Settings:

Huge map, everything random (seems to be pangea)
16 opponents
Monarch difficulty
Persians

some minor modifications (see here (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=114111) )

I am currently at the beginning of the mediveal age.

What happened so far?

Early expansion:

Before I even build my first city, three AIs have met me. OK, this will be crowded. I was able to found like 7 cities before place became scarce. I had iron (twice) and horses in my teritory.

The egyptian war

My first target were the egytians. They inhabittated a very rich, but also a very small region to my west. In other words, they were an ideal victim. The war went pretty smooth (I had immortals and SoZ, a lethal combination in AI). Only Thebes put up a valiant defense, repulsing me twice, both time having only one bady damaged spearman left when I ran out of units. Allthough they were our enemies, their courage will be remembered.

The dutch war

After the destruction of egypt, we bordered the dutch. I didn`t really want to conquer them, but they had a couple of cities that were cut off from their core, wich I took. I then made peace, and got a nice island for it.

The roman war

I took a short breath, then put my attention south, were the romans dwelled. Again, war went smooth, as I had an army of ancient cav (my second actually, the first died due to my impatience). After I took three cities, however, I was forced to stop my agression. The aztecs declared on me.


this was just a very, very brief abstact of what has happened in the AA.

Time for a more detailed view on my empire.


resources

Lokking very good. I had two sources of iron in my initial bordes, got two more from the egyptians, and one from the romans. The city I got from the netherlands for peace is on a ony-tile island and guess what? It has iron on it.
So I have 6 iron in my relatively small empire, wich is nice, because it also means that several AIs will have none.
I have at least one quantity of horses also. Other resources are yet unknown.


productivity

I have recently switched to monarchy, and all my cities are growing. My palace location is bad, I am currently relocating it to a more central place. I could build the FP, but I will wait with that, untill I conquer a area that will become a semi-core.

wonders

Not so great here. I got SoZ, but that`s it. I am currently working on sistine, but I doubt I will get it. I am missing 20 turns, but the cascade from sun tsu will most likely be faster, if the AI has theology then. Right now, no one has it but me, and i am not giving it away, but I fear they will get it in time.

sience

I have theology and invention, and am working on music theory.
I lack feudalism. You might ask why I didn`t got the military advances, wich would have benefited me more. Well the answer is that I am hopelessly addicted to sistine an bach. Sigh.

happiness

Looking good. I had ivory next to my starting location, and got wines from egypt. The few conquered dutch cities had spices and gems (though i recently lost the gems to the aztecs). I have also spotted silks in my borders, wich are just roaded.

diplomacy

Well, everyone hates my. But let them hate me, as long as they fear me. My reputation seems to be ok though. I am only at war with the aztecs. I really shouldn`s have left that border city undefended.

power

The military advisor says I am equal powerful as most other nations (wich is quite new for me, usually I am weaker, even if I just conquer them). The only nation that is stronger then me are, you guessed it, the aztecs.


Outlook: I don`t really want the war with the aztecs. But I want at leasy my gem city back. I doubt that I will press much further, I would have to cross these mountains, and the land I get will be connected only throgh a small corridor.
Well, I`ll see.


I add two pictures of my empire. The core, with the recent addition of the roman cities, and the conquered egyptian/dutch region. Btw, Zohak is the city the aztec took.

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/core.jpg
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/conquered.jpg
(the hatched areas indicate the conquered areas)

660 AD

Ok, let me take a closer look at those aztec pesters.
Their teritory isn´t that bad - It`s closer to mine than I thought, and after my conquest I am in a perfect situation to finish the dutch, toohttp://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/wishful thinking.jpg

Ok, that is the dream. Now for a small reality check. I have no technological advantage and my army is smaller. Oh, did I mention that my troops are also at the wrong side of my lands?
There is no way that I can hold that city. So I have lost two cities, and will likely lose even more before I can turn the tide. If I can turn the tide.
The aztecs advantages are that they have a larger standing army and pikemen.
My advantages are that immortals are statwise identical with med. inf., but cheaper. I also have probably more cities, so I *should* win a war of atrition unless the initial momentum carries them far enough to cripple me.
Still, right now I would be rather playing with the aztecs...


670 AD

OK, I lost Kabirn. No surprise there. My troops hurry from the roman border towards the aztecs, but will they arrive in time?

680 AD

Well, I am in deep trouble, it seems. 3 longbows, 3 swordsmen and 8 med inf are invading me. Not so terribly much, but I have one spearman in each city...
My army isn`t as big as it should be:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/trouble.jpg

Now if they were all together I would not be so concerned, but they will all arrive one by one. Bah.

690 AD

I lose Maaslit, as expected. My first arriving ancient cavs start to harass the aztec troops - I kill 1 spear and 1 sword, no losses. Retreat to Haraan.
The Inca construct art of war.

700 AD

The aztec troop venture to ergilii, forming a SOD. I have no defenses there. Now it`s too late. It wouldn`t have helped much, but still a mistake.
But there are good news also. If all those troops are up there, capturing worthless (more or less) cities, I can cut them off from reinforcements and slowly tear them down, one by one if I have to.

Damn, those dogs are smarter than is good for me. There is a decent rearguard. Well, I have to deal with them first.


http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/rearguard.jpg

Well, I had no choice but to attack them. My sacrifices to the rng god paid off, and I killed 1 pike, 1 longbow and 2 swordmen. Nearly all my AC were redlined. And thats where the aztecs sacrifices to the god of stupidity paid off. I tried to retreat to the city, but hadn`t enough movement. So my redlined cav ist standing there, sitting ducks. If I just let them stand, they would be save under my army. Unless there are even more unpleasant things under the fog, only one archer and one longbow can attack, but that`s probably enough. I moved one immortal to protect them. If the archer attacks first, he might be able to fend him off. If the longbow attacks first, he will act as ablative armor. I can replace immortals fast, AC not. And I need some fast attackers.
I should have researched chivalry instead of music theory...
And I should have build (or at least try to build) sun tsu instead of stupid sistine. I have only one cathedral anyway.
That`s 4 mistakes in one update. I rule so hard.

Oh, and by the way, I will lose spices next turn. I had 4 riots last turn, I can`t wait to lose one more lux...

710 AD

Of course the longbow went first, killing the immortal. And of course a med inf came out of the dark, killing the first AC, the archer dealing with the second. Ouch.
In my turn, the med inf killed yet one mor AC, before the army got rid of him.
All in all I lost one immortal and three ACs and killed one longbow, one archer, one spear and one med inf. Pretty bad.
I did some trading this turn. The wikings offered feudalism for silks, ivory, monotheism and engeneering. Does this seem fair to you? To me neither. So I demanded to raise their offer by two gold, wich they did. We then had a deal.
I gave wines, iron and education to the germans and got chivalry (yippie!) and invention.
I also sold wines for 120 gold to some other civ, but forgot to note to whom.

Having chivalry, I set nearly all my military producing cities to knights. This means that will be now new troops for a while, wich coincides perfectly with my pretty high losses last interturn. Oh well, I guess knights are worth it. I hope knights are worth it.

There are also some good news. My citicens took the loss of spices with dignity, no riots this turn. Some careful scanning of my cities even detected two clowns that could be made scientists.
Oh, and sistine will be completed in 8 turns. I even found that I had two cathedrales!


Btw, this isn`t going the way I planned. What should have been the log of my glorious owning of the AI has turned into the description of my struggle for life.
stupid aztecs.

Ok, that was it for this afternoon. If you have any suggestions, advices or demands, feel free to offer them.

All right, next turns.

720 AD

Rather uneventful. I let my army heal in field, rather than pulling it back in a city. With the turn wasted moving it wouldn`t be much faster, and by letting it in the field I keep some options. I decided to try to go for Knights Templar in Passak. I probably won`t get it, because of the cascade, but I can switch to heroic epos.
I sold the temple in Nordok, it will be destroyed anyway.

In the interturn, the aztec cowards hired the Zulus. The Zulu are weaker than I am, but a second front is the last I can use now. So I bought mercenaries too. I decided to utilize the chinese. I gave them education for it and even got republic as change.
The SOD that moved to Nordok took it, and headed back south.

730 AD

I charge Maasilt, and kill 2 pikes and one longbow. 1 redlined longbow is all that defends the city now, but I have only 1 redlined imortal left. I decide not to attack. My imortal would be killed next turn, and I still don´t have the city and a unit less. The longbow won`t go anywhere anyway.
I can however attack the reinforcements. I kill a swordsman and two med infs, quite nice. I had lost no unit this turn.

Interturn.
The SOD captures Nordok, then heads back south. My exposed imortals get attacked twice, but manage to repel both attackers. Both get promoted to elite. RNG has been nice this turn.

Quick map:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/smaller ambitions.jpg

Note that my ambitions are of much smaller scale than they were 4 turns ago...
The green arrow is the direction the SOD will move this interturn.

740 AD

I rush barracks in Haraam. I finally capture Maaslit, killing 1 pike, 1 spear 1 archer and 1 longbow doing so. Still no losses. Army retreats to Haraam.
The SOD is now loitering in the forest north of Haraam. It can move either towards Haraam (good) or Giza (bad). Let`s hope...


In the interturn the SOD mocked my predictions and went back to Maasilit. Monty also decided, in his wisdom that it would be smart to seperate the two pikes from the rest of the stack. Fine with me.
In other news, the first aztek knight apeared. Sigh.
I lost one AC.
The Babylonians got destroyed - OK.
In the south the first impi appeared. No major thread, however.

750 AD

I killed the knight with an elite imortal. My other imortals could attack the SOD (wich has an swordman as its best defender) but I haven`t near enough to finish it. I wouldn`t survive the retaliation. So I decided to victimise one imortal to kill the damaged med inf that blocks the road to Maasilt, and move the rest of my imortals into the city. Next turn I can then attack with my imortal out of Maasilt and with my freshly healed cav and army from Haraam.
I also killed one of the pikes that left the stack and ended my turn.


Interturn

In the south, a lone wandering aztec pike pillaged one of my irons. Fortunately, I have two more connected (remember I traded one).
The impi anvances on one of my silks and one med inf arives also. Not much, but not much I can do about it either.
On the northern front, the SOD laid siege to Maaslit, killing my victimised imortal along the way. The imortal that killed the knight heroicly defended against a med inf.


760 AD

We discovered music theory. I resisted the urge to research astronomy and went for gunpowder.
The stage was set for my attack on the SOD. My units in Haraam were freshly healed and in striking range, same goes for those in Maasilt.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/sod death.jpg

I sacrificed to the rng god and attacked. The outcome beat my boldest hopes. I wone every single fight (even my damaged heroic imortal)
Alltogether I killed 1 spearman, 2 longbows, 2 swormen and 7 med infs. After that, the aztecs troops in the northern theater were reduced to 2 lonely pikemen and one archer.
So, part one of my plan worked - isolate and destroy the SOD.
The next step will be the reconquista of my cities, and then I am still determined to execute my bold maneuver I outlined above.

Still I now have to do a lot of healing first, have to deal with the guerillas in the south and sooner or later I will have to pay for my stroke of good luck...
On the other hand, the first knights (MY first knights that is) should arive soon.
All in all I am more confident than 4 turns ago.

Cool story. Can we get a zoomed out screenie of the whole map?

Interturn

I shuffeled my troops in the south a lot, so that the zulu mediveal infantry cannot take Istorn. But the impi walked right in. A well...
At least that way he didin`t pillage the silks. I have one more connected, but I am trading silks with scandinavia. And I can just get the city back next turn, it hadn`t any cultural buildings anyway.
Catherine calls me, and "asks" for education. I don`t even know where russia is, but if she declares, in like 20 turns a crazy amount of troops will apear at the most akward place. And she might just drag other nations in the war. I just give in to her demands.
The aztecs send another knight against Maasilt wich dies (poor monty is having no luck with knights). The last archer of the SOD kills an imortal.
In the south a wandering pike occupies another iron of mine. Damn, why haven`t I seen that coming? I was really messing things up in the south yesterday. On the other hand, there weren`t any troops that could have prevented it. Still...
And another worrying sight: A scandinavian warrior and a spearman arrived. What are they looking for?

