New Turn Thread 1855-1863

[Kev]

Part I

1855

Sid: Hello and welcome to tonight’s installment of “THE CIV WORLD CUP” I’m your announcer Sid Meier and sitting next to me is my color commentator, God.
God: Good evening all my children
Sid: Well, God, it looks like we have quite a competition tonight. Fanatica United will be going up against… well… actually FIVE different civilizations. It should be quite a spectacle.
God: You’re right, Sid. This Fanatica team has been nothing but heart over the past several centuries. Of course, I’m omniscient so I knew all of this, but it’s just darn good drama to see it all unfold in front of you.
Sid: Well, heading up this team is President Kev. What can you say about this guy, God.
God: I knew when I created him that he’d turn out fairly well indeed. Of course, his advisors have also made him look good. He can be a bit of a loose cannon as he tends to send in military forces without the proper protection, but his civilization has grown to such a point that I don’t think these other civs have a chance in… well…. You know.
Sid: OK, it looks like we’re about to begin. It would seem that there is going to be an attack on German soil coming up here.
God: That’s right. Kev has shrewdly discovered a Roman partisan on the German mainland, and per his advisors, has bribed the unit and will use it to defend his valuable howitzers.
Sid: And here comes the attack. My goodness but those howitzers are deadly. It looks as though five have landed, and each one has taken away a German defender. Boy, I don’t know how much longer this capital city can stand.
God: Actually, I think that there is still an engineer left in the city, but that will go next turn. I saw the diplomat there make a run for it. It will all depend on the German counterattack. I thought I made the Germans tougher than this. Boy, they turned out to be wusses.
Sid: As we leave the German theatre, we take a look at other areas. I can see that the Fanatica United warship UFS Dell has sunk an English destroyer. I see that another English destroyer has sank while trying to attack Becka-Becka with its coastal fortress. Will the English ever learn to fight on water?
God: I thought they’d be better, too. They are the only ones left I think even has a chance to give Fanatica any problems. But not if they’re going to attack like they are in some sort of panic state. Dopes.
Sid: And I see that there is NO GERMAN COUNTER ATTACK! How can this be?
God: Wusses. That’s about it. Might as well dig their own graves.
Sid: After this quick break, we’ll return with 1856.

1856:

Sid: Welcome back. We’re here in the building stage of 1856. Let’s see what Fanatica United has going on.
God: Yes, let’s.
Sid: OK, God, I see that Lutetia has built a coastal fortress and started a temple; Hippoville produced an oil caravan and started a sewer; and Dellville built a submarine and started a market.
God: That sub was a good idea at the time, but I think the Roman naval threat is passed and I can see that sub sitting in Dellville for a while indeed.
Sid: In any case, let us see what moves the Inner Circle has planned for us.
God: I have a feeling that Ren will be in his element as the Germans begin their fall.
Sid: Looks like you’re right as usual, God. You do do that a lot. The howitzers have begun their attack on Hamburg, and the engineer corps there tried to fight back with their shovels. They were no match, and the German capital has fallen.
God: Wusses I tell ya.
Sid: Fanatica United picked up 115 gold for their efforts and a city with a library and city walls. Looks like Frederick is asking for peace. Oh, that’s too bad. Kev wanted to battle on but the senate signed a cease fire.
God: Strange indeed. That senate has done nothing for Fanatica except get in the way.
Sid: Well, in other arenas, that UFS York has sunk an English cruiser and is now heading to Dover for some repairs. The English respond by killing engineers outside of Leeds.
God: Yes, Kev and his IC have just not had the chance to clear the Dover continent by taking Reading. Now, with German cities to bribe, this may have to wait even longer.
Sid: WHAT’S THIS? The Zulus have landed a diplomat just outside of Marl Downs. Oh, this could be interesting indeed.
God: I don’t know what technology they’re going to steal here. They have a choice of many that could hurt Fanatica United. Computers could mean that there’d be competition with SETI. Robotics could mean that the Fanatics would have to defend against other howitzers. Automobile could see battleships roaming the seas. Keep in mind that the Zulus are likely to share all of this with all of the other civs out there.
Sid: And let’s see which technology they steal. Oh my GOODNESS… they’ve chosen FUNDAMENTALISM! A technology that everyone else has already. Boy that was just a plain stupid move – there’s no other way to describe it.
God: I knew it was going to happen and I was still surprised. I think I may have shorted those Zulus in the brains department – at least Shaka. Wow, what a blunder.
Sid: And that will do it for this year. After a short break, we’ll return with 1857.

