Acre hate seems to be an integral part of this game, despite most people secretly own up to the fact that they like James, or hate him but never really talked to him. And anyone who's been in Acre TS knows what a bunch of fun guys they are, and in any battle James was helping lead he's always been pretty damn awesome.
But I find it really pathetic that some people refuse to be in the same faction with other people because 'they don't like them'. It's a game. Churchill didn't like Stalin, but he didn't stop playing on the Allies side. Tonya Harding didn't like Nancy Kerrigan, but that didn't make her quit the US Skating team. Luigi didn't let his jealousy of his older brother make him quit Mario Bros.
Acre was very good to work with. As I said earlier, they kept the economy running in KotN and HCE. When I said 'they did nothing', I only meant for a faction of their size. The core 5 or 6 were busy, but the 35 or so others' interest waxed and waned. Typical of new players. Just did enough movement that we couldn't boot them from the faction for being inactive. But everyone looked at our numbers and thought we should be uber-powerful. But, as an example, it was Mathew who begged me to let him attack the Hounds. I agreed on the condition that I got to attack on the first wave, and then rigged an election so we could do so. And plus they saved me many times they reinforced me when rushed in like a mad man and bit off more than I could chew.
So definitely a good clan to have on your side.
As for people asking me whether 'I told James to stuff it' when he suggested we work together again, that is not true. This strat I had planned on being merc, then I decided to do nothing, then I decided to do nothing as King of Halitrous. Then I got interested in Strat again. But I wanted to be a small faction. That is why I left Halitrous. That is why I declined Knightmare's and other's invitations. And that is why I declined James. Holding lands takes all the fun out of this game. You gotta worry about stuff and shit.
Though I admit I made a truce with the Vegetation of Calradia, but this is only a non-aggression pact until our war with Gobblins is over and their war with the insects are over. We also agreed to not arm the caterpillars and potato bugs.