[SPOILERS] Don't mention the war

[Profane]

Couldn't skip ahead and settle Pendildo, could you?

Because of the erection of a Totem Pole?

[plako]

T36

[plako]

T37

Hinduism is ours! This is very good news. Felix Leca's borders will be popping again in 7T.

Next tech could be Priesthood, if we would try to land Oracle, Hunting in preparation of copper coming (spears) online and in the path towards archery (we need also early HBR)
or writing. Any opinions?

[plako]

Discussions with Serdoa. Not much intrest to sign a NAP that probably means bad things for us.

Serdoa:

I am back from my trip but still tired so excuse me for being short. I intend to plant my city 1N or 1NE above the deer, getting the deer in the 9-tiles around my city - mainly because I planted my copper-city in a way that I can't move up the plant (2 tile limit between 2 cities). I talked with WK and he will do the same on my northern-border so I think that makes a good natural border. Obviously everyone will want to get his 2-deer plant secured.

As for the NAP, I am more feeling like T60 tbh, simply to give us time to reevaluate what happened up to that point. After all, I might play so well that you have to attack me to keep a chance at winning this game... oh well, ok, that probably won't happen, but let me dream...

Me:

Romans have betrayed my trust and that almost certainly means I'm their target and therefore I'm forced to focus on military. This should give good opportunities for you to snowball your economy unreacheable for me and probably also to Romans, when we fight it out.

Therefore I'm ok you founding the N or NE from the deers, if I also get significantly longer NAP. In exchange of longer NAP I'm also willing to settle so that I won't compete with your access to the southern deer. This would require a NAP at minimum until T80, but I would be alright with way longer e.g. until T110.

Serdoa:

sorry to hear that you couldn't work out anything with mackoti. I know he is sometimes rather aggressive in his dealings.

As for your proposal: For me it sounds like you are sure that Rome is going to attack you? If so, if you look at it from my point of view why should I sign a NAP with you? That would actually make it easier for you to do something for your economy (by having a save front) while I don't win anything by it as you already told me that you are not going to attack me by fear of getting attacked by Rome. Therefore I have to decline a NAP for now. I am hoping we can sort out our borders in peace though. After all, a neighbour who likes you would be quite helpful, wouldn't it?

Painful - Dogpile seems the most likely scenario. I don't understand why Serdoa picked a wonder hog leader and not try to utilise it.

[plako]

Response - I didn't feel like writing anything meaningful. He has clearly made up his mind and most likely scenario is facing Praets and Numids in the field.

So no wonder hogging? I guess I need to put a few more defenders in the border then.

[plako]

T38

Settling party coming? Let's see, if I can delay it.

[plako]

T39

TMIT came from north. Had to prepare a greetings message to him.

[Square Leg]

Dog pile does seem as if it is on the cards but it is strange that they are already arranging it this early before you are a runaway...

I would have thought that facing what you are Construction and HBR should be fairly high priorities. More so construction as the catapults are what will give you odds on attackers, not mobility.

[plako]

HBR is higher priority. I need a heavy hitter to keep Praets and Numids on their toes until I can get to construction.

[plako]

1st messages with TMIT - Looks bad also in that direction. 3 vs 1 is clear possibility and I'm ready to give in some land to TMIT against long NAP so that I can totally focus to secure my north.

My opening:

I'm glad to meet you finally. How have things developed for you? Would you be intrested in signing some mutually beneficial deals. e.g. some kind standard NAP supplemented with border agreement could be a good start for us.

TMIT:

Unfortunately a NAP doesn't work for me at this time as I've already signed 2 of them with WarriorKnight and Serdoa (haven't met olemack at this point). I feel I've recovered from the lack of fishing start nicely enough lol (probably cost me 2 turns to select a civ w/o it).

I'm open to discussion of borders but have not scouted all of the land between us. I have a fair idea of what's there though so if you have a suggestion I'm willing to listen.

My response:

Thank you for your honesty. I hope you don't mind me trying to change your mind since I'm the least liked person on the planet ;-). Romans have behaved totally untrustworthy towards me. We had ready made deal that only required their "signature" and they just changed their mind without a warning. Serdoa wasn't intrested in signing NAP either. So I guess dogpile is coming. I hope I can still convince you to stay out of it.

Firstly I don't think you would be the one getting most benefits out of it. Romans are almost certainly going to do heavy lifting and claiming the biggest prizes. Secondly I'm focusing quite a bit on militarily that will dimish my possibilities for economic growth and pretty much will make certain that I won't be serious candidate to win this game. I need to be prepared to handle both Praets and Numids! Thirdly I'm offering you a chance to benefit from the situation peacefully. I'm ready to offer favourable border deal in exchange of a NAP. Being able to develop in peace is very beneficial situation as has been proved numerous times in the games played here. So if I'm right about Rome's target, you should have easy time on securing a NAP with them also and potentially do the same as LP did. Alternatively you could also pick my side and we could teach those Aggressive Praets a lesson.

So plese let me know, if there is still room for negotiations or should I start preparing to handle 3 vs 1 ;-).

So I'm in a very bad spot here. Even if there is no plans to dogpile. The threat of Praets and Numids basically force me to focus on military way more than I would like to at this point of the game.