First, I'd like to apologise for how long this took me.
On the bright side I really enjoyed it and I think I did ok.
I worked out (from AG11) that when the going gets tough you have to be prepared to take risks and think dangerous, as anything else will guarentee defeat...
Preturn (1330AD): Seems ok.
AI: Several Egyptian and Persian Cavs / Guerillas / Rifles land on the Japanese island.
Turn 1 (1335AD): Kill the invaders without many units to spare. In about 10 victoris I got no promotions.
I take the last Japanese city and they are gone. We now have Knights Tamplar.
AI: Another 2 Egyptian units next to our capital and 2 on the Japanese island.
Turn 2 (1340AD): I'm off to get some Saltpeter from the Americans. The island that we started populating very early and lost (in the ancient age) has a source.
Turn 3 (1345AD): Not much, except bombarding the hell out of the passing ships again. It's amazing how powerful trebs are against Frigates and Galleons!
AI: America lands 5 troops, 3 rifles and 2 cavs.
Turn 4 (1350AD): Take out the American units.
First I make a lux deal with Persia, then I try a careful steal for about 1380 gold and succeed.
I take Military Tradition and switch a build to the Military Academy.
AI: The Americans land 2 cavs and 2 rifles.
Turn 5 (1355AD): Take out the American units, then start up the offensive for saltpeter...
...Odense is hit, it is currently held by the Arabs. We take it easily with our zerks, it is only defended by 2 spears.
After building a settler I abandon one of our cities only 5 tiles from Trondheim, since it is in a *very* dense cluster of cities near out capital that are really pulling our overall corruption up.
AI: The American city on the saltpeter sends 3 units out of the city for us, to make our job easier.
Turn 6 (1360AD): I take the American city Harid and we have saltpeter at last! I disband a worker there and rush a harbour.
Now we have what we want I make peace with American and get 100 gold. Next I give them 2 lux's for WM and 385 gold.
I attempt a careful steal from the Zulu and we get Magnetism. A caravel off the north Japanese coast gets upgraded so we can transport our 3-strong zerk army! [dance]
Turn 7 (1365AD): Start gethering troops in north Japan for an assault on either the Zulu or Mongols, depending on how the steal goes in a couple of turns.
Turn 8 (1370AD): I attempt a steal from the Zulu and succeed! Wow, I could get in to a life of stealing.
I choose ToG and we are Industrial.
AI: Mongols and America sign MA against Persia.
Turn 9 (1375AD): ...
AI: America fights Persia at one end of our empire, and the Zulu fight the Mongols at the other. It's an exciting game at the moment!
Turn 10 (1380AD): The Zulu are doing quite well against the Mongols, and our ships are ready so I decide to get in there quick. Our first naval assault with a zerk army is underway!
There is a Zulu stack just outside Karakorum, the army attacks and kills 2 vet rifles. It takes another 7 zerks to kill the remaining 5 rifles. Karakorum has Sun Tzu's and the Colossuss.
The Mongols have 2 cities left now, and one is miles away. I really think we should get the capital before the Zulu do, as there is an Ivory tile we can grab.
Summary:
* We are at war with the Mongols, Egypt and Arabia.
* The Mongols are almost dead, we just need their capital and we could get something out of them for peace.
* Egypt and the Arabs will both give something for peace, but neither has been able or willing ot offer something worthwhile yet.
* We
must get the Ivory tile in the Mongol lands. It is 1 tile outside the city we just took and we have a settler there to build a city to guarentee it.
* The Zulu should be our next target because they are accessable, they don't have a bigger army (average) and they are in the way of our attack on America (who are our real nemisis, along with Egypt).
* As well as the Zerk army there is also a Sword army heading N through the Japanese island.
* I took BIG risks to get the Saltpeter, and there is a stack of Zerks on a ship defending it. The second NE island is now undefended and the units on our main island need to cover both islands with the ships there.
* I feel very positive about this game now.

I was a little disappointed at our play recently, we have to take our time and be careful and not rush this.
* We have clear defined goals now, and are in the Industrial age. We can steal VERY cheap from the Zulu, while they still have more techs than us. I suggest we save lots of cash and steal from the Zulu a couple in a row. By then all our available Zerks should be ready to take out the Zulu core.
>>> MM1 1380AD <<<