e-BORIS Vol X, #1

BORIS THE SPIDER
A Journal of Duplicitous Doings, Raw Power, and Naked Greed

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive."
--Sir Walter Scott--

Vol X, #1

#293

13 Jan 10

GAME STARTS!

18GL starts this time. "#9 Coal" should end next time, opening two pages for more managed chaos. The COLONIAL DIP Bond game starts this time too (see p 3). Anyone can still join "By Popular Demand".

CIRCUS MAXIMUS could end next time (Marcia would need to whip for 6 for it to happen) but will probably linger into March. That still leaves us with a page to fill come April.

No, Boris didn’t make it to the Chattanooga Rail Game Challenge this year. Just didn’t think I was up to a pair of 6.5 hr solo drives. Maybe next year.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS:
BLACKBEARD: Position #1 is available.
HISTORY OF THE WORLD "Idomeneus": Have 3, want 2 to 4 more.
WIZARD'S QUEST: Need 1 to 3 more.

BORIS'S BULLETIN BOARD

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: "Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress." -- Thomas Edison

PICTURE OF THE MONTH: Boris and Ms Nar as taken by our brand-new Macbook.

The answers to last month’s chess problems were: 131. Rg4+ and 132. Qxh7+.

Usually we try to do a tech upgrade with each volume change. You know, using a new word processor program, redesigning the e-Boris, etc. Usually I know what the upgrade is, but don’t get it augmented until the Feb or Mar issue. This time, no idea.

BOOS & KUDOS

The Madame Bolduc Press Excellence Award (and free issue) goes this month to no one. Start writing guys and gals.

This month’s Ms Nar Super-Sudsy Bomb is lobbed at the Andersons for the most late orders.

Deadline for most games is 1800 CST 5 Feb 10.

Links to Pages (* indicates an updated page)

1830 Coalfields/Reading #9 Coal
18GL Alpena
BALKAN WARS VI
BLACKBEARD
By Popular Demand*
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
COLONIAL DIPLOMACY: Lt Kije
DIPLOMACY: Boris XX
Game Openings Elsewhere
KINGMAKER: King of Pain (orphaned from ishkibibble)
MACHIAVELLI*
On Deck
Subscribers

Last revised 29 Jan 10.

Back to Boris Home

BORIS XX
Breakout!
Spring 1904

XX
2009A

ERRATA: French A Bel-Hol suceeded (else how could German F HOL (d)?) as the map, but not the text, indicated.

MINAS MORGUL: The Turkish Navy has broken through the Gibraltar stalemate line and is now threatening England itself. The odd movement of the Russian army to ARM last time becomes clear -- it is on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It remains to be seen if it will later take a sea cruise to NAP, TUN, MAR, SPA or LPL. Meanwhile the German situation worsens. Even while it could rid HOL of that pesky French army, it finds three of its centers vulnerable to Russian cupidity.

TROOP MOVEMENT:
French F SPA(sc) retreats to MID. France builds F BRE. Italy builds F ROM. Russia declines to build, will play 1 short.

ENG (Anderson): [F Ska-Nth], F Nth-Eng, [F Nwg-Nth].
FRA (Nichols): [A Hol-Kie], F Mid-Spa(sc), A Bur S A Mar, A Mar S F Mid-Spa(sc), A Gas S F Mid-Spa(sc), [F Bre-Mid].
GER (B Wilson): [A Nwy S RUS F Den-Swe](nso), [F Hel-Den], A Mun-Ruh, [A Kie S A Mun-Ruh].
ITA (Shacklett): [A Pie-Mar], [A Spa-Gas](r-???), F NAf S TUR F Wes-Mid, F Lyo S A Pie-Mar, F Tyn-Wes, F Rom-Tyn.
RUS (Copeland): A Ser S A Rum, A Arm-Syr, F Bla S A Rum, [F Den-Nth], A StP S GER A Nwy, A Fin-Swe, A Rum S A Ser, A Lvn-War, A War-Sil.
TUR (Fisher): A Bul H, A Alb-Gre, F Wes-Mid, F Ion H, F Aeg-Eas.

Italian A SPA must retreat otb or to POR.

Orders in brackets fail; d = destroyed, NMR = no move received, NRR = no retreat received, nso = not so ordered, otb = off the board, otm = on the move, r-??? = retreat to ???, u = unordered.

Due next time are orders for retreat and Fall 1904. And Press.

EMBASSY BEAT

No Press. Shame, shame.

