[\m/ announcement; Regarding Current Events]

@Comrade Goby

To begin with, allow me to wish you, the erstwhile [current] reader a good day and give you my thanks ahead of time [in advance] for choosing to read this piece. Indeed, [before I continue,] I feel it necessary [for me] to warn you , the reader, (Redundant.) before going on further that such a piece as this one will require a certain prose (This is anything but prose.) that would make it veritably impossible to discuss what I wish to in shortened version [a shorter fashion]. Therefore, for those of you who would wish to simply be given the point quick[ly] and eas[il]y (SEE THE UNDERLINED PORTION BELOW FOR THE QUICK-AND-EASY POINT!), [so] that you may continue to unleash your torrents of unlearned filth upon this global forum of ours (I was unaware that you suddenly grew multiple personalities.), need not read at all, [for] I take pride in telling you that I do not cater to filth such as yours [you]. Although[,] it is important to state I do not blame these degenerates for their faults,[.] Indeed, a man cannot be blamed for the fallibility of his intelligence (I don't see why not.); for as I understand it, a large number of the users upon this forum are nothing more than a pack of jive[-]talking imbeciles who do the world no benefit with their continued debasement of the written word (Ironic.). [Therefore,] it should come as no such surprise that the people of whom I speak are far behind the civilized world's standard in intelligence and in literary capability. (Redundant.) For those people of whom I speak, again, I must ask you to simply skip this piece, as I can safely assure you [that] it will contain nothing at all of which you would find yourself of interested in.

I must say [that] I am skeptical of such a thing[,] but, as a gentleman, I shall continue on[,] even in the face of my surety that no one upon these barbaric forums shall continue to read this most eloquent piece of literature [that] I have put together. Supposing you are, however, still reading[,] then allow me to congratulate you, for you have surely proven yourself a man of [a] higher standard than most of the denizens of this backwater (Because everybody wants to read what you write after you thoroughly insult them.),[.] Now[,] allow me to skip [get] to the topic at hand.

This post is about a most interesting phenomena,[:] the war between the [New] Polar Order and their slaves and lackeys, and the rightful, just, and dashing coalition made up of the gentlemen from \m/, Poison Clan, FOK, and the assorted allies of both[the latter two]. Truly, such an occasion [such] as this has been long since expected,[;] good men such as those in our coalition cannot stand and[to] live and let live as they sit[see] fit whilst men of ego and evil[vanity] (I think vanity sounds better.) sit upon their thrones and dream of what should be theirs and how to [best] take it from and oppress the[their] rightful [owners] (This sounds like a B-movie plot, or Avatar.). In this case, the NpO, as they're called by the ruffians of this forum ( shall conform to their acronyms as to not further alienate my reader base (Too late.))[, have] decided to take it upon themselves to attack my associates and myself in \m/ for what they perceive as [to be] a major grievance.

Of what grievance do I speak [of], [do] you ask? Perhaps you may recall on the older [(]and much more visually appealing forums[)] a certain military engagement between the just alliancethe alliance of FoA for the purposes of acquiring technology with which to better our [\m/'s] nations (To date, the fanciest way that I have ever heard one describe tech-raiding.). This is no new occurrence on this planet of ours, these "tech raids" happen numerous times every day upon numerous nations and alliances that are [usually] too small for most to care [about] (Well, SURPRISE!). And this is why the actions of NpO are so preposterous,[;] they seek to attack our alliance and the nations whom reside [with]in it in an attempt to prevent [further discourage] such tech raiding,[.] [Meanwhile,] when every day[,] other alliances and countless dozens of nations are put to the torch simply for a small gain in technology and area of influence by those with the means to do so (Such as \m/, correct?).

Why, then does NpO not seek to stop these raids? Even if they turn a blind eye to the unaligned nations of the world as they are destroyed and looted, what then of the small and micro alliances that are similarly razed on the grounds of monetary and technological gain? Why are these nations bereft of NpO's staunch protection in the face of oblivion? Surely these alliances are not so insignificant as to leave them to their plight while others are given protect[ion] and aid? Oh, but that is exactly the case, [for] you see, NpO counters with [the] arguments that it is, in fact, okay to raid alliances, just not ones that fall within their parameters (Or the ones that don't fit in yours.).

What are these parameters, you ask? I am sure all of you, my readers, are familiar with them, such needless constraints as "having less than X members or Y nation strength or Z treaties[.]", t is all well and good that some alliances wish to make use of these measures, perhaps to keep their member base in line and out of trouble or perhaps out of [due to] some principle for which they stand,; both [purposes] are admirable. This differs from the NpO in that these restrictions are self[-]imposed by the alliances in question, [whereas] NpO seeks to enforce them upon other sovereign alliances under threat of force and pain of death. They have proven several days ago that they are, in fact, willing to go to war to support these claims of theirs, and thus we stand [here] today.

