Questions about diplomacy, both forced and consentual

[K-Dogs]

I've got two questions about the in-game diplomacy thatve been lurking in the back of my mind for a while:
Firstly, I've got into the habit of, when starting a new campaign, sending my diplomat around and, to all the factions which have enough mnai, offering Alliance, Trade Rights, Map information for 1500mnai (I haven't tried increasing this figure, I'm not risking another ruined tactless or, *shudder*, discourteous diplomat). Then, usually straight after, I cancel the alliance so as not to threaten any other important alliances which I might not be able to make as a result.
Does anyone else do this, or is it considered cheating? Because I don't mind the extra mnai but always feel a bit guilty afterwards

Secondly, a lot of the time I find that, even using Force Diplomacy, some factions simply don't let you have their map information, which isn't really important I just like to have a colourful minimap and an idea of AI faction progression. Any ideas why?
thanks

[DaciaJC]

I grab any allies that I can (usually I manage to make alliances with half the factions within 10 years) and then side with those that appear to have the advantage later on.

I don't demand any money for map information, but I usually end up with about 100 mnai when I offer it. I don't get any money for alliances or trade rights.

However, something that I like to do when my fledgling faction is short on money is offer a single payment of 100 mnai (the default). In response, the other faction usually responds with a "Here, in the spirit of comradeship, etc., take this gift" statement and I get free mnai. It's somewhat cheap, I realize, but at some point these negotiations can be massively abused and I stay away from that.

[K-Dogs]

The only problem with making so many alliances is the likelihood of one of your allies being the enemy of a faction which should be your ally, especially when said faction is halfway across the map :/

Although it is nice to go onto the Diplomacy page and have more allies to your name than the AS has enemies

[DaciaJC]

The only problem with making so many alliances is the likelihood of one of your allies being the enemy of a faction which should be your ally, especially when said faction is halfway across the map :/

I play VH campaign. Few, if any, factions in close proximity to my starting homelands are willing to make alliances. Thus, it is often those factions halfway across the map that I am allied with. I don't notice any visible effects of these alliances, but that can't be helped.

As to your last question from your first post: offer a decent sum of money when using FD if you're demanding something.

[vartan]

Does anyone else do this, or is it considered cheating? Because I don't mind the extra mnai but always feel a bit guilty afterwards

Do you honestly feel guilty or are you just stating that?

[K-Dogs]

I play VH campaign. Few, if any, factions in close proximity to my starting homelands are willing to make alliances. Thus, it is often those factions halfway across the map that I am allied with.

I play VH campaign too, so I know what you're saying, but in the beginning at least it's not too hard to make choice alliances.
As the Getai, who I know you're accustomed to, for me it's usually Epeiros or Koinon Hellenon that I want to ally with to help fend off the Makedonians, and thats why I try not to ally with Pontos (who usually end up attacking a hellenic polis near the start, forcing a war with the KH) in case it ruins the new alliance.

Do you honestly feel guilty or are you just stating that?

Well, guilty like 'I really shouldn't eat all of the free tasters at the supermarket, but I will anyway' kind of guilty. Like spilling beer on your friend's new carpet but not telling her guilty. Like drunkenly splashing your girlfriend's toilet seat, but hoping it'll evaporate before anyone else uses it guilty.

You know, guilty guilty but not guilty guilty.