Still doing ... what we're doing.
Early turns -- anarchy
Middle turns -- fighting the enemy
Late turns -- being led
Arathorn, the Insane, took control in 50 AD? On one hand, it felt like the game should be much later than 50 AD, considering all of the action that had taken place. On the other hand, we're just getting into the Middle Ages, which is a pleasant change from Deity which seems to be Industrial Age around the AD/BC change-over.
In 50 AD, Arathorn's first act in office was to encourage the people of Tegula to finish their temple faster (saving 37 shields). The death of so many people in the effort is widely believed to be responsible for Arathorn's insanity. Immediately afterward, he ordered a change in government. "It'll be alright", he soothed. The people, unconvinced, descended into anarchy.
Then, the priority of each and every city was examined and modified. Food was the only priority -- food, food, food. Revolting people want to eat -- and to be entertained. And collect taxes.
Even in the midst of anarchy, Arathorn directed his forces towards Iron Mountain, as it grew to be named. In 70 AD, the settler, protected by a number of impies, moved from Ngome towards the hill from which they hoped to sneak out and mine iron. The path was cleared by brave horsemen. A catapult provided additional security.
In 90 AD, both the Romans and the Russians, perhaps sensing weakness, sent massive invasion forces -- the Romans primarily archers and horsemen, the Russians simply swordsmen. Iron mountain, too, was buried in enemy forces.
Some workers were again reassigned by the insane one. "Shields", came the cry from the far corners of the nation. But happiness is still important, too.
In March of 107 AD, Arathorn is proclaimed the first king nut of Zululand. "We love the Nut" celebrations erupt in a few cities.
110 AD sees the movement of forces onto "Yellow hill" near Iron Mountain. The name "Yellow hill" is a carry-over from previous rulers and is now almost too embedded in the lore of the nation to erase. At least a half-dozen impis are in the area, guarding the settler and the workers who are attempting to build a road to the proposed city site.
Arathorn wishes more things hurried, to fill the void in production left by the anarchy. Some of the treasury is spent encouraging cities to speed production. "At least there are no more deaths" the chief treasurer assures Arathorn, before the latter tries to bite him. The insanity is getting worse.
130 AD -- "The nation mourns the loss of Bronski's Horse, an elite regiment of our nation's finest. Bronski is post-humously awarded the Green Liver, our nation's highest honor. He is survived by ..." Thus ran the story in the Zimbabwe Imp, Zululand's leading newspaper.
Other news included the founding of Temp Iron City on yellow hill. The newspaper conveniently omitted the mention of several units of Russian swordsmen very near Zimbabwe. Impis are rushed in from neighboring cities to help defend (thank goodness for movement 2!). Horsemen are on the way but will arrive too late to attack this year.
The Romans foolishly begin building an academy in hopes of luring Sun Tzu, the great tactician. Their tactics are so poor, there is no way Sun Tzu would join them!
The Russians, too, decide not to attack Zululand's capital, prefering to pillage and flee. A mine and a road are lost, a significant loss, but nothing compared to the loss of the entire city.
5 horsemen attack the newly founded city on yellow hill. Two elite impis successfully fight them all off.
150 AD saw the arrival of the first Great Leader in many years (OK, not THAT many, but still...). He arose from the fighting around Temp Iron City and was sent to Bapedi. Feudalism is found in the Great Library, sealing Cetshwayo's role, luring Sun Tzu to join the might Zulu cause.
170 AD saw the breaking of ground for an academy in Bapedi. The presence of his good friend, Cetshwayo, enticed Sun Tzu to join up almost immediately. Barracks in some cities sold this turn, others the next. A few Russian swords die near Zimbabwe.
190 AD was a confusing year. Zulu forces massed near Lugdunum, hoping for the first Zulu offensive against an enemy city. Iron came online, but the mighty Zulu impis refuse to use it, not upgrading to pikemen. ???? Arathorn froths at the mouth even more than usual.
210 AD had mixed results. Our forces attack Lugdunum, after catapults fire. A veteran horse attacks and retreats, dealing no damage. Second horse, same as the first. Thid vet kills a spear. Elite kills a spear. Archer left defending Lugdunum. Vet impi attacks, is quite wounded, and wins.
After a bit of deliberation (more than it really deserved), Arathorn ordered the city burned to the ground. Roman forces were all around and the Zulu troops were exhausted from the assault and could not hope to defend the city.
It was hoped/expected that a slave would appear, but none was forthcoming. Another mind-boggling incident to shatter any remaining hints of sanity in Arathorn.
That insanity is not responsible for, but often blamed for, what happened next.
The Russians ate their Wheaties. It was scary. Regular swordsmen charging up mountains, killing elite impis without taking damage. Regular swordsmen attacking cities with catapult/impi defenses across a river, taking no prisoners. Bapedi just BARELY survived, and that only because I'd overloaded it and the last Russian unit to attack was an archer. I think I lost mroe units during that Russian turn than the rest of this reign combined. UGLY!
230 AD, another leader, who prefers to remain anonymous, appeared to lead the Zulu people. His reign was noted for its renewed attack on the Russian swordsmen, with limited success, and the completion of the Sistine Chapel in Ulundi. He also received news that some barbarian tribe calling themselves Americans had been destroyed.
The last leader, the one of 250 AD, was unsure of his purpose. He eventually slew the babbling Arathorn and formed an army of impis to defend Iron City.
The forces at Intombe are in disarray, having campaigned out to kill approaching Russians, still reforming from the sacking of Lugdunum, and generally out-numbered. The next leader will need to rule with a bit of care there in the very near future.
This chapter of Zulu history is, well, history!
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads/lotr2-zulu-250ad.zip
Arathorn