Pick a leader who isn't in the game yet and give them an ability!

[tman2000]

William Jennings Bryan

BIOGRAPHY
William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 – July 26, 1925) was an American lawyer, orator, and politician. He was a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the 1896, 1900, and 1908 elections. He served in the House of Representatives from 1891 to 1895 and as the Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915. Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people, Bryan was often called "the Great Commoner", and because of his rhetorical power and early fame as the youngest presidential candidate, "the Boy Orator".

The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In his address, Bryan supported "free silver" (i.e. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. He decried the gold standard, concluding the speech, "you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold". Bryan's address helped catapult him to the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history.

TRAITS: Diplomatic, Expansionist

ABILITY: The Great Commoner

• +3 settlement limit per age if they are towns.
• -1 per age to all war support, but +25% growth rate.
• Each non-specialist population provides +1 gold per age. Specialists incur -5 gold cost, but population can be converted into migrants if there are no rural tiles to improve.

AGENDA: Bimetallism

• Decreases Relationship by a Medium Amount with players who have large sums of gold.
• Increases Relationship by a Large Amount if the player has many towns.

MEMENTOS

• Cross of Gold Speech: Gain 10 influence for every 100 gold any other player gains.
• Scopes Trial: Converts 10% of science yield into culture.

 

[tman2000]

Is there a thread like this for Civs

Yeah there's two.

 

[marius_kaparius]

Yi Sunsin (Militaristic, Scientific)

+5 combat strength for naval units and +1 movement range for them
Defeating naval units gives you bonus science
Unlocks: Goreyo (Exploration), Joseon (Modern)
Choices: Silla (Geographic), Goreyo (Exploration), Joseon (Modern)
Terrain Bias: Coast
Languages: Korean

Now that we aren't limited to rulers for leaders, I think Yi Sunsin is an obvious consideration alongside Sejong for the leader of the Korean path. Gameplay is straightforward and simple but works quite well for him. The science gain are here to represent his innovations (and would blend well with Korean civs which tends to be science heavy in civ) and the naval bonus are here to show his military prowess and help him get his science this way. Since naval war is more niche than land war I added a movement and strength bonus. The combiantion of the two may be too strong but since this bonus will be especially situational on the antiquity era I think it would be okay.

I don't believe we've seen a unique unit tied to a leader yet but tying Turtle Ships to Yi Sun-sin makes sense to me.

 

[tman2000]

I don't believe we've seen a unique unit tied to a leader yet but tying Turtle Ships to Yi Sun-sin makes sense to me.

Sounds cool. Who's the Korean (Silla maybe) pirate who had his own island, controlled the seas then was killed when he asked to marry the King's daughter? He's like IRL Corlys Valeryon.

 

[ConspicuousFlower]

I had this idea for a leader ability that granted additional Memento slots, and had a bit of a hard time choosing a leader for it, but I think I found a good candidate. I'm not sure it would really work, since I don't think AI leaders get Mementos, but I at least added a second bonus to give the AI version something to work with, but the main meat and potatoes of the ability is the first effect, which gives him 3 Mementos to start, up to a maximum of 5 in the Modern Era.

SIR HANS SLOANE

BIOGRAPHY
Born in Ireland to Anglo-Scottish immigrants, Sir Hans Sloane's interest in natural history led him to study medicine and botany, becoming a renowned physician, who counted royalty among his clientele, and succeeding Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society. His biggest passion, however, was collecting; over his life he assembled a massive collection of over 71.000 items, from plant and animal specimens to books and manuscripts and other curiosities. In his will, Sloane bequeathed his entire collection to the state, on condition that Parliament create a freely accessible public museum to house it; it became the foundation of not only the British Museum, but the Natural History Museum and the British Library as well. Though in recent years his legacy has been examined with more critical eyes (much of the wealth that allowed him to dedicate himself to collecting came from slave plantations in Jamaica he inherited from his wife), he remains a crucial figure in the history of museology.

TRAITS: Scientific, Wildcard

ABILITY: Cabinet of Curiosities

• Gains an additional Memento Slot per Age.
• +2 Science per Age in Cities for each unique Resource assigned to them.

AGENDA: Collector of the Strange

• Increases Relationship by a Small Amount for each unique Resource the player has.
• Decreases Relationship by a Small Amount for each excess copy of a Resource the player has.

