Preparing for World War Bob

[Aidun]

we can eventually ruch walls if there is need to. thet depends on where the main assault will come.

Aidun

[History Guy]

Leon may be a target, but the most likely avenue of assault is Toledo, the most northerly city of Spain. Once that has fallen (whether they raze it or not), they shall head for Madrid, endangering our capital at Pamplona.

Lord Toledo

[GodKing]

What is up with that scenario?

[mrmitchell]

It's not exactly the correct way to get information about them, but UnOrthO posted a poll in the main forum accidentally about replacing Master Zen with himself as RP ambassador.

It might be related, by golly...

[Arnelos]

I've been busy the past 2 days and have not had time to work on the scenario. I sent Togas a copy of the template of our current situation that other people can mod into scenarios if they want, however.

I'll try to find time this weekend to work on it, but no promises. I've had some unexpected problems come in RL, so I'm busier than I thought right about now trying to fix things.

[BigFree]

Another thought, for protection, is to add workers to a city about to be attacked to get its size up to 7. It has been confimed that walls in a City that has grown to size 7 count for protection in that city in ADDITION to the 'town' becoming a 'City' So in effect you get a double city wall bonus for a result of 100% bonus to defense instaed of just the 50% induced by Walls alone.

[civman2000]

It's not exactly the correct way to get information about them, but UnOrthO posted a poll in the main forum accidentally about replacing Master Zen with himself as RP ambassador.

It might be related, by golly...

Indeed, I would say there's a 90% chance it has to do with the impending war. Either:
1. The war is unpopular with many members of GoW, and thus the CoC is to achieve a partial policy change, in which case the war may not end up happening.
2. The current ambassador is seen as too weak by some members of GoW, so the ultra-hawks want to replace him because negotiations with us to keep us from geetting too wrried will be very important.
3. GoW wants to be able to justify backstabbing us or something else like that by saying that a new ambassador brought a new policy.
4. GoW is doing this on purpose to make us think that the new ambassador will bring a more benign policy so we become less worried.
5. It actually has nothing to do with the coming war and its timing is just a coincidence.
6. SOmething else I haven't thought of.

In any case, I wouldn't expect GoW to change their policy, because even if that is UnOrthOdOx's goal, ambassadors aren't usually policymakers but simply the enforcers of policy.

[History Guy]

I'd agree, Senor de la Civ. This must be related.

[Togas]

I was also convinced it was a set up. But a set up for what and for whom?

We had or theories, but Unorthodox wanted to chat so we (Arnelos, BigFree, myself) joined him in chat in the GoW_CoFA (their foreign affairs room) chat.

Unorthodox began by stating that ND cut the iron and demanded Feudalism in exchange for iron. He also stated that ND demanded a 10 turn no-trade to us. Whether or not this is true is debateable, but it is a reasonable explaination.

Unorthodox explained that since GS wouldn't do a NAP and that with things going poorly with ND recently, he believed there was an alliance against GoW brewing, and even thought that we might be in on it. We debunked that rumor with talk of it's ridiculousness and pointing out that we sent them an extended MPP treaty.

Unorthodox was looking for a way to get us back together. We proposed an alliance and he was very pleased with the idea.

He proposed that we attack THIS TURN. And if not, wanted to know how soon we could attack. We informed him we'd let him know tonight.

He toyed with the notion of a ploy or a fake backstab but we weren't interested. He seemed mostly eager to begin, and seemed to believe that the longer we waited the more powerful ND would become.

We made token arrangements for Iron to GoW and Chiv to us in addition to the alliance, but the primary concern of Unorthodox was how soon we could join them in an attack.

Now, it is entirely likely that ND and GoW are on bad terms. Both have told us this. It is also likely that they are both deceiving us, however, I believe this to be less likely as it would require a very advanced level of deception and VERY careful psychological RP on their part.

It is very likely that MZ wanted us to figure out that there was a 10 turn no-trade on Chiv for us, but felt that he could not say so. This would explain his actions.

In any regard, we are to continue our military build up, as planned, but we need to move into position for an assault.

Furthermore, due to the potential threat of a GS surprise attack, we MUST leave units near Madrid/Toledo/Barcelona to counter attack any GS invasion.

--Togas

[mrmitchell]

...and the plot thickens.

I suggest we continue with our defensive planning; it is far easier to move from a defense to an offense (in the event ND goes hog wild on GoW or something) than from offense to defense.

Also, we can't be sure they aren't just tricking us...stranger things have happened.

[Hot Mustard]

I don't believe UnOrthOdOx for a second. I think this a clever attempt to draw our units into the field, where they will be sacked by a ND/GoW alliance.

We should continue our build up, and keep behind our lines.

[mrmitchell]

NEWSFLASH!!!

In the #apolyton channel of the chat server:

[09:01:25] nbarclay> Hi. Is now when the GS/GoW chat was supposed to be? Or do I have my times messed up?

[History Guy]

Ye gads! You're right, Mitchell! Lordy! This is interesting news indeed, and builds the suspicions Dejon and the most of us have been harboring...

[mrmitchell]

(1) GoW seriously fears GS, and is sounding the alarm. Likelyhood: None. Nada. Zip.
(2) They're plotting and either a) want others to stay out of the way or b) want others to participate.

[History Guy]

Get this in the diplomatic forum, Mitchell, so it'll be noticed by Big Free and Togas. This is quite interesting indeed! I'm glad you saw it!