DIPLO: Legoland Comments

[Shiber]

I'm actually agreeing with you.
I'd say more about this, but I'm just going out. Later.

[Arrian]

We can't offer them territory we aren't sure we will have control of, fellas.

Anybody remember what the compensation was for the difference in research cost between Banking & Astronomy? If not, I guess we will have to dig it up.

-Arrian

[DeepO]

phew.... finally got back in here. When I've got time, 'poly is down, and I haven't gor much time lately.

As to the compensation: since we ask for the cancellation of the deal, we should wiave the difference. I thought it was about half the beaker cost difference between the two (about 40 gold or something, If I'm not mistaken). No biggie.

Plus, we might still want to research banking, but simply can't keep up to the schedule. Invention is nice, but only after someone already has it (note to Shiber: check its cost every turn). We don't want to pay first researcher cost unless we have Leo's to build.

DeepO

[Arrian]

I agree on waiving 40 gold. I wanted to know what it was, though, before supporting that. Since it isn't that much money, I agree.

We would get a discount on Invention's cost once other civs know it. Once it "makes the rounds" we can research it at reduced cost. Of course, it's still better if we can buy it cheap from Vox or Lego. And that's something I want to investigate.

I think we have a concensus here to go ahead and void the deal. Therefore, either DeepO or I should draft a PM to Lego that 1) thanks them for their flexibility and understanding; 2) informs them that we'd like to take them up on their offer; 3) waives the 40 gold; and 4) inquires as to the possibility of acquiring Invention.

At the same time, the Voxian ambassador should PM them asking about Invention as well.

-Arrian

[DeepO]

Arrian, I don't think Invention comes from Vox. However, we need to contact them to ask what they're going for...

and please, draft that message, I'm still quite busy

DeepO

[Arrian]

Yeah, I had considered that Invention came from one of our enemies. If that's the case, fellas, it's sure as **** gonna have a NDA (or a ND-to-GS-A).

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Draft:

Dear Vondrack, and the people of Legoland:

First, allow me to express the thanks of our people for Legoland's understanding and flexibility in this matter. It is much appreciated.

We've discussed it, and decided that the best course of action is to take you up on your offer to void the Banking-Astronomy deal. We've also discussed the compensation for the difference in tech costs (40gold, was it, from us to you? Please correct me if I'm mistaken!) and decided to waive it, in consideration for your team's willingness to help us out by voiding the deal.

You have mentioned that you will be receiving Invention soon, via a deal with another team. I have four questions regarding that transaction:

1) Can you tell me exactly when you will have Inv?
2) Can you tell me where you're getting it from?
3) Can you sell it to us, or is there a NDA. If so, for how long?
4) If you can sell Invention to us (either now, or when a NDA runs out), how much would you want for it?

Thanks again, and I hope to hear from you soon ('poly willing).

-Arrian
Co-General of the Armies of the Gathering Storm
Assistant Ambassador to the people of Legoland

Whaddyall think?

EDIT: addition to last sentence of 2nd paragraph.

[Shiber]

The four questions are a bit too inquisitive though. They might not want to tell us everything, so I'd add a bit that goes something like "If there's some information that you cannot tell us, we understand. We only wish to find out whether there are any other opportunities for doing business with Lego Land in the near future."

[DeepO]

I would add a little sentence to further express our gratitude after the second paragraph: "It is but a small gift for you willing to void the deal" or something similar. Just something to say: hey, we thank you very much, and want to do something back.

As to the questions: they might be a bit too much in a PM and perhaps would be better addressed in a chat, but other then that I don't mind them. It's natural we're interested in this, so it doesn't hurt too much to ask, as long as we keep friendly.

DeepO

[Arrian]

That's why I phrased them the way I did (can you...).

I can add a little extra thank you sentence (I was toying with one in the original draft, but ended up taking it out) if you guys think that is best.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Ok, unless I hear an objection in the next 6 hours (3pm EDT), I will send the PM.

-Arrian

[DeepO]

fine by me, Arrian

DeepO

[asleepathewheel]

re: invention

hmm. so they have to get permission now to move it? interesting turn, from the nda's to something...else.


how much would it cost to outright steal it from lego? the middle option, not the cheap or most expensive one. and what are the percentages. If they don't want to play, why not use what we have, our economy. Something to hold onto, for when (if) we have more cash, not used for upgrades.

[DeepO]

how long would it take to research it ourself, provided that 3 other teams (GoW, ND and Lego) have it? I don't know if stealing it would be less expensive.

The only real problem I see is that GoW might be planning to build Leo's with it. They're still prebuilding the GL, right? Or maybe they also have another prebuild going... It's quite easy for them to stop the iron they're getting from ND for a couple of turns, build horses like mad, and upgrade these to riders cheaply. We should keep an eye on GoW's iron situation to see what's going on.

DeepO

[Cort Haus]

So Lego dissidents want a chat. We could open with :

[Capt Mandrake]
"Sorry chaps, our nukes are already flying towards Legoland under Wing Attack Plan R. The only general with the recall code has barricaded himself in his airbase and keeps muttering stuff about 'flouride in childrens ice-cream'. Furthermore, we believe that the CRM-144 discriminator unit needed to recieve the recall code on one of our planes is damaged.

Now what's all this about a doomsday device?"

[/Capt Mandrake]