Surely you can see the hypocrisy in the stance [that] NpO has taken, and even if you do not, they have certainly provided enough evidence that [to] debased their own claims as [and] to open the eyes of even the blinders (Awkward.) [eyes] of [you, the] readers. The leader of NpO, a certain man by the name of AlmightyGrub, has time and time again stated [that] he caredof[for] whom they claim to go to[be at] war over. Although the FoA situation was resolved days before any threats of hostility began to circulate upon the open forum, the NpO remained firm in their stance to bring us to justice for a crime that was agreed upon to be [re]solved by both parties (Given we're nuking each other, I would have to disagree with this assertion.).

Why then, if NpO cares not for FoA in the least, do[would] they go to war with \m/? They might say [that it is] out of principle, [that] it is not that we raided FoA [which] they care about, but that we dared to use our sovereign right to raid so big an alliance as FoA was (Was? Oo"). One might believe this, or look forward more so to the truth. It should come as no surprise that the NpO hates the alliance \m/,[.] ndeed, they shattered the union that bound these blingin (Blingin?) nations together years back[ago], and [yet,]now that we have reformed so their hate has only continued to fester and the[it's] infernal itch of this urged[has caused] them to [go to] war [against] those they still bore[bear] hatred for[toward].

That, my friends, is the real reason for this military conflict. The NpO hates \m/, [however, ]and while i fully believe [that] they do not wish to destroy us, [but that] they [merely] wish to prove that they can, in fact, do so and prove their superiority over an old foe. Perhaps this [it] is their sovereign right to do [so], but for a nation so convinced in[of] its own moral superiority, I cannot help but question their course of action in this regard. Perhaps they should look more closely at their own moral code before seeking to force such [a] codes upon others.

Still, what is done is done, and the tides of war have come too far now for both sides to simply lay down their weapons and return to their lands and their families. War rages, and every day[,] millions of lives are claimed[lost], nations are burned, and the world edges every little bit closer to oblivion. On behalf of \m/, I say this:

To NpO,[:] you wanted a war, and you have one. We are not the weak[-]willed alliance [that] we once were the previous time we met upon the field of battle (Funny, I thought you guys were stronger back then.),[.] Indeed, we have hardened a great deal in mind and body since our last meeting. Your conflict [has] only worked to further forge[strengthen] our ties in blood, and I can assure you [that] for every one of us that dies[,] twenty of yours will be found dead in their homes post[-]invasion or from atomic fire (Post-invasion? Oo"), [Y]ou will not take us and the fruits [that] we [have] worked for with ease.

To our allies in Poison Clan and their allies and their allies, allow me to thank you for the great honor of fighting [at your] with you side by side. This thinly veiled moral crusade instigated by the NpO cannot be allowed to succeed. I ask you, what will become of the world should such strong[-]handed tactics win the day,[?] [N]othing good, I can assure you. We will not soon forget the kindness you deliver [by] merely from standing beside us on the battlefield,[;] may we all come out victorious in the end.

To the rest of CN, know this;[;] \m/ will not back down from our principles (What principles? All you talked about are NpO's principles and how they are unfair to you.) just because one in a higher seat of power thinks [that] they can dictate to us what is right, what is wrong, and what codes and laws we must abide by. Though we may lose much by way of lives, members, and infrastructure, we will never lose our strength in [and] conviction.

WHEW. I hope I got it all.

EDIT: Forgot a comma! xD

[New resources]

I personally think they need to add a rerolling mechanism ingame to prevent delete-and-remake schemes.

Then set the remake cooldown to like 10 days or something.

[The Moldavi Doctrine]

Thank you for your input. It will be properly reviewed and filed with the rest of the rubbish.

I kindly thank the bureaucracy for their tireless efforts at making sure we rubbish-speakers are properly ignored.

[The Moldavi Doctrine]

This is the stupidest non-doctrine ever. Might as well call it the "Redundant Claim of Independence" doctrine.

[Basalt and Magnesium imbalanced?]

I'd say you already answered yourself quite adequately.

Most people in the upper levels rarely buy infrastructure, and even then, the vast majority of our money goes to our war chests. Heck, with these new Wonders, I'll be spending more on Wonders than I will on infrastructure.

