Team Info and Contacts - Templars

[Zeviz]

I like this draft much better, but I still don't understand the need for the disclaimer paragraph. Why do we have to include this disclaimer?

[Sullla]

I like the edited version as well, and am not concerned about the disclaimer Zeviz mentioned. (I didn't even notice it until re-reading a second time.) As far as one of Zeviz's other suggestions:

And if we establish a good relationship with them, we might be able to get Sulla's spot without a military confrontation. (Since they are hiding from their other neighbor, they are not interested in conflict with us. So we could push them pretty hard peacefully, as long as we promise not to ally with their enemy.)

I like the idea very much. Remember, the Templars picked a Financial/Industrious civ (Inca). That, along with what we know of their player roster and religious focus, suggests that they aren't interested in being aggressive. In fact, I'd give good odds that they will try to go for Stonehenge or the Oracle early on, to get a Prophet for their shrine. That would give us the green light to push expansion towards their capital early on, without needing to fear too much about defense.

Remember, possession is 90% of the law. We are Creative, and we can stake a powerful claim to the land with those rapid-expanding borders. Unless we grant them Open Borders, the Templars cannot see inside our cities. So long as our power graph is roughly equal to theirs on the Demographics screen, they almost certainly won't attack. While they are off founding religions and building wonders, we should go into Civ3 settler spam mode, and claim everything not nailed down!

[Kylearan]

Hi,

Originally posted by darrelljs
Wow...those guys are really nice. They'll probably finish last.

Not necessarily. Making friends is key in a demogame, and it's not that they gifted us a city or something like that. It's little actions and friendly wordings like this that builds up trust and might lead to something like a research pact later, if desired. For that reason, I like Ruff's second wording much better - I think we should come across friendly and open-minded. I even would go so far to offer them some info in return soon. Nothing major, ideally something that looks more valuable than it is in reality, but which leaves open the possibility for getting an ally if needed.

We can still backstab them later, if needed.

-Kylearan

[Zeviz]

What about giving them a hint to research AH after we know where copper is? It will look very helpful, but will direct their expansion away from us, and chances are they'll learn the tech soon anyway, so this advice will have little practical value.

[darrelljs]

Originally posted by Zeviz
What about giving them a hint to research AH after we know where copper is? It will look very helpful, but will direct their expansion away from us, and chances are they'll learn the tech soon anyway, so this advice will have little practical value.

That's very sneaky . If we are going to hint, might as well tell them the exact location.

Darrell

[mostly-harmless]

Can we wait until we have secured a source of copper before handing them chariots & horse archers on a plate?

mh

[sunrise089]

Wow, lots of responses here.

I'm not sure why the map info isn't included in Ruff's draft. My understanding is that the consensus leads towards including it.

My suggestion would be to offer the map info now, and then later send an email with the name of the Yellow Civ and the Animal Husbandry reccomendation and then ask for the religion spread. To me, that seems very quid pro quo and the timing allows us to have spotted the religion in their capital without revealing our Ministry of Truth info.

[sooooo]

Yes, it would be nice to offer them the location of some steeds (they are knights templar after all!) and ask in return for a few missionaries when they get the technology. Then settle the nice spot Sullla was talking about!

BTW, the second draft Ruff put up is already sent. Saying that we do not know any other civs in kind of the same as saying we are on a peninsular.

[ruff_hi]

check those that you agree with ... next email to templars after our contact with yellow civ should include the following:

1) general map info, peninsular, etc
2) our knowledge of their religion
3) request for religion if and when they discover it
4) horses near their capital
5) location of horses
6) particulars of yellow civ

[Zeviz]

1. Yes, as that will explain why we want to expand towards them.

2. Only if we see it in their city.

3. Yes, only if including 2.

4. Yes, adding a role playing element of "our scout, thankful for her rescue, reports that she has seen some strange animals north-east of your capital. These animals might help you deal with [incert the name of "yellow civ" here].

5. See above. (Not exact location, but the fact that they are north-east of the capital.)

6. Yes.

[sunrise089]

Agree 100% w/ Zevis

[Kylearan]

I agree with Zeviz on all points as well. I very much like the idea about hinting about the horses, even if it won't work (they could go for BW/copper nonetheless, and/or might have delayed AH for a little while longer if not for our hint). If it does though, it would be a fantastic case of subtle diplomatic manipulation.

-Kylearan

[mostly-harmless]

Since we will wait until meeting yellow civ, that buys us some time.
Maybe we can trade screenshots of the map between Templars & yellow civ, and subtle hint on the horses.

mh

[sooooo]

We now know for sure that the Templars have founded Buddhism.

1) That we are on a peninsular with no contact with other civs yet.
2) Yes
3) Yes, ask for a missionary or two in the future
4) Yes
5) Say it's shortly north of the capital
6) Maybe in the future when we meet that civ

I would send the email this turn, and thank the brave quechua for saving our scout.

[ruff_hi]

draft email:

Sir Aidun,

Our scout, Tracy, would like to thank your brave Quecha for his actions regarding the lion by offering the following local knowledge: "There are some large four legged animals to your city's North East. They look particularly fast and might make good steeds in the future."

If you don't mind, we took a quick peek at Jerusalem and saw that you landed a religion - congratulations. We would be interested in a missionary at your convenience.

I'll let you know 'yellow civ' details when we find them. Would you be interested in a map of their location? [Out of Character: a screenshot, not an in-game trade of maps - what are the rules for this?]

Ruff
Your Voice to the Realms Beyond Team