MEMENTOS

• Chocolate Milk: +2 Food and Happiness per Age in Cities for each unique Resource assigned to them.
• The Natural History of Jamaica: Grants an additional copy of the first Resource a Settlement improves.
• Royal Society Medal: Grants 2 additional Memento Slots.

 

[Ryansinbela]

I had this idea for a leader ability and had a bit of a hard time choosing a leader for it, but I think I found a good candidate. I'm not sure it would really work, since I don't think AI leaders get Mementos, but I at least added a second bonus to give the AI version something to work with, but the main meat and potatoes of the ability is the first effect.

SIR HANS SLOANE
View attachment 722309

BIOGRAPHY
Born in Ireland to Anglo-Scottish immigrants, Sir Hans Sloane's interest in natural history led him to study medicine and botany, becoming a renowned physician, who counted royalty among his clientele, and succeeding Sir Isaac Newton as President of the Royal Society. His biggest passion, however, was collecting; over his life he assembled a massive collection of over 71.000 items, from plant and animal specimens to books and manuscripts and other curiosities. In his will, Sloane bequeathed his entire collection to the state, on condition that Parliament create a freely accessible public museum to house it; it became the foundation of not only the British Museum, but the Natural History Museum and the British Library as well. Though in recent years his legacy has been examined with more critical eyes (much of the wealth that allowed him to dedicate himself to collecting came from slave plantations in Jamaica he inherited from his wife), he remains a crucial figure in the history of museology.

TRAITS: Scientific, Wildcard

ABILITY: Cabinet of Curiosities

• Gains +1 Memento Slot per Age.
• +2 Science per Age in Cities for each unique Resource assigned to them.

AGENDA: Collector of the Strange

• Increases Relationship by a Small Amount for each unique Resource the player has.
• Decreases Relationship by a Small Amount for each excess copy of a Resource the player has.

MEMENTOS

• Milk Chocolate: +2 Happiness per Age in Cities for each unique Resource assigned to them.
• Royal Society Medal: Grants an additional copy of the first Resource a Settlement improves.
• The Natural History of Jamaica: Grants 2 additional Memento Slots.

He should get more great works slots rather than extra memento slots

 

[ConspicuousFlower]

He should get more great works slots rather than extra memento slots

Catherine already does that, though.

As I said I thought of a leader ability that granted additional Memento slots, and when looking for a leader that fit, I eventually landed on Sir Hans Sloane, since he's primarily known for collecting curiosities, which is essentially what Mementos are.

 

[Kankan]

Decided to go for a more unorthodox but still interesting Ottoman sultan

Mahmud II

Biography

As the Ottoman Empire was in a state of crisis due to the control exerted by the elite Janissaries, any and all reform that could be made that would be at the disadvantage of the Janissaries appeared all but impossible. That changed under Mahmud II who not only disbanded the Janissaries but also modernised the Ottoman Empire managing to slow down its decline and safeguard its future for longer and maintaining its status as a great power in Europe.

Attributes

Militaristic
Cultural

Unique Ability - Auspicious Incident

• 20% reduced Gold cost towards upgrading units
• +1 Culture and 1+ Science from international Trade Routes, doubled if the foreign Civ has a higher Science or Culture output
• 5% chance of triggering a Celebration after upgrading units

Unique Agenda - Adlî

Increase Relationship with the player by a medium amount if they have a higher Science and Culture output than Mahmud and a modernised army. Decrease Relationship with the player if they have a lower Science and Culture output than Mahmud and has an outdated army

 

[Lord Lakely]

Timur

Traits: Militaristic, Scientific
Unlocks: Mongolia (Exploration), Abbasid (Exploration), Mughal (Modern), Qajar (Modern)
Choices: Persia (Historic), Maurya (Geographic)
Terrain Bias: Camels, Horses.
Languages: Timur speaks the Chagatai language


Biography: Timur Lenk (also known as Tamerlane or Timur the Lame) was a Chagatai warlord who was the last major Mongol conqueror. Known for his strategic genius, Timur conquered an empire that spanned all of Central Asia and a large chunk of present-day Iran and Iraq. Despite his reputation for brutality, Timur was also a notable patron of the arts and science, which flourished under his reign. Many of the iconic landmarks of Islamic Iran and Uzbekistan directly trace their architectural ideas back to Timur's reign. The great Mughal dynasty descent directly from him.