We're assuming that everybody at that size is rushing to get themselves killed? Oo"

People can comfortably obtain these Wonders at around 12000 infrastructure. Most people interested in such things also tend to be patient enough to try to make for 14000 for the SDC, especially if they plan to bank.

[Basalt and Magnesium imbalanced?]

Doing the math, Potassium even without scholar is actually the best what you can get, but it´s not that overpowered.

How is it better?

Potassium: "Mined from Martian surface. +3 happiness if nation has Fine Jewelry, +$3 citizen income if nation has Scholars, +$3 citizen income if nation has Affluent Population."

This is for an Affluent Population set with Lead for Scholars. Altogether roughly +6 Happiness.

Basalt: "Mined from Martian surface. +3 happiness if nation has Automobiles, –5% infra upkeep if nation has Asphalt, –5% infra purchase cost if nation has Construction."

This is for a heavy industry Construction + Asphalt + Steel + Automobiles set. Altogether +3 Happiness and -5% infra upkeep and -5% infra cost.

Let us do the logic. Both sets use Construction and Steel. The real difference is FJ and AP versus population boosters and Asphalt.

SO HOW IS IT THAT +3 HAPPINESS IS EQUIVALENT TO ROUGHLY A 10% REAL INCOME INCREASE (this is assuming that all income is being used for infrastructure). POPULATION BOOSTERS STOMP INCOME BOOSTERS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY GET TO BUILD THESE WONDERS.

I love that the bonuses for the "lesser" resources are better. It is hopefully just the start in balancing things out.

No. They aren't. I mean, flat bonuses just plain suck at the point where you can dish out 100m for a wonder. The major resources of Construction and Asphalt just got a huge bonus, whereas Fur and Lead remain terrible.

I mean, a 10% combat bonus for Lead or +3% income bonus for Furs would make them worthwhile.

[New Images for resources!]

Due to the fact that the "worst" resources still suck, fancy new images do not excite me. =(

Why not let us build Earth Mines to "reroll" one of our base resources every month?

EDIT: Of course, all trades need to be dropped beforehand to stop mass trade confusion.

[Basalt and Magnesium imbalanced?]

Considering the fact that a nation has to be HUGE to afford these wonders and that all the other resources provide flat income bonuses, does anyone else think that these two Martian resources are crazy overpowered because they provide a percent bonus?

In addition to their imbalanced statistics, these resources benefit infrastructure-heavy tradesets WAYYY too much. Basalt DOUBLES the effect of Construction AND Asphalt while Potassium just gives THREE citizen income for Affluent Population, which is the much harder bonus resource to obtain.

I'm thinking the new bonus resources need to be fixed, changing the flat income bonuses to population and percent income bonuses. In fact, I feel these resources need to be fixed to IMPROVE historically unfavorable resources, a sort of affirmative action for resources. xD

[Instrument of Surrender for the New Pacific Order]

Those terms are completely rediculous, no alliance should have to sacrifice itself after already being destroyed by war. The doctrines and offenses were only committed by the senior government of NPO, and it is them who should face reparations, not the many smaller members who were simply part of NPO in order to have the protection of the then largest alliance. I am ashamed at the level of vindicticativeness of KARMA, isn't destroying a year's worth of growth from hundreds of people enough punishment?

PS: I am not part of NPO, or Karma, or any other alliance which participated in the war.

The thing is, Karma is not about being nice. It's about justice, which is a fancy word for vengeance. And seeing as how the NPO did this to many other alliances beforehand (curb stomp, demand unfair reparations, rinse and repeat), I find this to be nothing extraordinary. I mean with the name "Karma," I would EXPECT this.

Anyhow, if the junior members want to abandon ship, let them. They aren't the ones who will end up paying those reparations anyhow. I just feel sorry for their middle management. Coordinating a multi-alliance reparation deal of this scale will be a massive undertaking.

PS: Just for the record, I support neither side in particular. For the purpose of disclosure, I am going to reveal that I am apart of a protectorate of TPF. But this really doesn't affect my opinion of the matter.

[Address from Commanding General]

Contrary to your determined efforts, your alliance does not get a clean slate when you change leaders. Seeing as you have never granted any other alliance such a concession I find it amusing you demand it for your alliance.

Because when a country loses a war, we put all their men, women, and children on trial. No. Typically, only those in charge are held accountable. That is, officers, politicians, and whatnot.

I think it would be fair to give an entirely new leadership a clean slate. If, for example, you remove and banish ALL of the officers of NPO, it would definitely cease to be the same NPO. In fact, the entire alliance might dissolve within a month.

[Address from Commanding General]

Back on the topic of reparations...

