I see you have stabbed the Russian Turkey. Interested in supporting either Warsaw or St Petersburg into Moscow?
Austria, you seem to have a couple of contradictory foreign policies.

No, I support you in Russia, but I do not support you in Italy. Russia was a genuine threat, Italy was never a threat on the same scale, and still is not.

Turkey, I would like to discuss matters with you. In particular Rumania.

Turkey, to clarify, since we have this whole expansionist Germany to worry about: I have no desire to attack you, or to support an attack on you. Nonetheless, I have few options, as I need Austria's assistance to keep the Germans at bay.

Nothing would please me more than a freeze on hostilities between you both. I am perfectly content with my present position, and will be more than happy to hold the line in the Med while you both focus on someone else - especially since Austria no longer has his Juggernaut concerns.

Clearly Italy isn't going to attack anyone. He doesn't even have enough units to defend against the current attack against him. If someone else attacked him then it might go faster though.

After Germany's help, I feel a debt of gratitude is owed, which I shall repay by advise. Can I warn him against allowing England to make a large fleet advantage over him so that he cannot act other than as a puppet to England. That would be as dangerous, if not more dangerous than a Juggernaut. Germany's central position and profound influence gives him a special responsibility, and whilst I protect my interests, I urge him to ensure that he protects his in the matter of his neighbours too.

Actually, yes I do. Your lack of knowledge regarding stalemate positions betrays you.

Italy--Quite frankly an expanionist Germany doesn't sound like too bad of idea given my current position.

Austria--How are we to deal with each other? I help you with Rumania and you turn your armies around?

Germany--I am interested in the above responses...but am not close to co-operation with you.

Germany--Should be I am not CLOSED to co-operation...i.e. that possibility is open to me.

Turkey, since my objective (quashing a Juggernaut) has succeeded, the negotiation table can be totally re-opened. What do you recommend we do on the completion of the war on Russia we are in?

Turkey - I fully understand your plight. Look at mine, and you'll understand I'm in the same boat.

I think it's quite possible for both Turkey and Austria to work together, but then again I'm highly biased in favor of such a situation.

Thats good to hear Turkey.

Can you clarify Austria? What are you saying I should do? I'd prefer payment in right of passage agreements. I wouldn't want Italy to just sit there and get bored.

The English people have never expressed any hostility toward the people of Italy. They have previously resisted all efforts to draw them into a war with Italy by our German allies (Some may have noticed that the Germans have a penchant for two-front wars)

An agreement was even made between our two peoples for the safe passage of our fleets to Portugal to remedy the plight of that nation's poor citizens. That agreement was reneged upon by the Italian Navy.

If Italy is going to initiate hostilities by subverting previously agreed upon fleet movements, then the Crown may have no choice but to relent to to the German overtures. If that happens, you will be unable to defend Spain without redeploying your Ionian Fleet to the West. The great nation of Turkey would certainly appreciate such a move and could probably be persuaded to capitalize on it.

The English people ignored - and continue to ignore - my request for a nonaggression agreement. As has been stated in the past, it's a package deal - you can renegotiate it, but you don't just get to take the pieces you like and then shaft me the next round

The Crown would gladly have accepted your nonaggression agreement had you remained true to your word on supporting the relief expedition to Portugal. Since you did not, non-aggression is a much less desirable option - though not yet off the table, of course.

Germany, to clarify, you have a great number of coastal SCs, which are at risk due to the substantial and growing Royal Navy. I fear that if you do not act now the King will hold you hostage by these, and force you to do his bidding, to everyone's great disadvantage.

The Germans should well know that the English have no intention of striking at our long-standing allies. We are at war together on one front already and quickly approaching a second. Any conflict between our nations would be disastrous for both. We urge the learned Chancellor to ignore the attempted bedeviling of his fair-weather ally to the south.

England,

Days have passed since I made those offers. You ignored them. Did you expect me to simply twiddle my thumbs, hoping you'd agree *after* my only bargaining chip was gone?

I am still willing to offer you passage to Portugal, pending ratification of a nonaggression agreement. Our movements were defensive in nature, and in light of your unwillingness to communicate, fully justified in my mind.

Duly noted Austria. Would you be kind enough to support hold Warsaw while we wait for the Ruskies to disband?

Germany wonders outloud how such an impatient Italy could sit waiting to be attacked from the east. Germany proposes that you allow Britain portugal and perhaps myself spain and call it a day.

Yes, if Italy allows the English fleet passage into the North Sea and into Portugal, the English will not attempt any further territorial gains from Italy without provocation.

