Italy scores first blood by successfully winning the first battle of the game, defending against the French invasion and pushing them fully out of Piedmont. In less successful news, French and German tanks clashed in Belgium while the German and Russian navies fought without end over Sweden. Russia called for help from St. Petersburg but the newly organized Russian fleet was too far out of range to assist. (aka they do not border Sweden and cannot give support to a province that far away).
Since this about the fourth order that has been foiled by a ruling error, in the future, if you have ANY questions if what you're doing is legal by Diplomacy rules, simply ask me. I will test your moves and tell you the results. I won't share this information with anyone, or even tell them that you asked for clarification. Just something I'm offering to do so people don't get frustrated.
In less exciting news, most of the nations expanded their borders somewhat, except for England, who was apparently out for tea and did not send in any moves this turn.
France, please post here if you'd like to retreat from Piedmont or disband your unit, and if you'd like to retreat, where you'd like to go. This move will be public to all players and will have happened before the rest of the Fall moves, so plan your strategies based on if and where he retreats. You have 24 hours to decide where to retreat or else I will decide for you in the best interests of keeping the game moving, but I will do so in what I believe will be your most advantageous manner.
Moves are initially scheduled for Wednesday at 4 PM American / 7 PM Brit / 8 PM Borkbork. However, several players have approached me asking to reduce the time between turns from three days down to two. If you support this, please post here saying so. If at least 4 players want to go down to two days, then it will happen for the rest of the game and moves will be then due on Tuesday at the same time.
I would prefer that not to happen, as having not got my moves in on time this turn, shortening the length of time would not help me out.
