2018-12-11 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler # # # Watery Death # # # Let us hope, this is the only take, game, and/or play-through. # # # 2018-12-11 4000BC T0 I might not get any further than Polytheism, today. I know I want Hinduism, for sure. And I will reload if I do not found it. So, it is only fair to research it first. Thus, my first few turns of research are settled. I, also, will settle in place, as I really cannot see improving on what I've rolled. Thus, the only real question is what to build. I do not need Stonehenge. As much as I might like it, I would be building it solely for Great People Points, which at this stage of the game is a waste. Normally, I build a worker. But I might not have any worker techs for a while. Thus, I will be building a Quechua. All of which being entirely too much thought for the first turn. # # # 3720: Buddhism was founded in a distant land. # # # 2018-12-11 T11 3560BC I founded Hinduism... and that might have been my only hard reload point... in that if I did not get Hinduism, I was going to reload. Perhaps, everything else will be catch as catch can. I am researching fishing. And from there, I shall build work boats. But before that, when the Quechua comes in... I think I will start on a worker. Nope. I'm building another Quechua. It actually does not do me much good. But the worker will not be utilized for a long while. And will pop out quickly once the work boats are in place. Researching: Mining -> Masonry -> Monotheism # # # 2018-12-11 2900BC T30 2840BC: Judaism has been founded in a distant land, so scratch Monotheism. Researching: Animal Husbandry Building: Worker (already have two work boats) # # # 2018-12-11 2520BC T37 Animal Husbandry in. Worker one turn out. Researching: Sailing -> Bronze Working -> Metal Casting Building: Worker (1 turn out) -> Worker -> Either Ships or Wonders... probably, those important wonders # # # 2018-12-11 1200BC T70 Bismark came to me with a work boat... but he is friendly. I have The Great Lighthouse. Pyramids are in construction. And I am researching Metal Casting for The Colossus. I just sent my first galley out with a Settler. I'm hoping to cut Bismark off. # # # 2018-12-11 325BC T102 I got Hinduism! I got the three early Wonders I was after! The Great Lighthouse The Pyramids The Colossus Thus, my Seaside Economy is in place... and I have the first piece in the puzzle for my Monk Economy. Bismark may turn out to be a better neighbour than I was expecting. He gave me a +1 {Diplomatic Bonus} right off the bat, which he is calling 'Years of Peace have strengthened our relationship.' Eh, I wonder how not having open borders will effect his mood. A few more turns, and I believe I close off his access to my lands via sea. But we shall see. Researching: Alphabet No doubt, Bismark will demand tribute {from Alphabet}. But that will cement our relationship. And since I have no intention of declaring war on him (and am confident I can out tech him long term), that's not so much of a problem. Besides, I'll be trading with him left and right if I can. The idea is to REX, next. Send some ships towards Bismark, but others in the opposite direction... at least, unload one settler on the other side of that mountain so I can scout with it. Calender should be my next research goal, so I can build the Mausoleum of Maussollus {increased Golden Age length}. And I believe that is enough commentary for the night. I do not feel like I am Rocking and Rolling. I had obvious micromanaging snafus in the early turns. But it is not enough to worry about. The short term goals are simple: Trade Techs with Bismark Research Calendar for the Mausoleum Rex! Rex! Rex! # # # Oh, one more thing. I was wrong about how slavery works. The old unhappiness expires separately, so one turn to go on unhappiness with a new whip, yields 11 turns of +1 unhappiness on the whip, the old unhappiness expiring the next turn. # # # 2018-12-12 200BC T107 Bismark doesn't want to trade technologies. Eh, I guess I'll gift him Alphabet and see if that helps any. In the meantime, I am researching priesthood on my own. Giving him Alphabet gave me a +2 diplo bonus. # # # 2018-12-12 50BC T113 Bismark demanded tribute by way of Metal Casting and I gave it to him. We now have a Peace Treaty for ten turns, which I need, as I'd never win a war against him at this point. And more importantly +7 on the diplo. I am REX'ing into his homeland. I haven't quite shut the cultural valve on his progress towards me. But I think that is a low concern, considering he has nice land in his backyard. Oh, he's also converted to Hinduism, which is nice... and would be nicer if I ever spawn a great prophet and found my shrine. # # # 2018-12-12 175AD T122 I would say things are going good. Bismark is at +8 Diplo, which is even more than before. He has twice my power... but if I can hold him off for the next two dozen turns, I think his window for inflicting damage will be closed. In the meantime, I've closed off his expansion to the