What holds the Free People's back?

**Sgian Dubh** · March 28, 2008, 10:38 AM

Hi all,

I have a new campaign going as the Germanic tribes. It is not around turn 10 and I am just beginning to be able to field a single army that can (in many tests in custom battles) come out on top of (but just barely) the huge, experienced and multi-upgraded armies of the Free People cities to the South and South-West.

I was wondering about this in that if the Free Peoples had attacked my southern cities on turn one, I almost certainly would not have been able to keep both of them.

I like the idea of having to build and improve before going out to conquer territory very much, but what keeps them from coming in and wiping me out.

I have watched turn after turn as my army (such as it is) has faced across our frontier 1 (and sometimes 2) armies that, thanks to my spies, could carry the day against me at any moment, but they run just sit there.

I finally won a battle, by the skin of my teeth, and I am not sure why. The enemy army just collapsed when I was nearly ready to accept defeat.

This is not meant in any way as a criticism. I am new to RS and am trying to figure out how to apprach it and how to think about it so I can get the most out of the mod.

**cherryfunk** · March 28, 2008, 11:00 AM

They have good manners...

Actually, you're just lucky. In my German campaign they came at me on turn 4 and nearly wiped me out. Each campaign will play differently -- but never turn your back on the evil, smelly, flea-bitten Free Peoples!

Also, note that if they're not at war with you, they'll be much nicer. Remember that they're a faction, so you can negotiate with them, trade with them etc. like any other faction.

**Nellup** · March 28, 2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by cherryfunk

They have good manners...

Actually, you're just lucky. In my German campaign they came at me on turn 4 and nearly wiped me out. Each campaign will play differently -- but never turn your back on the evil, smelly, flea-bitten Free Peoples!

Also, note that if they're not at war with you, they'll be much nicer. Remember that they're a faction, so you can negotiate with them, trade with them etc. like any other faction.

I think he's talking about both sets of Free people, because the slave lot have many settlements up there.
What is holding them back - not much!
It seems fairly random whether they attack or not when they have a stack near a relatively unguarded city. Although the slave lot aren't as aggressive as they aren't a proper faction.
As for the other lot - because their cities are so spread out around the map, it is very difficult for the AI to actually concentrate on attacking in a certain place, so until they lose a few settlements they don't do much - except for occassionaly wiping out Pergamum.

**century x** · March 28, 2008, 11:33 AM

What holds the Free People's back? THE ROMAN SWORD.

In all in all your going to have to play a defensive war for the next idk 20 turns or more. As you build up and up and get more money. Those free people are evil and will stop at nothing to stop you. Believe me I know. The only thing I can say is good luck and pray that the free people go to war with some one else and will be distracted from you. Send a diplomat to them and ask if they can attack another faction. That will probaly relieve some preesure off of you.

**Caius Antonius** · March 28, 2008, 12:02 PM

Well basically, the concept of free people is independent cities, that seek no expansion but will fight if provoked. The major difference between them and the "Slave" Free people is the diplomacy and general management.

**Sgian Dubh** · March 28, 2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Caius Antonius

Well basically, the concept of free people is independent cities, that seek no expansion but will fight if provoked. The major difference between them and the "Slave" Free people is the diplomacy and general management.

Hmmmm. Does this answer the question in my last post. Can you have any other diplomatic interaction with a free, independent city other than "Bribe"?

**Sgian Dubh** · March 28, 2008, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by century x

What holds the Free People's back? THE ROMAN SWORD.

In all in all your going to have to play a defensive war for the next idk 20 turns or more. As you build up and up and get more money. Those free people are evil and will stop at nothing to stop you. Believe me I know. The only thing I can say is good luck and pray that the free people go to war with some one else and will be distracted from you. Send a diplomat to them and ask if they can attack another faction. That will probaly relieve some preesure off of you.

I have tried to enter into diplomatic relations with a number of free people cities (and also with field armies).

The only option I ever see when my diplomat is at a city is the "bribe" option.

I would love to negotiate for peace or something, on at least one side of my realm - but I can't seem to do it.

I did get a successful bribe on a free people city on the Mediterranean coast, but I considered it an indefensible position and not at all realistic. All of the FP cities near me utterly refuse any attempt at bribery, even when they have a small garrison and I have an army relatively close.

How do you enter into negotiations with the Free Peoples with whom you are at war?

Thanks,

**Nellup** · March 28, 2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Sgian Dubh

I have tried to enter into diplomatic relations with a number of free people cities (and also with field armies).

The only option I ever see when my diplomat is at a city is the "bribe" option.

I would love to negotiate for peace or something, on at least one side of my realm - but I can't seem to do it.

I did get a successful bribe on a free people city on the Mediterranean coast, but I considered it an indefensible position and not at all realistic. All of the FP cities near me utterly refuse any attempt at bribery, even when they have a small garrison and I have an army relatively close.

How do you enter into negotiations with the Free Peoples with whom you are at war?

Thanks,

There are two types of free people - one is the slave (rebel) faction from RTW which cannot be negotiated with, except bribing.
The other one uses a proper faction slot and so behaves just like a faction, but they are a lot less common than the slave type.

**cherryfunk** · March 28, 2008, 12:38 PM

When it comes to the 'real' Free faction -- the one that can trade and make alliances -- I have a house rule not to ally with them, since they represent dozens of different tribes and peoples. But trading with them seems fair enough to me (and can earn you some $$) -- but you're going to end up at war with them at some point. Be prepared...

**tone** · March 28, 2008, 12:43 PM

The free peoples in RS2 will be a LOT more fun to play against too. There'll be a lot more regional and unique units, testing their strength against you.