Diplomacy Thread For 2009 Automated Judge

One important piece of advise.

While turns are only updated once every 3 days, if every player locks his orders early, the turn is auto-updated. This is quite important in order to make the game reasonably fast - if nobody uses this function, one game year can take anything between 6 and 15 days, which would mean the entire campaign can take more than a half year.

So, use it if possible, even if I don't suggest rushing your moves.

Q. Where is Italy going with his moves?
A. Obviously Vienna!

For shame, such naked aggression should never be tolerated by honest people.

This Italian aggression shall not be tolerated.

I've forgot this, but there are a couple of really important things to point out as to how WL judges the game, that has to be read even by the experienced players.

First and most important:

Any unit's support for a particular action is cut if that unit is attacked, regardless of whether the supporting unit is itself supported. This means, for example, that if Ruhr supports Munich, and is itself supported by Holland, but is attacked from Burgundy, the support to Munich is cut. The only exception to this rule is that a unit cannot cut the support to an attack on the area said unit is attacking from. Thus, if Berlin is attacked by Kiel and this attack is supported by Munich, and Berlin attacks Munich, Munich's support is still valid.

Understanding this is absolutely vital.

The second thing, which is much rarer, is that it is not allowed to perform a self-dislodge.

It is unclear how the site handles "surprise convoy" issues, but these really are Master Class material, and rarely come up.

Surprise Convoy? From what I can tell, you have to issues specific convoy orders to your armies; you can order a fleet to convoy, but the army has to be ordered to board that fleet for it to work.

Unless I don't know what you're talking about

Not that I know anything about convoys at all

Copied from a thread on WL:

Ah, you have to select the fleet convoying you, if you don't select a fleet I don't think the army is actually convoyed.

Yes I'm convoying, anyone want to place bets on where?

The problem is that the standard written notation, which WL uses, does not specify the convoying fleet.

Thus, if France actually wanted to move Cly by convoy to Edi, he would write:

A Cly - Edi

It's the same notation as if he'd actually moved Cly - Edi by land.

There is nothing to stop a nation from issuing a convoy of another nation's army, with or without consent, obviously. This is what makes the question interesting. If the judge uses the written orders, rather than the graphical extrapolation, then the Standard Rules dictate that a convoy takes precedence over a land route.

Has anyone seen Spider around? I've been trying to get in contact with him about the Black Sea thing for a while, and it's getting a little late.

Unfortunately, no. I haven't got any feedback from him since last move. Deadline in 30 minutes...

Fall 1901.

Russia:

A War S A Lvn - Pru * Cut
F Sev - Arm
F GoB - Swe
A Lvn - Pru

Russia continues to press West, captures Sweden and occupies Prussia, leaving him with a tight front against Germany. In the south, he allows Turkey to enter the Black Sea to instead occupy Armenia, setting him up for a possible attack on Ankara, but leaving Sevastopol poorly guarded.

England:

F NTH - Nwy
A Wal - Bel
F EnC C A Wal - Bel

This move shows that the seemingly anti-French opening was in fact agreed upon between both parties; England captures Belgium by convoy and his usual center in Norway for two builds, which should make the Prime Minister happy. This, together with France's movements, all point to a solid Franco-English alliance.

France:

A Mar - Spa
A Bur - Mun * Bounce
F MiA - Por

France makes the usual capturing moves and also tries to take Munich, albeit with no success. Germany is now under heavy pressure, with forces closing in on all fronts.

Turkey:

A Con - Bul * Bounce
A Bul - Rum * Bounce
F Ank - BlS

Turkey manages to get into the Black Sea, but it seems this won't do him much good. The army moves both fail; possibly the Sultan was counting on Russian support, but none is given.

Germany:

A Ber - Mun
A Sil - War
F Kie - Den

Germany guesses correctly on Munich and France/England's intentions. However, the attack on Warsaw proves ineffective, but at least he manages to pick up Denmark for a build.

Italy:

F IoS - AgS
A Tri - Ser
A Apu - Ven

With this continuation of the Spring moves Italy has committed himself to a variation of the Key Lepanto opening in a strong alliance with Austria, in order to apply maximum pressure on Turkey. Apulia is moved to Venice in what seems to be a safety-first option. His build comes from capturing Serbia. He temporarily ignores Tunis, his natural first aquisition, to instead swing his fleet into the Aegean Sea, leaving Turkey surrounded and in a terrible position.

