Pirates doing Diplomacy?

[luddite]

yeah it's asking me to verify, too

[luddite]

We got a response from M3:

Pirates,

Thank you for your frank reply; I shall continue in the same spirit.
First, I would like to remind you of our statement in our previous
message: "the only possible resolution to this conflict from our
perspective involves Tortuga either dust or in our hands." We see this
as the only reasonable basis for negotiation. Second, our economy is
not suffering; furthermore, the surest route to economic advancement
we can see is to absorb your cities into our empire. To abandon this
path, we will require sufficient compensatory advantages. Finally, we
disagree that you will be unable to compete without Tortuga, if you
devote all your energies to settlement in the east. Furthermore, you
can save your present army if you withdraw peacefully from Tortuga
now, and provide us reason not to press onward. What are you prepared
to offer us for peace?

Sincerely,

TheHumanHydra

P.S. I apologize for the weird background on the previous email; it
was because the text was copied from a discussion thread on the
forums. You could read it okay, right?
--
- Team Menagerie-trois

It's about what I expected. They're not going to let us keep Tortuga, but it sounds like they do want peace. I think the bit about how their economy is not suffering is just boasting- surely they must realize that building so many axes this early in the game is hurting their economy, even if it does win them our cities (which will cripple them with distance maintenance anyway).

I could try to scare them by talking up our military potential, and try to get them to agree to their original proposal- destroying Tortuga and giving them a settler. Or we could just go down fighting. Anyone have any other ideas?

edit: I think it goes without saying that we're not going to give them extra compensation for peace if they also take Tortuga.

[Viqsi]

Do we even have the ability to slow them down in any manner other than being a speed bump?

My only idea is the same as before, only at this point asking for a settler to be gifted to us is probably going too far since we didn't do well enough militarily. Basically, raze Tortuga and we work out a border agreement. Because Tortuga is too close to our capital for it to be allowed to exist outside of our hands.

[thestick]

Do we even have the ability to slow them down in any manner other than being a speed bump?

Probably? Axes take a while to march from Animal Farm to Barbados...

Just one quick thing: is our primary goal to a) survive and rebuild or b) damage M3 as much as possible? If b), we just keep building Axes. If a), we negotiate some sort of peace involving ceding Tortuga and borders/Settlers/whatever.

From what I can see, Nakor and kp are for war, while luddite and Viqsi are for rebuilding. I'm more for rebuilding.

[luddite]

Do we even have the ability to slow them down in any manner other than being a speed bump?

Probably? Axes take a while to march from Animal Farm to Barbados...

Just one quick thing: is our primary goal to a) survive and rebuild or b) damage M3 as much as possible? If b), we just keep building Axes. If a), we negotiate some sort of peace involving ceding Tortuga and borders/Settlers/whatever.

From what I can see, Nakor and kp are for war, while luddite and Viqsi are for rebuilding. I'm more for rebuilding.

I do think we can survive for a while if we fight. Id like to get peace and rebuild, but only if we can get something to help us- trying to rebuild with just 2 small cities basically means were just waiting for someone to finish us off.

[kp]

I don't think they will gift us a settler. I say raze tortuga. Nap for twenty turns. Build lots of axes and a settler and settle tortuga again. That city is too good to not have. Otherwise we settle horse city and go for a chariot and axe combination. A long term nap keeps our hands too tied. I also don't think they have too much more in terms of military to throw at us. They must be running high in whip anger as well.

[Viqsi]

Do we even have the ability to slow them down in any manner other than being a speed bump?

Probably? Axes take a while to march from Animal Farm to Barbados...

Just one quick thing: is our primary goal to a) survive and rebuild or b) damage M3 as much as possible? If b), we just keep building Axes. If a), we negotiate some sort of peace involving ceding Tortuga and borders/Settlers/whatever.

From what I can see, Nakor and kp are for war, while luddite and Viqsi are for rebuilding. I'm more for rebuilding.

Yeah, I want to rebuild. My vindictive nature will not be adequately quelled by the fact that they ultimately get our cities.
also, I've been here less than a month and want to keep playing

If we could stalemate 'em more effectively, I'd consider continuing the war. But stalemate presently seems outside of our capabilities. And the RNG gods so far have showed us indifference instead of the necessary Obvious Favor. Alas.

[luddite]

I'm worried that, even if we do continue the war, they'll just take Tortuga and then ignore us for a while. Even if we can defend, we can't go on the offensive effectively.

[Viqsi]

I am thinking an immediate message might be necessary because they're up.

[luddite]

I am thinking an immediate message might be necessary because they're up.

Yeah, you're right. How about this:

Dear M3:

Unfortunately, we see the situation in a very different light. Letting you have Tortuga, and offering even more besides, would simply cripple our economy. Most of our team feels that we would rather fight to the end than try to play on from such an impossible position.

Meanwhile, whether you see it or not, this war has cost your team plenty already. You've had to build a barracks and at least 5 axemen, while leaving team Gilette on your other side free to expand. If you continue the war with us much longer, they may very well settle all the land towards you, while TEAM takes all the land towards us. We will make it as difficult as we possibly can to take our remaining cities, and even if you take them, they'll only cripple you with distance maintenance.

Instead, how about returning to your original proposal- destroy Tortuga, and then gift us a settler? After that, we can work together for a decent chance at keeping up with the other teams.
Sincerely,
luddite,
Team Pirates

I'll send that soon unless someone objects.