Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
Got it.
RBD13 SG - Cretan Army Variant
- Thread starter Charis
- Start date
Schnarrd
Panderer of Bad Jokes
In a sealed room at the city of Foul Odors, a soft stirring is heard and a quiet groan emenates from inside.
"Could it be?" the people asked. "Has he finally awakened?"
Rustling issues from the room and a sound like claws on a chalkboard echoes from the door.
"Someone open the door!" the people shout. "Don't let him suffocate there!"
A brave young bull rider is shoved towards the door. He stretches a trembling hand towards the doorknob, face gray and sweat soaking his furs. His hand clasps the knob and slowly turns it. The door creaks on rusty hinges and . . .
A page dashes into an alchemists office at Pungentoss Weedae, where Meldor is being treated for some of the various Prod burns acquired from his reign (despite his wishes otherwise, Meldor is still the de facto ruler of Crete).
"For the last time," Meldor says, agrieved, "I'm not the king anymore! All I want to do is get rid of these horrible scars, after which I can show off my tan to the people of Weedae!"
"But sir, there is strange news from the city of Foul Odors!"
"Foul Odors? You mean someone will finally take my place as the victim of those infernal Prods? Woot!!! Dispatch some Bull Riders there immediately!"
A division of Bull Riders enters the outskirts of Foul Odors. The plants are wilted and sickly and a deer that is wandering near the city walls has turned an odd shade of green. The Bull Riders approach the city gates, open them, and . . .
"So how did Schmutzig rule if no one could go near him?" the student asked.
"Some say he didn't," the teacher responded, smiling benevolently.
"They say that during few years Meldor continued to be the de facto ruler until Perseus arrived on the scene. No one knows for sure, however."
* * *
Schmutzig awakens, sweat soaking the skunk furs he uses for blankets.
"What a horrible nightmare," he thinks. No garlic for toothpaste or skunk musk for deodorant. And there was this disgusting thing called "spearmint" which left a nauseatingly "clean" and "minty" aftertaste in the mouth.
Schmutzig picks up and guzzles goblet of lumpy milk to wash the aweful taste of the nightmare from him. He then visits his royal pig stye for some relaxation. Things had been good the past few years. Two Chinese cities had been razed and new cities were being founded daily. The only thing that had caused Schmutzig trouble was what to do with the Great Leader, Perseus, that had surfaced during the fighting. As it was, Perseus was hopping from city to city, feeling up bulls while searching for something he called the "Minotaur." Also there were the eternally annoying English who had somehow managed to found a new city of London and had come knocking with two archers and three spearmen. These military units were quickly destroyed, but it bothered Schmutzig that they should build these units so quickly.
A skunk enters the stye with a note attached to its tail. Schmutzig takes thee message and reads it.
"Hmm, the Aztecs again," he mumbles. Suddenly, he emits a burst of laughter which causes the skunk to spray musk like a firehose.
"They want both Writing and Monarchy for their world map? Hah! I might consider trading them our territory map for their world map, but no more."
Suddenly, a man clothed in black enters the stye, a heavy film padding his mouth.
"Who are you?" Schmutzig shouts.
The man opens his hand to reveal a wad of green leaves. Spearmint.
"Get that out of here! Quickly!"
The man crushes the spearmint in his hand.
"Nooooo!!!"
* * *
The teacher lifts his head and smiles at his class.
"We still aren't sure exactly what happened to Schmutzig at the end of his reign, but most historians believe that he is still holed up in a skunk den, waiting for his chance to regain the throne.
"Could it be?" the people asked. "Has he finally awakened?"
Rustling issues from the room and a sound like claws on a chalkboard echoes from the door.
"Someone open the door!" the people shout. "Don't let him suffocate there!"
A brave young bull rider is shoved towards the door. He stretches a trembling hand towards the doorknob, face gray and sweat soaking his furs. His hand clasps the knob and slowly turns it. The door creaks on rusty hinges and . . .
A page dashes into an alchemists office at Pungentoss Weedae, where Meldor is being treated for some of the various Prod burns acquired from his reign (despite his wishes otherwise, Meldor is still the de facto ruler of Crete).
"For the last time," Meldor says, agrieved, "I'm not the king anymore! All I want to do is get rid of these horrible scars, after which I can show off my tan to the people of Weedae!"
"But sir, there is strange news from the city of Foul Odors!"
"Foul Odors? You mean someone will finally take my place as the victim of those infernal Prods? Woot!!! Dispatch some Bull Riders there immediately!"
A division of Bull Riders enters the outskirts of Foul Odors. The plants are wilted and sickly and a deer that is wandering near the city walls has turned an odd shade of green. The Bull Riders approach the city gates, open them, and . . .
"So how did Schmutzig rule if no one could go near him?" the student asked.
"Some say he didn't," the teacher responded, smiling benevolently.
"They say that during few years Meldor continued to be the de facto ruler until Perseus arrived on the scene. No one knows for sure, however."* * *
Schmutzig awakens, sweat soaking the skunk furs he uses for blankets.
"What a horrible nightmare," he thinks. No garlic for toothpaste or skunk musk for deodorant. And there was this disgusting thing called "spearmint" which left a nauseatingly "clean" and "minty" aftertaste in the mouth.
Schmutzig picks up and guzzles goblet of lumpy milk to wash the aweful taste of the nightmare from him. He then visits his royal pig stye for some relaxation. Things had been good the past few years. Two Chinese cities had been razed and new cities were being founded daily. The only thing that had caused Schmutzig trouble was what to do with the Great Leader, Perseus, that had surfaced during the fighting. As it was, Perseus was hopping from city to city, feeling up bulls while searching for something he called the "Minotaur." Also there were the eternally annoying English who had somehow managed to found a new city of London and had come knocking with two archers and three spearmen. These military units were quickly destroyed, but it bothered Schmutzig that they should build these units so quickly.
A skunk enters the stye with a note attached to its tail. Schmutzig takes thee message and reads it.
"Hmm, the Aztecs again," he mumbles. Suddenly, he emits a burst of laughter which causes the skunk to spray musk like a firehose.
"They want both Writing and Monarchy for their world map? Hah! I might consider trading them our territory map for their world map, but no more."
Suddenly, a man clothed in black enters the stye, a heavy film padding his mouth.
"Who are you?" Schmutzig shouts.
