Dark Ages

[sydhe]

How about it lasts 8 turns, cuts science by 10%, and you get no bonuses from science specialists during that time? Also, no Great Scientists are born (which could actually be good if you're after an Engineer). With a high possibility your neighbors can enter into it at the same time. Perhaps you could get a bonus from your monasteries.

 

[6K Man]

But, if it affects everyone, doesn't that mean nobody has any more of an advantage or disadvantage than they did before the dark age?

If it has the same effect on everyone, it'll be less awful for those who hate random events.

A dark age could easily give you an advantage or disadvantage. Maybe science drops, but maintenance drops too. That could allow REXers to expand with impunity without fearing falling behind in the tech race. Or maybe a global science stagnation would let the age of macemen last an extra dozen turns... BEFORE the opposition gets longbows...

etc.