As discussed, I switched towards Feudalism. I have a choice of going via Mediation (computer's choice) and Polytheism. I chose the latter even though Mediation is slightly cheaper (both are 2 turns though), thinking that we need Poly later for literature (Heroic Epic). Also, there is Ivan the Terrible. I have decided to pull the available chariot back to get a super medic:
Unfortunately, 20exp is not enough. Damned. He is currently lacking 2 more exp before he can become the miracle healer. As of now, he is a Terrible healer.
So, try to put him in battle to clean up those weakened units.
Continuing with what Paulus has leftover regarding the barb city, we attacked with a sword and a HA as backup:
The backup is not necessary. Good that I have been paying regular tributes to the RNG.
Got a free worker in the process.
Meanwhile, Monty's stack came and pillaged our horses. I clear off the thieving invaders, and its time to make a counter offensive.
Someone also got the Pyramids, Christianity and a Great Prophet.
We reached Calix, and the defense is laughable. Two cats later (both survived), and Calix is annexed to the flourishing Babylon empire. In celebration, we learn to make wines.
In case the tiny star is too small for you to notice, the Calix city is the holy city of the Confused ... and it puzzles me that Monty decides to settle the prophet instead of building a shrine. Well, probably because confused is not well spread and monty feels that +5g from super priest is better than +1g from a shrine. Plus he is currently hindu.
Unfortunately, I chose Poly, so we may have to pick up mediation if we want to be building monasteries -> missionaries to spread confusion across the Babylon empire. Not needed for now, however, with wine on line. Let's hope for some automatic spread.
The western theatre see lots of actions. Here is one of them:
Isabella stupidly leave her spear one tile behind her stack ... which gives our HA a chance to go on the offensive.
There a few more skirmishes around Dur, but the big stack is now approaching:
This might be trouble. Next player may wish to apply the whip in the western cities, as the city up north is under danger from the Indians.
The southern front is very quiet, with only Monty parking his warrior on the rice for ages now. I suggest once our workers connect Calix to Babylon, they come ove rto the south to clear some jungles away.
But be careful here, I suspect Nappy is preparing a big stack since it is very quiet here through out my set.
The east side, I suggest we allow our troops one more turn of rest in Calix, and move out to take the ivory city. The stack should be sufficient, given Monty's lackluster defense (although I am dismayed the promotions our swords have ... no CR??? But I guess that was due to the need for defense). And we must take out the city before Monty get to learn construction.
It would be great to bring phants into play. But it is the west I am worried about now. I suggest the next GG to be used for another supermedic (the warrior would be a fine choice) in Dur.
issues.
as it's big, has enough production power by itself, and has enough good tiles.
