Quote Originally Posted by Ludens View Post
Actually, it does. Recruiting "trained" or "untrained" spies suggests there was such a thing as a spy school. The wording of the OP implies something similar. Cambyses points out that in reality spies were recruited ad-hoc, rather than trained. It seems logical that they would need some time to gain the necessary contacts and skills to become proficient.

Edit: cute_wolf was quicker; or rather I was very slow.
Then how about:
Get rid of those two traits, and instead make new ones

1) By himself, greatly decrease sight range (really the spies right now have a rediculous sight range, same with armies)
2) Only a few contacts (increase sight range, increase skill point)
3) Large number of contacts (increase sight range, increase skill point)
4) Network (increase sight range, increase skill point)
5) Large Network (increase sight range, increase skill point)
6) Entrenched Network (increase sight range, increase skill point)

Instead of making it so that the spys stay behind to get training to get the trait. Make it so the spy must move into an enemy area/settlement and stay there to build up contacts. The longer he says the more contacts he can build up.

Or wait was that system already in place?