Diplomacy zine -- Poll issue From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Tue, 30 May 1989 00:32:39 +0000 Issue #66 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Fall '07 of the game PANZER (BNC number 1989H) One person goofed up, results later today or tommorrow. Autumn '03 of the game MAELSTROM (BNC number 1989AA) Russian disbands STP Winter '03 of the game MAELSTROM (BNC number 1989AA) Russia disbands GAL and FIN Turkey builds A CON, F SMY Germany builds A MUN England builds A LON, F LVP Spring '04 of the game MAELSTROM (BNC number 1989AA) One person was confused about last weeks results and he e-mailed me instead of calling me. Results later today or tommorrow. Fall '03 of the game RED STORM (BNC number 1989AB) (GM is MaryFW@cup.portal.com) One player seems to be having e-mail problems, he will have to be contacted via phone to determine what his situation is. Fall '04 of the game PEARL HARBOR (BNC number 1989AV) (GM is Adams@multiflow.com/Steve Adams) Fall 1904 Pearl Harbor Diplomacy Results : Steve Adams, GM ============================================================================== AUSTRIA : A TRI SA SER HOLD, [A SER SA TRI HOLD], [A VIE SA TRI HOLD] ENGLAND : F NTH->ENG, F NWY HOLDS, F MAO->WES, F ENG->MAO, F WES->TUN, A STP S *German* A WAR->MOS FRANCE : F SPA(sc)->MAR, [A PIC->BEL], A BUR HOLD, A PAR SA BUR HOLD, A BRE HOLD GERMANY : F BAL->KIE, [A WAR->MOS], A MUN HOLD, A SIL SA MUN HOLD, A RUH SA BEL HOLD, [A BEL SA RUH HOLD], A PIE->TUS ITALY : [A BOH->VIE], A VEN->TRI, F ADR SA VEN->TRI, [A ALB->SER], F GRE HOLDS RUSSIA : [F BLK->CON], [F ANK->BLK], [A SEV->MOS], A UKR SA SEV->MOS TURKEY : F CON->ANK, A SMY SF CON->ANK, [A BUL->CON], [F RUM->SEV] moves in '[]' failed. ============================================================================== Retreats : AUSTRIA : A TRI has been dislodged. (may disband or go to BUD) RUSSIA : A ANK has been dislodged. (may disband or go to ARM) Retreats are due by Tuesday, May 30, 1989, at 10PM EST. ============================================================================== Builds/Disbands : (number of total supply centers are in []) (+ = build, - = disband, 0 = no change) AUSTRIA : 0 [3] (Vienna, Serbia, Budapest) ENGLAND : +1 [7] (London, Liverpool, Edinburough, Norway, Sweden, St. Pete, Tunis) FRANCE : 0 [5] (Paris, Brest, Marsailles, Spain, Portugal) GERMANY : 0 [7] (Kiel, Munich, Berlin, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Warsaw) ITALY : 0 [5] (Venice, Rome, Naples, Greece, Trieste) RUSSIA : -2 [2] (Moscow, Sevastapol) TURKEY : +1 [5] (Smyrna, Constantinople, Ankara, Bulgaria, Rumania) Builds/Disbands are due by Tuesday, May 30, 1989, at 10PM EST. ============================================================================== Unit Locations : (note - some units may be disbanded) AUSTRIA : A Vienna, A Serbia, A ???? ENGLAND : A St. Petersburg, F Norway, F English Channel, F Mid-Atlantic, F Western Mediterranean, F Tunis FRANCE : A Picardy, A Brest, A Paris, A Burgandy, F Marsailles GERMANY : F Kiel, A Warsaw, A Munich, A Ruhr, A Belgium, A Tuscany, A Silesia ITALY : A Bohemia, A Trieste, F Adriatic, A Albania, F Greece RUSSIA : F Black Sea, A Sevastapol, A Ukraine, A ???? TURKEY : F Rumania, A Bulgaria, F Ankara, A Smyrna ============================================================================== (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 1904 Edition ITALY HIT FROM BEHIND! TO BE NEXT VICTIM OF ANGLO-GERMAN JUGGARNAUT! TURKEY MAKES A COMEBACK! RUSSIA IN TROUBLE! AUSTRIA STILL AROUND! FRANCE NOT ATTACKED! In a surprise attack, English fleets have taken Tunis without a fight, while German armies march down the Itallian Boot unopposed! No Italian units were in the area to defend Tunis, and the English took full advantage of this opening. Germany, correctly predicted that the Italian Army in Venice would be attacking Trieste, quickly moved into Tuscany, and is at the gates of Rome, which is undefended. Turkey has succeded in ousting the remaining Russian forces from her homeland. The new ruler, who recently completed a successful coup, was seen smiling over a cigar. The Russian forces were decimated in the last year, and now will have trouble defending the homeland. An attempt by the Germans to take Moscow was