The man opens his hand to reveal a wad of green leaves. Spearmint.
"Get that out of here! Quickly!"
The man crushes the spearmint in his hand.
"Nooooo!!!"
* * *
The teacher lifts his head and smiles at his class.
"We still aren't sure exactly what happened to Schmutzig at the end of his reign, but most historians believe that he is still holed up in a skunk den, waiting for his chance to regain the throne.
Schnarrd
Panderer of Bad Jokes
Most of this turn was devoted to fighting China. Russia seems to have an endless supply of horsemen and we can probably just let them have there fun with China and settle in their wake.
We also have a city on the Chinese choke point: Plakias. More settlers are being produced and more cities are being founded every few turns.
It looks like the Great Library cascade is going to be brutal. Hopefully no one will have Invention by the time it's complete.
Btw, if want a good laugh, look on the culture histograph. China has less culture than us!
As for wha to do with the Great Leader, I know we want to rush the Forbidden Palace, but I'm just not sure where. Seeing as how Sirian grabbed the game, it looks like he has a plan for the Forbidden Palace.
We also have a city on the Chinese choke point: Plakias. More settlers are being produced and more cities are being founded every few turns.
It looks like the Great Library cascade is going to be brutal. Hopefully no one will have Invention by the time it's complete.
Btw, if want a good laugh, look on the culture histograph. China has less culture than us!
As for wha to do with the Great Leader, I know we want to rush the Forbidden Palace, but I'm just not sure where. Seeing as how Sirian grabbed the game, it looks like he has a plan for the Forbidden Palace.
Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
IT 350AD: Signed alliances vs China and Iro with anybody and everybody who had cash to PAY US for the privilege of aligning with us. Japan willing to PAY US for peace, so we accepted their reparations for the insult of setting foot on our land and deigned to grant them a temporary reprieve from annihilation. 
360AD: Our forces hole up in Plakias to rest and recuperate. Note dispatched to Catherine, "Knock yourself out!"
370-410AD: Focus shifted from expansion at far ends of the universe, to cleaning up closer to home and pushing eastward a bit more.
420AD: SunTzu's completed in Knossos.
430AD: Leonardo's completed in Knossos.
440AD: Great Library completed in Moscow. Everybody cascades to Theology, but who in the Bull cares any more? The only remaining wonders we are even eligible to build are Suffrage, Hoover, and Manhatten.
450AD: Decided to rush the aqueduct at Doxi.
Various notes:
* Fended off the Chinese whenever they came close.
* Cathy took a Chinese city. Almost no heat on us over there since then.
* No use pounded Mao any worse UNTIL there are settlers in position to grab the lands. I had other priorities this turn.
* Iro's are toasty. They will soon be extinct, and some day we're going to have a jolly old time dealing with Seizure and Cleo.
* Japan CLAIMS TO BE eligible for trade, but I saw them disappear for a turn once. NO TRADE DEALS WITH TOKU UNTIL ASTRONOMY COMES IN, please, or we may end up with a broken deal and tarnished rep, like in RBD5!
* Full map brokerage has taken place.
* Renewed some alliances vs China on my last turn. No peace in our time!
* I like Wormtown for Forbidden Palace: nice strong location, central to many lands we have settled, near to Russian lands when we decide we've had it with Cathy's provocations, and may even be able to build the FP on its own, if it has to. The east never matierialized, and unless we wipe China completely off the map and choose a central location over there, I don't even see any other candidate sites.
* City due south of Knossos, with the fish, needs some roads and mines.
* Vai desperately needs mines in the desert and mountains (and *ahem* I asked for them eons ago, and got vetoed apparently -- over and over).
* Running zero science and happy to stay there. We're not going to be in any more wonder races until industrial, and frankly, the LONGER our bulls remain useful, the better for us. We can buy tech on the ultra cheap at late-civ prices and use the extra cash to rush some key courthouses or aqueducts, rush settlers on the frontier, etc etc.
* Upgraded every unit we have. (Even our warriors are all swords now. Hey, Leo's makes that worth doing).
* Forget that one spot of uncovered land in the south jungle, the AI's won't bother with it. I did want two cities down there, but it's done now, forget about it.
* We have one bull wandering the northeast, looking for a barb camp up there.
- Sirian
360AD: Our forces hole up in Plakias to rest and recuperate. Note dispatched to Catherine, "Knock yourself out!"
370-410AD: Focus shifted from expansion at far ends of the universe, to cleaning up closer to home and pushing eastward a bit more.
420AD: SunTzu's completed in Knossos.
430AD: Leonardo's completed in Knossos.
440AD: Great Library completed in Moscow. Everybody cascades to Theology, but who in the Bull cares any more? The only remaining wonders we are even eligible to build are Suffrage, Hoover, and Manhatten.
450AD: Decided to rush the aqueduct at Doxi.
Various notes:
* Fended off the Chinese whenever they came close.
* Cathy took a Chinese city. Almost no heat on us over there since then.
* No use pounded Mao any worse UNTIL there are settlers in position to grab the lands. I had other priorities this turn.
* Iro's are toasty. They will soon be extinct, and some day we're going to have a jolly old time dealing with Seizure and Cleo.
* Japan CLAIMS TO BE eligible for trade, but I saw them disappear for a turn once. NO TRADE DEALS WITH TOKU UNTIL ASTRONOMY COMES IN, please, or we may end up with a broken deal and tarnished rep, like in RBD5!
* Full map brokerage has taken place.
* Renewed some alliances vs China on my last turn. No peace in our time!
* I like Wormtown for Forbidden Palace: nice strong location, central to many lands we have settled, near to Russian lands when we decide we've had it with Cathy's provocations, and may even be able to build the FP on its own, if it has to. The east never matierialized, and unless we wipe China completely off the map and choose a central location over there, I don't even see any other candidate sites.
* City due south of Knossos, with the fish, needs some roads and mines.
* Vai desperately needs mines in the desert and mountains (and *ahem* I asked for them eons ago, and got vetoed apparently -- over and over).
* Running zero science and happy to stay there. We're not going to be in any more wonder races until industrial, and frankly, the LONGER our bulls remain useful, the better for us. We can buy tech on the ultra cheap at late-civ prices and use the extra cash to rush some key courthouses or aqueducts, rush settlers on the frontier, etc etc.