1857:

Sid: Welcome back. The Fanatics are building furiously. Marl Downs built a library and started freight; Samarkand built a temple and started engineers; and Fort Pornstar builds another battleship named the UFS Ren. The technology of Labor Union was discovered, and wisely the Fanatics choose the Laser as their next goal.
God: A lack of rushing improvements here as Kev and company are saving up to buy themselves German cities.
Sid: Indeed that seems to be true, God. In fact, Frankfurt and Leipzig are both cities in chaos – how cheap will they be?
God: True, but Freddie refuses to declare war – even though duke is trying everything to goad him during discussions. He did everything but commit adultery with his wife (good going duke, still on my good list).
Sid: But look, God. A cannon is going to attack a German marine.
God: Hmm. Let’s see what the senate says about this.
Sid: ACTION CONFIRMED. The buying is on. War with the Germans is here.
God: Bye Germans.
Sid: Frankfurt goes first and sells out for 290 gold. The Fanatics get 105 gold in return and a very well improved city with several defenders.
God: Indeed. The German cities are all well organized. All SIX of them. Nice to work so hard so someone else can benefit from it.
Sid: Now here goes Leipzig. Only 401 gold. 100 gold is returned and here’s another city that’s just so well improved.
God: In fact, with so many defenders and the fact that a few partisans were in the range, this city actually has a shield SHORTAGE. Kev does the only thing he can do: disband a few units for shields toward the next improvement. Now it looks like more peace with Germans. This is fine as Fanatica needs to regroup a bit.
Sid: As we look around, God..
God: I am all seeing.
Sid: Indeed you are, and I’m sure that you’re seeing the difficult spot that the UFS Marlbrough is in.
God: Yes, I do. There are three Roman ships nearby Kabul. Though the Marlbrough is not fully repaired, it will have to see action. It just can’t let those ships mull about.
Sid: And it DOES attack. The Romans were smart enough to stack two ships together, so the Fanatica battleship sinks a Roman cruiser and then the stacked ironclad and destroyer. I don’t think I saw the battleship take any damage.
God: Nope. None extra at least. It still needs to get to Kabul for repairs. Boy, nobody is going to stand up to this navy.
Sid: That’s certainly how it looks. In other areas, war was forced upon Genghis and we’ll see what Fanatica does with this.
God: Fanatica United still has several howitzers on the Mongol mainland. There are still also several Mongol partisans that will annoy the heck out of everyone. Kev is smart, and his units are now cleaning up the Mongol debris before his forces move on.
Sid: Well, they certainly were successful as once again there was plenty of stacking involved.
God: I swear I gave them brains. Maybe not Genghis, but you know what I mean.
Sid: Brains are not being used by the English as well as they now attack Cambridge with a destroyer. The coastal fortress holds, and the English now have another ship lounging at the bottom of the ocean.
God: Pretty soon they’ll be able to walk from continent to continent over the scrap metal from sunken English ships. I see that the Dell has sunk a Roman destroyer as well. Lots of new reefs will come from Roman ships as well.
Sid: Good one, God. Look over in Roman lands. Some freight is being delivered by the Fanatics to Hispalis.
God: That’s true, Sid. Kev waited until a new technology was discovered before he delivered them. His spice caravan makes 570 gold for his empire, and the throw-away freight of beads earns a respectable 216 gold. That can buy some cities, I’m sure.
Sid: That does it for 1857. We’ll be right back with 1858.

 

[Kev]

1858:

Sid: And we start right away with Fanatica building. Dover created engineers and started an offshore platform; Joespaniel built a sewer and started freight and Leipzig finished a temple and started a factory.
God: Again, not much built as there is money being saved for the remaining German cities.
Sid: Too bad, but the Germans will not declare war and units are not being given the green light to attack at this point.
God: This is going to be more of an exploratory year for Fanatica United. Notice that a transport with a spy is peeking at Ravenna?
Sid: Yup. Four defenders behind city walls. Could be tough.
God: Yes, and the Germans cities are very full as well. This could make for expensive buys.
Sid: Those ships can’t stay away from the fortress-protected Becka-Becka can they?
God: Nope. The Romans sent a destroyer and the English sent a cruiser. Both are now dead. Just makes you shake your head.
Sid: This was a short year, but I’m sure 1859 will be an exciting year so join us then.

