The Haunted Forest: Mardoc puts the Sidar to the test.

[Mardoc]

I think you need the Leaves technology to be able to build the Temple.

I think you're right - that makes the decision very easy

[Mardoc]

Huh. I guess it's an assassin of level 5, not level 6. Well - he's on his way to pick up the Netherblade, then he'll start carving his way through any and every barb he can find.

In other news...not much other news. Except Bob signed peace with Serdoa! I'll ask him what's up, but this can't be good.

[Mardoc]

Or, maybe we're screwed after all.

[COLOR="SeaGreen"]
I said that I was considering whether or not to make peace :P


But don't think that I'm some sort of Rego-esque Diplo Snake! The peace treaty isn't bound by any NAP or anything, just a request from Serdoa that I leave him alone until your NAP with him runs out- which was a strange offer, since that should leave me free to jump on him at the exact moment that he will be fighting two people, and do something like threaten his empire if his troops are all sent your way, and/or just position troops in your land to annihilate him once he tries to attack.


Even one-on-one I suspect you might be able to take him, actually. He has informed me that he may not be able to hold Selrahc's land due to the immense barbarian presence, and considering that he already lost Hyol to barbs, I think me may be telling the truth. But don't think that I intend to let you duke it out with him without any assistance from me, because I don't- I do mean to honor my chats.


Sorry for not sending you some explanation earlier today, I wasn't even sure that Serdoa actually meant it when he offered peace (and he was indeed the one to offer peace first via email). [/COLOR]

I'm not 100% sure what this means. Do I need to ask him for an NAP? And what does it mean if he rejects it?

[Selrahc]

He has informed me that he may not be able to hold Selrahc's land due to the immense barbarian presence

Even in death, they still hound my people.

[Mardoc]

Even in death, they still hound my people.

I'm pretty sure both Bob and I are capable of protecting the ex-Calabim, once we're free of worry about the Hippus. And I suspect that now that Serdoa has peace with Bob, he'll have no trouble keeping those cities himself - unless he's really so uncaring as to not bother.

Ended up sending this message to Bob:

[COLOR="Silver"]I think I'd feel more comfortable if we write out a summary of what
we've agreed to, then. And fill in the gaps, where they exist.

My general understanding is that we've agreed to work together until
Serdoa's gone; the only specific is that you will research Cartography
at some point, and that you will provide some form of help in
surviving past the end of my Hippus NAP. And...that's about all we've
committed to. Is that your understanding, as well?

I've mentioned the possibility of a forever NAP, you were
noncommittal. It's still on the table from my end, but I'll propose
an alternative as well: do you want to sign a shorter term one, until
10 turns after Serdoa's out?

- Mardoc[/COLOR]

[Mardoc]

Also, had a turn, but very little happened in said turn. Hawk1 was born and went off with a DS to scout Serdoa's lands; mage guild should finish this turn, after that, I'm not sure. Probably alternate between 1-turning DS's and 1-turning whatever it takes to get the needed overflow.

[Mardoc]

[COLOR="Silver"]My general understanding is that we've agreed to work together until
Serdoa's gone; the only specific is that you will research Cartography
at some point, and that you will provide some form of help in
surviving past the end of my Hippus NAP. And...that's about all we've
committed to. Is that your understanding, as well?[/COLOR]

Agreed. I can research Cartography at any time, although there are other techs I would like to prioritize first. Let me know if you need me to research it immediately. I do ask that we keep any map trades between us- not that I think either of has any reason to ever share with Serdoa, but I do want to put that out there while we're getting everything in writing. I'm envisioning helping you survive the end of the Hippus NAP by basing troops within your territory to fend off his assault and/or threatening him in several locations so that he cannot commit the full force of his army against you without forfeiting the territorial integrity of his empire. I would prefer to just go with the latter option, since I would rather be actively attacking Serdoa than sitting around and waiting to see if he actually makes a move, plus I'm guessing that with all the time you'll have had to build up, you won't really need my entire army camping in your capital or whatever to fend him off, but I'm open to discussing this further as War Day approaches.

[COLOR="Silver"]
I've mentioned the possibility of a forever NAP, you were
noncommittal. It's still on the table from my end, but I'll propose
an alternative as well: do you want to sign a shorter term one, until
10 turns after Serdoa's out?
[/COLOR]

[COLOR="SeaGreen"]

You are correct, I was being deliberately noncommittal. I've never seen a Forever NAP which worked out well for everyone, and honestly I'm just worried about being stuck at peace with you, no way of ending the game quickly, being bored as I race you to the Tower or Culture or whatever (especially tedious now that the Tower can no longer be cash-rushed). But 10 turns is a lot more viable, I think. Plus we can always extend it later if we actually are enjoying a peaceful win race


I think that's everything?[/COLOR]

So...perhaps I was reading too much into Bob's peaceful actions. . Maybe he just didn't want to fight a war.

Any thoughts on what might need to go into a response? Otherwise I'll sign the NAP, express my intention to defend myself personally, and go from there. And do my absolute best to actually kill enough barbs that we stand a chance here.

[Thoth]

So...perhaps I was reading too much into Bob's peaceful actions. . Maybe he just didn't want to fight a war.

Any thoughts on what might need to go into a response? Otherwise I'll sign the NAP, express my intention to defend myself personally, and go from there. And do my absolute best to actually kill enough barbs that we stand a chance here.

a) I think Bob is waffling.

b) Nail him down for some hard commitments re: troops (ie: he has a minimum of 10 Iron Champions fortifying in Pac Man by t134)

c) I don't trust Serdoa. Make sure we have enough forces down around Asteroids so that he can't NAP stab us and claim we "weren't defending Asteroids like it was one of our own cities".

If he wants to pull that crap, fine. Let him trash his reputation forevermore. But make damned sure he doesn't have cause.

[Thoth]

This sums it up:

http://youtu.be/q-E7e08i_3o

[Tasunke]

nice song.

what are the lyrics? I can only make out a few. xD