Light of the Aurora (Russia)

[Meshakhad]

So, after playing Gods & Kings for a bit, I've decided to take a crack at an LP. Like my previous ones (which are on hold until the computer that has those save files is working again), this will be a mix of gameplay and storytelling.

Spoiler :

Given that I am something of a novice at Civilization V, I will be playing at Warlord difficulty. My civilization of choice is Russia. We will be on Small Continents, with 11 other civilizations (randomly chosen), 18 city-states, and timer and diplomatic victories disabled. I haven't quite decided which victory to go for, but it will probably end up being science, given how I want to experience as much of the game as possible. And of course, the Marathon timescale.

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We begin in a rather nice starting location, out on the sea. There's not much room for farmland, but there's a lake for fresh water, dyes, and a lot of copper. I decide to go with it, founding my first city: Moscow.

The city of Moscow was founded in 4000 BCE, on the southern coast of the Kola Peninsula. In time, the city would become both a major trade port and a center for copper production.

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I send my warrior out to begin exploring. I want to found a religion soon, so I choose Pottery for my first research. And I start training a Scout, given that there's not much work for a Worker at the moment.

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My Warrior has discovered that we are in the northern hemisphere. Helpful. Also, we're either out on a peninsula or in the middle of a thin continent.

Looks like it's a peninsula.

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The discovery of ancient Sami artifacts in the ruins northeast of Moscow was a great boon to Russian culture. Many believed that the Sami were the ancestors of the Russians. This gave Russia a tentative tie to its past, and also inspired it to look to the future.

I found artifacts that give me culture!

Spoiler :

The early Russians were not an autocratic people. Indeed, they harbored a strong tradition of individualism, given how many of them lived in small steadings in the forests, surviving by hunting game. So it is easy to see how ideals of individual liberty came to be.

I choose Liberty, since I do desire rapid expansion. And it'll net me a Worker.

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I've trained my first Scout! I send him west, while my Warrior will stay close to home. And I opt to build a Monument, since it will finish just after I get Pottery.

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It seems I am on a peninsula with a VERY thin connection to the mainland. I plan to establish a city on the isthmus.

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In 3715 BCE, Russian explorers made contact with the city-state of Rio de Janeiro, southwest of the Nevan Isthmus. They also discovered the sacred Mount Kailash, to the north of Rio.

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South of Rio de Janeiro, the Russians discovered a ruined city inhabited by the survivors of the extinct Patagonian civilization. The survivors, grateful for the assistance, settled in Moscow.

I've now discovered that my starting continent includes at least two peninsulas. Either it's very long and snaky, or I'm alone.

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Someone else has founded a Pantheon, choosing Stone Circles. This concerns me, given how I have yet to acquire any faith, but that's not the Pantheon Belief I want anyway.

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The earliest examples of Russian pottery date to 3535 BCE. Pottery was used primarily to store foodstuffs, but also to make small idols - the first elements of Russian religion.
I have Pottery! I choose Mining next, given how much copper I have. Oh, and my scout has spotted more ruins!

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Another set of Sami ruins was discovered in 3520, in Zemlya. This one contained a genuine treasure - a series of Sami bows, which the Russians equipped themselves with.
Nice!

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I've encountered barbarians!

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The discovery of the Sami bows was fortuitous, as the Russian explorers later encountered a tribe of barbaric Tartars. With their bows, they were able to easily engage and destroy the Tartars from a safe distance. A monument was built in Moscow to commemorate their victory.
That was indeed fortuitous. And my Monument is complete, so I start a shrine.

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As more Pantheons are founded, I first encounter another civilization - the English.

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From the basic concept of individual liberty, came the idea that every individual had value in and of himself. Society did not exist for the sake of its rulers, but rather its people. The concept of citizenship helped solidify the bonds of Russian society and culture.

Free Worker? Yes, please! I have him build a Farm.

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I next encounter the Iroquois. I am definitely not alone on this continent.

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And I've found London. I think I will seek to control the first three peninsulae I found.

And that concludes my first entry! Please comment, provide any suggestions.

 

[Heerlo]

Good luck!

 

[JFM2796]

At first I was afraid you were stranded on a small island. Glad to see there was more out west.

 

[Meshakhad]

Spoiler :

The first evidence of mining in Russia dates to around 3205 BCE. It wasn't long before the rich copper deposits near Moscow were tapped, providing a boon to Russian industry and technology.
I have Mining. Next, I will research Animal Husbandry.

