Formally propose non-aggression pact to Spartans?

[Chaos Theory]

In our IRC meeting, we indicated a lack of interest in being hostile to the Spartans. Should we offer a formal non-aggression pact to the Spartans or keep it informal?

[livid imp]

I noticed someone voted no. Could this person state why they think we should not sign a NAP with a momentum faction? I am more than open to suggestions, I just don't see any reason not to go through with this.

[binTravkin]

I vote Yes!

[laurentius]

What guarantees can they give us?

[Chaos Theory]

Probably nothing. Even if they offered something substantial, how could we enforce it if they decided to turn on us? Rather, it can have provisions that prevent some of the steps that lead up to an attack, or at least hinder one. That, and the Spartans simply have no reason to attack us for quite some time, given risk and reward.

[laurentius]

Alright then.

This is done in order to enable us to put more effort against the Hiverian menace, right?

To ensure Spartans goodwill perhaps we should bind tem to us somehow.

[Chaos Theory]

How would you propose to do this?

[laurentius]

In ancient wolrd this was done vie lot of cooperation and having precious hostages. Perhaps we should propose a deal where we both have one city without defense unit in it and with an "enemy" unit next to it. This arrangement and the prospect of a sure casualty would perhaps serve as a binding factor...

I'm not sure if I was able to explain myself properly.

[Chaos Theory]

That might be viable, but at this point in the game, it would take around 10 turns or more to get a unit into Spartan territory, and it would probably take them a while to get a land unit to use, as well.

[livid imp]

It is real simple, there is zero guarrenty to anything. They would be giving their word and that is it. You can only break your word once cause it holds no value after that. Being that everyone involved in this game is a strategist, they will know not to soil their word over something petty.

Even with a NAP, we would be foolish to drop our defenses anyway. The real idea behind the NAP is to make other factions a juicier target than we currently are. Since it would be suicide for us to attack the Spartans at this point, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose with a NAP.

[laurentius]

83.33% of the treehuggers agree with you. Still proposing something like this gives a signal to the Spartans. We dont want to appear weak, do we?

[livid imp]

Russia and Germany once used just such an agreement, I don't believe either of them saw each other as weak.

The fact that we are weak is no secret to anyone in the game, there is a chart that spells it out for you. We are not fooling anybody.

OTOH, if we get the Spartans to sign such an agreement it will put additional military pressure on the other factions, since the chance of them being on the Spartan menu is increaced. Hopefully this will slow their builder strategies allowing us to catch up.