When will some fair surrender terms be issued? I mean, the NPO has indeed acknowledged defeat (SO THERE WILL BE NO DEBATE IN THE FUTURE!). The only thing keeping them from surrendering is the absurd demands being levied upon them. If people think the reparations that have been publicly discussed are by any means "fair," it seems that there will be no end to this war unless NPO disbands or is reduced entirely into atomic rubble.

I mean, I personally am no great fan of the NPO, but I feel they should be given a fair shake. At least something that has a possibility of being paid off within a decade so as to not be resolved by another global war. I refer to the RL example of Germany in the post-World War I era.

[The Phoenix still burns bright]

Wouldn't it be more appropriate for a phoenix to have a rebirthday?

Oh well. Happy birthday.

[Rapture Annoucement]

It was most likely the NPO.

Lol. Not sure if this is serious.

[After the war]

The next war will be a war on bad grammar.

Wow, this would be a war where I'd actually root for the Nazis.

EDIT: Unless they start putting dyslexics in concentration camps.

[Some Thoughts on the Karma Coalition]

@Tokugawa Mitsukuni

I like this post. Karma is not about justice so much as it is about a shared enemy. Some alliances fight for ideals, some for revenge, some for gain, and some for the sheer fun of it. That is what a coalition is all about; although Karma's members have different goals, all of them have a common impetus, the realization that they want to see the powers-that-were destroyed.

I would not be so naive as to think everything will necessarily be better after the war, but it will definitely be different. The Continuum will no longer be the dominant political force, which is in and of itself a significant change. Indeed, the lack of such a power structure and the infamy attributed to the deeds of that power structure will make Bob a more cautious place (that or just a place that is not-Continuum, which is a pretty good deal, as ideas universally despised by Karma alliances, such as EZI, might be less common).

[Question to Poison Clan]

I'm pretty sure the rules in question are fairly universal to most alliances that allow raiding.

Errr... I hate to nitpick a long-resolved issue, but according to your leadership:

"Alliances of 15 members and under, if they have no protectorate agreements or outside treaties, are acceptable to be raided. Alliances over 15 members who have no protectorate agreements or outside treaties may only be raided after permission has been given by The Lizard (the leader) or The Toad (second in command) of the Poison Clan. If the leader and second in command are not available, authorization may be given jointly by The Snake (defensive war director) AND one other government member."

California has both more than 15 members AND has long been known to be a protectorate of TPF AND has outside treaties. Regardless of the "was" typo (now replaced by the amusing "chosed" typo), the fact that our description also stated that we had an ODP with TPF should have been noticed. A simple forum or wiki search would confirm that all of our paperwork remained active.

I don't get how california leadership allowed their members to wear "california was a TPF protectorate" in their bios while doing nothing about it. Seriously why exactly are they leading?

Ah... because the leadership so happens to be our friends (IRL)? Honestly, most of us just do what we're told. I haven't been nuked yet, so whatever we're doing seems to be working. xD

I'm fine with raiding inactive, unaligned nations. But not hitting a small alliance with visible signs of diplomatic relations. I mean, the fact that we all had mentions of protectorateship and optional defense clauses advises discretion. I'm sure though that this global conflict just discourages caution; I doubt PC would be as quick to attack anybody mentioning protectorateship with a Continuum alliance a month prior.

[Question to Poison Clan]

Always glad to know we aren't going to be nuked. I, as a member of California, appreciate that PC is resolving this issue fairly and peacefully, given that it seemed to have been a misunderstanding. I'm pretty sure the "was" in our profiles was a typo, since I was never told the protectorate treaty was canceled; we just chose not to get involved in this conflict, as California by and large is a neutral alliance. The Governator recently corrected the typo in his latest copypasta memo:

"California is protected by TPF. We have chosed not to activate our ODP with them and are thus neutral in this conflict."

EDIT: Ah crap. I just realized there's another typo. "

[IRAN Announcement]

In regards to this topic. I think you guys really need to consider how you do things at this point. Civil war should definitely be scratched off that list.

Agreed. But I guess shoot first, ask questions later, is a common policy these days (I mean the GRL ain't going any lower).

EDIT: But I personally find it hilarious that Mogar and BMP are angry at Battalion for doing what seems to be his job. I mean, they didn't want him to sign off on the peace agreement that they requested, but they're willing to honor the (rather generous) agreement anyway?

[Black Trading circle.]

Hilarious...

I'm stuck with Lead and Silver, but I'm happy with my faux-Big Three.

[Black Trading circle.]

...

