Team Info and Contacts - Templars

[Zeviz]

Whether we are planning on early attack or not, I wouldn't settle too provocatively:

If we are planning to attack, we want to lull Templars into a sence of security. Doing things like culture war in the iron area will just divert resources from our military buildup and help Templars get stronger cultural defense in their border city.

If we aren't planning to attack, we'll have to avoid being attacked until Gunpowder. So provocative settlements that box Templars in are bad for that.

[ruff_hi]

Are we planning on contacting Templars or just letting this slide. I think that we need to keep talking to them - at least let them know that we got their answer to the 'what type of borders are you proposing?' (ie their iron city).

[Zeviz]

What do we want to tell them?

Should we just ask whether they are still interested in peaceful coexistence and whether they are ready to formalize that interest with a NAP?

[Sullla]

Wait 2 more turns until we found our own contested city in the south. If they still haven't sent us anything, then it's time to send a followup message.

[Sullla]

Now we have our contested city in the south, so let's prepare a message to send off to Templars. They've been a little TOO quiet lately.

[Swiss Pauli]

I think they've been waiting for us to lose patience, and send them a huffy note. Personally, I'm happy to wait until they notice Something Fishy and write to us (and not just for the comedy value: 'Realms, we are most distressed by the appearance of Something Fishy beyond Pink dot...grumble-whinge-etc, Templars').

[ruff_hi]

@Swiss - I disagree. I think that we should send them a note that totally ignores the whole border issue. My take on this is ...

they asked about mutual borders
we proposed one
they laughed and said try again
we were going to say, no - you try
instead they settled a city which was their answer
we settle a city which is our answer

Hence - border issue is now closed.

Are their any trade or religion swaps that we could talk to them about. I think that it is important that we do talk. Maybe we just dial them up and say hello - pity about the game being down for ages - how are things going?

[mostly-harmless]

Well, the border issues is off the table. That's for sure.
Although I understand the need to keep contact, I don't actually see anything important to discuss with those guys.

mh

[Sullla]

Right, I think being in communication is good, even if we don't say anything substantive. A long series of polite messages can serve as a deterrant to attack all on its own - darned conscience!

[Zeviz]

Are there any techs we could trade with them? (Do they have anything we need, and do we have anything they need?) If not, just a "it's been a while since last message and we are still eagerly awaiting your proposal about closer cooperation" kind of message would be good to maintain polite discussion.

[Swiss Pauli]

The problem as I see is that talking to Templars without mentioning the border agreement is like sitting in the lounge and ignoring the elephant in the room!

I'd propose to play it cool about the Iron city (and maybe bluff that we could have Iron anyway), but state that we both gave an agreement a chance, but it hasn't worked out. Then move to to other business.

[ruff_hi]

Originally posted by Swiss Pauli
The problem as I see is that talking to Templars without mentioning the border agreement is like sitting in the lounge and ignoring the elephant in the room!

That isn't a problem - diplomats do that all the time. In fact, you lose if you bring up the issue.

proposed email ...

Dear Sir Aidun,

Did you receive our email of Nov 12th? We didn't get a reply confirmation so it could have gone astray.

Given the length of time and the in-game developments, that email is a little dated now.

Team RB remains interested in mutually beneficial trade, including tech, resources and religion.

Regards,

Team RB

[regoarrarr]

I am in favor of sending something like ruff's email

[sunrise089]

Ruff's email is good. Templars screwed up the diplomacy by stealing the city, make them bring it up. If we're going to reference it I think it should only be to put pressure on Templars while we make some sort of demand.

[sooooo]

Yeah I think Ruff's email is good too.