Ability: Timurid Rebirth

• Upon capturing an enemy Settlement, instantly repair all Science, Production and Warehouse buildings in that Settlement.
• Conquered Settlements receive +1 Science per Era on completed Quarters and +1 Happiness per 2 Rural Population
• Founded Settlements receive +1 Production per Era on completed Quarters and +1 Food per 2 Rural Population

Agenda: Sword of Islam

• +n Relations with players that have fewer buildings (+1) and completed quarters (+3) than Timur
• -n Relations with players that have more buildings (-1) and completely quarters (-3) than Timur
• the modifiers increase by 1 per Building if the player is at War.
• (hidden) +2 Relations with Genghis Khan, Xerxes (King of Kings) and Ashoka (World Conqueror)
• (hidden) -2 Relations with Lakshmibai, Xerxes (Silk Road) and Ashoka (World Renouncer)

(note: Timur wants to conquered developed empires for himself, hence the Agenda.)

Mementos

• Horsehead Whip: Receive +1 Settlement Limit after doing the following things for the first time in a campaign: assign a Specialist to a Quarter, Exceed your Settlement Limit, Conquer an enemy Capital and have a Commander with a Commendation.
• Lion Cane: +1 Influence for each owned Settlement that you didn't found, +2 if it's a City.
• Tamerlane Chessboard: All new Commanders start with two random promotions in two different Promotion trees. All existing Commanders receive 2 random promotions in the Promotion trees they have the fewest Promotions in.

 

[RedCourtJester]

I don't think we need a Timurid civ, but I think Timur works great as a "second Mongolian" leader in the same sense that we seem to be getting two Moroccan leaders.

Either way, I hope we get Registan wonder.

 

[Ryansinbela]

If the RtR wonder pack is themed around Asian wonders then maybe that could work

 

[Lord Lakely]

The Registan could also serve as a Qajar district. We're still owed a typical persian/mughal style garden, after all...

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

The Registan could also serve as a Qajar district. We're still owed a typical persian/mughal style garden, after all...

We do have the Pairidaeza Unique Tile Improvement in Antiquity, does that count?

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

The Civ 7 smileys have arrived, and now our ideas can look a whole lot spiffier

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

Since the little symbols are now available, figured it was a good a time as any to update some of my favorite concepts (the mementoes are actually quite a fun exercise!)! I'll start with my African leaders, I think. ​

(and no, I don't know how to unbold this text. also, please tell me if the bolded terms in the descriptions are themselves a bit much, because I do know how to unbold those.)​

TEWODROS II​

The civil wars of Ethiopia’s Age of Princes made for a tumultuous childhood for the then named Kassa, the power of his noble heritage lost after the deaths of his relatives. After becoming a soldier, however, he took on the role of a Robin Hood-like figure, amassing a following large enough to take back control of his father’s domain and more. From there, he had the authority to be crowned as Emperor, taking the name Tewodros in an attempt to fulfill a prophecy that a man of that name would lead the Ethiopian Empire to a new golden age. His vision of the empire’s future was one of modernization, reform, and consolidation of power: a vision that clashed with the other nobles. His focus was forced to turn to military prowess in order to put down rebellions, and after a diplomatic incident with Britain over a military aid request led to a losing a major battle to the foreign empire, he killed himself to avoid capture. Despite this, his vision was carried on by his adopted son Menelik II, and he is remembered as a symbol of Ethiopian unity today.

Unique Ability

End of Princes: Active Social Policies (not Traditions) add Science and Influence per Age to the Palace but reduce Happiness in all Cities. When all Cities have positive Happiness and no Traditions are active, gain War Support on all active wars and +10% to all non - Happiness yields in Cities.

(This ability references Tewodros' plan to prioritize science and governance coming in conflict with the interests of the powerful Ethiopian cities and the church. Keep to Traditions if you aren't confident, but if you find yourself with a stable control over loyalty and religion (represented by ), you can reap major rewards by prioritizing new policies.)

Attributes

• Diplomatic
• Militaristic

Agenda

Ecclesiastical Tax Reform: Likes Civilizations that have little Happiness infrastructure. Dislikes Civilizations with Happiness buildings in their Settlements.

