list of events that are related to the character: leading an army in a huge battle, elected to a position, lordship, death


Implementation considerations:

1.   We should implement the features one by one in order of importance.
2.   We can add details to the wiki page gradually.
3.   Page title for the events must be distinguish from each other
4.   Huge battles: There are currently 16 huge battles in Dwilight last month. World-wide there would be 100? Annually that would be around 1,200. That just seems like too many “huge” battles for this world. But the counter argument is that it’s really hard to draw the line because realms can be large or small. With the wiki page, players can now add RP stories directly to that battle page. That will be terrific. BM has lost a lot of RP stories related to the battles, which are rarely posted on forum or wiki. The best part of it is that players outside of the related realms can now access all these wonderful RP stories.
5.   If the event is linked to multiple realms or multiple nobles, there shouldn’t be multiple pages. There should be only one page with multiple “property”.
6.   Elections: Should be limited to change in office. If someone remains as King, no event should be generated. Otherwise, we will be looking at a lot of quarterly events on the timeline, which greatly dilute the message.
7.   Reduce the amount of messages by limiting to one page per event. For example, only one wiki page for one rebellion, or one tournament. Only report it to wiki once the event ends.

Template design (to be finished based on discussion):

1.   Creation and Perishing of a realm
2.   Rebellion
3.   Rumours of a Miracle
4.   Tournaments

Page title: Tournament Held in Grehk, Riombara, Beluaterra (4 Aug 2014)
-   Event (event name): Riombara held Tournament in Grehk; Jeremiah Risk from Riombara won
-   Date (occurrence date): 4 Aug 2014
-   Island: Beluaterra
-   Realm: Riombara
-   Region: Grehk
- Noble: Marche (the ruler), Jeremiah Risk, Jerry Lancelot
Page content: The tournament in Grehk is over. 26 nobles from 5 realms fought and drank. It was a swordfighting tournament. Jeremiah Risk, Margrave of Eylmon won, with Jerry Lancelot, Viscount of Melegra coming in second place.

5.   Unnatural death
6.   Huge battles. For example:

Page title: Huge Battle in Aboal, South Island (31 Jul 2014)
-   Event (event name): Ikalak defeated Sandalak in Aboal(; XXX is killed in battle)
-   Date (occurrence date): 31 Jul 2014
-   Island: South Island
-   Realm: Ikalak, Sandalak
-   Region: Aboal
-   Noble: (list the name of the Marshals, and anyone who is dead)
Page content: should include estimated strengths

7.   Diplomatic changes
8.   Change in government office
9.   Allegiance change
10.   Lordship change
11.   Noble initiated referendum (e.g. passing a law)

4

Wiki / Request: add a property for published documents

« on: August 04, 2014, 11:57:04 PM »

I didn't realize there are people managing the wiki. So I did some research and added a new property in order to create a new infobox. Now I got the warning message, and am proposing it to this forum.

Basically, I was inspired by a republic realm that I am playing, and would like to document all the passed laws in the wiki. So I created an infobox which added a property called "Pass date", and another called "Effective date".

It looks like this: http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Cathay

Frankly speaking, I doubt anyone would spend time like me documenting the laws...

Alternatively, this property can be modified as "Publish date". This property can be used in various situations:
- Roleplay stories
- History records
- other Books
- laws
- different version of bulletin texts

With this nice property, we can implement the historical timeline in a fresh new manner. We can document all versions of the various bulletins. Laws can be compiled into a list. Roleplay stories can be compiled into a big archive.

5

Helpline / A stupid question about M&F

« on: July 31, 2014, 08:13:36 PM »

A stupid question...

I tried M&F today for 20 minutes but still didn't figure out what is going on. I then want to register on the forum there to ask a question, but then I don't know how to register...

Type the letters shown in the picture:
(I typed HEFPWW)
... & Fealty:
(What's this?? I typed Fealty, but failed)

"The following errors were detected in your registration. Please correct them to continue:
You did not answer the verification questions correctly."