* Upgraded every unit we have. (Even our warriors are all swords now. Hey, Leo's makes that worth doing).
* Forget that one spot of uncovered land in the south jungle, the AI's won't bother with it. I did want two cities down there, but it's done now, forget about it.
* We have one bull wandering the northeast, looking for a barb camp up there.
- Sirian
Jaffa Tamarin
Monkey Cult
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Messages
- 570
Got it.
Schnarrd
Panderer of Bad Jokes
Sirian: Why not rush the FP with the leader? IMHO an early FP is one of the biggest keys to a victory.
Jaffa Tamarin
Monkey Cult
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Messages
- 570
Jaffa Tamarin
Monkey Cult
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Messages
- 570
Jaffa Tamarin
Monkey Cult
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Messages
- 570
Charis
Realms Beyond
Well that's a yummy scandal! Sun Tzu, Leo, *AND* FP ?
I'll bet it makes those culture lovers want to ....
Got it!
Charis
I'll bet it makes those culture lovers want to ....
Got it!
Charis
Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
Schnarrd: because I was busy making sure we got Leo's. Judging by the immediacy with which Moscow finished the Great Library, they would have been just a few turns away from Leo. There WOULD BE more leaders to come along, and the next could always rush the FP (see Jaffa's post). The next MIGHT NOT be able to rush Leo, as it might be gone. I... played it safe.
I agree that an early FP is a big deal, but the location I liked could have built it on its own if need be, and this game in particular is highly militaristic (infrastructure = courthouse, aqueduct, market, bank... uh... mass transit?) so I expect us to get, oh, at least a dozen leaders total over the course of the game. Make sense?
- Sirian
I agree that an early FP is a big deal, but the location I liked could have built it on its own if need be, and this game in particular is highly militaristic (infrastructure = courthouse, aqueduct, market, bank... uh... mass transit?) so I expect us to get, oh, at least a dozen leaders total over the course of the game. Make sense?
- Sirian
Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
Charis: the real scandal is that Knossos is the top city culturally! I bet with that Heroic Epic going in, at 4 more culture per turn, and all these going to start pulling in bonus by 1500... that Knossos will actually remain the top city for the whole game.
Of course... our next best city now has about... 4 culture? And then we have about 10000 towns tied for third place at... zero!
Of course... our next best city now has about... 4 culture? And then we have about 10000 towns tied for third place at... zero!
Charis
Realms Beyond
500 AD (0) - Charis Theseus Minos II came to power, noting that SO much
had changed since his father's reign. Current events were especially dazzling,
with SunTzu's Art of the Bull Fight and Leonardo's Cretanous Inventions,
and on top of all that, a scandal in Wormtown!
Our great nation has known three Great Leaders (not counting of course,
the great 'leaders'). Thesseus, Greatest Bull Fighter and General yet to
be seen in Crete, whose army still rides today. Perseus Leonardus, an
inventor par excellence, and the lady Ariadne. Listen, and you will hear of
her tale...
King Minos, founder of our great Nation, was a pragmatic man. When the land was
cursed with a vile monster, half-man and half-bull, he knew that strong action
was needed. Alas, his solution was to sacrifice young men and women to the
the Minotaur, who was held in a great Labyrinthe in the forbidden city of
Wormtown. Yet so pragmatic and fair was Minos that he sent his own
daughter, Aridne, to be sacrificed to the Minotaur!!!!
This is the truth I speak!! Theseus, our great leader, was appalled, and
suggested a much more noble and permanent solution. He vowed to slay the
Minotaur. Ariadne was a smart girl, and a leader not by might or charisma,
but by her wit. She gave Theseus a great thread which he unwound into the
maze. With it, he avoided getting lost and killed, and was indeed able
to slay the foul Minotaur and rid our land of this blight!!
Ariadne was so disheartened by her father's actions, however, that she could
not bear to stay in the land. Her very heart was broken. She sought to sail
for Athens, but learned the great city was no more. Despondent, she entered
once more the forbidden city of the Minotaur, and with her entreaties and pleas,
did induce a GREAT wonder from the people, a magnificent palace!! The palace
was like no other, rivaling even the palace in Knossos. A mixture of reverence
accompanied this edifice, and it came to be known as the... Forbidden Palace!
The storehouse of knowledge that will one day be known as the 'net' contains
the following story, at http://www.dilos.com/region/crete/m_pal.html
What impact this had on the people of the Forbidden palace is uncertain.
One thing, however, is for sure... the Forbidden City will be like NO other
city in all of Crete!
The people cry... ya, ya, but what happens?! Well, here's a sneak peak...
had changed since his father's reign. Current events were especially dazzling,
with SunTzu's Art of the Bull Fight and Leonardo's Cretanous Inventions,
and on top of all that, a scandal in Wormtown!
Our great nation has known three Great Leaders (not counting of course,
the great 'leaders'). Thesseus, Greatest Bull Fighter and General yet to
be seen in Crete, whose army still rides today. Perseus Leonardus, an
inventor par excellence, and the lady Ariadne. Listen, and you will hear of
her tale...
King Minos, founder of our great Nation, was a pragmatic man. When the land was
cursed with a vile monster, half-man and half-bull, he knew that strong action
was needed. Alas, his solution was to sacrifice young men and women to the
the Minotaur, who was held in a great Labyrinthe in the forbidden city of
Wormtown. Yet so pragmatic and fair was Minos that he sent his own
daughter, Aridne, to be sacrificed to the Minotaur!!!!
This is the truth I speak!! Theseus, our great leader, was appalled, and
suggested a much more noble and permanent solution. He vowed to slay the
Minotaur. Ariadne was a smart girl, and a leader not by might or charisma,
but by her wit. She gave Theseus a great thread which he unwound into the
maze. With it, he avoided getting lost and killed, and was indeed able
to slay the foul Minotaur and rid our land of this blight!!
Ariadne was so disheartened by her father's actions, however, that she could
not bear to stay in the land. Her very heart was broken. She sought to sail
for Athens, but learned the great city was no more. Despondent, she entered
once more the forbidden city of the Minotaur, and with her entreaties and pleas,
did induce a GREAT wonder from the people, a magnificent palace!! The palace
was like no other, rivaling even the palace in Knossos. A mixture of reverence
accompanied this edifice, and it came to be known as the... Forbidden Palace!