1859:

Sid: The Fanatic building continues as Dukeshire builds an aqueduct and starts a market; Xinjian builds an offshore platform and starts a temple; Dellville builds a market and starts a factory; Basra trains engineers and starts a harbor; Brighton builds a library and starts an aqueduct; Fort Pornstar builds a port facility and starts a colosseum; and Karakorum trains engineers and starts a temple.
God: That money from trade allowed some rush building it would seem.
Sid: It allowed for something else as well. The Fanatics have already discovered the Laser. Now, the only choice is Flight.
God: This will mean celebrating.
Sid: That is what the Inner Circle promised. So what will this year hold?
God: Not much hope for the Germans it would seem. They were kind enough to declare war on Fanatica United, and they have a mere two cities left.
Sid: Not surprisingly, Munich is bribed first for 910 gold. 144 is returned and a great city is now under Fanatica rule. This leaves only Koningsberg.
God: OH, odd luck. A cease fire is forced. But Koningsberg is very expensive anyway – nearly 1,300 gold. Kev has a spy destroy the courthouse here, and she is successful. This will make the city much cheaper later.
Sid: Good point, God.
God: Well, I knew that was going to happen anyway. Omniscient and all that.
Sid: Yes, well, how about this hut south of the Roman mainland. Looks like a spy is going to enter it. And LOOK! A new city is formed from it. It has the city name of Oh’s Well and it is in a pathetic spot on that island.
God: Not much can be done with that. It’s a size 3 city with a temple and a library already in it. Doesn’t make sense to destroy it, so let it live on.
Sid: OK, the list of the Civ Cup’s most powerful nations is out. Here is how our experts rank them:
1. Fanatica United
2. The English
3. The Romans
4. The Mongols
5. The Germans
6. The Zulus
God: I find it amusing that the Zulus rank lower than a civilization that is down to its last city (the Germans) and a civilization that has been taking a beating for over 100 years now (the Mongols). United Fanatica has not even looked into the Zulus yet, and it seems they won’t have to fear them for any reason.
Sid: That’s pretty amazing. Though the UFS Ren has now come across a Zulu caravel. Wonder what the battleship will do to this tiny little wooden sh – OH, that was just plain horrible. I can’t even describe what the Ren did to that ship.
God: I’m praying for them.
Sid: On that note, we’ll end 1859 here and hope for more fun to be had in 1860.

1860:

Sid: More building. Port Sid trains engineers and starts a temple; Lugdunum builds a temple and starts and aqueduct; Cornmaster builds a factory and starts a bank; Athenae builds a harbor and starts an offshore platform; Nishapur trains engineers and stars an aqueduct; and Joespaniel gathers dye and starts mass transit.
God: Those home island cities are really looking nice.
Sid: Indeed, and they’ll have a chance to grow even more. Kev has set the science to 0% for a while and is running with 50% taxes and 50% luxuries. This gives a profit of 845 gold per turn and causes 50+ cities to celebrate.
God: This will be fun. I have to create a lot more people for Fanatica now, but that’s just fine. With the extra money, I think we’ll see plenty of rush building – especially when it comes to things like aqueducts, sewers, markets, temples, and harbors.
Sid: I should say so, but the Germans are first on everyone’s minds. Koningsberg now costs a mere 704 gold to bribe, as the Germans again agree to war with Fanatica. The deed is done, and 240 gold is returned along with the city that discovered the Cure for Cancer. Now, Fanatica Unites has this knowledge and the people are much happier for it.
God: I am very happy to see that disease go. This should help out the celebrations a great deal.
Sid: But the Germans are all dead or now flying Fanatica banners.
God: Ah, good riddance.
Sid: Joining us now is one of Fanatica United’s governors, Mr. Spice. Mr. Spice, how do you feel now that the Germans no longer exist?
Mr. Spice: Well, Sid, we hope that we will actually make things better in the land that they’ve vacated. I think we did the right thing.
God: You don’t feel guilty in any way, my son?
Mr. Spice: Not really, God. Should I?
God: Nah, not really. I was glad to see them go, too.
Mr. Spice: We’re going to take the next civ on a day to day basis. I just hope that I can help the team and you willing, God, we’ll prevail
Sid: Thanks, Mr. Spice for that insight. It looks like Fanatica is now turning its sights on other civs as we speak. The UFS Dell is right outside of Ravenna and is bombing all Roman units dumb enough to leave their city and sit by the coast. Sad thing is that there are a lot that are doing this.
God: They look suicidal, but they’re not. Just dopey.
Sid: And to the north, the Mongol city of Khanbalyk has fallen to the Fanatics’ howitzers who get 257 gold for their efforts. A peace is reached, and a partisan is bribed for 200 gold to guard the city. Shangtu, however, costs 1,500 to bribe, so the Fanatics back off for now.
God: We can see why this is the case now. The Mongols have rebuilt their capital in Kazan which is well inland. Looks like military will rule here.
Sid: I doubt that these cities will have the same defense as the Germans, but who knows. Hey, look, the English continue their hapless attacks. A cruiser attacks the UFS York and just plain dies while English cavalry hit Leeds and die as well.
God: Well, they’re trying. Dumb, but trying. Look at the Romans now. They actually managed to kill the lone rifle in Tabriz with an ironclad.
Sid: Amazing.
God: Yes, but heaven forbid they land any units there. Dorks. Kev just moves an extra unit into the city and now it’s safe again.
Sid: A small scare, but nothing huge. Anyway, please come back as we take a look into 1861.

