Turn 124, 90 BC

[Shiber]

The save is upon us.

[Arrian]

If we aren't already (dunno, haven't looked at the screenshots in several turns), can we please move our troops into position to load our galleys and prepare for an attack on RP?

Even if we decide not to do it, we should be prepared.

Second, we need to decide on a course of action re: Bobian affairs.

My current thoughts are these:

1) Do a limited NAP with GoW.
2) Tell them that if they were to happen to get into a war with ND, we'd be happy to sell them iron.
3) Hope GoW hits ND.
4) If 3=yes, then invade RP.

-Arrian

[Shiber]

No, all of our galleys are unloaded. And yes, I think we should begin packing up.
Re 2: I'd tell them that we'd gift them iron rather than sell it.

[Arrian]

Yeah, I was thinking about gifting too, but then I thought maybe we could get some minimal compensation for it. I certainly don't intend to haggle over it.

How's this: gifted iron during the war in exchange for an ironclad NAP for 20 turns post-war?

-Arrian

[Shiber]

Of course, the details will have to be worked out (such as what defines the end of war), and a "spirit of the agreement, not just its particular wording" clause will have to be put in. But that's for another thread.
Right now, we have to start packing up. Let's do it this turn.

[Shiber]

We don't know yet what kind of army we are taking to Bob. But surely we all agree that some of the units that we'll send will be MedInfs, so let's begin with that.

[Arrian]

I would start with med infs + pikes and a settler.

We have three basic options for an invasion:

1) Inchon-style landing inside RPs territory.
2) Inchon-style landing outside RPs territory (SE coast).
3) Leave out the settler, and rely on capturing a coastal city.

I need to look at a recent map before I decide which I want, but it's definitely between #1 and #2. It just depends on which one provides us with the best protection for our forces and the best opportunity to deal damage to RP (read: capture/destroy their core). Actually, time required to reinforce is another key factor. Landing in the SE, outside their territory, means our galleys will take longer to shuttle over more troops. So I suspect #1 is the most viable approach.

Pikes, Med Inf, settler. Then go back for cats & knights.

How many galleys do we have available for this?

-Arrian

[nbarclay]

Do we have any clear, compelling evidence that GoW wants to attack ND rather than allying with ND against RP? If GoW is contemplating an alliance with ND and we suggest supporting them in an attack on ND, that could really blow up in our faces.

[Arrian]

Perhaps, perhaps no.

And again, I just don't see how ND & GoW would divide up RPs land. ND would get FAR more out of it, unless GoW got a leader to rush a FP down in RPland, but even then they would have problems defending it. From a security and corruption standpoint, it makes a lot more sense for GoW to take over ND than a piece of RP.

-Arrian

[notyoueither]

The way to do it so that it does not blow up on us is to just make the enabeling NAPs. They will arrive at their own conclusions. Create the conditions for war, don't openly urge it.

[Arrian]

[Theseus]

BUT, when the time comes, we should partner with GOW, not just concurrently fight out two wars.

[notyoueither]

I think that is something that will develop on its own course. They are asking for the partnership. I think it is entirely possible that they make the suggestion to us that we settle with Bob prior to doing anything with Lego. It is their butts hanging in the wind if we (they and us) went after Lego prior to taming the Bob situation.

[Theseus]

Certainly, GOW asking for the partnership would / will be optimal... I just (at this point) strongly believe that we should, in fact, enter into that partnership.

[DeepO]

I agree.. let them ask. I start to like the NAP idea more and more, as long as it stays private for as long as possible.

In the extreme it could even go as far as a single sided MPP, in that we declare war against whoever GoW attacks, for the right kind of pay, of course. And we guarantee to provide iron, at a modest price

DeepO