Spoiler :

The Moscow Shrine was the first religious structure in Russia. It was dedicated to the spirits of nature the early Russians worshiped, and built in the style of the Sami people. It was common to hold important events there, such as weddings and harvest festivals.
I have my first Shrine. Next, I work on a Settler, since I desperately need to expand.

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I have encountered another city-state - Sydney.

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In 2995, the Iroquois people proposed a Declaration of Friendship with the Russians. An Iroquois delegation came to Moscow and smoked peace pipes with the Russian elders, then left the pipes at the shrine.
I make a Declaration of Friendship with the Iroquois.

I've decided to purchase a second Scout, since my Archer keeps encountering barbarians that slow down my explorations.

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While Russians have been hunting wild animals for as long as anyone can remember, it was in the 29th century BCE that they first domesticated animals, using them for food or labor. This would strengthen their civilization in many ways.
Next up: Sailing!

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I have encountered the Swedes.

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In 2785 BCE, the Russian Republic was formally established. Adult males could vote for the consul of their nation, rather than it being hereditary or fought over. This new system of government bound the people to their leaders more closely.
I take Republic, since I want that Free Settler from the next policy.

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I have encountered the Mongols. Fortunately, they're not very close to me.

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And I've encountered the French near Iroquois territory.

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Another city-state.

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My Settler is finished, and I order him to the isthmus. I need to secure it. I have Moscow start on a Granary next.

Only that location turns out to be too close to Rio, so I move him back closer to Moscow.

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The second Russian city, St. Petersburg was build near the Nevan Isthmus.

Got my second city. I start a Shrine there, hoping to get enough Faith for a Pantheon.

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Russians have always had strong ties to the sea, given their location. Early Russians would venture out on canoes, but it was the invention of sailing that truly opened up the sea.

Got Sailing! Next, Trapping.

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As Russia advanced, she grew closer to her neighbors. A Declaration of Friendship was made with Mongolia. And in 2300 BCE, Lord Andrew Poole arrived in Moscow as the official representative of England.

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I've encountered the Polynesians.

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Russia's long hunting tradition got a new boost with the development of sophisticated traps, often made from copper. This provided yet more food to the Russian people, boosting their population.

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As time went on, the Russian Consuls became increasingly powerful, often able to ensure their own reelection. The concept of Collective Rule, allowing the people to veto specific acts, helped to check their power.

Yay, free Settler!

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The city of Novgorod, located between Zemlya and Patagonia, was built in 1990 BCE. Novgorod's proximity to Mount Kailish would make it a sacred city of Russia.

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Writing is one of the most important inventions of all time. The Cyrillic alphabet was invented in 1950 BCE, and allowed for people to keep information around without having to memorize it. Knowledge could be passed down more easily from one generation to the next.

I have Writing! I quickly get embassies with everyone.

Later, I begin construction of the Great Library in Moscow.

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In 1840 BCE, Russian explorers made a shocking discovery. The Great Sea, which they had once believed to extend out across the world, was in fact enclosed, its northern ends blocked by ice. The Russian city of Novgorod held the only route by which a ship could exit the Great Sea.

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The auroras have always fascinated the Russian people, featuring prominently in many stories. The Russian word for aurora means "sky-fire", and the Russians believe that the auroras are the remains of the fires of Creation itself. They see the auroras as bringing hope and good fortune, and they themselves are blessed to live where the auroras can be seen regularly.

I finally get a pantheon, and choose Dance of the Aurora. This oft-derided Belief is powerful for Russia, as Russia has a tundra start bias.

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The Russian navy traces its origin to 1760 BCE, with the launch of the trireme Dawn Hammer.

I send my new Trireme west, to explore the west coast of our great continent.

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Where writing revolutionized knowledge, the wheel revolutionized travel. It made possible carts to easily transport goods over long distances. Not long after the invention of the wheel, Russians began work on an extensive road network.

I have the Wheel. Next up: Calendar.

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Calendars are used for more than tracking the progress of history. They serve a vital role of telling farmers when to plant and when to harvest. It also keeps track of religious festivals.

I have the Calendar. Masonry is next.

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The Russian tradition of individualism also produced a new idea - that people should rise and fall based by their ability, not by birth or wealth.

And that's this turn!

 

[JFM2796]

Are the names such as Zemlya and Patagonia real Russian names?

 

[Meshakhad]

Are the names such as Zemlya and Patagonia real Russian names?

They're both real names. Zemlya is the Russian word for "land" and I believe was used at one point to refer to Alaska. Patagonia isn't Russian, but rather refers to the southern region of South America. Here, the association is with Rio de Janeiro.