18 Civs ; the Mongol Version
Played on Noble
Prologue
4000BC
The hunter was in his element.
He was crouched down in the long grass, hidden from the untrained eye, in a patch of long grass by the southern end of the lake. The fierce glare of the sun forced him to raise a hand to shield his eyes as he surveyed the deer; just three of them, a male, female and what he presumed to be their child. It had a gash across its leg, and was struggling to stay standing as it bent down to drink alongside its parents. Stupid creatures, thought the hunter. He must be less than 20 yards away now, all the while closing in. They don’t suspect a thing. Just as well really, he thought. His strength as a hunter owed little part to subtlety; it was his sheer ferocity and courage that had led him to his position as chief of his tribe, elevated above those that were perhaps cleverer or sneakier than he.
The deer straightened up. The hunter gripped his club with his right hand. It’s going to be now or never, he thought. He tensed, about to make his move . . .
VOICE: Gen – ghis!
The deer, spooked by the yell, scattered. Blast, and friggin double blast, thought Genghis. He straightened up and looked for his caller. A distinctive fat figure of a man was running – no, skipping towards him. He grimaced.
GENGHIS: Griznakh, you son of a weasel! Can’t you see I’m busy, hunting so that you can stuff your fat face day after day?
GRIZNAKH: O – oh, I’m sorry, but . . .
GENGHIS: I know you’re sorry. You always complain when there’s no meat at dinner.
GRIZNAKH: Well,
really,Genghis, I . . .
GENGHIS: Enough. You bore me already.
GRIZNAKH: Well, its quite important actually.
GENGHIS: What, there’s no honey left, and the bees have gone off on one again?
GRIZNAKH: WHAT? That’s tragic! My news can certainly wait.
GENGHIS: I was joking, you dolt.
GRIZNAKH: What? Why I don’t believe you, Genghis. A regular guy . . .
GENGHIS: I’d say you were more of an Extra Large myself.
GRIZNAKH: . . . like me comes down to report to you on pressing matters . . .
GENGHIS: If it’s so pressing, why don’t you SPIT IT OUT!
GRIZNAKH: W-well, it’s about that penchant for settling down you have.
GENGHIS: (interested) Ah. Go on, my friend.
GRIZNAKH: Well, you asked me to make some discreet inquiries among the tribe about it, and I mean, really, the whole idea is preposterous . . .
GENGHIS: Back to the point, fool.
GRIZNAKH: Oh. Yes. Well, I did my job, and actually, I was shocked by what I found. Most of the people are fed up with moving around all the time, as if a ghost was chasing us. I don’t think many of the people would object to your idea. Although, I might add, a few people were against it of course, myself included, it sounds so far-fetched . . .
GENGHIS: Griznakh! Your opinions aside . . . ?
GRIZNAKH: Well, really, Genghis, I mean, it’s
tradition, isn’t it? Nomads our ancestors were created, and so shall we stay nomadic until the last of our tribe should die. In fact, I am quite fearful that the gods would punish us severely for going against our ways!
GENGHIS: What utter bull you talk, Griznakh. You’ve made up my mind. We settle, and build permanent dwellings. Unless anyone wishes to take the issue up with me and my club, of course.
GRIZNAKH: But surely a well-reasoned argument would perhaps persuade you . . .
(Genghis raises his club)
GRIZNAKH: OK, maybe not.
(Back at camp, Genghis makes the announcement)
GENGHIS: Yeah, so any troublemakers?
(The crowd is still)
GENGHIS: Thought not. Alright then, bugger off. I don’t want to see anyone again until their yurt is finished.
(The crowd moves off)
GENGHIS: Griznakh, a word.
GRIZNAKH: Pumpkin.
GENGHIS: What?
GRIZNAKH: That is my word of the day. I thought it might satisfy you.
GENGHIS: You idiot, I just want to notify you that, seeing as we need at least SOME image of democracy on my council, I’ve appointed you as Advisor of Culture.
GRIZNAKH: A most honourable, well, honour, my lord! May I ask what it entails?
GENGHIS: Do you want the honest version?
GRIZNAKH: Why, honesty is the best policy, my dear Genghis.
GENGHIS: Fine. The other advisors and I, after having made our meaningful contributions to the meeting, invite you to stand and report to us on the state of our culture, that’s crap like art and music and religion and, yeah you get the idea. While you’re waffling on, we sit there thinking about other things. Once you’ve finished, we make our decisions, which were actually already made before your little soliloquy, and then go get drunk.
GRIZNAKH: Ah. Well . . .
GENGHIS: On the plus side, you will be fairly well paid. And well fed.
GRIZNAKH: (brightens) Well, have I any option but to accept? May I ask who else is on this . . . council?
GENGHIS: Three others, apart from myself of course. There is the veteran warlord Kolai, he will be my military advisor and top warrior. There is the young Ishak, who takes the role of domestic advisor; stuff like expansion and happiness. And finally, I decided to appoint Ialbuk.
GRIZNAKH: Ialbuk? The murderer? Why?
GENGHIS: He is the last of a noble and ancient line of warriors. True, he has proven himself to be villainous in the past, but I believe he is a reformed character.
GRIZNAKH: True, he seems to have turned over a new leaf. And, true, he is the cleverest in this tribe, past and present. But does he deserve this? I gather that you have put only your most trusted officials on this . . .council.
GENGHIS: If anything can inspire trust and loyalty in the man, it is this. He will prove to be a competent advisor, I am sure. He will be in charge of technological advancements and decisions.
GRIZNAKH: I trust your judgement my lord.
GENGHIS: That will be all, Griznakh.
And from such lowly origins, the Mongol Civilization was born.