Positively England (Chapter 10 - Flyin' and Fallin')

Seasons Covered: Fall 1903 / Winter 1903

I ended the last chapter describing how went to bed sad at @MilkMan’s criticism of me. I wake up thinking, “Screw @MilkMan.” I am playing wildly, but I based all my moves on the internal logic of emotion :)

One of the things I’m doing here is building a relationship with Austria. There are three players (1) France @Villageidiot; (2) Turkey @Umble; and(3) Italy @Conq, who are only going to let you go so far in terms of personal bonding. France and Turkey always have their guard up. Everything is about the game or said in mind with the game. @Conq and I like to joke around a bit and try to one-up each other. Russia, @Magnesiumfire was funny, but I know now—but did not know at this moment in time—that our age difference is such that it would be hard for an old guy like me to bond with him well. He did like Springsteen, though, and that’s a positive. Germany and I were barely speaking, even though I was allied with him for a turn.

Austria is a different kettle of fish. I love direct people. I don’t think he played me, but he stroked my ego, and we bonded over our insecurities. He was my biggest fan of the clips I put out to the players and always supported me privately. Excellent Diplomacy on his part, but I thought we were developing a friendship. I found myself rooting for his success because I thought he would be most excited. If France, Turkey, or Italy do well, it’s like when I win a case; been there, done that. Time for the next case. Austria was emotionally tied into this game, and his emotional cup runneth over. I reached out to him after his good Spring:

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.21.09 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.14.41 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.15.35 PM.png

Of course, it is in my interest to have Austria and Italy patch it up. It might mean France, my erstwhile ally, will be able to focus somewhere other than right next to me. Also, it would help stop Turkey.

Italy sends out press to me, France, and Russia about his situation with Austria. I mostly include it for the high-level discussion between two great players, Italy and France (surely you did you think I was talking about myself?):

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.38.48 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.39.40 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.39.56 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.40.32 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.40.46 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.40.59 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.41.13 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.41.38 PM.png

Austria then sends this out to everyone but Turkey.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.48.47 PM.png

I found the press disconcerting, because AI to face the Turkish threat.

I try to mediate the dispute:

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.52.45 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.53.20 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 10.53.36 PM.png

I also let Italy know that he’s got another move in him after a bad season—he could take Warsaw. He wrote me a press I respect, and which also scared me about myself:

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.00.37 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.00.59 PM.png

I was proud of Italy and ashamed of myself. Am I that callous? The truth hurts. I have much to learn. Austria sends me some important news.

Screen Shot 2021-01-21 at 8.37.28 PM.png

Maybe my mediation worked?

Meanwhile, I’ve got my own budding problem to deal with—France. I really wanted Holland first before France got Belgium, but France wanted Belgium first and thought the positioning was better. He had a good point—he always does—and I went along with him.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.06.04 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.06.24 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.06.38 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.08.32 PM.png

Also, Russia wants me to leave Norway alone. He’s imploding, and he needs me now. Also, my plan is dangerous because Germany could have a rogue fleet in the North Sea. Am I stupid? I think the only way that happens is if France tips him off.

Morning comes. I make another futile effort to get France to support me into Holland. I am still worried about Russia. To make sure he doesn’t die, I’ve arranged a swap of St. Petersburg and Norway. Now, I’m afraid I won’t get Norway after I gave him St. Petersburg.

It comes down to this. Should I support myself to Norway or not? I tell Russia I’m doing that.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.15.41 PM.png

I bluffed about the double support into Norway. I out-and-out lied about helping him into Kiel and Berlin. I figure I can try and hustle my way out of it later. Hopefully, in any event, Russia doesn’t screw me, which he could, because he’s in bad shape. I finally decide my bluff is good enough, and I’m going to hope Russia falls for it.

The Game Master delayed the finals four to five days because Germany quit. He is either upset or has suffered a real emergency. The timing suggests to me Germany is a baby. On the other hand, I find out he’s a moderator, and I just don’t think a moderator would quit. I haven’t spoken with him since Spring 1903 after the stab. Later, another player would float the idea that I caused @iosers (Germany 1) to drop out. Yes, I stabbed, but I had no press to him that taunted him or anything like that. The dude had barely been around for a few days.[1]

We finally get a replacement nominee, the guy who finished eighth because of my antics. There is justice. Germany 2—@Superwerty—tries to half-heartedly suggest I should vacate Denmark.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.26.57 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.27.17 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.27.29 PM.png

Nope. No can do Germany 2.

I then decide to get greedy. I’ll move into Heligoland Bight from the North Sea. I don’t think France is going to move to the North Sea. I can get it back if I take Norway, and I believe my bluff with Russia worked. If it all works out, I increase my position substantively and don’t have to rely on France to get Kiel.

A big gamble in my mind. We shall see how the orders turn out:

Success. I move to Heligoland Bight and destroy the German fleet. France gets into Belgium. I deceive Russia and offer him no support into Kiel. I have to keep him weak. It looks like Italy and France arranged a bounce in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Russia and Italy look like they are working together. Turkey has an alliance of three against him.

On the other hand, I am upset with the fleet move to Belgium instead of the army, which will come up later, but I’m just mildly bitter for now. Only when I give more thought to it afterward that the fleet move bothers me more intensely.

I have to fade a lot of heat with Russia, but I think I can manage it. I am learning how to manipulate him.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.39.06 PM.png

I knock out some press trying to pump Austria up:

Screen Shot 2021-01-21 at 8.41.55 PM.png

I send out press with Lawrence of Arabia clips for everyone:

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.31.08 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.31.27 PM.png

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.31.48 PM.png

No likes. My act is getting old. On the other hand, France warns me about Turkey’s friendship with Germany.

Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.34.24 PM.png

As winter arrives, I get one build; France gets two. Crap. Now France has to build a Fleet in Bre. We prearrange the builds, but really, there was nothing to discuss. I knew he was doing it, and I couldn’t stop him, so I pretended as if it was my idea.