Gold Gulch Scenario (MGE) 1.0

THE AREA:
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The valley is surrounded by rich mountains and a vibrant source of wildlife. Grizzly
bears, Grey wolves, and Copperhead snakes inhabit this land, making travel through
the wilderness dangerous. Also, this land just so happens to be the territory of the
Sioux who, after routing Custer at Little Big Horn, have retreated to the Hills to
guard against reprisals from the U.S. Cavalry, led by General Crook. The Sioux, led by
Red Cloud, are no longer as violent as they were a year ago, but encroachment on their
territory carries a heavy price. The scalp of the white man is still a prized
possession to these proud warriors.
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One of the main reasons you and the other saloon owners moved to this region is the
lax law enforcement - that is to say, ANY law enforcement. This land is still
regarded as being out of the bounds of the United States, and thus, free from its
laws, its bureaucracy, and more importantly, its protection. You and any other
inhabitants of this land are lawless and are thus privy to the wants of the wildlife,
the Sioux, and even the U.S. Cavalry.
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GAMEPLAY:
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Unlike a regular Civ2 MGE game this scenario is designed to take place on a limited
setting. That is to say your cities are no longer bustling metroplises, but saloons
with clientele. City improvements now take the form of saloon improvements, each one
providing some benefit to your business as it grows. Wonders are now specialized
endeavors that can make a saloon unique and its value more sought over.
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Land is now split into two categories, the profitable and the un-profitable. Only
on a plot that bears some sort of structure or street can a saloon gain a significant
boost to its revenues. Pasture and grassland has little offer in the way of trade,
investment, or clientele. Be sure to stay within the ever growing camp area if you
want to make any sort of money.
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Your units are now individual employees, each with their unique
abilities. Male employees usually act as brutes, enforcing your will throughout the
camp. Women, at least the ones who you would be stretched to call ladies, are
usually prostitutes who have the ability of a diplomat. These disenfranchised
women usually are the dregs of society that have fallen on bad times or
have traveled from the East after being tricked into thinking they can find a
better life in the valley and are thus thrust into virtual slavery. Don't
worry about the moral implications of the situation, you are, after all, an
entrepeneur in a lawless land.
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There are also other special employees and assets at your disposal. Wagon Trains can
be used to found new saloons, Long Horn cattle can be used herded from one saloon
to the next to trade with the local businesses, Chinamen are especially adept at
being spies especially in areas a "mere" woman would be noticed, Prospectors have a
special knack at traversing hilly terrain and finding those sought over gold nuggets,
rafts can be used to traverse the small, but sometimes violent river seperating the
valley, and yes even the local cavalry, the ones weary of service to the great land
to the East, can be hired. Other special units can be only used when you really want
to make a stink. Smallpox, a terrible disease, is especially rampant in the open lands.
Plague rats can be a weapon of last resort if you really want to clear out a saloon.
Use them with extreme caution.
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Other units in the valley offer a bonus to the exploratory businessman. Gold Nuggets
in the mountains carry a bonus when they are "gathered". Ranchers raise cattle not
to far from the town that can be rustled for a quick cash bonus. Also, pioneers
regularly enter the valley from the East. Use your prostitutes and their "diplomatic"
powers to get these men into your saloons so that they can "disband" their tired
feet and spend their money.
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WORDS OF AN OLD PROSPECTOR:
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Use your units for their express purpose. A slain prospector will make you lose money.
The Sioux will be a constant nuisance as they gain their power to create new warriors
from the great Sun (Events.txt - free money) himself. The Sioux are allowed to live on
this land at the authority of the President of the Unites States, Rutherford Birchard
Hayes, so "breaking" the Indian Treaties protecting their camps will bring about a
powerful reprisal from these fierce people. Be careful on the waters surrounding the
great river. The U.S. has gun boats patrolling these waters and they will attack anyone
who is not supposed to be in this land. If your representational self, Tye Oliver unit,
etc... is murdered your saloon will go belly up, so be sure to keep yourself out of harms
way! Also, the frequent storms in this area tend to dump a lot of debris, including
submerged logs, into the river. Oh yeah, and be sure to buckle down for the storms that
roll out of the sodden mountains.
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Make your fortune or die trying! Good luck tough guy!