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/whole picture.jpg

The blue marking are the vikings, the pink one shows the pike on my iron.

770 AD

In the north, there was mostly healing and moving the imortals back in to Haraam. The few troops that were still inn good shape killed the last aztecs troops (2 pikes and the archer) on my ground. I moved a pikeman I upgraded in Haraan last turn to Maaslit. Haaran will soon produce a new one, and Maaslit can use some defenses.
I hope that the viking troops are just on vacation, but stil moved a worker away from them.
Southern theater: I took Istorn back with an AC. I also moved a pike inside. The med inf next to the city will probably kill one defender next turn, but won`t be ably to take the city. I also killed the wandering pike that disconnected my iron a few turns ago.

Interturn

Pretty uneventful.
The pike pillaged my iron, as expected.
The med inf killed one defender of Istorn, as expected.
The vikings went back home, as hoped for.
No other moves.
Bejing builds Leo, Tenochtitlan cascades to Sistine. I was one turn short. Curses!

780 AD

Sucks that I lost Sistine, I was so close. Only one turn missed! But wait a second... I have but two cathedrals, so Sistine wouldn`t been that usefull for me anyway. And I could switch to Bach, wich will finish next turn, that means I will get it for sure, because human production completes first. That means, if I sell music theory turn, the AIs will pay the price for a technology that offers a nice wonder, but have no chance at getting it at all. Haha, suckers!
So i started fierce phoning.
The greece hadn`t even edu, so I sold them that. I got 79 gold and a worker.
Bismark gave me gunpowder and 6 gold.
From china I recieved 32 gpt and 200 cash, and Catherine offered me furs and a single coin.
Not bad for a completely worthless tech.
Bach helps me much more, and Sistine lies in the way of my conquest anyway. I was never so pleased that I don`t get a wonder.
With the gold from china, I was able to put science to 100%, researching chemistry.
Militarywise nothing much happened. I killed the annoying med inf in the south, advanced a few units towards Kabirn and healed a lot more.

Interturn

Again, not much happened.
Monty decided to try another front aftert losing so badly in the north and sent troops towards Samaria.
Shaka sent another med inf and an archer in an successful attempt to annoy me.
The scandinavian troops left after a regimen at the healty air of the highland sea.

790 AD

I got Bach.
A couple of knights and pikes completed this turn. I switched to Longbows or libraries. I should have iron on line soon.
My troops in the north split. Some went north to recapture those cities ( I expect little resistance there. Both cities should be garrisoned with one pike from the former SOD and one or two spears, because they are not connected). The bulk of my troops went south to recapture Kabirn and Zohak.
The new knights were sent to the southern theatre to deal with the zulu stranglers and the new front that monty wants.
Some reassinging of clowns (Bach) finnished my turn.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/directions.jpg

Interturn

More knights appeared near Samaria. Maybe more than I can handle. The aztecs also dropped a landing at my core. A med inf and longbow. they are no immedeate threat to any city, but they are next to an iron I want ro road.
The pillaging pike in the south headed for my silk. "Why is this stinker still allowed to wander your turf?" I hear you ask. I wonder.
The zulu troops close in on Istorn.

800 AD

The aztecs build Knights Templar. Oh my. There are 13 AIs left, and the only one that really shouldn`t get it does...
Kabirn was taken (with 2 resistors), two pikes were the garrison. A single longbow in that region was also dispatched.
I killed the zulu archer near Istorn, so that even if the med inf wins next turn the city cannot be taken. I also placed an immortal next to the med inf to distract him from the city. Knights are on their way, I need just one more turn.
So that were the easy things to do, now more inconvenient matters.
The landing. I decided to place one knight on the mountain with the iron. On a mountain it has defense 6, so there is a chance it will survive the attacks. He should at least kill one enemy, and weaken the other. I didn´t want to attack, because the enemy is also in the mountains, and even if I win, there would still be another.
In Samaria, there is little I can do. I have one spear that I cannot upgrade (I have salpeter in my area, but not yet roaded), and one knight. I decide to fortify the knight. I don`t want to attack the two aztecs knights on the mountain. I don`t want to be attacked from the two aztec knights on the mountain, ut it seems I can only choose the lesser of two evils. The knight has a chace of defeating one attacker. The spear is probably doomed.

Overview

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/overview.jpg

All in all my empire is in pretty good shape.
Next turn I will get one of my northern cities back, and spices with that. I will also most probably get Zohak soon, and that means gems. More important, Zohak also has salpeter. The aztec empire (at least the little I know of it has no mountains or deserts. ::EDIT:: Of course it has deserts. Do I need glasses or what? So let`s just suppose there is no salperer in this desert, period. ::EDIT:: So there is a decent chance that monty has no other source of salpeter in his borders. Of course he might still buy some.
Still, Zohak is a major objective. Not only for said gems and salpeter, but it will also be the gate to the aztec mainlands.
I think I am winning this war now. The landing, the new front and the zulus are all more just annoying than threatening. If I handle these things with care, I should not take too much damage from it.
Economicly I am fine. most of my cities are of size 10 and growing. With zero lux ratio I still don`t need a single clown (just 3 taxmen)

Interturn

The two knights suceeded in killing both defenders of Samaria, taking the city.
The med inf that has landed attacks my knight and dies, the longbow moves on a hill.
In the south, the zulu med inf did not take the bait, but attacked the city. Spear died.

810 AD

The reviled bait killed the med inf. Istorm is save, at least for a while. The longbow near my core got also dispatched, one trouble less.
The cities in the north are better defended than I thought. 2 pikes and 1 longbow hold Ergilii. I lose 1 imortal and an AC, and only kill the 2 pikes. Near Zohak, I kill a knight and lose an imortal doing so.
It seems the flickering grace of the rng is leaving me.
But there is a good news: The conquest of Karbin has expanded my territory over a roaded iron. It took me quite a while until I found that out...
Bismark gave me 80 gold for horses, and thats it for that turn.

Interturn:

Silks got pillaged.
Reinforcements are moved near Zohak, but no attacks.
No sight of zulus.

820 AD

Riots in my empire. The people didn`t take the loss of spices well, it seems. I thought I had one turn of grace...
Anyway, I don`t need to act, just conquer Ersilii and I will have spices again.
And so I did. Monty had rushed a spear there, but that didn`t help him. Spear and longbow died, and Ergilii is mine again.
My nearly healed army attacks the new knight near Zohak. It killed it, but loses 10 HP in the proces. Bah, that means I have to spend time healing it again. It seems that it will still take time to capture Zohak. To speed healing up, I rushed a barrack in Kabirn.
I killed a longbow near Samaria, but he took an imortal with him.

All in all I have 3 cities less then when war startet. It will be a long war...
However, the Aztecs are still a republic. They declared, and they suffered horrendous losses. Warweariness must be killing them.

Interturn

A knight from Samaria sallied forth and kills my AC. Near Kabirn I see something I don`t like to see: A musketman. And I thought we had agreed that monty has no iron...Well, I don´t think he can do that much damage. He surely is after the iron there. Well, I won`t be fooled for the fourth time, so this time I will place a pike on it.
Again, where bad news are are good news. China singed Rome up for a war vs the evil Zulu. Thats great, now Caesar can deal with these annoying zuluunits. I will grant him a ROP so that he can catch them better.

820 AD

I gave Caesar ROP, and noticed he had some cash. So I sold him wines for 90 gold.
I tried to kill the pillaging pike that has cut off my iron and silks, but instead he killed my knight. That is the most annoying unit ever. An AC finally killed it, but now I really run out of troops in the south. Right now there are neither Zulus nor Aztecs present, but Rome shoud better hurry.
Near Zohak not much happend. Army enterd Kabirz for healing, a longbow is killed, thats it. Near Samaria things are more interesting:

I could probably take back Samaria with the AC, but that would not do any good. Instead I retreat the AC for healing, fortify the imortal on the hill and move the knight on the other. Now Monty is in the same dilemma that I was in two turns ago: He can either attack my units on the mountains, or leave me in a great position to attack.

Interturn

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/third option.jpg
...or he attacks Tabus. I leave no opportunity to prove that I suck, don`t I? I haven`t forseen it at all. He could have captured the workers there as well...
Ok, Tabus was in no danger, because it had 1 guard and two healing units, but still. Anyway, the spear redlined both knights before he died.
Near Zohak two knights are needed to kill my AC, wich killed one before it died.

830 AD

In the north, I begin the attack on Nordok. 1 pike is killed, a spear appears.
City should fall soon.
The fortified elite immortal near Samaria tries to kill a regular longbow and failed.
Now I had to deal with the two redlined knights at Tabus. I have only one fully healed unit available, but I am not letting them get away so easy. So I decide to attack with a damaged AC in Tabus. He suceeded, and the Knight of course too.
Next turn I will have three fresh knights awailable near Samaria.
Because I have a lot of money and I don`t want to defend with spears vs knight again, I mass upgraded my spears. 8 spears turned pikes.

Interturn

Monty called. Seems he realized he has bitten more than he can swallow. Anyway, I refused to meet him.
The knight of Samaria charged my knight that was coming from Gord. Unfortunately for Monty my knight was standing on a mountain, so Monty`s knight became ony second winner. Another knight impaled himself on the pikes of the defender of Kabirn.
The stupid vikings are still around. Right now they are blocking the road to Samaria. Arg!

840 AD

Good news: The road on my iron has been completed. Finaly some redundancy. Moreover, it means the AC from Gord can attack Samaria this turn. Speaking of Samaria, it has dropped from pop 6 to pop one. Can`t come from rushing, because the Aztecs are still a republic. Probably massive unrest problems. A foreign city and massive WW.

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/wtf.jpg
Anyway, that is nice to know (or let`s be precice, nice to guess) but doesn`t get me back my city. The AC attacks, kills - and there is another defender. The knight would most likely win, but is blocked by these stupid vikings. I can`t even ask them to leave, because it isn`t my terytory. Very frustrating.
I finally decide to place them on the mountain northwest of Samaria and take the city next turn. One turn give or take is not worth a war with the vikings.
I kill one defender in Nordok again and - there`s another one. Is Monty bathing in cash or what?
Near Zohak once again an imortal failed vs a longbow on a mountain, so the army has to deal with that.
Ok, I have archieved only little this turn. But with a little luck I can gain all three cities the next turn....

Interturn

Out of nowhere a knight shows up, kills the pike in Kabirn and captures the city. Doh. Near Samaria, a longbow dies patheticly against an AC.

860 AD

The loss of Kabirn hurts. I wasn`t expecting that at all. I only have my army there, so it must turn around and capture the city back.
WTH? There is a pike in the city! There was no pike within 3 tiles around the city. Rushed? The city should be in resistance, there are 2 brave persian citicens in the city.
Anyway, the pike is there, and to make matters worse the musketman is heading to Kabirn, too. He will enter the city next turn. The army kills the bloody pike. Next turn I will have to defeat probably a new pike, the musketman, and the knight.
The only good thing about this mess: If monty rushes pikes, it means he can`t build musketmen after all.
Samaria fell this turn, the 2 spears fall easily to my knights.
In Nordok, my first elite imortal kills a spear, but of course there is one more. I only have one imortal with 3 HP left there. I hesitate a moment, then attack. It`s 3HP vs 3 HP anyway, and if my imortal would have been a reg instead of a wounded elite I wouldn`t hesitate at all. And if I don´t attack, there will be 2 spears again, and I am in the same situation again. At best.
So I attack, and don`t get disapointed. Nordok is perisian again.
Monty is still a republican. I wish I could spy one of his cities.
And then I notice something very embarassing. There is a warrior sitting in my capitol. He was put there on MP duty long, long ago. Well, my capitol doesn`t need much MP, it has a cathedral, temple, there is bach and luxuries...
So this dude has idled long enough for his money, time for him to see some action. Upgraded to imortal. Make me proud.

