How do relationships work with other races/clans?

[Touriste]

I start story mode, I can see few clans and kobolds.

How do we improves/degrades relationship? What are the benefits/drawbacks?

Can I cross an occupied zone without attacking it?

[kronos]

i think you just take more gold if you trade with good relationships clans(and neutrals) and less gold with bad relationships clans

Can I cross an occupied zone without attacking it?

no only with snake clan and only at neutrals tile

[Touriste]

I found out as well if you have good relationship you can get special unit from different race/clan.

For example in mission 3 or 4, you can get a giant to help you.

[We know]

i think they removed the relationship bonus for trading with other clans (maybe also kobolds)
i think they kept that traderoutes get interrupted when you fight with them.
trading with giants grants a unit upon reaching 100% (not always worth it)
if you enter their zone, you loose a ton of progress

[JVC]

When you meet a different clan or race [kobolds etc], they're neutral to you. If you attack them, relations with be destroyed and any trade route you may have established with them will be broken. On the other hand, if you trade with them and don't attack them, relations will improve and you'll earn some cash.

So it really depends if you seriously need the resources they control, or if it may be a better choice to simply trade with them and earn a bit of cash.

In some missions, you can get the giants to a 100 % relationship with you by trading them large amounts of food. In that case, you'll be able to enter their territory without risking anything.