[Spoiler] RB Pitboss #2 - Shaka of Rome

[Whosit]

Chat I had with plako (?). Forgot to ask. Commentary later, as I must roll elsewhere.

Korea: Hi
me: Hello. Good evening.
Korea: Night here. I should be in bed
me: I know how that goes.
Korea: But noticed you online and decided to talk
You probably noticed that HRE joind the war against India
Sent at 6:35 PM on Thursday
me: Yes, I noticed.
Sent at 6:36 PM on Thursday
Korea: This development still does't worry you?
me: Are you worried?
Korea: half of the nations are working together
and I've been left out of the loop
Don't know wht is going on
me: There is a great deal of interest in seeing the Killer Angels taken down a few pegs.
So it seems a large alliance was formed for that purpose.
Korea: I guess all 4 are needed for the job
me: Yes. I don't know if it will be enough.
Korea: Surely enough to slow them down
at minimum
me: Most likely, but Speaker/Sullla have earned two Great Generals so far, so the alliance may not be winning these fights
Korea: Just the fact they had to focus totaly on military will slow them dwn
me: True. Though their research capacity was so monstrously huge at the start, "slowing down" may just put them on par with us.
Korea: But I guess they'll also get pillaged and also lost a city
me: Yeah, but I think that was their newest, least-developed city.
Sent at 6:46 PM on Thursday
me: I suppose it's unlikely that the Killer Angels will make an effective counter-attack, so they shouldn't gain territory, at least.
That would be too terrifying to consider.
Korea: Have you heard that allaince is in trouble?
me: No, but none of them have earned any Great Generals so far.
Korea: Surely 4nations should out produce 1
4 nations so even if they get sma amount of victories they still wouldn't have gt a GG
me: Ah, I suppose that is true.
Korea: But it might be that nations further away are not putting full emphasize on war
and Dantski and Jowy seem to be paying currently from the war at least pointwise
me: Yeah, they definitely have the most on the line since they are on the front lines.
Korea: At least DMON/Kanor seems suprisingly weak (i.e. not having that muchmore power than us)
*DMOC/Nakor
bed time clearly
me: Hopefully I won't keep you up much longer.
Korea: No problem. Frankly iplo situation annoys me
*diplo
me: Well, I suppose you did get the short end of the stick . . . .
Korea: It doesn't seem to make sens to try to join this 4 way allaince
me: It might not, unless you think you can actually contribute.
Korea: so I'm tryin to find friends elsewhere
Hwacha's should be good contribution
to any war at this era
me: True. Unless you attacked the Rebels, though.
I think that their army is Horse Archer heavy.
Sent at 6:56 PM on Thursday
Korea: But they could use Hwacha's assuming opponent isn't HA heavy
and in defense they work well also against HAs
me: Don't Horse Archers get a strength bonus against Catapults (which Hwachas count as)?
Korea: Yep, but naturally they wuldn't be alone
Main problm i flankig
me: But in any case, I suppose becoming an arms dealer wouldn't be a bad choice in this world.
Korea:
Didn't think it like that. Mainly trying to check what options I've
me: Well, you certainly can't be a tech broker with the options available.
Korea: No one can
me: Exactly.
Korea: I cuold also sell Great Persons
me: You could! Though I imagine the price would be steep.
Korea: It depends for many factors
me: I suppose it would.
Sent at 7:01 PM on Thursday
me: Unfortunately, I must depart.
Though do let me know if you decide to sell troops. The Empire is always in need of more soldiers.
Sent at 7:03 PM on Thursday
Korea: ok. bye. Maybe we coul ame a trades between Praets and Hwachas
me: Perhaps so. We'll talk later.

[Whosit]

OK, quick summary of the above chat:

Korea is concerned about the "four way alliance" (my participation is still a secret, which is good), and was wondering why I didn't seem bothered by that. I did my best to be evasive, since it could still be bad if Sullla learned of my intentions right now. The think that most important nugget I got out of this is that Korea seems to be rather frustrated to be excluded from the big diplomacy game. So much so, it seems, that they're willing to talk to me.

