As word spread about the valuable resources discovered by the alliance and its allies in the hidden valley, it wasn't long before they began to face external pressures from other groups in the post-apocalyptic world. Some of these groups, who had previously been on the fringes or had little interaction with the alliance, now saw an opportunity to improve their own situations by trying to gain access to the newly found wealth.
A large and somewhat unruly group from the far north, known for their rough ways and lack of scruples, sent an envoy to the alliance's main settlement. The envoy demanded that the alliance share a significant portion of the minerals, spring water, and fire-resistant bark with them, citing that in this harsh world, resources should be divided equally among all survivors.
The alliance leaders were cautious in their response. They explained that the resources were being carefully managed and developed for the benefit of their own communities and those they had established friendly relations with through cooperation and mutual assistance. They offered to share some knowledge about how to find and develop similar resources in other areas, but the northern group's envoy was not satisfied and left with thinly veiled threats.
Shortly after, there were reports of small raiding parties from this group being spotted near the outskirts of the alliance's territories. These raiders were testing the defenses, looking for weak spots that they could exploit to gain access to the valuable resources. The alliance's fighters were put on high alert, and additional patrols were organized to safeguard the routes leading to the hidden valley and the other key areas where the resources were being processed or utilized.
Another group, this one from a coastal region that had been struggling with food shortages and a lack of technological advancements, approached the alliance in a more diplomatic manner. They offered to trade their meager surplus of fish and some unique handicrafts in exchange for a steady supply of the spring water and a share of the minerals to improve their farming tools. While the alliance was more open to considering this request, they were hesitant to deplete their own reserves too quickly and risk leaving their own communities vulnerable.
In the meantime, rumors began to circulate among various smaller groups that the alliance was hoarding resources and becoming too powerful. These rumors were likely spread by those who were envious or had their own motives for causing unrest. Some of these smaller groups, which had previously been neutral or even friendly towards the alliance, started to distance themselves, unsure of whether they could trust the alliance's intentions regarding the resources.
The alliance leaders held emergency meetings to address these external pressures. They knew that they couldn't simply give in to every demand, but also didn't want to be seen as greedy or uncooperative. They decided to send out their own envoys to the different groups to clarify their stance on resource management and to offer alternative solutions.
To the northern group, they emphasized that any attempt at raiding would be met with strong resistance and that it would be better for both sides to work together in exploring other regions for resources rather than engaging in conflict. They proposed joint expeditions to areas that were rumored to have untapped potential, with the promise of sharing any findings equally.
To the coastal group, they agreed to a small-scale trade deal initially, providing a limited amount of spring water and some of the lower-grade minerals in exchange for a regular supply of fish and the knowledge of coastal survival techniques that the alliance could benefit from. They also suggested collaborating on agricultural projects to help the coastal group improve their own food production using the alliance's expertise.
For the smaller groups that were distancing themselves, the envoys shared detailed reports on how the resources were being used to improve the lives of everyone within the alliance and its allied communities. They invited representatives to visit and see for themselves the sustainable practices in place and the efforts being made to share knowledge and technologies.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, tensions remained high. The alliance knew that they had to be prepared for any eventuality, so they continued to strengthen their defenses, both physical and diplomatic. They also focused on further developing their own internal resources and technologies, ensuring that they could maintain their independence and prosperity while still seeking peaceful cooperation with other groups in the post-apocalyptic world.