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[Wick]

Here is a different sort of diplomacy system:

With Dominions 3 it's clear that different things can happen to pretenders. One becomes a god but the others can be bound in the underworld, destroyed, or simply laid to rest. This variation in results can be the basis for a diplomacy system.

This system uses four rules and requires a binding trading system. 1) An anhihilated pretender is worth no points, an imprisoned one is worth a point, a sleeping pretender is worth two and a god is worth 5 - (sum_of_other_scores / number_of_contenders). (That's down to 3 if all others are sleeping, and up to 5 if all destroyed) 2) The victorious god disposes of the pretenders as he chooses but is bound by terms he has agreed to. 3) A pretender may surrender and extinguish its own dominion. The hope of godhood is lost, it's prophet is depowered, but it may still act in the world.

The winner gets the most points by relentlessly destroying everyone. Everyone who doesn't win gets the most points if the player who gave them the best terms wins. So if victory is certain then destroy, if victory is in doubt then accept supporters, if victory is doubtful then steal allies by offering better terms, if losing is certain then surrender and get on the best bandwagon you can.