What to do with Hengest?

[FortyJ]

950AD, Androbius - Having rushed through the mountain chain and between the Indian holdings of Riga and Satsuma, The Knightmares arrived in Androbius to assist in the protection of this town. Little did they know how soon their assistance would be needed. In the fierce battle that followed, a great and noble leader, Hengest, rose and led our troops to victory.

Hengest now stands ready to assist all of Fanatika. What shall we have him do for us?

Potential actions include:

• Building an army.
• Rushing the Palace (relocating the capitol)
• Rushing a Great/Small Wonder

All citizens are encouraged to participate in this thread.

 

[Falcon02]

Get Economics

Invite a guy I know named Smith to one of our cities to meet our new found Great Leader... and try to convince Smith to stay

 

[Chieftess]

The wonders I would go for would be: (in this order)

Shakespeare's Theatre- Not only do our people need culture and happiness for future wars, we can put on performences of the war, the resistence, and our knight in shining armor! While we don't have Free Artistry, we can try to trade for it. (Democrary first, of course)

Smith Trade - I would like this one, especially if we're going into a republic. But, Sistine is my first choice.

Build an army - We would wait until we get Cavalry, but we'll be building armies soon with the Military Academy.

Relocate the palace - I'm not a big fan of palace relocation. I'm kind of partial to my capital.

 

[Eklektikos]

Sistine Chapel has been built already, IIRC.

 

[Fier Canadien]

Then go for Smith: we will be able to double our economy if we build marketplaces and banks everywhere without maintainence.

 

[Cheetah]

I met with Mr. Smith some years ago on a travel to England. He has some very interesting ideas about economy and he did convince me.

I would like to finance a Trading Company for Mr. Smith here in Fanatika, as I believe he realy could strengthen our economy.

 

[Veera Anlai]

I agree. Smith is a great economist who should be able to do wondrous things for our nation. He's a natural-born American, but I think we can bring him over to Fanatika for an extended stay

 

[Feodor Ardent]

Smith -- that's a tradesman's name, and his ideas could do wonders for our trade and revenues. We would do well to put Hengest to work on expressing his theories.

The Ragpickers' Guild

 

[Chieftess]

@Ekle - I meant Shakespeare's Theatre. It was early in the morning... But, atleast we can get it in the next war... (and quickly - Washington will be a culture powerhouse...)

 

[eyrei]

Shakespeare's Theatre was finished by someone during the chat last night. Smith's is the only wonder within reach at the moment. That is my vote as well.

 

[donsig]

Smith's seems to be the way to go but we need to buy economics first!

 

[Padma]

So let's get Economics and build Smith's!

 

[Donovan Zoi]

Mr. Smith is in talks with seven different nations right now. We should sign him while we can.

We seem to all be in agreement on this one. Now the question is where? Doesn't really matter, but if we can trade for Economics this turn, we should build it this turn.

That would make eligible:

Kuhkaff
Valhalla
Bavaria
Pensacola
Naerva
Civanatoria*
a host of other size 1 and 2 cities near the Indian conflict


Civanatoria is the most centrally located(ideal aesthetically for a trading co.) but we may find Indian resistance(*) on its preferred route. Pensacola is in the region as well. But we should probably end up breaking ground in one of the big three: Bavaria, Valhalla or Kuhkaff.

Any thoughts?

 

[Feodor Ardent]

What are the local advantages of this particular artifact?

If there are none, Kuhkoff probably qualifies as the large city Least Likely to Be Nuked or Bombarded.

If the Wonder will help solidify our cultural control of an area, then somewhere farther south and west might be appropriate.

Feodor

 

[Falcon02]

Smiths does nothing for local cities... except maybe a little culture, I'm not 100% sure on the culture, but no happyness or anything else locally.

I really don't care where it's built, so long as we can keep the city.

My only cause for pause is if a nation is going to finish it this turn, ie. China, we might waste a GL (always a concern, but with the race going so long it's legitimate. At the same time... if we don't do it this turn, no one else finishes it this turn (after we take our turn) we decide to rush it... then they build it after our turn then and then it's wasted... or if we decide not to rush... it's a wasted chance.

This paranoia aside, I feel our only option is to bring Smith to Fanatika.

 

[Donovan Zoi]

Actually, upon further investigation, there is a clear route to Civanatoria.

