Gregor Relak's Collected Essays and Lectures on Leadership and Governance/The Triumph of Peace

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Diplomacy

My thoughts on diplomacy can be summarized in a short phrase. 'Balanced goals'. To be truly successful at diplomacy a ruler and diplomat must have two things, a respected reputation for honesty and the power to grant or enable the desires of the other realm. To come out ahead in the diplomatic arena one must realize that these two things must be balanced with real gains in lands and vassals. It is far better to ally oneself with your former enemy than to watch your ally grow in strength such that you are now subjugated to their will. For this reason treaties of federation are often to be avoided at all cost for it is impossible to simply expel a member who has grown too powerful. A proper causis belli is often necessary when conduction diplomacy. Wanton war for its own sake often will bring ruin upon your realm. Better to keep your enemies and would be adversaries divided than united. When approaching diplomacy it is better to have a good feel for what the other party wants, and to prod that vision towards one that better suits you. A good diplomacy is dispassionate and without hate. Hatred between realms resolves nothing, and the utter destruction of a realm can take years and years of ones life and rarely leads to greater power for those who already hold it. Better to crush an enemy before they have the power to defy you, conversely better to build up your power to such a height that none dare defy you.

One need only look to the storied history of Hasland to see that broken trust can quickly lead to a powerful realm's downfall. Keeping strong the ties between two realms is an ever important task for a ruler, as is keeping in the inner circles of your friends informants who are quick to warn you of souring relations.

(future expansion)

Guilds and Societies

In facilitating contacts and communication nothing surpasses a good functioning guild or society. Broad in purpose, and open to all, a good guild will provide its members with addresses for powerful and weak nobles alike. They can often be the breeding grounds for spy rings, and rebellion. Their treasuries can be used to move vast sums of gold, and in some secret societies entire continents futures decided for the benefit of members. It is advisable to maintain several memberships, or at the very least one. Many rulers and Dukes would look more kindly upon you for joining their favored group, and such kindness will advance your position quickly. I must warn you against false witness. Do not join a guild without believing in its stated principles. There is no quicker way to make a powerful enemy or group of enemies. To do so may find a quick bounty upon your head long before you are capable of fending off all comers.

Politiking

(filler)