King of the World #17: Peter the Great
- Thread starter Neal
- Start date
Yared
That Guy
Yay 
Brian Shanahan
Permanoob
Should be Owain, yes. I chose to spell it Owen because that's how my parents decided to spell my name (presumably because it's easier for them to pronounce)
Yay, Neal is back!!
I know! I'm over the moon!
Peter groggily awoke, as if from a long sleep. He felt as if he'd been out for centuries, millennia, even. He turned his feet out of bed and sat there, on the edge, rubbing his eyes, trying to wake up. An aide rushed up to him. "Sir! You're back! We were worried about you!"
"How many untold years have I been out? Do we have flying cars? Towering walking robots that blot out the sun? A computer-led technocracy crushing the collective will of the people?"
"... No, sir. You've been out for three weeks. A little less, actually. The... world is pretty much as you left it. Musketmen and Free Market, sir. We have just begun a Golden Age, which you had hoped would usher in an era of State Property."
"Oh, yes yes yes. Very well, then," Peter said, finally standing and slapping himself to full alertness. "Organize the press conference. It's time we get this empire back on track."
"Ladies and gentlemen... First of all, I apologize for my long absence, and assure you that rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated." A nervous chuckle ran through the crowd of reporters. "So, yes, I'm alive. Now let me get to the point of this meeting. I am here to explain the governmental restructuring that is taking place. As you know, the logistical difficulty of running an empire spanning two continents has long crippled Mother Russia. For years we have sought a solution to this problem in science and in economics. Some believed, and still do, that the invisible hand of the Free Market would be our salvation, and it has helped. But more trade merely means more graft from corrupt officials across two continents and our island home. No, I believe that the only way to stanch the bleeding is to abolish personal property altogether."
The Prime Minister held up his hands to quiet the concerned murmur that ran through the room. "Now, now... This is a major change, but a necessary one. And I assure you, no one will go hungry under this new Communist system. From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs, and all that. I have come to understand that the only way that I can ensure efficiency and honesty across the vast reaches of our empire is to take personal control of every Customs House and Bank that flies our flag.
"The more studious among you may have also noticed our other major change. Yes, I have dissolved the Caste System, and have declared the lower caste members to be vassals of the state. This should be a temporary measure, but I assure you it is also a necessary one. With the South American jungles now under our control, we have, in effect, once again regressed to an agricultural state, and our government should reflect that. These 'new peasants' will be treated well, with full health care and benefits, until the program is deemed no longer necessary. Now, questions?"
The latter half of the press conference was a dizzying kaleidescope of questions about his health and soothing the ire of reporters whose life savings had become assets of the state. Peter managed to wrap things up with only a few reporters sent to the Iceloyarsk gulags. After all, he had other important matters to attend to.
With the South American coastline conquered, it was time to make a push into the interior. This began with the city of Bogotov in 1265:
There was an argument for settling the city farther south, but the Settlers, seeing the ominous glow of China's borders, opted instead to maximize the tiles that they could claim for Russia. As you can also see, the empire's catastrophic hemorrhaging of funds had slowed to a mere trickle. The new programs were working!
Money was still an issue, though. To prove his goodwill, and that he was not about to "export the revolution," Peter made many trades with the nations of the world:
In hopes of portraying himself as a religious man, despite his irreligious civics changes, the Russian Prime Minister spread religious technologies around the globe. The fact that Divine Right is an absolute garbage tech, and that Theology is already ridiculously old news, didn't hurt things, either. And the massive influx of gold would fuel deficit research for years to come.
The economy was also helped by the founding of the Dai Miao in Scandinavia:
Taoism was a minor faith, at best, so the shrine's income would be limited, but every little bit of gold helps! While he did not convert during the ceremony, Peter did attend the temple's opening.
The gods were apparently not pleased with this duplicity, and South America suffered the brunt of their anger:
A few watermills were lost in the deluge of ash and magma. Nothing that couldn't be easily replaced by Steam-powered Peasant-Workers! Satisfied at his survival in the face of divine wrath, Peter returned to the task of making Russia great.
