Role Play Challenge, TNG: Captain Jean-Luc Picard, The Prime Directive

[madscientist]

to make it clear, we are interested in the Prime Directive here, not preserving exactly what has occurred in history. This means not interfering with the mainland nations of the world but rather let them progress normally without advanced knowledge and without attacking them.

So how I view it

1) We cannot attack, nor declare war on any civilization and can only defend ourselves, most notably the Aborigine people which the enterprise crew has adopted.

2) There is no limit on how we settle except to avoid continents other than Australia. Japan is considered a country and thus cannot be assailed.

3) We cannot trade off any techs we know that the rest of earth does not posess. Anotehr word, we have to see that someone already has it.

Changing history is inevitable now, howeverthe crew cannot simply take over and must let earth develope normally.

 

[madscientist]

Jean-Luc Picard: Stardate 2025

Picard nods contently as the Great Lighthouse is completed.

"Did we ever find out where it was actually built in our timeline sir?" Riker asks the Captian.

"No Number One. Historians and archeologists theorized it was built in North America, near where New York was onced located. There was an ancient manuscript entitled 'The .... Red Lighthouse and ... Great Grey....' although much is lost including the original title. Surely this must have been the true source of the Great Lighthouse myth."

"Well sir, it's reality right now. We had best settle some more cities. And we should get Worf to raise more troops as the Barbarian loners are threatening the Aborigine people."

"Make it so Number One"

So the Enterprise crew settler areas where Mining can be utilized. Still production is terribly slow as the population grows slowly. The Aborigne's suggest utilizing voluntary slavery as the Japanese have adopted that practice. However Picard refuses

"It's a nasty business" he tells the aborigines, "and no good will ever come from it. Best to use your own strong backs to build what we need."

"Captain, we have made contact with the Chinese"

"Ah, Qin Huang, first emperor of the world as far as we know. Will, was he not the first world leader to build wonders? And did not that lead to China becoming the master builder's until the 22nd century when they all massively died out from eating too much unhealthy food from fast food places.?

"Captain, that may have been legond, but it is clear in the 21st century they were considered the "Factory" of the world. I am sure these people will be trustworthy as they need alot of trades to fuel their indistrious nature."

"Good news Will, see if Qin is willing to open borders"

"Excellent, now what about the Japanese?"

"Sir, Tokugawa appears to be repulsed by the idea of open trades. In fact his attitude is completely different from the Pacifist nature of the later Japanese. Could it be we were mistaken?"

"Nonesense Will, Tokugawa will eventually come around, history cannot be THAT wrong about the peaceful Japanese, after all they had pacifism in their constitution."

In the search for some sort of food to feed these aboriginees, the Enterprise finally sent a settler OFF the mainlan of Australia to the slender islands once called New Zealand

"Ah Will, that helps our commerce and increases our research output."

"Not enough sir, the Chinese appear to have an alphabet, while all we can do it write symbols in the sand. It would have been nice captain if we had learned in the 24th century to use pen and paper."

"I know number One, but those items fell out of disuse mid 21st century with the arrival of the modern portable computer systems."

"Captain, may I interupt"

"Of course Beverly, what can I do for you."

"One of those true 'movers of history' appears to have been born in Botany Bay. His name is Sir Alexander McKenzie and he offers his service. He appears to have great knowledge in economic issues, and DATA agrees. He could certainly help out dismal treasury."

"Ah, the Great Canadian leader. Let him settle in Botany Bay and see if he can help bring some extra food into that sparcely populated city."

So the Great Merchant was settled in Botany Bay adding to the treasury but using some of that welth to feed the Botany Bayers and speed along the slow growth.

"CAPTAIN, The Indians have been sited off shore!"

"Be careful number one, while it is not Khan Noonian Singh, but this leader Asoka comes from the same land. India was always considered the scourge of the ancient world, ruthless war-mongers with little concern for religion/culture/peace. Tred lightly with that one."

"Worse Captain, he has already started to encroach on our future lands"

"I see number one, however look at the splendor of that land. The time where it was beautiful, before the early 21st century Tsunami's wrecked havoc on it. Have Beverly send the next settler to the eastern shore of that island."

And so it was! The Aussies's fifth city was on the eastern part of Java. Another settler is on the way towards either Borneo or Manilla depending on which we should settle next. Borneo blocks off Asoka and Manilla block off Tokugawa. It will be a while before we get the next settler going.

At this time the Enterprise have rediscovered the technology of

And consider making a run at the collosus plus defend the shores with triemes.

However the tech situations shows

We are not the first to it, thus Asoka may be building it. Given he is probably limited in production on coastal cities and is not Industrious (no fast forges either) Picard may still beat him to it. Botany certainly has production, if not food. Of course Asoka may have a 1000 year head start since he likely popped it from the Oracle.

Also Qin has alot to offer in trade and again he likely does not have great coastal production.

