Game status: Domination Victory
Game date: 1410AD
Turns played: 201
Base score: 1188
Final score: 2970
Wow great game! I did not think I would enjoy being a viking as much as I did. Always have hated it in the past when I have to battle against Berserkers in early way... now I know why.
This story, the story of the legendary empire of Denmark, began almost 5500 years before it reached global domination. Tied to the southeast part of a continent that included 3 other thriving civilizations, the King of Denmark chose to research key technologies early in his empire's history that would allow for rapid expansion of his peoples (Great Library for Iron Working turn 42). After the momentous rewards given for such a Wonderous achievement, Denmark completed two other large building projects that would help secure Harold Bluetooth's place in history (Colossus 75 & Statue of Zues 106). It was soon after he completed these two additional Wonders of the Ancient and Classical World, did Harold begin what would become a perpetual conquest of the entire globe with his - what some would call - insane troops (Berserkers). Bluetooth only founded 4 total cities, each aligned with strategic materials of the Earth. As Bluetooth eradicated the once mighty empires of Polynesia, Carthage, and England, he soon realized that his civilization would thrive through the might of their sword, and the swiftness of their sails. It was then, after the burning of York, that Bluetooth set his sight on the domination of all of mankind one civilization at a time...
A fleet of ships, bound for lands heretofore undiscovered, set sails for other vast empires on lands never seen by a Dane. In the meantime, other troops that had just burned the last Carthaginian city to the ground, set the sights of their crossbows toward the cocky Korean won, known only by the name Sejong. Soon after, the Korean capital of Seoul was in Danish control. On the other side of the world, Bluetooth's Berserkers had made landfall and began the arduous, years long siege of Jakarta. Once Jakarta was captured, a peace deal was signed, and troops made their way to the Russian lands - with only a few crossbowmen remaining in Jakarta to prevent a re-invasion. While these troops began their long journey up the wide sea to the Arctic North, the troops that had just conquered Korea were arriving on the shores of Morocco.
Like all Bluetooth's previous invasions, these remaining two battles would occur from the sea, by surprise. The timing was ripe for a joint invasion of the two remaining capitals - Marrakesh and Moscow. Troops and troops arrived along the shores of Russia, but Arctic ice blocked their way. A Declaration of war would have to be made before the troops could pass to reach Moscow. As such, more troops would be needed to pass through the narrow straight that would serve as a shooting range of arrows from the Russian shore. The attack on Moscow would need to be delayed 2 turns to gather more troops, while the attack on Marrakesh began. To nobody's surprise, the Moroccan capital fell easily, and all Bluetooth needed to do was conquer Moscow and the world's riches would be his - forever ingrained in the annals of history.
War was soon declared against Russia, and troops began sailing through the straight, many were wounded, many more made it through. Soon the Russian shores and coast around Moscow were flooded with Danish troops, a scale of which had never before been seen on this planet. As far as the eye could see were rows and formations of Berserkers, followed by even more rows of Crossbowmen. In a matter of 3 turns the Russian Capital fell, and the troops of the once might Catherine the Great were buried in mass graves. Bluetooth had dominated the world. The world was his. The year was 1410AD.
The most cherished and honored of histories, Herodotus the great, recalls the dates of Bluetooth's momentious accomplishment in his famous book,
"Histories: How Bluetooth Captured the World with Might":
Declaration of War - Polynesia (119)
Honolulu Captured (120)
Polynesia Eliminated (126)
Declaration of War - Carthage (139)
Carthage Captured (141)
Carthage Destroyed (160)
Declaration of War - England (163)
London Captured (167)
England Destroyed (173)
Declaration of War - Indonesia (175)
Declaration of War - Korea (177)
Seoul Captured (179)
Jakarta Captured (182)
Declaration of War - Morocco (195)
Marrakesh Captured (197)
Declaration of War - Russia (198)
Moscow Captured (201)
In the final year, while the captial of Russia fell, Herodotus would look back on the mighty cities of Denmark, not with awe of their beauty, size, or cultural achievements, but instead with awe of their efficiency, productivity, and military might. Indeed, Herodotus commented,
"never before has a civilization captured the strength of humanity as did Bluetooth and his infinite fleet of ships! Mobs of men, women, and children in all the capitals of the world could be heard in unison chanting... 'Bluetooth, Bluetooth, Bluetooth.....'"
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I was really aiming for a sub-200 victory. I had my troops amassed at Catherine's borders, but waiting 2 additional turns for a few more troops. In hindsight I should have taken the risk - ended up only taken three turns to take Moscow easily. Had I had rushed it, and failed, it would have taken at least another 20 turns to get it. I played it safe...
