Do you like conspiracy theories?

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         Here's one for you:

         I'm having problems with a neighbouring player about harvesting rights.

         It has happened a couple of times that
          my harvesters 
         were killed
          while gathering close to one of his cities.

         I understand that some players claim an exclusive right on  whatever resources they see around their cities (see this topic, for example: 
         http://forum.illyriad.co.uk/harvesting-hides-and-animal-parts_topic5109.html?KW=gathering+resources). I do not agree with this view, but 
         I am not here to dispute it now.

         The fact is that this particular player, not content with killing my units (a bump or a polite message would have been enough), then proceeded to attack my town with numerous waves of thieves.

         Caravan killings and thieves' attacks could not be officially traced back to the player in question but, on one occasion, I happened to be logged in the game when one of my gatherers was killed. As soon as I read the alert message, I looked at the map and saw the killer's army leaving the scene of the crime to walk back into its city. 
         So now I am 100% sure who the attacker was.

         He is much stronger than me so
          I just wrote a complaint message to the leader of his alliance asking to make him stop.

         Since that, I have not been attacked by him again but here's where the conspiracy theory starts: I have just been attacked by a different player that recently appeared right next to my town.

         He killed a bunch of my harvesters and then attacked my town, only this time he did it openly, using a large army.

This village is still very small (pop. 124) so I think it's impossible he could have raised an army  of ~800 units without receiving supplies from somewhere else.

         The MO is more or less the same, so I am almost sure this is the author of the previous attacks who is now using an alt account just to keep harassing me.

         Since this time I am the strongest of the contestants, I am 
         also afraid that he is trying to create an incident to justify further attacks on me from stronger allies.

         Now that you know the facts, I would like to ask you a few questions:

         First of all, as anyone else been harassed with 
         similar methods? Did you identify the attacker?

         And then, how should I 
         handle the situation? Retaliate with force and risk an escalation of the conflict? Use the same sneaky tactics and just kill his harvesters whenever they cross my path?

Please note I would prefer not to join an alliance at this time because I think receiving too much help would somewhat defeat the purpose of the game and spoil the fun.

         Cheers

         Edit:

         @ Rill: sorry, I guess I had to clarify that this happened to my alt account. I do not want to drag my main account or my alliance into this dispute

         Re-edit:

         @ Rill: 
         I do indeed suspect that my "nemesis"

         tenariled next to me (he has no other city). That's the whole point of the conspiracy theory ;-)

         @ Brandmeister: it is also possible that, as you say, the village is not an alt from the first player but a sort of mercenary (still matches the definition of conspiracy). I will do as you say, for now, and wait to see if he attacks other people's harvesters in that spot

         @ Darkwords: I don't want to occupy the square where I was attacked as it is often harvested by other players. I don't want to kill their caravans or deny anyone access to the resource. That would be against my "liberal" views on resources gathering.

         @ Epidemic: I can easily attack the small village (and maybe I will) but the other player is definitely out of my league. Even if his alliance did not back him up, we're talking three burgeoning cities against my small town and large village.

Edited by Dwrwd - 23 Jan 2014 at 01:36 

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Dwrwd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Greenhorn Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dwrwd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Do you like conspiracy theories? Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 22:36
	Here's one for you: I'm having problems with a neighbouring player about harvesting rights. It has happened a couple of times that my harvesters were killed while gathering close to one of his cities. I understand that some players claim an exclusive right on whatever resources they see around their cities (see this topic, for example: http://forum.illyriad.co.uk/harvesting-hides-and-animal-parts_topic5109.html?KW=gathering+resources). I do not agree with this view, but I am not here to dispute it now. The fact is that this particular player, not content with killing my units (a bump or a polite message would have been enough), then proceeded to attack my town with numerous waves of thieves. Caravan killings and thieves' attacks could not be officially traced back to the player in question but, on one occasion, I happened to be logged in the game when one of my gatherers was killed. As soon as I read the alert message, I looked at the map and saw the killer's army leaving the scene of the crime to walk back into its city. So now I am 100% sure who the attacker was. He is much stronger than me so I just wrote a complaint message to the leader of his alliance asking to make him stop. Since that, I have not been attacked by him again but here's where the conspiracy theory starts: I have just been attacked by a different player that recently appeared right next to my town. He killed a bunch of my harvesters and then attacked my town, only this time he did it openly, using a large army. This village is still very small (pop. 124) so I think it's impossible he could have raised an army of ~800 units without receiving supplies from somewhere else. The MO is more or less the same, so I am almost sure this is the author of the previous attacks who is now using an alt account just to keep harassing me. Since this time I am the strongest of the contestants, I am also afraid that he is trying to create an incident to justify further attacks on me from stronger allies. Now that you know the facts, I would like to ask you a few questions: First of all, as anyone else been harassed with similar methods? Did you identify the attacker? And then, how should I handle the situation? Retaliate with force and risk an escalation of the conflict? Use the same sneaky tactics and just kill his harvesters whenever they cross my path? Please note I would prefer not to join an alliance at this time because I think receiving too much help would somewhat defeat the purpose of the game and spoil the fun. Cheers Edit: @ Rill: sorry, I guess I had to clarify that this happened to my alt account. I do not want to drag my main account or my alliance into this dispute Re-edit: @ Rill: I do indeed suspect that my "nemesis" tenariled next to me (he has no other city). That's the whole point of the conspiracy theory ;-) @ Brandmeister: it is also possible that, as you say, the village is not an alt from the first player but a sort of mercenary (still matches the definition of conspiracy). I will do as you say, for now, and wait to see if he attacks other people's harvesters in that spot @ Darkwords: I don't want to occupy the square where I was attacked as it is often harvested by other players. I don't want to kill their caravans or deny anyone access to the resource. That would be against my "liberal" views on resources gathering. @ Epidemic: I can easily attack the small village (and maybe I will) but the other player is definitely out of my league. Even if his alliance did not back him up, we're talking three burgeoning cities against my small town and large village. Edited by Dwrwd - 23 Jan 2014 at 01:36

