[PB25 Spoiler] General Flauros leads the Creole Calabim

[Tasunke]

Also my name is now 'Magical School Girl Sailor Moon'

(But that could easily change to 'magical school girl nunako')

[Qgqqqqq]

You changed it immediately after deciding you wanted to be mercenary, not afterward. That's not grey, let alone bullshit. If your nick were Falamar and you changed it to Privateer, it would be the same.

[Tasunke]

It looks like Donovan signed a peace with Retep ... although I don't really know why. Does he think I'm attacking *him*??

I guess its plausible, but part of my 'game winning strategy' was hoping for a prolonged peace with the Zoi.

I did sort of offer to buy off 'the Hague' from him but ... eh. I shouldn't think that this would have offended him.

[Tasunke]

You changed it immediately after deciding you wanted to be mercenary, not afterward. That's not grey, let alone bullshit. If your nick were Falamar and you changed it to Privateer, it would be the same.

Hmm.

I mean, the earlier gold were technically for Cities, and then the Marble resource, but I largely saw it as a Mercenary contract. And I not coincidentally allowed for a peace with Commodore after HAK stopped paying. So I was already seeing myself as a mercenary.

It is certain that I renamed myself when I began to see myself take on this role more-so as a persona, when the role had expanded, that is to say, when my options were once again open.

I of course concede that using 'merc' in the name, while thematic, might not adhere to 'AI Diplo' in retrospect, even if I'm po'd that its even a thing to consider. I mean, I can't change unit names (fine) ... I can't place text in a Diplo message (fine) ... but I can't even change my name?? That's basically like a Tech-Thread brawl taunt, I'd hardly call it diplomacy.

Of course I won't repeat it, but I find the whole process rather annoying and un-fun, if even my NAME is called into question.

[Qgqqqqq]

You'll note we don't have "Tech-Thread brawl taunts" in most AI diplo games. And even if we did, advertising your present diplomatic position would not be valid within them - if, say, you called yourself after some British general who massacred Indians, that too would be inappropriate if it related to in-game events.

[Tasunke]

Out of courtesy I'll refrain from any 'obvious name changes' as much as I can help it, and certainly 'Merc Tasunke' is annoyingly unusable due to the reasons described by you.

I can't say I 100% agree with the logic, but I guess it makes sense for an 'AI diplo' game. I had not realized how oddly restrictive such games were.

Suffice to say, your points are duly noted, and taken into consideration. Thanks for the heads up, both Qgqqq and Brick.

[Tasunke]

Also Q, I know u probably didn't mean to, but ur comment about the Indians well ...

You have inspired me to create a contingency plan in case Donovan truly does decide to strike at me. I'm now logged back in, looking at Donovan's movements, and if my assumptions are correct, he is using galleys to send troops to 'the Hague' from Retep Lands.

Sadly, it appears that he may have possibly accepted peace w/ Retep due to one of a number of possible reasons

1) he thinks that (without Krill at the helm) I will be a weaker target to attack than Retep

2) Retep showed him up with superior forces

3) Donovan thinks that *I* am planning on attacking *him* - which, from a purely rational point of view, I suppose its a logical conclusion to make. (just not a correct one, as I believe warring against Gavagai is more profitable)

I'm not certain if the concept of an alliance can actually exist in an 'AI Diplo only' game, and well ... maybe that's the point? There seems to have been a slow progression from 'free' games to 'controlled' games, where gameplay becomes more and more focused on the pieces on the board, and less on the players (to a point).
If in no certain terms can I express to Donovan that I do not plan on attacking him ... hmm. Unless I *can* prove that I don't wish to attack him.

[Tasunke]

   

I offered to trade The Hague for Damascus + 400 gold (200 gold + 20 gpt)

It might not be something I can 'truly' afford ... but I think its at least a 'tempting' offer, and it might make him at least do a double-think on possibly attacking me. That doesn't mean I don't have a plan to fork him if he *does* choose to invade though ...

**upon re-looking at the Map, it appears that Zoi has accepted my 'Crab truce' .... so yay.

Also I signalled that he should gear up to take Gavagai's island cities in the near future, by including his island city in an Iron-Iron trade.

-----> so, while I *do* have an option if he *does* try to attack me, it looks as though we have already signed a peace deal ... which, if true, is freaking AWESOME .... but even so, every ounce of information I can squeeze out of these diplo deals still improves my relations with the Zoi (I think). If both Zoi and I can profit from war with Gavagai, then I think it will solidify his stance against Retep in the near future.

   

Also, in an impressive mixture of luck and blind skill, I had indeed guessed correctly. I have 15 Knights! :P (like ... exactly 15, as I had earlier guessed, after having played the turn w/o bothering to count and/or look at military screen. Ergo, now I confirm with military screen)

   

Here we have warriors returning from Essos.

Indeed, leading the fray is lord-General McArthur, Longbowman of legend!!!

He, @ Guerilla 3, led the charge almost singlehandedly against the dastardly fiend elkad, distracting not one, but many enemy Macemen, allowing me to charge towards 'The Hague' with my remaining forces on the mainland.

This legendary general 'fought' bravely, guarding a lone Catapult as we weakened the city, readying it for its Invasion by Sea.

   

[Qgqqqqq]

...I didn't even think India was present in this game

[Tasunke]

HAKs stack down south (that I can see) consists of 18 Cats, 17 Maces, and 25 other stuff. (only 4 two movers)