Overall Diplomatic Situation

[Meshelic]

I like where this discussion is going. It is much better for us to maintain this level of alertness to the situation around us. The way other teams percieve us is much more real than the AI, and is much more prone to going up and down and so on. Relations will weaken and strengthen, although not necessarily in that order...

The persons who made reference to a "Gathering Storm superiority" were Panzer32 of the Glory of War (who is 1 of their 2 ambassadors) and Spiffor (of the Legolanders). This was mostly referenced to and was not the subject of the whole conversation (we mostly just through out some universal diplomatic ideas).

The reason I mentioned it here was because, obviously, the opinions of the other teams (without knowing our location or power, etc) already had a slight opinion of what they think is to come, and this may put them on guard, much the same as the Glory of War put alot of people on guard when they announced they would be a mercenary nation.

I realize that the office of the Foreign Ministry has a huge task ahead of them in swaying popular opinion that we may be too powerful, or intimidating to the rest of the teams, etc. We want to be perceived (mostly) as honorable, not overpowering, relatively non-threatening, and friendly.

From what I've read in our private forums the teams we seem to think we may get along with best are the Legolanders and the Roleplayers as the top two. Depends all on location in the game, which we'll find out, but I think it would be in our best interests to strike up good relations with them.

The Roleplayers seem to share some of our strength in numbers and talent, although all the teams have some pretty good players on them. Good relations with them would help us alot.

NYE, I agree with the above what you have said, the list of suggestions pertaining to our behavior. I was thinking of posting a similar list earlier but never got to it in time.

I believe the Great Embassy shall also have to hold a set of standards to abide by that help us not to present ourselves in poor light...

[DeepO]

Well, I agree with most of the ideas on this thread, certainly we need to build on our diplo situation. I hope I'll be able to do my share with the legos, but so far the contact seems to be friendly. A whole lot is going to depend on our starting position, though, which civs are going to feel threatened, and which civs are not.

I do hope that even if we are being feared as 'superior', no civ sees us as super aggressive. This, IMHO, would be worse, so we should carefully look out for aggressiveness. I agree: jump in on wars will be less bad then starting them ourselves.

DeepO

[alva]

nice introduction btw, DeepO
(to Lego I mean )

From what I've read in our private forums the teams we seem to think we may get along with best are the Legolanders and the Roleplayers as the top two.

Why do keep forgetting the two other teams (vox & demo) ??
Especially the latter holds a couple of options as far as diplomacy goes.
And it is a good team too IMO (tactical and strategical)

Vox is the uncertain element here, isn't it.

[DeepO]

Vox is in no way uncertain... unstable, right, but uncertain? I hope they will keep the internal arguments under control long enough for another team to help them out of this game... I don't think any team is going to assist them... there are no AIs around to bash, but we have Vox

DeepO

[Shiber]

(Spiffor) You're playing in the PtW DG IIRC ?
(Shiber) yes
(Shiber) storm
(Spiffor) Ah Yes. I guess it must be interesting to be in the strategy wizards team

[Arrian]

Does that make NYE the Grand Wizard? Err... nevermind.

I would very much like to cultivate a real ally in this game. A trusted friend, even. I have never had that experience in SP Civ. It is something I've always thought that SP lacked, to its detriment.

Speaking of what to do if we're near GoW... well, I think it's pretty obvious. I would advocate an all-out attack as soon as we can muster superiority (I would prefer it with swordsmen, but a despotic GA is an acceptable price for the destruction of an bunch of warmongers playing China). There just isn't much choice there, really. We have the advantage in the mid-to-late ancient age, due to our UU, whereas they have the advantage in the early ancient age and the middle ages, due to starting with warrior code and then their Riders. Our industriousness cancels out.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

This thread reminds me of Machiavelli (sp?). He is often misquoted, or rather selectively quoted.

What he said, in full, was that it is best to be both loved and feared, but if you must pick between the two, go with fear.

-Arrian

[alva]

true, very true

but you have to make you are not 'somewhat loved' and or 'somewhat feared'. It has to be absolute.

[Theseus]

I'm new to MP... but I will say that I certainly don;t trust 'love.'

[nbarclay]

Originally posted by Theseus
I'm new to MP... but I will say that I certainly don;t trust 'love.'

On the other hand, it's a whole lot better than being hated.

[OPD]

does this mean I have to stop sending threatening emails to trip?

[FrustratedPoet]

no, you can still send them, just sign them all 'GhengisFarb'.

[Meshelic]

Some new Foreign Ministry information posted in the Lux Invicta Intelligence thread, I suggest you all check it out.

I am sending the LOGS from my discussion to the gatheringstorm email. I suggest you all take a look.

[Meshelic]

Oops, the logs are missing. Will have to contact AdmiralPJ to get his copy and posted again. Sorry all. Will fix asap.

[Shiber]

Putting those logs there is an excellent idea Meshelic!