Diplomacy zine -- Chapter Four From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Fri, 01 Dec 1989 02:58:14 +0000 Issue #119 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Chapter One contains: NAVARONE, BLITZKRIEG, OPERATION OVERLORD, GETTYSBURG, and HMS HOOD And is published by daybell@aludra.usc.edu/Donald Daybell Chapter Two contains: DRAGONSLAYER, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, and TRENCHFOOT And is published by tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer Chapter Three contains: TANNENBURG, VERDUN, ENTENTE, MULHOUSE, and DAWN PATROL And is published by dragon@agora.hf.intel.com/Bill Wheeler (For the next month he will be sending it to me and I will be posting it on rec.games.pbm.) ------------- Chapter Four ------------- Fall '04 of the game RATATOSK (BNC number 1989IJ) (GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg) Not Received. Spring '04 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) [] - indicates unsuccessful order The Not-So-Invincible City-State of Trieste (used to be: Austria-Hungary) ========================================================================= F Tri S Alb - Ven RUSSIA ====== [A STP - NWY] Dislodged A UKR - MOS A VIE - BOH [A PRU - BER] Standoff F BAL S PRU - BER F RUM - EBUL TURKEY ====== [A Alb - Ven] Standoff F Adr C Alb - Ven F Smy - EME F Aeg S Smy - EME A Bud - Vie A Ser - Bud A Gre H ITALY ===== [A Rom - Ven] Standoff F Ion S Smy - Eme F Nap - Apu F Tys S Ion FRANCE ====== F GOL - WME A PIE S ROM - VEN A PIC - BEL F ENG S PIC - BEL A BEL - RUH A BUR S BEL - RUH England ======= [A EDI - NWY] Standoff F NTH C EDI - NWY A SWE S DEN F DEN H A FIN - STP F BAR S FIN - STP GERMANY ======= A MUN - TYR A RUH - HOL A KIE S BER F BER S KIE ===== PRESS ===== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Turkey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sultan was pleased to hear that Turkey was the subject of many newspaper articles in the United States this last week. He said that it was about time that Turkey got some recognition although it was a shame that most of the articles were in the Food section instead of the front page. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sonya Kissoff walked quickly along to her apartment in the Viennese student slums. She stopped at the door of a used bookshop, looked about her, and entered. She noted there were no other customers and quietly spoke to the single visible employee, an elderly man. He nodded once, and gesturing for her to follow, walked through the door behind the counter. They walked down some stairs, he never spoke, and she found herself in a small cellar. A group of her friends were already there. The old man had left as quietly as he had come. A youth dressed in black stood up. "Welcome, Comrade Sonya", He said. "You have served the revolution well". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germany ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today the Hohezollern Elite bodyguard secured the city of Berlin. With the help of the loyal citizenry, they successfully rooted out and destroyed all remaining pockets of the Russian Imperial Army, whose hasty retreat out of Berlin was a surprise to no one. Wilhelm II expressed sympathy for the neutral Turkish diplomats killed by the Russians during their occupation of Berlin. It was previously believed that the Turks had been killed by an errant naval round, however it has now been confirmed that there was indeed a planned operation by the Russians to remove the Turkish Embassy. After a brief attempt to allow the state of Holland autonomy, German troops on maneouvers in the Ruhr were ordered to cross the Dutch border inorder to ensure Hollands freedom from the belligerent foreign troops occupying its neighbors. At the behest of the Hapsburgs, The German Imperial troops stationed in Munich went on maneouvers in Tyrolia. The German Field Marshal overseeing the operation remarked at the enthusiasm of the Austrian peasants regarding the new forces stationed to ensure their freedom from foriegn powers. The Field Marshal went on to express his desire for uninvited foriegn troops occupying Austro- Hungarian territory to withdrawn their forces and allow the Austrian people their freedom. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It would appear that the Franco-Anglish Alliance will draw for the victory, unless the Russians can pull off a coup. Summer '04 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) Retreats -------- A Stp - Liv Spring '03 of the game HUGO (BNC number 1989IO) (GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti) Due next Sunday Spring '02 of the gunboat game VERSAILLES (MNC number 1989JErb32) (GM is sccs6016@iruccibm.bitnet/Gearoid Casey) Players on vacation, will be completed later this week. Spring '02 of the game JUGGERNAUGHT (BNC number 1989IR) (GM is rdesper@eagle.wesleyan.edu/Rick Desper) Not Received. Autumn and Winter '01 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number 1989IS) (GM is joseph_harold_thomas@cup.portal.com/Joseph Thomas) (Still missing Spring'01 results) Germany A Kie, A Ber, A Mun Italy A Ven France A Par Turkey F Smy Austria no builds England F Lon, F Edi Russia F Stp (nc), A War Autumn and Winter of the game PETAIN (BNC number not known) (GM is ssmith@ms.uky.edu/Scott Smith RETREAT: Italian A Ven retreats to Rom. ----- CONTROL: Austria: [6] Bud Tri Vie SER VEN GRE England: [4] Liv Lon Edi NWY France: [5] Bre Mar Par POR BEL Germany: [4] Ber Kie Mun HOL Italy: [3] Nap Rom TUN (Ven) Russia: [7] Mos Sev Stp War RUM BUL SWE Turkey: [3] Ank Con Smy New in caps, lost in parentheses. ----- BUILDS: Austria: Build 3 F Tri A Vie A Bud England: Build 1 F Liv France: Build 2 F Bre A Par Germany: Build 1 F Ber Italy: Nothing Russia: Build 3 F StpN F Sev A Mos Turkey: Build 1 F Smy ----- UNIT POSITIONS: Austria: A Bud Ser Ven Vie F Gre Tri England: A Lon F Liv Nth Nwy France: A Bel Par Por F Bre Ech Germany: A Kie Tyr F Ber Hol Italy: A Rom Tun F Ion Russia: A Mos Rum Ukr F Sev Swe BulE StpN Turkey: A Arm F Con Smy ----- PRESS: Venice Probe (formerly the Venice Times) Glorious shouts were heard along the canals as crowds gathered to welcome the Austrian liberators. Turnout was estimated at over half a million people, including even the mayor of the city. A tickertape parade was scheduled for the following week. Shouts of "Down with Victor Emmanuel!" echoed through the city. Meanwhile, a delegeation was hurriedly being prepared to be sent to Vienna, as an immediate appeal for annexation of Venetia-Romagna to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. "There is no matter more urgent for Venetians. We only hope that enlightenment will also come to the rest of the Italian people," proclaimed the mayor. --- Vienna Probe (All the news that is fit to primp) One of our reporters cornered the crown prince of Austria, Herman Adolf Gotterdamerung the first, and asked him for a comment on the early successes for the Austrian military. His only reply was, "Yum yum bugatee rumning too ni ni ni waoooooo." We haven't the slightest idea what it means, and before our reporter could ask for clarification, the crown prince looked haughtily down his nose, belched, and left the room. --- Spain(AP) Local rumor has it that the sun will soon set on the British empire. --- MOSCOW: (Novosti Press) The Czar today thanked Emperor Wilhelm of Austria for his support to the Imperial Navy's protective move into Bulgaria. Citing Russia's historic role as the protector of the Slavs, His Imperial Majesty denounced the Turkish aggression against the peaceful people of Bulgaria and Armenia: "Holy Russia cannot afford to stand by and watch the butchery of the innocent Bulgars by brutal Turkish troops and even the attractive wenches of Budapest cannot make us forsake our Imperial Destiny. The Turkish move to Armenia is an Act of Aggression that will be resisted with force. A new fleet is being commisioned in Sevastopol to save the Armenians. I appeal to my Azerbaijani subjects to participate in these relief efforts." The Czar also congratulated Grand Duke Dmitri for successfully securing Swedish iron ore supplies. In view of this spectacular success, the Grand Duke was given additional command over the Second Fleet in St. Petersburg. Later, His Imperial Majesty sharply criticized the Austro-German invasion of Italy: "We call upon the rulers of Austria and Germany to put an end to the mindless carnage in Venice. While Emperor Wilhelm's co-operation in the liberation of the Slavic people's from Turkish slavery is welcome, he must get rid of the fanatic cabal in Vienna that is pursuing aggrandizement at the expense of our Italian friends. We offer Russia's services as a mediator to all parties in this dispute. If this offer is not sufficient, perhaps more persuasion from Warsaw and Marseilles may be in order." Sevastopol: Count (now Prince) Yakov Smirnoff, Russian ambassador to Turkey and the last remnants of the Russian legation in Turkey made a spectacular escape from Istanbul, swimming across the Bosphorus for a rendezvous with a Russian submarine. Smirnoff had uncovered and communicated to Moscow details about a Turkish plot to encircle Sevastopol. For this masterly diplomatic achievement, Smirnoff was elevated in the nobility, granted admission to the Imperial Order of Stolichnaya, and