Link to transcript

COLONIAL DIPLOMACY
Lt Kije
1870

2010
DEA0?

Calgary: Military conflicts occured between Britain/Holland, Japan/Russia, and Turkey/Russia.

Troop Status:
BRI (Anderson): F Aden-RS, F Bom-Ara.S, A Del-Pun, F HK-SCS, A Mad-Hyd, [F Sin-JS].
CHI (Copeland): A Can-May, A Mac-Irk, A Pek-Mac, A Sha-Nan, A Sik-Yun.
FRA (Nichols): F Ann-GoS, A Coc-Cam, A Ton-N.Sam.
HOL (Villarreal): A Bor-Sar, F Java-JS, F Sum S F Java-JS.
JAP (G. Wilson): A Kyo-Aki, [F Kyu-YS], F Ota-OS, F Tok-UP.
RUS (Jewett): A Mos-Bok, [F Ode-BS], A Omsk-Akm, [F P.Art-YS], A Vla-Seo.
TUR (Burgdorf): [A Ang-Con], F Bag-PG, [F Con-Bla].

Orders in brackets fail; d = destroyed, NMR = no move received, NRR = no retreat received, nso = not so ordered, otb = off the board, otm = on the move, r-??? = retreat to ???, u = unordered.

Due by 30 Jan are orders for 1872. Those with e-mail should send them directly to hapolley@yahoo.ca; those without should send them to Boris (avoids cross border costs and delays).

The GM has some bond trades already, players and non players are invited to do some trading. The GM will make the following Summer trades: sell all bonds, buy 200 bonds each of Britain, Japan, and China.

Link to House and Bond rules.

Link to transcript

MACHIAVELLI V
Beast Thwacked!
Spring 729

2009J
pw10?

Ragnociti: It’s the Beast’s turn to get slapped around a bit while the Pope and the Lombards decide whether France is a minor nuisance or a threat to be neutralized quickly. The French shouldn’t be able to make much headway against all three powers, so should be actively shopping for an alliance.

TROOP MOVEMENTS
Lombard A GEN retreats to garrison. Lombard A CAR retreats to FRI. Lombard A AQU retreats to CAP. Byzantines (41d) maintain all (-30d); build A TRE, F DUR, F RAG (-9d). France (28d) maintains all (-21d), builds F MAR and A AVI (-6d). Lombards (32+3d) maintain all (-30d) and build A CRE (-3d). Papacy (37d) maintains 9 units (-27d), sends 3d to Lombards; builds F Anc and A Are (-6d).

BYZANTINES (Anderson: 2d): A Car-Cro, [A Sal-Aqu](d), F LA-Dal, [F TS-Sar], [F UA-Anc](r-???), F WM S F TS-Sar, A Ist S A Car-Cro, F CM-TS, [A Pad S A Tre-Ver](r-???), F GoN S F CM-TS, A Tre-Ver, F Dur S F Rag-LA, F Rag-LA.
FRANCE (Nichols: 1d): [A Gen S A Mon-For], A Mon-For, [A Pav-Mil], [F Sar S F GoL], A Sav S A Gen, F Cor S F GoL, F GoL S F Sar, A Avi-Tur, F Mar-Pro.
LOMBARDS (Scott: 2d): A Bari-Sal, A Ver-Pad, [A Sla-Cro], A Man-Par, A Carin S A Fri-Car, A Otr S A Bari-Sal, [G Gen = A], A Fri-Car, A Cap S A Nap, A Nap S A Bari-Sal, [A Cre-Mi].
PAPACY (Copeland: 1d): A Bol S A Fer, F LS-TS, [F Aqu-LA], F Pio S F LS-TS, A Fer S LOM A Ver-Pad, A Rome H, A Spo-Per, F Urb-UA, A Sie-Pisa, A Are-Flo, F Anc S F Urb-UA.

Orders in brackets fail; d = destroyed, imp = impossible, NMR = no move received, no = not owned, NRR = no retreat received, nsu = no such unit, oop = out of play, r-??? = retreat to ???, u = unordered.

Byzantine A PAD must retreat otb or to TRE or into g. Byzantine F UA must retreat otb or to FRI or VEN.

Due next time are orders for retreats and Summer 729. And Press.

EMBASSY BEAT

Byzantines to Lombards: Am trying to leave your area, trying to stop Pope and the French. Please leave my homeland and all shall be as it should be.

