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DRUSS END-GAME STATEMENTS
GM:
Andy Scott [EGS]
Started: 5th November, 2002
Finished: 2nd February, 2003 (Autumn 1906)
Result: 4 way draw (E/F/I/T)
| Country | Player | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | Result | | Austria | Jonathan Langman | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated (A04) | | England | Ron Johnson | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | drew | | France | Brett Pollack | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | drew | | Germany | Jeff Grzybowski | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated (A04) | | Italy | James Watson | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | drew | | Russia | Paul Simpkins | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Survived | | Turkey | J. Chastain | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | drew |
AUSTRIA (Jonathan Langman) I only knew two players in Druss from previous encounters: I had stabbed Paul (Russia) twice in Juice, so whilst we exchanged the usual friendly words about starting a new game from scratch, I half-expected him to be seeking revenge. The other was Grizzy (Germany), whose elimination in Deimos was not really my fault, and with whom I established (as anticipated) a good relationship.
The outcome of the game, for me, was determined largely by a serious error in my initial handling of Italy: I decided to begin with moves to Ven, Gal and Ser (the "Southern Hedgehog") and to tell all my neighbours that this was my intention. This, of course, is a fairly standard opening, that assumes stand-offs between Venice and Trieste, and in Galicia. Russia accepted with equanimity, but Italy responded with indignation as if F Tri-Ven was an attack(!), although the fact that he had not received my first email (or so he claimed) and only a second (rather briefer) one also contributed to his anger. He then calmed down and asked that we demilitarise Tyrolia, Venice and Trieste; I had concluded that James must be relatively new to the game (since most experienced players recognise F Tri-Ven is defensive) and agreed, whereupon he promptly moved to Tyr and Ven, which left me in real difficulties.
Rather than the usual response (covering Trieste from Alb whilst holding Serbia) I decided to risk missing out on a build in order to take the Ionian Sea: it was a gamble, and it might have saved me since it meant that I could exert some real pressure on Italy who had used his Fleet to take Tunis. Unfortunately Russia had, in the meantime, invaded Galicia and I allowed myself to be talked into withdrawing from Ion as part of an agreement with Italy and Turkey (who was now doing his best to help me) that should have enabled me to defend my Eastern flank. However, Italy reneged on this and renewed his attack, and with Russia obviously hostile, the writing was on the wall.
I tried to defend myself and adopted the strategy of trying to ensure that if I lost centres, I at least made sure that I had controlled who took them. My alliance with Turkey was strong and he gained the Balkans in return for my continued survival. I did my best to make sure that Russia got nothing, hoping that he'd see the futility of continuing to attack me when it would bring no gains and when a massive threat was emerging from England in the North. Unfortunately, Russia was clearly determined to see me go out, though whether this was to gain retribution for Juice, or because he was trying to help Italy, I don't know. As a result, my three home centres fell to Italy. Limited time for diplomacy around Christmas and the New Year led me to proxy my remaining army to Turkey in Spring 1904; Wayne changed my original order and this led to its elimination and my demise. To be fair, I think that this was a genuine mistake on his part (or rather a gamble that didn't come off for either of us).
I'm writing this at the point of my elimination rather than waiting for the game's end, as I'm likely to forget the details by the time it's all over, however I'll follow the rest of Druss from the sidelines and with interest.
Ultimately, I paid the price of underestimating James, and although I might have survived if Paul (Russia) had been more helpful, I have no complaints. I appreciated Wayne's support: he was a great ally and I suspect that he will get the good result that he deserves from this game. Apart from that, the strength of the Anglo-French alliance is ominous and unless it breaks down fairly soon, I don't think that Russia or Italy will benefit much from my elimination. All in all a good game generally, if a disastrous one for me.
Thanks to Andy for a splendid job as GM, and sorry about the lack of Press........it's just not an important part of the game for me.
cheers
Jonathan Return to Top
ENGLAND (Ron Johnson) This was good game and although it may have ended a
bit early, I don't think the outcome could have been
much different over time.
For me, the game started out a bit rough when France
violated our Channel DMZ. Bret swore it was an
accident and the letters flew fast and furious as we
tried to come up with a plan to keep from going to
war.
The amazing thing is that we were successful and had
one of the better partnerships I've seen. We pulled
off a few really good turns and had 6 centers each at
the end of 1902. Our plan was to keep each other
honest by staying within one center of each other.
I think we could have done better as the game went on
except we believed we were facing a Russia-Turkey
alliance and in fact it was an Italy-Turkey alliance.
I'm sure Paul (Russia) was just as surprised as we
were.
Grizzy (Germany) and Paul (Russia) put up a good
defense, but Bret and I got all of the breaks. I
didn't have a lot of communication accross the board
but it seems James (Italy) and Wayne (Turkey) had an
equally strong alliance. Jonathan! (Austria) Well
you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.