Rill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Player Council - Geographer Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 6903	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 22:43
	If you are the Dwrwd from the game, then you already belong to The Priory and have since December 13. I suggest you consult your alliance leadership.

Deranzin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Status: Offline Points: 845	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deranzin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 23:10
	Ward of intentions. Zap everything. Problem solved .?.

Rill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Player Council - Geographer Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 6903	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 23:34
	Since you have a larger account and an alliance already, and presumably some experience in the game, I would suggest leaving the newb alone. It is interesting that you are suggesting this other person has a larger alt when in fact you already know that you are the apparently new player who actually has a larger alt. Does the person with 124 population have more than one city? If not, are you suggesting the person Tenariled near your city with such a small city to harass you? Or that the person simply made and abandoned multiple accounts until they happened to have one that spawned a city near yours? Of course it's possible, but it seems more likely that your newb alt has gotten into the usual newb ring conflicts.

Darkwords Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Joined: 23 May 2011 Status: Offline Points: 1005	Post Options Post Reply Quote Darkwords Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 2014 at 23:41
	I would suggest you send occupations to the squares you harvest from for sometime, if he attacks these then you have evidence he was the agressor if he tries to escalate things.
	<Deranzin> I'd agree with darkone on that [21:59]<ropadope> you know I am perverted <Bartleby> dark is upsetting some peeps

Epidemic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 768	Post Options Post Reply Quote Epidemic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 00:07
	Attack both players, thats what i'd do.

Brandmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Location: Laoshin Status: Offline Points: 2396	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brandmeister Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 01:08
	@Rill: I believe he is suggesting that the aggressor has enlisted the aid of a newb that spawned near him, and is supplying that newb with armaments. @Dwrwd: I suggest just harvesting further away. Your harvesters are indistinguishable from any other new player. He can't kill what he can't find.

Rill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Player Council - Geographer Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 6903	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 02:20
	Check to see whether said player has any other cities within 10 squares of him. If he does, he didn't Tenaril there (unless they spawned after he did so).

Brandmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Postmaster General Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Location: Laoshin Status: Offline Points: 2396	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brandmeister Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 04:52
	It is confusing that the author of this thread is posting replies in the OP, instead of as replies. I'd rule out Tenaril or exodus, and go with either mercenary or unrelated coincidence. When you hunt, set your army to Occupy. Problem solved. For thieves and direct city attacks, I recommend a slaying rune.

Dwrwd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Greenhorn Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dwrwd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jan 2014 at 13:48
	The problem has been resolved, at least for now. I eventually decided to go all in and attack him frontally relying on the fact that my Longbowmen are far superior to his more numerous spear units. Once I wiped out all his armies I proposed a peace treaty involving some small compensations that he immediately accepted. Anyway, during the brief conflict, my spies found out that his stash included ~ 1.3 million gold and 60 siege engines. Not the kind of resources a newbie can get as a welcome gift. This guy is definitely being supported and instigated by someone else and is not just an overenthusiastic, belligerent newbie. I'll try to enjoy the peace as long as it lasts but my gut feeling tells me I will have to watch my back as long as I stay in this area and not affiliate with an alliance. I am particularly worried by the siege engines because they imply that the guy has some long term plan to siege and raze my town. At least this was a good exercise in tactics and diplomacy and a wake up call to be prepared in case some serious threat arises. Thanks to all of you for the advice.