H? Threaten War On CE, Attempt To Extort 250mil

Open Letter Regarding Gunboat Diplomacy

**** MOD EDIT: DON'T POST PRIVATE MESSAGES****

Far from being the kind of inter-alliance diplomacy one might expect from the premier alliance in Illyriad, this amounts to no more than a crude ransom, and from those who have historically been the guardians of sovereign powers in Elgea.

The assertion, as it turned out in subsequent mails, is that upon a single CE member sending a van to a member of EE, H? now has the right to demand an exaction of 250 million gold pieces or threaten our destruction.

The member in question was with our alliance for a mere fortnight before the trading incident, and since he came seeking refuge from a Consone alliance battered by war, the change in diplomatic particulars must not have had time to sink in.

Surely allowances should be made when so much is at stake, for the actions of members who are new to the alliance? Does H? consider it just to destroy an alliance over the actions of a member so new they cannot possibly yet represent the stance of the alliance as a whole? If such lines are to be taken, then day-old recruits could drag whole alliances down with them. Why, someone could join H? tomorrow and promptly siege a Crow town, would that make H? as a whole responsible?

Since word reached us (and not from H?, which is yet another indication of the lack of clearly defined sanctions for us smaller alliances to tiptoe around) that trading with our sister alliances was likely to be construed as an act of war, we have dutifully ceased all transactions with all Consone members, with the previously explained exception.

The terrifying fact is, that despite the trifling nature of the transgression H? claims we made against them, they are able to casually find reasons where they will to destroy us.

We submit this to the Illyriad community: CE has never been involved in a war and does not wish to antagonize anyone, but we cannot conform to the dictates of great powers if they do not even take the time to make clear and public their terms of engagement. The way this has been conducted makes it only too easy for H? to use any number of in-game events, related to the war or not, as justification for our extortion or destruction, which are the only options we have been given.

This appears to be a simple way for H? to fatten their coffers, at the expense of any sense of honour, or even fair play. Since the demands placed on us are simply staggering, not just the astronomical payment, but further demands that are simply unrealistic for us to administer; such as the command that we remove all members with accounts in Consone. What demands will be levied against us next? Should we assume that trading with Consone members on the open market are grounds for annihilation? Should we trade only with H? to remain intact?

Despite the overwhelming menace arrayed against us, CE remain committed to it’s principles as a passive alliance, and will not respond to attacks made by H? alliance. The record shows us to be an alliance of compromise and deference, always we’ve found non-violent ways to deal with threats to us.

H? has demanded the following, lest CE be declared on:

        A) Pay 250 million gold to H?

   or B) Boot all players in CE, who hold another account in a Consone alliance

H? has been informed of the following:

       A) Nothing has been sent to EE since we were informed it might draw us into the war

       B) CE has remained out of the war, and wishes to continue doing so

       C) CE is not par t of Consone

       D) CE will not pay the 250 million gold that KillerPoodle is attempting to extort from us.

       E) CE WILL NOT defend any attacks from H?, and will instead bear the full brunt head on. As was said before, CE wishes no part in the war, and if H? wants to attack us, they can do so with no resistance whatsoever. 

***In summary***: H? are now threatening to declare war on CE because a single CE member was intercepted sending res to EE (weeks ago, I might add. Nothing was said about it until today, when I, poopnug, said something in GC about CE NOT being part of Consone). CE has been given 24 hours (at time of this post, about 18 hours remain) to adhere to their demands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhYY1HF48Lk