Andean Zorro - MA/diff_research/VPs - game started

[Calahan]

My understanding of NAP's was that, like Drager said, NAP's are not 100% binding unless stated in the rules for the particular game you are playing.

Some games also state that NAP's are binding if they are officially declared in the game thread (see the EA DarkParadise game for an example of this), but any secret NAP's made are not subject to the same binding rules as the public ones. I guess it is only fair that if you are not prepared to tell anyone about your secret NAP's, then you can't really expect anyone to listen to your complaints when your secret NAP's get broken. From reading numerous posts on these forums, it seems that most of the time NAP's are honoured, but backstabbing is part of the risk of NAP's (know your enemies well, but know your allies even better) and a part of MP games in general.

I'm sure I read somewhere (although I could well have either imagined it, or merged many separate comments into one) that one of the reasons the devs haven't put any official game diplomacy options into the game is because they don't want any. As Dominions is meant to be a fight to the death (there can be only one etc.) so the only diplomacy that really exists is to make sure that you
(a)give the other nations a good reason NOT to attack you (ie. becoming the most powerful is a good deterrent)
(b)don't give them a reason TO attack you (ie. becoming the most powerful is a sure way of encouraging others to gang-up on you)
(c)don't give them an opportunity TO attack you (ie. don't stretch your forces too thinly by starting lots of wars)
All of the above is obviously a difficult balancing act, with (a) and (b) being a great example of a blatant contradiction!!! But then that's just another part of the this great game in my view :-)

But I am still a newb, so all of the above is just a collection of my thought on NAP's, and what I've read in many various threads on the subject. Apologies to everyone (and a HUGE apology to Kheldron) if I have broken a golden rule of MP-games that I'm unaware of, although as far as I can tell I haven't done. (I don't think breaking NAP's is held on anywhere near the same level as, or generates as much anger as for example, the whole 'Mists of Deception + Retreat' issue)

I don't generally make a habit of breaking NAP's (easy to say that now of course :-)) although I accept the risk of the 'tarnishing brush' being swept vigorously over my reputation as a result of me breaking a NAP. All that is left to say is that my mouse hand was forced into doing it by Marignon's threatened destruction. Either that or my Maenad's 'Sat-Navs' are playing up, and found themselves in Caelum's lands instead of Ashdod's :-)

[Janlm]

I for one is very happy to see at least one deciding to take the right decision and punish the war mongering Caelum, who attacked us with no reason or no warning. I have personally seen the result of their attack on the general population, and believe me when I say its not pretty. The world will be a better place without the evil of Caelum, and we will do ours to make sure it happens!

Marignon

[Kheldron]

My...poor poor Pangeans fighting against the evil almighty ogre of Caelum

What I see is the biggest army in the world and an overpowered deified gorgon taking advantage of a former ally to increase his dominion.

You don't *have* to justify you warmongering with my so-called agressivity you know? You're just a bloody monster and can't help your nature ?
YOU were the one to ask for a NAP when you were wounded by Ashdod and I the one who could have striked at you and chosed peace instead, remember? That was only 2-3 months ago.
I for one uphold my honor and would not have gone to such depth.

Let it be known in the taverns of the world and the underworld, Pangeans are the most treacherous people of all.
Hail to all those of you who make him bleed for that!

In the meantime, we shall proudly fight to the death, which may not be ours.

Nekraal

[anticipatient]

I am going to be out of town for about 24 hours this weekend (JUST enough to get a stale). I hope you don't mind giving me a 36 hour extension. I will, of course, return and send my turn ASAP when I am back.

Uh, I actually went ahead and delayed it.

[Kheldron]

Hail Lords of War,

it is with great sadness that I must bear grave news. Know all that honor has definetly fled our world as the aliens of R'lyeh proved to be no less treacherous than their satyre counterparts. They just broke a NAP-5 they asked for when I was in a position to deny them most of their lands.

Act as your heart decide if you also have an agreement with these despitefdul creatures.

Lord of the deep, we believe your deeds were dictated by greed as much as vileness as you saw Pangea holding me in a stranglehold. You may have acted rashly to ensure some share of my lands before it was too late.
Well, Pangea just took a backbeat for having been too greedy and it would have been worse had he acted as I thought.
Meditate on this when you salivate on the piece of cake. I'm made of the bitterest lemon.

Anyway, if we intend to fight till the end, I do realize that being ganged by three nations is no less a trial than building sandcastles with a coming tidal wave.
To all of you who have borders with Pangea and R'lyeh, know then that they shall soon be more powerful than ever after swallowing me...and they just showed how much you can trust any agreement you had with them.

Now would be a good time to strike I believe.

Nekraal of Caelum

[anticipatient]

R'lyeh went AI, but I am moved by your impassioned plea none the less, and I will gladly assist you by conquering the water provinces



P.S.
I like Lemon Cake

[Kheldron]

Those are the best news of the day !
I only have to cope with 2,5 gangers now.
Erf...

[BigDisAwesome]

Why'd he go AI? When?