I won't occupy too much time, but the focal point of this that escalation isn't particularly well known in DF for being very consistent because of the different factors like army travel times, whether they are actually forming and if there is the sufficient population to create a escalated army in the first place.
Practically what i am proposing is the idea is that diplomatic states are visible for warfare (as to know the rough estimation of the length of a conflict) and put in a more natural progression as to the length of a war, as currently different entities can whale on each other until they're dead with maximum casualties in w.g without consideration of the exhaustion it causes.
In case of Goblins, having no diplomat and a naturally hostile level of relations they can't easily call for peace, so when they're sufficiently weakened by losses they will actually opt to de-escalate if it is really unviable for them until the situation is resolved elsewise by Fortress players or other races putting them into alternative agreements like requesting tribute if they aren't fully smashed.
Types of conflict:Skirmish: The initial activity of small raids, many of these will be reactionary like the small task forces your fortress recieves as retribution for fortress raids or disruptive action towards other entities made out of poorly skilled fighters without much historical significance.
War: The norm of fortress sieges, with often upramped numbers of well rounded or adequate skill soldiers with some distinct historical figures thrown between with mounts and war-beasts accompanying them, most entities with decent populations can afford this and will probably reach for this first when co-ordinating a planned hostile response like a siege trigger.
Major Conflict: Some nobles may be in attendance and a larger dedication of resources, this would be where figures like the Goblin General & skilled soldiers appear or in their place, land-owners with skilled men and forces to the account of how many settlements and counties they own. These nobles are appointed with the responsibility to lead the attack and singular siege machines may appear but it is not guranteed.
Total War: Usually requires a personal attendance of entity ruler and close entourage of elite soldiers & nobles, large warbeasts and siege machines. Spawns multiple armies for this purpose at once to be drafted at the capital gathered from people across the civ with synchronized targets (usually your fortress) lead by nobles like major conflict armies and checks for the required steep resources and estimated wealth of the civ to justify.
Defeating the final obstacle or sufficiently demoralizing a enemy without the resources to upgrade and sustain the level of conflict at any level such as killing or capturing the army-leaders and wiping the armies out will make them more likely to be receptive to a peace deal or offer their own peace.
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Topic: Scalable reception to escalation (Read 669 times)