Island States {the area to his south}. I'm eating away at his mainland, having already settled two sites. And the north does not appear to hold much interest to him at the moment, so more beaver and copper for me. Hopefully, there is a fish or two thrown in there, as well. Lastly, assuming I get the Mausoleum, I should probably launch a Golden Age with my next Great Person... probably no matter the type. I can run a slew of specialists and recap my losses... or so, I will claim. Things are looking good. Bismark is being a better neighbour than I would have expected... even if I am likely going to have to gift him something again in a few turns. It is a small price to pay for half his lands and control of the Spice Islands... or whatever we shall call the Southern Islands. Eh, maybe there is only the one. Also, conceptually, I am thinking of Hinduism as the God of the Winds. But that is likely a small matter. # # # Time to REX! # # # 2018-12-12 425AD T132 I forgot to trade on the turn Bismark was willing to trade... and next turn, Bismark had changed his mind. Bismark, also, got one of the Northern Cities, I was planning, which since he is my friend, he will have until the end of the game. It's placed poorly. But maybe I'll make a canal out of forts. I wonder how far those can extend? # # # 2018-12-12 540AD T137 Diplo is at +6 with Bismark, as I got a -2 for close borders... which is a bit of an understatement. The plan is to beeline Optics and circle the globe. Then, beeline the Religious Techs. I feel behind... but I always do about now. Most of my cities are crap. I don't have a Number Two, yet. # # # 2018-12-12 700AD T145 I just started my first Golden Age. I was of the understanding that Financial (+1 commerce in tiles with two or more commerce) and Golden Ages (+1 commerce in tiles with one or more commerce) did not stack. But it does. I, also, get an additional hammer in each tile with a hammer, which is nice... and will, actually, allow me to build some infrastructure lickity-split (or should that be as fast as spit). But more importantly, my Great People Points are double. I regret not going for The Partheon, at this point, for that reason. But what is done is done. More to the point, I am running six specialists in Watery Death, which will give me another Great Person in seven turns... and likely put me halfway to the next Great Person after that. So, Golden Age Strategies are in place. Optics will be researched in 4-5 turns, depending upon the slider. At which point, I'll pump out a Caravel or two. OK. Now, I'm pumped again. I almost forgot, Diplo with Bismark is back up to +8. I wonder how high it has to be in order for him to be Friendly. He's still just Pleased. Of course, I have not granted Open Borders yet, as initial expansion is far from complete and I need him isolated. So, that might be the limiting factor. # # # 2018-12-13 720AD T146 It's the next day... and the next turn. Diplo: +1 +4 +1 +3 -2 = +7 Which I think is an increase (from +2 to +3), but I forget from yesterday... in that I think the +8 I wrote above is incorrect. # # # 2018-12-13 760AD T148 Bismark Diplo: +1 +4 +3 -2 -1 = +5 It's quite the swing for a single turn. The -1 is from a random event, which is why so many play without random events. On the other hand, random events have increased the yield on one of my tiles (+2 hammers), so the events probably even out in the long run. Still, the diplo hit is annoying. # # # 2018-12-13 960AD T158 I have two Caravels busy circling the globe. I would be incredibly surprised if they did not circle the globe first, as I have met two more opponents and neither has Optics. More, um, disciplined, I intend to wait until I meet the other three competitors (call them, AI's) prior to starting my trades. I should, also, have a better idea as to the layout of the map. I think it may be best to ally myself with another outlier. And attack the massed continent {the one with multiple AIs}... assuming this is how the world is structured. I look to be un-opposed in my bid for the University of Sankore. And based on the techs I've seen so far, I expect to found Islam. But I still only have seven cities. And after a few (call it three at a guess) cities in the islands, I have the whole of My Continent Beyond the Mountains to settle. I lag, seriously, behind Bismark in power. Oh, well. It will be a while before I catch up. In the meantime, I am feeling safe. I do not believe he will attack. And rather than building an army (or as much of an army), I think I will put together a force of Caravels. That should both increase my power rating (though, it may not) and allow me to sink any invasionary fleet. Oh, right. And I can put one or two by his seaport cities and get plenty of warning of any impending attack. So, more caravels. # # # 2018-12-13 1020AD T162 Well, this isn't good: 'Developing Nations Should Stick Together.' Bismark Diplo: +1 +4 +1 +3 +1 -2 -1 = +7 So, meeting other civilizations increased my relationship with Bismark... even though, he