I like mackoti's suggestion a lot, too. Maybe add in something about how our scout may have been "disposable", but there are many razors where that came from.
Their actions and words are really unacceptable. I do hope they decide to go full roleplay with their anger management theme. Diplomacy can be a very powerful tool, and if they are going to ignore that aspect of this game, we should use it to our advantage.
We never did respond to Menagerie, so let's do that now. Their original message:
Menagerie Wrote:Gillette,
Once again we want to apologize you for the delay in communication. Most of our team (including diplo folks) is currently on vacation and it doesn't seem to change before September.
Returning to the topic, we have just met TEAM, but they seem to come from afar.
As for questions about our Wonder plans, we afraid that this information is strictly confidential, and unfortunately can not be shared outside. I hope you will understand that
In hope of a further peaceful cooperation.
Menagerie Trois
Proposed message to Menagerie:
Gillette Wrote:Menagerie,
We just met TEAM last turn as well. Unfortunately, they rather underhandedly killed our scout without so much as a hello message. We thought you should know to be cautious around them. They are not to be trusted, and you'd be wise to protect your workers very closely. Hope this helps!
We're disappointed in your lack of interest in wonder coordination, though we do understand to an extent. We're primarily interested in avoiding wonder races with you rather than trying to steal wonders you plan, but we certainly understand the caution.
Thoughts on the second paragraph? I don't know, I'd like to drop in Henge hints so they have to rush it, but I'm not sure what a nice and non-hostile way of doing it is.
Also, reminder that this message is up for review:
Gillette Wrote:One more note - the victory came without so much as a scratch unfortunately, so you're probably looking at a full strength C1 or Woodsman warrior.
Hope you don't see this as prying, but are you still discussing our previous message? We don't mean to rush you, but we were curious if we should be expecting thoughts from you or not .
Hey, sorry, slept late. I think that Menagerie message is great. The only non-hostile way I can think of isn't very subtle: After "wonder races" add, in between commas or parentheses, "specifically regarding Stonehenge"
How pushy do we want to be with the Trolls? They did mention that they were working on responding to our proposal.
I agree with mackoti's idea to send something back about Divine Right and YossarianLives' suggestion as well.
How does
Quote:Dear TEAM,
We are somewhat surprised by your decision to beeline Divine Right; that is certainly a novel strategy. Do not think we will be intimidated by your spiralling minarets, however. Although our scout was disposable, there are plenty more razors where he came from.
Sincerely,
Team Gillette
sound?
Merovech's Mapmaking Guidelines:
0. Player Requests: The player's requests take precedence, even if they contradict the following guidelines.
1. Balance: The map must be balanced, both in regards to land quality and availability and in regards to special civilization features. A map may be wonderfully unique and surprising, but, if it is unbalanced, the game will suffer and the player's enjoyment will not be as high as it could be.
2. Identity and Enjoyment: The map should be interesting to play at all levels, from city placement and management to the border-created interactions between civilizations, and should include varied terrain. Flavor should enhance the inherent pleasure resulting from the underlying tile arrangements. The map should not be exceedingly lush, but it is better to err on the lush side than on the poor side when placing terrain.
3. Feel (Avoiding Gimmicks): The map should not be overwhelmed or dominated by the mapmaker's flavor. Embellishment of the map through the use of special improvements, barbarian units, and abnormal terrain can enhance the identity and enjoyment of the map, but should take a backseat to the more normal aspects of the map. The game should usually not revolve around the flavor, but merely be accented by it.
4. Realism: Where possible, the terrain of the map should be realistic. Jungles on desert tiles, or even next to desert tiles, should therefore have a very specific reason for existing. Rivers should run downhill or across level ground into bodies of water. Irrigated terrain should have a higher grassland to plains ratio than dry terrain. Mountain chains should cast rain shadows. Islands, mountains, and peninsulas should follow logical plate tectonics.
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