Link to transcript

BALKAN WARS VI
R & G Fade!
Fall 1914

2009A
pb08

MIRKWOOD: Rumania and Greece continue their backslide into oblivion. Of the others, Serbia and Turkey have secure rear areas, leaving Bulgaria very much in the middle, any two should be able to quash the third. A well-timed stab then would secure victory.

TROOP MOVEMENTS:
Greek F EMS retreats to CYP. Greek F VAR retreats to SBS.

BULGARIA (Fisher): [A Dub-Gal](imp), F Bes S A Cona-Gal, [A Thr-Cone], [F Sal-Thr], A Cona-Gal, A Var S A Thr-Cone.
GREECE (K. Wilson): [F SBS-Cone], A Ath-Spa, [F Cyp-EMS](d), F Spa-Cyc.
RUMANIA (Anderson): [A Gal-Buc](d), A Her-Cro, A Tra-Clu.
SERBIA (Copeland): A Bos-Her, A Bel-Tra, A Tir-Mon, A Cro-Tri, [A Buc S A Bel-Tra], A Mon-Bel, A Nis S A Buc.
TURKEY (Nichols): A Izm S F Smy-Cone, F Mam S F Smy-Cone, F SMS S F EMS-Cyp, F EMS-Cyp, F Cyc-Smy, F Smy-Cone.

Orders in brackets fail: d = destroyed, NMR = no moves received, no (not owned), nso = not so ordered, otb = off the board, r-??? = retreats to ???, u = unordered.

ADJUSTMENTS:

BUL	Plo Sof Dub Sal Cona Thr +Gal +Var	(8)	Build 2
GRE	Ath Spa -Cyp -Var	(2)	Tear 1
RUM	-Gal Clu -Mon	(1)	Tear 1
SER	Bel Nis Tir Val Sko Bos Buc +Mon +Tri	(9)	Build 2
TUR	Cone Izm Smy Cre Mal Rho +Cyp	(7)	Build 1

Due next time are builds/tears and orders for Spring 1915, and Press.

EMBASSY BEAT

No Press submitted. Sham, shame.

Link to transcript

MARCIA IN HOME STRETCH!

Odds	Color	Driver (CDM/DH)	Cart	Whip	Wheels	Team	End	Speed	D/E
3-1	Pink	Comicus (+2/7)	L	Y	0/0	6435	10	20	2/2
3-1	Red	Josephis (+2/9)	L	Y	0/0	5434	39	18	2/2
4-1	Brown	Sack McHugh (0/7)	L	Y	0/0	-446	11	14	2/1
11-1	Purple	Marcia Victoria (+2/8)	L	Y	0/0	7536	16	23	3/2
47-1	Green	Velocitus Tremenjus(+2/6)	L	Y	0/0	633-	1	14	2/1
142-1	Yellow	Flippus Maximus (+2/6)	H	Y	0/5	4423	8	15	1/1
142-1	Black	Davidus Acrobati (+2/10)	L	Y	0/0	5324	15	16	2/2
142-1	Orange	Tyrannosaurus Rex (0/6)	H	Y	0/0	-32-	8	5	1/1
142-1	Aqua	Carnivorus Vulgaris (+1/7)	H	Y	0/0	331-	5	8	1/1
	White		-	-	-/-	6441	--	15	2/2

TURN XIV
Josephis: 18, whip (2, -2 END). Ahead 3, in 1, ahead 5, attack Flippus cart to horse; FM brakes (10+2 vs 6+2, -2 END). Ahead 3, out 1, ahead 3, out 2.
Flippus Maximus: Speed 13, no whip. Ahead 2, attack Comicus cart-to-cart; C brakes (8+2 vs 8+2, -2 END). Ahead 10. Pray for things to hold together long enough for Marcia to win and me to survive!
Velocitus Tremenjus: 13, no whip. Ahead 13.
Comicus: 20, no whip. Ahead 20.
Carnivorus Vulgaris: 8, no whip. Ahead 8.
Marcia Victoria: 23, no whip. Ahead 23. Just keep lookin pretty with the wind blowing through my hair, basking in the glory of the win, etc.
Tyrannosaurus Rex: 5, no whip. Ahead 5.
White Team: Ahead 15.
Davidus Acrobati: 5, no whip. Ahead 5.
Sack McHugh: 14, no whip. Ahead 14.

