Finally, the game has started. My goals were to profit from the international trade network and to overhaul our antiquated government. I feel that I've succeeded in both endeavors.
I began by changing Manaus' build to a Terrace:
Apparently a Courthouse is not, in fact, a prerequisite for a Palace, and with the possibility for Free Speech, a Palace move was no longer strictly necessary. Also, as you all had pointed out so vehemently (and correctly), the biggest problem with getting a Cottage City up and running is slow population growth. Hence, the Terrace. The Workers also started building Farms.
With the Printing Press developed by Johuayna Gutenpac in Lima, it was time for a Trading Montage! Cue bad '80s music:
Banks and Harbors were built across South America. The Harbors were mostly, at this point, preparatory for Astronomy (which I immediately started research on). With about half of our commerce going to Gold, though, the Banks were a big help. We also, obviously, made some research trades with our Astronomy-having friends, largely eliminating our health problems.
Other Civilizations began to trickle in (including, for those astute enough to read the Trades closely, Alexander, who is apparently no slouch in this game- for once). Who was the biggest surprise? Keep in mind, she found me:
Good for you, Isabella! Of course, this means it sucks to be Louis.
Sadly, not all contact is friendly. I ended up getting embroiled in fake wars against the isolated, Taoist Hatshepsut, the always lovely Isabella, and the curmudgeonly Frederick. I also had to spurn Qin Shi Huang's invitation to war with Montezuma.
With Astronomy in the bag, it was time for a few new trades:
And to start beelining Democracy. The trade of Economics to Monty was to try to dislodge him from Mercantilism and restore his juicy trade routes. No such luck. Ah, well.
One of our Incan Caravels, with a Scout on its deck, found (surprise, surprise) an isolated goody hut island in the South Pacific:
The Scout made peaceful contact, was led to the tribal chief, and was given.... a map. Of about 30 empty Ocean squares. Thanks for nothing. The Scout burned the village behind him.
Plato had been born in Buenos Aires in the mid-15th century. He didn't do much, though, just learning the Tango and hanging out at the Teatro Colon until 1500. Then, with the concepts of Democracy beginning to gel, Plato got off his tuckus, dusted off his drafts of
The Republic, and started a Golden Age:
Why the wait? Why, to save us 3-4 turns of Anarchy during the inevitable Civics change, of course. Since Democracy was still more than five turns off, I got a head start by adopting Free Market immediately.
Shortly after that, I decided to let Spain off the hook for a few gold:
Sadly, she wouldn't give up Paris
With Democracy researched, I traded it to Saladin for Liberalism and a few gold (yeah, I overpaid, but I need Liberalism
now), and made the Civics change:
I closed out the round with what I believe to be a favorable trade with the French Remnant:
So there we stand. Sadly, maps were not readily available. Only Saladin was willing to trade, and he wanted more than 500 gold! So we're still limited to our own continent.
Speaking of, here's a look:
Menaus has a Terrace and a Library. Without a Palace move, I think the Courthouse once again makes sense.
The Diplomatic situation:
Haven't met Tokugawa yet. He's just shy.
Techs:
We're ahead of most of the world. Qin's an absolute beast, though.
And, finally, the Domestic situation:
We can research Steam Power, Steel, Military Science, Military Tradition, Scientific Method, or, well, Theology. What should our research goal be?
Overall, I think we're where we want to be. Am I missing something?
