Team GONG Embassy

[peter grimes]

FREE has been talking with Gong. That's the only way Gong could have guessed (correctly) at our relationship.

I'm fine with the specifics - but it could come across as a clumsy first deal, especially if FREE has already approached them

 

[cubsfan6506]

I like it. But gong can take babe.

 

[Niklas]

I don't think FREE has spoken to GONG about it at all - I think they've heard it from BABE.

 

[General_W]

From my chat with GreekGuy of Saber…

Apparently GONG got contact with us and Saber on the same turn. Saber believes this means that BABE gave them the contact info for both of us… and yes, GONG established an embassy with both of us on the same turn.

Dirty rotten spies… grumble…

But this does support the idea that what GONG knows can't be totally blamed on loose lips over at FREE... BABE is obviously involved in keeping them well supplied.

 

[General_W]

Oh... And version 2 response:

Dear jb and all GONG funlovers,

As you are correctly gathering, rumors of The Council flying cars and spaceships was greatly exaggerated. Don't despair over the marginal returns on your Great Spybary just yet… I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it… at the very least, it's sure to be a great source of cultural improvement!

We'll admit to some hesitation at working with you, as the Council Intelligence Agency long ago uncovered the GONG-BABE cooperation that catapulted you both into the (formerly fashionable) Middle Ages. But now with the BABE armada frustrated and wandering about aimlessly looking for beach party that's not already too crowded (if you catch my drift)… we're wondering if perhaps you're truly interested in other friends?

As a starting point, we'd like to offer you a D.A.B. treaty… Defense Against BABE. We could both agree to some guaranteed peace and to send gold to the other team if they're attacked by BABE?

Would you have any interest in such a deal?

Looking forward to seeing where we can go from here.

All the best,
General_W, speaking with the voice of The Council

Thoughts?

 

[cubsfan6506]

Why would Gong except these contacts.

 

[AutomatedTeller]

well, I was reading "beach party that's not too crowded" as meaning "we aren't covering our borders. though, they probably know that, since we are weak to them.

But I may be being too paranoid.

I will flip-flop and say that the original letter is fine. The 2nd is, too.

 

[dl123654]

I don't like the bringing up of a defensive treaty against BABE. The trade of contacts was a tell for me that they are at least working together. I wouldn't want BABE to hear of this defensive against them.

I agree we want to guage their relations, but don't want to force them to feel like they are on the bad side of a 3v2 battle or force them to into trying to play both sides.

 

[zyxy]

dl has a good point IMO. GONG and BABE are obviously in this together.

 

[cubsfan6506]

Yes but Babe knows that wea are anti Babe.

 

[General_W]

Actually, you could say it would be ideal for BABE to find out about our DAB treaties.
We can't tell them directly (makes us look scared) - but if they find out indirectly that we've got treaties like that, I think it makes us look like an even harder target.

To me - the idea that GONG may tell BABE about our DAB proposal is an agrument in favor of sending this letter with that offer.

I agree, all the evidence points to a GONG/BABE alliance... but we don't really know that. GONG may be annoyed at BABE's hissy fit, their deal could have just been to catch Council/FREE, BABE may be angry about GONG's culture strategy... there's just too many possibilities yet.
I think it'd be a shame to not try... it'd be huge if we can split GONG away from BABE even a little bit.

I still think we should send the letter as-is in version 2.
Did I sway anyone?

 

[donsig]

I'm fine with either version.

 

[AutomatedTeller]

Actually, you could say it would be ideal for BABE to find out about our DAB treaties.
We can't tell them directly (makes us look scared) - but if they find out indirectly that we've got treaties like that, I think it makes us look like an even harder target.

To me - the idea that GONG may tell BABE about our DAB proposal is an agrument in favor of sending this letter with that offer.

I agree, all the evidence points to a GONG/BABE alliance... but we don't really know that. GONG may be annoyed at BABE's hissy fit, their deal could have just been to catch Council/FREE, BABE may be angry about GONG's culture strategy... there's just too many possibilities yet.
I think it'd be a shame to not try... it'd be huge if we can split GONG away from BABE even a little bit.

I still think we should send the letter as-is in version 2.
Did I sway anyone?

I have to say, you think pretty well for a man with 1 letter in his last name!!!

Very subtle point in the fine art of diplomacy!!

 

[peter grimes]

You know, I could easily make the argument that it would be wise to include in the letter even more info about our existing DABs:
If you sign this DAB, you can be assured of a very generous influx of gold per turn if BABE attacks you. That's the beauty of the DAB society: all the existing members flood the target with cash and techs if BABE invades!

That way, if GONG does inform BABE about the DAB, BABE will see that the other teams are quite serious about nullifying the advantages they've gained by investing in the Great LightHouse.

 

[cubsfan6506]

Hmm thinking even farther. How about we "accidently" send it to babe. give it a subject like dear gongs.

 

[dl123654]

I just don't want to put BABE or GONG is a situation where they think they must find a way to attack now or they are going to lose (granted they might already think this). I rather they sail away towards their home. That said this has some risk too, if BABE attacks GONG or us.

Therefore how about something like:

If you are getting worried about BABE's boats coming your way let us know and we will work something out that will be in both of our interests.

I do think we need to get something out soon, even if its without the BABE part while we continue to debate and send a second notice.

 

[peter grimes]

... I'm always partial to subterfuge - that's why I like Cub's idea

However, General_W usually has very good reasons why we should avoid those sorts of things

 

[General_W]

Thanks AT I try!

If you sign this DAB, you can be assured of a very generous influx of gold per turn if BABE attacks you. That's the beauty of the DAB society: all the existing members flood the target with cash and techs if BABE invades!

@ Peter… well, I think that's over-reaching a bit and a mistake. It's all about relative advantage. If we have a DAB treaty, that makes us a harder target. If everyone has a DAB treaty, then we're not a harder target than anyone else.

It's possible I over-think these things, as BABE very well may not be paying that much attention anymore. ("contractual obligation turn sent" – Wotan )

I think cubsfan has a fascinating idea there (read: ) but that's a one time deal. We only get to fool one team one time with that trick, if at all! I'd save that for later when it might be more valuable. Right now, we're not in imminent danger of BABE attacking, so we don't need to pull out all the stops to scare them away.

I'd like to send version 2 later today – any remaining objections?

Spoiler :

Dear jb and all GONG funlovers,

As you have correctly gathered, rumors of The Council flying cars and spaceships were greatly exaggerated. Don't despair over the marginal returns on your Great Spybary just yet… I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it… at the very least, it's sure to be a great source of cultural improvement!

We'll admit to some hesitation at working with you, as the Council Intelligence Agency long ago uncovered the GONG-BABE cooperation that catapulted you both into the (formerly fashionable) Middle Ages. But now with the BABE armada frustrated and wandering about aimlessly looking for beach party that's not already too crowded (if you catch my drift)… we're wondering if perhaps you're truly interested in other friends?

As a starting point, we'd like to offer you a D.A.B. treaty… Defense Against BABE. We could both agree to some guaranteed peace and to send gold to the other team if they're attacked by BABE?

Would you have any interest in such a deal?

Looking forward to seeing where we can go from here.

All the best,
General_W, speaking with the voice of The Council

 

[dl123654]

Based on what I just read in the FREE thread I say send it as is, GONG sounds a little scared.

 

[peter grimes]

Looks good

One thought that I had concerning cubs' idea of a 'missent' letter: a letter could be addressed to Gongs, but sent to a team member of BABE, rather than the team's gmail.

But clearly, I'm not suggesting that this happen with this letter