Odds	Color	Driver (CDM/DH)	Cart	Whip	Wheels	Team	End	Speed	D/E
3-1	Pink	Comicus (+2/7)	L	Y	0/0	6435	8	20	3/2
3-1	Red	Josephis (+2/9)	L	Y	0/0	5434	37	18	2/2
4-1	Brown	Sack McHugh (0/7)	L	Y	0/0	-446	11	14	2/2
11-1	Purple	Marcia Victoria (+2/8)	L	Y	0/0	7536	16	23	3/2
47-1	Green	Velocitus Tremenjus(+2/6)	L	Y	0/0	633-	1	14	2/1
142-1	Yellow	Flippus Maximus (+2/6)	H	Y	0/5	4423	6	15	1/1
142-1	Black	Davidus Acrobati (+2/10)	L	Y	0/0	5324	15	16	2/2
142-1	Orange	Tyrannosaurus Rex (0/6)	H	Y	0/0	-32-	8	5	1/1
142-1	Aqua	Carnivorus Vulgaris (+1/7)	H	Y	0/0	331-	5	8	2/1
	White		-	-	-/-	6441	--	15	2/2

Due next time are orders for Turn XV.

Link to transcript

BLACKBEARD

Turns 265-269

THE CAST:
1. (?????) Tew, Sloop
2. (Dowrey) Davis, Sloop
3. (Bargender) Vane, Sloop
4. (Martin) Rackham, Schooner.

STATUS:

#	Captain	Ship	Hex	Spd	Cbt	Not	Cun	Unr	NetW	H1	H2	Hostage	Attk
2	Davis	Sloop	D19	+3	5	68	(2)	14	3197	--	--	--	NPBFS
4	Rhett*†	KC	M17	5	6
3	Herdman†	KC	O22	3	9
1	Tew	Sloop	J10	-3	4	2	1	6	0	10	--	--	S
3	Vane** D&R	Sloop	T21	+3	6	23	0	6	606$	85	110	26	SN
2	Rogers	KC	DD20	2	16
2	Matthews†¢	KC	Box 1	2	9
4	de Lusan	Sloop	CC22a	+3	4	9	3	7	0	200	20	--	NSB

The Board:
Guvs: Pro: 35, 46, 53, 30, 41, 25 Anti: 23, 24, 54, 64, 13
Merchants: 65, 53, 55, 23, 13, 45, 53
Warships: F 9-4 @ E19
Destroyed Port: 14, 32
Out-of-Play Pirates: Teach (#3), Portugese (#1), Taylor (#3), Rackham (#4), Condent (#4)
Letter of Marque: PFBPF
Safe Havens: Vane(Port Royal w/ 839 d)

Turn	Player	Action	Draw
265	3	CV moves 2+3 T21-T20-T19-T18-T17-S17	32
266	2	HD attacks S8: 5+3+3-8 = 3 < dr12 = 9 (S8 escapes)	51
267	3	CV moves 6+3 from S17-N10	21
268	1=4	dL recovers	54
269	3	CV moves 5+3 from N10-N7	*B
		F9-4 moves to D19, fails intercept 3 vs 1+3	63
		Draw new Merchant @ 52	52, *D
		Draw new Merchant @ 33	33, 61
		Remove Odd Merchants, add one @ 43	43, 41
270	2

STATUS:

#	Captain	Ship	Hex	Spd	Cbt	Not	Cun	Unr	NetW	H1	H2	Hostage	Attk
2	Davis	Sloop	D19	+3	5	68	(2)	14	3197	--	--	--	NPBFS
4	Rhett*†	KC	M17	5	6
3	Herdman†	KC	O22	3	9
1	Tew	Sloop	J10	-3	4	2	1	6	0	10	--	--	S
3	Vane**	Sloop	N7	+3	6	23	0	6	606$	85	110	26	SN
2	Rogers	KC	DD20	2	16
2	Matthews†¢	KC	Box 1	2	9
4	de Lusan	Sloop	CC22a	+3	6	9	3	7	0	200	20	--	NSB

The Board:
Guvs: Pro: 35, 46, 53, 30, 41, 25 Anti: 23, 24, 54, 64, 13
Merchants: 52, 43
Warships: F 9-4 @ E19
Destroyed Port: 14, 32
Out-of-Play Pirates: Teach (#3), Portugese (#1), Taylor (#3), Rackham (#4), Condent (#4)
Letter of Marque: PFBPF
Safe Havens: Vane(Port Royal w/ 839 d)

LEGEND: * = minor wound, ** = lost arm, a = anchored, i = Indian Ocean, sc = scurvy, $ = has a stash, † = ill, ¢ = superficial wound

Link to transcript and map.

