Tuesday, February 14, 2017

The Spoils of Victory!

Pasha Moustasha painted by Mad Padre
During The Mad Padre's 2016 Diplomacy campaigning season, I took up the role of Turkey, "the sick man of Europe."  Coming into the game after the initial rounds of diplomacy, I was under the gun from the start with many alliances already in place.  Some of these alliances clearly had a big target painted upon Turkey.
Fall 1907 Maneuvers (Turkey in yellow)
Coming to power following a coup, the strict but amiable Pasha, guided Turkey on to victory by Fall of 1907.  After the Fall 1907 turn, Germany, in second place to Turkey, conceded to the Pasha.  Turkey was declared the victor holding 15 of the 18 Supply Centers needed to win outright.  The game was great fun with much behind-the-scenes diplomacy and intrigue.  To get in the spirit of the game, Turkey produced a regular propaganda newsletter entitled, The Ankara What.  Publishing that tabloid was great fun.  I bet back issues are still available.

As a reward for victory, Michael generously offered to paint a figure to honor the winner.  In the role of Turkey, I could think of no more suitable figure than Bob Murch's Portly Pasha Moustasha.
Portly Pasha Moustasha arrived in yesterday's post and I am most pleased with the result!  Michael has rendered the Pasha expertly and captures his personality perfectly.
Michael, you provided the Diplomacy players a top-notch gaming experience, all deftly moderated by yourself.  It was great fun and I always awaited each missive with great anticipation.  Your Pasha is fantastic and will always hold a place of honor upon my shelf.
Thank you! 

20 comments:

  1. That sounds like a great gaming experience!

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    1. It was! Three or four months of great entertainment!

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  2. Very nice. I looked into Diplomacy after reading the blog posts, and it seems the PBM game I play is heavily influenced by Diplomacy - That being the case I can imagine how much fun The Mad Padre's game was, especially when players get into character and offer their own take on diplomacy.

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    1. Very thoughtful, for sure. If you are interested in watching Michael's Diplomacy 2016 game unfold, select his "Diplomacy 2016" label and all episodes of the game can be easily enjoyed. Several players stepped into character very convincingly!

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  3. What a very nice figure acquirement Johnathan!

    Christopher

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    1. Quite right, Christopher! Pasha Moustasha will always be a pleasant reminder of a great game and a gracious host.

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  4. Good fun Jonathan. Pasha looks well done and a wonderful gift. Congrats!

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    1. Rod, Pasha is a well-received gift, no doubt! A place of honor for him. Maybe he can even get into a game occasionally?

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  5. The Pasha is posh! Great commemorative gift!

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  6. Fantastic figure, and well played for the win! Diplomacy is a magnificent beast, and so good played PBEM where the 'jostling for position' does not strain friendships :) If you play again and find yourself in need of an extra man, let me know!

    Cheers,
    Aaron

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    1. Aaron, the game was great fun. Michael used a blind system for communications so that all email went to him. No player had direct contact with another. Hopefully, friendships were saved due to this. If The Mad Padre announces another Dippy game, I will pass that along to you.

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  7. That is a nice prize, and a magnificent mustache.

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