repusled by the Russian garrison in Sevastapol. Unfortuneately, the latest setbacks for Russia require her to disband two of her units, leaving her with only two - and at the mercy of Turkey, England and Germany. Austria is still in posession of three supply centers, as she has been for most of the game. With no assistance, the Italians have found it tough sledding against the determined Austrian defenders. Italy had just gained an advantage, when the English and Germans moved in. Austria may outlive Italy! France, preparing for the worst, has come through another turn without a loss. Her problem now, though, is that Portugal is completely undefended. England and Germany are still cooperating. Together, they now have 14 supply centers, with two more in easy reach. There seems to be little organized opposition to this juggarnaut. ============================================================================== _The Ankara Daily Turk_ Fall 1904 Edition Fidel Ottoman's rebel forces have successfully overthrown the government of Turkey. When asked why he decided to lead this revolution, Fidel replied, "I seek to halt all production of Latakia tobacco from this country and restore pipe tobacco to its proper Cavendish nature." When asked about his countries future policies Fidel smiled and said, "I've barely taken over the country, I still looking for a good cigar store. I need a good stoogie while I think things over." ============================================================================== -Steve (gm) Spring '03 of D-DAY (BNC number 1989AW) (GM is MaryFW@Cup.portal.com) Spring 1903 Results for D-Day --------------------------- Orders: Spring 1903 England: A Mos-War, <F StP(nc)-Nwy>, <F Nwy-NTH>, F Edi S F Nwy-NTH, F Lon-ENG, <F NTH-Bel> Germany: A Ruh S F Bel, <F Bel S F HEL-Hol>, F Kie-BAL, A Mun-Bur, <F Den-NTH>, F HEL-Hol Russia: A Arm-Sev, <F Ank S F BLK-Con>, F BLK-Con, <F Swe-Nwy>, A Rum S A Bud-Ser, A Bud-Ser Austria: <A Ser S *Italian* A Vie-Bud> Turkey: A Con-Ank, A Gre-Bul, A Smy S A Con-Ank Italy: <F Rom-TYR>, F Nap-ION, F Tun H, A Ven-Pie, A Tyr S A Ven-Pie, A Vie-Tri France: A Pic S *English* F NTH-Bel, <A Bur S *English* F NTH-Bel>, A Mar S A Bur, F WES S F TYR, F TYR H Orders inclosed in <> are failed orders. ============================================================================== Positions: England: A Warsaw, F St. Petersburg(nc), F North Sea, F Edinburgh, F English Cannel, F Norway Command: Germany: A Ruhr, <F Belgium>, F Baltic Sea, A Munich, F Denmark, F Holland Russia: A Sevastopol, <F Ankara>, F Constantinople, F Sweden, A Rumania, A Serbia Austria: <A Serbia> Turkey: A Ankara, A Bulgaria, A Smyrna Italy: F Rome, F Ionian, F Tunis, A Piedmont, A Tyrolia, A Trieste France: A Picardy, A Burgundy, A Marseilles, F Western Mediterranean, F Tyrrhenian Sea Positions inclosed in <> must retreat. ============================================================================== Press: The powerful Austrian troops will crush the Russian scum! Surrender now! Austria-World: Amazing, I am currently doing well in all my games so where do I finally get killed in? My own zine! Aaargh. Killed is too weak a word to describe what happened to me, obliterated is more like it. If Russia hadn't stabbed me I would have stayed at three supply centers and had a good chance of doing well. The other two countries that were fighting me were slightly disorganized and would have fell if Russia had continued to be my ally. I would also like to thank France for attempting to help out, my remaining unit will do all it can to help you out. Time to sign up for the next game! Hopefully, I won't have my heart served to me on a silver platter. The Ankara Reporter Ankara (AP): Rumors continue to swirl around the Ottoman Empire regarding the purported therapy that the Sultan is undergoing. Crys of "Insane!!" continue to be heard throughout the streets of the major cities. Ankara itself is in revolt after the Russian hoards were allowed to occupy this highly nationalistic area without the Sultan lifting a finger. The great Sultan was reported to have replied to criticism with "It's only a movie." I'd like to advertise the new LISTSERV at IRLEARN and announce the Gaelic-L mailing list. To subscribe, send mail to LISTSERV@IRLEARN with