 

[Feodor Ardent]

Civanatoria or Pensacola, then. It will show we have confidence in our ability to conquer.

 

[FortyJ]

There are only two Great Wonders within striking distance at this time: Smith's Trading Co. and Newton's University. Smith's is currently being produced by a handful of rival nations, and Newton's is just a pipe-dream for the moment. Although the scientific benefits of Newton's are quite appealing, we would need to make some significant tech purchases to build that wonder, while Smith's is only a single trade away.

Furthermore, aside from the nation-wide zero mainenance benefits, Le Shoppe de Smith also produces 3 culture per turn in the city it is produced, and it most likely will not trigger a Golden Age for us as it is considered a Commercial wonder.

I think a strong majority of us are in favor of producing Smith's now and start testing the RNG for a second GL before India goes kaput. The issue then becomes.... where?

Available cities (ie. cities that Hengest can reach this turn) include:

• Androbius (current location) - located in the heart of North Province. Building here would be a nice tribute to the hardships our Northern province brethren have endured during this war with India, but it is still a contested city and I would hesitate to build something this critical here until after the province is completely brought under control.
• Dapperdan - located on the coast near all those pretty gems, these citizens have a plush location set aside for his shop. I've seen it and it is quite impressive. Also, the extra culture would help in teh culture "war" with Izibia. Similar to Androbius, building it here would be a great tribute to the people of the North Province, and because of it's remote location, it should provide a safe place for Smith to set up shop.
• Ise - located in the eastern MAG province, it offers a safe site to set up shop as this city is remote and would be relatively safe from foreign troops. Also located near the gems, Smith would no doubt have many things to trade for quite some time.
• Nocsfiedera - located in the SouthWest province, this city was instrumental in stemming the advance of Indian War Elephants attempting to cross the mountains into the heart of Fanatika. The culture would help with the border contest with Izibia as well.
• Civanatoria - Serving as the alternate rally point for our Eastern/Northern Front troops, knights from our eastern border rushed there to halt the advance of the Indian armies. Similarly, it served as the beginning of Fanatika's counter-attack in our bid to reclaim our northern cities. Centrally located, this city does offer a relatively safe location for such a wonder.
• Pensacola - Somewhat centrally located inside our borders, this city offers a relatively safe place to build this wonder.
• Kuhkaff - The capitol(?) of the North province, the people and troops here turned back the few Indian Elephants that decided to wander their way. They were also instrumental in saving some of the workers in the area from the initial Indian assault. Establishing the shop here would be a great tribute to the North province.
• Bavaria - Our capitol. Where it all began. With the inland lake and Mount Victory in the background, Smith couldn't ask for a prettier location to set up shop, not to mention the business he'd get from all the tourists flocking to visit the Heroic Epic right across the street.
• Valhalla - located in the North Province, along our eastern coast, this thriving sea-faring town has much to offer Smith. Setting up shop here, would allow Smith to conduct his business as close to "the city" as possible without being in the city.
• Naerva - another coastal town in the North Province, this town is perfect for those who like cold weather. The furs coming in from just up the road and the iron located nearby make this city a booming trade center. The extra culture would help push the borders towards Denver a bit too.
• Gunningheim - The only captured city to overthrow the Indian occupation government and revert to Fanatikan control, Gunningheim provides 2/3 of the furs we use and trade. Construction here would also be a wonderful tribute to loyal Fanatikans that never give up the fight.
• Satsuma, Riga, Denver - These cities are also located in the North province, but as of yet are not under our control. Thus we would have to wait before rushing the production and therefore less desirable than the other options.

The number of cities that can be reached next turn grows considerably. However, I feel that if we are to take advantage of this opportunity, we should act now and waste no time in the process. We will have other elite units in combat this turn and we should let them have every opportunity to promote another great Fanatikan leader.

 

[FortyJ]

By the way... I don't think we should waste the production of one of our larger cities on this wonder. As we are going to rush completion, let us use one of our weaker producers that is not contributing to the number of units in the field.

I personally favor Dapperdan as it is more easily defended than any of the other one-or-two shield producers in the region and I would like to keep it in the North province as a reminder to us all that we must never let something like this happen again.

 

[Chieftess]

We could have one at Nocs, which can put cultural pressure on Izibia.