As the party of the third-part in our little musketeers drama, I will echo how fun this game was and what a difference good communication and team-work made.
As has been mentioned, our little three-way friendship almost died before it really got started. As we were first setting things up, I began to feel like the ugly step-sister left home from the ball as Italy and Germany planned out their strategy for quick opening moves while I would have to slowly work my way into England....if I was lucky. Germany controlled Spain so even though they were making friendly noises, I forsaw a future where, after going out together in glorious battle and sharing the builds of war, they would return, realize they didn't need me and carve me up like a Turkey (sorry, flashbacks from my other Tourney game

) .
So, when a silver-tongued Englishman came calling with flowers and chocolates, I gave in to his blandishments. (Ok, England actually was not silver tongued at all, but rather short and curt in his communication, the flowers were plastic and the chocolate gave me zits). I pictured a quick invasion of Germany that would cripple him, strengthen me and then I would stay allied with Italy and we would go as before. As with any such fling, I realized quickly that I had made a mistake. Germany had guarded himself a bit so my blow was hurtful but not fatal. England was not filling me with confidence as an ally and I put my pride aside and threw myself on the mercy of Germany, with Italy acting as couple's counselor. Germany was MORE than gracious and forgiving and after that there was only one other time when I began to feel that I was not being afforded equal footing and that was quickly corrected without soldiers.

. Italy was the glue that kept together Germany and I as powers who easily conflict. He put the Star in Ambassador!
One of Germany's conditions for my forgiveness and readmittance to the musketeers was that the army that had so callously and thoughtlessly invaded Munich be placed under his command for the next year. The army warmed to his command and seemed to prefer his leadership to mine, protesting any order to return to the homeland. This evolved into the creation of the French Foreign Legion which spent the rest of the game working alongside German and Italian forces to fight against Poland. In a final sign of Germany's great graciousness and forgiveness, the FFL was given the privilege of taking and keeping Krakow.
I want to thank jimmygrimble and Pb10gon for letting me back in and trusting me again after my early stab and for the great way we not only worked together, but the marvelous communication and fun messages. I would be deeply honored to play in a game with you both again anytime!

Late Emendation: My minor was Sweden which, despite desperate diplomacy, was eliminated right off. This helped drive me into the arms of the English as Germany had not saved my child. All was forgiven and we actually had the fun of bringing little Sweden back to end the game with us. Nice touch since my wife is from Sweden and I had home fences to mend!
