Giving up would be counter-productive. I said I would take over that nation, and survive against mind bLasts, pestilence wind, and mean serpents; I meant it. The proud walls of Arcoscephale shall not fall to the treacherous nations of the world! One day, braves will eventually falter; but such is not our fate. Our fate is to survive without food, without the monthly pay, and with seventeen sermons a day to keep our Dominion high.
And more importantly, if I am known as someone leaving my nation alone when attacked, that would just make enemy offensives more likely. Now, you are aware I can be quite annoying, even when I have virtually nothing to throw against you; with any luck, that might deter you from attacking me when I actually have some poison left in my fangs.
Why should I want to leave the safe walls of my castles, when I have so many priestesses healing troops, and creating enough food to sustain a siege without any trouble? Arcoscephale is a nice nation to live through long sieges. Two nations went down this turn, so at that rate, I will rule over the world in eight turns. Dear people of Arcoscephale, time is playing in our favour! Hold them away from the bay long enough, and victory shall be ours! Well, perhaps.
Of course, when I complained about the patience of my neighbours, I merely spoke of T'ien Ch'i and Mictlan. You aren't irritating my people either. After all, their life force is better spent holding down the fort than throwing random curses at your people. Oh, and the morale might be lower after the sudden deaths of our Astrologers, who happened to be killed after a friendly journey into your lands. Still, don't expect us to die in our walls; a contigency Gateway is ready, should the need to flee arise.
Priam of Troy, Keeper of the Gates. "Take heart good people! We have been besieged for a mere few moons, while it has been heralded that the seven walls shall only fall after many a year under siege!"