The Mongol Empire on Earth

This is my first story ever. I wanted to try this for a long time, but never bothered before. Honestly this is just as much an add for my Earth map. The level is easy (Regent) since I was a bit lazy, normally I play Monarch or Emperor. If I do another story it will probably be Emperor. Anyway....

The Mongol Empire on Earth!​

The goal of this game is to create a great Mongol empire, comparable to the one that existed in the real world. It is played on my new Giant Earth Concept Map (256x256) which features some edited rules, most notable many restrictions on movement in different terrains. That's why at times my city placement or exploration routes may seem a bit odd.

Chapter 1: Founding the Khanate
The starting location is pretty good. Horses, food and Hills. Three of the Hills are not dry, so they give a little food too.

I start off with two settlers and a worker. My first build is a scout and I start exploring. With my other settler I find Ta-Tu and build another Scout.



After ten turns. The surrounding land is not great. I gotta get to Manchuria with my settlers if I want any big cities. That is the priority for now.



My first contact! The Chinese, not surprisingly. Just more reason to grab Manchuria before they get there! Luckily they seem to be occupied by some barbarians they must have popped, that's good news. Their initial expansion is probably slowed down a bit. I trade techs to get Masonry and move on.

Chapter 2: Exploration and Expansion

Because there are only a few really good city spots in my natural area I am going to send my settlers there first, even if it means walking for twelve turns with a settler before founding a city. My plan is to establish an eastern and a western "good" city that can then start popping up new settlers to colonize the area around them. Hopefully I can get into northern China before the Chinese take all the spots.

First is a lucky hut! My Scout leans about the Wheel from a tribe in southern China. Now I'm ahead of China in the tech race.



As my other scout reaches Afghanistan it spots another border. Looks like Persians too me. These guys are probably my second biggest concern, after the Chinese. I want to expand into Uzbekistan before they do, but it's a long way and Perisa tends to e a strong civilization. Not sure if I can make it if they are already in Afghanistan.



However, the plan of getting to Manchuria before the Chinese went perfectly! Guess those barbs did their job well. Kazan is going to be a killer city when it grows up. For now it will be a settler factory with that Pig adding some nice bonusses. The same goes for my western "good" city. With Wheat and Camels and some land that can be farmed, Tabriz is going to be the strongest city in Xinjiang. From here I will lead my invasion of settlers into Kazakhstan. (Provided Persia doesn't get there first...)




Some turns later my Scout travels through the Middle East and makes contacts with the Persians, Ottomans, Babylonians and Arabs. Finally he ends up in Egypt. I trade a few techs along the way. Regent was probably a bit too easy choice, it seems I'm pretty far ahead in techs already. The Scout finally meets Carthage, but ends up getting stuck between rapidly expanding cities and I dispand him not to piss off the Egyptians.



Shortly after Kazan produces its first settler and I quicky move him into the Beijing area of China. As I am ready to found Ulaanbaatar I spot the first Chinese settler. I'm actually happy, it would have been too easy if they never started building cities. It seems they finally killed those barbs.

Off to a great start, I'll be following!

I'm surprised you haven't founded a port yet, personally! Is that stone resource really that valuable?

Chapter 3: A Smaller World

In 1500 BC I research writing and immediately establish an embassy in the Persian capital. I quite worried they are exanding too fast, and I want to get a better feeling of how strong they are. Persepolis is not impressive though. I do spot an Immortal, so hopefully I can avoid a war for a while. No reason to get caught up in an immortal stack of doom...

SonicTH said:

I'm surprised you haven't founded a port yet, personally! Is that stone resource really that valuable?

Click to expand...

First thing up though! Choybalsan is founded with the second settler from Kazan and traps a Chinese Warrior in the process. It has potential to be a pretty good city, but first I have to road that Mountain to the east so I can get into Korea and build more cities. There's also Silks in Korea. After reinforcing the city with some defense I ask the Chinese to leave. They comply.

As for the Stone ressoruce. It is the only Stone I've spotted yet and I need it to build Aquaducts (among other improvements). But my main concern was getting into China and grab some of that good spots. As mentioned before, the terrain surrounding my capital isn't great, so my best chance of getting big cities are by conquering China.



