There are a few kingdoms that I feel play the game the right way. They come across a new kingdom or monarch and they take the time to teach them how to play the game, and help them to understand the unwritten rules a little better. Sure, it would be far easier to just take advantage of them, steal their sciences and honor, or PK multiple provinces just to get a war win, but they know the key to this games survival is people playing it. When people are constantly getting beat down, bullied, or taken advantage of and never learn how to stop it, then they feel that this game is full of jerks they will never be able to compete with and so they quit. Net result is the game suffers. However when a player runs into a Monarch that is forgiving of his mistakes, and friendly and friendly or helpful, then they not only keep playing, but they try to recruit more friends and family to play the game. Net result is the game gets better.

We have run into both sides this age. One kingdom wanted to war us, and told us they were newbies like us and it would be a fair war. I told them I would ask my kingdom but before I could get back to them they had already grown 2k acres bigger than us without me noticing. They proceeded to smoke us in war, killed 3 of our provinces, laughed at us and called us newbs, and got 3 of my guys to quit the game. Then I ran into Spartans. First he taught me how I messed up negotiating with that shady kingdom by not putting in an acre cap or no PK term(I thought it was just a given since no one else had done it since I came back to game). Then he offered us a sweet deal for war, no PK, no AW or Massacre, no deep chains, AND after war was over we help shave the provinces that grew to big. Plus, he would give us the advice we needed to get better as a kingdom. This was a SWEET deal that I immediately agreed to, then took it back to my kingdom. Now, unfortunately after dealing with that lying kingdom that killed off three of our guys, my kingdom wanted no part of Spartans so I had to back out of the war at the last minute. Spartans was forgiving and understanding and their Monarch is still helping me to this day. It is kingdoms like the Spartans that keep me playing the game, and are helping me get better at it. My kingdom is plenty active, we just lack knowledge and experience, and we will gain that by dealing with kingdoms like Spartans.

Now, I know their are hardcore kingdoms out there that use deception to gain the advantage before war. You cannot fight fair, you have to have EVERYTHING in your favor in order for you to push the button. Spartans is not one of those kingdoms, but of course they are also not dumb enough to fall for your deceptive tricks. You see, when you run off all the "newbs" you love to bully, take advantage of and laugh at in the forums, soon you will only be left with hardcore players like yourself. Then you will have to make the hard choice. 1) Learn to play straight up and with honor, or 2) Find another game where you and your buddies can bully and laugh at newbs. Here's hoping you pick #2 so this game can get better again.