The gold spawn was decent — crypts and medusa dens almost every day. No external dwellings. First day I spread out and built up some cash. Day 1 secondary Castle, Day 1 swordsmen there, since I revealed an external dwelling. At home, cavalry into the castle.
Day 2 was notable for taking out the scout hero at the main, to pass Slow to Kyrre through the sages — first time I've done that.) Also, I was seriously planning to build Angels at the secondary, even placed monks, but on Day 2 I changed my mind.
On Day 3, two Griffin Conservatories 3+2, tons of money, and I was heading for the GO (Angels), but my opponent took a Dragon Utopia and nearly doubled his stats. I got scared and turned into the treasure zone.
On Day 4, lots of boxes with junk like mummies and magic without Wisdom, 28 Wyverns and a minimal Dragon Utopia, which gave me my salvation — a water spell book with Water Expert and a Mace +4, since I'd been running around with only a shield for artifacts.
On Day 5, I emerged onto snow and was about to turn back — and lo, Valya was at the GO. I attacked, bought everything, equipped Shackles, then thought — I forgot to put on the Cloak. And so I barely held out during the siege thanks to Forgetfulness and Frost Ring (no time to clone or teleport, my opponent was killing me with Chain Lightning and ten Archangels)), the cavalry triggered their ability three times, and Roma made a couple of mistakes. Lucky, basically. A few dwarves and a couple of elves survived.
Thanks to Roman for the game.