The savages of Carib were wiped off the map:
The city was razed. Peter thought about keeping it, but to lose another city to China's inexorable borders would be too much.
Sadly, Neal's dreams of a powerful, peaceful New World were dashed in 1300:
I suppose that the Persians and the Mali, trapped together on a smallish continent, were bound to find some reason or another to come to arms eventually. It's most unfortunate, really.
Another round of serious tech trading commenced:
We were one turn away from Steam Power, so the Frederick deal isn't as ridiculous as it might seem at first glance. It certainly is nice to see Alexander flexing his muscles a bit. He, Huayna, and Mother Russia are easily the three top powers in the game.
By 1325, we had pushed even farther into the Amazon basin:
I might still put down another city or two on China's borders, but my Workers have enough on their hands right now.
Things progressed mostly without incident. The Apostolic Palace pulled the Aztecs out of a minor war, the Americans begged Education from us (it's really quite fascinating that Roosevelt is languishing in one of the best starting spots on the map!), and, in 1340, Mansa Musa finally knelt at Persia's throne and kissed the ring:
Which is interesting, in that the America-start just vassalized the Aztec-start. So that particular aspect of the map, at least, is a matter of AI more than pure geography.
Having seen a runaway Cyrus before, though, Neal, if not Peter, knew what must be done:
Persia was strong. Russia was strong. China was weak. The race was on. At least, I assumed so. Maybe Cyrus didn't give a damn about China. Who knows? Either way, Riflemen were loaded onto boats and sent to the Andes!
The Dai Miao, meanwhile, was a magnificent structure of epic proportions. Shipments of South American gold regularly came in to be beaten into leaf to gild new wings of the constantly-expanding shrine, and new Bronze statues were continually being cast to line its halls. The Oslodonsk Blacksmith, struggling to keep up, expanded the Forge to increase its capacity:
In the global scheme of empires and kings, this was no great feat, but he became a local hero, and his revolutionary methods were included in Russian Engineering textbooks for centuries to come.
The Andean troops, meanwhile, who had just returned to Dobry Vordukh with spoils from the razing of Carib, were upgraded to Riflemen and sent back out to retake the traitor-city of Concepcibirsk:
The city fell easily, and quickly reacquainted itself with Russian rule.
The northern Shanghai front, meanwhile, became a slog:
We had state-of-the-art Riflemen and, later, Infantry, but the accursed Chinese were positioned on a hill, and we were limited to Catapults in our siege battalions. Nevertheless, the slow thudding of stone against wall, combined with the regular decimation of any counterattack forays, slowly sapped the Chinese will. As you can also see, the Buddhist faithful had finally had enough of the perfidious Elizabeth, who was eliminated from trade considerations.
With the 1405 publication of Toynbee's Most Powerful Civilizations of the World, Neal decided to call a rest and consult his advisors:
We rank, barely, but that's mostly because somebody has to fill out the lower rungs of the standings. Our forces are strategically positioned at chokepoints, though, and we have the ability to upgrade archaic troops to modern marvels, so I'm not too worried about the possibility of attack.
Oh, and, yes, we never did take Shanghai, but China did relent:
With that, we no longer need to worry about Chinese culture bleeding over onto our side of the mountains, except in the case of the occasional revolt. And we get +1 in all of our cities! What's not to like? Well, except for the fact that having the bellicose heathen Chinese on our side doesn't exactly win over the neighbors.
Here's a look at the world, or at least our chunk of it:
Levees are power in the New World, but they're expensive, and there is much other infrastructure that needs building.
Here's the tech situation:
We're holding our own.
Finally, the always-confusing Diplomacy web:
Nobody'll sign a new Defensive Pact with us, but I think we're friends with those we need to be friends with.
As I've said before, thank you all for your patience and I hope to be back to a reasonable schedule sometime soon. Until then, any advice would be welcome!
"How many untold years have I been out? Do we have flying cars? Towering walking robots that blot out the sun? A computer-led technocracy crushing the collective will of the people?"
