As I continue to explore and play new factions, once and while I try some experimenting with diplomacy. Most of the time I just figure everyone hates me and wants my lands. But sometimes when I make the effort I do get some positive results. When playing a nation surrounded by others, this is usually when I make an effort at diplomacy. I do know that the AI nations act differently depending on whom you as the human player is controlling. Just seems like the AI will ignore other nations neighboring it and focus only on you. I found it very peculiar how the Gauls, that border with five factions, have only one enemy (me the Germans) for over 55 years. WTF? "Hey Rome, watcha do'in? Sleeping?"
Onto my point. I have found on more occasions then not, if I get trade rights, then sell map info, and on a regular basis (once every 5-10 turns) give a particular faction a couple hundred Denarii as gift, they tend to leave me be. This only seems to work out if I get the diplomacy in action before they declare war on me. Sometimes I see them send a army group snooping around my borders, and I'll give them another gift and the army goes somewhere else. After some time has passed, if I choose to, an alliance request always gets answered.
I've been able to do this several times. So my question is, is this just all coincidental? Is it an illusion of other circumstances that are not readily visible to me at the time in the game? Or is there some sort of script that gauges interactions between factions. Can the AI actually realize that "hey this guy gives me money regularly, so I'll pick on someone else". Seems kinda optimistic when you consider other AI issues I know, but what do you think?
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