Interturn

The Zulu dropped a med inf next to Nordok.
Monty mocked my prediction. His musketman didn`t enter Kabirn, but moved towards my horses.

870 AD

The zulu med inf was easily killed, and my army took back Kabirn. Healing again. At least my barracks are still there. Before I contiue to Zohak, I have to pillage that road that allows Monty to attack Kabirn.
I moved the Pike that defended my iron on the horses. Next turn the musket will turn around and go back to the iron, and my pike too...
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/evil road.jpg

Interturn

Monty`s musked acted as predicted.
His troops near Samaria retreat, and some knights show up near Kabirn. None are able to attack.

880 AD

Not much going on. I gather troops in Kabirn, and start a careful advance from Samaria. I could go for the Zulu cities in the south, they are actually closer than the aztecs cities amd dear Shaka has probably very few troops.
However, I need to have Zohak first. If I get this city, I have a solid frontier (and gems, of course). After I captured Zohak, I will decide where to contiue.

Interturn

Woah! A longbow and a knight attacked Kabirz, my army defended. It survived - with 1 HP. Another knight attacked, but this time one of my knights defended and died.

890 AD

I reseached chemistry, next is metallurgy.
Not so much going on this turn again. My army is fully healed and killes the knight in front of Kabirn, then moves out to pillage the evil road.
On the Samarian frontier I advance carefully.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/here be impi.jpg

Interturn

My careful advance met fierce resistance. Both knights on mountains were killed, one of them from a crusader. At least they took one med inf with them.
China and the Inka made peace, why not.

900 AD

My silks got connected! Celebrations! Sent some clowns back to work.
With the evil road of hell destroyed, I could finally make an attempt (I think it is the 3rd or so) to take Zohak. My army, a knight and a AC take position on the mountain NW. Not much, both Monty and I fight with anything we can muster.
Operation "careful advance" came to a halt, I just try to kill anything that gets to close to Samaria. This turn that`s a Longbow and a knight.
The aztecs are still a republic.

Interturn

A zulu knight apears in the Samaria theater, but is to far away to do damage. The aztecs kill a knight and lose a longbow.

910 AD

The heroic epos comleted in Passak.
I should try to get some elites.
My army finally managed to capture Zohak! It killed 2 pikes and caught 2 slaves. I started a wall, wich I will rush next turn. I plan not to lose this city ever again.
Speaking of losing a city...
A aztec knight stands two tiles away from Samaria. There is no defender in Samaria. I tried to kil the knight with a AC, but failed miserably. So next turn Samaria will fall again, and probably a pike will apear there too.

Interturn

...or: The revenge of the rng.
Monty attacked fiercely, I lost poorly. 2 knights, 1 AC and 1 imortal died, all of them on hills or mountains. Monty didn`t lose a single unit.
That were nearly all my offensive units I had (near the frontier, that is). That also means I can`t get Samaria back soon.
In other news, the Inca offered me the contact with the Iroquoise for 90 gold. I took it.

920 AD

Hm, all these knights that killed so many units are still around, redlined.
I find one more AC in Tabus, wich bravely charged the redkined med inf on the mountain. He killed it. He is now surrounded by enemy knights, but with a little luck he can take one of them with him.
My reinforcements take positions on the mountains next to Samaria (wich has no pike - as if Mony knew that I couln`t attack this turn. Or he is finally broke)
I could not resist to kill those 2 redlined knights near Zohak with my army. Now it is sitting on a hill, only 6 HP left.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/exposed.jpg

The Inca reminded me to do some trading.
I sold chemistry for printing press and 60 gold to Catherine, Iron for 30 gold and 3 gpt to Bismark and contact with the germans and the Iroquoise for contact with the french and 26 gold to Alex.
The Inca are technologically ahead, but only slightly, they have astro.
Iroquoise and France are still deep in the AA (France hasn`t even pottery).

Interturn.

Two knights attacked the pike on the mountain. On retreats redlined, the other one killed it.
My army was not molested.

930 AD

I attack Samaria. One knight with 3 HP defended, and there must be another knight with 1 HP.
My first knight attacked, and died. My AC attacked and died. My imortal finally killed the knight and a spearman apeared (of course a spear and no pike - Samaria is not connected to the Monytlands). I had one Ac left to attack, wich killed the spear. The knight with 1 HP survived, and will be healed next turn. And of course there will also be another spear...
My army retreated to Zohak.
The only good thing this turn is that the annoying musked near kabirn finally died.

Interturn

Near Kabirz, a musket captured the two slaves from Zohak. They are of aztec nationality, so Monty doesn`t disband them, but sends them back home.
The chinese offered to expand our alliance vs the evil zulu, wich I gladly accept.

940 AD

All right, let`s take Samaria back, for the glory of Persia! Knight charges valiantly and - dies. This bloody city is cursed, I tell you. However, there is this imortal that was once a forgotten warrior. Now it is his time to claim glory. Charge and victory! Only one redlined knight was the last defender of Samaria (no spear? Is monty finally broke? Maybe from a salpeter deal?) Anyways, I want this city and i want it now!
The pikeman on the mountain attacked and finally took the city.
Now that the roads are mine, I could rush in some more reinforcements in the form of another pike and a knight.
In the west I captured the fleeing slaves once again, put them in iron and send them back home. What a short dream of freedom. I ignored the musket. I can´t harm him, and he can`t harm me.

Now, for the first time in over 100 years, since this war started all my base are belong to me.
Time to consider how I shall continue.
Let`s take a look at the map.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/3 plans.jpg
The first thing you will probably notice is that my intelligence is very poor (the miltary intelligence that is!) I don`t even know why this is so, usually I scout better.
Anyway, I have to deal with what I know.
The first plan is the one I made at the very beginning of this war. A bold, but solid move. The seconde is only a variation of the first, wich takes into account that the aztec land reaches farther south than I initially thought.
Now the third plan is something different. It concentrates more on the zulu than on the aztecs. The zulu are weak. In the last 5 or 6 turns I have seen one zulu unit, and that disappeared again without having attacked. It seems easy to conquer them. Even more, if I don´t attack them quick, the chinese and romans will tear them apart and take their lands for themselfes.
The land seems quite nice too. This coast that is partly visible probably belongs to an inland see, but it will still make a nice, save border, allowing me to focus on one frontier (ok, even without it I can concentrate on one frontier, but you get the idea).
Zimbabwe, wich is very close and definitely in my reach has dyes and another iron source. It also contains the great wall. Not the most usefull wonder, especially since I am currently researching metallurgy, but still...
And one more reason: Gord builds the palace. I want some cities nearby when it finishes, and I want to make Gord more save than it is now. The palace should not be in a border city.
Now that I have convinced you (and myself) I will go for plan C.
Tremble, Shaka!

Interturn

Shaka must have taken notice of my plan. A longbow showed up. Well, that is not enough to deter me.
The aztecs kill a knight and the regular imortal. Short glory.

950 AD

An imortal succeeded in killing the musket, the army killed a knight and I also killed a longbow near Samaria.
I also notice I am running a deficit a put science back to 90%.

Interturn

A knight attacks a fortified pike on the gems NW of Zohak. It wins. Those mountains didn`t help at all so far. It`s time that my salpeter gets connected.
The imortal that killed the musked also got punished for his success, a longbow killed him. But an attacking elite knight was slain at Samaria.

960 AD

I just killed the zulu longbow and a lone knight and moved troops to intombe.
I wonder if I should make peace with Monty? I am not getting anywhere, especially now that I put my attention on the Zulus. On the other hand, he is still in republic. I think I will WW work for a few more turns.

Interturn

Ouch, that was tight. The longbow that has killed an imortal last turn attacked Tabirn. The defending pike won, but with only 1 HP left. If I had lost that city again, I would have cried. I really should garrison that city with more than one unit.
Zohak is also attacked, but there my pike wins easily.
In the mountains in the west of Samaria a pike manages to kill at least one templar before he got overwhelmed.
Near Tabirn, a spearman showed up. That means either Monty starts to send in the reserve, or his ressources are really scarce. I suppose the former.

970 AD

Not much really, exept that I move more troops near Intombe. I will attack next turn. There is a disconnected salpeter next to it. Probably pillaged by Caesar. Good boy.

Interturn

Nothing really. Monty shuffeled some troops, but wasn`t attacking. Must be running out of steam. I watched a roman and a zulu longbow duking it out. Caesar won.

980 AD

Another deal ran out, I am losing 20 gpt.
Time for some diplomacy. The inca have also banking now. Russia and China both know astronomy, but I couldn`t get it.
I managed to sell some lux, got a worker, 53 gold and 5 gpt from Alex and Mao.
I reduced science to 50%, metallurgy still due in 2.
Kabirn garrison gets reinforced.
Then I attack Intombe. I have to attack across a river. Not good, but if I want to go around it, I would lose a turn. I am inpatient. First knight killed a pike. An impi showed up. So early? Poor Shaka. Impi died, then another, then another. The city is mine, though only barely. I had only 4 attackers. It`s awkward to fight impis. They suck and they know it, but they are still dangerous to knights because they can`t retreat.
Anyway, I got the city. Intombe is a stupid name, let`s call it "Inton" from now on. Ok, that is also a stupid name, but it is MY stupid name.
It only has barracks, but that is better than nothing. only 2 resistors, 3 clowns.
The Zulus are a republic. The aztecs too, still.
Next target is Zimbabwe. It is probably better guarded than Inton. I will need to be more careful, wait for more troops.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/good boy.jpg

The first thing you will probably notice is that my intelligence is very poor (the miltary intelligence that is!) I don`t even know why this is so, usually I scout better.


Why haven't you gotten a world map from the chinese? You may have been able to pick it up in the alliance w/ Zulu for free - but that is water under the bridge now. Try to get it from them since you are in an alliance - they are probably pretty willing.

I think that this is C3C, can't get a WM until Navigation.

I think that this is C3C, can't get a WM until Navigation.


aah. nevermind then! :cool:

Right, I play c3c

Interturn

Another pikeman, another mountain, another crusader. I lost again. There is a defense bonus on mountains, right?

990 AD

Riots in several cities. I should have paid more attention to the loss of furs from a trade.
The crusader repelled a knight (there is a defense bonus on mountains all right) but an AC finally slew him.
Healing in Inton, moved knights in. Moved army in the direction of Samaria. There is the fighting. Rushed the barracks in Zohak.

Interturn

I lost my 2 slaves again, this time Monty disbanded them. Death before dishonour.
Another zulu longbow kills the roman one and is now in a position to disconnect my silks once again. Luckily Caesar sends a knight. He will probably deal with this longbow next turn.
But then disaster struck. Monty draws the netherlands into the war. Ok, they are weak, but they will attack from the north were I have no troops at all. And it`s not enough. The netherlands singn up the germans. They are far away, but they will come. I hope I can negotiate peace when they arrive.
Still not enough. The Germans sign up the Chinese. Luckily, the Chinese are seperated from me by the zulu. I am still very concerned. I have never had such a terrible cascade in one interturn. Besides, Mao and Bismark were the only ones that were polite to me. We had trades going, too. I hope my reputation didn`t suffer.
And to make matters worse, the aztecs mass a decent stack of troops near Inton. 4 knights and 3 longbow.
I don`t think I can handle them, the dutch and the zulu...

