Diplomacy zine -- The Ten Diplomandments From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1989 00:04:43 +0000 Issue #75 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Autumn and Winter '09 of the game PANZER (BNC number 1989H) Two people sent in their votes without their adjustments. Amazing. I'll post results tommorrow! Autumn '05 of the game MAELSTROM (BNC number 1989AA): Germany retreats F NTS-YOR Winter '05 of the game MAELSTROM (BNC number 1989AA): Germany builds F KIE, A BER, A MUN Turkey builds A CON, A SMY England disbands F EDI France disbands F TUN, A APU Italy disbands A VEN Press: What are all those French units doing in the Med while English units wander through France? Of course the English units can't wander through England since we've got German units there. If Germany wanted to be England, and England wanted to be France, and France wanted to be Italy.... Why didn't they just all say so in the begining! HOUSEFRAUS UP IN ARMS!! Berlin: After being denied the right to shop at Paris shops, a large group of German Housefraus went on a rampage and destroyed a number of discount stores in the French province of Burgundy. "You're darn right we're angry", one was quoted as saying. "They let those snooty English bitches in, but we're just not good enough. Well we'll just see about that." Liverpool: A group of German tourists on a "Six cites in six days" package tour have inadvertently captured the English city of Liverpool. The citizens, unprepared for conflict surrendered peacfully as the tour buses arrived in the town square. "It was orrible", said one Liverpudlian. "They decended on the pubs in mass they did, an began drinking an eatin like there was no tomorra. Why I don't think theres a single chip left in the whole town." The German tourists were not available for comment, having retreated to their hotel rooms with what was reported to be a bad case of "Mountbattens Revenge". Autumn and Winter '04 of the game RED STORM (BNC number 1989AB) (GM is MaryFW@cup.portal.com) Not received. Fall '06 of the game PEARL HARBOR (BNC number 1989AV) (GM is Adams@multiflow.com/Steve Adams) ============================================================================== AUSTRIA : [A TRI SA SER], [A SER SA TRI] ENGLAND : [F SPA(sc) S *German* A BUR->MAR], F NWY->STP, F WES->TUN, A FIN->SWE, F ENG->BRE, F NAP HOLDS, F MAO->WES, A WAL HOLDS, F NTH->ENG FRANCE : [F GOL->SPA(sc)], [A MAR SF GOL->SPA(sc)], A PAR HOLDS, [A BRE SA PAR HOLD] GERMANY : A MOS HOLDS, F BAL->DEN, A KIE->HOL, [A MUN->TYR], A VEN->TRI, A BUD SA VEN->TRI, A ROM->VEN, A BUR->MAR, A GAS SA BUR->MAR, F PIC S *English* F ENG->BRE ITALY : A VIE SA TYR HOLD, [A TYR SA VIE HOLD] RUSSIA : TURKEY : F AEG->ION, F CON->AEG, A BUL->SER, A RUM SA BUL->SER, A GRE SA BUL->SER, A SEV HOLDS moves in '[]' failed. ============================================================================== Retreats : AUSTRIA : A TRI has been dislodged. (must disband, no supply center) AUSTRIA : A SER has been dislodged. (must disband, no supply center) FRANCE : A MAR has been dislodged. (may go to PIE or disband) FRANCE : A BRE has been destroyed. (no valid retreats) Retreats are due by Tuesday, June 27, 1989, at 10PM EST. ============================================================================== Builds/Disbands : (number of total supply centers are in []) (+ = build, - = disband, 0 = no change) AUSTRIA : -2 [ 0] ENGLAND : +2 [11] (London, Liverpool, Edinburough, Norway, Sweden, St. Pete, Tunis, Portugal, Naples, Spain, Brest) FRANCE : -3 [ 1] (Paris) GERMANY : +2 [13] (Kiel, Munich, Berlin, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Warsaw, Moscow, Rome, Venice, Budapest, Marsailles, Trieste) ITALY : -1 [ 1] (Vienna) RUSSIA : 0 [ 0] TURKEY : +2 [ 8] (Smyrna, Constantinople, Ankara, Bulgaria, Rumania, Sevastapol, Serbia, Greece) [Germany may build 3 since he is one unit short] [Austria is eliminated] [France may retreat/disband any combination, so long as only one unit remains] Builds/Disbands are due by Tuesday, June 27, 1989, at 10PM