"... No, sir. You've been out for three weeks. A little less, actually. The... world is pretty much as you left it. Musketmen and Free Market, sir. We have just begun a Golden Age, which you had hoped would usher in an era of State Property."
"Oh, yes yes yes. Very well, then," Peter said, finally standing and slapping himself to full alertness. "Organize the press conference. It's time we get this empire back on track."
"Ladies and gentlemen... First of all, I apologize for my long absence, and assure you that rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated." A nervous chuckle ran through the crowd of reporters. "So, yes, I'm alive. Now let me get to the point of this meeting. I am here to explain the governmental restructuring that is taking place. As you know, the logistical difficulty of running an empire spanning two continents has long crippled Mother Russia. For years we have sought a solution to this problem in science and in economics. Some believed, and still do, that the invisible hand of the Free Market would be our salvation, and it has helped. But more trade merely means more graft from corrupt officials across two continents and our island home. No, I believe that the only way to stanch the bleeding is to abolish personal property altogether."
The Prime Minister held up his hands to quiet the concerned murmur that ran through the room. "Now, now... This is a major change, but a necessary one. And I assure you, no one will go hungry under this new Communist system. From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs, and all that. I have come to understand that the only way that I can ensure efficiency and honesty across the vast reaches of our empire is to take personal control of every Customs House and Bank that flies our flag.
"The more studious among you may have also noticed our other major change. Yes, I have dissolved the Caste System, and have declared the lower caste members to be vassals of the state. This should be a temporary measure, but I assure you it is also a necessary one. With the South American jungles now under our control, we have, in effect, once again regressed to an agricultural state, and our government should reflect that. These 'new peasants' will be treated well, with full health care and benefits, until the program is deemed no longer necessary. Now, questions?"
The latter half of the press conference was a dizzying kaleidescope of questions about his health and soothing the ire of reporters whose life savings had become assets of the state. Peter managed to wrap things up with only a few reporters sent to the Iceloyarsk gulags. After all, he had other important matters to attend to.
With the South American coastline conquered, it was time to make a push into the interior. This began with the city of Bogotov in 1265:
There was an argument for settling the city farther south, but the Settlers, seeing the ominous glow of China's borders, opted instead to maximize the tiles that they could claim for Russia. As you can also see, the empire's catastrophic hemorrhaging of funds had slowed to a mere trickle. The new programs were working!
Money was still an issue, though. To prove his goodwill, and that he was not about to "export the revolution," Peter made many trades with the nations of the world:
In hopes of portraying himself as a religious man, despite his irreligious civics changes, the Russian Prime Minister spread religious technologies around the globe. The fact that Divine Right is an absolute garbage tech, and that Theology is already ridiculously old news, didn't hurt things, either. And the massive influx of gold would fuel deficit research for years to come.
The economy was also helped by the founding of the Dai Miao in Scandinavia:
Taoism was a minor faith, at best, so the shrine's income would be limited, but every little bit of gold helps! While he did not convert during the ceremony, Peter did attend the temple's opening.
The gods were apparently not pleased with this duplicity, and South America suffered the brunt of their anger:
A few watermills were lost in the deluge of ash and magma. Nothing that couldn't be easily replaced by Steam-powered Peasant-Workers! Satisfied at his survival in the face of divine wrath, Peter returned to the task of making Russia great.
The savages of Carib were wiped off the map:
The city was razed. Peter thought about keeping it, but to lose another city to China's inexorable borders would be too much.
Sadly, Neal's dreams of a powerful, peaceful New World were dashed in 1300:
I suppose that the Persians and the Mali, trapped together on a smallish continent, were bound to find some reason or another to come to arms eventually. It's most unfortunate, really.
Another round of serious tech trading commenced:
We were one turn away from Steam Power, so the Frederick deal isn't as ridiculous as it might seem at first glance. It certainly is nice to see Alexander flexing his muscles a bit. He, Huayna, and Mother Russia are easily the three top powers in the game.
By 1325, we had pushed even farther into the Amazon basin:
I might still put down another city or two on China's borders, but my Workers have enough on their hands right now.