has not met them. A few turns later, I gifted Bismark Monotheism (he will not be a tech threat in the least) and it improved our relations +1. But as our relations had already degraded from the above, the net result is the same. One should not put too much stock in my reports of the exact Diplo +7 number, as it's on the fly math, which I do get wrong astoundingly often... even thought, I am (supposedly) quite good at math. # # # 2018-12-13 1250 T185 I completed The Spiral Minaret, which along with the University of Sankore gives me the important two-thirds of the Monk Economy. The Sistine Chapel is in the works. As in, I will start construction on it in two turns when Music comes in. It is not critical to my strategy to get it. It would be nice. It completes the trio. But it is far from important. Well, I shouldn't say that. If I land The Sistine Chapel, I will destroy Bismark in the cultural war. And if not, I will likely simply maintain parity: the borders will stay as they are. Isabella has two hundred more points than I in the score... and likely two to three times my military power. As such, she demanded tribute. Unfortunately, she does not have Optics (much less, Astronomy), so she cannot touch me. Anyhow, with the negative Diplo, she's self selected herself as my first enemy. Isabella Diplo: +1 -4 -2 -1 = -6 It's only going to get worse, as I may just declare war on her in a moment. I like things clear cut. Besides, she's isolated, so it's not like she's anyone's friend, yet. Isabella: Isolated: No contact with anyone else -6 Diplo No Optics or Astronomy Doesn't even have Alphabet Score: 919 (versus my 773) She's hopeless. Oh, she already has Music. So if someone else builds The Sistine Chapel, I hope it's her. Caesar is similarly situated: Isolated: I thought he shared a continent with Charlemagne and Ramesses. But he does not. Diplo: +1 -3 -1 = -3 No Optics, Astronomy, or Alphabet Score: 901 It's odd that these two backwards countries are the points leaders. But they are isolated, so that may have something to do with it. I'm going to eat lunch and think on it... maybe do a short art project. But I think the writing is on the wall. Preliminary plan is to: Declare War: Isabella Declare War: Julius Caesar Harass with Caravels Destroy Any Ships Destroy Any Fish Boats And see how that goes. By declaring now, I am hoping to: Avoid any negative diplo when they meet others ("you declared war on our friend" Get a few gold for ransacking Fish Boats Impede development No sea resources Blockade later as appropriate Experience If we meet on the sea, I expect my Caravels to carry the day, so free experience, leading to an early Great General What could go wrong? War Weariness None for Pillaging, or so I believe Regenerates at -1 per turn It's looking like the thing to do. I wonder how Bismark will react. In all honesty, I am still not ready for war. I have maybe three-fifths of his power. So, if he looks at it like a dog-pile, I may be in trouble. Collectively, their power is likely up to five times mine. It's not real power. But when crunching the numbers, it will look like I am at war with two countries who each have upwards of twice my power. Yeah, it could be dog-pile time. I hope not, because I cannot see not doing this. It may kill this game... or set me back a fair bit. But the advantages to future games {as in, an increased understanding of the pros and cons} is too much not to give it a go. So, it's war. I'm just stalling on the formal decision, lest I think of something else... and really, nothing I think of is going to change my mind. If nothing else, I need to see how Bismark reacts and if this saves me from future 'You declared war on our friend' negative consequences. Pre-War Diplo: Spanish 919: -6 Roman 901: -3 Holy Roman 894: -4 Egyptian 883: +2 Incan 773: me Korean 752: -2 German 695: +8 Well, the Romans don't looks so bad all listed out like that. But the Egyptians and Holy Roman Empire are all friendly {with each other}, so I don't want to declare on Charlemagne. I'm declaring war prior to the turn roll. If I'm on the ball, I'll do a post war turn roll diplo debriefing, as I wonder how the declaration will effect things. # # # 2018-12-13 1250AD T185 War Isabella of the Spanish Empire! War Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire! Death to the infidels. May the Seed spread to The Winds! # # # 2018-12-13 1280AD T188 It turns out, Caravels cannot destroy tile improvements. Yes, this is going to be a very cold war. I traded my map of the world to both Bismark and Wang Kon for gold and (hopefully) diplo bonuses. Bismark laughs at me whenever we make a trade, which is a good thing. I want him to be happy. Diplomatic Standing: Egyptian 927: +3 Spanish 923: -13 Roman 911: -10 Holy Roman 821: -3 Korean 821: -1 Incan 815: me German 728: +8 So, not much difference in diplomacy... except for, of course, those countries I declared war upon. # # # 1360AD: Germany demanded and was given tribute by way of Compass. Diplo: +10 He is