And at Myddraal's request an early version of diplomacy rules. There'll be more to come when there's time, but this is mainly on the implementation of the existing diplomacy commands. Any particular thoughts on this, or ideas you'd like to see presented?

Myddraal, the second paragraph of the diplomacy list still stands, I could use some more info on diplomats.

Right, I’ve got a rough list of diplomatic options from the original game sorted along with a suggested implementation. As I’m not entirely familiar with RTW’s mechanics or how you’ll be implementing them in the multiplayer campaign some suggestions may not be feasible, please let me know if this is the case.

In any case I was wondering if it’s at all possible to edit diplomatic offers so that they’re always accepted by the AI? This would allow players to discuss offers on a messageboard and then perform their side of the deal through diplomats in-game. If this is not possible I will send a revised diplomacy guide as soon as possible; this new version would be far more heavily based in forums and trusting other players to stick to agreements, and probably require players to keep notes in a program like Word to keep track of things. Perhaps you’d prefer that regardless?


Original diplomacy commands

In general there are two aspects to diplomacy: inside the game and working out agreements in forums along with PMs. In most cases initial diplomatic contact is via forums, where the offer/demand is made and details are worked out. The conclusion is implemented inside the game using diplomats.

Offer trade rights
Player offers trade rights via forums; receiving player can accept, decline or add demands. If agreement is reached a diplomat is used ingame to offer trade rights.

Cancel trade rights
Player informs via forums, then uses diplomat to cancel trade rights.

Offer alliance
Player offers alliance via forums; receiving player can accept, decline or add demands. If agreement is reached a diplomat is used ingame to offer alliance. Trade rights are required before this step is possible.

Cancel alliance
Player informs via forums, then uses diplomat to cancel alliance.

Request map information
Player requests map info via forums; queried player can accept, decline or add demands. If agreement is reached a diplomat is sent by queried player to grant map information.

Offer map information
Player offers map information to another player via forums. This can be as a gift or in return for something else. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once agreement is reached the offering player sends a diplomat to grant map information.

Request military access
Player requests military access via forums; queried player can accept, decline or add demands. If agreement is reached the queried player sends diplomat to offer military access.

Offer military access
Player offers military access to another player via forums. This can be as a gift or in return for something else. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once agreement is reached the offering player sends a diplomat to grant military access.

Offer single payment
Player offers single payment to another player via forums, either as a gift or expecting a return. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once an agreement is reached the offering player sends a diplomat to grant the money.

Demand single payment
Player requests a single payment from another player. Queried player can accept, decline or make counter-proposal. Once agreement is reached a diplomat is sent by the queried player to send the money.

Offer regular tribute
Player offers a regular tribute to another faction via forums. This can be as a gift or in return for a favour. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once agreement is reached the offering player dispatches a diplomat to grant the tribute.

Demand regular tribute
Player requests a regular tribute from another player. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once an agreement is reached a diplomat is sent to by queried player to make over the money.

Offer region(s)
Player offers a region to another player via forums, either as gift or expecting a concession. Queried player can accept, decline or make a counter-proposal. Once agreement is reached the offering player sends a diplomat to grant the region(s).

Demand region(s)
Player demands regions from another player via forums. Queried player can accept, decline or make counterproposal. Once agreement is reached the queried player sends a diplomat to grant the requested lands.

Offer ceasefire
Player offers a ceasefire to a player with which he’s at war, via forums. Queried player can accept, decline or add demands. Once agreement is reached a diplomat is sent by either player to offer ceasefire.

Make protectorate
A player requests another player’s faction to become a protectorate. Queried player can accept, decline or request concessions. It’s probably best if this remains an agreement arranged on the forums, as the game may place unwanted conditions on a protectorate or provider of protectorates.

Bribery
This occurs ingame. A diplomat is used to bribe a unit on the map; I’d suggest a standard trait to make units far more costly to bribe though.


New ideas

A number of ideas that have occurred to me which could be interesting and made possible through flexible playing.

Hostages
A faction can offer demand a familymember (such as the heir) in return for something else or to cement an alliance. This faction member is sent to the heart of another factions territories, possibly under guard of another faction’s units. If any transgression is detected this (heavily outnumbered) family member will be executed.

Demand disbandment of certain units
A player can demand another faction disbands certain units. This could be all artillery units in a certain province, or a certain amount of ships.

Request removal of other faction’s units from certain region
If hostile or neutral units are placed inside a player’s borders this player can request for these units to be removed.

Attack other factions
This can be expanded incredibly when compared to vanilla. Request can be made in forums, with details on army placements, key targets, intelligence etc. Then this is implemented ingame insofar this is possible. This could also work in offering assistance against another faction, in financial or military ways.

Set areas of control
Agreements can be reached with another player about borders; for instance, a Roman player can demand the Carthaginians under no circumstances position forces north of the Ebro.

Tone of requests/demands
Basically, the phrasing of diplomacy is up to the players. A player can be pleading or threatening; a player can state that he’s in need of money due to an ongoing war with the Gauls, or remind another player of the large army of legionaries near the German border when requesting a regular tribute. This side of things is really up to the players.

Public announcements or backroom dealings?
I’m not sure how far to go when it comes to formal agreements. Should an alliance be announced publicly, or only if it suits the participants? I’m in favour of the latter, leaving it up to players to decide if they want other factions to know about agreements. Public appeals for help against an invading faction for instance can be made in general forums, whilst a request to cancel a previous alliance can be backroom PMs until participants decide it’s time. If necessary I’ll sort out another list of public statements next week.

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Hopefully this is of some use. If there are things missing or additions you'd like I'll get them included for a future version.

Geoffrey