Alright, is everyone ok with the starting positions? If I recall correctly, the only problem we might have is if Ys starting in a one or two prov pool.
I have to admit, the choice of pretender names is interesting. By the name Hypocrite, I have to assume that Man did not go with the awake Tiwaz, and probably has something like an imprisoned fountain of blood, B9N9E9.
…also, a quick note that we’re officially declaring war on Shinuyama because they are clearly mongers of war! Who else would steal my mercs on the first round?! This was my world. These were my mercs. I clearly left them there for my descendant to have! And by seizing them, Shinuyama obviously is planning a campaign of wayward aggression towards us all!
Wait, I need to get back into the paranoid state that is proper Dominions4. Ahem! CLEARLY you are league with Man. Why else would you neglect to list him as a potential adversary? Subtle manipulation of the thread contents means victory for you and your ally! I see it now, Eriu and Man, sharing Air and Nature magic! Sharing is caring! And there are unicorns involved! TOTAL ALLIANCE EXPOSED!
I recall a game with Perkins as Man when, for the whole game while wars were raged and nations came and went, Perkins sat on 3 provinces and 1 gem site. Every time a horde would gather on his borders, he’d roll out the crones with walkers and a couple of guys on donkeys, and merely request, in his polite way, to “sit this one out.”
Bit of an unfortunate surprise is coming across an indy commander (priest) with a skull talisman merrily summoning undead. Never seen it in all that I can recall. Thanks Dominions for showing me something new and unexpected.