May 2nd, 2011, 05:49
(This post was last modified: May 3rd, 2011, 11:57 by Mardoc.)
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EitB 25 - Perpentach
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I don't think I've ever been quite so happy to see Sailing tech. 
Good job! 
I've got some dirt on my shoulder, can you brush it off for me?
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I had a small chat with Iskender. He says he would like to hit Bob with his worldspell in 20-30 turns, but I get the feeling that he isn't very committed. He also said that if Bob has detection by then, he might go for Serdoa instead. Now, on the strategic level I find that to be a  move. Serdoa is already behind, and far from the Sidar. He would be doing Bob a favour if he weakened Serdoa further. But apparently he wants to use his worldspell no matter what.
I said that we might not be ready in 20-30 turns, because I'm not sure how things will unfold on the Amurite front. Every time I mention the Amurites he says he would like to have peace between us all, and he has made it quite clear that he is friendly towards them. The way I see it he could assist us (if it is needed) against the Amurites, and we can assist him against the Balseraph, but I don't think he wants to strike such a bargain. So until we reach some conclusion with the Amurites, I can't commit to anything in the east.
He asked if he could use our roads for attacking the Balseraph, to which I replied that we might agree to that. Of course he would have to keep the map information to himself and so forth. The conversation ended with me suggesting we sign a NAP. He asked for how long, and I proposed 50 turns. He said he will think about it and reply later.
To sum it up I feel that Iskender has offered us no definite token of friendship, while I have said that we could a) supply him with xp, b) assist him against Bob and c) that he could be allowed to use our roads. If he doesn't offer anything in return, I see no reason why we should assist him. So for now I will just be trying to secure a NAP so that we are safe from a potential dogpile once the news of our Sons spreads across the world.
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Well, if Iskender's not interested, there's not a whole lot we can do. He's my biggest fear at the moment, actually; if he uses his world spell to take our cities while we're off crushing someone. That's a secondary benefit to founding an offshore colony - we at least can avoid the potential for a backstab that wipes us out.
Anyway, on to a more relevant subject - promotions on the Sons. I would be inclined to give them all Body I (Haste), then straight up the Combat line, because that's the one that also boosts the Fire Elementals. If we have any promotions left over, we can branch out; Body II and III can be nice to have, Nature II is good, Nature III is awesome (Vitalize - improves terrain by one step toward grassland on each casting. It can go as far as turning Ice or desert into grassland with repeated casts.) Aside from the movement boost due to Haste, none of these are urgent, but they're all nice.
EitB 25 - Perpentach
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Mardoc Wrote:Well, if Iskender's not interested, there's not a whole lot we can do. He's my biggest fear at the moment, actually; if he uses his world spell to take our cities while we're off crushing someone. That's a secondary benefit to founding an offshore colony - we at least can avoid the potential for a backstab that wipes us out.
He can't, actually. We have a worldspell-NAP from earlier in the game, which specified that we can't not use our worldspells on each other. That doesn't mean he can't attack us without using the worldspell though, which is why I want the NAP in place. I've actually been thinking about our worldspell-NAP. What implications does it actually have? Our Archers and Sons make up an integral part of our army, and it would be a bit silly if we weren't able to use them against Iskender should a conflict arise. The way I am going to interpret it is that we couldn't use our worldspell to rush him (which we didn't), but that it doesn't mean we can't use those units against him at a later stage.
Regarding the promoting of our Sons I am on board with what you say. I will add that I think having one Son with Body II (Regeneration) will be useful for healing purposes while we are in combat situations.
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Honestly, I would be inclined to only use Horde units in a defensive role, but not in offense against Iskender. Should it become necessary to take Iskender's lands, with 4 capital sites and Warrens, I think we can still do it  .
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Reply from Iskender
Iskender Wrote:Hello Orc and Goblin
I'd like to sign a NAP until turn 130, there are two caveats however:
I have a yet non-concluded resource trade agreement with the Amurites. I would like to honour it even if the Clan were still at war with the Amurites. The agreement doesn't involve me delivering them Copper, that much I can say. I would not aid the Amurites in any other way.
I'd like to include a Confidentiality Agreement to the NAP, that is, each side cannot reveal any information revealed by the other or learned about the other for the duration of the NAP. At most we could reveal that we have a NAP and a CA. I think this is necessary if we want to plan any kind of joint military action.
Iskender
This sounds reasonable enough, don't you guys think? The part about confidentiality I almost take for granted, so that's no problem. I am a bit curious about what kind of resource Iskender might be providing the Amurites. He said it isn't Copper. Could it be something else that would make the Amurites more dangerous to us? The only things I can think of are Horses or Mana of some sort. It could be just a regular happiness/health resource.
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Yes, I can't see any problem with signing onto that deal, and a fair bit of advantage.
I would guess it's Mana; that's probably a prime focus for Sareln anyway.
So with this, what does our NAP situation look like? I know we have one with Bob, and I think we have one with Square Leg.
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Personally, I'd ask him to tell you what it is before you NAP. Mostly just to gauge how much he trusts you, I'd sign the NAP in either case, but I like the idea of a measuring stick.
I've got some dirt on my shoulder, can you brush it off for me?
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Gaspar Wrote:Personally, I'd ask him to tell you what it is before you NAP. Mostly just to gauge how much he trusts you, I'd sign the NAP in either case, but I like the idea of a measuring stick.
Yes, this is what I decided on doing. I asked him whether the resource deal would have a direct (Horses/Mana etc) impact on our conflict or indirect (Happiness/Health etc.) If he answers direct I will still sign the deal. Protecting us from a dogpile is the most important issue right now I feel. And at least we will know that Sareln could be receiving some aid.
Mardoc Wrote:So with this, what does our NAP situation look like? I know we have one with Bob, and I think we have one with Square Leg.
As of right now we have a NAP with Square Leg until T100 and a NAP with Bob until T110. I am thinking that we should attempt to extend our NAP with SL before word spreads about our Sons, although he can hardly be considered a threat to us right now. Regarding Bob I don't think we should get a longer NAP. He is our next logical target, and we might decide to aid Iskender against him.
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