Raising Influence

[Martok]

Does 'trustworthiness' work both ways?

I understand that stabbing your ally in the back would reduce influence, becuase 'that family cannot be trusted' so people wouldn't listen, but surely if I repected my alliances I would be 'someone you can do business with' and hence more influential?

In theory, yes the other factions should recognize you as being a reliable partner and ally....and it probably even does to an extent.

However, as I just pointed out in my previous post, the AI seems to always be looking for opportunities to backstab its buddies (whether it be you or another faction), and it's not very good at realizing the long-term consequences of doing so.

So alliances may hold for a while -- I've seen them last over a century -- but they almost always get broken in the end.

On a side point, how can I escape alliances without attacking them? I no longer have a use for one of my friends but can't afford the 'influence penalty'.

Ally with someone that faction is at war with. You'll then receive a message saying you must choose your allies. You can then break off your alliance with the first faction at no cost to your influence.