In 1025 BC the Persians start making demands. Uh! Not the best thing to happen. I really don't want to give them any techs, they are already among the tech leaders and they are big. On the other hand I don't want to get into a war yet. I have no defence against them in the west. But then it strikes me, this is Regent, they are not going to declare war over a technology (that rarely even happens on Monarch in my experience). I say "NO!" and they leave peacefully. An empty threat as I thought.



The very next turn I almost establish a border with the Persians. And it looks like I got into Uzbekistan before they did. My plan is working. Those sheeps are "Wool" a luxury ressource that also gives some food, so Ereen is going to be pretty important. The close Persian city Sidon looks pretty good too though. Someday it shall be mine.



Against my expectations I succeed some time later in expanding further into China. I don't think I've ever seen the Chinese so weak in any games on this map before, my luck. However the free city spots are quickly disappearing all over the world. The world is becomming smaller and war seems to be comming closer.

This looks great! Looking forward to the destruction of China.
By the way, could you explain a bit more how your World Map works?

Toxicman007 said:

This looks great! Looking forward to the destruction of China.
By the way, could you explain a bit more how your World Map works?

Click to expand...

The main changes to the gameplay are the restricted terrain. In the first era units can only move in grassland, plains and hills. All units build after the first era can move in all terrains. Also the governments are changed so the penalty of Despotism applies for Republic, Monarchy and Feudalism too. This is compensated by making irrigation give 2 food instead of 1. It also means that you can get some pretty big cities when you reach the Industrial Age.

The units have also been changed, so now the Archer (and it's upgrades) are the main defenders. Spearmen are average infantry and Swordsmen are strong in offence, but weak in defence.

Also only the European civs (not including Russia) can load Settlers into Galleys, the others must wait for Galleons. Russia can get a special settler that can travel on all terrains, which allows them to grab the few spots in Siberia that does allow cities.

A lot of other small gameplay changes too, but those are the main ones.

The map itself has some new terrains:

Taiga Forest (prevents cities in Siberia and north Canada).
Tropical Forest.
Dry Hills.
Fertile Desert (replaces Flood Plains, same stats as Desert, but with the possibility to irrigate it and build cities on it).
Mountain Peaks.

There's also a bunch of new ressources (I think 32 in total, not sure).

Chapter 4: Preparing for War

A lot of turns passes and more cities pop up to fill the last gaps. I have a pretty big lead in the tech race. Atleast with the civs I established contact with. I have only researched techs that will get me to the Medieval Age. I need Feudalism, so I can get a better government, and it give me Keshiks – the key unit for my impending conquests. As my Manchurian workers expand their roads further east I can build cities in Korea and the Vladivostok region. In 250 BC I finally get my first Galley and I sail out to explore the oceans. Looks like Japan will be my first encounter. They prove to be a backwater civ, having not made any contacts before I meet them. For now I'll just let them be.



More turns passes on, and finally I am ready to invade! But first a look at my empire. The western Khanate is sparsely populated, with Ereen and Tabriz being the only two really good cities. I alsmost have a road linking Atlay and the cities west of it with the rest of my empire. The Persian city Sidon seems to be growing big as expected. My workers have recently completed a road into the steppes of southern Russia/northern Kazakhstan, but that land is not great either. I do send three settlers there, just because...



The eastern Khanate is somewhat more impressive. Karakorum, Kazan and Ulaanbaatar are my greatest cities, but many other are getting pretty good too. You can also see some of China. They have some pretty nice city spots, but I think I'm going to destroy Canton and put two new cities in its place to use the space a little better. Meanwhile my cities are pumping out Keshisks like crazy.



And finally the Horde located in Tosontsengel! I haven't played any further so I'm really excited to see how this invasion will go. Considering that China's best defender is a Bowman (2.3.1(2)) it's probably going to be slaughtering.

Yeah, with all those Keshiks you're sure to go down the historical path and decimate China with ease.

Looking forward to seeing how you manage such a vast realm; I trust corruption has been lowered, or is there something I'm missing?

I played a lot tonight and have new 52 pics ready! I'll do it in bits though.