1000 AD

This new milennium isn`t starting well.
The only good thing is that I discovered metallurgy.
I beg Monty for peace. But now that he has such a strong coalition formed against me, Monty feels strong. He demands metallurgy. I have to give it to him, but I manage to get banking, astronomy and 168 gold in return. Not such a bad deal.
Then I call the Inca and sell them metallurgy too. Get dyes, furs, 17gpt and 11 gold for it. I can set science to 80% again. All clowns are set back to producive tasks.
Militarywise not much is going on. I send troops to Inton, for the assault on Zimbabwe.

Interturn

The first dutch troops arrive, 2 longbows next to Kabirn.
The roman knight killed the zulu longbow. Caesar is a good boy.

1010 AD

I moved the fist troops towards Zimbabwe, 4 Knights. My army turned around to deal with the dutch invasion.

Interturn

The two longbows attacked Kabirn. One killed a pike, the other died. That was too close to lose Kabirn again. Then more dutch troops arrive. A single archer and a stack consisting of 2 longbows, 3 med infs and a swiss mercenary. A stack of minor annoyance (SOMA).

1020 AD

I decided to attack Zimbabwe at once with my 4 knights. A treb is in the city, and the 1st knight died. The 2nd killed the pike, and a impi shows. 3rd kills it, last knight died. Not so great, but the 3rd defender is a regular impi. That should be possible still.
In the north, my army killed the longbow and the archer, and cut the SOMA the way to Kabirn off.
A fresh pike enters Kabirn.
I have finally roaded salpeter. I could and should have done this long ago, but better late than never. I try to upgrade all my pikes, but lack 1000 gold to do so, oh well. So I just upgrade the 2 pikes in Kabirn.

Interturn

A zulu knight attacked one of mine, but died, My, Shaka, you are pathetic.
The SOMA moves around my army. No damage from ZOC though. A caravel drops a longbow and a merc near Pirosses. They are probably after the iron there, but they a threat to the city, too.

1030 AD

I lose a knight to the landed merc, but a second one killed it. I attacked from Porisses, so even if the longbow attacks and kills the musketman (I upgraded the spear) the city will not fall.
My army staid where it is. I don`t want to attack a merc on a mountain, and probably the ZOC will work better next turn.
In zululand, nothing happend, I just gathered new strength for the second attack on Zimbabwe.

Interturn
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/SOMA.jpg
The SOMA stumbled back, Willy seems a bit confused.
The longbow attacked Porisses, and died.
Caesar offered to expand our ROP, wich I accepted. He is no big help vs Shaka, but he tries and even manages to kill a unit every now and then.

1040

Not much, just massing more troops next to Zimbabwe, and killing a lone dutch longbow.

Interturn

Gasp, 3 chinese riders arrived at Zohak. Damn, those are fast. I didn`t expect them so soon.
The dutch SOMA turned around again, is Willy on drugs? Netherlands are so liberal... The merc splits off, and heads for my iron.

1050 AD

I moved my army back to Zohak (OK, Willy is not the only one who acts a little inconstistent. My army has spent the last 6 or 7 turns nearly only moving). I upgrade the pike in Zohak to musket. It`s on a hill, with walls, thats defense 8. Still, there are 3 attackers, and more might come. Why is there only 1 defender in such a crucial city, you might ask. I wonder.
In the south, the second attack on Zimbabwe took place. The AC went first, gets repelled. The 2nd killed an elite impi, then a knight killed a pike, the next knight died. I have 3 knights left, but the next allready took it. Only 3 defender in a capital, Shaka is clearly going down, fast.
I changed one stupid name to another, so Zimbabwe is now known as "Zimburg". In Zimburg are 2 resistors, the great wall (obsolete since 5 turns) an aquaduct and barracks. I also capture a treb, my first peace of artillery. Not too bad.
The remaining knights took a glance over the sea. My suspicion that it is an inland see comes true, I could spot a greece border in the southeast. If you can`t see it well on the picture you can still see the roman border.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/inland sea.jpg
I tried to call Mao, bu the refused to speak with me.

"The Netherlands, they are so liberal"

that had me cracking up

Interurn

My glorious musketman managed to redline one regular rider. Then it died, without even scratching the next attacker. I have little luck in defending.
The SOMA kept on stumbling around helplessliy.
In the south, the Zulu launched a massive counterattack in the form of one longbow.

1060 AD

So Zohak is in enemy hands again, all right.
I sent my army to recapture it, but lost 12 HP on the first defender. Back for healing.
In the south, more units closed in on Hlobane, I will take it next turn.
Three Temples completed this turn, including the one in Harleem. Harleem ist the island city I got from Willy for peace. You haven`t seen it yet, wich is a shame. It is a very nice city. And it is founded on iron, too.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Harleem.jpg
But now more serious issues, the troubling chinese. If there are pouring riders into Zohak every turn, I will never be able to reclaim it. More likeliy I will even lose Kabirn again. No no.
So what can I do? I need to block the riders that come through Montys teritory. Well, let Monty hanlde them. It is his bad that they are fighting me after all.
If monty would declare war, that would be perfect. I don`t have to fight China, Monty can`t build up troops and he get`s some nice war weariness again.
I called Monty. He said "No can do"
I desperately stared at my options. What could I offer him? Ah, I have 1 quantity of salpeter, Monty has none (told you!). I offered it to him, and he agreed. Yay! Have fun, you two.
This leaves my without salpeter again, but I don`t build many musketmen anyway. And in 7 turns when MT finishes I should have roaded the salpeter near Inton.

Interturn

Shaka called. I didn`t listen.
The SOMA attacked.
Med inf killed musket, longbow killed musket, med inf killed knight. City taken. Wtf, is Willy equipping his units with combat drugs?
Only good news were that the merc didn`t enter but continued his journey to my iron.

1070 AD

I tried to attack Hlobane, but the first attacking elite knight was slain. So I decided to stall the assault until more troops are there. There is a roman med inf next to Hlobane. I don`t want to weaken the defenses so that Caesar can walk right in. No no, it has to be the other way around.
In the north, I try to recapture Kabirn. I lost a knight to a med inf, but took the city. It contains my army with 5 HP and a knight wit 2HP. 3 offensive dutch troops are next to it. But what could I do? If I hadn`t taken it, my units would have been cut off and still be killed sooner or later. This way they can at least take some of the bastards with them.

Interturn

Willy is on drugs. One of the three units next to Kabirn moved away, one attacked and died and the last one picked his nose. I lost one imortal (on a mountain...) to a med inf, but nevermind.
Caesar sent more troops to Hlobane. Not enough to take the city, but enough to weaken the defenders. I he would attack next turn...

1080 AD

More knights arrived at Hlobane, but couldn`t attack this turn.
In the north I killed one dutch longbow and moved in reinforcements, and that was it.

Interturn

Only one longbow attacked Kabirn, and of course he killed the defending pike
Caesar attacked Hlobane. He took 2 HP of each 2 pikes and an impi. Caesar lost 1 knight and 1 med inf in the progress. Good, good boy!

1090

With Caesars aid, I was able to take Hlobane easily, without losing a unit. Hlobane has two resistors, a barrack and a marketplace. Very nice. I named it Holon.
Farther to the west, 2 scouting ACs discovered the new Zulu capitol. The best defender was an impi, so I attacked just to test the defenses. Bot ACs won, the city was mine and a leader created. Things are going along very smooth in the south. In Isandhlwana, wich is now known as Isalar are barracks and only 1 resistor.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/zululand.jpg
On the northern front, not much was going on this turn. An immortal tried his luck with one merc but died and a knight attempted to kill a healing longbow on a plain, but was repelled. Those dutch troops are on drugs, I tell you. At least a knight managed to kill one merc.
Shaka has only 2 cities left. However, I realised that I came dangerously close to China. And there is a bunch of german troops en route to me wich will appear in one of the next turns.
I don`t know if I shall press on in the south. Maybe with that army... Bejing has the pyramids and leo. I checked the military advisor. Zulu, Netherlands, Germany and China are all republics, and my military is stronger than each of theirs. Sounds good so far. I think the zulus are out of the game, and the Netherlands are more an annoyance than a thread. They have like 5 cities.
China and Germany are completely different matters, though.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/drugs and krauts.jpg
Scanning the map I realise that Monty has taken Zohak from Mao. Curses, curses curses! But not much I can do about it, for the moment.

Interturn

Once again a med inf attacks a knight of mine on a mountain, and once again I lose.

1100 AD

The only action this turn is in the north, where a knight charges on a merc and dies.
In the south, there is just movement towards Ulundi.
The workers arrived on the salpeter source.
I won`t load the new army yet, I will wait until I have cavallry.

Interturn

Monty hires Shake to help him fight china. I am sure Shaka will be a great help.
The dutch med inf that slew a knight last turns attacks another, but dies this time. Of course, the knight was on a plain this time.

1110 AD

Just shuffling troops. In the north I try to cover all ressources and cities, in the south I close in on Ulundi

Interturn

A dutch longbow and my musketman had a shootout. I won.

1020 AD

Military tradition finishes. I went for economics next, smith is surely a nice wonder.
The attack on Ulundi
My captured treb fired. My first use of artillery in this game, I am so excited! It even hit, knocking one HP off an elite pike. This elite pike then repelled 2 knights (both survived) before it died. 2 impis were quickliy dispatched and Ulundi mine. 1 resistor and no improvement, but a new name at least: "Ulon". A single longbow who was near by was ridden down and that was the end of the Zulu campaign. The last Zulu city is on the other side of the aztecs. I have no intention to go there yet. So I offer Shaka peace, so that he can concentrate on Mao, for what it`s worth. 12 gold was all I got for my graciousness, the poor bastard.
A view of the southern theatre:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/no zulu.jpg
I am wondering if I should strike straight at Bejing or if I should go for the rather isolated cities SE. The mountains and the jungle would screen me somewhat from the riders. I think I will do that. Alex will be glad to have a new neighbour.
In the north, my army finally got some action again after all this idling. Some dutch have left the mountains and regretted that. A med inf, a longbow and a merc died.

Interturn

A dutch med inf attacked Tabirn. Not surprisingly, it defeated my defending musket easily.
Monty went on recruitment tour and enlisted Alex and Willy. Moa got nervous and called me, but I showed him the finger.

1030 AD

The army rushed back to Kabirn to support it. It attacked 2 med infs on a mountain and killed them, but had only 2 HP left after that. A knight dealt with the remaining longbow. Another knight was less fortunate when he tried to remove a merc from my horses. He died miserable.
I called Bismark. He agreed on a peace threaty, and even gave me 31 gold to compensate for my inconveniences. I haven`t seen any german unit. Bismark, my friend, it was a pleasure to wage war with you.
A closer examination of the situation in the south revealed that bejing shared a border with the Aztecs. A capitol as a border city? Or is Monty making rapid progress? Either way, Bejing is in danger to fall in Montys hands. This must not happen.

Interturn

A med inf killed a knight in Kabirn.
The mercs did some pillaging.
Monty went on an enlisted the vikings.
Caesar asks for an alliance vs Shaka, wich I gratefully decline. Caesar, you are a big boy. You can handle Shaka on your own. Just believe in yourself.

1040 AD

Salpeter went on line. I upgrade as many knights as I can affort (thats 7). Knight production changed to cav.
In China, I carefully advance over the mountains. In the northern region, the dutch forces on my teritory consist of 2 mercs and 1 med inf. I hope that my first units cross the border in 2 turns from now.
There is nothing interesting to show on either of the frontiers, so just a picture of my core.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/core 2.jpg

Interturn

A medivieal infantry attacked Kabirn and is, of course, succesful. Knight died.
The Incas buildt Kopernicus, a pitty.
And the aztecs took bejing, too bad. I hope for a culture flip.

1150 AD


I switched Kopernikus to Military academy. It will finish in 5 turns. That means I should get economics until then. Currently it will be done in 7, and I have not enough money to run a deficit, not even for 5 turns.
It takes 3 cavalries to kill 1 bloody merc, and 1 of them died. My army tried to attack the merc on the moutain. No so clever, but those mountains never did me any good when I was defending, so maybe they won`t benefit the AI either?
Wrong thought, I took 2 HP off the merc, then my army retreats.
In the south, I fill my army with cav and advance towards canton.

