Designing Khmer for Civ7

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

1. What should be their Seat of Power?
- Angkor Thom
- Angkor Wat
- Yasodhornpura (Mentioned in one of King Ramkhamhaeng's Stele somewhere in Wat Si Chum or in Chiang Rai (Also in regards to the foundings of Chiang Mai, a city in which King Ramkhamhaeng was an advisor to King Meng Rai of Chiangrai regarding to the foundings of Lanna Kingdom) but it King Ramkamhaeng himself cited that his kingdom was a vassal to/allied with "Yasothorn" which refers to this city. @Andrew Johnson [FXS] might be able to explain more.)
OFF TOPIC: I'm not sure if a city of Yasothorn in Northeast of TH is named after the Old Khmer capitol.
And who should lead?
2. Sure they're elephant empire as well as their successors, vassals, rivals, and enemies (including Cham, Dai Viet (Civ6DLC but i'm not sure if that woman is a leader who resisted Yuan Empire with their War Mastodons), Several smaller kingdoms in what's now Thailand and Laos and greater successors like Siam). their signature war elephants all have ballista platforms (Based on Angkor Wat murals). (Also used by Chams) What are proper names?
- Ballista Elephants (Generic terms used in Civ4).
- Domrey (means Elephants in Khmer language)
-Dhanvī-gaja (Humankind): (ธนูคช) Literally Elephant Archers.

Regardless of the unit names. i'd say unit designs in HK is more realistic as ballistas should be mounted on pivot mounts.|
And what's preferred Ballista elephant designs?
3. Unique buildings/districts/infrastructures. What should it be?
- Baray (Pronounced "Ba-Raii" บาราย (Water reservoir of various size, usually located next to a stone Prasat)) as seen in HK as Emblematic Quarter).
- Prasat (Hilly Prasat may not have Barais, like in Phanom Rung or Preah Vihear)

 

[Andrew Johnson [FXS]]

Khmer has a few capitals over the years, but I agree that Yasodharapura is a good choice. The word "pura", of course, means "city" and "yaso" means "high". I think Yasothon might be named after Yasodharapura - see the spellings (in Thai): ยโสธร, and ยโศธรปุระ. However, the city was renamed Yasothon during Rama II, so it is not an ancient name. At that time, when Siam was seeking to control Cambodia, there was a lot of renaming formerly Cambodian lands. Or it could be just a common name "the great dharma/nature city".

And, yes, Sukhothai had various kinds of relationships with Angkor, and it would make sense that he would call it Yasodharapura. I think you're right there (I could dig out the books and check, but I have a lot of writing to do!).

In short, ancient politics are way too complex for Civ to model accurately without getting too, well, complex. I think it's a fascinating time, though. I love the North, too, as it's not just a story of Khmer empire's rise and fall, but also the influence of other powers - Mon, Burmese, and even some "hill tribe" groups played important roles in the story of Chiang Mai (and, if I remember right, your hometown of Nan?). I have done my recent work in Isan, but I love the North.

At any rate, about names.

Angkor Wat is the palace and temple complex within Yasodharapura, not really the name of a city. Angkor Thom is clearly a good choice, too, as a later capital and home of the Bayon.