I came into the game as a replacement player for an oddly spread out England. The German moves were hostile towards me, yet I was in the Mid-Atlantic. Lacking any historical sense of what was going on (the French player was new also), I followed one of my own maxims.
Brawner's First Law of Diplomacy: "If you appear attackable, someone will"
So I attacked poor Russia, who was going down the tubes anyway, going for the cheap build. Surprisingly, I also took Portugal. Now I didn't appear weak (because I wasn't), and the German player lost interest in attacking me. Smart man -- grin.
This was the beginning of a fabulous Gunboat alliance. Germany and I cooperated superbly at times, not so well at others, but considering the fact that we could not communicate, I thought we did wonderfully. The Turkish dominance in the southeast was just enough of a threat to keep either of us from being tempted to stab the other ... and NO, I was never tempted. But I was ALWAYS ready to defend.
RE: The "You go -- no, you go" into Moscow. I understood that Germany was trying to be a good ally and give me the next center, but I also felt it was VITAL that Germany's unit be in Moscow because if I was in Moscow, I would have been guessing every turn what to do. I thought that keeping the German units together could have been vital, tactically.
RE: The taking of Marseilles. I needed a path to get my armies into Italy/Balkans if the game had continued, and it appeared the German was about to possibly get TWO builds, so I just thought I would even things out ... smile. (See "Brawner's First Law of Diplomacy") By that time, I thought that Germany and I had built up enough trust that he would understand, or at least not panic. Sorry, Shane, for causing the extra worry.
Country-by-country:
France: You fought wonderfully. Some of my finest tactical moments in a LONG history of Diplomacy came at your expense, including the looking-three-seasons-ahead convoy of an army back to the English mainland that kept you from keeping Liverpool. You deserved better. Who were you?
Italy: You also deserved better, as you fought gamely in a tough, tough battle. Turkey is one tough nut to crack WITH the ability to cooperate. In Gunboat, Turkey is a superpower. You tried your best, and I was glad when the GM allowed me to make the mild "cheat" of supporting your last army to Valhalla. Who were you?
Germany: We clicked soon after I came into the game, and I can't say enough kind words about your competence. I never really worried that you would go "loose cannon" on me, and I also think that we could have eventually carved the Turkey. But I was satisfied with a 3-way, and a 2-way isn't that much better. Thanks for a great experience, Shane.
Turkey: Yes, Julien, of course I remember you. You played wonderfully, of course. Why do I have the feeling we will see each other again sometime? You played excellently, and it would have been fun to see if we could squeeze you out.
Spring 1901 - I started with a benign opening, moving towards Denmark, Kiel, and Ruhr, not wishing to be overly provocative by going for Burgundy or Tyrolia. I figured I'd see the lie of the land before I pissed anybody off too much, because I wanted to find an ally in the west quickly.
Fall 1901 - I wasn't going to put it past Austria to try a movement into Tyrolia, so I covered Munich. Had Munich have fallen, I'd have been busy fighting Austrians, rather than taking to the task at hand. If I covered, and nothing happened, I was merely set back a little. I covered, and for good reason, because France AND Austria tried it on. I also decided to write my first communicative support to England, supporting his Army into Norway. I was hoping my order for the Army would communicate that I wanted more commitment up there than just a Fleet. I also didn't oppose Russia. No point in angering someone else when I figured Austria and France were already threats.
Winter 1901 - Built an Army in the much-contested Munich, and an Army in Kiel to cover the gaps.
Spring 1902 - I marched into Belgium, attempted to support the English into Sweden, but, more importantly, got a communicative support from England. Very positive, and the beginning of one of the best alliances I've ever been in.
Fall 1902 - Austria was now obviously more concerned with the East, and that was welcome on my part. I also marched into Burgundy as England moved to the MAO, harassing the French. Things were going well. Here though, I decided not to support the English into Sweden, concerning myself with wanting him in France, and not wanting him to build when I was a little vulnerable.
Winter 1902 - France NMRed his retreat. Very welcome development, he was subsequently replaced. I built a Fleet in Berlin to contest the Baltic. England wasn't threatening me, and Russia was weak down south.
Spring 1903 - I supported England into Norway, but he/she NMRed. I made the Baltic Sea, and was caught on France's Maginot Line. Russia invaded Silesia, and Turkey was running away down south. I was understandably concerned.
Fall 1903 - I supported England AGAIN. he/she NMRed AGAIN. I was in France, but concerned to say the least. Some nice bouncing kept Russia from Munich or Berlin.