SonicTH said:

Looking forward to seeing how you manage such a vast realm; I trust corruption has been lowered, or is there something I'm missing?

Click to expand...

Corruption is a bit lower. Furthermore, you can build 8 small wonders called Trade Stations. One for each luxury. They must have that luxury within their radius. SO far I have one Wool Station in Ereen.

Chapter 5: The Invasion of China, Part One

As my first Keshik kills a Spearman I get my Golden Age. A bit early for my taste, but that's the price I must pay.


Shanghai is captured in the first turn. I loose only one Keshik.


Next is their capital and biggest city, Xian. It proves to be much harder, killing six of my Keshiks before I can finally enter it. Still on the first turn.


The final city to fall on the first turn is Tientsin. Off to a good start!


From Xian I send an expedition of Keshiks northwest to take small Beijing. It surprises me by killing two of my Keshiks, but it finally surrenders to the Horde.


In the east my army reaches Canton and burns it to the ground!


On the next Chinese move they manage to get their counter-offensive going and kill three of my Keshiks. They then move a couple of swordsmen to Xian. However, that proves to be the only real victory for China in this annihilation. I quickly kill the two swordsmen.


My northwest expedition continues and destroys Tsingtao. I want a better city on the SE tile instead.


As I push my forces into south-central China they meet little resistance.

Chapter 5: The Invasion of China, Part Two

In the battle of Chengdu one of my Keshiks are killed. This is my last casualty in this war.


I sweep across south China (the Hong Kong area is claimed by Siam already) in the next few turns. The final Chinese city falls easily.


China after the invasion. This was easy. One thing happened that I hadn't thought about though. War wearness is affecting me in Feudalism. I got to switch to Monarchy if I'm going to war with Persia any time soon.


Some reconstruction is needed so I build three new cities. One in the northwest, one in central and one in place of the real world Shanghai. This map is giant, so I'm already having "New" cities.

Chapter 6: Preparing for Persia

First off I need to get Monarchy. I find it that the Egyptians are willing to strike a pretty nice deal on that issue.



However, I'm in the middle of my Golden Age, and I don't want to waste the extra shields on being in anarchy. So I'm going to wait untill the GA is over. In the meantime I send my army out to explore. When the GA is finally over I order them to immediately ride to Ereen to gather for an invasion of Persia.




I'm still wondering if my army is strong enough though. So before the war I establish an embassy with the Arabs so I can sign a military alliance with them. Stupidly though, they haven't made contact with the Persians, so no help here. I should have known, because I already have an embassy with Persia to see who they are in contacts with (see Chapter 3).



Only a few turns before my invasion force is completely assembled these guys show up near the Aral lake.



Huh? What are the Russians doing here. Surely they are not going to invade me? Russia is the second strongest civ (after me) and I don't want a war with them now. Especially not since my focus is on Persia. Besides Russia has a lot of land, but its far away and not that great. I really hope I can avoid this war. Anyway I send some Keshiks to Tes. I don't want to get caught off guard, just in case.



I also establish an embassy. Seems they are pretty loaded. Moscow is huge!.



Another turn passes. Dang. I guess Persia must wait then...

A war with your greatest rival already? Well, this is sure to be entertaining regardless!

Given your superior economy you shall prevail in whatever skirmishes you have; they're fortunate you've yet to complete a road that crosses into Europe...

Everything is looking good.

Chapter 7: The Russian War

The Russians manage to kill my defender i Tes in their turn, but the MI's are quickly taken out by my Keshiks. I gather what troops I have in Ereen to ride to Russia and redirect my remaining forces to travel over the Kazakh steppes (not shown in picture). It's hard to see because of the desert, but two of these Keshiks are somewhat big stacks.



When I arrive at Russia I meet a lot of resistance. Their army is way better than the Chinese was, however still slightly outdated. Most of their army is composed of ancient units that can't move in desert, so I use guerilla tactics to take out a lot of units before I'm ready to attack Rostov. A few Keshiks are killed.



A few turns passes and the bulk of my army is ready to a Russian invasion. Rostov will be first. Then I plan to attack the cities leading down to the Caucasus Mountains. That will give me another route into Persia --> might as well get the best out of this war.