now friendly. # # # 2018-12-13 1400AD T200 I messed up on the prerequisites for Nationalism (needs Civil Service), so I was unable to claim it as my free tech from Liberalism. Researching: Civil Service -> Nationalism -> Guilds -> Banking -> Economics I have some chance of both landing the Taj Mahal and the free Great Merchant from Economics after Banking. I thought about trading some with Ramesses, but he wants too much. # # # 2018-12-13 1505AD T211 Caesar is doing well. I may have made a mistake in selecting him as an enemy. He is the second one to Optics. And may well be on his way towards researching Astronomy, which would be for an attack {on me}. I am putting together a defensive line of Caravels. So, let's see how this plays out. I granted Open Borders to Bismark. I am not fully settled. But it will take him a turn or twenty to get a Settler in place... perhaps I will cancel the deal if a Galley starts towards my lands. I have the Monk Economy in total... in that, I have all three Wonders. I am currently building the Taj Mahal. And with any luck, I will be in a position to fire off two back to back Golden Ages. No doubt, Charlemagne will declare war as soon as he is able. I do wonder what Caesar will manage to pull off. The line of Caravels is slowly coming into place... and I have yet to see an exploratory Caravel from Caesar. # # # 2018-12-13 1520AD T214 I gave Julius Caesar Drama for peace. He has two stacks of two Caravels each headed my way... and I don't feel like switching over to Caravel production. And I have way too many unprotected Galley's and Work Boats floating about. I could try and justify it. But Julius earned the peace. He brought the war to me and I don't want it. I thought I would be shooting fish in a barrel; and it turns out, the fish have shotguns. So, no thanks. I just launched a Golden Age. Shall I use this as an additional reason why suing Caesar for peace made sense? The Taj Mahal is in the bag, as no one else has Nationalism. So, it will be back to back Golden Ages for a whopping 24 turns. I have equal Espionage Point {allotment} to everyone, which is probably a mistake, so let me switch it over to my enemies: equally weighted: Caesar Isabella Charlemagne The only one I have graphs on is Bismark. And he has twice my power. For now, expansion is more important. I can pay Caesar another tech if I need to when this peace is over. It's eight turns to another Great Person in Watery Death (from scratch). So, I'll get two (going on three) Great People during this 24-Turn {Golden Age} sprint... almost enough (if I get lucky) to start another Golden Age a few turns later. We'll see. The three person Golden Age is likely the last one I will do, as I'm just not going to keep that many Great People around. Actually, I'll be getting a Great Merchant for Economics. Good thing I'm going down the tabs! I revolted into Pacifism for the +100% Great Person rate. The next Great Person pops in six turns. I will build three easy, during these two back to back Golden Ages. And with one more from Economics, I should be able to launch a third one for sure. I, also, revolted into Caste System, which I may regret, but I can change back in five turns, so we'll see. Civics: Representation Bureaucracy Caste System Decentralization Pacifism I'll get another Great Person from {the city named} Free Hold. So, Great Person wise, things are looking up. Seven Great People seems a bit much to expect, but if I launch a third Golden Age after these first two, I could save the next four Great People (let's assume I can produce that many) for my final Golden Age down the line. We'll see. Diplomatic Situation: Egyptian 1253: +0 Holy Roman 1178: -4 Incan 1144: me Spanish 1138: -19 Roman 1063: -7 Korean 1042: -1 German 871: +10 In 24-Turns after the Golden Age ends, I will be in first place... it's not that many points to go and I've got a good ten or so cities to settle. But we'll see. Good thing Bismark likes me. Everyone else hates me... some more so than others. It would be nice if someone else liked me, as well. So, I will need to look into that. I'll probably have to gift Wang Kon a tech or two to make him happier. And once I have Astronomy (I am in no hurry to research that particular tech), I'll start trading. Also, over time, hopefully (lot's of qualifiers there), the Open Borders bonus will increase. And that's a wrap. 69 Turns on the day. From start of Golden Age to start of Golden Age. # # # Remember: Wang Kon is your friend. Or at least, you want him to be. # # # 2018-12-14 1520AD T214 I am excited about the Golden Age. I'm very pleased with myself. This is the type of expansive understanding of the game that keeps me coming back. I've had Golden Ages before, but they did not alter game play. This one does. Also, maybe Caesar will be the one I nuke, as he does seem to be coming up, meaning Isabella is far more likely to be the first one I attack {and out of the game by the time I get nuclear weapons}. # # # 2018-12-14 1590AD T228 I gave Isabella 