6

Far East Island / A different view about the surrender terms

« on: July 11, 2014, 12:14:43 AM »

It's reasonable for the winning party to demand whatever terms to the losing party, but just don't blame the losing party for not taking the terms. In reality, losing realms may take whatever terms. But in this game, players will not.

This is especially true when all nobles but two in Cathay joined the realm after the war has started. Velax and the Empire believe that nobles in Cathay should bear the consequence of starting this current war. Yet the very person who started this war has long gone missing. Except two nobles, all Cathay nobles have left. This is indeed a new realm. Velax and many then blamed the new leadership in continuing the war. Well, puppet Stephanie never properly communicated the terms with the council, and Zonasa stole two regions from Cathay from the first day of the new leadership. No one gave us any chance but they still blame us as warmongers.

Kindara has been crippled due to nature disasters. Cathay has lost at least five regions since the start of the war. But these are not enough in the Empire’s eyes. They want more. They are so smart to believe that Cathay and Kindara would accept such terms. They are so smart to believe that all Cathayan and Kindaran nobles are careless, mindless, foolish players that care the existence of the two realms so much that we would kneel down and kiss Velax’s ass.

Now the terms again. As I said in Bofeng’s letter to Velax, if Arcaea was serious in thinking of taking in Cathay into the Empire, why should we cede Ansopen, a rich region that we firmly controlled at that moment? Does it really matter if it’s in Cathay or Zonasa? We already lost the Duchy of Colosan and Duchy of Haul, and the war. What’s the point in further crippling a realm that is not bordering Arcaea? If the terms do not require Cathay to join the Empire, that’s a different story. Keep in mind that what Velax is trying to do is to ask many nobles families to swear loyalty to him. If he wants these 20+ noble families along with more in Kindara to swear loyalty to him, he has to demonstrate that he is a fair, just ruler with enough political wisdom to lead them. But he can’t deliver. He can’t even understand why so many nobles are so foolish in continuing the losing war. Now who should we blame?

The nature of the last “South vs North” thread, on Velax’s part, is to paint a picture how Cathay and Kindara leadership has been so foolish in making vital decisions and how evil the two realms are. His intention was not to communicate, but to undermine the foundation for these two realms. The realty is, however, despite of being the underdog in this nasty war, Cathay has managed to attract and keep a highly active nobility body, in fact the most active one on this continent.

This continent really needs a shakeup. So please work harder, Velax and Marshals in the Empire.

7

Feature Requests / Add interdependency among different classes

« on: May 01, 2014, 06:45:52 AM »

The beauty of this game is the social aspect, and this idea is to enhance it by adding interdependency among nobles.

I suggest we add character sub-classes or unique paraphernalia that increase interaction among nobles. For example:

- Weapon Master: spends time to boost weapon production like siege engine and repair weapons for the whole army.
- Food Transporter: can carry a lot of food with them, moves slower, but can feed other nobles' troops upon arrival.
In old times, there was a saying: "Food and fodder should go before [ahead of] troops and horses" (sorry for the poor translation).
- Jester (very unique staff): boost morale for troops
- Army Treasurer: can distribute gold while in foreign territory.
- Rider: can move two regions per turn when without a troop
- Recruiter: can recruit troops faster and cheaper for other nobles
- Trainer

These are just examples. The point is to force nobles to interact with each other and to make them feel they could be very unique and important without being a lord.

Currently, we only need an active noble to gather scout reports and an active Marshal to give orders. And everyone don't need to really interact with others. They recruit soldiers, train them, buy provision, prepare wages, and set ling settings, all by themselves. Maybe we just don't let everyone do all the tasks, but separate the jobs into different roles.

Interaction can add fun and opportunity for more role-playing. More nobles will have to be involved in military planning, and preparation. And that will add fun and help with player retention.

8

Other Games / Mush

« on: April 03, 2014, 12:51:03 PM »

I recently discovered the game Mush. It's really fun to play. One game can normally last several days.

Introduction from Mushpedia:

Mush is an interstellar survival game. Unlike Motion Twin's other survival game, Die2Nite, there is a heavy emphasis on coordination and teamwork between all members on the Human and Mush teams. Survival is accomplished via doing assorted tasks on the ship that will be useful to your teammates. The more survivors you have on your team, the easier it gets!