The storehouse of knowledge that will one day be known as the 'net' contains
the following story, at http://www.dilos.com/region/crete/m_pal.html
What impact this had on the people of the Forbidden palace is uncertain.
One thing, however, is for sure... the Forbidden City will be like NO other
city in all of Crete!
The people cry... ya, ya, but what happens?! Well, here's a sneak peak...
Charis
Realms Beyond
Charis Theseus Minos continued...
"Now better understanding through the annals of history the nature of these
strange events, our life in Crete now began to make more sense. The great
colloseum of Knossos... was a way not only to see the glory of the bulls,
but to show we have nothing to fear from them (or from any Minotaur). The
University of Crete was now being considered, so as to not let the youth of
the nation forget these incredible tales. Our theological bent, rather distinct
compared to other nations, might lead to a lone temple, a shrine to Ariadne
really, and a Cathedral to remember our source, at the Palace of Knossos.
Unlike other civilizations, however, we saw no need whatsoever to duplicate
these great and unique buildings, or to have them spread over our land willynilly.
This is the background of my reign, and I hope it will shed light on actions
to come..."
Music Theory?????
Pure weed, this is cultural clap-trap. We
switch to Gunpowder immediately, albeit slowly. Was it to slow the rate
that science is learned? If so, switching will do that too
"Er, sir, pardon... at 40 turns we won't get gunpowder first and will
buy it anyway. If no one researchs Music Theory, we can sell to the
whole world as a profit, and... make a mockery of those who say we
have no culture." "Hrfmfpf... ok, let Music Theory stand."
Our lack of capture pretty much means that conquest happens inside-out, only
as we are able to settle and fill. That also means that China and Russia are
doomed to be foes we shall annihilate. The question is when...
China, Russia and ourselves have identical techs. We have bulls, they have
lesser forces. If they were not pounding EACH OTHER so very nicely we would
almost be certainly fighting one aggressively.
China gets Riders. Ouch!! Riders need horses and Iron.
Russia gets Cossacks. DOUBLE Ouch!!! Cossacks need horses and saltpeter.
A denial game? China has 3 horses and 2 iron. Russia has two horses, right
near us at Riga and St.Petersburg. Saltpeter? We'll find out at Gunpowder.
With our current 'edge' in the Bulls and with their balance-tipping UU's
coming RATHER soon, we give strong attention to a burst of war. Not minor
dipping, but full blow middle age, start-now and end BEFORE Mil Tradition.
Getting a GL to rush the Mil Academy would be a side benefit
Can we do it? Should we? Or are other priorities higher??
41 cities (!) have we. Epic is due in 5, and all across the land our focus is
on... aqeuducts, pikes, courthouses, marketplaces, settlers, and harbor.
Well those are ALL certainly *highly* valuable. To press any largescale attack,
we need to CHURN out settlers as well. China has 19 cities, but for US to fill
the same land we'll need 30 or more easily. Russia has about 21.
All these builds will help us in the long run, as well as right here in the
middle ages. If we can build up and let China and Russia continue to beat
themselves, for just a bit more, we'll be in great shape. Certainly no
need to have two enemies anyway. Mil strength? Strong vs everyone but Rome,
Egypt, America, Russia. Nice compared to our usual 'paper thin'
Here then is our vision...
... build-up as strong as possible while Russia and China fight.
... continue in lowest possible science rate
... secure our choke points
... give some attention to our glorious new Forbidden Valley
... prepare settlers and/or settler farms
... deny China horses
... cripple China. Letting them live slows down tech, and gives the AI
a useless target instead of something better
... learn gunpowder and location of saltpeter
... be free of treaties with Russia just before they get Military Tradition
... Blitz denial attack on Russia to sever horse and salt, and to crush them
as swift as possible
... result is the entire subcontinent up to the Hellespont choke point
being dominated by Crete (even if China and Russia end up living as vassals)
500 AD (0) (cont) - Egypt is cautious, needs our spices, but is broke. Same Abe.
How goes Iroqoius war? Rome ally(5)
China? America ally (15), Russia (15), India (15), Germany (5)
Japan can trade some spice for silks and dyes and some gold. ok!
Germany will pay us small gold to ally with Iro, as will Cleo. Why not?!
Add Germany-Iro(20), Egypt-Iro(20). Cleo the liar and cheat is now polite.
I see basically the whole world is dead broke. Rome has 200 gold, and so
we extract that, and 1 gpt, for excess dyes.
As I look over the builds... wow... stellar! After looking over rbd1 this
weekend, the weed use has been cut waaaay back
Just a few switches, Bull Run to Bull for example.
510 AD (1) - in the far, far, NE, a fortified bull is attacked in the mountains
by a barbarian (talk about choosing unwisely). Get back here Taurus!! Ok, ok,
go re-scout and take out the barb camp first.
Wormtown is working on an marketplace? Fine and good, but it does not give
proper honor to the fair Ariadne, who gave her life in rushing the palace.
We erect a shrine to commemorate her sacrifice, and make plans for a University.
Sandcastle is founded to the right of Grozny. (aka Orange dot)
Did I say this Bull Blitz is kinda neat?? Two Chinese archers in one charge
Said bull defends vs two archers and a sword, finally retreating, mid turn.
520 AD (2) - As infrastructure projects complete, more bulls and pikes started.
On occasion a courthouse started instead. An 'opportunity' arises at Shanghai,
the sight of bullish victories outside the city. The city is a horsetown.
The army is in range. We moo-ve. Settler rushed in nearby town.
530 AD (3) - Theseus, still enraged by recent events, tears through Shanghai
before we can even ask for a surrender. The town goes up in smoke.
Hmmm, we won't re-found that spot, rather try to catch both horse and
iron a little deeper at Tientsin.
540 AD (4) - Finally slide the lux down to zero, along with sci. Lovely
211 gpt surplus now. What's this? Big unhappiness in Bull Run? Just crowding,
not whipping? Ah, those SIX luxuries aren't working much without a marketplace.
It's gonna be a ... Bull Market!!
Comrade Coast founded (aka White dot). Ouch! I hope we don't flip before we
raze the Russian cities around it!
550 AD (5) - Action around Shantung as Chinese and Russians converge. An
elite bull watches as he heals. Oddly I cheer losses from both sides. Each
horse is a future potential Cossack
The Heroic Epic is completed in Knossos!! :elite: MORE chances for Gl's !
