Since KK brought up our conversations I may as well shed some light on the subject for the readers of this board. We (Bat Country) have a problem with the Coppers(creek,springs and whatnot). Early on we had a bit of a tussle and peace was made. The peace did not last as the lack of leadership or whatever reason from Coppers had their own sheriff shooting at us less than a day later, mostly because some other copper leader was not satisfied. They further displayed a lack of leadership by denying any talk took place with 'real' leaders. Now, a savvy boss might decide to look into this mess and get it worked out. Not Dirtybirdy. Is he even the boss? Who runs the show? Coppers did not care, they were not interested in peace, they just want to roll smaller or weaker towns.
The reason we will not negotiate now is simple. Negotiating with them is a waste of time. They obviously do not hold their own members or each other (as leaders) accountable for anything. They made peace and shot us. Then they did it again. The evidence is on our side here KK. Regardless of all the he said she said and foolery about terms etc. Think about it. We had a peace deal and they broke it. NOW they offer peace again and that is it. All of this information was made public and all of our members have access to it. We are not hiding anything from each other. I have told you the truth from the beginning.
Either they are lying to you and you believe them, or you are simply not getting involved because of friendships. Both are fine, we do not care and I have nothing against you for siding with your friends. You are certainly entitled to play as you like. We are hardly saints. I will shoot anyone I want, we do not care about worker naps or whatnot. Bat Country is also honest enough to say that to the general public. Unless we have an arrangement or like a group for some reason we will attack anyone we choose. We play the way we want, you play the way you want.
This does bring up an interesting problem though. FoM
Creating a coalition is a fine and no doubt fun idea. Your group could be founded based on any number of ideals. The public face of FoM you want us all to accept is the white knight. You have chosen the extremist 'good' and to back that up you must enforce the code. Coppers do not live up to that ideal. Ask some copper members like Shotgun John Collins about the sister or mother comments in mails. Ask the Coppers about the first peace deal. Ordinarily such things do not matter, who cares, it is a game and have fun. You have, by taking on the extreme good stance, set a higher standard. If FoM is about protection of the weak, decency and a code of behavior then why are you permitting liars and peace breakers in?
The truth of the matter is a bit darker than the public image. FoM is not about protecting the weak. FoM is about enforcing a certain playstyle. I have no problem with that. Do not call it one thing and make it another. The reality of FoM is this. FoM does not want the pvpers leveling up in ways deemed 'unfair' (workers and such). You told me that yourself in so many words.
FoM is not about protection, it is enforcement of a certain belief system on the masses. Just be honest about it. The only reason workers are protected is the unfair xp gain and faster leveling for your competing pvpers. FoM does not want the pvpers gaining advantage in ways they do not approve. As a byproduct you are able to trumpet virtue and offer protection. All of that is fine. It is great even.! However, if you are going to preach a code it must be enforced. If you want the public to accept FoM as champions you have to actually act like champions. I like you well enough, but you need to understand the dynamics of your situation. FoM may have champions and honest people in it. It also contains the criminal and dishonest. Your PR cannot trump their history and behavior while the public sees something other than what you proclaim.
