[ICON] Modifying the Diplomatic Advantage
There was some confusion in my group regarding the “ranks” provided in the Diplomatic Rank Advantage; which also lead to the pondering of what those positions actually do. I came up with the following information to clarify things. Its nothing special, just real world stuff put into game terms. It helped clarify things for my group; maybe someone else would find it useful as well.
DIPLOMATIC RANK
Cost/Rank
0 Attache
1 Resident
2 Charge d'Affairs
3 Minister
4 Envoy
5 Ambassador
6 Assistant Secretary
7 Deputy Secretary
8 Undersecretary
9 Secretary/Chief Diplomat
Starting with the most expensive: 6 Secretary/Minister. The ICON Advantage did not cover a six point cost. I added it for completeness sake. Everyone is familiar with this, it is simply the director of a Foreign Office or Department of State.
5 Ambassador: a diplomatic agent of the first rank. Everyone is familiar with these so we move on. . .
4 Envoy: a diplomatic agent of the second rank. Their duties are that of an Ambassador, but without permanent station. They are assigned temporary assignments: attending conferences, negotiating treateis, or simply representing a nation upon ceremonial occasions. Their recidence, office and staff, as with an Ambassador, is called an embasy. Like an Ambassador, they will have frequent contact with foreign heads of state.
3 Minister: a dimplomatic agent of the third rank. Their duties do not differ in nature, but only in proportions, from those of agents ranking above them; and unlike an Envoy, they have a permanent assignment. Their residence, office and staff is called a legation. They would have frequent contact with foreign office Directors/Secretaries, and infrequent contact with foreign heads of state.
2: Charge d'Affairs: a diplomatic agent of the fourth rank. Unlike the agents ranking above them, they are not accredited from one head of state to another, but from one cabinet office to another. They are technical aids on staff to the agents ranking above them, and would have frequent contact with technical aids of the host government.
1 Resident: As with the Charge d'Affairs the Resident is not accredited. Posted to the important ports and trade centers of foreign governments to aid and protect its nationals. They would have frequent contact with local authorities and little to no contact with the host government. The residence, office and staff is called a consulate. [The terms "Resident" and "Consul" are interchangeable, they are the same thing.]
0 Attache: As with the two above, this position is not accredited. Although assigned to the staff of the above positions they are not diplomatic personnel, rather their duties are administrative in nature.
HEAD OF MISSION
Cost/Description
1 Residency
2 Consulate
3 Legation
4 Embasy
4 Embasy: The primary residence and office of diplomatic staff to an important strategic or commercial foreign world.
3 Legation: The primary residence and office of diplomatic staff to a foreign world not accredited an embassy.
2 Consulate: The primary residence and office of staff to an important commercial city or zone. There will usually be an embasy or legation assigned to the world, but not necessarily.
1 Residency: The primary residence and office of staff to a foreing commercial city or zone not serviced by a Consulate. Typically temporary, used to judge the necessity or need of establishing a consulate.