I think you should drop Oil and Rubber for Wheat and Wine.

[The Phoenix Federation Announcement]

Lol. The first picture in the OP misplaced a comma. The 'shop isn't too great either.

[On the Nature of Absolute Morality]

No, there are no absolute morals, it is simply a popular moral, and I have stated why this is, please view the argument wholistically. Since almost all current alliances keep this moral, it may appear to be absolute, but it is not. Just look at vox, who no one cares that they spy.

Still, the fact that a moral is popular has nothing to do with whether or not it exists as an absolute. Much like how the popularity of any scientific theory does not guarantee whether it is true or false. No one can believe in it at all and it would be true.

Hence what I said before about your background. It would not be possible without absolutes.

Regardless, I disagree with your evaluation. I believe you are automatically assuming that I believe that the NPO is a beautiful benevolent entity. Its not (as seen with your moral lenses, just not mine), if it was we wouldn't have done so well in getting to the heights we attained, sometimes at the expense of others, most often at the benefit of our forgetful "friends." I am merely saying that KARMA is no better (and biased judgment that its worse).

I never did say you think NPO is faultless. I read your statement. I know you think NPO and Karma are both at fault. The problem is, Karma is not at fault at all (not yet anyway; you can be pessimistic, but innocence before guilt). See, only NPO believes that it is imperialistic to make it do what is right. If your father gives you a stern talking-to, is he some horrible dictator? No.

It is ignoratio elenchi to say "Karma believes that forcing its values on NPO is right; forcing one's values on another is imperialistic; therefore, Karma is attempting to establish a new ruling class." How did you get to that conclusion? I mean, it calls into question whether or not "imperialistic" is the right word. Coercive is perhaps a better choice, as it does not carry the baggage of longterm political domination.

No, you missed one of my points. I specifically and directly said that Karma and NPO have different values. One of the things I'm attempting to substantiate is that Karma is being imperialistic in forcing it's values on others, yet their values appear to be that imperialism is amoral. This conundrum cant exist, meaning that the true motivations behind Karma are NOT to end imperialism, they're to create a new ruling class. They are simply an elite few (unsubstantiated, but I haven't of any grand Karma council meetings) Karma rulers furthering their own gains, riding on the waves of public opinion. They are attempting to replace one hegemony with another, and all the alliances cheering for the death of imperialism are about to be very disappointed. Thats the conclusion I derive from my exploration.

Oh right. Because the Karma rulers don't think what is happening to the Hegemony is going to happen to them if they start emulating the Hegemony. Honestly, you assume too much to assume it will be exactly the same. Moral progress is made possible by the existence of moral absolutes. And there will be some progress, if only in the short term.

I might sound naive to say such things, but if precedent is anything to go by, I'll be happy under anyone but NPO. After all, I've only been attacked without warning by NPO in the past. Apparently I TRADED with a EZI target that restarted itself. The next day ONE-FOURTH of my infrastructure was razed to the ground without a single warning in my inbox. A "Please cancel your trade" would have done it. But no, tanks and cruise missiles from 4 separate nations was NPO's medium of diplomacy. And after I surrendered, I didn't get a dollar in reparations.

EDIT: Added quotes.

[On the Nature of Absolute Morality]

@Vilien

I have, and I believe we are both in agreement that it is rather silly that NPO is arguing that it is imperialism to be held to Karma's standards while ignoring the fact that Karma does not share NPO's values. And if NPO insists that Karma shares their values, well, they are imperialists by their own definition of it.

[On the Nature of Absolute Morality]

@Vilien

Those aren't my professions.

And I only listed mine as a sidenote in the event that the person would inquire of my own OOC background. I never once appealed to my background in my argument as a source of authority.

Once again, are you going to continue attacking a point that is secondary to the topic at hand?

[The server lockout, and the (unpopular) solution.]

@Viluin

"The fact is, the majority of people perform their attacks at the update, and it's not because of quad attacks, they do it every day because there's a certain advantage to attacking as soon as possible, either before your opponent shows up or when your opponent is active (not going to give away any detailed tactics here though)."

So you're saying there is an advantage to attack before your enemy shows up? Sounds good to me.

"Being online at the update is a must, especially if you're fighting multiple opponents, unless you feel like not winning the majority of the ground attacks in your wars."

But wait! You said we should attack before our enemies show up. Then why are we attacking at the update? Why show up at the time your opponent knows you're coming to attack? Why would your enemies attack when they know you're there? Sheer idiocy?

Your argument makes no logical sense; We attack when the enemy is not ready; the enemy is ready during the update; we should attack during the update???