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Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

GMT Games posted:

Virgin Queen: Wars of Religion 1559-1598 is a game of grand strategy for two to six players based on the military, political and religious conflicts within Europe during the reigns of Elizabeth I of England and Philip II of Spain. Each player controls one or more of the major powers that presided over European politics in that day. Spain is the juggernaut, able to draw upon the vast riches of their global empire. But such a dominant power is sure to have many enemies. The Ottoman expansion towards Spain’s Mediterranean outposts remains unchecked. Elizabeth’s English sea dogs are poised to raid Spain’s overseas empire. And the forces of Protestant reform will soon drag Spain into eighty years of rebellion in the Netherlands. Will Spain find aid from its Catholic allies? Perhaps not from France, where the Catholic Valois dynasty is soon to engage another group of Protestant believers in the bloody French Wars of Religion. And even Philip’s relatives in Vienna who rule the Holy Roman Empire may dabble in the Protestant faith instead of remaining loyal to their Catholic heritage and Spanish brethren.

I'm looking for six players with PMs, due to the secret diplomacy rules. We'll be playing the Campaign Scenario, and I'll be using the VASSAL module to keep track of everything, as well as Dropbox for Player Hands/Board Images.

Rulebook
Scenario Book
PDF Card Manifest
Online Card Manifest

If you would like to play, please bold your preferred Power, or "Random" if you have no preference. Knowledge of the rules is not necessary, but helpful, as well as familiarity with Here I Stand.

Once we begin, players will have 24 hours to make each move, and 48 hours during Diplomacy. In the interest of keeping the game moving, I will not automatically pause for the play of Response cards, so please send me PMs if there's anything you'd like to cancel or if you'd like me to pause when certain things happen. Feel free to PM me with any rules questions you have, as well.

Taran_Wanderer fucked around with this message at 05:40 on Nov 18, 2014

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Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
Gutter Owl is Ottoman
StashAugustine is Spain
Davin Valkri is England
Tekopo is France
Majumbo is Holy Roman Empire
FebrezeNinja is Protestant

Game Map


Force Pool
Player Power Cards
Diplomatic Influence
Patronage
Protestant Spaces and Diplomatic Status
Wedding Table and VP Chart

Please refer to the charts in the back of the scenario book for a list of Royals, Sea Captains, and Science Bonuses.

Taran_Wanderer fucked around with this message at 15:57 on Dec 4, 2014

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
Some advice for new players:

-Peruse the card list, looking for cards that can help or hinder you, especially those that can give you VPs. Of particular note is #17 Army Mutiny, an extremely nasty card that can destroy an entire army by itself.

-Most of your VPs will come from peaceful pursuits (e.g. Marriage, Patronage, and Piracy), but don't neglect your armies or be afraid to go to war. France, especially, can win very quickly if they're left alone long enough.

-Cards that give more cards are almost always played for the event. You'll also want to save as many cards as you can, until you're ready to go for the win.

I'll add more to this if I think of anything.

Taran_Wanderer fucked around with this message at 22:22 on Nov 17, 2014

Tekopo
Oct 24, 2008

When you see it, you'll shit yourself.


gently caress IT, I'm in. I'd like to play anything BUT ottomas

FebrezeNinja
Nov 22, 2007

Random

Let's wreck Europe

Count Thrashula
Jun 1, 2003

Peak Performance.

Buglord
I've watched reviews and overview vids of both HIS and VQ, so, gently caress it!

Random

gutterdaughter
Oct 21, 2010

keep yr head up, problem girl
Any experience level for entry? If you're accepting complete novices, I'll throw my hat in for Random.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

Gutter Owl posted:

Any experience level for entry? If you're accepting complete novices, I'll throw my hat in for Random.

Nope! Experience with VQ is not necessary, though general wargame experience will prove useful.

silvergoose
Mar 18, 2006

IT IS SAID THE TEARS OF THE BWEENIX CAN HEAL ALL WOUNDS




Yet again, I'm going to watch the *hell* out of this.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Sounds like Europa Universalis, the Board Game. Which does sound interesting. I'll have to dig through the rules, but why not. Random, preferrably beginner friendly faction.

Tevery Best
Oct 11, 2013

Hewlo Furriend
Definitely going to be reading this.

EDIT: can someone outline how this game is different from Here I Stand? I tried to learn that, but I found it wasn't worth the effort, seeing as I'd never have enough people to play it.

Tevery Best fucked around with this message at 20:12 on Nov 17, 2014

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

Tevery Best posted:

Definitely going to be reading this.

EDIT: can someone outline how this game is different from Here I Stand? I tried to learn that, but I found it wasn't worth the effort, seeing as I'd never have enough people to play it.

