[SPOILERS] - tales of Brennus, famous Chinese warlord

[yuris125]

An additional Worker is always wiser, if you're not under immediate threat

[Zero_1627]

I hit myself in the head: Stonehenge was built a few turns ago! So great GNP increase was culture from Stonehenge, not beakers from Gold! Good . EDIT: also, it's good Shanghai is a bit further from that cultural beacon . EDIT2: It's not Mayans who built it, though, but Celtic Pride.

Shanghai worker moved to Pigs. This tile may theoretically be attacked out of the blue by enemy Chariots, so Ueshiba moved to cover him. In case of danger he can return to city and be unmovable even without fortify bonus, and any threat to city itself will be visible before attack.

Also, EoT we got our first Chariot! And I see heavily wounded Lion to the East... Then double back and scout jungle.

[Zero_1627]

BC2260 is in!

EoT we finished Polytheism. Buddhism has fallen this turn, too! I guess if we want Oracle, we have to go for it _now_. And Oracle is wonderful for us. But can we build it quick enough? If someone else went for Meditation, it's most probably direct race for this wonder. With 2-3 workers cutting down forest and Copper online I _think_ we have enough hammer power to compete, unless Buddhist has Marble connected. 2 of 3 opposing capitals are bigger, but that may change quickly and top citizens don't work improved tiles anyway. And we may try to help with overflowing hammers from whip, or even finishing wonder by whip to shave off a turn or two of build time (edit: that's probably better idea!).
I'll think about it - there is whole day for decision whether to go for Oracle or abandon the idea.

Other news: EoT first Barbarian was spotted! A Warrior approaches our empire from NW. Robert Tye will probably have to go and actively protect our Furs next turn. Chariot raced E for Lion hunting. I kept it out of sight of Mayan culture - just in case

-------------------------------------

A plan to actively use our Spiritual trait (not applicable if we go for Oracle): after 1st turn of Granary construction is in, revolt to Slavery, whip it, and revolt back ASAP to avoid costs. Cities with Granaries and abundant food will grow back in no time. Before we're able to go out of Slavery there may be opportunity to whip something else, too! And then let anger cool off while not paying Slavery maintenance costs .

[yuris125]

I don't know... I don't think we have enough production to compete for Oracle, and if we lose it, it will be too much of hammers invested into nothing. Your decision, of course, but I would prefer military over Oracle

[Zero_1627]

I think we _have_ power to compete:
- we have the most hammer output. Other nations may put improvements online, but so do we (and we may grow more ).
- I just saw TT's graphs, and they have exactly the same Culture spike as Chinese. So he's our Buddhist. And I'm almost sure he doesn't have Marble - and if he tries to connect it, his marble is to his NW - reachable by us and on Celtic Pride border, so susceptible to pillage. (AT's graphs are due next turn)
- we'll probably have more Workers.

That said, it'll cost us: Granaries and Libraries will be later, also Cottages will not be developed (both because of later tech and maximizing hammers, which they don't lend many). And we won't build Chariots (or build them in Shanghai instead of developing the city).
So we'll most probably be able to land our wonder, but our economy will be significantly worse for that. After much thought I'll go safer way and develop (with help of whip): Pottery->Writing->Iron Working for near future. Pottery should be ready in 4 turns (including a turn of accumulating gold reserves).


Other news: Mayan Archer entered our Culture from the South:


I decided to let wounded Lion live for now - why hunt endangered species if there is bigger game around (and one which threatens us)? I left Shanghai exposed. Based on what Mayan Archer can see, after moving NW he'll be able to force me to defend city and abandon uncomplete pasture (as undefended Worker will surely die and direct attack by Ueshiba will be suicide due to river). He _may_ be tempted... (and we need the Chariot back anyway in case he goes further NE).
Robert Tye moved out to intercept marauding barbarian Warrior (and gain 4th XP )
EDIT: Mayan Archer is not on a hill and can't look _into_ the city! He can see Worker/Archer pair on a hill, though. EDIT2: city is on a hill, so visible after all!

[yuris125]

I think we _have_ power to compete:
- we have the most hammer output. Other nations may put improvements online, but so do we (and we may grow more ).
- I just saw TT's graphs, and they have exactly the same Culture spike as Chinese. So he's our Buddhist. And I'm almost sure he doesn't have Marble - and if he tries to connect it, his marble is to his NW - reachable by us and on Celtic Pride border, so susceptible to pillage. (AT's graphs are due next turn)
- we'll probably have more Workers.

Hmm... we also don't have marble connected, do we? And why do you think we have more Workers? TT often has problems in Medieval era, but he can play good openings

I'm not sure. Count me undecided. Don't tell me I'm not helping

[Zero_1627]

I think we have the power, but would have to press hard. I decided to develop economy instead (quicker granaries, libraries, cottages, ultimately much quicker 3rd city) - I think it'll be more important than Oracle in the long run (especially as I may be wrong about whether we'd be able to win the race ).

[yuris125]

Good choice let's get infra up, research IW, and get that 3rd city

[Zero_1627]

Mayans fell into our trap!


Chariot promotes to Combat I and prepares to attack:

...and wins (though hit 4 times). Now he'll heal in Shanghai and then explore jungle (wounded Lion, if still there, will be left for next Chariot):


EoT Barbarian Warrior did not attack Robert Tye, but moved into forest-free tile instead - if nothing else shows up nearby Robert Tye will attack next turn.


-----------------------

Worker moved to Copper and began building a Road - I have no idea why, i was sure I cancelled all orders (the plan was to make a copper mine first, as road without mine is of slight usefulness there). I probably didn't cancel those orders after all . Well, now I sure did . That should tach me not to give multi-turn orders in PBEM...
Near Shanghai, Pig pasture is finished.

Also, I thought about 3rd city. When first terrified thoughts after seeing rising costs passed, I noticed that despite them our income (real) increased a bit. And 3rd city will give at least 5 commerce right after road connects it (2 from trade routes, 2 from trade routes in previous cities, 1 from city tile) - even if citizens produce no gold at all. And if citizens works some gold-producing tile - it may even be a net gain. And earlier city means better infrastructure...
What I want to say is: I'm thinking about getting IW BEFORE Writing (I'd like to finish Pottery first anyway).

[Zero_1627]

Robert Tye killed offending Warrior (and got wounded) - only to see another incoming Warrior EoT. Plan is to promotion-heal (Combat II?) and move back to protect Furs.

Beijing finished Worker, began Chariot.

Got graph visibility on everyone (will show them here on Monday) - reset espionage to 2/1/1 points (3/2/2 setting) with focus on Mongols. Mongols currently do not spy on us (39 EP accumulated), Mayans don't spy on us (and never did!), Celtic Pride focuses on us (3EP/turn!). I consider Mongols to be the biggest threat in the long run, hence my focus.