UPDATE on Where we are, how we got here & where we hope to go in S2:

When we started S2, KIA was the #1 gang and TND was the #6 gang with two gangs each from servers 623 & 624. Right now, KIA is still #1 & TND is still #6. From day to day, week to week the other four keep moving around among themselves.

Gang Rankings:

• #1 KIA (server 625) has 97 / 120 slots filled. Lowest member is Level 26 with 27.3 M Power. 28 members have 50 M+ power. Total power 4.449 T; 4.4 g assets in warehouse/bank. Renown 1,227,483 (#1).
• #2 ORV (server 624) has 83 / 104 slots filled, aiming for 120 soon. Eight members < 27 M; 21 members 50 M+. Power 3.449 T; 3.4 g assets. Renown 823,236 (#5). Early alliance with SYN is now fractured.
• #3 OLM (server 623) has 72 / 88 slots filled, aiming for 96 – 104. Eight members < 27 M; 18 members 50 M+. Power 3.249 T; 3.2 g assets. Renown 1,055,073 (#2). Loose alliance with DMG & WRC.
• #4 SYN (server 624) has 73 / 112 slots filled. Five members < 27 M; 23 members 50 M+. Power 3.190 T; 3.1 g assets. Renown 1,005,747 (#3). Early alliance with ORV is fractured.
• #5 DMG (server 623) has 81 / 88 slots filled, aiming for 96 – 104. Sixteen members < 27 M; 9 members 50 M+. Power 3.042 T; 3.0 g assets. Renown 779,833 (#6). Loose alliance with OLM; alliance with WRC broken.
• #6 TND (server 625) has 83 / 96 slots filled, expanding to 104 soon. Twenty‑four members < 27 M; 3 members 50 M+. Power 2.713 T; 2.7 g assets. Renown 927,502 (#4). Allied with KIA.
• #7 WRC (server 623) — numbers too low to be a concern at this time.

Several members in each of the five gangs ranked above TND have played on multiple servers with multiple accounts for years. Many of these seasoned players have expressed surprise that TND remains a viable gang and has performed so well.

Keep these numbers in mind as we recall the mist‑filled map when TND moved through two level 4 gates at the north end of the west middle sea. DMG entered via the west level 4 port 90 minutes after TND, while WRC entered through a southwest level 4 gate. Twelve hours later (≈ UTC 14) much of the mist had cleared, and DMG was laying towers far faster than either TND or WRC. Their tower chain aimed at the level 5 port, cutting TND off from that port and both vital level 6 gates leading to the inner sea, while also pushing north toward TND’s nascent tower line.

DMG’s western entry gave them a superior path to the level 5 port and two level 6 gates east of the port. This western middle sea holds nine level 3 ports, six level 4 ports, one level 5 port, two level 5 gates, and—most critically—two level 6 gates to the inner sea. DMG opened negotiations with TND: peace or war?

DMG proposal 1: TND = 2× L3 ports & 1× L4 port + contest KIA for a northern L5 gate; WRC = 1× L3, 1× L4, 1× south L6 gate; DMG = 6× L3, 4× L4, the L5 port, a L5 gate & a northern L6 gate.

TND counter 1: WRC = 0; DMG = 2× L3, 2× L4, 1× L5, 1× L6; TND = 7× L3, 4× L4, 1× L5, 1× L5 gate, 1× L6 gate.

DMG proposal 2: DMG adds one more L3 port, one more L4 port, the L5 port, and both L6 gates.

TND counter 2 (accepted): DMG keeps three L3 ports and the L5 port; TND keeps four L4 ports and the northern L6 gate; both agree to block ORV from an inner‑sea gate, establishing peace in the western middle sea.

The agreement secures TND’s inner‑sea access without resource‑draining war. Some in KIA want TND to fight DMG for the soon‑opening L5 port and both L6 gates, but focusing on the inner sea is wiser: those structures chiefly stop DMG, yet DMG’s size means they could instead block TND entirely.

TND asked KIA for first siege rights to the low‑value L5 Mageye Lake gate (opens in 2 days 12 h). KIA hasn’t replied; expect a “no” and be ready to defer—maintaining goodwill for later cooperation against DMG (likely backed by OLM) in the inner sea. TND also urged KIA to seize the two northeast L6 gates to block ORV; KIA’s answer will likely arrive just before the gates open.

Meanwhile it appears OLM will capture the southeast L6 gates, blocking SYN, and will not oppose DMG taking the southern L5 gate (plus first siege of a nearby L4 port).

KIA would like TND to merge and fill their roster to 120, strengthening server 625 for S2 victory and S3 seeding. Excessive pressure, however, risks souring relations ahead of the Black Sea Expedition (UTC 14) where server 625 (KIA lead, aided by TND) invades server 623 (OLM lead, with DMG). Port Renown Duels (weekly at UTC 2) also require KIA–TND teamwork.

Server transfers open UTC Monday 02:00. Rumors suggest SYN players will join OLM on server 623 to challenge KIA, prompting KIA to push harder for a TND merge.

Of KIA’s 97 players, ~40 are ex‑TND. I’m the only TND R5 from S1 who hasn’t moved. When R5 fell to me again late S1, I vowed to stay through S2 while the gang wants me. In our Pirate Democracy the gang may change course or leader anytime; I’ll always support its decision.

Goals for S2:

• Top 6 finish: on track barring shocks.
• Enter inner sea: achievable next week if deals hold.
• Capture a gate to the level 8 port ring (top 3 finish): still possible, may need KIA or surprise help.
• Maintain a fun, safe, supportive environment for members to learn and grow.
• Offer pathways for members who want to join KIA or other mega gangs.
• Maximize member options as S2 ends and S3 begins. (Full disclosure: I plan to hand R5 over in S3 and play at a relaxed pace.)

The situation shifts weekly; stay flexible and goal‑focused.

Immediate priorities: hit level 10 on all three Personal Renown chests weekly; complete daily tasks (cabins, flagships, parts, heroes, trinkets, stargazing, events); support each other; recruit to boost gang power.

Review Diablo’s training guide for helpful tips:
https://blacksailstrategy.com/the-new-dawn-basic-training/

Above all – have fun!

If you’d like a gang vote on anything, tell me or any R4 and we’ll arrange it. Thanks, everyone, for your effort and support.