1830
Coalfields/Reading
OR 9a-9b

#9 Coal

PLAYER STATUS:
Ron Fisher: $805, 5*B&M, 4*NYC, 1 PA, 1 C&O, 2 CP, 2 Erie (13)
Paul Zieske: $2933, 6*NYNH, 5*N&W, 3 NYC, 2 Read, 1 PA, 1 B&O, 1 Erie (17)
Chris Bailey: $1975, 4*B&O, 1 PA, 4 B&M, 3 C&O, 1 Read, 1 Erie, 2†N&W (14)
Chuck Hanna: $2467, 6*Read, 2 PA, 2 B&O, 3 NYNH, 1 N&W, 1 Erie, 1 NYC (14)
Brad Martin: $1663, 6*C&O, 3 B&O, 6*CP, 1 N&W (14)
Mark Frueh: $1637, 5*PA, 5*Erie, 1 N&W, 1 NYNH&H, 1 B&M, 2 NYC, 1 Reading (14)

CORP STATUS:

Co	Pres	Price	Pool	Cash	Trains	Tokens
PA	MF	A275	0	$14	57	H12, H16, F16, 1
B&M	RF	A225	0	$5	D-	E23, F20
C&O	BM	A160a	0	$0	7-	K13, H16, 1, CF
NYNH&H	PZ	A160b	0	$51	D-	G19, F20
Reading	CH	A126a	0	$30	6-	H14, H10
B&O	CB	A126b	0	$40	D-	I15, K13, H10, CF
NYC	RF	A100	0	$0	6-	E19, G19, 2
Erie	MF	E71	0	$29	6-	E11SE, F16, 1
CP	BM	G70	2	$81	6-	A19, E23, E5S, 1
N&W	PZ	E62	0	$376	55	L16, K9, I15, CF

OR 9a
PA: Lay #4(e) in D4. Run G19W-G17-H16-I15-H10 ($240) & G19SW-H18-G17-F16-E19-F22-E23 ($310); pay dividends (MF +$275, CH +$110, RF, PZ & CB +$55; stock price to A300.
B&M: No tile play; run E11SE-D10S-D10N-D14-E23-F24-F22-F20-G19-H18-G17-F16 ($490), pay - RF +$245, CB+ $196, MF +$49; Stock price to A250.
C&O: Lay #8(nw) in J6. Run L10-J14–I15–H16–G17–H18-G19 ($340). Pay dividend (BM +$204, CB +$102, RF +$34). Price to A180.
NYNH&H: No tile play. Run F16-G17-H18-G19-F20-F22-D14-D10N-D10S-E11 ($450). Pay dividends (PZ +$270, CH +$135, MF +$45). Price to A180b.
Reading: Lay #24 in H2 (ne). Run H16-I15-H10-F2-F4-E5 ($290). Pay dividends (CH $+174, PZ +$58, CB & MF +$29). Price to A142.
B&O: Lay #8(sw) in I3; run E5-F4-F2-H10-I15-J14-K13-L10-L16 ($430); pay CB +$172, BM +$129, CH +$86, PZ +$43; price to A142b.
NYC: No tile play; run F16-E19-D14-D10N-D10S-E11 ($240); pay (RF +$96, PZ +$72, CH +$48, MF+$24); stock rises to B100.
Erie: Lay #70(e) in D8, run G19-H18-G17-F16-E11-D10 ($290); pay dividends! MF +$145, RF +$58, CH, PZ & CB +$29; stock to E76.
CP: Lay #7(ne) in J2. Run B24-E23-D14-D10-D10S-E11 ($260). Pay dividend (BM +$156; CP & RF +$52). Price to F75.
N&W: No tile play; run H18-H16-I15-J14-L10 ($240) & K13-L16-L10-K9-H10 ($220); pay dividends (PZ +$230, CB +$92, CH, BM & MF +$46). Price to E67.