EST. ============================================================================== Unit Locations : (note - some units may be disbanded) AUSTRIA : ENGLAND : F St. Petersburg, A Sweden, A Wales, F English Channel, F Brest, F Spain(sc), F Western Mediterranean, F Tunis, F Naples FRANCE : A Paris, F Gulf of Leon, A ???? GERMANY : A Moscow, A Budapest, A Trieste, A Venice, A Munich, F Denmark, A Holland, F Picardy, A Gascony, A Marsailles ITALY : A Tyrolia, A Vienna RUSSIA : TURKEY : A Sevastapol, A Rumania, A Serbia, A Greece, F Aegean, F Ionian ============================================================================== (notes : Press should be interpreted as follows : ) ( Weekly World News : GM's notes ) ( European Gazette : "Grey Press" ) ( all others : "White or Black Press" ) ============================================================================== _The Weekly World News_ Fall 1906 Edition AUSTRIA ELIMINATED! FRANCE DOWN TO A SINGLE UNIT! ITALY DOWN TO A SINGLE UNIT! ANGLO-GERMAN TIDE ROLLS ON! TURKS CONTINUE COMBACK! Simultaneous attacks by Germany and Turkey have left Austria without any supply centers, and out of the game. Austria fought long and hard, but was finally eliminated. Anglo-German units crushed the Frence defenders, and have occupied all of France, except Paris. Germany continues to grow, now controlling 13 centers, of the 18 necessary for a win. Paris and Vienna will give him 15, with only three more necessary for outright victory. Italy has managed to hold on, controlling Vienna. The Italian government in exile appears to have little hope of surviving another year. Turkey continues on her comeback, now up to eight centers. For a country that just 2 and 1/2 years ago was partially occupied by the Russians, she has done well. Little conquest is available for her, without causing immediate war with England or Germany. England forces control 11 centers, with no room for conquest, except in the Mediterranean. That would be tough sledding against the Turks. Since so few centers remain that are not controlled by one of the three major powers, they must turn on one another, or perhaps declare peace. ============================================================================== _The Ankara Daily Turk_ Fall 1906 Edition After not being able to locate Fidel Ottoman for comments last spring, he has finally been located touring the ancient Greek ruins around Athens. Asked for comments on the current European situation and why he was in Athens: "I like what I see happening around Europe these days. All the petty monarchs who felt a need to fight petty little local wars instead of workign together are learning their lesson. As for why I am in Greece. Well, I felt terrifically insulted by the Italian stab and moving into here while I consolidated my power in Turkey. I felt compelled to personally lead my troops onto the beaches. And I'd like to say to the Italians as they said to me 'Athens in nice this time of year!'" ============================================================================== -Steve (gm) Autumn and Winter '06 of the game PEARL HARBOR (BNC number 1989AV) (GM is Adams@multiflow.com/Steve Adams) Not Received. Spring '04 of D-DAY (BNC number 1989AW) (GM is Pav@cs.duke.edu/Paul Vick) Spring 1904 Results for D-Day --------------------------- Orders: Spring 1904 England: F NTH S F Eng, F ENG S F Nth, F NWY S F Nth, F Edi-CLY F StP-BAR, A MOS-hold Germany: A Ber-PRU, A Mun-SIL, A RUR S F Bel, F Hol-HEL, F Swe-SKA <F DEN-Nth>, F BEL S F Den-Nth Russia: <A BUL S F Con>, A RUM S A Bul, A Ukr-WAR, <F CON S F Bla-Ank> <F BLA-Ank> Austria: <A GRE-Bul> Turkey: <A SMY-Con>, <A ANK S A Smy-Con>, <A <SER> S *Austrian* A Gre-Bul> Italy: F Ion-ALB, F Tun-ION, A Tri-SER, A BUD S A Tri-Ser, A Ven-TRI A PIE-hold, A TYR-hold France: F Mao-IRI, <A BRE-Pic>, <A BUR-Pic>, <A MAR-Bur>, F Wme-MAO Orders inclosed in <> have failed. The final position of each unit is listed in all CAPS. If the final position is listed in <> then that unit must retreat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Press: Russia-all: Barely alive, barely alive. Ohh Ohh