[h2]Welcome back, pirates![/h2] After having seen how to conquer the archipelago by force [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2103470/view/4157455695155236781][b]in our last update[/b][/url], it’s now time to learn about the consequences of your actions and reputation by doing a deep dive into diplomacy. [b]PLEASE NOTE:[/b] While we are still working on the game, some of the terms, names, and quantities outlined below may be subject to change! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/a1bfd8506506ebf357e0b933963c8dbe0b1e6159.jpg[/img] Expanding across the archipelago and conquering islands are crucial steps towards rebuilding the Republic of Pirates. At the beginning of your campaign, the majority of the map will be shrouded in a fog of war which will gradually lift the further you progress and acquire more territory. As you reveal new parts of the map, you will start to encounter and interact with more factions. So who are these mysterious forces? [h3][b]Flying the Flag: An Introduction to Factions [/b][/h3] There are[b] seven major factions[/b] in Republic of Pirates with three different standings; pirate clans, private traders, and national superpowers: [b]Pirate Clans[/b] [list] [*] Raiders of the Caribbean [*] Los Guerreros [*] Gallows Men[/list][b]Private Traders[/b][list] [*] Free Traders[/list][b]National Superpowers[/b][list] [*] British West India Company [*] French Company of the Americas [*] Royal Barcelona Trading Company [/list] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/56ea813e84129d308c1ca5454b19ed7f8da9a39c.png[/img] [h3][b]Promises Made and Broken: An Overview of Diplomacy[/b][/h3] Managing your relationships with each of the factions will be crucial to succeeding in your objectives and you can do this through the diplomacy menu. Click the [b]diplomacy icon on the left side of your screen[/b] to open the menu. Here you’ll get an overview of all the factions, your current standings with each of them, and the variety of diplomatic options available. Faction standings are determined by a[b] relationship score that ranges between 0-100[/b]. These individual faction scores and associated standings will have various effects, such as how the faction reacts to your ships as well as their willingness to communicate and aid you. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/df5a1c4dd598f948af344c769e77d42acf8d79b9.jpg[/img] The effects linked to your current standing can be found below the faction relations bar. Hover over the question mark to learn how you can positively or negatively influence your relationship score. A score between [b]0-20 equates to a bad standing[/b], leading to effects such as saboteurs infiltrating your settlements, superpowers raiding your islands, and faction aligned ships attacking your fleet on sight. A score between [b]20-80 means that a faction remains neutral[/b]. Depending on the type of faction, they may still make demands, allow for meetings to take place, and will likely appear far less hostile. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/3507009c02ada1379722288f7e10538971119365.gif[/img] A score between [b]80-100 will grant you the positive effects of a good standing[/b]. This will open up a greater range of diplomatic options, and some factions may even lend their support to help defend your shores. You will be able to [b]influence your standing through specific interactions[/b] with the factions. For example, destroying a faction’s ship or conquering one of their islands will negatively impact your standing, while attacking mutual rivals, accepting trade offers, fulfilling faction requests, and bribing a faction’s envoy count as positive actions. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/6074fa2aa4081c5ac1961b7fb7fdc8a36786f417.jpg[/img] However, should you fail to fulfil or ignore a request your score will always be impacted negatively, so be prepared! [h3][b]The Fine Art of Negotiation: Diplomatic Options[/b][/h3] You will discover a variety of options to choose from in the diplomacy menu depending on the specific faction and your current standing with them. [b]Trade offers[/b]: Allow you to buy goods for a set amount of gold. [b]Superpower requests[/b]: Used to boost reputation. The faction demands that you complete a mission within a limited time. Requests can be related to delivering goods or destroying enemy ships. [b]Bribe envoy[/b]: The easiest way to boost reputation with a faction, and involves giving large quantities of money in exchange for goodwill. [b]Request aid[/b]: A special action for superpowers with positive relations whereby you can request allied ships to come help them defend your shores against another superpower's raid! [h3][b]Den of Thieves: An Overview of Pirate Clans[/b][/h3] You are not the only pirate prowling the archipelago. The pirate clans of the Raiders of the Caribbean, Los Guerreros, and the Gallows Men, are the first obstacles that will likely block your progress as you seek to bring more territory under your control. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/41b1ef37f2fc2e40aaf807a59e9ec003a03e1ab1.jpg[/img] Much like you, they have taken over islands which means you’ll need to [b]defeat their garrisons and fleets to continue your expansion efforts[/b]. They pose a [b]moderate threat [/b]throughout the game and can each be wiped out entirely with enough military pressure. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/0015682fe68cb9249c726939473aaf6efc506f1c.gif[/img] While you can build up your relationship over time, you will likely have to deal with the negative effects of your conflict of interest. [b]Negative standing effects[/b]: Regular raids on your islands and attacking your ships on sight. [b]Neutral standing effects[/b]: Troublemakers and saboteurs present in your cities. [b]Positive standing effects[/b]: Side quests offered. [h3][b]Valuable Cargo: An Overview of Private Traders[/b][/h3] In stark contrast to the aggressive pirate clans, you will frequently encounter the ships of the Free Traders. Unlike the pirate clans, they [b]own no islands and cannot be wiped out[/b]. Instead, they’ll peacefully sail through the archipelago along defined trading lanes, presenting valuable targets to opportunistic captains. In contrast to the other factions, the Free Traders will often prove to be more [b]utilitarian in function[/b]. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/434b28f99bb4427fbff533fd7e5476bde669a2de.jpg[/img] [b]Negative standing effects[/b]: Less frequent ships along the trading lanes, and when they do appear, they will be accompanied by hostile escorts. Troublemakers and saboteurs present in your cities. [b]Neutral standing effects[/b]: Trade offers will become available to further enhance your standing. [b]Positive standing effects[/b]: Side quests offered. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/f0e0028cbdd65294a809be5e53e9ca3dac7f287e.gif[/img] [h3][b]For King and Country: An Overview of National Superpowers [/b][/h3] Finally, the true powers in the Caribbean, three national superpowers: The British West India Company, the French Company of the Americas, and the Royal Barcelona Trading Company. These factions are incredibly powerful and can pose a [b]major threat[/b] to you and your Republic of Pirates.[b] Avoid attacking them at all costs[/b] and plan your actions carefully if you must take over one of their islands. Even once all of their islands are conquered, superpowers [b]cannot be eliminated[/b] from the game. [b]Negative standing effects[/b]: Ships will attack your fleet on site, and in rare instances the superpower will launch a full blown raid, sowing a huge amount of destruction across one of your islands! [b]Neutral standing effects[/b]: Superpower requests will become available, but troublemakers and saboteurs will be present in your cities. [b]Positive standing effects[/b]: Trade offers available, and request allied ships to defend your island when another superpower launches a raid. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/41b1708c3364beaa7518cab62fa5783614faf327.gif[/img] Your ability to navigate the complex web of diplomatic relationships will ultimately prove to be key to success, be conscious of your decisions as no action will go unnoticed in the archipelago! For now, that's all you need to know about diplomacy options in Republic of Pirates. As usual, make sure to[b] wishlist and follow[/b] us to stay up to date with news ahead of launch. Until next time! Crazy Goat Games & PQube