Thanks to Andy for a well run game.
Ron Johnson
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FRANCE (Brett Pollack) First of all thanks to all for playing, and a special thank you to Andy for
GMing this game (especially given all that he had been through).
This game came down to two basic alliances. France-England and
Italy-Turkey. As for me my opening was to maintain peace as long as
possible while gaining expansion. The only exception to this rule was
Germany. I could not afford to let him into Burgundy. So we bounced there
in S01. From there it was apparent that Both England and I we out to get
him, so on with it. We dispatched Germany quite quickly.
I was trying to placate Italy as long as possible, but once Germany was gone
that did not last long, especially with my build of a F Mar in 1903. So
Italy turns to an alliance with Turkey. I am almost certain that Turkey was
very happy to have that as he saw E-F working well together.
As for the ending, quite a surprise to me. I will gladly take the four-way.
Italy and Turkey had me on the ropes in the Med, but they would not have
gained the Atlantic. So perhaps the stalemate was there.
The one thing I would have liked to see was Turkey attempting to take a
solo. One simple stab of Italy, he would have jumped to 12 centers. A year
latter to 15 or 16. The fight would have been interesting, but I believe
that he could have soloed. His call oh well.
Thanks again
Bret Pollack
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GERMANY (Jeff Grzybowski) Well, I would like to thank all for playing and especially thank Andy for
GM'ing this travesty (my perspective). I have no one to blame but myself
for my quick downfall. My diploming sucked in this game, I didn't
concentrate on tactically good moves and I ignored some crucial advice from
Paul right before my downfall. I should have protected Ruhr right before I
got invaded by the E/F alliance which may have turned things around for
me...eeerrr, atleast it would have bought me time to negotiate better deals
elsewhere. I would like to apologize to my allies for my quick downfall
which I believe also led to their downfalls too, namely Paul and Jonathan.
Although Jonathan was on his way out too, I certainly wasn't in a position
to help him and I would have if I could. So again, thank you for the game
Andy and thanks to the other players for not prolonging my eventual
elimination and making it quick and painless....:-)
Cheers,
Jeff
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ITALY (James Watson) From before the game even started I had decided my target was Austria. I
was a little nervous heading into a Regular game with exprienced players and
I feared that I would quickly end up as a puppet state - especially as
Italy. The only way, I reasoned, to take up the initiative and to acquire
friends was to launch a full assault on Austria. I attempted to position
both armies around him in the first year - in Tyrolia and Bohemia, which
would allow me in the next year - with a build in Venice - to move against
Trieste and Vienna coupled with Russian and Turkish aid who could not pass
up such a situation. France, I saw, was busy with England and Germany so
the stage was set. Unfortunately, Austria had the foresight to move into
the Mediterranean and force me to build a fleet in Naples instead to cover
my home SCs.
Because of this I had to compromise my entire plan and progress was slower.
Turkey said he wasnt trusting me because I had built a fleet, and Russia did
all he could, to no avail, to make progress against Austria. France was
only building armies so I couldnt turn around and begin a war in the West,
as Turkey and Austria suggested. Eventually Austria fell by three combined
powers and Russia was betrayed by Turkey in the south and felt the push of
England in the north eliminating him as a potentialy strong ally. All Italy
had left, in face of a combined England and France, was Turkey. Despite the
number of armies and navies which faced eachother and the lack of trust that
existed, I managed to turn my forces entirely around to face the Juggernaut
and Turkey kept his word to filter armies into the north through Russia and
move his fleets west without taking my SCs - as tempting as Im sure it was
for him!
So my failed manevour in the first year lengthened the conflict against
Austria, gave time for England to move against Russia as France was
assisting with Germany, while Turkey quietly gained ground. Russia and
myself had planned to take down Turkey after Austria - but our mutual
failures prevented this and I had to switch to Turkey for an alliance that
would allow me to face the inevitable invasion of the French.
Caligulini
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RUSSIA (Paul Simpkins) There were two main points of note in this game. Firstly I think England and France went into the game with a pre-determined alliance. They pulled a clever trick by manufacturing a 'stab' in S01 in the channel and by so doing confused most of the players. When they got their alliance going it was a matter of time before Germany went under. Nice trick guys. Nice alliance as well.
Secondly was the alliance that Wayne & I set up. I've never done it before but it was working brilliantly - the fleet Sev stays at home alliance - and I got 2 builds in A01 and so did Wayne and we were set to stomp all over the board. Then he wrote and said he'd support Rum into Bud when I wanted Gal into Bud. We exchanged cross words and despite him saying he would do it he didn't and the dream alliance was over. He attacked me, I defended but once Italy & Turkey had become established as the main eastern bloc and France /England the main western bloc it was hold on for survival if I was lucky or a draw if I was very lucky. I was rather miffed at attacking Bud for so many consecutive seasons but failing to get it.
