PvP / Ascn War

For years it has been Tcol policy to keep PvP limited to a self contained bubble, which afforded relative stability/safety for the non-pvp alliances. When engaging non-pvp alliances, we gave ample room for non-pvp players to opt out. We reached out multiple times over the years to other alliances in attempts to create a stable Elgea with room for strategic PvP, without the risk of spiraling into a player base diminishing event like a server war. We remained standing alone. 

Meanwhile the PvP scene continued shrinking. The obligatory goldburn, the stalemates of plains meta, and the distance between the willing alliances led to an ever diminishing player base. In short, my members, and those of likeminded alliances, are keeping up always net-negative economies to pay for participation in the aspect of the game they enjoy most (pvp), but seeing ever fewer action for their efforts. Even when we win wars, there's little return of cost made, because the other side runs the same economy. 

The other part of the game, the traders, the hunters, the enormous alliances filled with massive inactive goldfarms, i.e. everything Ascn represents, meanwhile grows richer and richer. Partly by directly profiting from the demand created by the PvP players (market manipulation), partially because they can afford to not run troops in the relative safety of opt-in pvp.

In short, a situation evolved in which wealth flowed continuously from the "pvp bubble" to the "non-pvp bubble". Which is, in itself, not a problem. But because of the opt-in mentality to pvp, the return flow of wealth, usually represented by surrender payments, was non existent. 

This trend would, if not curbed, cause the PvP scene to shrink below a point of viability. 

It is for this reason that I made a choice. When the request came to aid Ascn against my longstanding enemy, Baynights, I realized that despite all our differences, he and I were in the same boat. We could allow rich, peaceful, and prospering Ascn to profit even more by having us fight each other, or I could reach out. I chose the latter. 

In a quick series of talks, all the remaining pvp alliances could be rallied behind a singular cause. We ended our internal wars, and declared on Ascn. Our enemy will no doubt call this a pile on. But it bears mentioning that all of us together have roughly equal land claimed to them. If their accounts are not farms, they have every chance of a fair fight. 

I am more than willing to have an openminded discussion on any or all parts of this text, but please remain polite. I understand that emotions are running high, but there's nothing to be gained from mudslinging. 

Grom