Compared to Here I Stand, VQ is less asymmetrical, though each side has its own quirks. Piracy and colonies have an expanded role, as each power can establish colonies and pirate the Spanish for treasure. Treasure itself gives each power an additional source of CPs and bonuses. The religious side of the game has been streamlined, and there are additional incentives for each power to get involved. There's also a much smaller emphasis put on warfare, with peaceful pursuits generally giving more VPs. Given that, war is still an important tool in each Power's arsenal for disrupting their opponents.

Herewaard
Jun 20, 2003

Lipstick Apathy
I think I counted five so far so I would happily take the last spot as Random

edit: should mention that I have a lot of experience with the game

Herewaard fucked around with this message at 22:27 on Nov 17, 2014

StashAugustine
Mar 24, 2013

Do not trust in hope- it will betray you! Only faith and hatred sustain.

It seems it's filled up, but I'll take a random slot if someone drops.

blackmongoose
Mar 31, 2011

DARK INFERNO ROOK!
I'll also put my name on the reserve list in case you need a replacement

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
Right then, here we go.

Gutter Owl is Ottoman
COOL CORN is Spain
Davin Valkri is England
Tekopo is France
Majumbo is Holy Roman Empire
FebrezeNinja is Protestant

Card Draw Phase

Initial Hands will be sent out shortly. Please verify in the thread once you have received your hands.

Diplomacy Phase

Once you've received your hand, you may begin negotiations. During this phase only, you may PM the other players. After this phase, all communication must be made through this thread. Once you are satisfied, PM with the final list of agreements you have made with each player. If you are not making any agreements, PM me saying so. After the deadline, I will post each agreement in the thread to be ratified by the other player. If they decline, the agreement will not go into effect.

The deadline is Wednesday, November 19th at 10:00 PM EST (normally it would be 48 hours, but I figured I'd give a little extra time for the first one)

FebrezeNinja
Nov 22, 2007

Confirming hand.

Herewaard
Jun 20, 2003

Lipstick Apathy
Hand received and opening negotiations sent to powers I knew I needed to initially discuss things with.

gutterdaughter
Oct 21, 2010

keep yr head up, problem girl
Hand received, but it's too small for me to read.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
I also got my hand and am in the same boat.

Herewaard
Jun 20, 2003

Lipstick Apathy
If you can read the card names, you can see all the text on this website

http://www.rozzwell.com/vqmanifest/

gutterdaughter
Oct 21, 2010

keep yr head up, problem girl
Okay, figured it out. On your hand link, select the part of the link that says "https://www.dropbox.com/" and replace it with "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com"--This is the direct link to the image, without the stupid Dropbox frame that prevents zooming.

gutterdaughter fucked around with this message at 00:46 on Nov 18, 2014

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

Majumbo posted:

If you can read the card names, you can see all the text on this website

http://www.rozzwell.com/vqmanifest/

Oh man, this is cool. I'll add this to the OP.

Gutter Owl posted:

Okay, figured it out. On your hand link, select the part of the link that says "https://www.dropbox.com/" and replace it with "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com." This is the direct link to the image, without the stupid Dropbox frame that prevents zooming.

Ah, sorry about that. I'll change the rest of the links to this and for the future.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
The Game Map is now up in the second post. If I've done this right, I can update images on dropbox with new ones without having to update the links.

Also, at the beginning of the game, the Ottomans are at war with Spain and England is at war with France. These two wars can not be ended through Diplomacy on Turn 1.

Also also, Philip II of Spain is betrothed to Elizabeth de Valois. Neither player is forced to go through with it, but if either side breaks it off, Spain will draw one less card on Turn 2.

Count Thrashula
Jun 1, 2003

Peak Performance.

Buglord
Got my hand and beginning negotiations. Gonna read the rules tomorrow so Lucknow what's going on :shobon:

I'll get the stuff to you by Wednesday my liege.

Tekopo
Oct 24, 2008

When you see it, you'll shit yourself.


Confirming hand. Open to diplomacy from any side.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
I still have not received diplomacy orders from France and Protestant!

Taran_Wanderer fucked around with this message at 04:37 on Nov 20, 2014

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
Got Protestant's diplomacy. Reading the Diplomacy rules for VQ again, I may do this differently for Turn 2.

Spain announces the engagement of Don Carlos and Anna of Saxony, in exchange for an alliance with the HRE!

England announces the engagement of Elizabeth I and Charles II of Austria in exchange for 4 mercenaries from the HRE!