Interturn

Monty is hiring the entire continent versus Mao. This turn it`s Bismark.
I witness the first aztec knights attack Canton. The first killed a pike, the second died. Fine, one pike less. Thank you Monty.
Willy retreated his last troops from my land and called me. No sorry Willy, but your pocked kingdom has annoyed me long enough.

1160 AD

Northern theatre: Not much, one med inf slain. Cavalries incoming.
Southern theatre: I attacked Canton. My poor luck vs Willy is compensated, I kill all three pikes without losing a knight. The city has 8 resistors, market, barracks and a new name, "Kanta"
I don`t think I can hope for a cultur flip, Chinas culturs seems to be very low. There isn´t even cultural pressure on Kanta from the south.
All other tropps rush towars macoa, wich is already besieged by Alex.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/poor mao.jpg

Interturn

Another nation joined Montys crusade, this time it`s the french.
Caesar killed Shaka. I told you he has what it takes!
The last wounded dutch soldiers trail of my land.

1170

I hunted these wounded troops down. 2 merks and a med inf died. My units crossed the border.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/dutch plan.jpg
Down in China, I started the assault on Macao. 4 pikes defended the city, but my forces succeded, although barley. 1 knight died in the progness. Macao, from now on known as "Malakar" has only an aquaduct, but 9 resistors.
I put all citicens away from shied-rich tiles in Passak. Military academy will now finish in 7 turns, so that I can switch to smith.

Interturn

Crazy things happened this turn. Monty hired no new recruits for the chines war, and one of my cav (on a moutain!) killed an attacking med inf.

1180 AD

Nothing happened. I intrude farter into the Netherlands, and scout deeper into china. Incan troops and borders appear. The Incas are the strongest civ. Poor Mao is so deep in trouble...

Interturn

I can only watch as aztec troops storm Anyang

1190 AD

More Cavalries arrived in the Netherlands.
The chinese capitol is now Thermophyle. As irony wants it, it is surrounded by greek units. The top defender is a hurt pike. Only my army could attack it, twice.
I thought a little. If there are only 1 or 2 defenders in the city, I will get it if I attack, and Alex will get it if I don`t. If there are more, it is the other way around (Alex`troops are not terribly much and mostly of poor quality).
I made my guess that there have been hard fights before and there are only 2 defenders left. Army attacked, again, killed 2 pikes and a spearman remained. Well, damn. Grats Alex.

Interturn

A dutch longbow and a med inf double teamed on a knight and killed him.
A really scary number of aztec troops shows up near Thermophyle. I am worried that my smart idea to use Monty vs Mao has made Monty much stronger than I feared.
Alex takes Thermophyle back without much trouble. Mao is defeated, the war in the south is over. The Aztec have revolted in the mean time. They are now a democracy, wtf.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/scary army.jpg

1200 AD
On the other frontier, more mercs are coming from the north. I decided to attack Rotterdam before it is to strong fortified. But my attack failed, the last merc survived with 1 HP.
I decided to sell MT. The Inca offer Physik, incense, furs, 9 gpt and 100 gold for it. That`s a too sweet offer to reject.
So I have to sell it to Monty too, else he would just buy it from Pacha.
Monty would not give democracy for it, pff keep your stupid goverment. He offers gems and 18 Gold. Useless, I need no gems. I have absolutely no happyness problems. I manage to bargain 20 gpt and 166 gold for it.
None of the other civs can afford or use MT yet.
In my core I gradually switch building orders from cavalry to infrastructure. 5-city-Willy doesn`t need a full scale war economy to deal with, mercs or not.

Wow. Mao got so killed. lol are the French still in the AA?

Interturn

Nothing happened at all. And that can only be good.

1210 AD

Rotterdam was taken without casualities. For the persians, that is. Willi lost 2 mercs and a longbow. The city is nicely developed, it has barracks, a harbour and a market. I named it "Rottig"

Interturn

Willy moves his units aimlessly around

1220 AD

Ecologics finished. I switched military academy to smith, and shild production to max again. It will complete in 17 turns, i don`t think someone else can get it. Perron started miltary academy as prebuild for newton.
The plains outside Rottig witnessed the death of one more merc.

Interturn

Ok it is official. Willy is a junky. He used a caravel to drop a longbow, on his own land. Awesome maneuver.
A med inf attacked one of my cavs, but failed.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/junky.jpg

1230 AD

I lost another cav on a merc, but then killed it together with a longbow and a med inf.
Then I tested the defences of Amsterdam, and they are decent. At least 4 mercs, probably more. For the first time I wish I had artillery, but they would take ages to arrive. Cav must be enough.

Interturn

Lo and behold! Willy had a knight. Too bad he died on his first mission.
More troops are droped from ships. The dutch hold the mountain in the north of Rottig.

1240 AD

My beaten corps retreated from Rotterdam for healing. I killed a merc in the open plains, but lost a cav attacking the mountain in the north.
I have to be more carefull, reinforcements are not unlimited, especially since more and more cities switch to markest and libraries.

Interturn

The problem with the troops on that mountain solved itself. The longbow died attacking, and the med inf was kind enough to voluntarily leave it.

1250 AD

My cavalryarmy from the south finally arived in Rottig. Along the way it killed that med inf.

Interturn

Poor Willy. No units, no cry.

1255 AD

The great attack on Amsterdam started. I killed 5 mercs and lost 2 Cavalries in the process. a single redlined merc remained in the city. My cavarmy didn`t attack, because it had only 5 HP left and I wanted it to heal one more turn. But I guess it would have been enough to kill 1 redlined defender. But I klicked it away too early. Well, next turn, Willy...

Interturn

Willy did it. He got himself another knight. this one didn`t fare better than the last one. He didn`t do any damage to my musketman, but managed to retreat.

1260 AD

The army takes Amsterdam, Willy couldn`t even muster a new defender.
In Amsterdam, now Amelang, are 11 resistors, a treb, a harbour, an aqueduct and the great lighthouse.
Another wonder, great. And hey, this one will not become obsolete until, well, like 15 turns. But that is still 20 turns more than the last one.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Amelang.jpg

Yes, poor france are stll in AA. They still lack at least Philo, COL, Lit, Map, curr and mon. I think const and rep too.
I it a funny coincident that I buildt an embassy just last turn. Here, for some giggles, Paris:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Paris.jpg
The sad thing is, that this could be a really great city, with some irrigating.
The Iroquoise are nearly as poor, they lack phil, lit, poly, curr and probably const and rep too.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Salam.jpg

Pretty pathetic.
The Inca however, are a completely different story. But that is stuff of tomorrows upgrade.

Wow. Those two Civs are sad. They're gone by the mid IA, I'll bet

Interurn

Monty called me, and suggested that I would give him economics for the contact with the Maya. I politely told him to piss off.

1265 AD

The dutch are in the bag. They have only 3 cities left, and I cut their trade of, so they have no more iron or horses. Thus I will spare you the tedious "And then I killed that, and then he killed this" for a while. I will just mention when city falls.
For the next time I will focus on the bigger picture, and my mid-term goals.
I looked around a bit and tried to get contact from the Maya from another civ. Cathy gave it to me for spices.
While calling around, I noticed that Bismark is in a pathetic situation. He has neither horses, iron or salpeter. I sold horses to him for 20 gold and 2 gpt.
The Maya are a very brave civilisation, make a remarkable attempt of a OCC:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Itza.jpg
They do not know the alphabet.

Interturn

Eventless

1270 AD

I razed The Hague.
Let`s take a look at Rome.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Rome.jpg
Rome is a small republic. It has lost a couple of cities due to events that took place just before I startet this log. Technologicly they are not at the cutting edge, but are not completely left behind either. At the moment, they are lacking chemistry. I am very tempted to attack them, just because they are so close and weak.
But then Caesar has been such a good boy...

Interturn

Nothing

1275 AD
Greece
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Greece.jpg
Greece is a small republic in the south, aproximately as big as Rome. It has recently took advantage Chinas decline and retrieved Thermophyle.
As for technology, they are one tech behind rome, and that is banking.
Theory of gravity finished this turn, I start Newtons in Perron. Will take 12 turns, I probably get it. Research started on magnetism.

Interturn

Wow, Willy is still alive. A longbow attacked.

1280 AD

I razed Gronigen.
Aztecs
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Aztecs.jpg
Tha atzec empire is a large and powerful democracy. We share a very, very long common border wich stretches from the former dutch peninsula in the north over a long range to the former chinese plains.
They have a stronger military than I do, and are technologicly advanced (they have democracy and magnetism, I have economics). They have recently reached the IA.
I am very wary of them.
I decided to sell economics for magnetism, to get to the IA as well.
First I sold it to the inca, who pay royaly for it: 150 gold and 111 gpt.
Then I deal with monty, who drives a hard bargain:
He wants economics, ivory, 43 gpt and 471 gold for magnetism. But what choice do I have? If i don`t give it, Pacha will make the deal. So I agree, and enter the IA, with medicine as free tech. I started research on steam.
I immedeately sell medicine to Monty, who offered democracy, 83 gpt and 630 gold for it. You got yourself a deal, baby.
Pacha gave me 8 gold and 85 pgt for it. What`s going on with these crazy Incas? They are paying me nearly 200 gpt now - they must be bathing in cash. Or, they were bathing in cash. Now I am.
I put research back to 100%, steam due in 14.

Interturn

Amelang disposed from my benevolent rule. This is an outrage.

1285 AD

Amelang recaptured, the harbour got destroyed.
Inca
The inca are the major powerhouse in this game. I know not much about their empire exept that is is most likely very large and in the south (nobody bothered with navigation yet).
But I can give you a view of their capitol:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Cuzco.jpg
Now that is one impressive city. I have to watch out that they don`t pull off a 20K victory.

Interturn

Noone moves, especially not Willy

1290 AD

After a closer look at all the important players, let`s see what the big picture is like:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/power.jpg
A look at the power graph affirmed what the city view of Cuzco indicated: The Inkas are very, very strong.
The culture screen looks even more worrying:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/culture.jpg
Basicly there are 3 players left in the game (the aztecs, the incas and me) and a couple of spectators.

Interturn

No action

1295 AD

The dutch campign ended. My armies razed the last dutch city, Eindhofen. Willy can now accompany Cleo in her cell.
I razed the last 3 cities, because they were much to close together for my liking. I don`t like tight city placement. I replaced them with one central city. I waste a few boni and it is no harbourcity, but I like it better that way.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/no dutch.jpg

The dutch campign ended. My armies razed the last dutch city, Eindhofen. Willy can now accompany Cleo in her cell.
I razed the last 3 cities, because they were much to close together for my liking. I don`t like tight city placement. I replaced them with one central city. I waste a few boni and it is no harbourcity, but I like it better that way.



I think this city was a mistake - you cannot even use the game due north of the city. Why would you want to waste the game? I would have put at least 2 cities up there (since you like to spread).
Personally, I would have put 3, but that's me. You aren't going to be able to use all the squares for quite some time...

I know that it`s not very efficient. But for some reason I just can`t stand if two cities share more than 4 tiles (unless it is obvious that those cities will never grow big, even with railroads). It is ok if one city has to share 3 tiles with 4 others, though. I know that this is completely irrational and it hurts my game, but I just can`t help it.
I could place 2 cities up there, which overlap 2 tiles, but then I would miss the cow.
Stupid neurosis.

Interturn

Dumdidium

1300 AD

Finally someone discovered navigation. Even the greeks got it, wich means I can get it quite cheaply. It cost me only ivory, wines and democracy. Ok, that is not that cheap, but the greeks can have it, poor guys.
A little "Show me yours I `ll show you mine" later, I have a view of my continent.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/world.jpg

Interturn

...

