Stern warning to GS - precise wording

[vondrack]

Just to make sure we understand each other, I would like to have this quick poll here. The option's listed are:

1) vondrack's version
I have added few words as per Tibi's suggestion re: lux deal implications of DoW - find them underlined.

Honourable Nation of Gathering Storm,

It has been brought to our attention that a strong force of your War Chicken in full arms just recently landed on the Eastern coast of Bob, roughly South of Yellowknife.

Although we can naturally not be sure about the plans and intentions of your generals, we feel the only reason for such a force to land there would be an attack at the "homeland" cities of GoW and ND.

We are sorry to inform you that if such an attack was to happen or become imminent, we would consider it an act threatening Legoland's long-term interests, and as such would cause our nations to enter the state of war, with the inevitable consequences for our current trade deals, with no further warning.

Respectfully,
The Senate of Legoland

2) redstar1's version

Our dearest chums of Gathering Storm,

After having a chat with some of the chaps across the sea, its been pointed out that you have a jolly large force somewhere near Yellowknife.

Far be it for us to interfere but we have to say that we aren't quite tip-top with the idea of you having a picnic so close to GoW's back yard. In fact, we are afraid to say that its really just not on old boy.

We do believe that we still have a common interest as well as a lucrative trade deal. Were you to start a bit of a scrap up north then we would really have to rethink. I'm sure you understand we can't really do deals with anyone we don't think is sound.

In short, we'd like you to have a think about the old gameplan. If you want a cup of tea and a chat just let us know.

Yours Imperiously,
Lego

3) Kloreep's version

Honourable Nation of Gathering Storm,

It has been brought to our attention that a strong force of your War Chicken in full arms just recently landed on the Eastern coast of Bob, roughly South of Yellowknife.

We are sorry to inform you that if an attack on the "homeland" cities of GoW and ND was to happen or become imminent, we would consider it an act threatening Legoland's long-term interests, and as such would cause our nations to enter the state of war with no further warning.

Respectfully,
The Senate of Legoland

4) vondrack's+redstar1's version
5) Kloreep's+redstar1's version

Basically, we would send the "formal" note in of of its variants and accompany it with a "fun" one (or the other way round).

I am deliberately not including any banana option, since we need to pick one choice, so let's limit ourselves to the abovementioned ones.

[vondrack]

I myself am voting for option #4 (and to be 100% precise, I would send a PM with redstar's version first, "translated" then into the formal language of my initial draft - this might make the whole of it sound less hostile and more fun), perhaps complemented with an informal chat with one of the GS leaders, in which we'd explain our stance is driven by our long-term interests (Bob for GoW & ND, Stormia for GS) and not by any kind of "hatred" against GS - maybe even hinting that we are going to stick to GoW+ND as long as the war is contained to Bob ONLY.

But that is something going beyond the scope of this poll. For the sake of this poll, I vote #4.

[Tiberius]

Wher is the Kloreep's + redstar's option?
(edit: ahh, I see now, you wrote it wrong in the poll but corrected it in the first post).

I'm for sending Vondrack's via direct channels and making redstar's public, for fun. We would then try to moderate a bit the thread, to avoid name calling. We can even add a disclamier or something.

In case we don't want to make it public, then I don't know; why would we send both?

[redstar1]

I vote 4 as well, if only to make it look like I am contributing

[ZargonX]

#4. I think Vondrack's suggestion is quite good, as it would be helpful to keep things "light." We want GS to understand our position, and understand that we aren't doing this out of hatred or malice. Who knows, they might actually appreciate a team not insulting them for once

[vondrack]

Originally posted by Tiberius
Wher is the Kloreep's + redstar's option?
(edit: ahh, I see now, you wrote it wrong in the poll but corrected it in the first post).

Jesus, I am unable to post a poll correctly...

Of course you are right...

[Tiberius]

Well, the result is quite obvious, it seems. The only question is, what should we do with redstar's? Send it along (after, before) with the serious warning, or make it public ?

[vondrack]

Uhm, yes, how to... ok, here is my attempt:

Dear Gathered Storms,

Seems there is a breakthrough decision lying ahead both of us and you in the game. We feel we should make it clear where we stand and what our intentions are with respect to the current situation. Considering all the fuss and ill will about past public "manifests", we would like to let you know in private only.

We are sending you our "message" in two versions. Both basically mean the very same, but side by side, they probably better fit the purpose of conveying a "serious message" in a "game played for fun".

First, the version "with a British foreign office slant" (as redstar1, its author, put it):

Our dearest chums of Gathering Storm,

After having a chat with some of the chaps across the sea, its been pointed out that you have a jolly large force somewhere near Yellowknife.

Far be it for us to interfere but we have to say that we aren't quite tip-top with the idea of you having a picnic so close to GoW's back yard. In fact, we are afraid to say that its really just not on old boy.

We do believe that we still have a common interest as well as a lucrative trade deal. Were you to start a bit of a scrap up north then we would really have to rethink. I'm sure you understand we can't really do deals with anyone we don't think is sound.

In short, we'd like you to have a think about the old gameplan. If you want a cup of tea and a chat just let us know.

Yours Imperiously,
Lego

And the more "formal" version that would, sent alone, probably sound harsher than we'd intend it to sound.

Honourable Nation of Gathering Storm,

It has been brought to our attention that a strong force of your War Chicken in full arms just recently landed on the Eastern coast of Bob, roughly South of Yellowknife.

Although we can naturally not be sure about the plans and intentions of your generals, we feel the only reason for such a force to land there would be an attack at the "homeland" cities of GoW and ND.

We are sorry to inform you that if such an attack was to happen or become imminent, we would consider it an act threatening Legoland's long-term interests, and as such would cause our nations to enter the state of war, with the inevitable consequences for our current trade deals, with no further warning.

Respectfully,
The Senate of Legoland

We would like to stress that our position at the moment is driven by our long-term goals and plans, not by any grudges we'd hold against your team. Under different circumstances, we might find ourselves on your side of the barricade.

Legoland

I hope everybody will contribute a bit to make this better than it is ATM...

[Tiberius]

Well, since you don't want to make public the british one, my contribution would be:

send it!


PS1.

I don't like adding both in the same message, but I can understand the reason. If the decision to not going public with redstar's is final, then I change my vote to send only Vondrack's message.

PS2.

I like the last paragraph. The message shuts a door, but this last sentence points to an open window ...

[vondrack]

I believe we should really avoid making public statements. GS is notorious for not understanding fun and exaggeration, if it's them being targetted. What is likely to be taken as fun "in private", could very easily end up in another round of public flamewar if we posted "for everybody's amusement".

[ZargonX]

That looks pretty solid to me, V. Equal parts fun and serious. Also clearly states our intentions, indicating that we are not set on a path of conflict permanently. Maybe they'll appreciate a team willing to talk

[redstar1]

looks excellent

[vondrack]

OK, as mentioned in the Next Turn plans thread... I suggest that we wait about 6-7 more hours, so that most everybody can have his say about the diplo note (be sure to check the turn plan changes, please - no major ones, but several less than minor tweaks there).

I would play the turn after I wake up (that would be around 6-7am GMT).