War declaration

Well most people know that H? and white are in war. Even tough there is no declaration.... and that is quite wrong when largest alliances are in war but there is no war stance. So for world to feel real there should be way of knowing these things otherwise part of the point of alliance is lost.  Also this is important when people are joining alliances or making confederations. When some players city is sieged for capturing or razing is clear sign of war. 

Edited by Thexion - 11 Jun 2010 at 13:51

It is entirely reasonable and realistic for there to be secret/unofficial wars.  In the case of White vs. Harmless, that war began before White existed.  It all began with Danger declaring a frivolous war on Harmless while White's core players were bunkered there.  When leaders in Harmless and Danger attempted to do the whole "official stance" thing, declaring our intentions and bawling each other out to the court of public opinion, the now leader of White very flippantly and transparently derailed all conversation by spamming misdirection and gibberish.

Then White formed and in short order began a loosely concerted effort against Harmless and in particular our smallest/newest players or otherwise low-hanging fruit (still long before military gameplay was developed to the point of useful purpose or even financial advantage over economic focus), White never bothered to actually declare war.  Given their leadership's past lack of respect for public process, and also that these forums were at the time stuffed mostly with White members, it hardly seemed worth Harmless' effort to respond differently.

We also told our potential recruits exactly what they were getting into (it would be indeed very shameful to do otherwise), and ultimately those among us who felt particularly passionate about cultivating server growth and helping newbies split off to form Toothless.  The one thing White has, to its credit, done honorably is leave Toothless alone.  (The peace hasn't been perfect, though, has it CranK? )

----

It is worth noting that lack of war declaration can work to both participants' detriments as well.  For example, an organized alliance like Harmless might very well have accepted methods for alliances or individuals to sue for peace or otherwise ending a conflict, but an unofficial conflict is not entitled to official exit strategies.  In the case of a decisive ending, lack of public process can make it very unclear which players running from the wreckage are considered war criminals, why, and how far they will be pursued.  This can lead the victor into future conflicts with alliances that unwittingly harbor said cowards, or without full knowledge of the circumstances perceive the victor as a bully exacting too great a punishment.

Furthermore, the losing players themselves may not know how condemned they are--whether they are "fully" guilty just by association with their warring alliance, how carefully their personal contributions to war are tracked by the enemy, or how serious the enemy will be about following through with post-war punishment.  Lack of such knowledge can pressure players into unwilling participation or continued involvement, leading to otherwise unnecessary consequences and also prolonging the war for the eventual victors when individual losers don't know whether they can escape either the wrath of the enemy alliance or that of their own alliance when they depart.

Well spoken HonoredMule - personally I think someone in the White Company or Harmless? should make it official - seeing as there's been  massive sieges and everything, it really isn't very neutral. 

HonoredMule wrote:  and ultimately those among us who felt particularly passionate about cultivating server growth and helping newbies split off to form Toothless.  The one thing White has, to its credit, done honorably is leave Toothless alone.  (The peace hasn't been perfect, though, has it CranK? )

What do you mean with that? peace hasn't been perfect? I know what you are saying,, but is this meant to personally attack me on forum, or did I just misread your intentions on this....