Quote Originally Posted by Dayve
I did play defensively until i realised that no matter how considerate i was they still weren't going to accept anything i offered, so then i just started exterminating and razing cities to try and scare them into ceasefires but that didn't work either so i don't see what i am supposed to do.
did you notice that diplomat's influence (or whatever it called in this case) matters? im talking of 1.5.
if your diplomat failed to get an agreement then he loses one of the influence wreaths. is he succeeded however, than he is getting one. it is also important to think about how reasonable your proposal is and consider who you actually negotiating with.
i.e. if your diplomat has influence of 3 while opposing diplomat or a family member has an influence of 5. then it doesn't look good. in this circumstnces your chances to fail are raising drastically! even if you just ask them for a trade rights! i wouldn't deal with them at all hence in case of failure my diplomat loses his abilities to persuade. it is better to deal with an opponent who is less skillful in negotiation than your diplomat. even better when you don't have to ask for anything and they come to you. so you have a choice of accepting/refusing a proposal. i had a diplomat with influence of 3 once. he lost all his negotiating skills in no time! it become 0! all i was doing is asking for a trade rights + map info exchange.
so:
1. never rush with your diplomat activities.
2. only propose/negotiate if you are absolutely sure that the outcome will be positive. unless you don't mind being turn down and your diplomat being demoted.
3. make sure your diplomat is superior in negotiating skills (influence wreath).

hope it helps.