the following as text: SUB GAELIC-L your firstname your lastname Thank you for your support! :) ============================================================================== GM Notes: I just want to thank all of you for getting your orders in on time. All retreats and/or disbands are due by 10:00pm Eastern time this Tuesday. Also I'd like to ask that when you send any Email to me that you please include what game you're talking about. Between GMing two games and playing in another two heavy Email days can get a bit confusing. I'm enjoying GMing this game and I'm sorry for any delays that might have been caused by me. Spring '02 of NAVARONE (BNC number 1989AX) (GM is Pwoodruf@orion.cf.uci.edu) Game delayed until either this Wednesday or next Sunday. I believe that the delay is until next Sunday but you should contact the GM to be sure. Spring '01 of BLITZKRIEG (BNC number not known) (GM is Dougi@astro.as.utexas.edu/Doug Ingram) (GM for Fall and Winter '01 is John_E_Murray@cup.portal.com) There seems to have been some confusion over who was GM. Results will be posted tomorrow. If you have not yet submitted orders submit them to both dougi@astro.as.utexas.edu and john_e_murray@cup.portal.com. GM comments: Things didn't go so smoothly for us this memorial day. Everyone is out celebrating and can't be caught at home. This issue includes the Runestone Poll Ballot, anyone who votes in it gets one free issue of my postal zine, PROTOCOL. (Let me know if you vote so I can send you your free issue.) Last year only 12 people out of the 508 who voted bothered to cast votes for e-mail zines. That's 12 votes out of a combined amount of about 5000 votes, since most people vote for a lot of zines. 12/5000 = .24 of 1% of the votes were for e-mail. Let's show them how many people REALLY use e- mail! Taken from Supernova, the novice packet available for $1.00 from Bruce Linsey: FIRST IMPRESSIONS By Randolph Smyth Some time ago I received a letter from a fellow player in a new game. In reply to the first letter I sent him as part of pre-spring 1901 negotiations, he wrote: "in the year or so I have been playing Diplomacy I have only started 5 games ... I have never received a letter like yours. All of the players I talked to spoke only of the game until about game year 4 or 5 when personal facts began creeping into the letters." As I was the first Canadian player he'd come in contact with (this was in a U.S. zine), he went on to wonder whether Canadians in general were more friendly than their U.S. counterparts in the hobby. While I find experienced Canadian players do produce a more friendly and casual atmosphere in the course of negotiations, I put it down to the fact that I already knew almost all of the "experienced Canadian players" so that the "old boy" mentality creats a natural entre'e whenever we meet in a game. It was only after some thought that I realized that the style of my initial letters IS quite different from almost every player I've come in contact with. I believe that the percentage of sincere offers of alliance that I receive as a result is well above average, so it may help others to list the methods which I've been able to identify as unusual. (1) Write at length without babbling. This is the basic rule, the execution of which is described in all subsequent ones. Some people wonder "But what can I write about - I don't even know the guy!" My answer: "Precisely." Read on. (2) Introduce yourself. How old are you, what do you do, what are your other interests? The fact that you have blue eyes and brown hair won't turn the other guy's crank, but more basic information about the type of person you are will certainly mean something. If you work for the Post Office and are the least bit sensitive about it, your fellow players may take the hint and hold their tongues about terrible service, etc., if you tell them now in an offhand manner. (Or course, writing for a general audience I can dump all over the posties without giving personal offense. Pltttth! You guys give terrible service!!!) Unless you're a truly boring person, a good introduction will take up at least half a page in your first letter before you even mention Diplomacy seriously. Keep it short rather than fleshing it out with a lot of peripheral pseudo-intersts you don't really have much knowledge of, though. 