SirBradly, let me remind you of my original post in response to Electrocutioners announcement of war:
This is an interesting challenge for Gim and his crew. They have their own style and goals for Illy. Apparently NC would like them to play a different game -- NC's game. I for one hope that Gim and his folks demonstrate the discipline to ignore these pathetic provocations and go on playing their own game, in their own way.
Combat in Illyriad can be fun. Attempting to manipulate others to react in a certain way for one's own amusement is just sad -- and likely to lead to disappointment. Hopefully Gim and STEEL will demonstrate the futility of such tactics.
I did not actually say "go ahead, make war, destroy people's cities, whatever," but I also acknowledged that combat is fun and did not say not to go to war. I do think that your failed war against STEEL demonstrates the futility of playing a war game against people who wish to live in peace.
Just because making war on peaceful people is dumb doesn't mean you should not have done it. Hopefully you learned something worthwhile.