(This references Tewodros's struggle against church authorities, while encouraging the AI to pick targets whose settlements will be easier to keep happy in order to fulfill the requirements for his boni.)

Mementoes

• Shifta's Demelash: Additional Happiness on Rough tiles.

"Where justice can not be received, it must be taken"

(A "Shifta" is a type of outlaw figure in Ethiopian history, and the name can refer to both despised criminals who prey upon the weak and idolized revolutionaries who can deliver justice where nobody else can reach. Tewodros took on the role of the second to take back his father's territory, which can definitely be framed as fulfilling a blood feud (demelash.) The ability is both "oh look Ethiopian hills!" and also a reference to the cultural role of Shiftas as arbiters of revenge against those who would otherwise escape the law, typically by fleeing into the rough terrain. With Tewodros's past as an inspiration in the heart of the nation, the people in rough terrain areas will be able to sleep a little sounder knowing that even they can be protected. I made the quote up because I thought it sounded kinda cool.)

• Cross of the Emperor: Happiness Buildings have -1 base Happiness yield but +1 Gold and Influence. Gold and Influence from Quarters containing a Happiness Building are doubled in Cities that are Happy.

"The faith is signal: without Christ I am nothing"

(Despite his clashes with church authority, Tewodros was noted as a pious man by many, including by a European visitor who wrote about the effect of his faith on his image in the quote provided. The ability is an extension of the ideas present in the UA and agenda, really, penalties to Happiness that reap greater rewards if overcome. It's relevant to the topic of his faith, so it ends up here too.)

• Letter to Victoria: Gain a burst of Influence when a Diplomatic Action is rejected. +1 Happiness per Age in all Settlements for each time this ability has triggered.

"They had been rather rude, but in retrospect a different response may have been appropriate."

(Tewodros sent a letter to Queen Victoria asking for assistance in military and technological efforts in his empire. The request wasn't taken seriously, not even getting him a response, and since this was the later-in-life, less on-his-rocker Tewodros, he held the guy who was supposed to deliver it and several other english visitors hostage, leading to the british military swooping in and Tewodros killing himself to avoid capture. Not his finest moment, but its a famous part of his story and he's become a symbol of resistance since, so... kinda worked out-ish? Works as a memento, at least. Also has some thematic and gameplay synergy with my Ethiopia concept's unique Endeavor.)

Notes

Unlocks Ethiopia in the Modern Age (Historical Choice)
Heavy bias towards Aksum in the Age of Antiquity (Geographic Choice)
Slight bias towards other African Civilizations in all Ages (Geographic Choice)

Speaks Amharic

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

AL-HASAN IBN SULAIMAN, FATHER​

Ruler of the Kilwa Sultanate, Al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman was given authority upon returning from his pilgrimage to Mecca. Under his reign, great construction projects were undertaken, including extensions to the Great Mosque, the beginnings of the palace of Husuni Kubwa, and (probably) the construction of the Husuni Ndogo fort (which found use as a place of worship). Historical records indicate that he was known as the “father of gifts” due to his generosity towards his people, with Ibn Battuta claiming to have witnessed him give up his robes to a beggar. The Sultan’s reign was a time of prosperity for Kilwa, evidenced by the monuments he built and the admiration of his people.

Unique Ability

Abu al-Muwahib: +50% Gold towards purchasing Happiness buildings, which can always be purchased in Towns. Triggering a Celebration provides a burst of Production to Wonders under construction. +50% Gold and Production towards Buildings during a Celebration.

Attributes

• Diplomatic
• Cultural

Agenda

Nasir al-Milla: Likes Civilizations that keep their Settlements Happy. Dislikes Civilizations with Settlements that have negative Happiness.

Mementoes

• Duad's Surrender: The Palace gains Happiness per Age for each Diplomatic, Cultural or Scientific Attribute Point.

"A peaceful transition of power"

• Husuni Ndogo Commission: +2 Happiness on Wonders. +20% Production towards Wonders during a Celebration.

"Papers are lost, but stone remains"

• Gifted Robes: Triggering a Celebration gives the Capital a burst of Production equal to the per-turn Production output of all owned Towns with positive Happiness.

