Ok the game has begun. I want to test that I can link to pics on the web so here is my starting location Mauxe:

just curious... so you guys play like a turn a night?  Do you have to maintain a connection or just login at X location whenever you want to make your turn or what? 

At the end of most of my turns I get a nice 10 second pause and then...another turn

I think I tend to take a bit more time as I want to make sure I am not missing more than a newb should...
but really you could just take turn after turn after turn through the night as fast as it takes every player to click end turn.

I have found that already in SP a bit..  once I start to click too fast I shut it down for the night.

I just meant that in MP you are not limited to a turn a night or anything..  but there is a time limit that everyone does need to take a turn in.

You are, of course, quite correct.

Have very much enjoyed our little AI-stomp.  I think the game is all but over at the moment and I definitely did not even scratch the surface of the game.

Since we started I have gotten myself involved as a sub for three other games, each in a different phase of evolution.

One is a newb-ish game on turn 36 now.  Playing Atlantis in a decent position. 

Another is on turn 23 - Ermor.  Not so good a spot there.  Seems precarious as if the world could collapse in on me at any moment.

In addition I have spent quite a bit of time during my first couple turns learning

1. what in the world each of those nations is about
2. what in the world the previous pretender was doing/about to do/building for
3. what in the world each of the other player nations are all about

It has actually been quite fun and is like a trial by fire.  I am surprised by how quickly and easily I have gotten myself sucked into this game.
The graphics are certainly nothing great and the whole turn-based-PBEM thing takes me way back to my HOMM2 days...  but there is a certain charm to this game.

Oh, almost forgot my third and most recent game.  I haven't started it yet but it is on turn ~88 or so and I am hoping to see more serious end-game content. 

After these I hope to get in on the next wave of new games starting, including more vs. AI with Michael here.

I don't think I have my settings maxxed.. I'll have to check.

Watching my little sprite-warriors march/gallop/cast/shoot their way across the battlefield is entrancing though.

I would imagine that it would take a bit to mod the game graphically.  Tedious work I'd guess.

Anytime I find myself poring through a manual looking up spell descriptions, paths of magic, items to forge, etc...  it's a good thing.

Super, thanks!

I need to dig through the mod folder a bit to see what else is available.

One feature I already wish for is a pop-up info screen for my champions.  Instead of right-clicking to get a window screen to come up..a hover would be nice.

One of the people I took over for re-named all of his mages by their magic levels..  1f2e1s and so on.
It helps.

A little update to my journey:

I have pleasantly found that in between turns the diplomacy between players is an entire game in it's own. 
Almost like playing out a novel.

The amount of options you have to work with in the game means that you can find yourself with a wide array of material to work with. 
Very interesting.

Also found it interesting that the developer put out a new patch today..  some 4 years after the game was released the community and the support seems to be going strong.  I have also met a group of people who take it upon themselves to get fair and balanced MP games started and moderated..  even if they themselves will not be playing.

Very impressed all around

And yes, I have found the F1 key to be a big help since you mentioned it Michael

Mauxe

Mauxe and Michael, I'm Thanatus on the Dom forums, so I look forward into newb stomping some AI ass with you guys.

I've only played SP, and I would give myself a 5/10.  I play the crap out of these strategy games, but I've never actually been any good at them.  But I do know the game, I just...don't really know any good strategies or anything.