In short - realms are allied say 2 rl years, but as soon as some good gang-bang opportunity opens, one realm betrays another, turn to side of enemies within days.
explanations like "we are pragmatical, we want to be successful" carry little sense for me in game where we value long-term claims, honor, want to form our characters as persons with their own values.
this simply leaves bad taste, or no taste at all for the whole concept of diplomacy, for some continents.
two possible measures:
- large h/p penalties for rulers who make awkward diplomatic actions
- long time delays for unnatural diplomatic actions - if two allies war with some realm, and one of realms suddenly wants to make peace, every step should have delays, like, first setting to neutral, than one moth after that breaking alliance is possible, than another month after that signing peace would be possible, than another month before declaring war to former ally, etc.
diplomatic ties should not be taken lightly, should be binding and played as such, an long-terms efforts should be necessary for change of stance.
than, developing in-game trust and friendship would have more value. such approach could also possibly limit monster-alliances, as not everyone is in long good terms with everyone else to be able to join gang-bang alliance easily.
currently diplomatic game can easily fall (and that happens quite often) int some sort of gang-bang lottery - first one who makes wrong step is quickly surrounded by gang-banger who suffocate him. long delays would force diplomats to act differently.