1305 AD

Smith completed in Passak. Maintance drops from 105 to 86. Well, I have just recently started to build markets and banks.

Interturn

Alex suggested to exchange physics for ffree artistry. I declined. I have no need for free artistry.

1310 AD

My troops were moving back home. I think my next target will be Caesar.

Interturn

lala

1315 AD

The palace completed in Gord. The effect leaves a little to be deserved, however. Corruption changes from 213 to 215.
Reminds me that I should build my forbidden palace somewhere.

Interturn

...

1320 AD
Massupgraded 18 pikes for 1620 gold.

SO the MAYANs are on an islanD?

Yes, the Maya are on an island. It is that single city sozhwest of the mainland. Iroquoise and france are islands too, but a little larger.

Interturn

Guess what

1325 AD

Granaries, temples, libraries and marketplaces are buildt all over my empire. It`s a time to prosper.
But it`s also a time to bore. Let`s crack some skulls.
The plan to attack rome is very simple: Two major lines of attack, one from the west and one from the north. They should meet at Pompeii. A small detachment in Nuppel will deal with all counterattacks.
I will start when the last knights have arrived their destinations and became upgraded.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/ plan rome.jpg

Interturn

Bismark offers to exchange world map. I guess that mine is much better, but I agree out of pitty.

1330 AD

Almost there...

Interturn

Pasha offers to exchange teritoy maps. Ok, if it makes him happy...

1335 AD

The last knight got upgraded. I am eager and ready to strike.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/rome anarchy.jpg
Well, it seems I have to be patient a little more. Our ROP treaty lasts one more turn. Ok, I can wait one more turn. Caesar isn`t going anywhere.

Interturn

Nothing

1340 AD

All right, I ended the ROP deal and declared. The war starded less then perfect whan my AC-army died at the first attack. The cavs managed to capture Ravenna. Barracks, aquaduckt, named Raful.
The northern attack was less succesful. A couple of roman knights were in Vei and prevented the capture. I lost a few cavs.

Interturn

The roman counterattack is somewhat lacking.
2 knights from Vei didn`t dare to attack the army and head for my core to burn and pillage.
In Mpondo, a lone longbow attacked in vain.

1345 AD

Steampower got researched, next is industrialisation.
The suspense rises, will I have coal? I have, near Inton. 3 disconnected sources near Kabirn, Isalar and Nuppel and 1 more that I will get when Ulon expands (note that 3 of them are in former zulu lands - a good thing that I conquered those). So coal is no issue, can I hope for Iron works?

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/IW 2.jpg http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/IW 1.jpg
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/IW 3.jpg http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/IW 4.jpg
OK, wich idiot did raze that city?
So no luck there, but I am definitely tempted to refound Nuppel. A lot of land is wasted there anyway, and I would get Ironworks very close to my palace. On the other hand, this city won`t get much shield rich tiles beside the iron hill and the coal itself.

The war was going better, though. Vei and Mpondo were both only lightly guarded and taken without losses. The victory at Vei even generated a leader. I sent him to Nuppel, where he created an army wich then chased the 2 roman knights. Near Vei is another coal, just by the way.

Soon Caesar can join Willy and Cleo. I've been lurking for a while, nice job! Looks like you'll have tanks by the time it's over, unless you can take down a lot of enemy rifles with cavs...unlikely...

Interturn

Caesars resistance is still weak. One of the intruding knights captures a treb, and a longbow is dropped off a ship.
But from the wests his troops he sent to kill Shaka return. It`s not much, 4 knights and a longbow, but I have no troops there.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/counterstrike.jpg

1350 AD

Poor Caesar. His empire is still in anarchy.
I spent this turn mostly with healing. The few cav that didn`t need to heal kill one knight and the longbow and capture back my treb. A few cav are sent back to the west to deal with the roman counterstrike.

Interturn

Isalar fell, but Caesar lost his elite knight.

1355 AD

Healing is mostly finished, I advanced again. Well, that is nice, Hispalis is only defended by a spear. I quickly pillage the saltpeter to prevent Caesar from stupidities like upgrading his units.
Speaking of Caesar, his revolt finally finished, rome is now a republic.
In the west, I killed one knight in Isalar. 2 down, 2 to go.

Interturn

It seems whenever a civ is losing badly, the rng just likes to smack it some more. 2 roman knights attacked this turn, both died. That leaves only one knight and the longbow in the west.
Caesar tries to contact me, but I refused to meet him. Sorry, mate.

1360 AD

Let`s finish the western theatre first. One cav dispatched the last knight in Isalar, the second, allthough damaged from his scirmish with the knight last turn killed the longbow. Isalar is mine again.
In the east, I attacked Cumae. It was defended by 4 musketmen, but I had 2 cav armies who won easily. The roman capitol has fallen. Not a very impressive capitol, it has only barracks and an aquaduct. I renamed it to "Kumarn".
Hispalis is now defended by a pike.

Interturn

Only a single roman musket showed up. If I were you, Caesar, I would keep those guys in my cities.
Oh, and in the west another lowbow came around.

1365 AD

The lone musket died, and I healed my armies. Only 3 cities left, but my attacking forces become fewer and fewer. Only 2 cities produce cav, and I leave one unit behind in every city. But I think the armies alone will suffice. And that is good, because franky I don`t have much more than those armies.

Interturn

Bismark called, he wants to extend our horse deal. 2 gpt for horses. I gladly agree. I also sold him iron for his world map, 60 gold and 1 gpt. Now he can build mighty knights in his remaining two cities and gain back his empire. Or not. But I did what I could to help him.

1370 AD

I killed one pike in Hispalis and the new longbow in the west. That victory also generated a leader. This is crazy, this little war has already generated the 2nd leader. Well, no complains from me.

Interturn

Well, nothing. Caesar is in the ropes.

1375 AD

Pompeii is captured. It was only defended by 2 regular muskets. Only 2 cities to go.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/2 cities.jpg

Interturn

Caesar played dead man

1380 AD

Perrom completed Newtons. I hadn`t really expected that, because corruption jumped up after the move of the palace.
Tlateleco cascades to Shakespear. Speaking of Tlateleco... I have good news for Nuppel. I have found my Iron Works site.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Iron works.jpg
Hispalis was only defended weakly and fell quickly. I razed it. Caesars last city in the west is Pisae, wich is only defended by pikes. The jungle is Caesars best defense now.
The new leader formed an army, wich I will not fill for moment.

Interturn

...

1385 AD

My troops trail throught the jungle

Interturn

lala

1390 AD

I refound Vei one tile furter south. So I use a lot more tiles, reduce overlap with Sefer drasticly and gain 2 game.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Velur.jpg
My troops have finally arrived at Pisae. Allthough it is on hill, it is only defended by pikes and easily conquered. The war in the east is over.
Because Caesar has been such a good boy in the past, he will not have to join Cleo and Willy in their cell. Instead, he will live in exile in the same city where Shaka had his exile before Caesar captured him. Oh the irony. I wish Caesar that his neighbours are kinder than he were.
Actually, I just don`t want to travel miles and miles through aztec territory for a completely worthless city wich is deep into the aztec empire and will just fall in the very first turn of the war.
I offered peace, and Caesar gladly accepted. I could gain nothing here, because he is totally broke. I demanded world map, just on principle, but learned nothing new.
So, what next?
Attacking Monty is out of the question. In spite of the recent successful campaign is my miltary in a pretty bad shape. I have 14 cavs, 6 of wich are in armies. Then there is a treb, a cannon and 2 ancient cavalries. Definitely not enough to challenge what might be the miltitary superpower on this continent.
I don`t want to build my military now. What would I build? I have only obsolete units. Muskets? Bah. Cannons? Nah. Cavalry? The era of cavalry is over. Pasha and Monty of course went for nationalism first, and cav vs rifles is no fun at all. My military will be revisited when I get RP.
I could attack Greece, but I fear my military is too weak even for them. And on the other hand, I don`t even want to conquer them. They will be a nice puffer for the inevitable war with the Inca, so that I can concentrate on the frontier to the west of that inland sea.
I think the next turns will be just peacefull building of infrstructure. Wich fits perfectly, because factories and hospitals will soon become available. And I can build a lot of small wonders wich I postponed until now.
If I get bored, I might just build a few Galleons and put France out of it`s misery.

I actually love cavs vs Rifles - just bring the cannons.

And if you get RepParts soon, you can have artillery!

I use cavs and artillery a lot. It's not as hard as you think. :D

Good job clearing out the Romans.

Actually, I will attack once I got art. I won`t use cav, but inf. They have the same attack value, and once the defender got redlined cav won`t retreat anyway, so this advantage is gone too.

For the next couple of turns, I won`t detail the Interurns any more. There isn`t much going on.

1395 AD

I realize that I need more workes. My lands are not fully developed, let alone railroaded. And with factories and hospitals on the doorstep, pollution will soon be an issue.
Usually I have much more workers at this time, mostly slaves. But this time my wars have produced only few slaves.
By the way, I have reconsidered my setteling of the dutch peninsula. I put two cities there. I still waste some ressources, but use more tiles, have one city more and both are coastal.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/dutchland.jpg

1400 AD

Industrialisation finished. From now on, every city that has completed it`s current build will construct a factory. Massive industrialisation. We cannot allow to remain a rural country.

1405 AD
The Incas completed Magellans Voyage.
The Persians upgraded 2 pikes to musket. Well...

1410 AD

I started Universal Suffrage in Dalik. I have no use for it, I am just building it to deny it the AI.

1415 AD

Shall I sell steam power to Pasha and Monty?
Pasha would pay very nice: Free art, incense, furs, worlsmap, 270 gold and 216 gpt.
I wonder if he would pay even more, if I had allready free art and he can`t offer it any more? I bought it from Alex for MT. Have your horsies.
Then I went back to Pasha. His offer increased by only 4 gpt.
After some thinking, I decided not to sell steam. I want to slow down the AIs technologycal advance, and every turn in wich Pacha and Monty cannot rail their lands is a win for me.

1420 AD

I get this...

1425 AD

...peaceful,...

1430 AD

...boring...

1435 AD

...feeling.

1440 AD

I rushed a couple of buildings in the outscirts of my empire.

1445 AD

My core is industrialising like crazy. And I still haven`t build another worker...
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/industrialisation.jpg

1450 AD

Monty offerd me ROP and MPP. After some thinking, I agreed. Why?
Well, if I have to declare on someone, I don`t mind. Persia is still a monarchy, so no WW. And besides Monty, only Alex borders my empire. And heck, I am not scared of Alex. I am scared of Pasha and Monty. The MPP solves both problems. I will need at least 20 turns, more likely 40 to complete my preparations for the next war. A MPP with Monty suits me just fine.
The only thing that could harm me is if I had to declare on Germany. I have two deals going on with Bismark. But what are the odds that 2-city-Otto will attack Monty in his territory? I think I am pretty save here.
Alex has founded a new city on the former site of Hispanis.
I refounded a city too this turn: Mpondo movend 2 tiles NW, to use the unused place and the coal there.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/refound.jpg
Sanitation also finnished, electricity is next.

1455 AD

Well, I buildt some railroads...

1460 AD

...and then some more.

1465 AD

Don´t you love it when everything just comes together? Obviously, Willy had supplied Cathy with his drugs, and her stock must have sufficed until now. She tried a sneak attack on me. Ok, sneak attacking one of the strongest civs on the continent isn`t smart as it is, but if this civ has just recently mad a MPP with the strongest... oh my Cathy.
It was quite beautiful. Her first cossack attacked Kanta, but failed. Before she could do anything more, Monty declared on her (good boy) and the rest of her task force, wich happend to be standing in aztec territory attacked aztec troops. In his turn, Monty just tore her a new one.
Well, have fun you two. And Cathy, good luck.

