Posted this on the official forums, but I know some people may be interested in it here as well.

Over the past two days I have tried to conduct interviews with all the participants in WW2 in order to find out what actually started the war and where the war may take the land of Agon. I have managed to contact Gluttony (CC), Osium (Afghan), and Maj (SBA). However, due to time restraints (we all know how fast things move in DFO politics) I have forgone contacting Vindicators and KFC for their take on the situation. These two parties are highly encourged to comment on this post and offer their side.

Below is the results of my efforts to better understand the "War," what the opinions are of the participants, and my own commentary/Theorycrafting.

Background
1) Prior to the final fall of Hyperion, serveral guilds from within the Hyperion kingdom revolted, more of less, and started their government in the Aradoth province known as KFC of The Free. When this happened, Gluttony promised to protect the new alliance from harm for approximately two weeks. While the threat of CC involvement in any siege laid against The Free was primarily directed at Hyperion, who at the time still held power, it was a blanket statement. The post was made on May 2, 2009 and can be found here.

During this same time, the Afghan alliance started to show the power it has attained through ... various means and felt that it was time to take a city. Looking at the political map and the options it bared while also taking into account the desire to own a foundry, most likely lead the Afghan alliance to pick Aradoth as its target. While I can't say for certain when the Shard was dropped on the city, the post that makes reference to the attack was made on 05-17-2009 at 01:37 AM. Did the Afghan Alliance really expect CC not to be involved and keep its word to the letter (May 16th being the end of the offered protection)? CC did get involved to help protect Aradoth form being taken by providing between 40-60 people (number aren't confirmed).

Subsequently, a mini brawl erupted between The Free and Afghan alliance with post such as this popping up all over the forums.

Meanwhile, the war between the SB and Dusk (now Carebares) continued. Dusk was supported by the Afghan alliance who was on contract for protection, training, and offense for approximately two weeks and the Vindicators has been under the protection of CC for awhile, after all the taking the city Vindicators owns was a joint effort between Dusk and CC. With the fall of Hyperion (around May 13th), CC began taking away it protection, but refused to let go of Vindicators. Once CC got involved with The Free siege, Afghan stopped helping Dusk/Carebares although the contract could have ended at the same time. After Afghan took Aradoth from The Free, they signed a mutual defense pack with SB which will be discussed later.

"The War"
The above buildup culminated in a War between all parties who have been involved, each taking up a side while others joined for profit. For various reasons, Afghan decided to lay siege against Mal Shal the CC alliance capital. CC lead their forces along with Dusk and The Free against the Afghan who was joined by SB and various merc clans. The end result was the successful defense of Mal Shal against Afghan followed by myrid of post such as

Goons started WW2 by nutcupping with KFC when we attacked Aradoth

SB official response

But did Afghan really lose?

Commentary
As I mentioned, I managed to get ahold of the major parties involved in this "World War." To remove any chance of basis, I conducted the interviews online and screen capped each "interview" to have complete transparency.

CC-Gluttony
Part 1
Part 2

As you can see, if you read the interview, Gluttony was pretty much straight forward with his opinions on the war and where he sees it to lead. Based on all the buildup to the "War" I don't have any reason to distrust his motives and reason behind wanting to bring the hammer down on Afghan and why he decided to aid The Free/KFC alliance.

Gluttony attributes the successful defense to Poor leadership by the Afghan Alliance, Good leadership on his side, and the delivery man in that order.

Afghan-Osuim
Part 1
Part 2

As you can see, Osuim was pretty typical cocky as always, but at least his motives for targeting the CC capital is made abundantly clear. As he stated, it was a win-win situation since CC's extensive friendly alliance network was exposed. While it could have been handled better, note the post made by Osium above, it accomplished its goal and was kinda of well thought out.

SB - Maj
Full interview

The interview just reaffirmed the SB official response post. Long and the short of it, SB got involved because Dusk/TCA was helping CC and CC refused to drop its protection. The sieges happened independently; however, it was mutually beneficial. Think of it what you will.

Personally, all parties involved were pretty much justified in their dealings from a Realist perspective and I personally can't fault them. The war evolved naturally and is closer to WW1 than the Hyperion v CC conflict.