1861:

Sid: Here we go with building again. Elibbia builds a harbor and starts and aqueduct; Unknown City builds a market and starts sewers; Spycatcher builds mass transit and starts a colosseum; Fort Pornstart builds a colosseum and starts a manufacturing plant; Koningsberg builds a temple and starts mass transit; Hamburg builds a harbor and starts sewers; and Leipzig builds a factory and starts freight.
God: Ah, but there’s something else.
Sid: That’s right! Olympia has built the SETI program. Once Fanatica goes back to normal research, it will be at light speed. Olympia now starts a colosseum.
God: It needs one so it can celebrate.
Sid: Well, not much is happening here. The Mongols refuse to war with the Fanatics, The Dell continues to bomb Roman lands without remorse, and some rush buying of aqueducts in cities stuck at size 8.
God: A bit of bad news for Fanatica. The Romans now have automobile. Will there be battleships far behind?
Sid: We can only guess – except you, God, since you already know.
God: I’ll never tell.
Sid: But perhaps we’ll find out in 1862…

1862:

Sid: All that rush buying. St. Leowind builds a harbor and starts freight, Pellaken Bay builds a harbor and starts freight, Lugdunum builds an aqueduct and starts a market, Tsingtao builds an aqueduct and starts sewers, nanking builds a market and starts a harbor, THDP builds a supermarket and starts freight, Thunder Falls builds an aqueduct and starts freight, Xinjian builds a temple and starts an aqueduct, Khorasan buids a temple and starts an aqueduct, Ormuz builds an aqueduct and starts sewers, Mpondo builds an offshore platform and starts engineers (there is pollution here and no engineers on the island), Kashgar bulds a harbor and starts a sewer, and finally, Hippoville builds sewers and starts freight
God: My goodness. I’m tired thinking about all of that and I built the WORLD in seven days.
Sid: Well, not much else is happening. The Mongols continue to avoid war while the UFS York sinks an English transport headed to the Cambridge area. There were 3 mystery units on it.
God: I knew what they were, but it doesn’t matter now since they’re dead.
Sid: The only other action that is taking place has a Roman ironclad attacking Kabul. A fully repaired UFS Marlbrough is there and defeats the tiny ship.
God: Guess they’ll never learn.
Sid: Sad. Anyway, please join us next time in 1863

1863:

Sid: A smaller bit of building as Marl Downs gathers wine and starts sewers, Sixchan builds a factory and starts mass transit, and Potopolia builds a stock exchange and starts a harbor.
God: Looks like we’re going to stop here.
Sid: Yes, it’s now time for a break as the civs at this World Cup of Civs can now discuss strategy. What are your “predictions” – or at least what would they be if you were not omniscient?
God: Fanatica United has 10 howitzers, some spies, and plenty of extra defensive units in Lugdunum waiting to move out. I’d assume that the Romans are in for it, and that the transport there will move out in this very year – escorted by the destroyer there. I also see war picking back up with the Mongols, and even with only 4 howitzers and 3 spies, the Fanatics should be able to make their way inland to crush the new capital at Kazan. Other than that, the English will likely sacrifice plenty of units until the Fanatics are able to get to them with their forces. I can see more battleships entering English waters to set up a deadly perimeter.
Sid: Thanks God. We all look forward to the next round. Until then this is Sid Meier and God saying HAPPY CIVVING.

 

[Kev]

And here is the save game.

OK, that's it for me until I return on June 9th. Again, it's up to all of you if someone wants to jump in and play some turns that would be just fine. If not, that's cool too and I'll just pick back up where I left off.

As it's now June, we'll have to have more elections/volunteering. I hope you would all be OK if I could serve another month as president.

Thanks, and I'll be back posting in about a week.