65 gold for peace. Both of my early wars were pointless. I gained 16 points towards a Great General. And lost 5 Caravels. Rather an expensive trade. I am, also now, the confirmed worst enemy of Isabella and Caesar. In time, maybe one of them would have turned friendly or have been easier to convert than Wang Kon. Declaring War was a mistake. # # # 2018-12-14 1605AD T231 General Whipping Rules New Unhappiness is +1 Unhappiness for 10 Turns + Current Turns of Unhappiness. Unhappiness expires individually. If not a specialist city: If not building a Worker or Settler: If have some hammers into item: If no current Whip Unhappiness: If can Whip: Then Whip! The real order of my check is: Whip Unhappiness Whippable Production In this game, at this point in time, my only two Specialist Cities are: Watery Death Free Hold # # # 2018-12-14 1605AD T231 In other news, being the decisive Tech Leader, it is my intent to research that which others know, so to make it very simple to understand my adversaries position. As such, even though Gunpowder may or may not be important, since both Charlemagne and Germany have it, I am researching it. But although they have one (I believe) tech that I don't have, I have numerous other techs they do not. For instance, I am constructing The Statue of Liberty at my leisure, as no one else even has Nationalism. My preferred tech path would be towards Corporation, putting Astronomy off for a few fifty turns yet, if I can. The Colossus (along with a Golden Age and the Financial trait) is doing me wonders. # # # 2018-12-14 1625AD T235 Researching: Replaceable Parts -> Chemistry -> Steam Power -> Steel -> Railroad The intent is to get Mining, Inc. Two of my opponents have Astronomy: Ramesses Julius Caesar Which goes to show how foolish it was to declare war on Rome. I gave Caesar my world map for a +2 diplomatic bonus. And I will pretty much give everyone {and anyone} at this point whatever they might ask for in tribute. I am clearly lagging in power. I'm am trying to discipline myself in the builds, alternating between infrastructure and units: Barracks counting as units, as I believe they are included in the power calculations. # # # 2018-12-14 1640AD T238 On the last turn of my Golden Age, I revolted to take advantage of the lack of Anarchy. New Civics: Representation Bureaucracy Slavery Free Market Organized Religion I probably lost a fair bit switching to Free Market, as everyone I could trade with is running Mercantilism (no foreign trade routes). Still, what is done is done. And I will need Free Markets when Mining, Inc comes on line in 25-Turns (as measured from within a Golden Age). I was trying to figure out where my free Trade Route was, but I lost two trade routes when I discovered Corporation (obsoletes Great Lighthouse and its +2 trade routes). Live and learn. The micro (as in, micro-management) is off. And after thinking for a few more minutes, I am concerned about being attacked. Bismark is twice my strength. Isabella is triple. I need to get to parity. Until Mining, Inc or so, troops take priority. Switching over production, now. Pre Switch: 4 Barracks 4 Units After Switch: 5 Barracks 5 Units It's not that much of an improvement. I need to repeatedly build units in those cities capable of supporting the activity. Well, at least no one says, 'We have enough on our hands right now,' when I hover over the Declare War option in the trade screen; and instead, my three main threats (Rome, Holy Roman, Spanish) all say, 'We don't like you enough.' I need more military. However {as concerns military production}: I am exempting Watery Death I am exempting the Cities on the 'German Front' fighting a culture war. And about half (or more) of the remainder are newly founded scraps. Still, war is in the offing... one way or another. I need to prepare. Finally, as I end the Golden Age, I have five (count them, five) Great People of all different types, so I could launch another Golden Age if I wanted. But I will wait until after Mining, Inc is founded at the very least. # # # 2018-12-14 1640AD T238 The Great Golden Age took all morning. I was planning on going to the library this afternoon, but I don't want to, I'd rather play. I've got all sorts of excuses: It's sort of wet outside I've got plenty of books And other projects to do But the simple fact is that I would rather play. I've been here before. I walk to the library. I walk to the library, a lot. And when I get there, I will sit for... well, maybe only a half-dozen minutes, today. And admit I'd rather be playing a game... or writing some rant... or whatever... rather than being at the library. So, I will read a bit at home, do some projects, and play... hopefully breaking between each turn. And I will build troops. This is a War Game. BUILD TROOPS! # # # 2018-12-14 1665AD T243 And that is all she wrote! Charlemagne attacks. He brought: 7 Galleons So, I assume 21 Knights I will concede the victory. I am not prepared for war. # # # GAME OVER 2018-12-14 (c) Copyright Brett Paufler