Carthaginian guests

[Javolenus]

Hi All,

Although I'm a novice player, I'm really impressed with EB and am grateful for the forum.

I just wanted to post a novice-type question, to satisfy my curiosity, so here goes:

In my Romani campaign, I have Carthage as an ally and, as I have my hands full with Greeks and Rebels, I'm trying to keep Carthage onside for as long as possible. But they keep sending small stacks into Italy, where they spend months hanging around. Basically I wanted to ask: are these uninvited guests hitting my local economies? And are they trying to provoke a war?

Any answers welcome! I guess I was thinking that the AI is trying to provoke war over possession of Sicily, in order to mirror historical events . . .

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi Javolenus Priscus

are these uninvited guests hitting my local economies?

As long as you are not at war, the troops hanging around in your province shouldn't be slashing and burning the land as enemy troops would. This can be seen as the factor known as "devestation" on the settlement details scroll.

And are they trying to provoke a war?

I don't think the AI is really clever enough to actually think that intelligently, so I would be inclined to say no. They probably are there due to a path finding problem. Either that, or they are preparing to make a move upon your nearest city (this sounds unlikely though, since you claim they haven't moved around for quite a few turns).

[Javolenus]

Hi Omanes Alexandrapolites,

Many thanks for this quick reply. Those Carthaginians are still hanging around, but as you say, seem to be causing no devastation. Nevertheless, I'll keep an eye on them!

Thanks again for the response - much appreciated.