90% of the time the other guy will come back with an unpredictable common interest which he's likely to refer to from time to time. This can become the basis of a personal friendship outside the strictures of a possible alliance - or a fair amount of unwritten scorn if you can't hold up your end of the conversation. (3) Mention gaming interests in particular; here is where you're most likely to find common ground. I concluded a very strong alliance a while back, and I'm convinced it was largely on the basis of a mutual interest in Go, a 4000 year-old game which still hsan't caught on outside the Orient. (In Japan, I'm told it has the same general fascination as baseball in the U.S., but I think that must be a bit exaggerated.) These days I informally sound out potential wargaming opponents in this manner as well. (4) One thing you may find it useful to lie about is your previous experience in postal Diplomacy. I can't get away with this any more, so I just mention that I'm a GM/publisher (wanna sub?) with a fair amount of experience and several wins. If the other guy isn't interested in a competent ally, I'm outa luck anyhow. But for the average player, it may be a useful prevarication depending on the impression you want to create. (5) At last, you can sneak something in about the game. I find that this takes up only 30-40% of the text of my first letters ( the percentage actually increases laster on), and it's still 2 to 3 times as detailed as the average that I receive on the matter. YOu should probably not commit yourself to anything before gettting a letter from the other guy - at least, that's usually my personal style. He might turn out to be a novice, an average player, a shark, or a hole of silence. It's not impossible to work with any of these three types (even the last can be used for a while if he's the same with everyone), but no unilateral arrangement decided in advance can work with all of them. Nevertheless, there's no need to be wishy-washy. (6) Be positive about your chances of alliance. With most neighbors, you can throw out 3 or 4 plans for common action for his response; though I usually make it clear that they can only be put into action after an agreement which can only be concluded after the exchange of a couple of letters. Negotiations are thus begun right away, rather than wasting a stamp and precious time on "Well, I can't commit myself to anything just now, so I'm just writing to say hi, I'm friendly. I'll probablly ally with you if Mr. X doesn't write to me soon." Half the first letters I receive say no more; that's taking noncommittal a bit too far, and is inexcusable in a player of any experience (don't write off the novices, though - they're still freaked by the whole situation, and need a bit of consideration and time). The response you get to your proposals will quickly tell you whether the guy is suspicious or easily led, competant or otherwise; your best diplomatic course is usually clear quite early. (7) Don't be afraid to mention possible problems. If you're the Italian wooing Turkey, there's no point in simply avoiding all reference to possible confict. Again, though, you can be positive about ways to work around difficulties - if you can be at all specific about how to smooth over potential rough spots, you're thinking ahead. The other guy at least knows that you're not trying to snow him, nor are you living in a fool's paradise yourself. (8) Last but not least, be genuine. If you've never heard of the other player before, a friendly attitude in correspondence is partially a social ploy, but no more so than acting pleasant during a personal introduction. Both are acquired skills; the former is less common, apparently, but easy enough to learn and of great help when looking for allies - yet it need not, should not, and cannot become a matter for cold calculation. It's a poor player that rules out an alliance or strategical option before he even hears from the other player. As the English player, you may have the (erroneous!) impression that the Russian alliance is necessarily a poor one - but that's no reason to give your initial letter and his reply any less honest consideration than the ones with France and Germany. Don't even