Austria:

A Rum S A Tri - Ser * Cut
A Gal S A Rum H
F Alb - Gre

Austria manages to get his two builds, which are almost necessary to ensure a modicum of safety for this central power, by capturing both Rumania and Greece. In an obviously prearranged move, he also supports the Italian army into Serbia, making reasonably sure that it isn't stuck in Trieste at the end of the year.

View attachment 4854

Current Phase: Reinforce 1901

Austria - 5 centers (+2)
Germany - 4 centers (+1)
France - 5 centers (+2)
England - 5 centers (+2)
Russia - 5 centers (+1)
Italy - 4 centers (+1)
Turkey - 4 centers (+1)

Crap. I thought that was the retreat phase coming up. I'd barely even got around to my messages.

Sorry everyone.

Please everyone, try to lock your builds early. It's no fun spending 3 days on the Reinforce phase.

In and locked (yesterday)

Do like your commentary - though I find that being too aggressive with England early tends to marginalize you (and give Iberia to Italy)...I also wonder if I was the ONLY player not to attack anyone year one!

Winter 1901: Reinforce

Russia:
+ Army Moscow

A pretty weird build order; Sevastopol is still under threat, and with no unit to fill it, counting on anyone else to guard it isn't a great idea.

Turkey:
+ Fleet Smyrna

Pretty much the only sensible thing given the Sultan's position.

Austria:
+ Army Vienna
+ Army Budapest

A build order that will have Italy smiling; by these orders, not only does Austria project a maximum of land-based force, but he places it in a position that cannot possibly threaten the Greens.

Italy:
+ Fleet Napoli

A complete no-brainer.

France:
+ Fleet Marseilles
+ Army Paris

Anti-Italian build; we'll have to see where France goes with this. It's especially noteworthy that France doesn't even bother covering Brest.

England:
+ Fleet London
+ Army Edinburgh

Standard fare; could possibly look a tad anti-French but with England in the channel and coexisting peacefully, that's just a formality.

Germany:
+ Army Munich

The only option.

Oh, the Moscow build is a result of me being a bit too liberal with the "Lock Orders" button.

I'll live, though.

Oh, and yesterday I found out I have a surprise family commitment this weekend, so any panicked last-minute changes to the plan need to get in by 8:00 PM or so EST if you had any plans to keep me informed.

Prime Minster asks Parliament, "Should Britain get involved in Continental Conflicts?"

In a show of confidence in his policy of protecting England's primary trading partners in the Low Countries and Scandinavia, Prime Minster Sir John Faisent asked Parliament yesterday if expanding the scope of the Continental Protection Forces to a more proactive stance was desired by the British People. In his words, "Distinguished Members of Parliament, the continental powers of Europe are at this moment beginning to wage war in a manner almost unimaginable to men of reasonable thought. A war likely to rage uncontrolled without the influence of rational and honest men in positions to defuse volatile situations. We should be in those positions in order to prevent further bloodshed like what is occurring in the Balkans!"

Not since the Suffragettes has Parliament been in such a state of uproar, many of the Liberal Party seem to be glad to support the Prime Minster in order to divert attention from the WSPU and the cause of female enfranchisement. As of this moment, there has been no decision in either Lords or Commons regarding the Prime Minister's request, though Parliamentary officials promise a resolution within the week.

Meanwhile, many French, German and Russian delegates have spoken in closed sessions with British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey. Political opinion seems to indicate that Parliament will be supporting the new proposals, but might be in favor of supporting them more for certain countries. ..

Dear members of the World Assembly.

It is with not small amusement that we, the Italian people, have heard the talk of the Central European hordes, all the while French and British forces, secure and drunk with the power of their unified front, are striking with impunity into the heart of the continent.

However, France will soon find out that his advance against our forces is but a fool's errand, on which he has been sent by the warmongering English, the Whispering Witch of the West that is slaughtering thousands of Dutchmen in his relentless advance against beleaguered Germany, a crown of civilisation that now seems likely to be reduced to smoldering ashes.

While England smugly sits back in his corner of the universe, hundreds of thousands of brave French soldiers will die a bloody death in a conflict that will matter to nothing. Our shipyards are working overtime, and the Italian navy is the World's finest.

