Sorry to interrupt the show, but I who I backstabbed and when is up for dispute (namely by me), but I don't think you could construe, even with the broadest of definitions, that I had backstabbed anyone other than France, Prussia, and possible the United States.Eber said:
But that's beside the point.
Eber, in games such as this, tempers get hot and things can look pretty bad. I won't lie. When I Lamprey post comments like that, it *does* make me upset, but I shrug it off because I know it's not meant that way. Especially in a sttuation such as this, words sometimes don't carry with them the inherent sarcasm or comedy, and we can easily impose on them the aggression or malevolence we *expect* to see.
Let Lamprey be in his comments. If I can handle it, then so can you.
On-topic: I've announced on more than one occasion that Russia will maintain neutrality in European affairs. I'll be quite honest and say that I have considered making a move somewhere, but to be quite frank about it, the benefits (if I did manage to win), are nowhere near worth the risks.
Prussia has an understandable paranoia regarding Russia. I respect Lamprey's caution, even if it may be a bit overzealous, but I will repeat that I will not participate in any European wars. When others obilize, I will mobilize for my own protection (this was seen last session when I mobilized briefly when the USA did), but I won't declare war on anyone and I won't join in any wars.
Consider Russia to be out of the picture.
As long as there's a unified front against me, there is literally nothing I can do. Raph created an alliance for the ages, and as its de facto leader, he can prety much do as he pleases for the moment, as can the rest of the allies. Those unfortunate enough to remain out of the loop (France and Russia) can do little to nothing to counter them.
To be quite honest, whereas I'm still highly ranked in terms of the great powers, the war left me with a weak and (at least tremporarily) crippled economy. The game has, at this point, pretty much passed me by. I don't doubt that second or third place are out of reach--not at all, in fact--but given the history of this game, I think I'm pretty much assured to be out of the number one spot.
People don't trust me. So be it. They probably think I'm lying right now. That's actually a good thing, as it lets them cover all their bases. It's the same reason I mobilize when anyone else does--friend or foe.
I only hope that there is at least some way I can become a 'good guy' again. I mean, even when I do nothing at all, I'm still the renegade of Europe. Oh well. What I really hope is that the game stays fun. I'm still enjoying myself, and as long as we can stay clear that this is a game, and that there will be other games, then there's no problem.