Britain's Folly is founded in old English territory. The spot is chosen here
rather than one SE to avoid losing the square NE of the hill. More overlap
with Keratos, but now a city founded where Maikop is will seal us up.
Rome's alliance with Iro about to end. We renew and they'll pay US all their
gold (39) and 2 gpt for the privilege of listing us on their team
We sell them Ivory for diplo, WMap and 9 gpt. It's the max they can afford,
so we're bleeding Rome dry Germany pays us 5 gold to renew 20 years vs
China.
Our first elite battle after the Epic... fails to inspire. A win but no GL.
This bull continues forward to try to pillage gold and/or horse in NE China.
Our Army and Elite vs Tientsin? A debacle! They escape with their lives, but
barely, each retreating with 1 hp They pull back.
560 AD (6) - Wooo!! For every debacle, there is a shining victory!
The army and elite were on the hill where we plan to found ironhorse town,
and wanted to stay, so we brought up a pike to defend. Yet a longbow was
next door. We woke up a healing elite bull and had him pick off the
archer. Not expecting much, was glad to see...
The Great Argonaut... Jason! He read the Epic and decided to join the cause!
570 AD (7) - A nervous Tokugawa reminds us the peace treaty is about to expire.
Oh, Toku, we have no beef with you now that you understand the jungle is
Cretan land. Be our guest.
China has had enough and begs for peace. Yet their groveling is FAR too
shallow. Unwilling to even throw in a paltry city (not that we would take it)
their offer is spurned. Alas, they didn't like that. A longbow came out of
Tientsin and killed the elite bull that wrought Jason. FOOLS!!!!!!!!
This is a massive insult, and insures their doom. Closer to home, it means
Tientsin is going to be razed, asap.
The Iro want to talk. They're smarter, and would give us their last two non-
cap cities and a worker. But no, our word is our bond, Hiawatha. We're in
a treaty you see. Sigh... if you had ONLY asked me two turns ago...
We found Ironhorse Hill. The city and SunTzu barracks literally spring up
underneath the resting elite Minoan Bull Rider and the Army.
Iron outside Yangchow is pillaged. Soon China will run out of gas. (Just in
time if Chivalry shows up) Pungetoss seems to have 2 turns left for its
bull, but has been set up for a "grow-then-calc-shields deal" for one
580 AD (8) - Chinese assault on Ironhorse Hill fails, making a pike elite
Hrmm, not great, here come the Russian settlers, two of them. There is just
one spot we need to found right now, and that's on ex-Shanghai. Our settler
is about two steps ahead. We could also just cut them off, but that also
blocks one dozen troops who want to do some dmg in China. Things are going
smoothly, don't want to rock the boat, so they are allowed to pass.
Hrmmm... just noticed that Ironhorse and ex-Shangahai are REALLY close to
Beijing. Danger Will Robinson.
590 AD (9) - Kourtaliotiko Gorge is founded on ex-Shanghai, a river hill.
600 AD (10) - America and Japan ally vs India (oh good, keep 'em busy!)
The Arrogant city of Tientsin is razed!
(Our army went down to 2 hp, eep!) Still longbows around, so we kill them.
The nearby city of Xinjian has a pikeman gored by our rider. That spear
in town is likely the only defender left.
The University of Crete is started in the Forbidden City of Wormtown.
Japan has Chivalry. Others can't be far behind 8-\
It'll cost us 90 Gold. I look around. Shoot, EVERYONE has it except
Aztecs and Iro. China has it! Thankfully (by planning) China has no
native source of iron, and horses should be pillaged with a rider asap.
Keep up ally's vs China unless you want to see them import iron.
For our next leader...
Two settlers, a bull and several workers are unmoved this turn.
There's a few settlers on the move, one in/near Vai uncommitted, one
on long Goto to China Chokepoint (Plakias). One is in ex-Shanghai location,
a great river-hill spot, in decent lane formation even. (Swordsman on the spot)
One settler, uncommitted, at Samaras. BTW, the hill outside 'New Shanghai',
three steps North from ex-Shanghai, on the pond, seems a good spot to found.
See the start of this post for deals-in-place, but several key alliances
exire in 5 turns.
If you like the finish China, then Russia before Mil Tradition plan, you'll
like all the military currently in production. Switch several bulls to
Knights, and they will make a strong combo. The Bulls are *NOT* in the Knight
upgrade path.
Jason sits in Plakias. Use him!! We'll "make" more
Leader Census:
Arathorn(1), Charis(3), Jaffa(2), Meldor(2), Schnarrd(2)
Sirian(3), Warstrike(1), Xrang(1)
Have at it!
Charis
"Now better understanding through the annals of history the nature of these
strange events, our life in Crete now began to make more sense. The great
colloseum of Knossos... was a way not only to see the glory of the bulls,
but to show we have nothing to fear from them (or from any Minotaur). The
University of Crete was now being considered, so as to not let the youth of
the nation forget these incredible tales. Our theological bent, rather distinct
compared to other nations, might lead to a lone temple, a shrine to Ariadne
really, and a Cathedral to remember our source, at the Palace of Knossos.
Unlike other civilizations, however, we saw no need whatsoever to duplicate
these great and unique buildings, or to have them spread over our land willynilly.
This is the background of my reign, and I hope it will shed light on actions
to come..."
Music Theory?????
Pure weed, this is cultural clap-trap. Weswitch to Gunpowder immediately, albeit slowly. Was it to slow the rate
that science is learned? If so, switching will do that too
"Er, sir, pardon... at 40 turns we won't get gunpowder first and will
buy it anyway. If no one researchs Music Theory, we can sell to the
whole world as a profit, and... make a mockery of those who say we
have no culture." "Hrfmfpf... ok, let Music Theory stand."
Our lack of capture pretty much means that conquest happens inside-out, only
as we are able to settle and fill. That also means that China and Russia are
doomed to be foes we shall annihilate. The question is when...
China, Russia and ourselves have identical techs. We have bulls, they have
lesser forces. If they were not pounding EACH OTHER so very nicely we would
almost be certainly fighting one aggressively.
China gets Riders. Ouch!! Riders need horses and Iron.
Russia gets Cossacks. DOUBLE Ouch!!! Cossacks need horses and saltpeter.
