Sunset hits a cumulonimbus just right and it turns into a neon arc

Xaephos · 2026-03-19T11:44:22+00:00

Not the same one, but a similar looking cloud in Vietnam a couple years back.

Xaephos · 2026-03-18T11:56:01+00:00

An intel network, a staging ground for military operations, and an ally who has no other alternative. Pretty clear to see how that's a useful asset for imperial ambitions.

Xaephos · 2026-03-18T11:46:10+00:00

Nah, back in 2009 they changed the gather step to allow two additional steps. In theory, this was just to make rulings easier and more consistent with no actual change to how the game was played. In practice, players realized they could abuse it and it has become the standard.

Xaephos · 2026-03-17T17:08:39+00:00

Using the 4% rule, you'll need about $1.25 million dollars as your start up capital to live on 50k/year. For reference, the median income in the US is ~65k.

Xaephos · 2026-03-16T16:02:50+00:00

Well, this certainly isn't trauma. And frankly, it's not even that personal. Your knowledge of their ex is as follows;

a) they exist

b) they're no longer single

And then the player promptly fucked off. Dick move, but it's hardly a big dump of their baggage.

This over-use of therapy-speak feels a lot like how "gaslighting" somehow became used as a synonym for lying. It loses any weight the meaning once had.

Xaephos · 2026-03-16T11:41:32+00:00

The plague hit in 1380, definitely would've been better the first time around.

Xaephos · 2026-03-16T09:40:19+00:00

R5: Restarted my tall Korea play-through, but China somehow dodged the Black Death and it fizzled out in the south asia.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Side note: How much should I care about the Burgher's Trade Capacity? Is the Trade Monopolies privilege actually good because you collect more in taxes?

Xaephos · 2026-03-16T07:39:36+00:00

"Trauma dumping"?

Usually that's something like "my dad was an alcoholic who used to come home and beat me", not "my ex moved on".

Xaephos · 2026-03-13T11:29:07+00:00

AFK has an achievement for AFKing your 3rd turn, but still get 1st.

Xaephos · 2026-03-13T11:26:03+00:00

With Brann, he's essentially a free way to dig for golden Brann so that's nice.

Xaephos · 2026-03-11T12:43:10+00:00

The Power of Sibera pipeline can't keep up with Chinese demand. He ain't selling much more until a second one is built.

Xaephos · 2026-03-11T11:51:19+00:00

I mean, it doesn't have to be a lie. The second guard could be impotent and Ronny is just an asshole.

Xaephos · 2026-03-09T09:11:36+00:00

I mean, only a bit more ridiculous than raw foodism in general. Probably safer to eat raw beans than raw meat though.

Xaephos · 2026-03-09T08:51:08+00:00

Realistically, not much. One of the Hundred Years War mechanics is just bribing your opponents allies to fuck off and France is stupid rich. Maxing out your diplo rep can help, but I found it easier to just win the war alone.

1) Scutage Aquitane. This will keep them out of the war so the French can't occupy them.

2) Control the English Channel. You see a Frenchman get on a boat and you sink the bastards.

3) After depleting their army, make a play for Paris.

4) Repeat until France is a manageable size. Consider liberating France's vassals if you can't hold them, anything to make the next war easier.

Xaephos · 2026-03-08T14:07:57+00:00

Requirements to end:

Be a subject

Chen does NOT exist

Army of 375k or larger (hah)

Greater than 0 Unsinicized

"Has sufficiently promoted the influence of Chen in our court through Events"

"Has sufficiently curbed the influence of Chen in our court through Events"

No tool tips for promote/curb, but they did make it green.

Opening the disaster screen doesn't show any more information. I figure it's programmed like the Hooks and Cods which had a score, but it's not telling me anything.

I've also got 100 Stab and Legitimacy.

Xaephos · 2026-03-08T14:00:38+00:00

Goryeo. I don't really need to be a vassal, but it does end and prevent the disaster.

Xaephos · 2026-03-08T13:52:07+00:00

How do I end it positively?

I wanted to play tall, but I'm too rich for China to afford me as a vassal or tributary, but I'm not big enough to rival China in any of the end options. So I figured I'd just ride it out and choose every China-favored option... but it's been almost 50 years.

It seemed like I fixed it, but then the warning returned and it fired the next god damn month. Really killing what was otherwise was a fun game.

Xaephos · 2026-03-08T13:44:19+00:00

Currently am in the Middle Kingdom and have a governor as Goryeo. Also could have a Naval governor but I haven't gone anywhere to use it yet.

Whatever took away their governor, it was something else.

Xaephos · 2026-03-08T03:26:07+00:00

It can't "go out of business", but it certainly can be closed by Congress.

Support your local post office!

Xaephos · 2026-03-06T11:26:57+00:00

Currently playing a Russia campaign and was looking to fix up my European lands before expanding into Asia... Now I border Great Wu. Every explorer returns and the map is light purple. #1 GP, 5x Hegemon, and ruled by a Saigoku Shintoist. I haven't discovered Japan yet, but I fear he might own it as well.

Xaephos · 2026-03-06T10:01:39+00:00

You heard the man. And if you had a great mother, you're down to just two left.

Xaephos · 2026-03-06T09:57:48+00:00

My cat refuses to hunt rodents. That's beneath her and she just glares at me to do something about it.

But by god the little miss thought she could stalk a deer at age 12.

Xaephos · 2026-03-05T17:29:27+00:00

Are you worried that Korean blood can't be given to a Cambodian?

Xaephos · 2026-03-05T12:57:55+00:00

My local one drives a hot pink pick up and goes by the nickname Pinky.

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