1470 AD

Many, many aztec troops move to the south. And that are just those that I can see. I am sure Cathy will have a wonderful time.
Otto suggests to extend the horses for 2 gpt treaty. I Agreed.

1475 AD

Cathy convinced Ragnar to have a trade embargo against me. OK...
Otto and I also extended the Iron for 1 gpt trade.
I rushed a courthouse in Amelang

1480 AD

Nothing happened

1485 AD

Rome also singed a trade embargo against me. Does Caesar have anything to trade with at all?
I rushed courthouses in Rbsing and Kabobingen

1490 AD

The next one signed a trade embargo. This time it`s the greek.
Monty does the usual dogpile. This time he hires the Germans versus Cathy. Go go go Otto, now use those ressources!

1495 AD

The first factories completed. Switched to hospitals
Pacha offerd ROP and MPP for 45 gpt. Nope, thanks. 1 MPP is fully enough, and 45 gpt are too much, anyway.

1500 AD

lala

1505 AD

...

1510 AD

The Maya singed a trade embargo against me. They barley know the wheel but sign embargos vs a real country. Crazy.
Monty recruited the Iroquoise. I don`t think they can even cross the ocean yet.
The first pollution appeared. I still lack workers.

1515 AD

Monty and Cathy sign peace. Monty has taken 3 cities and destroyed one. Now Otto is alone. It is a fight of giants, 2 cities vs 4. Cathy has a golden age, but probaby no offensive potential any more after Monty beat her up.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/russia.jpg

1520 AD

Electronics are researched. I go for RP next. I think I am far enough ahead that this will not cost me TOE.

1525 AD

I actually buildt a worker.

1330 AD

Just doing administrative work

1335 AD

Again, nothing of interest happened.

1340 AD

I start military academy and battlefield medicine.

1345 AD

Alex and Monty signed a MPP. This could become a problem - but then again who is afraid of Alex?
Monty also offered me to extend our MPP, wich I accept. I am still far away from having a decent army. RP wil finnish in 12 turns.
Russia and Germany sign a peace. Cunning Otto didn`t capture a city, but he managed to take advantage of the destroyed city.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/cunning Otto.jpg
I offered Cathy peace. What a cow. She has only 4 cities left and refuses to give me nationalism. I am tempted to move my 2 cav armies to her are talk some sense into her. But that would mean I have to arrange another ROP, and go to the other end of the world through not railroaded terrain. In the end, i just didn`t find it worth the troubles.

Nice update. Isn't peace fun :crazy:

1555 AD

Moved workers around

1560 AD

Pasha declared on Ragnar. Good luck, Ragnar.

1565 AD

Otto and I renewed our horse deal.
An incan frigatte sank a privateer at our coast.

1570 AD

Worker working

1575 AD

Raggy suggested an alliace vs the Inca. Thanks, but no.

1580 AD

Alex and Joan joined an alliance versus Raggy.

1585 AD

Replaceable parts are discovered. Scientific method comes next. Every city that has a factory and a hospital is set to produce infantry or artillery.
The Aztecs join the war against Raggy. Pasha is leaving nothing no chance here.
Caesar and Alex sign a MPP.

1590 AD

My MPP with Monty draws me into the war.

1595 AD

Railroading like crazy. I had finally build some worker, and with RP researched and the scientific trait my empire developes fast.

1600 AD

Battlefield medicine completed in Annal, next is pentagon. It will probably be a prebuild for TOE.
Cathy joined the war.

1605 AD

Pasha and Cathy signed a MPP.
Raggy is defeated, 10 turns after the war started. Poor bastard. Most of his land was taken by Pasha.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/rip.jpg

1610 AD

Palik completed the universal suffrage.
I notice that I am running a deficit and start some trading.
I sold iron to cathy for 27 gold, 13 gpt and worldmap. Ivory to Pasha for furs and worldmap. And finally ivory to Monty for 590 gold and worldmap.

1615 AD

...

1620 AD

Scientific method completed, next is the corporation. Annol switches from pentagon to TOE.

1625 AD

A quick look at my army: 9 artilleries, 9 infantries. Not enough by far.

1630 AD

No events

1635 AD

Just railroading againg. Pollution is becoming an annoyance.

1640 AD

Working, working, working...

1645 AD

Monty wants to extend our MPP. I declined. Soon I will feel powerful enough.

1650 AD

14 inf, 16 art

1655 AD

Monty suggests a MPP. Ok, Monty wich part of "No" don`t you understand?

1660 AD

Corporation discoverd. TOE will finnish next turn, so I set science to 0.

1665 AD

TOE brings AT and electronics, Annol starts hover dam, science back to 70%.
Pasha demands RP, wich I decline without giving it a second thought. A second later I wondered if I really want to go to war with the leading superpower?
On the other hand, right now I have a scientific advantage, and am building military. So now might be as good as later.
I quickly checked the diplomatic status:
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/diplo.jpg
Pasha has a MPP with Cathy, oh well. He can ally with every civ exept the aztecs and it won`t make a difference.
However if he does ally with Monty I will be deep, deep in trouble. However if I ally with Monty I fear that the china debacle will repeat itself: Monty becomes much to powerful due to the war.
I also looked for Pashas governmet: Facism. Not good.
For the moment I decided to fight this war alone and try to end it as quickly as possible.
My whole military moved south. I noticed that my railroad network is still not completed, it takes 2 turns.

Interturn

Cathy suggested a MPP, wich I declined. In hindsight that was just stupid. Oh well. Otto extended the horsedeal again.
Pacha struck where I least expected it. He had a ROP with Monty, and used his railroads to attack at Rottig.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Rottig.jpg
I had only a single musket there, wich couldn`t defend the city. I lost a couple of slaves as well.

1670 AD

Ok, Monty got me into this crap with his ROP, so he shall pull me out. I suggested a MPP (that`s not what I had in mind at all. But The last thing I need now are Pashas troops striking without warning everywhere along the aztec border. So I just decided to grin and bear it).
Monty wants atomic theory for it. Fine, he can have it. He is kind enough to throw in nationalism, furs, gems, 37 gpt and 76 gold for it.
My whole army turns around and heads north again. I will be able to strike next turn. I fear that Monty will take Rottig.
I tried to take back Rottig, so that Pasha can`t use the railroads next turn, but my army could only kill one defender. Cathy delared on me.

Interturn

What a terrible, terrible turn. Pasha took Kabirn, Kabobingen and burned down Amelang (with the great lighthouse). I will have his head on a pole for that, no cell for him. Seriously, if I wouldn`t be writing this log I would now be digging through my autosave folder. But so I just carry on.
The only good news are that Monty declared and that he has already moved this turn. With a little luch I can take back Kabirn and Rottig next turn, and let Monty do the dirty work of killing the huge masses of inca soldiers in the mountains.

1675 AD

First thing I did was pushing the railroad to Kabirn. I cannot afford further delays for my reinforments.
Then I put my attention to the cities. Rottig was only defended with 2 wounded cavs, so my 1st army took it easy. Then it killed onother cav next to the city, to inhibit recapture.
My 2nd army went north to Kabobingen and took it. It was also only defended with 2 cavs.
Kabirn was stormed by my inf. There were also only 2 cavs there.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/retaliation.jpg
Ok, I have my cities back. Now all I have to do is clean up the remaining troops.
The large stack near the ruins of Amelang are mostly workers. I want to have them, to compensate for my losses in the first turn of the war.
A cav and the army from Kabobingen killed the 2 defenders and the workers were mine.
After that, I redlined a few units with my artillery, and killed them with my infantry. The rest of my infantry moved in to defend the cities and all other units.
Basicly, i think the inca attack is allready repelled. There are only 2 cav and a lot of slow moving units left. All important sites are fortified, and Pasha can´t bring reinforcements.
But the price was quite high. Amelang destroyed, 3 cities were thrown back in their developement for centuries and I had to pay a high price for a MPP that I didn`t want.
Well, I will make sure that Pasha will pay a high price, too.

Interturn

Monty complained about a unit in his territory. I offer a ROP and he agrees, sacrificing 50 warriors in honour of our friendship. Uh, ok.
None of Pashas troops in the north was attacked by Monty. He must be busy in the south though, because Cathy declared on him.
Otto offered me a MPP, if I`d pay him 54 gpt. What a crazy dude. Needless to say, I declinded.
Pahas troops turned around and walked back into aztec territory.

1680 AD

I decided not to attack Pshas troops. With a little luck they capture Tlaxala, and I can take it back. I doubt it so, all good attacking units are dead. I moved some of my military back in the south to bolster the defenses there.
I don`t really know what to do. I could attack Pasha, probably even take several of his cities, but they would be cut off from the rest of my empire and impossible to hold against Monty.
So even though I have the desire to let Pasha die a slow death, I will just sit still and let Monty hanlde this war alone. And who knows, maybe he will lose some nice city that I can recapture.

Interturn

A few of Pashas cavalries turn around and threaten my territory again. Idiots.

1685 AD

I killed those annoying cavs. Most of my military is now concentrated in Kanta, waiting for an opportunity.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/waiting.jpg
But since Monty has allready infantry, I doubt that there will be such an opportunity.
I refounded Amelang. As a positiv sideeffect the cow is now used. You have to be happy abaut the small things.

Interturn

The stack of slow movers in the north heads back to my lands. Ok, if Monty has no intention to deal with them, and they show no intention to attack Monty I will destroy them.
Alex decided it would be a smart idea to join the war. Well, it would, but he joined the wrong side.

1690 AD

So my opportunity to use my army came sooner than I hoped. While Monty and Pasha have fun with each other, I will conquer Greece. I wanted to keep Greece as a puffer between Pasha and the eastern part of my empire, but it seems that in this game things never go as I planned them. The plan for attacking greece is quite simple, similar to the one that got rome. I thought shortly about adding a third frontier near the coast, but attacking with inf and art through jungle didn`t appeal to me. So I`ll stick with two points of attack.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/greece war.jpg
I still had to deal with the annoying stack of crap in the north. It were like 12 units, rifles, muskets, even med infs and longbows. After redlining all good defenders with art, I lost only two infs (stupid mountains).
The bulk of my army marched towards Thermophyle. Sadly I ended one tile out of bombard range. The greek offensive consists of 8 cavalries. With a little luck they will attack Monty next turn.

Interturn

The cowardly Greeks retreat their cavalry.
The Maya signed a Mpp with them and declared on me.

1695 AD

In the north, the last incan stragglers were killed. A lone incan cav that found his way to my eastern greece border also died.
The greek cavalries didn`t retreat far enough. They were standing on the plains next to Thermophyles, where my two cav armies got 5 of them

Interturn

The Maya declared on Monty....
Alex made quite a smart move. He used a frigate to bobard the guarding infantry of my eastern artillery stack and then killed him with cav. 6 arts got destroyed. Besides that, several cavs intruded my territory in the east. It will be annoying to hunt them down in the jungle. Some other units are threatening the former roman cities on the coast. They are only defended with muskets, have no barracks and are not connected by railroad. Not much I can do about it besides wishing my muskets good luck.

1700 AD

The troops that have hunted down the incan troops in the northern mountains are now deployed to hunt down the greeks in the eastern jungles. Sorry guys, but someone has to do the dirty work...
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/dirty.jpg
My troops on the greeks western border had less trouble. After shelling the city a bit, my armies had no problems capturing Thermophyle. It came wit auqaduct, hospital and bank. I renamed it "Temoron".

Interturn

A cav attacked Popelin, but failed.
I watched aztec and incan troops fight and die. I am pleased.

1705 AD

After I cleared the jungles of enemy presence, I once again moved to Knossos. This time my art is better defended.
On the other front, my troops aproach Sparta. I sent some new infantries to the roman coastal cities, but it will take some time until they arrive.

Interturn

3 greek cavs attack Temoron. They kill a cav, but fail to take the city. All are redlined.
Another cav attacked Popelin again, but the musket held, though redlined.
Alex, in his wisdom then decided to use his last cav not to take Popelin, but to attack a single infatry somewhere in the jungle. At least he succeeded.