A denial game? China has 3 horses and 2 iron. Russia has two horses, right
near us at Riga and St.Petersburg. Saltpeter? We'll find out at Gunpowder.
With our current 'edge' in the Bulls and with their balance-tipping UU's
coming RATHER soon, we give strong attention to a burst of war. Not minor
dipping, but full blow middle age, start-now and end BEFORE Mil Tradition.
Getting a GL to rush the Mil Academy would be a side benefit
Can we do it? Should we? Or are other priorities higher??
41 cities (!) have we. Epic is due in 5, and all across the land our focus is
on... aqeuducts, pikes, courthouses, marketplaces, settlers, and harbor.
Well those are ALL certainly *highly* valuable. To press any largescale attack,
we need to CHURN out settlers as well. China has 19 cities, but for US to fill
the same land we'll need 30 or more easily. Russia has about 21.
All these builds will help us in the long run, as well as right here in the
middle ages. If we can build up and let China and Russia continue to beat
themselves, for just a bit more, we'll be in great shape. Certainly no
need to have two enemies anyway. Mil strength? Strong vs everyone but Rome,
Egypt, America, Russia. Nice compared to our usual 'paper thin'
Here then is our vision...
... build-up as strong as possible while Russia and China fight.
... continue in lowest possible science rate
... secure our choke points
... give some attention to our glorious new Forbidden Valley
... prepare settlers and/or settler farms
... deny China horses
... cripple China. Letting them live slows down tech, and gives the AI
a useless target instead of something better
... learn gunpowder and location of saltpeter
... be free of treaties with Russia just before they get Military Tradition
... Blitz denial attack on Russia to sever horse and salt, and to crush them
as swift as possible
... result is the entire subcontinent up to the Hellespont choke point
being dominated by Crete (even if China and Russia end up living as vassals)
500 AD (0) (cont) - Egypt is cautious, needs our spices, but is broke. Same Abe.
How goes Iroqoius war? Rome ally(5)
China? America ally (15), Russia (15), India (15), Germany (5)
Japan can trade some spice for silks and dyes and some gold. ok!
Germany will pay us small gold to ally with Iro, as will Cleo. Why not?!
Add Germany-Iro(20), Egypt-Iro(20). Cleo the liar and cheat is now polite.
I see basically the whole world is dead broke. Rome has 200 gold, and so
we extract that, and 1 gpt, for excess dyes.
As I look over the builds... wow... stellar! After looking over rbd1 this
weekend, the weed use has been cut waaaay back
Just a few switches, Bull Run to Bull for example.
510 AD (1) - in the far, far, NE, a fortified bull is attacked in the mountains
by a barbarian (talk about choosing unwisely). Get back here Taurus!! Ok, ok,
go re-scout and take out the barb camp first.
Wormtown is working on an marketplace? Fine and good, but it does not give
proper honor to the fair Ariadne, who gave her life in rushing the palace.
We erect a shrine to commemorate her sacrifice, and make plans for a University.
Sandcastle is founded to the right of Grozny. (aka Orange dot)
Did I say this Bull Blitz is kinda neat?? Two Chinese archers in one charge
Said bull defends vs two archers and a sword, finally retreating, mid turn.
520 AD (2) - As infrastructure projects complete, more bulls and pikes started.
On occasion a courthouse started instead. An 'opportunity' arises at Shanghai,
the sight of bullish victories outside the city. The city is a horsetown.
The army is in range. We moo-ve. Settler rushed in nearby town.
530 AD (3) - Theseus, still enraged by recent events, tears through Shanghai
before we can even ask for a surrender. The town goes up in smoke.
Hmmm, we won't re-found that spot, rather try to catch both horse and
iron a little deeper at Tientsin.
540 AD (4) - Finally slide the lux down to zero, along with sci. Lovely
211 gpt surplus now. What's this? Big unhappiness in Bull Run? Just crowding,
not whipping? Ah, those SIX luxuries aren't working much without a marketplace.
It's gonna be a ... Bull Market!!
Comrade Coast founded (aka White dot). Ouch! I hope we don't flip before we
raze the Russian cities around it!
550 AD (5) - Action around Shantung as Chinese and Russians converge. An
elite bull watches as he heals. Oddly I cheer losses from both sides. Each
horse is a future potential Cossack
The Heroic Epic is completed in Knossos!! :elite: MORE chances for Gl's !
Britain's Folly is founded in old English territory. The spot is chosen here
rather than one SE to avoid losing the square NE of the hill. More overlap
with Keratos, but now a city founded where Maikop is will seal us up.
Rome's alliance with Iro about to end. We renew and they'll pay US all their
gold (39) and 2 gpt for the privilege of listing us on their team
We sell them Ivory for diplo, WMap and 9 gpt. It's the max they can afford,
so we're bleeding Rome dry
Germany pays us 5 gold to renew 20 years vsChina.
Our first elite battle after the Epic... fails to inspire. A win but no GL.
This bull continues forward to try to pillage gold and/or horse in NE China.
Our Army and Elite vs Tientsin? A debacle! They escape with their lives, but
barely, each retreating with 1 hp
They pull back. 560 AD (6) - Wooo!! For every debacle, there is a shining victory!
The army and elite were on the hill where we plan to found ironhorse town,
and wanted to stay, so we brought up a pike to defend. Yet a longbow was
next door. We woke up a healing elite bull and had him pick off the
archer. Not expecting much, was glad to see...
The Great Argonaut... Jason! He read the Epic and decided to join the cause!
570 AD (7) - A nervous Tokugawa reminds us the peace treaty is about to expire.
Oh, Toku, we have no beef with you now that you understand the jungle is
Cretan land. Be our guest.
China has had enough and begs for peace. Yet their groveling is FAR too
shallow. Unwilling to even throw in a paltry city (not that we would take it)
their offer is spurned. Alas, they didn't like that. A longbow came out of
Tientsin and killed the elite bull that wrought Jason. FOOLS!!!!!!!!
This is a massive insult, and insures their doom. Closer to home, it means
Tientsin is going to be razed, asap.
The Iro want to talk. They're smarter, and would give us their last two non-
cap cities and a worker. But no, our word is our bond, Hiawatha. We're in
a treaty you see. Sigh... if you had ONLY asked me two turns ago...