Ohh. Barely alive, barely alive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GM Notes: As I'm sure everyone noticed, I said "Let's get this game back on schedule" and then promptly sent out my first season 24 hrs late. My apologies - this delay was far from planned. Suffice it to say I ended up having to make an unscheduled move last Friday which put me out of reach of phone link until now. This will NOT happen again, and I'm sorry it had to cut into an already delayed game. Feel free to gripe at me for this (or ask for a reasonable explanation)... Due to my lack of time, I'm using the form Mark very kindly provided me - should be a little different next turn. To turn to the actual game, A Ser is dislodged with nowhere to retreat to and must disband. Since the game was delayed only 24 hrs, I'd like to set the deadline for Fall '04 at 10pm, Sun. June 2nd. If there is great sentiment against this, let me know. Otherwise it stands. Thanks! Summer '04 of D-DAY (BNC number 1989AW) (GM is Pav@cs.duke.edu/Paul Vick) Turkey disbands A Ser. Summer '03 of NAVARONE (BNC number 1989AX) (GM is Pwoodruf@orion.cf.uci.edu/Peter Woodruff) Nothing happened. Fall '03 is due 10pm EST, Wednesday, July 5. Fall '01 of BLITZKRIEG (BNC number not known) (GM is Dougi@astro.as.utexas.edu/Doug Ingram) Blitzkreig moves -- Fall 1901 **** SOMEBODY'S BAKING TOLL HOUSE COOKIES IN MUNICH! **** Austria: F ALB-GRE, A VIE-H, A SER SF ALB-GRE England: F NWG-NWY, F NTS CA YOR-BEL, A YOR-BEL France: F MAO-POR, A SPA-H, (A BUR-MUN) Germany: A RUH-HOL, (F DEN-SWE), (A BER-MUN) Italy: F ION-TUN, A VEN-PIE, (A TYR-MUN) Russia: A WAR-GAL, A MOS-UKR, (F GOB-SWE), *F RUM S Turkish A BUL-H* Turkey: (A BUL-GRE), F CON-AEG, A SMY-CON Notes: Moves in () indicate bounce. Moves in ** indicate invalid order. **************** Supply Centers: Total/(Units Owned)/Status Austria: BUD, VIE, TRI, SER, GRE 5 (3) ++ England: LON, LVP, EDI, NWY, BEL 5 (3) ++ France: BRE, PAR, MAR, SPA, POR 5 (3) ++ Germany: KIE, BER, MUN, HOL, DEN 5 (3) ++ Italy: VEN, ROM, NAP, TUN 4 (3) + Russia: STP, MOS, WAR, SEV, RUM 5 (4) + Turkey: ANK, CON, SMY, BUL 4 (3) + **************** Unit Positions -- Autumn 1901: Austria: F GRE, A VIE, A SER England: F NWY, F NTS, A BEL France: F POR, A SPA, A BUR Germany: A HOL, F DEN, A BER Italy: F TUN, A PIE, A TYR Russia: A GAL, A UKR, F GOB, F RUM Turkey: A BUL, F AEG, A CON GM note: France was responsible for the slightly late orders, guys, but it hopefully won't happen again. Everyone has builds, and they are due by tomorrow night! There are no retreats or other adjustments necessary. Also, the only press I got was from Italy, but I lost it due to a mix-up. I will gladly post it with the Winter results if I get another copy. Autumn and Winter '01 of BLITZKRIEG (BNC number not known) (GM is Dougi@astro.as.utexas.edu/Doug Ingram) Delayed, lots of fun e-mail problems. OPERATION OVERLORD: Summer 1901 (BNC Number Unknown) (GMed by Davisje@crd.ge.com/Jon Davis) Nothing happened. Spring '01 of GETTYSBURG (BNC number not known) (GM is Adams@multiflow.com/Steve Adams) Due July 2, 1989 Spring '01 of DRAGONSLAYER (BNC number not known) (GM is Genesch@aplvax.jhuapl.edu/Eugene Schwartzman) Due July 9, 1989 GM comments: Taken from Electric Penguin #5: THE TEN DIPLOMANDMENTS By Rudolph Tatay I. Beware thy fellow player that answers not thy letter, for he shall surely fall upon thee as many cubits of bricks. II. Cause not anger among the players in thy game, for they will conspire together against thee and thy seasons will not long endure. III. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, if thou needs must stab, thrust hard and for the death, for if thou are hesitant and fearful thy enemy will surely turn upon thee in a great rage. IV. Tarry not amongst those who make foolish moves, for they are surely not long for the game; lest thou be adjudged as a fool and eliminated. V. Takest thou care thy games are ended for verily though thou hast given thy money, the finding of a substitue for a lost position is a great trial and tribulation, for which thy gamesmaster will remember thy name unto the end of time. VI. Takes thou care thou distortest not the truth to thy gamesmaster, for this incurreth his wrath and bringeth his gury about thy head and shoulders. VII. Spendest not all thy time on the pursuit of Diplomacy, for if thou doest thy friends will surely buy beers for thy wife and girfriend and console her in ways not pleasing to thee. VIII. When thy friends and enemies have been established, be thou willing to change friend for enemy and enemy for friend for while this may be confusing it will ensure thy finish in the game. IX. Feud not in the world of Diplomacy, for it is only a game and even if someone be a fool and a mental reject he may someday aid thee to a victory. Of course, if thou gainest joy from a feud, forget thou the above. X. Commit thou to memory all the words of the prophet Allan as written in the RULES FOR DIPLOMACY (copyright by Avalon Hill) which giveth out with the straight dope and consoleth thee when thou hast suffered a ream job by thy gamesmaster. Taken from Passchendaele #84: GOOD BYE CHARLIE THE FIRST IN A SERIES ON "RELATIONSHIPS" By Francois Cuerrier Players enter deals and alliances for one reason only: personal profit. It is true that in making his alliance choices a player will give some consideration to the negotiating styles, personal relationships, and credibility of his peers. But in the end the decision will largely be governed by his anticipation of which offer will bring in the biggest return. It usually boils down to the best center split offer, but can also include intangibles such as perceived ability to dominate the alliance and manipulate the ally. It should follow that agreements should - and indeed will - be discarded when they have outlived their usefulness. The best things in life occasionally come to an end, and most players will not fail to recognize this, as reflected in the occasional strategy changes in mid-game. This can occur in any number of situations, including: A better offer comes along. This is usually more seldom seen that it perhaps ought to be: once committed to an alliance, a player will tend to stick through it until most of its basic objectives have been fulfilled, naturally viewing overtures from the enemy with some suspicion. Still, it is not uncommon for a hard pressed opponent to strike a deal that gives away everything but the kitchen sink in a successful effort to divide the conquering coalition. The original goal has been fulfilled. If as Austria you were allied with Turkey against Russia, the deal has effectively come to an end with the fall of the last Russian center, unless the relationship can be revived using new parameters (e.g., alliance against Italy). The player of record has dropped out, where even the most incompetent player will realize that any old deal is off until re-confirmed by the standby replacement. The partner is not living up to his side of the bargain, although he hasn't actually stabbed you. This is perhaps the most dangerous situation short of war itself, where the ally may be testing your memory and resolve in enforcing old arrangements. Not giving back a center as promised, building fleets in violation of agreed restrictions, delays in attacking a common enemy, all fall under this category. Perhaps the best reaction is to treat these violations AS stabs, though for other reasons it may be advisable to conceal your anger until you can deal with the situation on your own terms. The alliance has been mutually profitable, but in the process you've been effectively cornered: no further route for expansion is available, except over the agonizing body of your erstwhile ally. This will be a very common scenario in alliances involving a central and corner power. The deal is still alive, but unexpectedly your ally has fared better through no apparent design of his own. This is very typical of situations whereby the intended victim stonewalls you while maintaining an open door policy towards your ally. You have both started to execute the terms of the alliance as initially negotiated, but a third party has