1710 AD

The 3 cavs from the failed attack on Temoron are quickly killed. I sent one stack to Sparta, one to Athens. Knossos is bobmarded and all defender redlined. There are three rifles, but I have only one cav and one ancient cav in range of the city. Still I decided to attack, so that I have to use less art next turn. The cav killed. The ancient cav killed a rifle too, and produced a leader. This SoZ was really worth it`s shields.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/advance greeks.jpg

Interturn

Monty and Pasha signed a peace threaty. I am noticing a certain lack of enthusiasm for this war on Montys side. Joan declared on me. Is she even in the MA yet? This will not go unnoticed.
4 incan cav arrived to help ALex.
2 cavs attacked Popelin again, but my heric musket defended bravely.

1715 AD

I take Knossos. Alex could only put one more drafted rifle in. Knossos is very nice developed: Barracks, aquaduct, bank, coastal fortress, harbour and police station. Who can ask for more?
My leader founds an army wich will be filled with infantry.
Again I am exactly one unit short to capture Sparta. Well, next turn then.
In Popelin the reinforcements finally arrived. A infantry now defends the city. For fun, I decided to attack a redlined cav with my heroic musket. He died. It wasn`t fun.

Interurn

Pasha threw his cavs against Knossos, where they died. Monty declared on him again.
Alex did nothing. Greece is a democracy, so he is most like overwhelmed wir WW.

1720 AD

My infantry has finally reached Sparta. After some shelling the city is taken. Again a nice city, complete with barracks, courthouse, bank and hospital. I call it "Sparan"
I start the bombardement of Athens. For a capitol, is rather lightly guarded. 3 verteran rifles, a conscript and a cav. One of my armies managed to attack, killing the cav, the conscript and a rifle.

Interturn

A fresh cav attacked out of Athens and killed mine.
A lonesome rifle wanders towards Temoron.

1725 AD

Killed the lone rifle. Bombarded Athens. A new conscript there. The army the killed the 3 rifles and the cav and took the city.
Only a courthouse (in a capitol?), barracks, market there. Renamed to Aturn.
The rest of my army kept advancing. At the end of my turn I moved 5 artilleries into greek territory and found then out that I had no unit left to protect them.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/booh.jpg
(The units north of Aturn are defended, for some weird reason the inf just doesn`t show up.)
Alex has 6 cities left, and is still a Democrat. Let`s see, he has lost 4 cities so far, and aproximately 20 units (a very carefull guess) and probably another 20 or so redlined with bombardement.
So even with very carefull estimations he should be well over 90 WW-points. A democracy should revolt now, if I understood Oysteins thread on WW correct.

Interturn

As Sirian says: Some times it is better to be lucky than to be good.
Check this out:
France lands two Horsemen(!) on near Herecleia. What Joan wants to archieve with tool-time trooms on a modern battlefield remains unbeknownst.
Monty, in his ever eager recruitment mentality enlists her immedeately against Alex.
Alex no decides that it is much better to kill these two horsemen instead of my artillery stack. So he uses his very scarce offensive capabilities to kill those two poor horsies. His last cav killed mine next to Mycene and my artillery survived.

1730 AD

I wish I had bombers, there are a lot of ships around my shores. They don`t even bombard me, they are just annoying.
I killed a lone incan cav that roamed the area, and fired at Mycene. After the big guns have spoken, I attacked. I killed 3 Rifles, but the cav that killed mine last turn remaind. Once again I am one unit short.
Further in the north I briought my artillery in position, this time watching carefully that they are all protected.

Interturn

Monty sends a cav over. What do you want here? That is my frontier. Go bug Pasha.
Pasha shows that he is not pleased with Monties move either and killed this cav, along with one of my infantries. And... he captures my artillery stack. It was only defended by a single guerillia. I can explain... no I can`t.
Alex is fighting tooth and nail. A cav in Delphi killed one of mine, and another rifle moved into Mycene. That allowed the remaining cav there to sally, but it died to my infantry.
And one more cav appeared, this one moved directly to Aturn, wich was only defended be a wounded cav army. It was a very tough call, but the army won.

1735 AD

Ok, first things first. I recaptured my artillery. Then I used it to bombard Mycene. A fresh conscript was there, of course. I took and razed the city. My army then killed the incan cav that stole my artillery.
Killing the incan cav that punished Monty for interfering in my war gave me another leader.
Delphi got bombed and captured. There was a rifle, a conscript and 2 cavs. Where did that 2nd cav came from? It didn`t matter, I razed Delphi. I then bombarded Hericleia, and killed one defender with an army.

Interturn

Monty keeps on enlisting people against Alex. This turn he hired Caesar and Bismark. Ok, together they have nearly as much cities as Alex. I am sure they will help a lot.
Alex found another cav and killed one of mine with it.
And Sparam despoesed, with 3 artilleries in it. Bastards.

1740 AD

Hoover dam finnished. Production climbed from 737 megatons to 953 megatons (I wish I could give you the numbers in shilelds). Seems significant however.
I retook Sparam (it had only the obligatory regular and conscript rifles) and Heracleia (wich had 3 rifles and a longbow. Seems like Alex is running low on ressources).
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/zoomout.jpg

Interturn

2 incan cavalries attacked Sparan, ejere my army healed. Both failed. Alex tried his luck with an longbow, but guns proved to be better than bows.

1745 AD

I finally got rid of that lone greek rifleman than roamed around Nuppel.
Many cities that completed an infantry aor artillery this turn switched to a bank or an university. Most of them will have it completed in 2 or 3 turns and then go back to military builds.
On the frontier not much happened. I closed in an all 3 remaining greek cities, but could not attack this turn.
Cossacks were spotted at Pharsalos. Well, I have been expecting them for a long time, but that they arrived here was yuite a surprise. Well, fine with me if they attack where all my military is.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/you here.jpg

Interturn

Monty recruits again, this time the Iroquoise against Pasha. Out of curiosity I checked Hias tech status. Lo and behold, he has just reached the MA (side note: The Maya still don`t know the alphabet).

1750 AD

I paid 2k gold to upgrade my muskets.
I killed 3 rifles and lost 1 infantry in Argos, but couldn`t take the city. At Ephesos, my forces were also insufficient to capture the city, but more are coming.
Greece is finally in an anarchy.

Interturn

Cathy, in a moment of clear mind decided that facing a bunch of infantry and artillery with a handfull Cossacks would not be healty and changed her point of attack. Her troops are noe threatening Kanta. Pasha moved his troops there, too. A rare display of coordination between two AIs.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/coordination.jpg
So much sanity from the AI must have a cost. Caesar lost his mind and declared on Monty. I expect the "... forces have destoyed tha romans" message next turn.

1752 AD

Greece was still in anarchy, so there were no new conscripts this turn. That meant only 2 rifles defended Argos, wich I took and kept. It is surely a nice city, with barracks, market, bank, hospital police station and even a factory. I also captured 2 slaves. In the city were 6 clowns and a taxman - Alex sure had happiness problems during the war.
Ephesus was a little better defended, it had 3 rifles but was still razed.
Furter in the south my troops were approaching the last greek city, Pharsalos. I shot a few volleys at some incan infantry, but not enough to do some serious harm.
All newly buildt troops moved to Kanta. The city is now defended with 3 infantries, that should be enough to repell any attack Pasha and Cathy can muster next turn. More troops are en route, but those are stuck in the greek jungle that is not railroaded.

Interturn

Cathy retreats her cossacks once again.She seems not willing to face serious opposition. Smart girl.
Monty killed a few of the Incas, but not many. He even let some unprotected cavalry survive. Even Rome survived. Maybe Monty isn`t so powerful any more?
Pasha sent those troops over to Pharsos, but did not attack anything.

1754 AD

Poor Greece is still in anarchy. Now we will never know wich government Alex would have chosen. The last greek city fell, Alex joined The Cell.
I killed some of the incan troops, and advanced towards Ica.
Then I noticed something.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/Cuzco ahoi.jpg
The incan capitol is just 2 cities away. Pushing there should be possible. Keeping that city is a completely different matter, but I think I will at least try to claim this jewel of the continent.
Steel finnished this turn. I went for combustion next. With 80% science it will finnish in 8 turns.

Interturn

The whole incan army showed up at Ica. What is Monty doing all the time? He isn`t even able to kill Caesar in his tiny, single city. To think that I was afraid of this loser...
Parsel was only defended by my cav army, wich, after years of loyal service was slain by Pashas villains. My last ancient cavalry also died this turn.They shall be avenged.

1756 AD

http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/battle.jpg
I just spent that whole turn shooting at incan targets. There were really a lot.
At the end of the turn I had killed 7 cavs and 5 infantries without own casualities.

Interturn

Monty is on recruitment tour again. He signs Otto against Caesar and Pasha (stupid Otto) and Joan against Cathy.
He also finally managed to defeat poor Caesar.
Pasha could only retreat his remaining, scattered troops.

1758 AD

3 incan infantries cought in the open died, I lost 1. Their comrades in Ica didn`t fare much better. There I killed 3 infantries and 3 cavs that were healing there. My cav army took the city, and 1 inf moved in to defend.

Interturn

Monty does not wish to extend our MPP. Fine with me. The only sad thing is, that I lost gems and furs also.
Pasha was determined not to let Ica fall in enemy hands, and threw everything he had against me. This crude tactic even worked, Ica was retaken. My 2nd cav army was gone.

1760 AD

The loss of furs and gems led to no riots, only a couple of cities stopt the wltk day. Cities near the aztec border started building civil defenses. You never know...
The war was going along quite nice, in spite of the loss of both cav armies.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/plains.jpg
Besides from retaking cities or picking a wounded infantry Pasha just sent his troops mindlessly in my territory, where massive artillery fire tore them apart.
I was able to capture both Parsel and Ica this turn. Both are now defended with an infantry army in good condition. Let`s see if Pasha can defeat that.
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/ica.jpg

Interturn

Pasha did not dare to attack either of the cities. He took out one lone infantry, losing one cav in the process and tried to capture some of my guns, wich were valiantly defended by a wounded infantry.
Monty offered to extend our ROP. Carelessly, I agreed.

1762 AD

One source of oil ran out. I have only one left now.
I didn`t do much this turn. I just killed a couple of Incas while I waited for the bulk of my troop to catch up with my spearkeading armies. It`s about time that the railroad to Ica completes.

Interturn

I lose an inf and kill an inf. The number of incan troops that are thrown against me shrinks.

1764 AD

I used workes from my core to finnish the railroad to Ica.
My artillery crews spent the turn dragging their guns towards the next Cities:
Vilcas and Machu Picchu. And behind Machu Picchu lies Cuszco...
http://www.zorns-kleine-farm.de/civ/double.jpg

Interturn

Pasha tried to take Ica back, but his cavalries only succeeded in promoting an defending infantry. But he managed to kill a single wounded infantry. His infantry is seemingly trying to pillage the saltperer near Parsel.
far in the nort, an incan convoy dropped 3 cavs near 2 cities wich are still defended by pikemen.

1766

RNG wasn`t my friend this turn. The cavs in the north managed to kill 2 infantries befor they got killed, and my infantry army lost 13 HP on a redlined infantry.
The rest of my turn was the usual mopping up of incan forces.
By the way, the aztecs are no longer a democracy. They are now in facism.
Amazingly, Otto still has all of his 3 cities.

Interturn

Only 1 infantry arrived. Somehow I was expecting a little more...

1768

Combustion was researched. I went for flight next, I love bombers.
Redlined the inf and attacked with an elite in hope of a leader. Instead my elite died. Oh well, a veteran took care of the issue.
More bombing of Machu Picchu and Vilcas. But my infantry is not yet there, so I could only kill some defenders, but not take either of the cities. They should fall next turn.