I'd think a bunch of DF players would be more able to accept defeat, that's what I get -every- time I play DF. You're approaching the situation from the standpoint that there -is- a magical way for Summerdale to win. There isn't, short of Morek falling apart internally. You can't just throw a bunch of new players at the war and expect to tip the scales. I'm curious how you got the impression that Summerdale would be winning a bunch of battles? It's not like Morek and Libero are played by NPC's that will stand still and expose weaknesses, those players know what they're doing too.
Economically, Morek and Libero have 6 times what Summerdale has.
Military strength, they have at least 4 times more.
They control the key regions complete with Militia.
It's like if there were two 15 year olds in a fight, then one's Pro MMA brother steps in to help.
Every player in Summerdale's military command knew that the last battle would likely be lost. Not a certainly, but likely. The alternative is to stand around until Morek and Libero feel like attacking, that doesn't sound fun to me. Battlemaster is about RP, political intrigue and battles. Not about whining or losing (misspelling intentional) and -definitely- not about jumping on forums to talk trash about your fellow players (although it happens way too often). Yes, we're screwed... let's make the most of it and have fun.
Well, the thing is, you play out the losing situation in DF on the slim hope that you can win. And you continue to
try. What Summerdale is doing is pointless resignation. Even your post is resigned. Your tactics are resigned. Who is inspired by complete resignation?
Liberorek is afraid to attack Nifel, but travels past it in uncoordinated groups. Stick your army in Odenir and rest up 12 hours, then hit when you have actually scouted and bought a damned calculator. If they move on Nifel, instead... it's just a 6 hour trip back, and you smash them there.
Smash, smash, smash, guerrilla-style, never where they want you to be, never where they have two turns to know that you'll be.
When you smash them hard enough? Well, then you have Mount Black for the coup-de-grace, with just 3000 CS of militia guarding it now. Lull them into thinking your game is all about the north, then hit them there.
They're stretched out. They literally have no ability to move north without blobbing up for even the most routine refits, if the Summerdale general has so much as the brain of a goose. And no, standing around for months isn't fun, but you honestly think liberorek would not move north to continue its conquests? Or you think running back and forth from pre-lost battle, to recruitment, to pre-lost battle is fun? It's not fun... not even Fun, because Fun implies that you're still trying.
Try. There is no better strategic ground on the map of dwilight, and you pissed it away. I doubt you have enough nobles to execute any strategy now but turtling in Nifel.
The players you got from this board are probably the best single group
ever to come in one wave to BF,
ever (repetition intentional). Don't come here and pretend that you got a raw deal. And yeah, I'm just a long-time lurker here. This post made me register because its so obtuse. If this were in game? Cairo would kick me now.