Slitherine

Hi, I'm just playing against the computer. Aparently I can ally with another player when they are 94% friendly with me. I went to 95% and am rated as very friendly with that country, but no mention of an alliance. Have I got to get some special building or something to have an alliance? Do I get to control their forces if allied?

Alliance just means they turn green on the diplomacy map. Oh, and that percentage varies from nation to nation, and from scenario to scenario.

In order to control their forces, you must vassalise them.

You must have diplomatic building in your capital to form a proper alliance.

Nope.

You need the diplomatic structures to conduct advanced diplomatic actions, but not to get the simple "alliance" status.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, whenever my friendship with an AI controlled country gets above the required percentage we become allied. Are there any benefits or obligations connected with this alliance, or is it just a way of indicating that I am very friendly with my ally? Thank you for any information you can give me.

Just indicates that you're very friendly.

Mainly, being allied means it is now possible to vassalise them.

But, you will usually find that you don't have enough silver to vassalise your allies.

Your allies are just as quick to attack you as anyone else if you come too close to their armies so don't expect a free ride through their territory.

The high level diplomatic buildings allow some alliance type functions - e.g. long term peace (no attacks), marriage alliance (view troops). Haven't ever got the highest level (League Headquarters); it may allow something extra.

EDIT: Just looked at the manual (doh). Nothing that interesting, at least according to the Spartan manual.