appointed as the new governor of Bulgaria, Armenia and liberated Slav territories. Smolny: The entire Imperial General Staff swore an oath of allegiance to the Czar. Three foreign agents were shot dead for spreading false stories about an impending coup in Moscow. A press spokesman said that the newly-arrived army in Moscow would stay in Moscow only for the winter, and be sent to the front once the snows thawed. --- BUCHAREST: Joyous crowds welcomed the entry of Russian forces into Rumania, thankful for deliverance from the Turkish hordes that were garrisoned in Bulgaria and met their just deserts by perishing in the Black Sea. --- The Leech'n'Sting Tatler ------------------------ New York- Our correspondent in Rome received annual National Enquirer award for predictive reporting, announcing the Franco-Italian friendship treaty. A Mediterranean port- The French Navy announced the formation of a new Mediterranean command in view of the tense situation in Italy. There are rumors of an imminent pre-emptive strike into the troubled area. Sarajevo- Some of the slogans on posters plastered all over this unruly city: "Russo-Austrian hegemony over the Balkans must come to an end" "Death to Emperor Wilhlem" "The Czar is the anti-Christ" Somewhere in the EnglishChannel- At a summit meeting on two naval warships, the leaders of France and England agreed to settle their differences and focus on evicting the Germans from Holland. They also sent a joint message asking Russia not disrupt the balance of power in north. Monaco - The winning lotto numbers for the winter 1901 2.4 billion franc Monaco State Lottery: 01 02 05 19 37 48 59 72. Our resident astrologer's predictions: The white will see red, and then red will bleed white. Suggested Christmas reading: "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens --- Vienna (Free Accociative Press) In a speech delivered today to the Gotterdamerung Youth, the Emperor made the following ominous comment. "The Czar and his detestable band of proto-soviets should realize that despite the neutralization of Turkey, they will not be allowed to simply absorb Turkey into greater Russia without a fight. The humiliating blackmail that led to Austrian assistance in driving back the Turks wears heavily on my soul for I am an honorable and peaceful man. The capture of Venice places Austria in a much better stance to bargain from a position of strength, and the Czar may soon find himself swearing allegiance to me from the lowest level of a stinking Austrian dungeon." He went on to say, "We are very thankful to our German freinds for their assistance in Austria, but I think that the Kaiser must learn that there is a difference between a request and a demand. We look forward to a bright future of comeraderie as long as the Kaiser understands that requests will be considered in the magnanimous fashion for which I am known. Demands will be scoffed at and despised, and Germany should understand that conquered territories can be returned to their original owner as easily as they can to an uppity comerade." Fall '01 of the game DUNKIRK (BNC number not known) (GM is sjzwange@phoenix.princeton.edu/Steven Jacob Zwanger) Not Received. Publisher comments: For the record, a few of my Not Received's are probably due next Sundays. ****************************************************** Transmitted via scribe Larry Hardouin/att!druwa!hardlj ****************************************************** Guest Editorial MY FIRST DIPCON . . . . DIPCON XXII by Ron Cameron, member DIPCON XXII Administrative Committee As most people that have played the game with me either in person, or by mail will certify, I have a tendency to reamble on and on....and on. This tale about DIPCON XXII will be no exception, so get ready for not too short a read. My DIPCON weekend started well before the actual official events and registration. As a member of the DIPCON Committee, I had the distinct advantage and enjoyment of knowing many of the attendees beforehand. This created, in my feeble mind, many pre-illusionary and pre-conceived mental pictures of these people that I was about to meet, in person, for the first time. In addition, as founder of the CAMCON Diplomacy events in the Los Angeles area, I looked forward to renewing friendships and visiting with once again, those 'deadly Camconians' that I hadn't seen in several months. On Wednesday before the con started, Steve and Linda Courtemanche arrived at my home quite late in the evening. They were finishing up their California vacation. They had spent the day at Knott's Berry Farm, and, by the time that they arrived, my wife Kathy and I were both sleeping. Since we both had to work that day, we left