Did you do something to your beard, it looks odd. I like the way from last week a bit better. Anyway, thanks for another useful set of comments.

Hehee, the beard is the same. I got a haircut today, and I haven't balanced the beard with the hair.

It's an Optical Hair-lusion.

i think the beard and the hair look fabulous.

but then that's just me.

First, the apparent topic of the hour, I dig the beard.
Second, nice review--I enjoyed it.
As for the advantage of hosting the Emperor, I don't think it's an undue advantage to the current leader--in a military and trading game, there is a natural disadvantage to being the leader; namely, all things being equal, everyone will attack you first and trade with you last. Controlling the activation sequence is an interesting compensation for that. In the games I've played, the hosting player has changed several times.

This game isn't unbalanced, because of the negotiation a person who sits there collecting cards is not building armies and therefore should be attacked by others who have negotiated to crush them behind their backs. I like this, it is nice and short, almost too short sometimes. The hosting players main advantage is using the turn order as a way to obtain cards during negotiation i.e. gimme this and you can go first.

Good game, gonna get a lot of flack from a lot of people though cos negotiation is a hard master and can lead to a lot of people getting p1$$ed off as they are backstabbed, feel out of control etc...

BTW Scott are you a Flaming Lips fan, or just like the pun? Their movie 'Christmas on Mars' is out any day if you are.

Check http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/428819. The Flaming Tulips reference is a recomended variant on Scott's game "Tulipmania 1637". Yes, he designed a game! Great!