bother making a proposal if you've already set your mind against it (unless you have a definite plan of how to sucker the other guy). Every lie you tell should have a purpose - and before the diplomatic situation has been defined, any lie is both purposeless and usually dangerous. The first letter is usually the most important of the entire game. Give me one letter from each player, and I know who I'll be trying hardest to ally with, and how I'd like to see the game go for the next four game years. Subsequent correspondence before spring 1901 is just diplomatic and tactical confirmations. POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL -- POLL RUNESTONE '89 THE ZINE POLL __Abbattoir __Fiat Bellum! __Perelandra __Acorn __Fol Si Fie __Pilot Light __Alpha & Omega __Frobozz __Politesse __The Appalachian General __The Gamer's Zine (CT) __Pontevedria __The Armchair Diplomat __Get Them Dots Now! __Praxis __Benzene __Graustark __The Prince __Boast __Hagalil Hamaarvi __Protocol __The Boob Report __Hai! Jikai! __Protozoan __Bushwacker __Hansard __Punt Formation __The Buzzard's Breath __The Home Office __Q-Who? __The Canadian Diplomat __House of Lords __Rebel __Carolina Cmd&Commentary __In Search of Pdnk News __The Rebel Alliance __Cathy's Ramblings __Kaissa __Retaliation __Cheesecake __Kathy's Korner __Scipionibus __Clandestine Activities __Known Game Openings __The Scribblerist __Comrade in Arms __KGO Zine Directory __So I Lied __Costaguana __The Last Resort __Social Mutant __Countermeasures __Life of Monty __Son of Flip __Cross Rifles __Loose Caboose __Starwood __Dark Mirror __Lord of the Boards __Ter-ran __Dipadeedoodah! __Lord of Hosts __Thorazeen __Diplomacy Digest __Maniac's Paradise __Touche' __Diplomacy Today __The Megadiplomat __TRAX __Diplomacy World __The Messenger __Two Bars in C Sharp __Diplomacy World News __Minidip __Tyromania __Diplomag __News from Bree __Upstart __Diplomatic Contraband __No Name Flyer __Vertigo __The Diplomatic Rag __North Sealth W. George __Victims Wanted __Dippy (Jim Benes' zine) __Nth Shr Gm Clb Nwslttr __The Volcano City News __Disease City __Northern Flame __Who Cares? __Dragnet __Not New York __The Zine Register __Electronic Protocol __Not Up to Modern G.S. __ ________________ __Everything __Ohio Acres __ ________________ __Excelsior __Ouinipique __ ________________ __Excitement City Unlimitd__Passchendaele __ ________________ __Feuilletonist's Forum __Penguin Dip __ ________________ (Blank spaces are for any I've neglected to list.) INSTRUCTIONS: You may rate any amateur publication related to the Diplomacy hobby of which you have seen at least two issues since August 1, 1988 (or should have seen had the zine been on time). Rate each zine on a scale of 0 (the pits) to 10 (outstanding). No fractions, please. Do not rate your own publication. Please rate North American zines only, though readers living outside North America are welcome to participate. THE SUBZINE POLL __The Abyssinian Prince __The Grand Bizarre __The President's Brain... __Amazon __High Inertia __Semi-instant Replay __At Your Service __Karmel's Panorama __Shadowplay __Attrocity Exhibition __Magus __Standard Deviation __Backstretch __Meeting of Minds __Submarine Warfare __Benn There, Done That __The Melnibone Herald __Subwithnoname __The Blind Wars __Moire __Thumb in Ear __CDO News __The New Utopia __(Time) Lording it __Errata __Notes from the Bunker __The 12th Fret __Extremism in Defense... __OPERABLE __Variance __The First Negotiatior __Out to Pasture __The Whipping Post __Foot in Mouth __The Pocket General __ ________________ __Frump __The Popular Front __ ________________ (Blank spaces are for any I may have neglected to list.) INSTRUCTIONS: The same as for the Zine Poll -- 0 to 10 scale, do not rate your own publication, etc. THE GM POLL Please list GMs alphabetically by surname, going down the columns. Diplomacy GMs only! Vote GM's Name Vote GM's Name Vote GM's Name -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- -- ----------------- -- ------------------ -- ------------------- INSTRUCTIONS: You may rate any Diplomacy GM in whose postal game(s) you were a player at any time after August 1, 1988, and under whom you played for long enough to gain an objective assessment of his or her competence as