Arathorn the Slightly Sane stepped up to lead the Zulu people through the least turbulent time in their history -- the very infancy of their culture.
In 4000 BC, the Zulu nation consisted of one settler, one worker, and one brave scout. The scout was sent to investigate initially, and despite a wheat flood plain in the north, the settler formed Zimbabwe where he was (three less moves and better shield production there -- still a river start).
The people began investigating the use of metal weapons, as the stone axes wielded by most warriors at the same were deemed insufficient for professional use.
In 3950, the kindly Hittite tribe, sensing the backwards nature of our people, taught us Ceremonial Burial. Most people found this preferable to the old practice of simply eating the dead, but there were resistors, as any change brings.
In 3800, a second scout was created. As we proud Zulus, we will never need another's map. Still, we crave knowledge of our surroundings and scouts are quick at seeing the world. The world we are seeing is hot, wet, and flat [it appears -- all settings were random]. We Zulus begin our climb to prominence deep in the jungle, with many rivers and only occasional, widely-spread hills/mountains. What little land isn't covered by lush LUSH vegetation is usually rather arid -- either plains or desert.
In 3650, a brave group of settlers from some inconsequential tribe offers to join our proud people. In 3600, they form the town of Ulundi, strategically situated on a gold hill near a river [for early trade and also defense!].
In 3300 BC, another minor tribe chooses the wise path of joining rather than fighting the mighty Zulu nation. After 300 years of plodding through the jungle, they form the city of Bapedi.
Some time during this, one of Arathorn's scouts sees borders of a new nation in the Northeast. The color is dirty, reminiscent of Russia. The scout, knowing of the Zulu prediliction for war, wisely avoids making any contact, thereby sparing his people some few years of war -- with that nation at least.
Arathorn's dominant half demands he stay in office until at least some contact is made, so 30 turns will be played to start! And there was much rejoicing. (Or not.)
In 2900, a foolish Chinese warrior wanders near Bapedi. We contact this band's leader, a silly man named Mao. Arathorn chuckles, "We'll mow on him all right." The Chinese people are advanced, knowing the Alphabet, which still mystifies the war-like Zulus.
Despite an army numbering one warrior, we declare WAR on the insolent Chinese, simply for daring to live on OUR planet. Our warrior races theirs towards Bapedi. This could be a very short-lived nation.
In 2850, the warriors finally meet, just inside Bapedi. Our warrior won the race but had no time to fortify before being attacked. Both war-like groups scream and attack. When the dust clears, the Zulu warrior, now a veteran of battle, is the only one standing.
In celebration, Hlobane is founded on a flood plain near some wheat. The food overflows. The joyous people admire the Slightly Sane one's policies so much, they carve out steps leading to the cave where he insists on living.
In 2710, yet another group of settlers choose to join rather than the fight the mighty Zulus. This group, however, is far from the comfort of home. They move across the river by which they were found, to be on the coast. Nearby cows attest to the wisdom [Read: LUCK] of this move.
In 2670, Isandhlwana is founded, by peope who obviously had no idea how to order consonants and vowels. Unfortunately, near the city borders are seen two Iroquois -- a spearmen and a settler.
Arathorn froths. The new city is certain to be destroyed. He contacts Hiawatha, so-called leader of the Iroquois, and purchases knowledge of the Masonry from him for 64 chests of gold. When the SS's demand for Alphabet isn't heeded, war is declared. In celebration, the first Impi is produced in Zimbabwe -- a veteran trained in shiny barracks.
With characteristic cowardness, the Iroquois force near Isand... retreats to the east and southeast, fearing the wrath of an empty city and a watching scout. "RUN AWAY!" Sir Robin would be proud.
In 2550, the Harappans choose not to join our people, fearing that the luck of Isand... would not follow them. They do, however, teach us letters, forming a rudimentary alphabet of sorts.
Arathorn only likes three letters, A, R, W -- but can't order them correctly. He eats RAW chicken and dies of food poisoning.
A clown (Jester) appears next to rule the Zulu people. Will he rule for 20 cycles or merely 10? The choice is his.
Save game is
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads/lotr2-zulu-2550bc.zip
Arathorn
posted wanting to play - if he wants in I'll sit out or play in the sixth spot if that's OK.
), contact might mean more techs, too. Of course, war isn't great, but....
I do that, too. That's why they're there. By my count, that gives you until Friday morning. Or you could pretend it's 48 hours.
I was worried we'd be doing without. Getting time for an offensive? I think we're close....
Well, that would lower the priority on purple dot a little bit, but we still need to push some in that direction to keep huts from popping up (or even exploding) down there. Although whether to settle purple or one of the yellows first could now be debatable.
