Diplomatic Ties

[Javolenus]

I'm new to RTW and EB but am quickly becoming immersed in the game. I'm really impressed with EB and am enjoying all the extra info available, which adds a great deal to the immersive quality of the game.

As a newbee, I wanted to open the topic of diplomacy in the game, as this is puzzling me a bit. For example, when I opened my campaign (as the Romani) I sent a diplomat to get trade rights from the Lusotana. But 30-odd years into the campaign, when I sent another diplomat to the Lusotana on a different errand, they made out that trade rights had not been established. I ended up paying for trade rights twice.

Meanwhile, I was wondering, is there some way to discover the level of diplomatic relations between factions? In other words, how the other factions feel about you? I realise that factions can be openly hostile or allies or protectorates etc. but is there another way of finding out how well-disposed a neighbouring faction is?

I ask this because I keep giving cash to certain factions, in order to keep them on-side, but I don't know if the strategy is working. If I keep giving them cash will they become allies?

Apologies if the above points and queries sound a bit dumb - but as I said, I'm a novice. Any advice on the diplomacy side of things would be appreciated!

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Welcome Javolenus Priscus,

As a newbee, I wanted to open the topic of diplomacy in the game, as this is puzzling me a bit. For example, when I opened my campaign (as the Romani) I sent a diplomat to get trade rights from the Lusotana. But 30-odd years into the campaign, when I sent another diplomat to the Lusotana on a different errand, they made out that trade rights had not been established. I ended up paying for trade rights twice.

I've never seen anything like that occur before. Have you been at war the Lusotana? If so, then the rights would automatically have undergone cancellation when the war was declared.

Meanwhile, I was wondering, is there some way to discover the level of diplomatic relations between factions? In other words, how the other factions feel about you? I realise that factions can be openly hostile or allies or protectorates etc. but is there another way of finding out how well-disposed a neighbouring faction is?

Sadly, this isn't possible in R:TW - although behind the scenes each faction does have some form of reputation, its kept hidden from the player. Despite the existence of such a feature though, the AI doesn't always seem to consider it when making and breaking diplomatic deals.

I ask this because I keep giving cash to certain factions, in order to keep them on-side, but I don't know if the strategy is working. If I keep giving them cash will they become allies?

I believe that giving cash to factions is a good way of ensuring they stay allies/don't attack, but whether it makes allies out of factions is a different matter. From what I can gather this sometimes seems to be the case, but very often factions seem to refuse alliance deals regardless of the situation.

For further details on diplomacy, this guide may interest you.

Hope this is of use to you

[Javolenus]

Many thanks to Omanes Alexandrapolites for this quick response.

I have downloaded the diplomacy guide PDF and am about halfway through reading it. I'm finding it very helpful, as I was completely in the dark about how diplomacy functions in the game. Very helpful indeed.

As for the Lusotana trade rights problem, I had not gone to war with them, so was surprised when this glitch occurred. I guess, for now, I'll just keep an eye on this issue and see what happens.

But thanks again for the reply - much appreciated!

And finally, just to say a big thank you for the forum.