a GM. Gamemasters may not rate themselves. Rate each GM by name, not by zine. Again, the rating scale is from 0 (the pits) to 10 (outstanding). No fractions, please. Rate North American GMs only, though any players living outside North America are welcome to participate. CONTEST The prize this year is a free year's subscription to a zine of the winner's choice, or $5.00 cash. If you'd like to enter, fill out the following (print neatly!): Name ____________________ Phone (optional) _____________________ Address____________________ ____________________ ____________________ The zine I predict will win the 1989 Runestone Poll is _______________ Rules 1. You must vote in the Poll and correctly guess the winning zine to be eligible for the prize. 2. The winner will be selected randomly from among all eligible entrants. 3. The winner's name will be published in THE CREAM SHALL RISE! 4. The pollster and his assistant are not eligible to win. 5. The winner will be notified and allowed, at his or her discretion, to choose the subscription or cash prize. Send this ballot to: Bruce Linsey, P.O. Box 1334, Albany, NY 12201 (USA) or: Eric Brosius, 41 Hayward Street, Milford, MA 01757 (USA) Deadline will be about the end of June (probably), but please vote early. TO GET THE POLL RESULTS: For main lists only (zines, subzines, and GMs), check this space ___ and enclose 50 cents. To get THE CREAM SHALL RISE!, check this space ___ and please enclose a donation of $3.00 or more. (See my blatant self-plug at the bottom of this ballot...) Indicate one way in which you participate in the North American Diplomacy hobby (sub in zine XXX, play in game 1988YY, etc.) ______________________ Signature____________________________________ Print your name neatly_______________________ If your ballot isn't signed or I can't tell who you are, it may not be counted!) PLEASE BUY THE CREAM SHALL RISE FOR $3.00 -- THE POLL DEPENDS ON YOUR DONATIONS, AND THE ZINE WILL BE PRETTY DANGED FASCINATING -- ARTICLES ON THE HOBBY, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, THE WORKS!!!! --------------------------Another Flyer------------------------------ DIPLOMACY ALLIANCE AGAINST HEART DISEASE BARBARA PASSOFF & SIMON BILLENNESS 630 VICTORY BLVD., APT. 6F STATEN ISLAND, NY 10301 (718) 981-6247 As I'm sure most of you already know, it has now become a tradition to hold a charity appeal along with the Runestone Poll. Last year, it was for AIDS research. This year Simon and I have decided on the American Heart Association. Now, I could bombard you with lots of statistics showing how many people die each year from heart disease. But I'm not going to do that. Statistics are just numbers, after all. Instead, I'm going to tell you why I insisted on doing the appeal for the American Heart Association. My father died of a heart attack at the age of 55. I was 19 years old. He never had the chance to meet Simon; never saw his daughter get married. And if we have children, he will never see them. I will never stop missing him. The appeal will be run the same as last year. The deal is this: 1) Vote in the Runestone Poll; 2) Pledge a monetary amount for each vote cast. So if 500 people voted, and you pledged 5 cents a vote, you'd owe $25. Simple enough, right? I need your pledge in by the end of June. Alternatively, you can send your pledge to Bruce Linsey, and he'll forward it to us. One more thing, this is Simon's and my last year doing the Appeal. By Septemember, we'll both be doing our MBA's and we will not have enough time to devote to this. If nobody volunteers to take over for us, this will be the last Hobby Charity Appeal. Thanks, Barbara Passoff & Simon Billenness ===================================================================== I, _______________________, PLEDGE TO DONATE ________ FOR EACH VOTE CAST IN THE 1989 RUNESTONE POLL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUM TOTAL OF MY DONATION WILL GO TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. _______________________(SIGNATURE) ____________________(DATE) ______________________________________________________(ADDRESS) ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ _____PLEASE SEND ME A RECEIPT _____I WANT TO BE ANONYMOUS I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up