Theorycraft: The Out come of the War

Keeping this short and simple: People hate Goons. This much is certain. However, people hate aggorance more. Osium has done exactly what I thought he would do in this post, insult everyone. Thus, he burned any bridges that may have helped Afghan fight the Goons out of principal. Thus, it is my opinion that the Goons will win this war through numbers and leaked information.

SB will be left alone for the most part, assuming they don't take on CC directly. They are helping Afghan for legitimate reasons, and have kept their involvement at a minimum only when Dusk shows up. This is known to everyone.

For the Goons to be taken seriously they should lift their protection from Vindicators; however, this wont happen because the Vindicators are the Goons direct influence on Dusk/TCA political moves. Direct conflict may ensure resulting in another War, but it may not.

After the war is over Goons will make further cuts to their alliance. I suspect they'll keep around 800-1k members and maintain friendly relations with some of the guilds that are "cut" to re-zerg up when necessary.

Of course, this all doesn't matter if the NA server is launched in July. After all we don't want this sever anyways :P

Thank you for this : )

And some claim DF have no lore! LOL

Great read, thanks!

So, yeah, this game's pretty much just a giant circle jerk? As far as I can tell, there're no "politics" in this, only a great deal of empty bragging and zerging.

How people can say that Darkfall is a "complex political experience" is beyond me, children's playgrounds have more complex politics than this.

From reading the links to all the QQ'ing on the official boards the most common theme between all of them is...

All the major alliances exploit and cheat every opportunity they can. 

Hopefully Aventurine can get a handle on all the exploiting.  As it stands now, there isn't much reason for a new player who wants to play by the rules to even start playing.

Originally posted by Dawnherald

So, yeah, this game's pretty much just a giant circle jerk? As far as I can tell, there're no "politics" in this, only a great deal of empty bragging and zerging.

How people can say that Darkfall is a "complex political experience" is beyond me, children's playgrounds have more complex politics than this.

Clearly you have not played this game or its political war. If you have no interest in it, why are you keep on posting on the DARKFALL ONLINE forums, to me you people like you have a grudge with this game, and just flame it. I think they have a word for people like you.

P.S. great read thanks, keep it coming

Originally posted by xzyax

From reading the links to all the QQ'ing on the official boards the most common theme between all of them is...

 

All the major alliances exploit and cheat every opportunity they can. 

 

Hopefully Aventurine can get a handle on all the exploiting.  As it stands now, there isn't much reason for a new player who wants to play by the rules to even start playing.

 

 

I agree to most of this, and you have  a great point, IMO the grind for Skill ups need to be reduced for now, or fix every macro exploit and hack and then do a wipe. But if they reduce the skill up grind then it should even out a lot faster.

no one cares about cheating guilds and lame slide show zergs.

Originally posted by IVlonarch

no one cares about cheating guilds and lame slide show zergs.

You care so much that you would come here and state you dont care.

Pwned

Originally posted by Einstein-DF 

You care so much that you would come here and state you dont care.

 

 

 

Pwned

You do realise that that wasn't funny?

Originally posted by Dawnherald

Originally posted by Einstein-DF 

You care so much that you would come here and state you dont care.

 

 

 

Pwned

 

You do realise that that wasn't funny?

I've noticed that you have been purposely trolling in this forum. Why don't you quit acting butthurt and go troll MO instead before it comes out.

Originally posted by Izure

Clearly you have not played this game or its political war. If you have no interest in it, why are you keep on posting on the DARKFALL ONLINE forums, to me you people like you have a grudge with this game, and just flame it. I think they have a word for people like you.

 

P.S. great read thanks, keep it coming

Why are you on these forums, instead of the official ones?

Originally posted by wyrdaskolir

I've noticed that you have been purposely trolling in this forum. Why don't you quit acting butthurt and go troll MO instead before it comes out.

Great strawman argument, that.

Originally posted by Devour

Originally posted by Izure

Clearly you have not played this game or its political war. If you have no interest in it, why are you keep on posting on the DARKFALL ONLINE forums, to me you people like you have a grudge with this game, and just flame it. I think they have a word for people like you.

 

P.S. great read thanks, keep it coming

 

Why are you on these forums, instead of the official ones?

hes on both