For purposes of speed and realism the conflicts will be seperated into three distinct levels of warfare:
All specifics of game setup are negotiable between combatants EXCEPT number of years elapsed. If an agreement cannot be reached on one or more set up aspects of the game, then the challenged gets one choice, and the challenger gets one choice. All other aspects in dispute are then set to the game default. One player's choice may not cancel out another players. Games will be kept manageable this way.
A "Combined assault" can be initiated by two or more empires when they both agree to put up their territory for an attack. If they lose, the empires will lose how much territory they put up respectively. Treaties of Military alliance and above allow your ally to call upon you in event of war. These treaties do not "force" you to play in the pbem war but one should only choose to have these high treaties with an empire that can be counted on. A Temporary "Military Pact" may be formed with an empire who you do not hold Military or Partnership treaties with. This allows empires that may not be on the best of terms to unite against a common enemy. This treaty generates no economic bonus points and it runs out once the conflict has been resolved. May only be signed after being attacked, and must be reported within one week of the original challenge. The time limit represents the hurried mobilization of forces that would be needed, and would discourage empires from stalling until they can massively outnumber challenger.
How to distribute the spoils of war, (i.e the amount of territory being fought over) should be negotiated with your allies prior to the conflict.
Example:
A challenge that meets the correct protocols may be issued in the Space Debot forum (accompanied by personal e-mail) and must be answered within a week unless the player has already stated he would not be available. If not, half the disputed territory will be ceded to the attacker. Legal challenges that are not addressed in two weeks time will force the challangee to concede all of the disputed territory, again unless the player has already stated he would not be available. Legal challenges that are ignored will result in the loss of disputed territory. A down time of one month is required to challenge/re-challenge an empire whom you were previously engaged with. And a one month limit is imposed to accept a challenge, set a start date, and begin combat so as not to drag wars on forever. If war is stalled because an empire cannot begin after a month from the original declaration, disputed territory will be ceded.
A legal challenge must include:
Defender has the right to match or outnumber- Meaning that once you've been challenged the defender can match the number of allies the challenger posted, or outnumber them with allies of your own without the challenger being able to respond with more allies. (Only effective within the week the challenge was posted). If the challenger destroys all of the defenders colonies/ships but not the defender's allies, the challenger still is the victor. When the challenger and defender reach the game time limit without a clear victor, the overall game score will determine the winner.
Defender may refuse challenge through post if any of the above are incorrect, and challenger has to wait one week to re-issue the challenge. Amount of territory challenged may not exceed the amount challenger posseses. If challenger loses conflict then he cedes the amount of territory disputed to the defender. If player is defeated and all territory lost player will start over with 0.1 galaxies. If player decides to leave ladder the sum total of his galaxies will be divided evenly between his allies. Once battle has been concluded both sides must copy down the final battle summary/score/stats and post their win or loss. If a person is already in a "war", nobody can declare war on him/her, until it's over. A listing of "Active" or "Inactive" will be made on the ladder board indicating whether or not a empire is available to play (vacatons, other commitments).The person will just notify me and I can change their status on the ladder. If an empire is constantly inactive for many months at a time without notification they'll forfeit their trade alliance bonuses and be put under computer control. Shareware players may also join but if they challenge or are challenge an agreed upon tech level must be used.
A common datafile must be used and agreed to by all of the participants. The original datafile will be used as the default as well as to solve any arguements over which to use.
The "Blockade"
A simple means of using your economic bonus points to halt the monthly territory gain of another empire.
Example:
Aquilae Federation 0.3 galaxies/month imposes a blockade on the Gurak Dominion who only have a 0.1 galaxy a month expansion. Gurak's expansion is stopped and Aquilae now gains 0.2 a month instead of 0.3. 0.1 points were diverted to match Gurak's points, effectively blockading him.
You must spend the economic points equal to the monthly gain of another empire in order to impose a blockade. Multiple empires can blockade a single empire. The blockaded empire has the option to listen to the blockader's demands, fight everyone who is blockading him individually, or rally allies on his own to spend economic points to halt the blockade.
Example:
Aquilae Federation, 0.3 galaxies/month blockades the Gurak Dominion who only has 0.1 galaxies/month. G'urak's expansion is stopped until they ask for Ramtam to spend 0.1 of his economic bonus to halt the blockade. RamTam agrees, blockade broken.
In order to break a blockade peacefully one must allocate more economic points to break the blockade than the nation who is enforcing it is spending to impose it. At any time Aquilae can increase their economic point spending towards the blockade, thus making G'urak and his allies expend more points in order to break it. There is no limit, time or otherwise as to when and how long you may impose a blockade. Before, during, or after pbem war is acceptable. Thus you can lose a pbem war and turn around with a blockade and win an "economic war."
An empire who is blockading another may not have a blockade imposed on them. This would be overly complicated and could get out of hand. Blockading CAN be done while an empire is engaged with another in pbem. This can be representated as moderate support for one of the empires engaged.
A blockade can be used to goad an empire into war on your terms, gain a territorial advantage, or to impose your will on other empires. As in pbem, empires blockading another may decide who splits the spoils if an empire decides to submit in order for the blockade to be lifted.
Example:
Empire A submits to empires B and C on the terms that empire A surrender 0.4 galaxies to B and C. In return empires B and C sign a "peace treaty" which prohibits them from attacking/blockading empire A for how ever long is negotiated for. (1,2,3 months etc.) As in real life, peace treaties are not binding, though if one chooses to break a peace treaty I'm sure the rest of the ladder members will come down on you.
The exchange of territory for treaties, agreements, assistance in a war etc. is allowed
As always anyone who wants to suggest a change or revision just contact me. Everyone is welcome to play.
Warlord Adamus, Amaru Commonwealth (Drmr555@aol.com)
