Forgotten Lore

Update Instructions:
This is sort of a micro update. It does have an important fix for players attempting to frame other players for attacking Pandemonium so it’s worth updating for that.

The 1.06b update is compatible with all save games from previous versions. It can be applied to any previous update version.

Multiplayer PBEM Note: I strongly recommend that hosts update to this version. All other players should as well but many of the key fixes are for the turn resolution performed by the host.

You apply it by overwriting the three files AIScripts.cxt, MainIFace.cxt and GameEngine.cxt in the Solium Infernum install directory which is usually Program Files\Cryptic Comet\Solium Infernum

You can use a .zip file here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06b ZIP

Or a self extracting .exe here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06b .Exe

Important: For the self extracting .exe, some windows systems will not let you copy directly to Program Files so you might need to first copy them to your desktop or another writable location and then manually copy the three files over.

Bug Fixes:
Fixed bug introduced in 1.06a that could cause script error if a player tried to frame another player for attacking Pandemonium with a ritual that resulted in excommunication

Fixed bug in AI for Goal Wage Offense Operations In Blood Feud that could result in script error if a specific attack option was selected

Fixed bug in AI for Goal Support Blood Feud Legion Movement that would result in script error if Secret Manipulation ritual was chosen and path could not be determined

Improved AI selection process for attacking enemy legions during Vendetta. Weak legions supporting Places of Power or other legions have an increased probability of being attacked first

Improved AI goal priority architecture so that actions are spread out more logically based on which threats have legions in threatening positions….. i.e. prestige differences are still big factors but that multiplier has been decreased.

Improved AI threat assessment algorithm so that threat reassessment of opponents is now done for the AI’s every turn.

Fixed error in Demonic Trance combat move resolution where infernal damage from neutralized opponent’s moves was not being negated

Update Instructions:

The 1.06a update is compatible with all save games from previous versions. It can be applied to any previous update version.

Multiplayer PBEM Note: I strongly recommend that hosts update to this version. All other players should as well but many of the key fixes are for the turn resolution performed by the host.

You apply it by overwriting the three files AIScripts.cxt, MainIFace.cxt and GameEngine.cxt in the Solium Infernum install directory which is usually Program Files\Cryptic Comet\Solium Infernum

You can use a .zip file here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06a ZIP

Or a self extracting .exe here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06a .Exe

Important: For the self extracting .exe, some windows systems will not let you copy directly to Program Files so you might need to first copy them to your desktop or another writable location and then manually copy the three files over.

Rules Changes (Important) :

Infernal Juggernaut can now only be performed once on a specific friendly legion and therefore cannot be stacked

When framing a player for a ritual targeting Pandemonium the framed player now gets his resistance to deceit bonus added to the Pandemonium modifier of +10 (was +8 previously). Additionally if the framed player has Demonic Premonitions active then his Prophecy level is also added to the challenge modifier.

Planar Lock can no longer be stacked on the same target player. i.e. You may only have one Planar Lock active at any time on any given target player

Planar Locks performed using ritual masking when a diplomatic stance of Vendetta, Blood Feud or Excommunication does NOT exist between the two players cannot be continued automatically from turn to turn i.e. the ritual must be performed again with the accompanying normal chance of success or failure.

Planar Locks can no longer be continued more than ONE turn past the expiration of a Vendetta. You will receive a turn log message to this effect when a Planar Lock continues over into a turn but the Vendetta has ended. Planar Locks may still be continued indefinitely if the target is excommunicated or in a blood feud with you.

Bug Fixes:
Fixed bug introduced in 1.06 that could cause script error if a player was eliminated from game

Fixed bug in Panic special ability where hp damage was not being assigned

Fixed loophole where diplomatic actions could continue with blood vassal if demand/insult was issued after blood vassal proposal was made but before it was accepted

Fixed bug in Planar Lock continuation when targeted against multiple opponents on the same turn

Fixed bug where blood vassal legions were not removed to valid controlled hexes at the end of a Vendetta if they were in enemy territory

Fixed UI bug where acknowledging some rare information messages did not removal all modal lock conditions

Fixed AI script bug that sometimes occurred when AI’s attempted to use secret manipulation ritual to move an opponent’s legion into battle with another legion or place of power

Fixed bug in display of total tribute cards when tribute is assigned for orders

Fixed bug in conceding territory during diplomatic responses

Fixed bug in Pilfer, Coerce and Bribe ritual if performed after player had already lost stronghold and legion bribe attempt was successful resulting in legion going over to player who was to be eliminated at end of turn.

Fixed bug where ritual cap event was still affecting excommunicated players even though it is a Conclave decree and should not apply to them

I’ve come up with a way to re-size the viewing space for both Armageddon Empires and Solium Infernum to 800 by 600 so that it can function on netbooks which usually have the resolution height fixed at 600. The results are not as pretty as the regular resolution but everything seems to work just fine. If you want to give your copy of the games a go on your netbook you can apply either of these two “mods.” If you have any feedback then you can either email me at my info or support emails or just post in the forums.

Solium Infernum Netbook Mod ZIP Version 1.06a or better required

Armageddon Empires Netbook Mod ZIP Version 1.08 Tip of the Spear or better required

After you download the .zip file you must overwrite one file in the install directory for each game. The install directory is typically C:\Program Files\Cryptic Comet\Game Name i.e. Armageddon Empires or Solium Infernum.

IMPORTANT: The mods ONLY affect full screen mode and will not work with the windowed executable. The mods compress the view area into a 800 by 600 view space so that there is no clipping on a netbook.

