Embassy to mavericks

[galdarian]

I'm pretty sure that they are whipping. Not exactly sure what they are whipping but there has been a consistent score decrease message in the logs for Mavs for about the last five turns.

Either way we still need to reply to the last TWO tech trade dismissals

 

[RegentMan]

To our eternal allies, the Mavericks,

We knew that all followers of religions other than Buddhism were of a subpar intellect, but your last two tech trade offers are simply laughable. It's obvious you value monotheism more than food and water, so we won't trouble you with the thought of letting it go. We can grab it in three turns of research ourselves.

Much love,
Quatronia

Too strong?

 

[cav scout]

Yeah a little too strong considering we might be allies with them if CDZ doesn't work out.

But if we do we lock CDZ into solid membership of the ETTT we should send it.

 

[Bowsling]

I think we should throw in something like:

Because of these offers, it has become common for Quatronian merchants to say "Who do you think you are, a Maverick?" when offered a ridiculous exchange.

 

[RegentMan]

I love it!

 

[cav scout]

Well CDZ seems to be onboard the ETTT now. So maybe we should send it!

 

[Bowsling]

To our eternal allies, the Mavericks,

We knew that all followers of religions other than Buddhism were of a subpar intellect, but your last two tech trade offers are simply laughable. It's obvious you value monotheism more than food and water, so we won't trouble you with the thought of letting it go. We can grab it in three turns of research ourselves. Rumors of these offers have spread, and it has become common for Quatronian merchants to say "Who do you think you are, a Maverick?" when offered a ridiculous exchange. In fact, one of our tax collectors was recently asked that when he was collecting taxes from a farmer who didn't quite get the grasp of taxes.

Much love,
Ambassador Bowsling
Quatronia

I'll send tomorrow.

 

[RegentMan]

I wasn't expecting it to actually be sent!

 

[Bowsling]

Well, is everyone fine with it being sent? I just figured that we were insulting them back. I will actually wait a few days.

 

[cav scout]

Perhaps we should add a sentence on the end that gives them hope or at least confuses them a bit. Something like, "we hoped to have good relations and trade for MC but then you started getting all wiggy on us."

They are probably already gearing up for a confrontation with us based on our silence and the obvious trading we have been doing. Our note in it's current form will just confirm all their (justified) fears and harden their resolve. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of triremes soon.

 

[galdarian]

they are not going to be able to do all that much though.

 

[Bowsling]

Yes that is right. CDZ will have MC soon, and we'll be able to build triremes. Anyway, if they build a trireme blockade for our galleys than we are still safe on the ocean tiles, and the mainland cities are safe unless they grab some resources.

 

[CharlemagneXLII]

They sent this:

Greetings Team Quatronia,

We would like to do a small tech trade with you, if you are willing.

Would you be willing to give us Animal Husbandry in exchange for Monotheism?

Feel free to offer the trade in game if you feel this is fair.

Thanks!

TheMike
Team Mavericks Diplomat

Here is a drafted reply:

Dear TheMike:

While we would like to thank you for offering a reasonable tech trade, we have unfortunately already unlocked the secrets of Monotheism.

Bowsling,
Quatronia

Don't forget we have signed a NAP for 50 turns, though they will likely get desperate once they realize they are getting left behind. Of course, if they start a war, Sirius can help us once we have MC.

 

[RegentMan]

Heh should we point out their unreasonable 4 for 1 suggestions? Or would that stir the pot too much? Something like:

Dear TheMike:

While we would like to thank you for finally offering a reasonable tech trade, we have already unlocked the secrets of Monotheism via a less expensive method.

Bowsling,
Quatronia

I like the original too, so either works for me.

 

[Earthling]

I really like the previous messages sent, I'm fine for either way of informing them we have Monotheism now. Should be funny to see their internal responses eventually/in the end.

War is a concern going forward though - they haven't met Sirius and might not develop as much hostility towards them as us. But I'm thinking and hoping we could count on Sirius in a war - and anyway, it would be prohibitively expensive and really not very effective of them to build enough of a navy to seriously threaten us at this point in the game, until further along in tech. (I mean, city sieges aren't really even that feasible before catapults too)

 

[Bowsling]

Dear TheMike:

While we would like to thank you for finally offering a reasonable tech trade, we have already unlocked the secrets of Monotheism via a less expensive method.
Unfortunately, there is nothing else that you can offer us that we are not getting soon. Apologies that tech trades aren't working out.

Ambassador Bowsling,
Quatronia

Sent that. The previous message, however, had not been sent, because I did not feel that there was enough support to send such a harsh message which probably would have ruined an already-salvaged diplomatic situation.

 

[Earthling]

That's a pretty good message really, I like it Bowsling, and yeah, maybe best not to be too cruel.

 

[Bowsling]

Thanks.

We just got a reply from them an hour ago that attempts to justify their trades.
They also suggested a metal casting trade, but as far as I know, CDZ is getting it soon. However, getting it and distributing it the the members of the ETTT a few turns early won't hurt.

Hello Ambassador Bowsling,

It is good to hear from the Quatronian people again.

If you have concerns about the way a tech trade proposal is structured, then please let us know. It was me, personally, that structured those offers. I am aware that it was not equal, beaker-for-beaker. However, I don't believe that determining trade value always that simple. I like to think in terms of impact and how much immediate benefit there is in a trade. There is value that is difficult to quantify by getting techs with a big benefit several turns early, such as Monotheism. It was my opinion that there is tremendous value for you to adopt Organized Religion ASAP to leverage your state religion to its fullest possible advantage. We have found the civic to be crucial in our own development so far, so the assumption was that the the hammer bonus you would be getting would absolutely justify extra beaker cost. This is arguably a much greater advantage than the ability to build Scouts, Monasteries, or Pastures (we have no livestock).

It's clear, however, that you did not agree. We have no issue with that, since the goal of any deal is to find something that works for both sides. In cases where you don't find the trade appealing, it is important that you let us know what you don't like about the deal or offer us something you would find more fitting. It is also important that this happens going forward so that our alliance may grow stronger. Our open borders and non-aggression pact are proof that we can execute deals that are mutually beneficial.

For our friendship to continue successfully, we don't necessarily have to agree on everything, but we certainly must communicate.

On that note, would you be interested in offering us a trade of 400-450 beakers worth of tech for Metal Casting?

Let us know.

Thank you,
TheMike
Mavericks Diplomat

 

[cav scout]

I don't think the ETTT is ever going to agree to a trade with them, especially as CDZ is doing MC anyways.

 

[Earthling]

We don't really gain any direct benefit from Metal Casting early either, we certainly can't particularly afford forges or triremes now as we have much better things to build, and I don't believe the ETTT has a whole would approve. So I'd probably go with declining this too, but not too harshly again I guess.