It would still take time to properly get the boat moving though, I imagine it would be a lengthy process, with all of the sail unfurling and oar-readying. Even then, I have the feeling these reserve ships would be undermanned, since most of your fleet and sailors are in Crete.
I was thinking something more of a 1:1 ratio plus whatever else they would manage. 30 unmarked ships could easily get in and do at least a 1:1 ratio.
We will allow a city on the Nile delta, though under certain conditions. This city will be a neutral trade port, with a joint council led by an equal amount of Dalmatians, Tyrians and Levantines. This city will also be split between three zones of control, but the harbour will be neutral between the three states. Our three states will send a roughly equal amount of colonists. Tyre will send five warships with 1000 colonists and half that number of Tyrian troops.
..? Dalmatia would like to reiterate it's question. Do you want any of our trade goods? We could also offer iron, wood or bronze jewellery.
And please explain why my ships would be unguarded. How would 30 suspicious ships get through my harbor gate with out being inspected. How would they damage even a single ship.
Reiteration is good. We thought that you meant ANYTHING. Um... we'll take up those luxury items. We'll trade gold.
Tyre will send another exploratory vessel, with five cartographers on it, in the same direction as the first one. This time though, our ship will try and establish contact with any native civilisations with provinces or cities among the coast.
I just want all the trade nations to know once we take Athens we are going to need slaves and lots of them. Tens of thousands of slaves to rebuild our empire and work on construction projects.
Markus orders two of his guards to go into port and ask for Ruler of Carthage to come meet with the Roman Leader,
Tyre will appreciate any aid, and will negotiate some kind of deal once the city on the delta has been completed. Tyre will begin rounding up available slaves, and purchasing others from Babylon. However, we will cripple all of them in such a way that they can never wield weapons again.
Dalmatia accepts the offer. We will send 1,200 colonists to start building the city, on 5 warships, but we regret we can only spare 200 troops at most for this new endeavour. Dalmatia would prefer that the city was not physically divided into three, only politically, thus allowing greater integration between our three nations. We are eager to hear the plans the Tyrians have to start building this city, and would like to see a reflection of both our cultures in the design.
Sparta understands why you do this still thinking we are warmongers. We ask how doy ou make them unable to hold a weapon but able to hold a hammer?
Dalmatian trade boats are now on their way to your glorious state, laden with goods from the east. Dalmatia's navy is beginning to be stretched, now a trade route has been opened up to the west. We order the construction of 10 more warships. We also ask the Tyrians to temporarily help to protect our trade routes, as our ships are being built. We will pay you generously for this service. @Epiccheesegrater
