I would like to suggest some changes in the far east gameplay. This is due to some events and actions that doesn't are historically well represented:
The spawn of Simiyan hoton (aka Shenyang): In the game Simiyan Hotan spawns between 250 BC and 200 BC in Manchuria. Historically the chinese have founded the city in 300 BC, so it doesn't make sense to have this city spawn under barbarian control and at this time. My suggestion is to remove Simiyan Hoton and change it for an barbarian or independent Pyongyang. I suggested this because of the existence of the Gojoseon Kingdom which was conquered by the Han Dynasty. The capital of the kingdom was Pyongyang and the city itself predated the existence of three kingdoms period and the time of the Korean civilization spawn, which would fit well having an barbarian or independent spawn to the chinese conquer.
Korean birth: The korean civilization begins already with Buddhism as state religion, the dynamic name Kingdom of Goryeo and its first city being Hanseong. Historically, these caracteristics doesn't fit well the context. In 50 BC (The time chosen to the birth of the Korean civilization) was still during the Three Kingdoms Period. At this time, Korea was not an centralized unity, but divided in three countries: Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje. These countries are in constant conflict with eachother until they were subjugated by the Goguryeo Empire influence and military might. In ancient times, Pyongyang was the capital of two korean kingdoms that have a great impact in the peninsula: Gojoseon Kingdom and Goguryeo Empire and was a secondary capital to the Kingdom of Goryeo. My suggestion is to change Korea birth location from Hanseong, that is a more recent capital, to Pyongyang which was more historically ancient and to gameplay purposes Pyongyang is a more fit location to build temples, monasteries, settlers and troops due to the iron mine and the forested hills nearby.
- About the faith, I suggest the civilization to begin with the pagan religion (Mugyo). Korean shamanism was very strong in that epoch being supressed by Buddhism only in the Kingdom of Goryeo period when the religion become the state faith. Buddhism only begin to spread in the korean peninsula after 372 AC when introduced by chinese monks, which doesn't fit the context that the game begins but is understandable to have an initial missionary unit due to the speed that the game represents the more older ages and a necessity needed as fast as possible to the first UHV. Although I think it doesn't make much difference to the gameplay an begining with Buddhism because building pagan temples earlier and Buddhism spreading will turn these temples into buddhist ones.
- The other item of comment about the korean birth is the dynamic name. The Kingdom of Goryeo was founded only in 918 AC, which isn't appropriate to the korean birth year. I believe that the name conditions to show up are converting to any faith while the absence of any major religion as state faith gives the dynamic name "Three Kingdoms of Korea". So making Korea begin with its pagan religion should be nice to the historical facts.
Taoism spread area: In the past, Taoism have some influence in east Asia, spreading to Korea, Japan, Vietnam and even Indonesia in different periods of history. In the game, however, Taoism have little influence, with its core consisting in China and historically spreading only to Manchuria.
In Korea, Taoism has introduced by the Tang Dynasty in 624 AC, first spreading in Goguryeo and then slowly to the other countries. At first was well accepted in most of the korean peninsula countries, but later it began to shrink and have lost influence to Buddhism during the Goryeo kingdom.
Taoism was brought to Japan in later 7th and earlier 8th century with the chinese legal system and developed itself into diverse ramifications and in symbiotic relationship with shinto.
In Vietnam, Taoism was introduced after the first chinese invasion, which the north region of Vietnam received some influence. However, just like the other nations, Taoism was either lost its significance in these places or mixed with the traditional religions.
In Indonesia, Taoism was brought by chinese travellers and settlers, although not much was related about the religion's influence in the region.
So, bringing this to the game, I suggest that Taoism spread area should be expanded to Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia and Japan. The classification of these territories in the religion map should be Periphery, since the religion was not influent at much time. The objective with this suggestion is to make possible that other civilizations can play and possibly complete Taoism URV and even Secularism URV (since it needs all faiths to work). Today, Taoism is one of the more unaccessible religions of the game with only China and Mongolia the civilizations that can easily access the faith. Granting access to some other civilizations would make more the gameplay more alternative and at the same time historical.
I think these suggestions would improve the game and bring a new overview about east asia gameplay that can contribute even to the new map.
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and + 1
or something) representing the establishment of the colonial rule and the organization of local people around it. This powerful building, however, would expire relatively early (around late 18th and early 19th century, maybe with Representation or Nationalism techs) and obviously would require Catholicism as state religion and possibly some specific Civic. We could use some art assets available in some Civ Colonization mods, who also have specific mechanics for Jesuitic missions.
