195 - Forum Diplomacy Steel Rex

[Thudargh]

DW-UN

Master of Shadows,

We haven't heard from you in some time, I hope all is well and that your hiatus from communications is a temporary condition.

If you still have any interest in the temporary possession of territory in the Mountains I wish to revise my offer to make it much more palatable. I'll forego most previously stated conditions and take peace with your Kingdom to be the sole benefit.

1. You may take one town and one village specified by myself on turn 10, to be retaken by the Dwarf on turn 13. (If you need more time I can work with you.)
   
2. You may keep the production of these PCs
   
3. You agree to a pact of non-aggression, including the use of agents, emmissaries and military, until turn 25.
   
4. Neither party shall share any details of each other's kingdom, including PC locations, emissary info, group locations, etc. with any other kingdom.
   

I realize this would make my kingdom off limits to your usual business dealings, however that would be for a limited duration is a small price to pay for my assistance in helping you meet your strategic objectives.

Regardless of whether you accept this offer, I do wish to inquire about your services. I'm willing to spend generous sums of gold over the next few turns to potentially address some immediate needs. Before negotiating specifics, I'd kindly ask you to advise if there are any kingdoms that are off limits to your agents.

Kindest regards,

King Oban

(UN->DW)
Great King of the Dwarves,

My goodness - I spend a bit of extra quality time with my favorite prostitute and come back to find the depressing lovey-dovey peace of Alamaze has quite nearly turned into much more profitable war!

Your offer is truly generous and were I a representative of any other kingdom, I would be foolish to turn you down.  But I am not any other kingdom - I am the Underworld.  My honor is forever for sale.  I could lie about that and agree to your terms, but no one has paid me to do so and I do not wish to eliminate you as a potential future client.  The truth is that once I have obtained my strategic objective and returned your territory to you, anyone could pay me to violate terms 3 & 4 and I would do so.  Such is the nature of doing business with thieves and murderers.

But in a similar vein, I can assure you that no one is off limits to my activities.  The only limit is who is willing to pay the most gold.

Shadow Master of the Underworld

[HeadHoncho]

GN-UN

Shadow Master,

Great to have you back! I would like to offer you an open bounty on DW agents, emissaries, leaders, and wizards, at double your originally printed rates. Targets are at your complete discretion, so as to minimize counter-espionage efforts. Just notify me after the fact that the deed has been done, and I will make a 215 transfer of the appropriate amount of money.

Thanks from Your Best Customer,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

PS: Without giving away too much information that I myself have a particular interest in, if you want to gather information to start receiving the bounty, you could probably start with a 971 of 2DW in region 3 (which group possesses the Axe of Farin, another valuable artifact you could either steal for yourself or sell to me), a recon of CU, and 971's of other DW groups in region 3. There is also a portal at BZ that you could watch, or even use to have your group leave the region for fairer climes, if you haven't already.

If you want to take a pot shot at any of the 2DW figures this very turn, selecting square FU is the most efficient, as it covers all of region 3 and beyond into regions 2, 6, and even a part of 5. For that matter, it's probably a safe bet to target other DW groups using square FU, too.

It's too bad he wasn't willing to come to terms, I was even willing to agree to his original proposal. But given the fact that I've had full production for several turns and he has just come through winter, I'm very confident he cannot outbid me, if you want to get started.

[HeadHoncho]

GN-AN

Esteemed Consuls,

Although I have no expectation for you to join me on any foreign adventures, I have a spy in the Dwarven council hall, who informs me conclusively that he has been making plans to invade me in Runnimede. In any such case, I would like to invoke our mutual defense agreement. Perhaps it will all come to naught, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Thank you.

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

[Jumpingfist]

AN GN

For someone to bring a fight to Runnimede would be most unwise. Also I am of level to stop any fight if absolutely needed but remember that of course comes at a great cost.

[HeadHoncho]

GN-AN

Esteemed Consuls,

Understood, and I would be loathe to ever ask that of you, in light of the cost. Thank you for your support, it is comforting to me indeed during these uncertain times.

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

[HeadHoncho]

GN-WI

Dread Lord,

I know your preference is to remain silent, but I wanted to let you know, barring a last-minute peace, strategic information on the Talking Mountains will be forthcoming soon which you will likely find very interesting. I hold it back only in the perhaps vain hopes of peace.

It is unclear to me whether or not the Great Imperator of the Dark Elves, who I asked first, is willing to assert himself against the Dwarves. But if he does not, rest assured you will have information from me which will provide you with interesting options, to undertake (or not) at a time of your choosing. I inform you of this sheerly to provide you with an opportunity to prepare.

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

[mafmiller]

GN-DA

Great Imperator,

Having heard his final rejection, I am reaching out to you now regarding our ancient enemies, the Dwarves.  They have refused to come to an agreement with me, and are moreover explicitly threatening my holdings in Runnimede.

It is good, then, that I have resources and information of my own which may be of great usefulness to you, especially as the Dwarves have taken your village in the Talking Mountains and refused to cede his own town in your region.

As two nations with both ancient and current grievances against the Dwarves, are you willing to engage in common cause with me against them?  If so, we should work on finding a common point of reference, as I have much information even now, obtained as a defensive measure, regarding the Talking Mountains.  I am aware of numerous population centers in Arcania and Amberland based on publicly-disclosed information, perhaps we could use a town or village there as a common point of reference.

Or we could forego such subtleties and I could disclose the information immediately, for immediate action.

Please let me know if you are interested.  I would specifically propose that control over the Talking Mountains be administered from your closer capital, rather than my own more distant one.  We all need places to expand, after all, and my hope is that you are willing to take the opportunity before you without delay.

I also have the location of a Dwarven army in the plains that would be easy targets for your archers.  I am confident I can prevent him from winning an artifact this turn, and if you can arrive this month, between my wizards and your troops and wizards, I'm sure we could put him to flight.

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

DA - GN

Brave Bottlenose, Most Industrious of your King's Legates,
While we wish you well, as we have stated previously, we do not wish to place ourselves in the midst of your disagreement at this time. Our coup over the tyrant is still quite recent. We have not had the time to pursue fully our own relationships yet. Surely, events in Alamaze are developing rapidly and we will soon have to respond, however. It is certainly possible you will then have our support.
Hoping still for peace,
Roris Rex,
The Great Imperator of the Drow

[HeadHoncho]

GN-DA

Great Imperator,

If I might respectfully make a suggestion, then, it would be to either decline to enter into a non-aggression pact with the Dwarves, or decrease the duration. Certainly his attentions will not be focused on you, after all, and this would then provide you with greater freedom.

If it makes you feel better to have a lack of favoritism, you could similarly decline or decrease any proposed non-aggression pact with me, as well.

Again, just a thought!

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

[mafmiller]

GN-DA

Great Imperator,

If I might respectfully make a suggestion, then, it would be to either decline to enter into a non-aggression pact with the Dwarves, or decrease the duration.  Certainly his attentions will not be focused on you, after all, and this would then provide you with greater freedom.

If it makes you feel better to have a lack of favoritism, you could similarly decline or decrease any proposed non-aggression pact with me, as well.

Again, just a thought!

Best,
Bottlenose, for the Gnomes

ooc
Sorry .. had to take wife to the ER tonight. All OK, but tired. Get to this tomorrow maybe.

[HeadHoncho]

OOC: Oh man, so sorry to hear it! But glad everything's OK. All my best.