After a bit more chatting, I ended up suggesting that they could become the world's arms dealers. I'm not sure if they took to it, but they seemed to consider it. Also: Selling Great People. That's something I could find useful. As I was leaving, I suggested that I'd be willing to make a deal.

Now. I still don't trust them, but I have bigger fish to fry. The big question is: Can I make a relationship with Korea profitable? I'm really not sure. I'd like some way to actually buy troops without trading, since the main reason I'd have for acquiring more soldiers is to stomp all over the Inca. They suggested a Hwacha Praetorian trade which . . . probably wouldn't be the best deal for me. Still, I want to leave my options open.

The only thing I'd really want out of Korea now is Seoul. If I can get a better deal from them, then I wouldn't attack. Of course, I wouldn't phrase it that way. Or at all. The other potential problem is Seoul's culture when borders expand, but so long as my own cities can hold onto their BFCs, I'll be alright.

Anyway, being able to purchase spare Great People would be very nice, too. The other factor, of course, is if they are dealing with me, or other people. Ha ha, I suppose, I'm willing to keep them around so long as they are useful to me.

[m4gill4]

Now. I still don't trust them

why not? seems to me that a friend in need is a friend indeed!

[Whosit]

why not? seems to me that a friend in need is a friend indeed!

Well, I have been hearing nasty rumors saying that the Koreans are plotting to attack me as soon as the NAP runs out. Of course, that's one reason to make nice with them, but that doesn't mean I'm going to trust them. Until proven otherwise, I am going to assume that they will try to screw me over in any deal. I'm sure that they would love to get their hands on my Praetorians so that I cannot easily attack them, but of course, I could leverage that to my advantage, perhaps. Suffice it to say, I see the dangers in dealing with a potential enemy. (The term "frienemy" comes to mind.)

[novice]

Hey, Whosit, is it a summary if it's longer than the original?

Seriously though, thanks for the frequent updates and for all your musings - it's nice to be able to follow your thoughts and not just your actions.

Regarding Korea, I'm not sure, but the phrase "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" comes to mind.

[MJW (ya that one)]

It's nice that your moves ambiguous until Koera goes down because they are a legit backstab threat. This means if Spulla gets too dangerous you can still change your mind.

[Whosit]

Hey, Whosit, is it a summary if it's longer than the original?

It's . . . it's not longer . . . heh heh.

Seriously though, thanks for the frequent updates and for all your musings - it's nice to be able to follow your thoughts and not just your actions.

Regarding Korea, I'm not sure, but the phrase "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" comes to mind.

I'll keep that in mind, though my understanding of the phrase is: Keep your enemies closer so you can choke them to death if necessary. Or as my dad once said: "You want to keep your enemies closer to make it harder for them to kick you in the balls."

Wise words, Dad. Wise words.

It's nice that your moves ambiguous until Koera goes down because they are a legit backstab threat. This means if Spulla gets too dangerous you can still change your mind.

Yup, it's all about keeping the options open (as much as possible) at this point.

OK, time to make some moves, and send off my letter, so I'll get back to you all shortly.

[Twinkletoes89]

"You want to keep your enemies closer to make it harder for them to kick you in the balls."

Wise words, Dad. Wise words.

Literally speaking, surely the closer they are, the easier it is to kick you in the balls?

[Whosit]

Literally speaking, surely the closer they are, the easier it is to kick you in the balls?

It would be easier to knee you in the balls, not kick. Though I think he was talking about really close. Like in a chokehold.

OK, read the e-mail thread to hear about my cock-up. I can't believe it. After rehearsing this in my head so many times . . . . Why the hell didn't I just use the alt+click in the first place like a normal person?!

[Twinkletoes89]

Lol at least you don't go on our PB3 leaderboard!

EDIT: I just hope this doesn't mean that Jowy and Spulla are gearing up for Round Three of arguing!