In these turbulent times, it must be remembered this central tenet of truth:

Words do not win wars.

Filippo Tomasso Armalita
Prime Minister
Italy

Spring 1902.

Russia:

A Mos S A War H
A War S A Pru H
A Pru S A War H
F Swe H
F Arm - Sev

Russia correctly anticipates a major attack on Warsaw and retreats into his shell, protecting Sevastopol and apparently calling off hostilities with Turkey.


England:

F Nwy S F Lon - NTH
A Edi - Yor
F Lon - NTH
A Bel - Hol
F EnC - Bel

Uneventful order set, Edi - Yor is unneeded but works as a safety measure against an extremely unlikely French stab; Belgium captures Holland as could be expected, and navies move into their natural position for a northern campaign.

France:

F Mar - GoL
F Por - Sp (S)
A Spa - Mar
A Bur - Ruh
A Par - Bur

France shows that his build order was in fact and as anticipated the signal for a full attack on Italy, while at the same time trying to keep up the assault on Germany. However, this spreads his forces a bit thin.

Turkey:

A Con S A Bul H
F BlS S A Bul H
A Bul H
F Sna - AgS

A fully committed defense of Bulgaria that becomes futile in the face of overwhelming numbers.

Germany:

A Sil - War
F Den - Swe
A Mun - Ruh
A Ber - Pru

Germany tries and fails to take Warsaw, despite using his best possible attack option and having Austrian support. He does, however, anticipate the French move to Ruhr, thus averting disaster for another turn with just one army.

Italy:

A Ser - Bul
F AgS - Con
A Ven - Tus
F Nap - TyS

Italy obviously knows France's build orders were not an accident, and takes appropriate measures to defend the Mediterranean against incursion. In tandem with Austria, he also brings the hammer on Bulgaria, cutting any support coming from Constantinople with his navy while attacking with his lone eastern army.

Austria:

A Vie - Tyr
F Gre S A Ser - Bul
A Gal S A Sil - War
A Bud S A Rum H
A Rum S A Ser - Bul

Austria's westernmost army is placed as what seems to be a helper unit between Munich and Venice. All possible units are thrown into support of Italy's attack on Bulgaria, while Rumania holds with support to protect the gains. Austria also tries to help Germany capture Warsaw, quite obviously worried that if Germany falls quickly, his tactical position will rapidly become untenable.

View attachment 4891

Your moves are showing. Unless that's a clever psychological ploy, I'd edit that out.

Fall 1902.

Russia:

A Mos S A War H
F Swe S A Yor - Den
A War H
F Sev - Rum
A Pru - Ber

Russia is still playing safety-first, supporting Warsaw and fending off an enemy attack, except for the support to England, giving him Denmark.

Britain:

F NTH C A Yor - Den
F Nwy S F NTH H
A Hol S A Bur - Ruh
A Yor - Den
F Bel - EnC

Britain lends support to France, ensuring him passage into Ruhr in order to set up the attack on Germany. His Belgian fleet moves into the English Channel, probably for further repositioning. He also convoys an army into Denmark with support from Russia, ensuring him two builds.

France:

A Mar - Pie
F Sp (S) - WMe
A Bur - Ruh
A Par - Bur
F GoL S A Mar - Pie

France's order are the logical continuation of England's support in the north. He also supports himself into Piemont in the south while moving further into the Mediterranean from Spain.

Turkey:

F BlS - Bu (E)
F Sna - AgS
A Con S F BlS - Bul

Turkey tries and fails to recapture Bulgaria.

Germany:

A Ber - Pru
A Mun - Kie
A Sil - Mun
F Den S A Mun - Kie

Germany attempts to retreat into a more viable defensive position. Nothing can help him retain Denmark, which is lost, but his remaining units are in the best position.

Italy:

A Bul S F AgS - Con
F AgS - Con
A Tus - Pie
F TyS - Tun

Italy tries an attack on Constantinople along with setting up a standoff with Austria over Piemont, which fails. Other than that he moves his fleet into Tunisia in order to achieve a better attack position than if using a convoy. This ensures two builds, and because the gamble to vacate the Tyrrhenian sea works, that should be all the units Italy needs on the western front.

Austria:

A Bud S A Rum H
F Gre S A Bul
A Rum H
A Tyr - Pie
A Gal - Ukr

Austria guards his Rumanian gain and his ally in Bulgaria, plays along on the standoff, and moves Galicia into the Ukraine, applying a bit more pressure on Russia.