OR 9b
PA: Lay #26(ne) in G9. Run G19W-G17-H16-I15-H10 ($240) & G19SW-H18-G17-F16- E19-F22-E23 ($310); pay dividends (MF +$275, CH +$110, RF, PZ & CB +$55); stock price to A325.
B&M: No tile play; run train E11SE-D10S-D10N-D14-E23-F24-F22-F20-G19-H18-G17-F16 ($490), pay - RF +$245, CB+ $196, MF +$49; Stock price to A275.
C&O: No tile lay. Run L10-J14-I15-H16-G17-H18-G19 ($340). Pay dividend (BM +$204, CB +$102, RF +$34). Price to A200.
NYNH&H:

PLAYER STATUS:
Ron Fisher: $1679, 5*B&M, 4*NYC, 1 PA, 1 C&O, 2 CP, 2 Erie (13)
Paul Zieske: $3745, 6*NYNH, 5*N&W, 3 NYC, 2 Read, 1 PA, 1 B&O, 1 Erie (17)
Chris Bailey: $3003, 4*B&O, 1 PA, 4 B&M, 3 C&O, 1 Read, 1 Erie, 2†N&W (14)
Chuck Hanna: $3205, 6*Read, 2 PA, 2 B&O, 3 NYNH, 1 N&W, 1 Erie, 1 NYC (14)
Brad Martin: $2402, 6*C&O, 3 B&O, 6*CP, 1 N&W (14)
Mark Frueh: $2574, 5*PA, 5*Erie, 1 N&W, 1 NYNH&H, 1 B&M, 2 NYC, 1 Reading (14)

CORP STATUS:

Co	Pres	Price	Pool	Cash	Trains	Tokens
PA	MF	A325	0	$14	57	H12, H16, F16, 1
B&M	RF	A275	0	$5	D-	E23, F20
C&O	BM	A200a	0	$0	7-	K13, H16, 1, CF
NYNH&H	PZ	A180	0	$51	D-	G19, F20
Reading	CH	A142a	0	$30	6-	H14, H10
B&O	CB	A142b	0	$40	D-	I15, K13, H10, CF
NYC	RF	A112	0	$0	6-	E19, G19, 2
Erie	MF	E76	0	$29	6-	E11SE, F16, 1
CP	BM	F75	2	$293	6-	A19, E23, E5S, 1
N&W	PZ	E67	0	$376	55	L16, K9, I15, CF

The Bank has $3,594.

AVAILABLE TRAINS: DDD

AVAILABLE TILES:
Yellow: 1(1), 2(1), 3(1), 7(3), 8(0), 9(2), 55(1), 56(1), 57(6), 58(1), 69(1)
Green: 16(1), 18(1), 19(0), 20(1), 23(0), 24(1), 25(0), 26(0), 27(0), 28(0), 29(1)
Brown: 40(1), 41(1), 43(1), 44(1), 45(2), 47(1)

Link to transcript

18GL

The Cast:
Tom Butcher: $600
Chuck Hanna: $600
Paul Bolduc: $600
Paul Zieske: $600

The Terminal is the available $50 private.

SR 1:
Butcher buys C&E (-$20).
Hanna bids $85 on the Port. ($515 available)
Bolduc bids $55 on the Terminal ($545).
Zieske bids $75 on the Mine ($525).
Butcher bids $80 on the ALCO ($500).
Hanna bids $80 on the Mine ($435).
Bolduc bids $105 on Ferry ($440).
Zieske ...

AVAILABLE PRIVATES:

EJ&E	$40
Terminal	bid $55
Railworks	$60
Mine	bid $80
ALCO	bid $80
Port	bid $85
Ferry	bid $105
C&A	$140

Status:
Tom Butcher: $500, C&E, $80 on ALCO.
Chuck Hanna: $435, $85 on Port, $80 on Mine.
Paul Bolduc: $440, $55 on Terminal, $105 on Ferry.
Paul Zieske: $600, $75 on Mine

AVAILABLE TRAINS: 2H,2H,2H,2H,2H,2H,2H,2H,4H,4H,4H,4H,4H,4H,4H,6H,6H,6H,6H,6H,6H,10H,10H,(10H,10H),E,E,E,E,D, ...

AVAILABLE TILES:
Yellow: #1(1), #2(1), #3(2), #4(4), #5(2), #6(5), #7(4), #8(11), #9(14), #55(1), #56(1), #57(5), #58(4), #69(1), #630(1), #631(1), #632(1), #633(1), #721(2), #722(2), #723(1), #724(1), #725(1), #727(1), #728(1), #729(1), #730(1).

Link to transcript

KINGMAKER
“King of Pain”

Turn 50 Movement to Combat

The Cast:
THE MAD HUNGARIANS (Dowrey): Fitzalan [30], Warden of the Northern Marches [(1)50]. Stanley (50), Earl of Richmond(40), Marshal of England (100), Le Lucas. Berkeley (10), Earl of Essex [20]. Event cards (1), Crown Cards (7).