The question is, do we make a blockbuster trade with Qin? And of so do we take MAth or alphabet? I would be more tempted for math which opens up calander.

The northern area shows we have started to settle Indonesia

And there is still plenty of room to settle in Australia.

And what techpath next??? I am thinking Compass although Math/calendar seams useful.

Finally, the cities

WOW, talk about slow developement in this Arid hellhole called Australia!

 

[Yared]

Are you considering founding sid's sushi?

 

[madscientist]

Are you considering founding sid's sushi?

If we manage to get that far I certainly would.

 

[Kid R]

Interesting city sites Beverley chose there - I guess doctor knows best. Defiant 1S though would have got another iron hill and earlier access to the gold

 

[huerfanista]

Defiant 1NE would have been much better. More hills to work, a grassland that can be cottaged, and you wouldn't have taken one of the 2 tiles that are farmable early on. Build Moai there and you have a great city.

 

[madscientist]

To be honest I have never colonized Australia in previous earth-map games so this is new to me.

Here are my thinking about Defiant.

1 S would have added more desert, even though gaining that iron resource faster. I plan to drop a coastal city to get the gold and iron but not sure right now. Etiherway, the biggest issue I did not think about was getting teh gold that much faster. Happienss is not an issue here and with forges the gold/silver/gems means 6 happy faces and little need to make Picard a King (something he would refute).

1 NE I considered to eliminate all desert, however that tile can be as easily farmed (it's still on the river I think) and I would lose a forrest to chop. I also plan to put a city to the east on Australia and can wndmill the hills.

Time will show.

 

[Orzio]

Would probably be a good idea to send a ship over to africa/europe for early contact for trade routs/trade.

 

[LuCiver]

I would use Metal casting to multitask: Trade it to the chinese (Alpha+whatever), gift it to Toku (and alpha as well, probably will get you to pleased), and start cranking on the colossus in botany bay for the econ: Either you get the wonder or you efficiently convert hammers into industrious gold.

 

[I-imp]

That Tin must be a godsend, ne?

 

[dankok8]

Due to all cities being coastal, I see lack of production being a major issue in this game. Maybe Botany Bay can be good for production if you can find a way to feed the citizenry and work some mines. Build a Moai and Ironworks in Botany Bay for sure.

 

[madscientist]

That Tin must be a godsend, ne?

Godsend? I consider it superior Mining skills from a well trained Enterprise crew!

 

[Lone Wolf]

I shadow this (with another setup, like giving all Western Europe to Isabella, though) and find that you can actually be quite advanced while having the Lighthouse, heaps of trade routes, and a bunch of pathetic cities the largest of which is size 7. Who'd have thought.

 

[Orzio]

I shadow this (with another setup, like giving all Western Europe to Isabella, though) and find that you can actually be quite advanced while having the Lighthouse, heaps of trade routes, and a bunch of pathetic cities the largest of which is size 7. Who'd have thought.

Yeh I came to the same knowledge quite suprising. Late game you can have citys with 5x trade route with 9-10 from each and early game 4 trade routs with 3-4 in 8 citys are still allot.

 

[iggymnrr]

Yes, nice tin and the ability to trade MC. I got the +2 health bonus in all cities and a subsequent scout from a hut, dropped off on the mainland, contact with 4 more civs and no one has MC yet.

Have you considered halting/timing research on compass until you are ready to build harbors and avoid any unnecessary demands? Or is there a GP bulbing reason behind this?

Great story line.

 

[JTMacc99]

Godsend? I consider it superior Mining skills from a well trained Enterprise crew!

It ain't transparent aluminum, but it will do.

 

[iggymnrr]

Happy holidays everyone! Look forward to more civ a a couple days. Did play a few more turns when a meeting of the crew was called ...

Spoiler :

The initial purpose of the meeting was to discuss security concerns when Worf pointed out that 4 barbarian horse archers had seized control of Manilla. Riker then gave his opinion on diplomatic concerns this might mean with the Japanese. Things got a bit out of hand when the topic of infrastructure needs came up. Deanna observed out that slavery was not only culturally acceptable for the times but also not in violation of the Prime Directive. Beverly was aghast, claiming that it was barbaric. She went on to say that if the crew adopted slavery they might as well make Picard king while they were at it. Data meanwhile is trying to understand the human obsession with money...

 

[madscientist]

Jean-Luc Picard: Stardate 40AD

LAforge was not a happy about bringing this up to the Captain but knew he had to. "Better get this over with, he mumbled"

"Captain."

"Yes Mr. LaForge. How is the research going?"

"To be honest sir, BAD. No way to sugar coat it, our researchr ate on this deserted continent is simplky abysmal."

"But how can this be, we posses the Great Lighthouse. Sure that is all that we need."

"Sir, You need to get me more than that. Our cities grow slowly due to lack of food. Many luxury resources are buried in the jungle. And DATA is having a hard time getting gold without an understanding of Currency. Sir, something needs to be done."

