Preturn- We look good.
IT- The Russians must be upset that we're copying their worker tactics, as they declare and sneak attack Iznik. Their warrior attacks across the river and dies. Their archer kills our spear and takes the city.
T1 1325
I take out a Russian settler pair, scoring two slaves. I have three warriors in range of Iznik. If it gets no reinforcements, I'll try and retake it.
IT- zzz
T2 1300
Best defender of Iznik is a 2/3 archer. I attack. Reg warrior wins losing 1 hp and retakes the city. Two others move into city to fortify it.
IT- Russian warrior comes out of the fog to the south.
T3 1275
Nothing much.
IT- Two Rusky arhcers are ready to attack next turn.
T4 1250
I attack one of the archers. Our vet warrior is redlined, but he kills it.
IT- Our warrior is killed.
T5 1225
Not much. A spear arrives at Iznik.
IT- A Russian archer dies attacking Iznik.
T6 1200
A warrior is next to Istanbul. We're defending with a spear. Unless the RNG craps on us, we're good.
IT- warrior doesn't attack
T7 1175
We now have two swords on the scene.
IT- Things get much more interesting. Two russian swords and an archer appear next to Iznik.
T8 1150
This is going to be interesting. We have two spears and two warriors to fend off two swords, an archer and a warrior.
IT- Two swords kill two spears. A warrior is killed by an archer. We're left with one warrior to defend against several swords.
We learn Philosophy, and get no free tech. This one gets better by the minute.
T9 1125
With 4 swords and 2 archers attacking next turn, defending Iznik is futile. Thankfully, Russia is willing to talk. First, I sell Philo to India for Mathematics and The Wheel. Then I go back to Russia, and in peace we exchange Philo, 50g and 5gpt for Ceremonial Burial and Warrior Code.
IT- zzz
T10 1100
Not too much. The Russians have poached the wines south of Istanbul.
Summary
Well, at least we didn't lose a city permanently. Its a good thing Russia was willing to talk that last turn, I was about to go with a Scorched Earth policy at Iznik.