Jonathan and Jeff assured their own demise by not very good openings and once the 4 big powers emerged a draw looked the most likely end. Thanks all round but not one of my best. (01/02/03)Return to Top
TURKEY (J. Chastain) Druss was my first pbem Diplomacy game that I won, and for that reason it will always be an important game to me. Even though that win was part of a 4-way.
As we started Druss, I tried to follow advice for playing Turkey that I had read in several places; open communication with all other players. I made overtures to all of my neighbors. All of them professed to be interested in an alliance. The one that seemed most promising however, was Russia. Paul seemed to be an experienced player and it seemed that we had the possibility of putting in place a classic steam roller. The idea of executing a steam roller was very appealing to me and I started off the game with the intent to ally with Russia. The only player that I would really make an enemy of in the first year was Italy. I had told James that I would be heading north against A-H and Russia. As part of this agreement with James, I was to not bring fleets on in the Med. I had no plan to actually keep that promise and when my fleet appeared, he was unhappy to say the least.
In the first year, Italy has moved against A-H. This helped our steam roller plan tremendously. However, in the communications of the first year, I also learned something disturbing. I suggested to Paul that we make an alliance for the duration of the game with the intent of a 2-way. I suggested that I would be willing to not give any consideration to a solo and put all of my effort into a 2-way from year 1 if he would as well. However, Paul told me that he was not interested in such an arrangement. That he always went for a solo and only went for a multiplayer win when the situation was forced on him. I have to respect his honesty.
As the game progressed, the R-T position continued to be a good one. A-H went into decline. Russia and I ended up with the majority of the Balkans and our territories bordered one another. I suggested that we demilitarize our border so that we could better use our forces against our enemies. Paul didn't agree. He believed that a demilitarized border would only lead to trouble.
It was at this point that our alliance hit the snag that would destroy it. Paul demanded that I give him support and give it in a certain way to take a territory. He insinuated that the alliance would come to an end if I didn't do as he said. I didn't take this threat kindly and with the problems that had arisen up to that point, decided that the camel's back was broken. I began plans to attack Russia.
I started reaching out to A-H in its weakend position and suggesting that it become my Jannisary. A-H wasn't ready for this at first, but later on agreed. The problem was that at that point he was too weak to defend himself.
The country that I really needed to recruit as an ally, given my situation with Russia, was Italy. Thankfully, James was in a position where he needed me as an ally as well. We made the agreement that I had tried to make with Paul in the first year. We would attempt to get a 2-way win. At that point, it seemed that the chances were slim. E-F had shown themselves to be a strong alliance. They were making great gains.
James and I effectively started integrating our forces. I tried to keep A-H around since he had become my Janissary, but James wanted his territory. Because of our agreement, I would not do anything to harm A-H, but I didn't do anything to help as James took his territory.
James and I started to make great gains. It seemed that we might have a chance at the 2-way that we hoped for, but the situation was very dicey. It could go either way. I was almost relieved when one of the other players suggested an E-F-I-T four way. James and I talked it over and decided that we should vote for it. Neither one of us felt that our situation was solid enough that we shouldn't take the shared win.
My congratulations to all of the winners, even though it was divided to the extent that it was. Druss was a fun game. Also, thanks to Andy for running such a good game. I look forward to possibly playing with everyone again in future games.
Sultan Wayne Chastain
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GM (Andy Scott) What!!! is that it??? I must admit to being just a bit surprised that Druss ended so soon!
However that aside Druss was my first regulars game as a GM and overall I thouroughly enjoyed it, although it was a massive learning curve for me. No anarchies and very few NMR's, actually even fewer then I thought at times as I was forced to readjudicate when a couple of players had the audacity to prove me, their GM wrong! In as much as they had in fact sent the orders in and I'd done something stupid with them!!! As I said a learning curve :-))) So primarily I do need to say thank you to all the players for their patience and trust.
As far as the game itself went I was very surprised, Not I hasten to add because I consider anybody a bad player but my predictions were thrown out by both Jeff and Paul having games that I believe they both admit to being poor by their standards. This however shouldn't take away from the Four who drew who all thouroughly deserved it, Well done guys:-))) Thanks in particular to James for some very wacky and entertaining press. Sorry that I hassled you all over press I will try and curb this instinct in future games I GM.
Finally a big thank you to all the players for making this a relatively easy and enjoyable introduction to GM'ing :-)) I only hope I wasn't too bad?
Cheers,
AndyReturn to Top
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