@Demonic
I highly agree with you the games are great, the endings not so much.

@Acharenus
I don't think you were ever meant to chat with your siblings since they are all quite mad. They may bring out some sort of sequel that would hold more diplomacy. Besides the real diplomacy would come after the game since its a war its kinda hard to stop and chat with anyone when they are busy trying to shoot you.

Well the raven is technically all you have for commanding. You don't have any large cities that aren't a war zone.