Indeed, there are european civilizations that may have come too early, notably Poland and Norway (or Australia, that is culturally european). They could have added Mali, a northern native american or the Mongols. But what is done is done, and we can only expect that they will slower a little with western european civs (I think I'll be good with the Netherlands and Portugal). Nevertheless, there are still some european I'd like to see, such as Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia or Hungary.
Let me come up with potential trade delegation gifts (mostly food):
Vietnam: dog stew
Ottoman: kebab
Mongols: kumis
Inca: chuño
Sioux: buffalo meat
Canada: maple syrup, bacon, and poutine
Richard I: cottage pie
Alexander Nevsky: Rus handicrafts
Isabella: paella
Wu Zetian: bears and camels
Toyotomi Hideyoshi: sushi and sashimi
Actually, that seems fun. to do, so I'll try it with my choices (and according to the leader I chose) :
1. Ottomans (led by Selim I) : Certainly some baklava, lokums, and coffee.
2. Portugal (led by John II) : He could present you green wine and cods (azulejos did not exist at his time)
3. Georgia (led by Tamar) : Certainly calligraphs and kantsis (o clear the throat while reading)
4. Babylon (led by Hammurabi) : I guess he'd offer cylinder seals, and clay tablets.
5. Inca (led by Huayna Capac) : I believe he could give lama wool and meat.
6. One Native north american civ
7. Mali (led by Mansa Musa) : Gold and a band of Griots
8. The Mongols (led by Genghis Khan) : He's offer you some Airag and arkhi
9. Korea (led by Seondeok) : Some celadon pottery would certainly appeal anyone
Now, people were wondering about a second expansion. Now, again there are choices to make, any of them easy, but I'll do my best to do so :
1. The Netherlands (led by Johann de Witt) : The Dutch are simply too important to let by, with their polders, their stock markets and their powerful colonial empire. However, I chose a different leader this time. Johan de Witt would obviously a leader focused on diplomacy and market. But he could also give a bonus in science since the man himself was a famous mathematician. Anf for a delegation, he's offer, of course, some tulips, edam and gouda (and no, he would not offer some herbs).
2. Bulgaria (led by Simeon I) : My personnal dark horse is the kingdom of those who once were horse riding nomads who would come to make one of the most powerful medieval empires, making of Preslav the equal of Constantinople (and conquering it by the way). The best figure to introduce them is certainly Simeon I, the great, who would obviously focus in conquering and reinforcing his inner empire, but also cultural. From Bulgaria, he could receive some martenitsa, wine and gadulkas.
3. Byzantium (led by Basil II) : Even if Byzantium is geographically located within the Ottoman empire or the Hittites, let's be honest, it has little to do with it. Plus, they've been a staple civ for a long time. My choice for a leader, to distinguish, is of course Basil II, the bulgar slayer, who would focus on diplomacy, but would conquer to the bitter end his ennemies (plus, it could allow a wonderful scenario between Arabia, Bulgaria and Byzantium). For a delegation, he's offer some Commandaria wine, pastirma, and a tavli board.
4. The Hittites (led by Puduhepa) : the powerful hittites are known around the forum as one of the most wanted return, and it is very understandable, as they are the master of irons, and the civ could focus on boni on strategic resources. However, the Middle-east clearly lacks some feminity (and no
@Zaarin I'm still not convinced on Zenobia), and Puduhepa clearly is the woman every player needs, with a focus on diplomacy, alliances, and religion. Now, the delegation would certainly offer gold, silver, copper and iron.
5. Burma (led by Anawrahta) : Burma is the starter of the spread of Buddihsm throughout SE Asia, and also formed the largest empire there during the Taungoo dynasty. However, the one I'm interested is no Taungoo. Anawrahta would certainly be a good religious conqueror with a focus on getting relics (and certainly with an agenda based on them). Some lacquerware, longuis and parasols would satisfy his equals.
6. The Maya (led by Six Sky (Wac Chanil Ahau)) : Maya are a staple civ again, because they are certainly longest living civ in mesoamerica ! Also, it would be the first time we'd have a reigning woman from the region, with Lady Six focusing on building districts and conquering her neighbourhood, while the civ itself would certainly be a religious one. Anyone would accept some ceremonial masks and calendars as delegation gifts.
7. Another north american civ from the north, may it be Inuits, Haida or Tlingit : Again, I'll let the specialists discuss about it, since I'm no expert at all. I would just love a north american civ with boni on tundras and snow.
8. Ethiopia (led by Menelik II) : Ethiopia is a staple civ in the game, for a good reason. They are the exception in Africa, and one of the most admirable cultures in there. And since we're lacking later leaders, Menelik II is one of the best choices we have, focusing on the defense of his kingdom and science, since his goal was to modernize that very kingdom. No one would refuse some ethiopian delicacies like injera's with some wet.
9. The Swahili (led by Ali ibn al-Hassan) : Although I have not much hope for this one, since one of their most important cities is linked to an achievement, they were the Kings of the Indian ocean trade. WIth Ali ibn al-Hassan as their leader (even though from Persia, he was certainly black since he was the son of an ethiopian slave), their boni would certainly go to coast settling, trade and religion. I actually can't believe they were still not made into a civ ! For a delegation, kangas and ivory would certainly do the thing !