THE CALIFORNIA CONNECTION (Scott): Duke of York [50]. Courtenay[30], Constable of Dover Castle (50). Lancaster [(20)]. Scrope (10). Clifford (10). Howard [10], Duke of Lancaster[30]. Event cards (5), Crown Cards (8).

KNIGHTS OF THE PRIVY POT (Poulter): Hastings [10]. Cromwell [10], Earl of Kent [30], Steward of the Royal Household [50]. Percy [100], Lieutenant of Ireland [(2)50], Archbishop of York [(30)], Northampton [(20)], Le Michael. Event cards (4), Crown Cards (5).

THE STAFFORDSHIRE QUARTERSTAFFS (Shacklett): Neville [50]; Audley [10], Earl of Wiltshire(30); Roos [20], Herbert [10], Talbot [30], Greystoke [10] Irish Kerns (50). Event cards (4), Crown Cards (5).

MOVEMENT 50:
MH: Fitzalan and Berkeley move with the TCC crew. Stanley Fk-Gn-Hn-Ik-Jg. Bourchier moves to join everyone else at Preston.
TCC: TCC mob moves Ll-Mh-Nb-Nc-Preston. Scrope Durham-Pn-Oh-Og-Nc-Preston.
KPP: Cromwell Eh-Ei-Rye.
SQ: Stafford Dl-Cs-Cr-Cp-Dh. Audley, Greystoke, Herbert, Neville, Roos, Talbot @ Preston hold.

COMBAT: Bourchier [10], Clifford [10], Courtenay [80], Berkeley [30], Fitzalan [80], Duke of Lancaster [30], Duke of York [50], Howard [10] Scrope [40] vs Audley [10], Greystoke [60], Herbert [10], Neville [50], Roos [20], Talbot[30] @ Preston (340:180 = 3-2)

NOBLES: Audley, Greystoke, Herbert, Neville, Roos, Talbot, Clifford, Courtenay, Berkeley, Bouchier, Fitzalan, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of York, Howard, Scrope @ Shrewsbury. Cromwell & Hastings @ Rye. Percy on Continent. Stafford in Dh. Stanley @ Jg.
SHIPS: Le Christopher, Le Margarete, Le Lucas & Le George @ Weymouth. Le Michael @ Rye. Le Nicholas @ Preston.
HEIRS: Reds: Margaret in Preston w/ DoY. Whites: George @ Mg w/Audley, Edward III in Preston w/ Berkeley, Edmund III @ Preston with Fitzalan. Neither: Pretender [20] w/ Fitzalan @ Preston, Pretender Jr with Clifford @ Preston.
RIP: Henry VI, Richard of Gloucester, Edmund of Rutland, Richard of York, Edmund II of March, Artie, Edward of Wales.

Due next time are orders for Combat 50.

Link to transcript

BY POPULAR DEMAND
Round 1
Martin Takes the Lead

This is a game where we propose a category and you provide a specific case (e.g., Category: Constellations in the southern sky; Answer: Southern Cross). You score 1 pt for everyone (including you) that submits the same answer. You may designate one of your entries as a “joker’” and it will score double the normal points. The game will run 10 rounds. This, like “The Hunt”, is a chance to get your significant others into a game that doesn’t involve lying, grand strategy, or more than 30 seconds per answer. Anyone may enter at any point, starting with the lowest point total from the previous round (10 in this case). If a person misses a round, they’ll receive the lowest score for the round added to their total.

1. A Beatles song
2. A Mozart symphony
3. A volcano
4. An angel
5. A chemical element

Player	#1	#2	#3	#4	#5	Score
Martin	Yellow Submarine	#40	Vesuvius	Michael	C	16
Ms Nar	Yellow Submarine	#40	Pinatubo	Gabriel	O	15
Burgdorf	Yellow Submarine	#3	Vesuvius	Gabriel	Au	14
Zieske	I Want to Hold Your Hand	#40	Mt. St. Helens	Michael	H	13
Anderson	Yesterday	#40	Mt Aetna	Gabriel	C	12
York	Sgt Pepper’s Lonely HCB	#5	Vesuvius	Michael	O	11
K Wilson	I Want to Hold Your Hand	#41	Haleakala	Michael	H	10

Joker is in italics. Bold face are high scoring answer(s).