If you are a forum member at my Cryptic Comet forums and have the time to share some data on how your Solium Infernum games (PBEM) have ended, I would appreciate your input. I’m trying to get a sense of just how often games are being won by prestige vs. the capture of pandemonium vs. a rogue excommunicated player eliminating everyone. Here is a link to the thread.

Solium Infernum Survey Thread

Update Instructions:

The 1.06 update is compatible with all save games from previous versions. It can be applied to any previous update version.

Multiplayer PBEM Note: I strongly recommend that hosts update to this version. All other players should as well but many of the key fixes are for the turn resolution performed by the host.

You apply it by overwriting the three files AIScripts.cxt, MainIFace.cxt and GameEngine.cxt in the Solium Infernum install directory which is usually Program Files\Cryptic Comet\Solium Infernum

You can use a .zip file here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06 ZIP

Or a self extracting .exe here: Solium Infernum Update 1.06 .Exe

Important: For the self extracting .exe, some windows systems will not let you copy directly to Program Files so you might need to first copy them to your desktop or another writable location and then manually copy the three files over.

Bug Fix And Change Notes (Only Partial):

Fixed bug where player perk bonuses where not being added to deceit roll for frame attempt success

The bonus for Pandemonium in determining successful framing for hostile rituals is now 10 instead of 8

If a player has demonic premonitions active and is the target of a ritual (not the player being framed) then they now receive their Prophecy roll number as a bonus when determining whether frame attempts are successful

Fixed bug in AI selection of Rain of Brimstone and Vile Oath

Fixed bug where player could be excommunicated by event and still selected regent

Fixed bug where paying to continue Planar Lock did not actually continue the lock effect

Implemented update message to target of Planar Lock that has been continued to the next turn

Fixed bug where wrong message was sent when player performed rituals against Pandemonium and was excommunicated

Fixed bug where loyalty for legions was not getting demonic premonitions bonus when events that required a loyalty check occurred

Fixed bug in AI goal that directed the destruction of opponent’s legions

Fixed error in display of 3 digit resource stockpiles

Fixed bug in Dire Dissipation ritual so that attributes as well as hit points are permanently reduced (as the manual says they should be)

Increased average reformation times of personal guard legions for lower infernal rank Archfiends

Fixed AI bug where wrong support ritual was being performed during attacks on unclaimed Places of Power

Increased range threat threshold that AI uses for determining threats to own stronghold by excommunicated players

Fixed AI bug where goal processing cycled endlessly between goals for buffing up legion for attack and moving legion to attack because battle success chances did not match

Fixed AI bug where even though a Machine was completed it did not get constructed if the AI prioritized a different goal because the Create Machine goal was removed from the stack and also not in the possible goals pool

Fixed bug where excommunication of player removed all mod objects from player and not just mod objects that were Infernal Conclave Decrees

Bertrand over at Cyberstratege put together a fairly in-depth (and tough from my perspective) interview with the help of some of the lounge lizards (and I mean that in a good way ) from the Cryptic Comet Forums. You can read the interview here.

Dubious Quality is such a great name for Bill Harris’ blog since the quality of the analysis you get there is anything but dubious….from NPD numbers, the great console wars to musings on outcomes of games’ industry litigation, Bill always hits the mark with a keen eye and economical articulation. So I should have mentioned this on Monday but [insert generic excuse here that deflects from my incompetence]. Bill has started a detailed play guide for SI which you will want to read as it includes some great observations about the game.

Here is the first entry

And Thanks! Bill.

The main point of this update is to correct a problem that occurs in games with Blood Vassals and Blood Lords where the Blood Vassal does not get credit for actions during Vendettas. If you are a host for a PBEM game then I would recommend you update. There are some other fixes as well but the main one is the Blood Vassal problem.

The update is compatible with 1.05b and 1.05a. If you have a lower version than 1.05a then I would strongly recommend that you upgrade

You can use a .zip file here: Solium Infernum Update 1.05c ZIP

Or a self extracting .exe here: Solium Infernum Update 1.05c .Exe

If you follow this blog at all you have probably figured out that I am a bit of a loner and maybe marginally agoraphobic…at the least I have serious hermit tendencies that are coddled by my ability to make a living via the internet. However, sometimes misery loves company. So when Cliff Harris and Chris Park approached me about doing an indie strategy game bundle that would offer our latest games I didn’t think twice about it. Being associated with two quality designers like Cliff and Chris is great business sense and I’ve followed and enjoyed their games. If you haven’t heard about Gratuitous Space Battles (Cliff) or AI War Fleet Command (Chris) then you have been hiding under a bigger rock than mine Seriously though, if you are a strategy fan then you should check them out. You can also grab up all three of our games (and the expansions for GSB and AI War) for the bargain price of $49.99.

I just wanted to offer a word of caution for players of Solium Infernum. The Diplomatic Protocols of the Infernal Conclave can be deceptive. Many Archfiends tend to get lost in them scheming of how to time their insults and demands and how to manipulate the rules to their own advantage. Some begin to think inside of the diplomatic box and forget that rules are only useful if other players follow them. This results in a false sense of security that your stronghold, your seat of power is safe. This is never the case since the slightest transgression against the sanctity of Pandemonium will result in excommunication for a player and that means that the heretic no longer need obey the Infernal Protocols.

If you have a neighbor who is within quick marching or flying distance to your stronghold always be on guard. Consider placing a combat card in one of your stronghold’s attachment slots just to add some uncertainty. You never know when a desperate, vindictive or just plain crazy Archfiend will pick the go for broke with excommunication gambit. It might not make sense to you but you need to keep yourself thinking outside the box….or at least pop your head out of it every once in a while to get an appreciation for the lay of the land. Nothing in Hell is certain except punishment.