Well, I have managed to survive to turn 130 so far. I was able to avoid war with Poland by sending him to Indonesia at t83. Cost me 14 gpt, but it seems well worth it because they are still at it. This led to denouncements by Ethiopia and Brazil. Brazil was his friend but he backstabbed them somehow.
Question. If he bullies a protected city-state of his friend, does that count as backstab?
This will not be a fast finish because I never got around to founding another city. Did not try for HG or Petra. Did not steal any workers. However, I am only slightly behind in tech and I have near cultural parity with the big boys (and girl).
Settled in place. I do not like settling on hills unless there is no other production in the first ring. While it may lead to a quicker start, I feel like it hinders me later by losing bonuses to mines or even farms.
Tech - Archery, Pottery, AH, Mining, The Wheel, Writing, Calendar, BW, Philo, Constuction, D & P, to Civil Service. Just finished Education and Metal Casting.
Policies - Full Tradition, 3 in Aesthetics (right side).
Build - Monument, Scout, Archer, Shrine, Granary, Worker, (bought an archer at some point here), Library, Archer, Worker, Caravan?, NC?, Oracle (opened Aesthetics), Writer's Guild. I could have started Petra here at t100, it fell at 116. I went for defense instead. Spearman (also bought Spearman), Warrior (1 turn before IW), Comp Bow. Water Mill, National Epic, and Mint somewhere in that last set of units. Just finished University. Will probably build Workshop next.
Other - I have been able to maintain at least friendship with Yerevan (culture) since I completed a quest for them fairly early on (40-50?). This had helped with policy acquisition. Brazil took them away for 5 critical turns which helped them to win a culture quest for someone. I'm not sure that I would have got it but I was gaining and it was gonna be close. I bought them back as soon as I had the cash. I have spent 500g and completed 2 quests so far. Currently, I am at ally status and I am building a road to them for another quest. I have had two maritime and one mercantile friend at points. I think I have one maritime friend now.
I sent one caravan to Yerevan for quest. When that finished, I sent to Warsaw. Now on second round to Warsaw. After I built the Mint, both Brazil and Poland sent me trade routes.
Brazil and Poland hate each other. Ethiopia and Zulu hate each other. Ethiopia hates Poland, too. As mentioned, Poland and Indonesia are still at war. Russia and Shoshone are minding their own business for now. Russia, fairly isolated, is competitive. Shoshone does not seem as strong. They may be hemmed in by Ethiopia.
I had originally planned to shoot for Globe Theatre, but my spy told me that Brazil was building it (7 turns away). I was still on Metal Casting.
Now, I am hoping for Sistine and Uffizi. May have to do an early Oxford just to hold my Writings and stay ahead on the Architecture line. We'll see. Right now, I am only one who has Education and only one or two others with Theology. But, Brazil has Printing Press, obviously. Someone, and I hope it's not Poland but it probably is, has Gunpowder. I'm hoping its Shaka. I like to see them take down Brazil.
I will possibly go to rationalism next for two picks (opener, left side), because I'm not ready for museums or opera houses yet, and I would like to wait on my next Golden Age to pick the free one. I hate delaying the extra bonuses from trade routes, etc. and the double theming, but it may be awhile before I have theming to double.
So, as I said, definitely will not be a fast finish, but it's a fun map and the ridiculous Capitol allows a Prince player to compete. I may even replay this one for fun a time or two.
So I cannot continue this game.
I was having a lot of fun with this one. I will continue to work on the problem and, hopefully, I will be able to resolve it before the deadline. I'm not going to win any competition, but, like I said, I was having fun with it. At least I can still play Civ 5 
, just no old saves.
towards me vs. 12