Things progressed mostly without incident. The Apostolic Palace pulled the Aztecs out of a minor war, the Americans begged Education from us (it's really quite fascinating that Roosevelt is languishing in one of the best starting spots on the map!), and, in 1340, Mansa Musa finally knelt at Persia's throne and kissed the ring:
Which is interesting, in that the America-start just vassalized the Aztec-start. So that particular aspect of the map, at least, is a matter of AI more than pure geography.
Having seen a runaway Cyrus before, though, Neal, if not Peter, knew what must be done:
Persia was strong. Russia was strong. China was weak. The race was on. At least, I assumed so. Maybe Cyrus didn't give a damn about China. Who knows? Either way, Riflemen were loaded onto boats and sent to the Andes!
The Dai Miao, meanwhile, was a magnificent structure of epic proportions. Shipments of South American gold regularly came in to be beaten into leaf to gild new wings of the constantly-expanding shrine, and new Bronze statues were continually being cast to line its halls. The Oslodonsk Blacksmith, struggling to keep up, expanded the Forge to increase its capacity:
In the global scheme of empires and kings, this was no great feat, but he became a local hero, and his revolutionary methods were included in Russian Engineering textbooks for centuries to come.
The Andean troops, meanwhile, who had just returned to Dobry Vordukh with spoils from the razing of Carib, were upgraded to Riflemen and sent back out to retake the traitor-city of Concepcibirsk:
The city fell easily, and quickly reacquainted itself with Russian rule.
The northern Shanghai front, meanwhile, became a slog:
We had state-of-the-art Riflemen and, later, Infantry, but the accursed Chinese were positioned on a hill, and we were limited to Catapults in our siege battalions. Nevertheless, the slow thudding of stone against wall, combined with the regular decimation of any counterattack forays, slowly sapped the Chinese will. As you can also see, the Buddhist faithful had finally had enough of the perfidious Elizabeth, who was eliminated from trade considerations.
With the 1405 publication of Toynbee's Most Powerful Civilizations of the World, Neal decided to call a rest and consult his advisors:
We rank, barely, but that's mostly because somebody has to fill out the lower rungs of the standings. Our forces are strategically positioned at chokepoints, though, and we have the ability to upgrade archaic troops to modern marvels, so I'm not too worried about the possibility of attack.
Oh, and, yes, we never did take Shanghai, but China did relent:
With that, we no longer need to worry about Chinese culture bleeding over onto our side of the mountains, except in the case of the occasional revolt. And we get +1
in all of our cities! What's not to like? Well, except for the fact that having the bellicose heathen Chinese on our side doesn't exactly win over the neighbors.Here's a look at the world, or at least our chunk of it:
Levees are power in the New World, but they're expensive, and there is much other infrastructure that needs building.
Here's the tech situation:
We're holding our own.
Finally, the always-confusing Diplomacy web:
Nobody'll sign a new Defensive Pact with us, but I think we're friends with those we need to be friends with.
As I've said before, thank you all for your patience and I hope to be back to a reasonable schedule sometime soon. Until then, any advice would be welcome!
need my speed
Rex Omnium Imperarium
Great! There is an update right when I'm about to finish the third read of all of your stories! You, along with Mad Scientist, provide the best stories in my opinion, so keep it up. But since when can Workers declare war?
Jaaboo
Prince
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 485
Taking China out of the game of nations was a good move. You could probably give Concepcibirsk back to China, I'm not sure if cities can flip to your vassals, but its not really a power city and the free boost to relations probably wouldn't hurt (nor would it really help.)
Honestly, a solid round - you know the drill from here, you've done it many a time before, get SA up and running, win game by sending Ruskies to the moon.
Honestly, a solid round - you know the drill from here, you've done it many a time before, get SA up and running, win game by sending Ruskies to the moon.
madscientist
RPC Supergenius
Great Playing so far. The biggest question is what Al and Hyuna do with each other. IF they remain OK with you and each other I say hunker down for space, South America is a monster place for production in the modern era.