Rostov seems to be filled with units. Probably their attack force (I hope), but my army is superior. I march westward, hiding from attacks in the (fertile) desert outskirts of Novgorod - my next target. My reinforcements from the Kazakh steppes also beging to arrive one by one.



Novgorod falls pretty easily, but it's surrounded by Russians troops. I scout and spot more troops in the fog of war, then retreat back to Novgorod. Keshiks only have 1 in defence, so I don't want to be attacked. Let them come to me instead. Meanwhile the southern flank of my army closes in on Orenburg.



Russians move a lot of units into Novgorod and it takes my whole northern army to wipe them out, but new ones are still arriving. Orenburg falls almost without a fight though. I want to move south, but I'm afraid of culture flip. Russia is stronger than me in culture and I don't like these close borders. So I decide to move against Yaroslavl to for better security against flips.



Fighting around Novgorod is heavy. I move in on Yaroslavl and captures it after a few loses. My army may looks big from the screenshot, but it's in a terrible condition and the Russians seem to have a non stop supply of stupid infantry units. The way to Caucasus is clear though.



The next turn I manage to take Khabarovsk and by a lucky shot the close by city of Tver. I also have to kill some units near Novgorod. My army is not as big as it used to so I contact Russia to see what I can get out of a peace. They will give me one city, but it's just the one I need, Kazan' (duh I already have Kazan in Manchuria, oh well...). I sign the peace and take a look at my new western dominion.

Great story so far. After that war with Russia you are dominating now.

I saw Moscow was size 13-14 and just checked the biq...I hadn't realized cities sizes were 5/15. Interesting choice.

Really interesting read. I'm crazy jealous over that awesome map and your rapid progress. Keep up the good work!

Besides Korea, which Civs were taken out?

AnthonyBoscia said:

I saw Moscow was size 13-14 and just checked the biq...I hadn't realized cities sizes were 5/15. Interesting choice.

Click to expand...

I felt 12 was too low, and arbitrary. 5 makes it look nice, it also forces you to give more thought to your city planning.

Icaria909 said:

Really interesting read. I'm crazy jealous over that awesome map and your rapid progress. Keep up the good work!

Click to expand...

Well the map can be downloaded from my signature and the rapid progress is mainly due to playing below my normal difficulty level.

CELTICEMPIRE said:

Besides Korea, which Civs were taken out?

Click to expand...

Celts, America, Iriqhoweveryouspellit, Zulu, Sumeria, Hittites, Portugal, Netherlands and Byzantines are not included. I did originally plan a version that had America, Netherlands and Portugal in though.

Siam was added.

Chapter 8: The Era of Expansion

In the comming years the empire expands further, not just in landmass but also in knowledge.

The main bulk of my army is located in Dagestan north of Azerbaijan, ready to invade Persia, finally. But its size is only half of its greatest extent. I have new Keshiks in the works in the east, but I don't want to wait anymore.



To make up for this I sign a number of miltary alliances before invading. Hopefully that will divert the Persian army away from the Horde.



My army takes Hamadan in Azerbaijan easily. Another small force takes Sidon. For now I don't have enough resources to advance further in the east, so my attack will be from the northwest.



Turn three of the war. I push into Persian heartland and reinforcements in the east manage to take Ergili which is badly guarded. The Persians start fighting back, killing some of my Keshiks, but not as many as I feared.



Turn five. Fighting is hard, but now the Persian army seems to be broken. Tyre puts on an impressive defence, killing way to many Keshiks and manages to stay on Persian hands for now.



Meanwhile Navigation is discovered. I can now build Galleons that can transport my settlers and I can trade maps. Rumor has it there is a land in the far east. I prepare a Galleon and some settlers.



I start trading maps and gain a lot of new knowledge about the world. India is a great land. I think this will be my next target. I've actually never managed to succesfully conquer India in this mod, but on this level it should be doable.



Here are some views of Europe.




And finally the New World, with early European colonists on it. Though it seems Germans and Scandinavians are dominating. The other euro nations are present in the Caribbean though.

Will you have the West Coast to yourself?