"Generosity immortalized"

AL-HASAN IBN SULAIMAN, COMMANDER​

Ruler of the Kilwa Sultanate, Al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman was given authority upon returning from his pilgrimage to Mecca. Under his reign, the power of the Mahdali dynasty was solidified through his reconquest of Mafia Island and his expansion of the minting program his grandfather had started, which he grew to be so extensive that future rulers saw no need to create coins in their own image. Historical records indicate that he was known as “the commander of the faithful and the victorious king” due to the fame his endeavors brought him, with Ibn Battuta reporting that he led raids on nearby non-muslim lands to glean additional riches to invest in his reputation. The Sultan’s reign was a time of power for Kilwa, evidenced by the reach of his military and the even greater reach of his coinage (some specimens have been found in lands as distant as Australia).

Unique Ability

al-Malik al-Mansur: Pillaging an Improvement on a Resource creates a copy of that Resource in your possession that counts as an imported Resource. Obtaining an imported Resource provides a burst of Gold per Age. The Capital gains Influence per Age for each slotted imported Resource.

Attributes

• Economic
• Militaristic

Agenda

Ashadd al-Din: Likes Civilizations with many Resources if he does not share a land border with them. Dislikes Civilizations with many Resources if he does.

Mementoes

• Tithe of Pillage: Gain additional Influence equal to 50% of the obtained yield when pillaging.

"Someone had to foot the bill"

• Mafia Island Deed: Conquering a Settlement with 5 or more improved Resources triggers a Celebration.

"Reconquered, re-legitimized."

• Wessel Island Coin: Greatly increased range on all Trade Routes. Trade Routes generate Gold and Influence per turn per Age for every 2 tiles long they are.

"Reach around the world"

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

SEQUOYAH​

Unique Ability

Cherokee Syllabary: City Centers and the Palace gain Happiness and Influence per Age for each Tech Mastery researched this Age. During a Celebration, +20% Science in Cities and +100% Gold towards purchasing Science Buildings and towards converting Towns into Cities.

Attributes

• Scientific
• Diplomatic

Agenda

Old Settler: Keeps his Settlements close together. Dislikes those that settle close to his Capital.

Mementoes

• Letter to Ayokeh: Receive Science equal to one-fourth of Happiness produced in Cities while researching Tech Masteries.

“One family would unite all”

• Arkansas Envelope: Converting a Town into a City triggers a burst of Science and Influence.

“Proof of concept”

• Cherokee Phoenix: Cities act as if connected with all other Settlements. Cities gain Happiness and Science per Age for each controlled City.

“Information is power”

 

[RedCourtJester]

I am totally happy with our two American leaders and don't need anymore, but just to head off notions of adding an actual president or 20th century politician, I think the best third option for "defining America" is Wyatt Earp

Unique Ability

An Okay Lawman: Your commanders are military units and gain increased damage against city-state mercenary units (Foederati, Pirates, and Partisans). Commanders may enter unfriendly/hostile borders; when positioned inside an IP, increase influence a Small Amount per turn.

Attributes

• Expansionist
• Diplomatic

Agenda

Taming the Wild West: Dislikes civs who levy military units from city-states. Likes civs who do not levy military units from city-states.

Starting Bias: Desert, Plains

 

[RedCourtJester]

And, since we need a more positive Italian counterpart to Machiavelli:

Giacomo Casanova (Eleanor, but sexier)

Unique Ability

Game of Love: You may spend rose resources to gamble influence with other civs. Spending a rose may increase relationship by a Large Amount, Medium Amount, or Small Amount, or may decrease relationship by a Medium Amount. Maintaining influence a certain threshold beyond "helpful" with a civ will reduce the loyalty of cities (not settlements) within nine tiles of your cities (not settlements) by a Small Amount per city per turn; cities flipped this way will be automatically claimed by you.

Attributes

• Diplomatic
• Cultural

Agenda

Mister Congeniality: Likes civs without unfriendly/hostile relationships; dislikes civs with unfriendly/hostile relationships. Will never like Confucius or Ben Franklin unless they pay him a lot of money.

Starting Bias: Roses.

 

[Archanist]

Attila the Hun
Attributes:
- Militaristic
- Economic

Unique Ability
Scourge of God - Raze cities at double speed. Gain bonus combat strength based off war support against you.

Agenda
Attila's Court - Likes leaders that raze. Dislikes leaders who capture cities but don't raze.