...that dream saw 'a green fire' arrive on the horizon in the form of an axe. It struck Yajaw's heart with awe and fear but he somehow knew that it was not malevolent. In fact he remembered reading in the 'Pedia how 'the Mexican green fire' would bring about Caracol greatness if friendship was maintained.
And so Yajaw awoke to seek out the green fire, and it was not long in coming. Having cranked up the scientific research to make 'the Connection', a great altar building programme was commenced and the many virgins who lost their lives catapulted Caracol fame across the known world, not to mention some pretty sneaky tech dealing of stoneworking. When it came to it, The Mexicans were more than happy to share their knowledge of the green fire, in exchange for some Cacao and very few gold.
The new alliance allowed Yajaw to enhance his military and he began to stock pile the Mexican warriors on his western borders with Tikal. Numerous more measured flayings of Copan virgin slaves in the south was keeping new cities coming and Caracol was steadily growing to be the second biggest player in the eastern Maya world.
power (60 turns in)
VPs
Now that Carakmul had been reduced, it remained only for Caracol to challenge the rising Tikal serpent. Further knowledge of kingdoms in the west inspired Yajaw to 'up the ante'. It was his ancestor's name at stake!
As Caracol began to settle new lands, controlling yet more cacao and moving to spices in the south, precious feathers in the west, he mysteriously found the trade route to Mexico
sabotaged. It was unknown whether it was Tikal or some other Palenque or Piedras Negras, but the Mexicans were not happy. Within a few turns trade was re-established and Yajaw ordered yet more Mexican allies to the Tikal border, alongside home grown militia. The Bloodcult was growing in the Caracol Mountains and they had heard Tikal blood satisfied the Gods like no other. Caracol had more war coming to rain on its neighbours. Moreover, Tikal had now built
The Royal Trade Network, projecting their VPs through the heavens. (This was a shocking amount of VPs for them to get and has probably put the gamme out of reach for me)
It took one wandering Tikal warrior to give Yajaw the reason to confront King Jasaw Chan K'awiil. The stubborn animal declared war and now the stage was set. This was to be the contest for the eastern lands. Whoever won would reign in these parts for decades, perhaps hundreds of years to come...
The war (80-90 turns in) was close fought initially owing to a lack of green fire. But the superior military provided by the Mexican connection and of course Yajaw's shrewd command eventually saw the sacking of the nearest Tikal city and the Caracol troops advancing on Tikal itself!!! However, there was simply nothing Yajaw's troops could do to bring down the Tikal capital, so they settled for pillaging all his roads instead. By the time the war was over, Caracol had become a contender!!!
After 100 Turns:
Caracol Population: 23% - the highest.
Caracol World Area: 2% - equal highest.
Palenque is the challenger here with 21% and 2%.
Power - Caracol 2nd highest now to Mexico.
VPs - 2nd here too, hopelessly trailing Tikal.
Domination was the planned victory. I don't see how it's going to happen though, despite dropping it to Regent level, one beneath my usual Monarch.
![[pissed]](/images/smilies/pissed.gif "Pissed [pissed]")
, I love your style, Ram! 
But juding from your map, you've kept them from expanding too much, which is good.
They are fools though! Fools who probably don't know that Yajaw had another dream. 
! However, Mexico never raised a hand against them even after they killed a warrior who had been scouting their territory. Three turns later the MPP expired. What gives?
) Is this a clear case of AI cheating?