"Suggestion Mr. Laforge"

"Have Commander Riker trade what knowledge we have. At least get us to the ability to trade gold and perhaps getting those luxury resoruces would help. There is only so much Dr. Crusher can do without food."

"Damned, we were hoping to get the Colossus built before trading metal casting, but perhaps that is not the way to go. Will, begin the enterprise technology fire sale. And see if we can get technologies particularly useful to commerce and expansion. Even at the cost of Military developement"

"Worf is not going to like it sir." Riker responded

"Come now Will, we shall station Worf near the savage Indians, I am sure he can take care of any armies that approach."

So Will Riker began trading what Australia had to offer

Which allowed Jordi Laforge the opportunity to begin researching Calendar.

However, a series of new leaders approached the Enterprise crew

"Captain, do you realize what this means."

"Yes number one, it appears that the Iranians have discovered Fuedalism as they have vassalaged the Arabs and Mali. The iranians concern me Number One, history has shown that they have a love for stonger and stronger weapons, after all they discovered Nuclear weapons in our time. And they also had some mysterious bond with teh Arabs, we should find out what that link was"

"Captain, they call themselves Persians, and I suggest we open borders with them. They also appear to offer us much to trade."

Make it so Number One, do what you can"

"Excellent work Number One, inform Beverly so we can start settling near those luxury resources that Jordi mentioned. And harvest that damned sugar near Botany Bay, I have not had a decent cup of early Grey in Millenium."

However, the further expansion desires of Dr. Crusher ran into a significant problem.

"Captain, the Japanese have settled the Phillipines, where should the next settler go as this can block off other empires from the Indonesia area."

"Borneo beverly. If I remember our early history there are hills there and possibly a source of oil which we shall need in the future"

So the next settler goes on the Borneo river and another on the northern part of Australia.

"Sir, an interesting developement. The persians have gifted us a technology"

"Ah, yes. The Persians were known for spreading polytheistic practices throughout the world. Thank him sir, but be caustious"

AS Australia slowly developes the enterprise crew continue to build settlers and workers, and missed out on the Colossus before they even finished hte first forge.

The next city settled is on the island of New Guinea

"Luxury resources coming along captain, however most will provide food rather than commerce. Still, this will help us." Beverly informs the captain.

Once LaForge has finished researching the Compass the captian looks determines if any other civilization are aware of it.

"Number One, you knw what to do!"

"Captain, now we can finally make weapons of war. Catapults will be extremely useful, and can we build at least ONE barracks to properly train our troops." A sullen Worf informs the captain.

"All in good time Mr. Worf. Let the sea be our defense for now"

Meanwhile, Will Riker's barting skills continue to shine for the Autralian empire.

At this point Diana Troi makes a suggestion to the captian. "Sir, you may want to reconsider the slavery issue as that was a common place and acceptible practice in early earth. Also, the Local aboriginees will be much happier if you declare yourself King"

"Understood Diana, but we shall not utilize those barbarric practices no matter what."

"Captain, there are two other leaders who demands to only see the person in charge."

"Ah, the Greeks and Romans. But Number One, were they not one people who have an empire that lasted over 2000 years?"

"That was the general contention sir, however in the 20th century many were considering splitting the Roman empire in half, as they had different histories. Perhaps there was more strive within that empire that history would lead you to believe. The Greek does offer us a good trade"

The Klingon warrior says "Finally, the ability to train adequate troops!"

The second New Zealand city is finally built.

"Sir, we havemet the Mongolians."

"Number One, that does not look like the Man of Culture that we learned about. I thought Genghis was a man of peace and culture, this man stinks and talks only about war and such."

"Seams like alot of who we meet are not what we thought Captain. We have yet to get the Japanese to agree to open borders."

The final city is settled on the Southern Australian shore

And finally

"About time, perhaps we can adequately farm this dust bowl of a continent." Dr. Crusher replies.

So the enterprise crew have decided to take a break for the up coming Yule season. The technology situation

Advice is appreciated here, but I think we need to trade off CS for what we can get and make a run at liberalism. A stop at Optics first seams smart as perhaps the New World can offer us some techs. The Astronomy from Liberalism, if we can. I also assume we swap to Bureacracy./

The map

We need to settle Tasmania still, then perhaps the polynesia islands. Otherwise our expansion may be at an end unless we pop a last Australian city to capture the 2 whale resources.

And the cities

As you can see production is a serious issue. Defence is abysmal and I think we need two cities to start pumping out maces/crossbows/cats for defense.

EXTREMELY Difficult land to work, even with Calendar for the resources.

 

[dankok8]

Production is abysmal and health cap is already very low. It's below the happy cap!! It's gonna be tough to produce that spaceship even with the tech lead but hey that's why it's a challenge.

 

[Udey1]

Mad, you really need to get workboats out scouting the land (Like 1000 years ago). More trade routes are there if you can find the cities. Not doing so is wasting the lighthouse.