Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, in the midst of travian universe, there was a great Guild of Slackers who fought over the dominance of North Eastern end of the most popular travian world, com1. Slackers were confident they would not need to adjust their sluggish playstyle, but they were caught by surprise by Ronin, a contender for the most wanted throne in travian. Slackers were not pleased to see a challenge so close to them so they, and especially their leader, decided to make diplomacy the art of winning. So was born the everlasting team of SGR, Slackers Guild Ronin.
Over the years they fought foes with pride and honor, but for so long they didn't achieve what they most desired.
For so long they came back every year.
For so long they tried and failed.
For so long they tried and became the laughing stock of other great teams.
After years of humiliation, the Supreme Leader of Slackers made a decision. Enough is enough. There would be no more jokes about Slackers. No more facerolling on the Slackers. No more shame with being a Slacker. 2018 would be the year when Slackers come back stronger than ever and take back what belongs to them.
After so many losses, the Slackers were small in numbers. Their leader sent out his minions to recruit new members to the guild and spy on potential new enemies. The task was immense and time was short. com1 would be the next world to restart so Slackers spread out to other worlds to make new friends.
The task didn't go as planned, but neither did the overmind of travian restart com1 on time. The time grew longer and longer, and eventually the minions came back to report to their supreme leader.
The first minion brought a group of elite defenders who called themselves as "SH Team".
The second minion brought a group of newbies from Ruthless.
The third minion brought some skilled hammer builders who would break records.
The fourth minions brought some reinforcements and intel from com6.
The fifth minion brought a group of Wicked Americanos.
The Supreme Leader was pleased. His plan had worked.
When the time came, Slackers were stronger than ever before. Their team was prepared to anything and everything. Their groups were planned and tasks were assigned early on. Nothing would stop them from taking on the throne that Villains had occupied for two years.
But little did they know, Villains had united with another champion, from world 6.
The Supreme Leader was deeply disappointed. He did everything he could but once again the enemy seemed too strong. For the second time in his long life, which presumably begun in Jurassic era, the Supreme Leader thought of quitting. He thought:
"The enemy is too strong...
Our defenses are too weak...
We promised a great round of travian...
I can't bear another humiliation."
In his deepest moment, someone whispered to his ear:
"Look to the South and you will find your answer."
The Supreme Leader was confused. He could not understand what the voice in the shadow meant. He could only notice oases and a brave Wolf who crossed the border to South East. His eyes could't deliver a clear picture of the map, but when he zoomed out, The Supreme Leader realized what he was told.
He remembered what was done in the ancient worlds on travian. He remembered what he had done. There was only one way this could end.
The Supreme leader took his fossil keyboard and begin to write. He knew that this is the right thing to do. The only thing, if Slackers are to keep their pride.
The supreme Leader prepared his command. The command that would turn the power of the Gods of travian on their side. He was careful with his words. The diplomatic approach with TEN must bear fruit, just like with Ronin. The Supreme leader finalized his text, read it out loud, and was pleased with it. He pressed enter, and the message was sent. It said:
Calm, I'm here
I would like to nominate Mazzini, Marduk_COM aka mazzi , as the Legend of 2018 for most awesome leadership there is. His persistency in coming back year after year regardless of his team's strength is admirable. After many years of trying and failing, he finally led the Slackers to sweet victory.
PS. Mazzi lost artie :O
PS(2). He also built a solid WWK while also leading us: https://goo.gl/KXhoUM