[GrudgeBringer]

Let me pose a question as I am not in the game and know none of the players.

This actually happened in my first MP game and we all had something to say about it.

I hope it gives a different perspective to your discussion.

Player A was in a 15 turn, 3/turn notice NAP with player B.

Player A was also in a Immediate Mutual defense Treaty with player C.

Well of course player B attacked player C (sigh...who didn't see that coming).

Player A annonced that he had a treaty to help Player C Immediately and was terminating his Long term Nap with player B and was attacking the next turn UNLESS player B ceased his invasion of player C.

(hope you followed all that)

As expected an argument of the same sort that your facing broke out.

Some of us said that an agreement was an agreement and the deciding factor should be which was made first.

Others said that was an excuse and you could always have 2 or 3 of those Immediate Defense Agreements so ANY time you wanted you could break your NAP because someone was ALWAYS starting a war with someone.

As usual there is never a clear right and wrong.

However, One thing I have learned and has worked for me and a number of others is this (and there will be some that think its too open).

When you make a treaty you post it on your individual game forum (I know it screws up 'secret treaties' but I think you all will agree they are screwed up here anyway).

Then when something changes you can post your 3 turn warning and if he doesn't check the board, its his own fault when he's attacked (no PM required).

It also makes Player C think twice before attacking player B if he knows in advance that Player A will go to the defence of his announced Immediate Defense Pact.

Last thought... all of this STILL doesn't work if any of the players are not honorable (I think Honor is what it is all about, but I also know that circumstances DO change) and won't honor anything.

But players know in thier heart what happened and who they agreed with BUT will usually keep that in mind when playing with that person agian.

SORRY for butting into your conversation, just wanted to say how we handled it.

Thanaks