HRE please PM accepting or declining these two offers by Thursday, November 20th at 10 PM EST. To get things moving, you may also send me your Spring Deployment orders, Ottomon, and I'll do both on Thursday.

gutterdaughter
Oct 21, 2010

keep yr head up, problem girl
So, to be clear, we're not stepping through the Diplomacy phase (doing alliances/deals, then ransoms, then war declarations)? We're just doing it all at once?

It doesn't change my choices for this turn. But in the future, I would like to base my war declarations on what the other powers are doing diplomatically. Not that I intend to declare a lot of wars, of course. :v:

Tekopo
Oct 24, 2008

When you see it, you'll shit yourself.


Gutter Owl posted:

So, to be clear, we're not stepping through the Diplomacy phase (doing alliances/deals, then ransoms, then war declarations)? We're just doing it all at once?

It doesn't change my choices for this turn. But in the future, I would like to base my war declarations on what the other powers are doing diplomatically. Not that I intend to declare a lot of wars, of course. :v:
Of course, of course, we are all friends here.

gutterdaughter
Oct 21, 2010

keep yr head up, problem girl
Well of course, the Ottoman has no quarrel with the French. So long as you don't make a bunch of stupid laws in ~500 years about what our people can or cannot wear on their heads.

Fat Samurai
Feb 16, 2011

To go quickly is foolish. To go slowly is prudent. Not to go; that is wisdom.

Tekopo posted:

Of course, of course, we are all friends here.

:munch:

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

Gutter Owl posted:

So, to be clear, we're not stepping through the Diplomacy phase (doing alliances/deals, then ransoms, then war declarations)? We're just doing it all at once?

It doesn't change my choices for this turn. But in the future, I would like to base my war declarations on what the other powers are doing diplomatically. Not that I intend to declare a lot of wars, of course. :v:

Yeah, this is my bad. I thought people would PM me during the Diplo stuff if they wanted to declare war. I'll be doing diplomacy differently on Turn 2.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
HRE accepts the offers. Spain is now allied to the HRE. England places 4 Mercenaries in London. Don Carlos and Anna of Saxony are engaged. Elizabeth I and Charles II of Austria are engaged.

Spring Deployment

Ottomon moves Mehmed, 8 Regulars, and 2 Cavalry to Belgrade.

Game Map, Power Cards, Wedding Table, and Diplomatic Status are updated.

Spain, please PM your Spring Deployment. The Deadline is Friday, November 21 at 10:00 PM.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
Spain moves a Galleon from Seville to escort the Treasure Fleet.

Spain deploys the Duke of Alva and 3 Regulars from Madrid to Zaragoza.

Spain gives France the stink-eye!

Map and Power Cards updated.

England, please PM me your Spring Deployment. The Deadline is Saturday, November 22nd at 10 PM.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
PM sent. Can I post it in thread?

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013

Davin Valkri posted:

PM sent. Can I post it in thread?

If you'd like.

Davin Valkri
Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you're weighing the moral pros and cons but let me assure you that OH MY GOD
SHOOT ME IN THE GODDAMNED FACE
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
Okay then, for the sake of accelerating things a bit:

4 Mercenaries from London to Dublin.
Hawkins to Portsmouth.

Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
England moves 4 Mercenaries from London to Dublin and Hawkins to Portsmouth.

Map updated.

France, please PM me your Spring Deployment. The Deadline is Sunday, November 23rd at 10 PM.

The HRE has sent me their Spring Deployment, and the Protestants don't get one at the moment, so we'll begin the Action Phase after this.

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Taran_Wanderer
Nov 4, 2013
France has no Spring Deployment.

HRE discards a Home Card, makes his secret religious preference, and deploys two Regulars and a Mercenary to Szigetvár.

Protestant has no Spring Deployment.

Map and Power Cards updated.

Action Phase

Alright, here's how this will work. The phasing player will post his card and actions. Applicable Response or Combat cards should also be posted before the deadline. If you need more time, or would like me to automatically play a Response or Combat card, please PM me. Remember, communication between players must be made through this thread until the next Diplomacy phase. If a player changes his mind about his action, please make a new post. I will take the most recent post by the player as the correct one.

Ottoman, please post your impulse. Since I'm late updating the deadline is Tuesday, November 25th at 10 PM, but if you post earlier I'll update tonight.

Hands:

Ottoman - 2 Home, 4 Event, 0 Treasure
Spain - 1 Home, 6 Event, 1 Treasure
England - 1 Home, 4 Event, 0 Treasure
France - 1 Home, 4 Event, 0 Treasure
HRE - 1 Home, 4 Event, 0 Treasure
Protestant - 1 Home, 4 Event, 0 Treasure

Taran_Wanderer fucked around with this message at 16:18 on Nov 24, 2014

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