the door unlocked with a note for Steve and Linda to let themselves in, and make themselves at home. We greeted them briefly the next morning and went off to work, while they took on Disneyland with the other tourists. Early that evening, Thursday, Don Williams arrived. To say he was more that a little 'pumped up' and 'raring to go' is an understatement!! We were both uncaged, unresponsible, on the party animals. Off we immediately went to the local Shakeys for beer, pinball and pizza. I conveniently 'forgot' my wallet so Don had to pay for everything, including the quarters for the video games and the six-pack and cigarettes purchased on the way back to 'Casa Cameron'. It wasn't too long before Steve and Linda arrived, wrapping up a long day at Disneyland. My daughter, Julie, had made a chocolate cake for the occasion, but had gone to sleep with the rest of my sleepy family by the time our 'mouseketeers' walked wearily through the door. Don, Linda, Steve and I devoured the entire chocolate cake, and then talked 'hobby' for quite a while. Steve and Linda are two of the nicest people that you would ever want to meet. The time, effort, money, and support that they (and Don) gave me on the Holley Award project will never be forgotten! Next morning, Don and I were off like a shot to DIPCON while Linda and Steve were to meet us in San Diego later, as they wanted to drive down the coast and do some scenic sight-seeing. Turns out that they were so tired from their visits to Knotts and Disneyland, that they spent most of Friday morning in my spa. Linda apparently has got the California 'bug' and wants to move here immediately. We'll have to send her that bumper sticker "WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA, NOW GO HOME". Ha Ha. Arriving at Larry Peery's, we were greeted by 'the King' himself. I was told by more than one person that Don and I had missed a great mixer the night before. Larry proudly gave us the nickel tour of his house, complete with "The Duck Williams Bathroom" and Diplomacy World Central. I met Matt McVeigh and his gorgeous wife; they had come all the way from England. Matt, I believe, was runner-up World Con Diplomacy Champion. We said hello, and laughed with Camconians Hohn Cho and Tim Moore. Mike Legg was selling very nice Diplomacy map postcards. I finally got to meet Mark Lew and David Hood. Great guys, one and all. Some of us participated in a cork gathering event held in Larry's backyard. Essentially, Larry scattered some colored corks around and the seven participants scurried to see who could gather 18 the quickest, either by initial grabbing, or later trading. It took the winner all of five minutes to achieve his 18. Later, to our astonishment, we found this event would count in some minor way, as part of the winners final score. Don had promised Gary Behnen a ride from the San Diego airport, so we stopped there enroute to the hotel. I'll say this about Gary; he's not what I expected. Like myself, he's not a little overweight, not too physically attractive, and certainly not someone you'd like to have come to your front door to pick up your daughter for her first date. While Don Williams is about 6'2", lean, and fairly good looking (in my wife's eyes), Gary is the exact opposite. Still, Gary has the personality of a comedian and it's easy to immediately see why he's won so many postal games. He's the kind of guy that you'd like to have as your partner on a game show. Or in a dark alley. Both Gary and Don would be hilarious on a night out on the town. Pity Gary is a St. Louis Cards fan. The Town & Country Hotel is one of San Diego's best. Thanks to Mike Maston, Larry made a terrific choice for the Con location. The facilities are expansive and expensive, to say the least. I think Fred Davis got lost three times before he found the convention hall. People like Fred made DIPCON XXII the success that it was. He was always there to help, always with a kind word and a friendly smile. Our game rooms were as comfortable and modern as any convention I've ever attended, and as a banker, I've attended more than a few. Walking up to the registration table, I saw Marla Cronin and Audi Jaxon. This was a nice touch, I thought, two attractive, pretty young ladies the first people you see at the con. They had everything well in order; the registration packets and program was very well thought out and structured. Even the greenist novice would have had no trouble figuring anything out. I thanked Audi once again for the help that she had given me in the previous months. The room where the blood was soon to spill was crowded, the atmosphere cordial, but at the same time tense. I wanted to meet everyone, play