Playing as Trajan, learning many of the mechanics. Although I have NFP, I have not activated any modes so I believe that the base GS rules apply. Prince difficulty.
Built about 6 cities, conquered two more, managed to achieve a Golden Age in the Classical period. Yay!
Suddenly, the Era Score awards stopped coming. First, I tried popping out some second districts in my cities to get the Monumentality bonus. But my production wasn't strong yet -- I missed the Normal Age threshold by 5, and sank into a Dark Age. I tried invading my neighbor to the east (Gandhi) but couldn't hold the city because of Loyalty.
Went back my save from turn 122 (back in the Golden Age) and tried focusing more production to get to a Normal age. Still no Era Score bumps.
Went back again, invaded my neighbor to the south (Macedon) and took his capital. Still didn't escape the Dark Age.
What am I missing? What are the best ways to leverage a Golden Age to avoid a Dark Age next?
Perhaps I need to explore more, to see some natural wonders or meet other civilzations?
Related point: During my play in a Dark Age, I experienced more religious aggression than I had in my previous games. Gandhi kept sending apostles and converting my cities, which resulted in bigger loyalty issues. I've read @Victoria 's guide on loyalty, so I've been responding with my own missionaries to convert them back. He refuses to promise to stop converting my cities. During my next session, I plan to invade him with a bigger army and potentially raze some cities.
Is there any *defense* against AI religious conversion attempts?
When I declare war, are his apostles expelled from my borders? Can I then attack them with normal military units?
Built about 6 cities, conquered two more, managed to achieve a Golden Age in the Classical period. Yay!
Suddenly, the Era Score awards stopped coming. First, I tried popping out some second districts in my cities to get the Monumentality bonus. But my production wasn't strong yet -- I missed the Normal Age threshold by 5, and sank into a Dark Age. I tried invading my neighbor to the east (Gandhi) but couldn't hold the city because of Loyalty.
Went back my save from turn 122 (back in the Golden Age) and tried focusing more production to get to a Normal age. Still no Era Score bumps.
Went back again, invaded my neighbor to the south (Macedon) and took his capital. Still didn't escape the Dark Age.
What am I missing? What are the best ways to leverage a Golden Age to avoid a Dark Age next?
Perhaps I need to explore more, to see some natural wonders or meet other civilzations?
Related point: During my play in a Dark Age, I experienced more religious aggression than I had in my previous games. Gandhi kept sending apostles and converting my cities, which resulted in bigger loyalty issues. I've read @Victoria 's guide on loyalty, so I've been responding with my own missionaries to convert them back. He refuses to promise to stop converting my cities. During my next session, I plan to invade him with a bigger army and potentially raze some cities.
Is there any *defense* against AI religious conversion attempts?
When I declare war, are his apostles expelled from my borders? Can I then attack them with normal military units?