Dear Sultan. I take no offense at Turkish actions. They are sound based on the present circumstances. I hope that once these latest incursions are over, and a brief status quo returns, and if Russia remains at all standing, that Turkish/Russian cooperation can resume. As for the rest of you thugs - Shame on you!! Alas... where are my Cossacks?

While Italy appreciates the English response, the original offer was fairly specific, and make it nearly impossible for Italy and England to harm each other. You have said nothing of demilitarization of border areas, or of keeping out of the Mediterranean, or aiding *another nation* in making 'territorial gains' at Italy's expect. Italy would appreciate clarification on these points.

Italy has an.. unconventional offer for Austria.

While it is becoming more apparent that Italy must look after her own interests in the west, it benefits the Austrian Empire to ensure that no fleets can penetrate the Mediterranean basin.

While the Pontiff believes we have a reasonable chance to hold the West with six units, there would be a gap in reinforcements in the Spring of next year. We believe we have a reasonable chance to hold out long enough for the fleet to arrive, but there is no sense in taking chances. Therefore, the Pontiff requests that Austria consent to the immediate redeployment of the Ionian fleet.

We will have another build, and will create the unit of your choice. This unit will act as yours for deployment purposes, which Italy will pick up heath and benefits for the troops. While Italy *strongly* desires peace between Austria and Turkey, if the Austrian Emperor decides peace is not the answer, the unit in question will act as he wishes.

In fee simple for your pledge to make a good-faith effort to prevent incursions into Tyrolia from foreign powers who would disrupt the support of Piedmont, Italy offers to cede the territory of Venice at the time of your convenience. This will, of course, entail the loss of the unit to be created in Spring 04, but that is up to you.

Italy again reiterates that we strongly desire to see peace between Turkey and Austria, but acknowledge that the decision is up to the two nations in question. We would simply urge you to consider the likely consequences of allowing yourselves to be distracted.

Czar, Thank you for your understanding. It was a difficult decision to make and I will not forget what we have done together. I will assist you in ways that will work against our enemies.

Archduke, In exchange of Rumania you are offering what? Why should a turn a Russian and friendly unit into an Austrian one?

England would have nothing to gain in a war against Italy without Turkish support. Italy's terms are agreeable as stated.

What exactly are you agreeing to England?

We must all be aware that war is inevitable, and though we all seem to sign peace deals all the time, we cannot be at peace with anyone.

Turkey and Italy, either of you can be my ally if there is a way that either of us can see that makes certain the prosperity of both of us. Clearly as the two naval powers, your own needs are conflicting, and that is why I am happy to ally with either against the other. At this point I am starting from a clean slate for you both, and will side with whoever has a more compelling offer.

Turkey, if you control Rumania, then your offer cannot be compelling, since I will not choose an ally who holds the whip hand over me.

My internet connection is incredibly flaky right now, so be warned that I may not be able to change my moves before cutover - I'm waiting for my connection to come back up for 30 seconds so I can hit 'send' on this message. You'll also forgive me if I drop out of character

My offer to Austria (and Turkey) was simple - hold the door to the med while you expand via land, and just wait until the game was drawn, someone hit 18, or someone shafts me. You know what the offer is, and it's up to you, because I certainly can't prosecute a war against someone else - be that Turkey or you-and-Turkey *and* hold the med. You still can both expand without getting into a struggle to the death, but that's up to you - but I urge you to decide soon, because Germany has nowhere else to go but through you.

England has accepted my earlier offer, and I might note that these agreements are *not* mutually exclusive. England, if I cannot change my moves in time, I will still cede you Portugal (assuming you're still game), and show my good faith by not making a build. The crappy evil access point of Doom here is just *killing* me.

To all:
I'm *not* gonna win this thing; that was a given pretty much from the get-go, because being Italy in a public-post game leaves *very* little room for maneuver. That changes my goal, and given how... annoying a certain other nation have been, that goal should be pretty obvious. Since I can't do anything directly, the only thing I can do is huddle up, which forces... a certain nation to go elsewhere for expansion, and brings them into conflict with people who might be more able to strike back.

Of course, if other nations *allow* that nation to expand through me, they're gonna be next on the list, so I get to say "I *told* you so*" after the game ends. Still a 'win' for me in that case.

And I hope to God I get to post this damn thing before I go home for the day

Hey! Come on Italy we can still be friends. It worked in WW2. Seriously though, lets not let a mere military conflict come between us.

By the way, I'm only being annoyingly aggressive because I'm in character.