We found Ironhorse Hill. The city and SunTzu barracks literally spring up
underneath the resting elite Minoan Bull Rider and the Army.
Iron outside Yangchow is pillaged. Soon China will run out of gas. (Just in
time if Chivalry shows up) Pungetoss seems to have 2 turns left for its
bull, but has been set up for a "grow-then-calc-shields deal" for one
580 AD (8) - Chinese assault on Ironhorse Hill fails, making a pike elite
Hrmm, not great, here come the Russian settlers, two of them. There is just
one spot we need to found right now, and that's on ex-Shanghai. Our settler
is about two steps ahead.
We could also just cut them off, but that alsoblocks one dozen troops who want to do some dmg in China. Things are going
smoothly, don't want to rock the boat, so they are allowed to pass.
Hrmmm... just noticed that Ironhorse and ex-Shangahai are REALLY close to
Beijing. Danger Will Robinson.
590 AD (9) - Kourtaliotiko Gorge is founded on ex-Shanghai, a river hill.
600 AD (10) - America and Japan ally vs India (oh good, keep 'em busy!)
The Arrogant city of Tientsin is razed!
(Our army went down to 2 hp, eep!) Still longbows around, so we kill them.
The nearby city of Xinjian has a pikeman gored by our rider. That spear
in town is likely the only defender left.
The University of Crete is started in the Forbidden City of Wormtown.
Japan has Chivalry. Others can't be far behind 8-\
It'll cost us 90 Gold. I look around. Shoot, EVERYONE has it except
Aztecs and Iro. China has it!
Thankfully (by planning) China has nonative source of iron, and horses should be pillaged with a rider asap.
Keep up ally's vs China unless you want to see them import iron.
For our next leader...
Two settlers, a bull and several workers are unmoved this turn.
There's a few settlers on the move, one in/near Vai uncommitted, one
on long Goto to China Chokepoint (Plakias). One is in ex-Shanghai location,
a great river-hill spot, in decent lane formation even. (Swordsman on the spot)
One settler, uncommitted, at Samaras. BTW, the hill outside 'New Shanghai',
three steps North from ex-Shanghai, on the pond, seems a good spot to found.
See the start of this post for deals-in-place, but several key alliances
exire in 5 turns.
If you like the finish China, then Russia before Mil Tradition plan, you'll
like all the military currently in production. Switch several bulls to
Knights, and they will make a strong combo. The Bulls are *NOT* in the Knight
upgrade path.
Jason sits in Plakias. Use him!! We'll "make" more
Leader Census:
Arathorn(1), Charis(3), Jaffa(2), Meldor(2), Schnarrd(2)
Sirian(3), Warstrike(1), Xrang(1)
Have at it!
Charis
Charis
Realms Beyond
Attachment didn't "take" last time, here's our new hero, awaiting your order.
There are three bulls in his vicinity if you want a blitzing bully army. Or wait about 5 turns and crank 3 knights. Just don't "save", we'll make more
Charis
PS Great call on Leo with the leader
PPS Egads??? I built the treasury up to over 3200 ??
There are three bulls in his vicinity if you want a blitzing bully army. Or wait about 5 turns and crank 3 knights. Just don't "save", we'll make more
Charis
PS Great call on Leo with the leader
PPS Egads??? I built the treasury up to over 3200 ??
Attachments
Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
Bull Market!
Great job. I'd comment more, but where to start?
What did you end up using the leader for?
meldor
Deity
I hope I can avoid the flying prods....
meldor
Deity
Meldor had enjoyed many days relaxing in Weedae. However he thought it wise to get back to Knossos before he was missed. Upon arrival at the capital Meldor is informed that it is now 600 AD and several leaders have been at the helm since he was last seen. Seems that the weed is indeed strong in our lands. Time passes quickly when standing down wind. But a firm hand must be placed on the helm and we must move forward. Hopefully the exterminators get rid of those pesky prods.
Pre-turn - create new bull army, we now have two. Change a few things and wake up units to get rid of China. Only put two bulls in Army to start becuase third bull there was elite and would do bettter fishing for new leaders.
Went to other leaders....every one is broke. Too bad. We are now average or stronger thatn everyone else. Meldor thinks this my have more to do with the 33 workers than the 11 bulls.
China sends longbow against fortified pike on a hill....pike eats bow. Second regular longbow sends one bull packing back for healing. Iroquois and Egypt sign a peace treaty. Aztecs start building the Sistine Chapel - wasting many efforts on pitiful culture.
610 AD - Meldor notices that many cities have only offensive units protecting them and begins campaign to replace all with pike and put the offensive units to better use. China sends two more bows against Pike's Peak. Pike still doesn't promote.
620 AD - Meldor has nightmare about ghosts and prods and wakes up screaming. Lots of units move around but not much happens. Iroquois sign treaty with Germany. Meldor looks at map and notices that Lizzie is gone! When did this happen. The Americans have taken her out! Must have happened before his return as he got no notice. Now we have to worry about American settlers spread out like roaches from London.
630 AD - Bull Market is finished in Bull Run! Spies report that Russian bears have started secret project to see the end of the Bull Market, but we will not allow this to happen. Seige begins of XinJian and Chengu. England and India sign an alliance against China. Egypt declares and gets three Prod penalty for piling on!
640 AD - Elite Bull dies trying to dislodge reg spear from Xinjuan. His death is avenged quickly but Xinjian does not fall yet. During off turn cowardly Russians sneak into Xinjian and steal it from us like the thieves they are.
650 AD - Start assualt of Beijing
660 AD. Beijing falls and so doeas the Great Wall. Meldor is very tempted not to raze it but screams are heard down the hall and afraid it may mean the return of the flying prods, he quickly razes the city. America signs peace treaty with China. Russia is massing a lot of units to invade our Chineese lands to the south.
670 AD - The ROP with Russia is ended to prevent them getting any more Chineese land and also to get them out of our lands so we can attack them soon. Our first Knight is built. Japan and India sign a peace treaty.
680 AD - Petticoat Junction is settled near old site of Beijing. (Cattle Prod Crossing had been founded earlier but we leave it as an exercise for the follower of these chronicals to find were). Chingu disappears from the face of the earth. Romans complete the silly Chapel and everyone cascades to get Cop's.