everyone. Someone remarked that it seemed like just before feeding time at the zoo. Gunboat was the first game of the night. Seven or eight tables started up. Rules were explained, "NO TALKING" and gamesmasters assigned. David Hood was our GM. Now David is the kind of guy you'd like to have show up at your doorstep to escort your daughter on that first date. This guy is Mr. Right. Got his act together. Now wonder he's a past DIPCON Champ; he's persuasive but not domineering, friendly, but not with too much syrup. He also has what few good face to face players possess, the ability and expertise at being a good listener. Mark Lew is also in this category. Talk to him for five minutes and you immediately admire him, even if you are in disagreement. They both exude such confidence without being obnoxious. I won my Gunboat game Friday night, with an 18 center England. It took me slightly over six hours. I later found out Jeff McKee got double the credit that I did for 'beating' the computer and gaining 20 centers in 13 minutes. Sour grapes? I was, nor was anyone else I talked to that weekend, not happy how Larry Peery ranked and scored the events. However, that is another article; maybe a longer one that this. Mark Lew won the Gunboat Division championship with a 14 center Germany. Figure that one out. Mark and I can't to this very day, especially since Steve Cooley and Bob Aube had 18 and 19 center wins as Austria and Italy respectively. I did admire Jeff McKee's pooh-poohing his mastery of a flawed Diplomacy computer program. A relative newcomer to the play-by- mail hobby, Jeff has a good intelligence for the game and a cockiness that you admire. I hope Jeff stays in the hobby and continues to publish. It will also be interesting to see his thoughts about his 2nd place overall finish at DIPCON XXII which, in large part came from beating that flawed computer program. Of course that's not Jeff's fault that this event was given so much weight in the scoring system. Saturday morning brought the team event. The fun part of this event was that you knew exactly what country (pre-assigned by team captain) that you would play. Everyone on your team would play his country at a different table. Steve Cooley, from the Los Angeles area, had hand picked a superb slate of seven face to face gamers. Steve is probably the best face to face Dip player that I've ever had the pleasure, (and displeasure) of competing against. Larry Peery originally balked at Steve's lineup. "They're too good; we'll have to break them up!", he said. "Calm down Larry", I replied, "I'll just form a better team". Don Williams and I got together and did just that. And what a team!! I called it "Cameron's Californians", all members California residents, or ex- residents. We had tournament champ Edi Birsan playing Italy and (should have been tournament champ) Hohn Cho playing France. Don was to play Austria and I was to play Turkey. Mr. Gary 'Greedy' Behnen played Russia and Camconians Eric Aldrich and Steve Golob played England and Germany. Remarkably, the team finished with six draws and one survivorship--probably a record that will stand for some time to come. I sure was proud of these fellows! Steve Cooley's team finished in second place and it seemed the competition was so fierce, especially since there was not one win in seven boards played. How did I do as Turkey? Fairly well, an enjoyable game considering I wanted to do well and felt the pressure. I think I ended up with 9 centers in the four way draw. Saturday night saw the first round of Individual Diplomacy. Just before the round started, it was quite evident that everyone was quite excited. You could hear a pin drop as the names were read assigning players their tables. Problem was there were 53 participants and four were need to volunteer to sit out. Since news of my 18 center Gunboat win had spread like wildfire, I was willing to leave my table. Also, as a member of the DIPCON Committee, I thought I had that responsibility. I received assurances from Don DelGrande, tournament director, that missing the first round would not be held against me. Later, I found out that playing that round and doing well would have placed me among the final leaders, as the lowest round performance would be eliminated from a player's score. Sour grapes? Naw, only the victim of one person's value judgements about how the ranking of the events and the scoring system, radically changed for this Dipcon, could have such a profound effect on the overall winner and champion. I watched and observed and kibbitzed round one of the Individual Dip competition. There was Cathy Ozog, fighting for her life as Italy, and making it to '07 