unexpectadly stabbed either of you, forcing a revision of plans to at least some extent. None of the above, but through either careless ness or circumstance your ally is inviting a termination of the deal by making it too easy or tempting. It can be difficult to ignore an undefended border, though for as long as the ally's cooperation remains valuable you may not want to reconsider the original deal. Too often players will choose to terminate obsolete alliances with a stab, not realizing the alternative: renegotiating the deal itself altogether. In this sense, participants tend to stab perhaps too often, in the process undermining their credibility in games current and future. Stabbing ought to be treated as the last recourse, to be used only when no other obvious route for expansion is available (the object of the game being, after all, to gain centers), or when some difference with your ally cannot be resolved amicably through normal diplomatic channels. In a game where every lie and treachery is glorified, opponents will nevertheless quickly come to appreciate reliablity and credibility. A player who usually honors his agreements and stabs rarely will seldom experience difficulty in finding allies. But credibility is difficult to build up, and easy to despoil. Players will more easily (albeit begrudgingly) forgive a single major stab that yields victory, but will never forget the pointless one-center grabs. Attempts to renegotiate agreements may therefore in many respects be superior to stabs under the proper circumstances. Some players seem to have inordinate respect for their own deals, to the extent that for as long as an outright stab remains out of the question they will willingly suffer through even the worst arrangements. But there is nothing wrong with approaching your ally and saying, "Listen, our deal has produced some unexpected results and it just won't be worth my while to continue under the same restrictions. I'm quite willing to stick to the alliance, but under the original terms the old treaty is off." Timing and circumstance, however, are paramount. In approaching an ally for a review it will usually be necessary to first assemble the following conditions: Ensure that the means to ENFORCE the demands are available. Your presentation may be pleasant, but even the most cooperative ally will gladly ignore demands that you are powerless to do much about. If the claim includes surrender of a center that is "rightfully yours", no one will dispute your right to marshall the units necessary to forcibly capture it should peaceable means fail. Alternatively, it is OK to exert pressure in other areas, effectively hinting that if he fails to give you Belgium, quick retailiation against Munich may take place. Be prepared to offer something (not necessary of equal value) in return. Your ally may be sympathetic to the idea of evening out an unfavorable 11-8 center balance for the sake of retaining your useful cooperation...but this doesn't mean that he will simply hand over the appropriate concession on a silver platter. In return for a center right now, you may be required to agree to supporting him against some enemy, for instance. At all times, firmly keep in mind which course of action will remain most profitable. You may rightfully resent some of the unexpected inequities that arose within the alliance, but is it worth your while to risk disrupting the entire structure for just one more center? Obviously not if you remain likely to gain 2+ centers within the alliance: don't rock the boat unless you really want to go for a swim. In the end, it might still be best not to put all of your eggs in the same basket. You might have had a successful working relationship with your ally until now, but some players will react angrily to demands in any shape or form: a deal is a deal. In that event, it will probably be best to terminate the alliance after all, and to that end a simultaneous policy of rapprochement with the ally's immediate and potential enemies may be in order. I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up