"only XL-5"

We played a 6LM-8MM mix. The opponent chose middle roads.
It was a tough start, because one direction and the sawmill were blocked by ice elementals for the gauntlets, and in the remaining area I could barely scrape together enough money to get efreeti without pits in the fort by skipping a build. On turn 121, after buying one efreet and sacrificing it, I emerged past the ice elementals with spearmen (I barely took any gogs into battle). After that, it got more fun — I got Earth magic, saw 4 cans on the respawn. Starting from the middle of the second week, I began breaking the cans; a preview showed there was a bugged passage with a road between me and the opponent — so I started moving in that direction. I took a town, gathered some swans, and went to look for an encounter. I attacked Shakti with 3 angels and got a good game.
Thanks for the game! First game out of three. The rest were on fast roads!