before elimination. Kathy is one hobbyist I'd wished I had more time with which to visit. Hohn Cho, always precise and cunning, was having an easy time of it, and on his way to an 18 center win as Turkey. Sue Welter was also playing Turkey at another board and holding her own with 8 centers. Sue is quite a crackup. Her bubbly personality was a real pick-me-up for me all those times we spent talking in the hall. You see, as smokers, and no smoking allowed in the game rooms, I happily spent time talking with her, even as my games were taking place. During round one, I was hoping Vince Lutterbie would get eliminated so we could play that game of Acquire we had hoped to face off on for so long. Vince is truly on eof the most amicable people I have ever corresponded with in the play-by-mail hobby. He is no disappointment in person. Too bad he is such a good player; he slugged it out with Steve Cooley and only because of Germany did not get part of the draw. Still, Vince finished a strong 12 center Turk. By that time I was dead to the world and asleep like a rock back in my room. The next morning, after a swim in the pool and a small continental breakfast consisting of a Miller draft and a doughnut, was the hobby meeting. Dave McCrumb, Cathy Ozog and David Hood all submitted bids to host DIPCON XXIII in various cities. Edi Birsan was of the opinion that DIPCON should be held exclusively of any other gaming events or convention. Most of the meeting agreed and the vote gave David Hood and his Carolina Diplomats the DIPCON XXIII location in North Carolina. Round II of Individual Dip then started. Six boards convened and I drew Russia. I normally like to play Russia, but, in this case, did not play it well. At first, Turkey and I had a good, solid alliance going and together we had 12 units by the end of '02. But Italy would not let Austria cave in. Worse, I had made a tactical error by stabbing Germany too early, and he and England quickly moved against me. With nowhere to go to grow, it was obvious that the Sultan would gladly join in. I couldn't blame him. Mercifully, the game ended in a 1907 seven way draw. Overall, in round II, the competition seemed very good as no one had better than 12 centers. Next came the awards banquet with over 30 people attending the sit down dinner. Everyone was all spiffed up, each anxious to learn the results. I remember how nice Steve and Linda Courtemanche looked, just like they were ready for church. I thanked Tim Moore for his help that he had given to DIPCON, thankful that I hadn't met up with him on a table. He's a good player and knows most of my tricks. Don Williams, Vince Lutterbie and I downed a couple of Miller drafts. Stories of stabs and alliances, '...if I had only done this, or ... if you only would've done that', etc., etc. Everyone had battle wounds and war stories. Greg Ellis, from Texas, and a very serious, intelligent, and exacting player won the Rolex watch door prize. Dinner was excellent, the first full course meal for many that weekend. Don Del Grande, tournament director, tried in vain to explain the scoring system. He spent a full five minutes trying to explain it, then asked for a show of hands who did. Not more than three raised their hands. Larry read the long list of winners and presented the very impressive awards. After dinner entertainment was the highlight of the award's ceremony and consisted of a roast of Larry Peery. Larry had known nothing of this beforehand. Rod Walker was master of ceremonies and you could not ask for a better one! His initial monologue and interjections of jokes between speakers was hilarious. One by one, he introduced Don DelGrande, Mike Maston, Don Williams and myself. Each threw barbs and stabbed Larry probably more than he's ever been stabbed in a Diplomacy game. The crowd loved every minute of it! Edi Birsan, in particular, was superb. I can't remember his exact words, but he had the audience howling every second. He'd be into another scenario and you'd still be laughing from the first. Everything from that weekend is still fairly vivid in my mind, even as I write this almost 50 days later. I will long remember the fun. Even longer, I'll remember friendships, conversations and faces that I made for the first time. Fellowship is what DIPCON is all about. Sure, the competition and games are exciting, but its the people you meet and the social interaction that was the best part for me. I was everything that I had pre-pictured it to be. More important, I'm sure everyone had a great time and no one regretted attending. So that's my first DIPCON---I'm sure now that it won't be my last..... I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up