In response to the Italian Minister:

Indeed words do not win wars, but a concerted effort by like-minded Nations can with extreme effort forge peace in our time. His Majesty's Secret Service, headed by agent 001 had uncovered nefarious plans in the Italian President's own hand which indicated an effort by the Italians, Austrians, and Germans against the Czar of Russia.

Germany now has an option, disband all of her armed forces and remain neutral against what should now be known as the "Central Powers" or be forced into pacivity! The League of Cardinal Directions will make sure that peace reigns in Europe.

His Majesty, King of Hungary and Emperor of Austria, Protector of the Christians under Turkish Dominion, doth verily and unhesitantly proclaim the base nature of this most recent British untruth. The Saxon king merely attempts to obfuscate the factual situation, that is to say, his obvious scheming to subvert the sovereignty of the German, Polish, and Russian peoples, in addition to the Dutch and Walloons already under his yoke. In any free-thinking man, no doubt may remain as to Britain's true intentions.

It cannot be anything but clear that the leaders of Austria and Italy have been colluding for years to upset the concert of Europe that has served our nations, their people, and the cause of peace so well and for so long. Remember that it was the Austrians who struck first and plunged our continent into a state of war by invading and annexing Rumania and Albania and seizing those nations' wealth and resources for Vienna; remember that Italy and Austria still plan to divide Turkey between them permanently. I doubt their ambitions stop there.

It is clear that, as long as the governments of Italy and Austria remain in collusion militarily, the sovereignty and safety of every state in Europe is at risk.

To: the League of Central Powers
From: His Imperial Majesty, King Faisent I, protector of the Saxons, defender of the Low Countries, Duke of Stockholm, Golden Lion of Wales, Uniter of Ireland, and Conqueror of Saxony.

Let us dispense with any and all pretense, as the world is well aware, Parliament has been disbanded and a new age of enlightened feudalism exists in the British Isles and their protectorate nations. In the past, men have claimed that God gave them rights to rule other men, but in this enlightened age it is obvious that MEN have given me the right to rule over them, simply because I do it justly and with benevolence. Germany has fallen, and it is a mere matter of time before you find yourselves pressed on all sides.

The Czar of Russia, the Sultan of Turkey, and the freedom loving French citizens all agree that your attempt to subvert sovereign nations and peoples - militarily and without their blessing - needed to be stopped. The volunteer forces from Belgium and Sweden in my armies are a testament to how terrified Europe was by your actions and how willingly nations would band against you. These forces are now firmly entrenched in mainland Europe, a further bastion of security from the horrors inflicted on the Balkans by your hand.

The League of Cardinal Directions further reiterates its stance:

Disband your armies, free the Balkan peoples from your subjugation, and allow open and honest trade - or be destroyed like the so called "Reich".

Eh bien, so Baden and Hamburg are now no more than private estates of the Faisent family. No, I warn you - if you are not telling me that this means war, if you again allow yourself to condone all the infamies and atrocities perpetrated by that Antichrist, I don't know you in the future. The Muscovite Tsar (for he is no heir of Peter!) pledges fealty to the snake of Albion; the Sublime Porte and French Republic conspire, trading long term servitude for momentary glory. They shall sow the wind and reap the whirlwind, verily. It appears that it is left to Italy and Austria to be the saviours of Europe. Germany, you shalt be avenged!

Let the torching of Warsaw serve as a warning to the League of Cardinal Directions. Aggression against the free peoples of the continent shall not be tolerated. Even now, the Poles, freed from generations of oppression under the Russian yoke, wage a merciless pogrom against their imperial slavers. Before the next fortnight, no Russians will remain in Poland. The country has voluntarily cast its lot with His Majesty, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Protector of Poland, and any threats to the newly liberated nation's sovereignty shall be regarded as attacks on Austria itself.

I believe I can speak for all of the outer ring nations.

One city "torched" to prove how vile our opponents truly are - weighed against an entire nation liberated from the bloody hands of its evil rulers. If there was any other way to win this war; we'd use different methods, but as the World can easily see, we're dealing with madmen. It is unfortunate that the citizens of Warsaw had to pay the ultimate price, but as can be seen by the latest celebrations in Germany oppression will not last forever.