850AD (0): Take a look at the map. We are clearly in a superior position. Hit F1 and cycle through each city to see what is what. I tweak some worker assignments such as on St. Petersburg, which is size 12, to maximize shields and get 0 growth. For the 1 shield French cities, I maximize food production.
Overall impressions: 1) We need workers ; 2) We need more military units; and 3) Lots of Improvements needed in our outer cities.
I also tweak the science/lux rate. Lux 0, Science 60%. This brings us econ in 3 turns, with 54 gpt.
The Forbidden Palace: I look at Paris, Avignon, and Orleans as possible sites. I dont think Paris will be anything but a 1 shield, even with a courthouse. Plus, it is on the Southern Coast. We would lose some of its benefit there. Orleans is a serious contender. It is more centered geographically to counter-balance Moscow. But then I look at its overlap with Astrakhan. Not good. So that leaves us with Avignon. I rush build a courthouse there.
I also rush build settlers in Chartres and Tours. I will fill the empty area west of Chartres and the hole NW of Paris, on the river. This site will be right next to our FP. Prime real estate.
I rushbuild a temple in Dijon to put more cultural pressure on the little Jap city (Yokahama) that they snuck in to the SE.
I switch Minsk to a placeholder palace. It will be our pre-build for Adam Smith.
Diplo Check: The Japs are in awe of us and are 2 techs behind.
The Babs are 3 techs ahead with Printing Press, Chemistry and Economics. They also have some available wines, the one luxury that we dont have. I am tempted to trade for the wine, but why? We have plenty of luxuries and no threats of revolts, except in xxxxxxxxxxxxx. Trading for them would only benefit the Babs.
The Persians are the same 3 techs ahead.
Ghandi is PP and Chem ahead.
China is up the 3 techs.
I check on our workers. Unfortunately, I find several who are working spots that none of our cities can use. I reassign them.
The next question is who do we want to trounce next? I dont see that we can be ready for another war in my 10 turns. But we can plan it out.
Hit Enter
860AD (1) Slider bar to 5/5/0. Still 2 turns, 94gpt.
Worker assignments are the priority. Particular focus on the FP and wonder cities.
Hit Enter
The Chinese want to trade territory maps. I see no reason to do so. I pull the maps off the table and put up 1 gold. My reasoning is that they are Polite right now and we are showing a willingness to trade.
A pop-up message saying that the Chinese and Persians are building Copernicus.
870AD (2) Grozny founded on the southern coast.
Slider checked to maximize revenue for next turn while still getting Econ.
Hit Enter.
880AD (3) We get Econ. Chemistry due up in 4 turns with a 6/4/0 slider set.
Dnepropetrovsk is founded in open area due west of Avignon.
I give serious consideration to trading an excess ivory to the Chinese for Printing Press, WM and 3 gpt. The issue is whether we want to go after Democracy. If our goal is physical domination, then we probably dont want to go for Democ as war weariness will be a big problem. With any of the other methods, I would do this trade in a second and switch our research to democracy.
Minsk switched to Adam Smith. Due in 25 as currently configured. It will grow to 12 next turn, and I am mining 2 new squares.
Hit Enter
890AD (4) Worker movement. Nothing spectacular.
900AD (5) Ditto. Did a Diplo check. Nothing new to report.
910AD (6) The Babs offer Printing Press for 100GP. I take it.
The Babs probably found Democracy and now have shopped it around to everyone. Everyone but us has it.
Minsks mined hills come on board. I allocate citizens to that spot and arrange it for max shields and 1 food. We will get Adam Smith before we lose a person from starvation.
Adjust slider to 7/3/0 and still get Chemistry in 1 turn. 220 gpt income right now.
920 AD (7) Slider back to 6/4/0. Metallurgy in 4.
930AD (8) Vladivotok grows to size 11 and revolts. I give them an entertainer. They will get a courthouse soon.
940AD (9) We lose our spices from China. This causes Avignon, our FP building city, to riot. I call China up and get our spices back. I also call up the Babs to get us so potent potables. While in these trades, I notice that everyone has metallurgy and democracy.
950AD (10) Worker movement. Diplo check: Everyone is either Cautious or Annoyed.
Japs are 2 tech behind.
Babs are Democracy and Metallurgy ahead
Ditto the Persians
Ditto the Indians
Ditto the Chinese
Metallurgy comes next turn. Slider still at 6/4/0.
My first succession turn comes to a close.
popping up in unexpected places. I've certainly not seen any player on the board completely avoid it -- Jaffa, maybe.
, 
, or 
of another player. It is from those that we learn.
)