Winter 1903 - France built an Army in Marseilles, I built a Fleet in Kiel. I saw Turkish units massing, and decided that that was the big threat.
Spring 1904 - England was replaced, but I retreated out of France and supported Paris to Constantinople as a peace message to France. I went east to deal with Russia and get units into the gap. England convoyed an Army to Norway and didn't look to be keeping the pressure on France, so I was hoping France was receptive.
Fall 1904 - Russia NMRed, and lost Sweden, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. France wasn't receptive to my peace orders, but England took Portugal. Russia remained stationed in Silesia. Things were confusing to say the least.
Winter 1904 - Russia NDRs, and Silesia is removed. Very positive development.
Spring 1905 - England is nice and non-threatening up north, I move back into Belgium, and England looks quite committed.
Fall 1905 - I take Belgium, and move to Picardy and Burgundy. England is in Portugal and MAO, and things are looking FAR better.
Winter 1905 - England doesn't get a build, and I build an Army in Munich.
Spring 1906 - England takes Spain, I take Warsaw. Things are peaceful in Scandinavia.
Fall 1906 - What I consider one of the best points in the game. I move to Marseilles from Burgundy in vain hope of getting lucky, and support England to Brest in an order I know will be cut. England makes Brest, and supports me from Spain into Marseilles, all without communication orders previously. France is finished.
Winter 1906 - Now down to business. England seems straight up enough, and I don't hesitate in building 2 armies to deal with the Turks.
*Fast Forward several seasons through midgame of getting position in the east, fast forward through propping up the Turkish speed hump that was Austria, and the Anglo-German squabble over Moscow*
Winter 1909 - Turkey and I push units against each other, and I prop up Italy a little as I wait for the English.
Spring 1910 - Turkey pushes units into the meatgrinder at this time, but keeps getting to build due to a strong defensive position and retention of centres. I send a support to the English army in Spain to go to Italy. Instead, it moves to Burgundy, and I get a bit concerned. I always blab to my GMs, and was going on about the psyche of the English player, and that they could not possibly be so stupid as to attack me, because I'd just throw the game to Spain.
Fall 1910 - England moves to my Marseilles. I shake my head. At the same time though, the vital St. Petersburg unit supports the equally vital (and vulnerable) Moscow unit. I umm and ahh a lot, and figure there's method in the English madness, and tell the GM that England has one more season to "behave" :-) before I throw the game to the Turk.
Winter 1910 - England does behave, building in Liverpool. Turkey's demise looks a matter of time.
Here's where it ends. I moved the 3 way draw vote, for several reasons. Firstly, I moved it when Italy was down to one SC, but withdrew it when I found out that Mikko had a DIAS rule (I don't in my games, I figure if someone's going to vote for their demise, good on them). I then moved it with the death of Italy. Why? Well I figured first of all, the draw was well deserved. Turkey played a good strong game, and I think England and I played a brilliant alliance for a Gunboat game. I would have been willing to go for a draw with England, and if Mikko didn't have DIAS, I'd have hoped England and I could have gone to the gates of Constantinople, and Turkey would have been goodly enough to see the worthyness of the alliance. That wasn't to be. I also figured that if we had to go to 17 all for the draw, England would have been the favourite to win, would have been in a good position to stab, and if I'd gone to defend myself, Turkey would have come out of his box, knocking me off completely.
I've got to say, well played all around as far as I'm concerned. I actually didn't move the vote this turn, because I was making progress, but when I found that the proposal was still open, I decided to support it, because I wasn't going to get many better chances. I was going to move the draw again after Fall actually, depending on my progress.
So, I guess the wrap up is simple.
Austria - I think paid the price for (what I saw as) indecision.
Russia - NMR aided in a quick destruction. I would have been stupid to
let Russia survive up north, the centers were neccesary.
Italy - Tough to play normally, tough in gunboat, tough with NMRs.
France - Put up one hell of a fight, both players, however, NMRs, and a
strong alliance took their toll. I almost jumped ship and worked with
you, because you were in a better position to deal with the (at the
time) maurauding Turks.
Now, to my fellow survivors...
Turkey, well played, I don't doubt you would have got the solo if it wasn't for the Franco-German Alliance. Just who are you anyway? :-)
England - You were a brilliant gunboat ally, and the successor was better than the first one. The final assault on France was a thing of beauty, and I'm glad we both kept our heads for the entire game. There were opportunities for a stab on both sides, but we were both sensible enough to realise that the game would be gifted to the Turk if that was the situation. Very well played, and more importantly, who are you?! :-)