The plot:

Aliens have invaded Earth, and worst yet, they have covertly taken over the Earth government and are trying to wipe humanity from the Universe. 16 desperate humans escape in an experimental ship to try and save Humanity from Icon The Mush. 2 of them are already affected, but no one knows their true identity.

http://mush.twinoid.com/

9

Helpline / Newcomer can't be appointed?

« on: March 22, 2014, 11:34:16 PM »

I just want to know how many days a newcomer has to wait before he can be appointed as a region lord?

My character left a realm, setting to refusing all positions. Four days after joining the new realm, he still can't change back and get appointed.

I think the right to vote and the right to be appointed should be two separate things, but that's another topic. I just want to know how many more days I have to wait.

"As a newcomer to this realm, you can not yet vote."

10

Feature Requests / Add the cancel button for offers created by automatic offers

« on: February 22, 2014, 01:19:04 AM »

Title: Add the cancel button for offers created by automatic offers

Summary: Once some offers are created by automatic offer function, these offers can't be cancelled.

Details: The lord set up automatic selling offers before winter comes, and some foods were put on the market. When winter comes, the region starts to starve but the lord can't withdraw the selling offers.

Benefits: Make the automatic offers more useful.

Possible Downsides/Exploits: None.

11

Helpline / Can a Duke & lord change his region?

« on: December 12, 2013, 11:32:04 PM »

Suppose the duchy has another vacant region and the Duke already takes lordship in one region. Can he abandon the estate and resign the lordship, and appoint himself to another region?

Have anyone done that before? How does that work? Thanks.

I also heard that the region the Duke is controlling is considered the "central region" of the Duchy. Will leaving the lordship in that region cause any side effect?

12

BM General Discussion / Suggest active char limit should be greater than Noble char limit

« on: September 05, 2013, 06:17:22 PM »

After the player get fame of 5, the player is likely to play another noble. But due to the limit on active char limit, he/she is very likely forced to give up the adventurer character.

For my case, I like my adventurer character, and has decided to let him join the noble rank. But after that, I can't play the adventurer game any more.

I am wondering why we can't allow active char limit greater than noble char limit?

13

Helpline / Will fame drop when my prestige goes down?

« on: August 24, 2013, 08:26:15 PM »

My adventurer char discovered three unique items, and after selling one, he still has 24 prestige. I am considering selling the other two to get two more recommendations.

I also just reached 5 fame after 4 month of play. I am curious if the prestige drops after selling the items, will I lose the fame points? If that's the case, I would have to wait before selling the items.

14

Other Games / The closest game to BM: Kingdom by Twinoid

« on: August 22, 2013, 09:04:04 AM »

I tried the game today, and found it's interesting.

Light-weighted, strategy based, a liege system, turn based, random output of each turn.

- Each turn is 30 mins, you can save a lot of turns (up to 100 I guess). You can do little thing during a turn. The output of a turn is kind of random.
- Have a liege system. You have to rank up gradually by having other "followers": sir, baron, margrave, prince, duke, king
- The char has an age, and you age quickly. After initial 100 turns, I already got 2 years old. So after a few weeks, you will die.

Player interaction is not that active, given there is no such thing as orders from your liege. Basically you pay taxes to your liege, so you are only economically and militarily related.

I tried the game today, and found it's interesting.

Light-weighted, strategy based, a liege system, turn based, random output of each turn.

- Each turn is 30 mins, you can save a lot of turns (up to 100 I guess). You can do little thing during a turn. The output of a turn is kind of random.
- Have a liege system. You have to rank up gradually by having other "followers": sir, baron, margrave, prince, duke, king
- The char has an age, and you age quickly. After initial 100 turns, I already got 2 years old. So after a few weeks, you will die.

Player interaction is not that active, given there is no such thing as orders from your liege. Basically you pay taxes to your liege, so you are only economically and militarily related.

http://kingdom.en.muxxu.com/