Bee-line The internet and go for Sputnik, let the insignificants quarrel amongst themselves.
Bee-line The internet and go for Sputnik, let the insignificants quarrel amongst themselves.
General Pilates
Warlord
I think you should get some workers in south america and start setting up cottage country down there. the amazon will be an excellent place for some cottages, while you could bas your productive cities on the hilly brazilian coast. taking china out of the game was a good move, just be careful, because Cyrus might be mad at you now. As far as I know, you suffer a -1 diplomatic relations point for vassilizing a person's enemy.
disturbed1
Chieftain
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2008
- Messages
- 82
Rise Against Reference =D Great round Neal and welcome back!
So I'm kind of at a crossroads, here. The easy road (as it's kind of the one I've been setting up for all game) would be to accept my British/Scandinavian/South American empire, build a spaceship, and take the win. But, with a monopoly on Infantry and with Steel easy enough to pick up, we could feasibly beat our plowshares into swords and go on the march.
I'd kind of prefer to get this game over with and start fresh with a new leader, but I figured I'd check with my advisors.
I'd kind of prefer to get this game over with and start fresh with a new leader, but I figured I'd check with my advisors.
Shoot the Moon
Playing World in Conflict
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2005
- Messages
- 708
Wasn't the point of this game to stay out of the way of the AIs for the most part to see how they would do? I'd lean towards a space race wrap up.
IAM
Emperor
I always go for war victory... but it was neat to see the developement of AI in different locations. That being said OMG please do whatever you want just don't take our Neal fix away. So space race seems optimal.
The Dark One
Settled Priest
Like Mad says, you know you can win by getting to space from here, so if you're ready to start something new, that's the way to go - cannon/infantry slog would be just that, a slog, on this map. If you did start the smackdown, who would be the victim? Take over Europe and push into Africa? Or take the prime space-ship producing land of N America?
Your point about Persia taking out MM on this map is a good one... proves that Roosevelt doesn't have to be Monty's vassal in the normal map. Am I the only one who would like to see those tables turned?
Your point about Persia taking out MM on this map is a good one... proves that Roosevelt doesn't have to be Monty's vassal in the normal map. Am I the only one who would like to see those tables turned?
ConsoleCowboy
Chieftain
Cities will flip to vassals. They just don't flip back to the guy you conquered it from. On earth it happens a lot in the middle east. If you take arabian cities and vassal Sal, they will flip easily to Cyrus or whoever else in the region, since their culture is older and stronger than yours. Also Vassals can flip your cities if those cities have not been taken by force from them (e.g. if they are built by yourself).
silentounce
Chieftain
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2008
- Messages
- 83
Are you sure it's not a Mark Twain reference? I don't think he's quite in the era for Rise Against yet.
capnvonbaron
Democratia gladii
If you go spaceship you may at some point need to capture or burn a couple of HC's cities at the rate he's going. If you think you can get Alex to go in with you it'd be a rout.
I doubt HC is really all that competent with warmongering to present a physical threat. His production is still fairly weak and his cities are probably all busy spamming religious buildings. His only real defense would be to bribe someone... dunno if he'll be able to bring anyone useful in though, aside from maybe Alex
ADD-IN: Is that Hattie in Hawaii? Too funny
I doubt HC is really all that competent with warmongering to present a physical threat. His production is still fairly weak and his cities are probably all busy spamming religious buildings. His only real defense would be to bribe someone... dunno if he'll be able to bring anyone useful in though, aside from maybe Alex
ADD-IN: Is that Hattie in Hawaii? Too funny
Jaaboo
Prince
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 485
Well if you're itching to get your cannon off, I'd say your best target of opportunity with the most pay off is Cyrus. You have a HUGE military advantage over him as he's lacking even several techs to even get to rifles. Mansa is close to rifling, and can offload techs to him, but you should be able to take Mansa out easy and spearhead a North American invasion from Timbuktu. Yes, Cyrus has a lot more power than you, but he's got muskets and longbows.
That being said, it would be a slog.
That being said, it would be a slog.