690 AD - Meldor names city after girl he had torrid affair with, but had to dump because she was too bi-polar. Pandora's Box founded near old site of Chengu. Egypt wins race for Cop's and at least 5 civs scream as there is nothing to cascade to, man that must hurt.
700 AD - Troops prepare for final assualt on the last Chineese cities. It will only take a turn or two to finish them.
Notes:
1) There are several settlers in Petticoat Junction waiting for China to go away.
2) Rumors say that there has been troop buildups on the Russian borders. Newly created Knights are massing as tensions rise between the two long time allies.
3) Russia is pretty well split into three pieces. Most of their troops seems to be in what used to be northern China. We Could probably take 5-6 cities on the first turn of hostilites. I am moving the galley back and we should build at least one more. We could pillage their iron, horses (with the exception of the one under St. Pete and their only source of silk on the first turn of war using two galleys. They are too thin to defend everything.
4) I built up some units in Wormy, near the city to the south of Wormy and in the dessert outside of Gorky.
5) Lots of money is in the treasury. You can probably whip 5-6 knights on the first turn and roll. Left that for next guy, didn't spend it as there really isn't much to build without culture items.
Pre-turn - create new bull army, we now have two. Change a few things and wake up units to get rid of China. Only put two bulls in Army to start becuase third bull there was elite and would do bettter fishing for new leaders.
Went to other leaders....every one is broke. Too bad. We are now average or stronger thatn everyone else. Meldor thinks this my have more to do with the 33 workers than the 11 bulls.
China sends longbow against fortified pike on a hill....pike eats bow. Second regular longbow sends one bull packing back for healing. Iroquois and Egypt sign a peace treaty. Aztecs start building the Sistine Chapel - wasting many efforts on pitiful culture.
610 AD - Meldor notices that many cities have only offensive units protecting them and begins campaign to replace all with pike and put the offensive units to better use. China sends two more bows against Pike's Peak. Pike still doesn't promote.
620 AD - Meldor has nightmare about ghosts and prods and wakes up screaming. Lots of units move around but not much happens. Iroquois sign treaty with Germany. Meldor looks at map and notices that Lizzie is gone! When did this happen. The Americans have taken her out! Must have happened before his return as he got no notice. Now we have to worry about American settlers spread out like roaches from London.
630 AD - Bull Market is finished in Bull Run! Spies report that Russian bears have started secret project to see the end of the Bull Market, but we will not allow this to happen. Seige begins of XinJian and Chengu. England and India sign an alliance against China. Egypt declares and gets three Prod penalty for piling on!
640 AD - Elite Bull dies trying to dislodge reg spear from Xinjuan. His death is avenged quickly but Xinjian does not fall yet. During off turn cowardly Russians sneak into Xinjian and steal it from us like the thieves they are.
650 AD - Start assualt of Beijing
660 AD. Beijing falls and so doeas the Great Wall. Meldor is very tempted not to raze it but screams are heard down the hall and afraid it may mean the return of the flying prods, he quickly razes the city. America signs peace treaty with China. Russia is massing a lot of units to invade our Chineese lands to the south.
670 AD - The ROP with Russia is ended to prevent them getting any more Chineese land and also to get them out of our lands so we can attack them soon. Our first Knight is built. Japan and India sign a peace treaty.
680 AD - Petticoat Junction is settled near old site of Beijing. (Cattle Prod Crossing had been founded earlier but we leave it as an exercise for the follower of these chronicals to find were). Chingu disappears from the face of the earth. Romans complete the silly Chapel and everyone cascades to get Cop's.
690 AD - Meldor names city after girl he had torrid affair with, but had to dump because she was too bi-polar. Pandora's Box founded near old site of Chengu. Egypt wins race for Cop's and at least 5 civs scream as there is nothing to cascade to, man that must hurt.
700 AD - Troops prepare for final assualt on the last Chineese cities. It will only take a turn or two to finish them.
Notes:
1) There are several settlers in Petticoat Junction waiting for China to go away.
2) Rumors say that there has been troop buildups on the Russian borders. Newly created Knights are massing as tensions rise between the two long time allies.
3) Russia is pretty well split into three pieces. Most of their troops seems to be in what used to be northern China. We Could probably take 5-6 cities on the first turn of hostilites. I am moving the galley back and we should build at least one more. We could pillage their iron, horses (with the exception of the one under St. Pete and their only source of silk on the first turn of war using two galleys. They are too thin to defend everything.
4) I built up some units in Wormy, near the city to the south of Wormy and in the dessert outside of Gorky.
5) Lots of money is in the treasury. You can probably whip 5-6 knights on the first turn and roll. Left that for next guy, didn't spend it as there really isn't much to build without culture items.
Sirian
Designer, Mohawk Games
ZAP! Good thing that you... ZAP-ZAP!! ...razed that Chinese abomination known as the Great Wall. Great Rubble Heap is more like it! ZAP! 
Good job, now back into your Weed-induced stupor until we need you again. ZAP!!!
Good job, now back into your Weed-induced stupor until we need you again. ZAP!!!
Charis
Realms Beyond
Good job Meldor, and another great write (ZAP) up!
I hadn't imagined the collapse of China *that* quick, but tried to build up the bullpower for our next leader to do that, if (cough) he so chose
You know how many horses you saw, picture those as Knights when you plan to attack. Then if there's *ANY* pause in beelining a cutoff of their saltpeter (and horses), ask if you want those to be Cossacks?!
It's good that we can do all this without rep-tarnishing moves, nice. There must be quite a "land vacuum" up there -- one thing next leader might well want to do is to have a human wall of three units in a row below our choke point. Cut off *ALL* land access to all civs, espec Russia. At least while we're trying to get several of our settlers over there.
Who will step up?!
Charis
I hadn't imagined the collapse of China *that* quick, but tried to build up the bullpower for our next leader to do that, if (cough) he so chose
You know how many horses you saw, picture those as Knights when you plan to attack. Then if there's *ANY* pause in beelining a cutoff of their saltpeter (and horses), ask if you want those to be Cossacks?!
It's good that we can do all this without rep-tarnishing moves, nice. There must be quite a "land vacuum" up there -- one thing next leader might well want to do is to have a human wall of three units in a row below our choke point. Cut off *ALL* land access to all civs, espec Russia. At least while we're trying to get several of our settlers over there.
Who will step up?!
Charis
