2nd Forum Only Diplomacy

[Devildog]

(GN)
The Gnome king's first reaction upon reading this message was frank disbelief. It was expected that the Tyrant would request a small tribute but 40% was verging on grandiose. "Surely this is a prank," he thinks as he looks around for stifled laughter. For nearly half the kingdom the Gnome would buy his people the right to be second on the conquest list? After the Tyrant takes out his somewhat obvious real initial target?

It doesn't seem like a deal most kingdoms would go for however the Gnome will right now offer a similar deal to all kingdoms in the realm. 40% of your kingdom and the gnomes will guarantee 18 turns of peace. Any takers? Hmmm, Possibly some time is needed for them to consider.

The gnomes have always been a peaceful people. But we are not without our defenses. We have faced similar foes before. Any contest will be a long one, while the sorcerous North gains in power.

TY-SA/GN  The King was dead. Oh, it was no great loss. He was a stupid brute who apparently didn't have the brains to get out of the way of a charging wild boar. The trouble was, he was a young stupid brute who had only just spawned. And now the kingdom was in the hands of a three-year old. And no question the brat was a tyrant!
"I want to take over WHOLE WORLD!" he was insisting. His advisers tried talking sense to him, wishing like hell that his stupid father had set up a regent or that his stupid mother had not died squirting the brat out. But he was their king and they had to follow his orders. That was how things always had been. They just had to try and find a way to do so in such a way that the kingdom was not destroyed.
"Your majesty," one was saying, "We can't take it over all in one month. We have to start and then grow."
"Okay, let me see map!" he insisted. General Krackthumb rolled out the colored map of the known world. The cities were painted on as well as the towns and villages of the kingdom.
"There! THAT city!" The king pointed, "I want to start with THAT one!" It was a city on an island in the middle of the lake. The men looked at each other. There were worse targets out there.
"That is called Avalon, your Majesty. The Humans control it know, but we know that the holy men had been making some moves to get them to join with their kingdom."
"NO! MY CITY! Tell holy men to get their own city. There! That one! What's that city names?"
"Evanon, your Majesty."
"Tell them to go to that city. I get this city. Or else war!"
"Cities don't produce food, your Majesty. If you want to grow, we need some of those as well."
"Here. South of my city. What do they call this spot?"
"Runnimede, your Majesty."
"I want some towns and villages here! And don't tell me about little creatures. If they try to stop me from taking towns and villages, WAR! Now bring me my toy soldiers, I want to play WAR!"

Later, the little Tyrant's advisers send out two letters.
"To the noble Sacred Order. Our king is insisting that he must have the city of Avalon. As there are two cities in the area, we hope you see the wisdom in not contesting this. We will also be looking to pick up an extra village and town in the area to help feed the city and our hungry troops. In return, you shall have control of the fair region of Amberland and we offer you peace through the next 18 months.

"To the wise Gnomes. We know that the age of expansion is upon us. We are close by but there is no need to fight. We will leave the fair city of Cradia to you and we offer you control of Runnimede. But we do insist on our fair share of towns and villages in the region. We are looking at a split of about 60/40 in your favor. While we are sure you coveted the whole region, you would have to fight us for it and why do that when you can produce so much gold on your own? Please let us know your answer. We offer your peace for the next 18 months if you agree to our little king's terms.