“A bittersweet victory, to say the least. Giving away 5 handicaps did not seem like a good idea, and I was proved fatally right. A virus left the team with no reserves, and the appo was spent on turn 1 when the tree was fouled and killed (then it was fouled again in turn 2 and MNG'ed).

Dodge was a non-factor in this game. All the elves got knocked down time and again.

5/3/3 (including the death by the failed dodge) must be close to a Faction record, at least in F1. This also probably means we are out of the title run.
Landslide, a fan favorite, was killed by a mummy with 3 turns left, precisely in the game where he achieved Star Player status. To add insult to injury, Magma killed himself in a failed dodge in the last turn of the game.

The only good news was the mighty performance of Spring Tide. He had been keeping a low profile in the last games to help the other players develop, but when the team most needed him, he delivered an astonishing performance with 2 TDs and 2 casualties (despite a bone head), almost winning the game single-handedly. In fact, he was the only elf remaining on the pitch at the end of the game!!!

Rebuilding the team is now a priority, but it is specially difficult in F1. Replacements for the niggled players cannot be bought fast enough, and retiring them to reduce TR would leave as with too few players. The next games will be critical for the Champions of Nature.

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Despite all the grief, playing Zoliak was a pleasure, as always. I hope our next game is not as bloody as this one!”