Important! Lego and our research

[zeit]

I'll echo what I've posted on the RP90ad thread:

DeepO, you should contact Lego and ask them if they're willing to postpone our deal until further notice, if not then maybe to replace Banking for Invention, things are not advancing in this field in terms of intra-team discussion, and we're getting close to a point where we'll be breaking an agreement if we're not going to start research soon.

This issue is important, I think we're willing to abide our agreement with them despite the inconvenience, but we should try and ask them to cut us some slack- perhaps they'll understand and be willing to let us off the hook in one way or another, but we better address this quickly.

[DeepO]

I fully agree... however, very little discussion has been spend on this subject. As long as we don't spend gold, we can be in time, even if we start in 3 turns on banking.

I'm certainly not against going for invention instead, but I don't think Lego will like it if we would just forgo all research (and they would be right).

So, question: what is the cost of banking, as opposed to invention? Are they equal in cost? I don't have access to the editor, and haven't opened civ in months due to time constraints... I have no idea about how much invention costs.

DeepO

[Arrian]

Let's ask Lego to slow it down some. We're going to need some gold... this war will not be cheap.

-Arrian

[DeepO]

Arrian, we already asked Lego to slow it down... a further delay won't be good for diplomatic relations... last chat, we asked it they would be willing to slow it down together with us, but we haven't received any answer on that. I think a switch would be easier for us to negotiate.

DeepO

[Shiber]

Invention: 44.
Banking: 52.
What do we do about the difference? Say that we owe them and we'll sort things out in the next tech agreement? (which hopefully won't be delayed by any wars)

[Arrian]

Damn, this isn't good.

We have to honor the agreement if they force it, but perhaps we could ask (nicely, perhaps even grovel a bit?) them about a switch to Invention and promise future compensation (based upon research value... so "8" with some interest - so maybe more like "12") if/when we prevail in the current conflict.

They will probably be happy to hear we're having trouble on Bob. Whether or not they will be in any way sympathetic is another thing. If we really sound worried, maybe they will worry that we'll collapse, which wouldn't be good for them (they probably want a long, bloody slugfest) and they will be cooperative.

Maybe. Gee, aren't I a big help?

-Arrian

[DeepO]

8 difference... with how we handled research cost so far, that would amount to about 100 gold compensation (24*8 beakers, 1 gold/2 beakers compensation). We might get away with this...

Does everyone agree to ask Lego? if so, I'll write a mesasge in the morning, and leave it on the board. Now, I'm not fully ready to write it (hot wheather makes you thirsty), and after tomorrow afternoon I won't be around to send it for a couple of days. Arrian, you're still vice ambassador, right? We might need your services soon

DeepO

[Arrian]

I can fill, composing PMs and such, if need be.

I'd start out by explaining that we're in a serious war, and are in dire need of cash, and therefore we were hoping to discuss a possible equitable renegotiation of our tech deal - one that both Lego & GS could live with.

I would stress that GS will honor the deal as originally proposed if Lego demands it, but would greatly appreciate flexibility on their part.

Then we start in on the Invention idea, with ~100 gold in compensation (though since we need the cash, it would have to be delayed, and as such, we should probably offer a higher amount in recognition of the delay).

Damn... the more I think about it, the more we should have stayed away from locking ourselves into "builder" research when we knew a slugfest on Bob was a strong possibility. I was supportive of that, and now I don't know what the hell I was thinking.

-Arrian

[Shiber]

Please don't mention the word 'honor'. Use an alternative wording for 'GS will honor the deal' and such.
That word has caught on too much dirt lately.

[zeit]

Maybe 'abide' instead of 'honor'? (not that I'm an expert in the nuances of the english language, but still... ).

[Shiber]

Sounds good to me.

[DeepO]

I don't agree on the delay of the cash, but other then that, it is all good for me... sadly, it seems I won't be able to start on the PM, so Arrian, please go ahead! I've got too much to do at work today

One point: they were interested in invention, they asked if they were able to get it somewhere else. Better ask them if anyone would be going for it that they know of, and if not, if they would want to get it from us. It's very likely they even would prefer invention over banking, so in case we could present it as a win-win situation for both, they won't be offended at all.

As to the build-tech things: it's not that we really need the cash, we ould manage without it. But we needed to convince Lego that we were not going to war, and take over Bob immediately, and this was one of the only ways to do it. I still don't think we did wrongly there, there might have been a better way, but this was no mistake of us. Besides, I still think that domination is about the only way to win this game, for which we don't need techs at all... but we need to have friends before we can attempt it.

DeepO

[Arrian]

Proposed PM:

To (whomever):

As the people of Legoland are no doubt aware, the people of the Gathering Storm are presently engaged in the War-to-not-quite-end-all-wars. It is a difficult time for our nation. Aside from the normal stresses of combat, there is the issue of cash flow.

We have previously agreed to research banking in exchange for your research of Astronomy. At the outset, I'd like to be clear that, if Legoland insists upon it, we will certainly abide by the terms of our original deal. However, if your people are willing to restructure the deal in mutually agreeable fashion that would allow the Gathering Storm more free cash for the prosecution of the war, we would be most appreciative. I and my teamates are open to creative solutions, so please don't hesitate to throw some into the mix.

Here is the one thought we've come up with thus far: as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong), Legoland is also interested in the technology of Invention. Invention is less expensive than Banking. What it the Gathering Storm researched Invention instead, and either 1) provided cash reimbursement to Legoland for the difference in technology cost at a later date; or 2) received cash from Legoland for Invention, and not Astronomy. Clearly, I cannot anticipate your exact wants/needs, so my ideas may not be of much use to you. This is why I encourage you to propose other solutions that perhaps fit Legoland's plans better.

The long and the short of it is that we need cash right now, and researching banking (though it could be done) would be quite a strain, and hamper our war efforts. I am by no means naive enough to believe you have any particular interest in assisting our war efforts. However, I do believe it is in your interests to keep us fighting. I can't imagine Legoland wants a decisive victory for ND + GoW, anymore than it wants a decisive victory for GS + RP. So obviously it is up to you to guage whether or not restructuring our tech deal is in your best interests. I leave it to you. As I said, if Legoland insists, we will abide by the original deal.

Respectfully,

-Arrian

Co-general of the armies of the Gathering Storm
Assistant Ambassador to the people of Legoland

[zeit]

Looks fine- a bit direct on the last paragraph, but I'm sure they'll appreciate it now that all hell broke loose...

Oh, and on Paragraph 2, 3rd sentence: you've put a "it" instead of "if"

[Shiber]