Round 2 Categories
1. A unit of currency other than the dollar
2. A lake in California
3. A type of knife
4. A type of cheese
5. A red wine

Link to transcript

ON DECK

1835: Hanna, Zieske
AGE OF RENAISSANCE: Copeland, Frueh
AIR BARON: Nichols
DIP: Saunders
DUNE: Nichols, K Wilson
ENEMY IN SIGHT: Dowrey, Kent.
HISTORY OF THE WORLD "Idomeneus": Anderson, Morrison(?), Khaoz, K Wilson
The Hunt: Team Fisher
LIFT-OFF!: York, Dave Anderson
KREMLIN: Nichols, Kent
MAGIC REALM: Butitta, Deb A, Teh (need 2 to 5 more)
PHILLY DIP: Nichols
PUERTO RICO: Martin, York, Fisher, Villarreal(?) (need 1 or 2 more)
SAMURAI (AH): Copeland
STELLAR CONQUEST "Thadian Okana": We have 2, need 2 more.
WIZARD'S QUEST: Fisher, Crowe(?), Lenoir, Teh, Anderson(?)

OTHER POSSIBILITIES: 18xx, 4000 AD*, BRITANNIA II, CIRCUS IMPERIUM, CIRCUS MINIMUS, DOWN WITH THE KING, GODSFIRE, KAMAKURA, MONSTERS RAVAGE AMERICA, NAPOLEONIC WARS, PAX ROMANA, PLANET MINERS, SUCCESSORS, TITAN
*Guest GM

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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DEADLINE FOR MOST GAMES IS 1800 CENTRAL TIME 5 Feb 10
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GAME OPENINGS ELSEWHERE

BLUT UND EISEN (Tom Butcher): Has folded. Last issue: #157.

CHEESECAKE (Andy Lischett): DIPLOMACY. No game or sub fee. Last issue received: #293, 8 Jan 10, deadline 17 Feb 10.

ETERNAL SUNSHINE (Doug Kent): BOURSE, DIPLOMACY and variants, ADULT ONLY BY POPULAR DEMAND and BY POPULAR DEMAND. Last issue posted: #36, Jan 10, deadline 26 Jan 10. See E-issue.

GRAUSTARK (John Boardman): Standby players for DIPLOMACY wanted. Game fee/sub for starting players $35 for duration of the game, For non-players, $15 for 10 issues. Last issue received: #789, 28 Feb 09, deadline 27 Mar 09.

S.O.B. (Chris Hassler): Openings in GUNSLINGER, MERCHANT OF VENUS, ROBO RALLY, HISTORY OF THE WORLD, INDUSTRIAL WASTE, OUTPOST, MACHIAVELLI, POWER-GRID, SILVERTON. Sub fee: $2/issue. Last issue received: #158, Dec 09, deadline 26 Jan 10. See website.

WESTERN FRONT (Brad Martin); Openings in CARTAGENA, CAYLUS, DARK CONTINENT, DIPLOMACY (Fog of War), EMPIRE BUILDER/EURORAILS, FAIR MEANS OR FOUL, HACIENDA, LORDS OF THE SIERRA MADRE, MACHIAVELLI, MONTGOLFIERE, ORIGINS OF WWII, PAX BRITANNICA, PRINCES OF FLORENCE, PUERTO RICO, RAILWAY RIVALS, SAMURAI (HiG), SANTIAGO, SETTLERS OF CATAN, SHANGHAI TRADER, TIKAL, TRANSAMERICA. Sub fee: free. Last issue received Dec 09, #105, deadline 16 Jan 09. See Discussion group.

The Bottom Line

This is BORIS THE SPIDER, a 'zine dedicated to the play of multiplayer games. BORIS is usually published following the first Friday of the month by Paul & Meg Bolduc, 203 Devon Ct, Ft Walton Beach, FL 32547-3110 and currently has a subscription price of $12.75 for 12 issues in hardcopy stateside or a token $1 by e-mail (waived if oversees). A hardcopy sub will also include an e-mail sub. Make checks payable to "Paul Bolduc". BORIS can be reached at (850) 863-9081, or prbolduc@aol.com. If phoning, expect to be greeted by an answering machine. If we're here, not engaged in an epic computer battle or enthralled in baseball, hockey, or college football, and recognize your voice, you may get to talk to a real human, so don't hang up upon hearing our recorded message (it changes every power outage). Visit the BORIS Website at:

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Last revised 29 Jan 10.