I do not have time for it, but some people like to take screenshots, and even video of battles, and later post AARs (after action reports). I am not sure if this would be the best forum to do it, but if any of you are into that sort of thing, you might want to start now taking screen shots and making notes. I would not suggest actually posting anything until after the game is completed, to avoid giving away your strategies.

Elana, something must have gone wrong, because the server reports it's waiting for Yomi and Pangaea:

http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo.cgi?game=Elementalists

Could you perhaps try to resend your .2h file? Thank you.

Just another note about rules and such. It is considered bad form to stop playing or go AI when losing. Fight to the end. Even if you cannot turn it around, you should at least try to inflict as much pain as possible on the nation that is taking you out.

The Thinkers of Arcoscephale wish to inform all mercenaries that Themistoclese's Infant Son recognizes the heroic sacrifices made daily by sellswords, and will reward mercenaries accordingly--Even if Hinnom will not.

The Thinkers of Arcoscephale welcome their large brethren to the south, and will be sure to burn a bundle of pleasing incense to celebrate what will surely be open and friendly relations between our two glorious nations.

EA Arco has arguably the best fort, but finding a proper location for it is tough, and it's really quite expensive.

On a side note, I'm hardly able to keep up with all these posts, which seem to all appear at once. I assume the majority of you live in time zones to my east

I'm in Toronto, Canada (EST). I work odd hours, however, so I won't be consistently on at any time.

Though my idea with the gems may seem like it would punish those in different time zones, I think that might not actually happen as often as you think. Really, if you think about it, as the person who is last to send in your 2H, you will also most of the time necessarily be the *first* person to submit your 2H on the *following* turn.

I'm assuming this based on the auto-host mentioned above, which would mean if you are last to submit, all you need do is wait about five minutes and then you'll be able to send in your next turn (which would also mean under my suggested system that you would get a free gem from the last person for the following round).

I dunno... not really that important to me, but we can think about it more if it seems like it might be worthwhile implementing.

I'm in Honolulu, Hawaii, so I think I might be further west than you Louist, unless you're in Samoa.

Also, I suspect you all have recognized that my pretender is awake, given that he's already in the Hall of Fame...  That's usually a dead give away.

Lastly, @Thranite - I think I'm the nation to your south, since I'm on the Eastern edge of the map, in the center.

Yes, it looks like Louist and I are now in contact with each other.  I'm in the very bottom right corner of the map, with Arco just north of me.  Abyssia must be in the general area as well, but I don't believe I've seen his candles yet.

Arcosephale, my apologies, but the prophet Jennifer Aniston was at some magical ritual called a "photo shoot".  I'm not sure why she's taken a grudge against this "photo" person, but she neglected to send a messenger as was instructed.  Therefore, Angelina Jolie must ask you directly:  "Shall we be not enemies?".  If you agree, please sign these adoption papers for one Agarthan baby as a gesture of goodwill.

The venerable council of Kohens would like to announce the appointnent of Henan'el, son of Azazel, Brightest ray of the Sun, Horned Champion, Devourer of Infidels, Pacifier of the Backward Tribes, Sword of the Only True God, to the position of Grand General of the kingdom of Hinnom, may it last eighty four thousand years. To celebrate the event, grand feast will be held in the palace of Gehenna for three days and three nights, and foreign guests from near and afar are especially welcome. The people of Hinnom are very open and friendly, always eager to experience the taste of foreign cultures firsthand!

The representatives of Pangea load up several casks of the finest wines on a wagon and head toward the territory of Hinnom. There is no way they are going to miss a party.

The Council would like to express grief and sorrow over what must have been an unfortunate incident that happened in ancestral Hinnom burial grounds at Wynna. While clearing the province from bandits, grave-robbers and rebels, the border patrol has been attacked by a sizable force of demons led by a cyclop. After a short battle, in which Hinnom forces killed most of the demonic invaders in self-defence, it has been found that the unknown force was actually a contingent of troops of the neighboring Yomi kingdom, and the Cyclop was their esteemed pretender Lillith, with whom we had the pleasure to exchange letters of mutual friendship and goodwill. Our Kohens try to calm down the relatives of the chariot crew killed in combat and persuade our people that kingdom of Yomi is no threat to our nation.

Our good-hearted nation is still interested in peaceful coexistence with our Yomi neighbors, but Lilith of Yomi would have to promise never to trespass on the sacred burial grounds of the Wynna and Mark provinces, who together with the adjacent mountain range form a natural border of our lands. Should Yomi agree on this demarcation line, we can sign corresponding treaty and look forward to a peaceful future of our people.

To honor the fallen who gave their lives of those who have their lives in this unfortunate battle (including esteemed pretender Lilith, who we hope will soon get better), the announced feast will be accompanied by a proper mourning ceremony and incense will be burnt and prayers chanted according to our sacred customs.

The Council expects esteemed Lilith's response shortly, so that the future plans can be adjusted accordingly.