Enhanced Diplomacy

Introduction

A new diplomacy system is currently available for testing. Under this enhanced system, relations between realms are not limited to the narrow definitions set forth in the standard diplomacy settings. Instead, relations between realms are determined by smaller treaties or declarations. Each treaty or declaration covers a smaller facet of the relationship. As a result realms can more finely control the scope of the relationship between them.

Diplomats and Ambassadors

Diplomats are nobles that have declared themselves to be dedicated to managing the relationship between their realm and another. The ruler of the realm can officially recognize the diplomat and appoint them as an official ambassador of the realm. Ambassadors have the power to sign treaties on behalf of their realm.

Types of Treaties

Treaties are grouped into the following four categories: Military, Economic, Cultural and Other.

Military Treaties

Type	Description
Alliance	An agreement for mutual unrestricted military support. Under this treaty, parties will aid each other in battle, even if doing so means breaking another treaty.
Cease Fire	With this agreement, the parties will cease hostile activities against each other. While the Cease Fire is in effect, troops of the parties will not attack each other in neutral regions. They will continue to defend their own regions. Looting and other hostile actions are disallowed.
Conquest	Declaration of intent to conquer part of the enemy. Under a Declaration of Conquest a specific region can be taken from its current owner. This declaration makes the initiation of takeovers possible, and the signers troops will fight the defending troops while the treaty is in effect.
Defense Pact	An agreement to aid each other in battle. Under this treaty, parties will aid each other in battle, unless doing so would mean breaking another treaty.
Passage Rights	This is an agreement that troops may be moved peacefully through each others lands. While this treaty is in effect, parties may move their troops into and through the others lands. Behaviour of those troops is guided by other treaties.
Peace Treaty	An agreement between two parties to initiate no hostile acts against each other. While this treaty is in effect, parties' troops will not attack each other. Looting and similar hostile actions are also disallowed. In addition, the parties respect each others territories. Passage Rights and Open or Closed Borders are respected.
Plundering	Declaration of an intent to plunder an enemy at will. It is much like a raid declaration, except that it is not against a specific region. Under a Plundering Declaration, looting and similar actions against all regions of the enemy are allowed. Takeovers are not.
Raid	Declaration of an intent to raid a specific enemy region. Under a Raid Declaration, looting and similar actions against the region are allowed. Takeovers are not.
War	Declaration of all-out war. Under a Declaration of War any and all hostile activities against an enemy are sanctioned, including looting, takeovers and other acts, without limit.

Economic Treaties

Type	Description
Embargo	A declaration making all trade with the target illegal While the Embargo is in effect, caravans can not be sent to the target, traders of the target can not trade on the market places of the signing parties, and traders of the signers are disallowed to trade with the target.
Facilities Sharing	An agreement to share use of each others' workshops. With this treaty signed, signers allow each other access to the local workshops for repairs, etc.
Trade Agreement	The Trade Agreement grants common traders of the signing parties to trade at each others market places. As long as this treaty is in effect, the parties can send caravan missions to each others regions.

Cultural Treaties

Type	Description
Closed Borders	A declaration that any nobles of the target are unwanted and will be arrested on sight. As long as this declaration is in effect, nobles of the target are under a high risk to be arrested when entering or moving through the signers regions.
Expelled Diplomats	A declaration that diplomats of the target no longer enjoy immunity.
Open Borders	An agreement that nobles may visit each others lands without fear of arrest. As long as this treaty is in effect, nobles of the signing parties can enter and move through all regions of the signers, as long as they do not have troops with them. The movement of troops (and thus nobles with a unit of troops) is regulated by a Passage Rights treaty.

Other Treaties

Type	Description
Free Form	A Free Form Treaty can cover any aspects or agreements not covered by other treaties. This treaty has no game-mechanics behind it, and enforcement of any rules agreed to is left to the players.