[SPOILERS] Sandover(cre/spi) of Egypt

[Sandover]

And just as I post that I realise I've made an error. Darn it!

The top Worker can't make it into position on turn 84, which delays the whole operation. I must've counted his movement as if he was standing on a road, which he clearly isn't. I should've used the fifth Worker instead but he's too far away now. Bollox! Now all I will have ready to attack on turn 86 is a lone Axeman, I think. Need to have a second look at it to see what I can salvage.

[Sandover]

Ok, backup plan. The Axeman will have a go at it. It could be that he is all I will need, in which case I won't even have to show my other units, bar from two of the Workers. The new plan involves having 2 Axemen and 2 War Chariots in position to attack on turn 87, with a third War Chariot possibly being involved if Wayne Rooney for some reason stays put. It's basically the same as before just a little slower. Waltz is a newly founded and exposed lowland city (despite being surrounded by highland) and I don't see Twinkle making much of a stand here anyway. The smart move would be to pull back into the city I don't have vision on, unless he has Catapults hidden in the fog, which I don't think he does.

[Sandover]

Dear Pharaoh,

Once again you jump to conclusions which are not there. I apologise for the lack of communication but it has been the same for everyone in this game - I have been very busy and had little time for anything intensive to do with this game. I beg you look at the forum - I have not posted in my PBEM thread for nearly two weeks at least - when I was doing daily updates before.

With such an issue restricting my diplomacy, I sent an in-game message through a diplo window to you - explaining my circumstances and granting your request to come through my borders to 'poach a worker or two' from Moogle. If you did not receive it, it is simply because my diplo window message didn't get through.

They may be small measures - but you seem to not value them or seem to have not received/ignored them. I have not ignored your advice either - my expansion has been much more eastward than westward, with the single exception of Waltz - which was deliberately positioned to avoid any culture clash with Nubian.

Given the limited time I have had to devote - I fail to see much more I could have done. Everyone else has accepted my circumstances, why can't you?

For the record, my nation nor anyone else's will bend down and kiss another's hand as we are proud and independent - if you expect it you are gravely mistaken. If you do not accept my reasons and attack me - I will make it as hard for you as I can and we will both bleed while everyone else grows stronger. I will weaken you and I wouldn't be surprised to hear Roman horns eventually marching over the horizons to take advantage if I cannot.

I humbly request you change your plans and be a bit more understanding.

Chancellor Twinkletoes.

Dear Chancellor,

The message you mention is unheard of. I would've given you the benefit of the doubt if it wasn't for the fact that you've ignored me on a previous occasion and have made no real attempt to be a friendly neighbour, other than giving shelter to one of my scouts thousands of years ago. You claim to be very busy yet manage to write me a long message as soon as trouble knocks on your door. How convenient. I will have none of your attempts to deceive me. If you do not desire to seek peace I shall make good use of you as an example to the rest of the world. The Roman armed forces are just as weak as your own so I suggest you step out of your illusion and realise that the bed you've made for yourself won't be remade by someone else.

As proof of my desire to negotiate peace I will grant Wayne Rooney clemency if he set up camp at the lake rather than enter my lands to pillage my cottages.

Regards,

Pharaoh Sandover of Egypt

I wonder, is he honest in what he say? I think not, but it's hard to tell for sure. However, even if he is I don't feel sorry for him. I pondered poking him about my message for several days and only decided not to because he ignored me in the past, entirely on purpose. That is his own fault. Had he been more open with me this wouldn't have happened, disappearing diplo window or not. The war will continue.

[Sandover]

Oh, by the way. You're free to ask me for updates regarding my relations with other nations. I obviously can't tell how much they are posting in their threads, and I'm simply not arsed about posting every diplo message I send. My focus is on making detailed updates on my civ's status with included pictures, as that's what's lacking in most reports (one can usually get a good grip of the diplomatic situation in a game merely from reading just a few threads).

[Sandover]

Turn 83 - The Economic Build-up

Aside from the war, there are other things going on within Egypt. (It's actually turn 84 now but play along.)



Sandoria, Psamathe, Chillingworth and Satet will whip their Markets on turn 84. You may wonder why my future HE location of Satet is whipping a Market? Well, first of all, I'm rapidly running out of improved tiles to work. Second of all, as a river location, it is generating some commerce. Third of all I get two bonus happiness from it (Fur and Ivory), and lastly I just don't want to build a whole lot more of that ancient era crap they call military (which I will be building more of in the incoming turns anyway, since I lack better things to do).

Soothsayer Port at the eastern end of the picture is being developed as a shipyard. However, since I can't build any ships, its focus will on regular military until Caravels are available.

Combine Minor in the west, my newest city, is a minor cottage town that will have a mere three grassland cottages of its own.

Moving up north.



World's End, a slightly less minor cottage town, already has four cottages of its own and will be up to its maximum of five shortly. Together with Darrell it will eventually be working quite a number of lake tiles. It just so happens I don't have Fishing yet.

In the picture I've tagged my palace guards, Conqueror of Nubian and Protector of the North. They've both been recalled from the front lines since they can no longer gain experience from fighting barbarians, and will serve as military police until the day I upgrade them to triple promoted Knights. That's the plan, anyhow.

Also, here's a picture of my military at the outbreak of war.



Kind of heavy on mounted troops for obvious reasons. Note how I haven't lost a single unit yet. That will likely change soon, as Twinkle did indeed whip a Spearman at Cha Cha Cha.

Currency means more trade routes means trade is more attractive means I want to trade with Bob means I need to build road to Bob.



And I think that's it for this (the previous) turn.

[Sandover]

Reminder to self: explain tech choices tomorrow after work.

[Sandover]

Reminding myself seemingly wasn't enough. Oh well, I half expected that...

The Chancellor decided to sue for peace (email chain coming up).

Dear Pharaoh,

The message was attempted to be sent - but I did not make any diplo offer (like open borders/ trade of resource) so that is probably why it did not come through.

I AM busy, but I have these messages forwarded to my personal email, and if your message had been anything other than a declaration of war - I would have put it aside for a quieter time, as I have done with messages from other nations. I cannot ignore a declaration of war however - as it is a major change to the game which needs immediate attention. I delayed work on my academic studies so I could write messages to you. I am seriously offended that you accuse me of deceit once more. You are lucky that I have been sick off work today or perhaps another few hours of delay on my reply would have you pressing the red button!

I request that you are patient with me at this time and for the next week or so. We have a week's pause coming up soon - perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for us both? If you make peace with me, I will offer you these things:

1) a) I will actively speak with you to arrange 1 or 2 chat meetings or email exchanges in the pause week so that we can work out the difficulties we face - and I promise that I will make time for them.
b) A guarantee that chats will be available every week after - should you need them
c) All diplomatic messages will be replied to within 48 hours - but if I cannot respond fully due to time constraints, I am allowed to send a 'message received' response detailing when I will be free to respond properly.

2) Wayne Rooney will retreat from your lands as fast as is possible to reach my lands.

3) No unit will enter your borders unless previous agreement is allowed.

4) I will not settle westward of Waltz for a certain amount of time (50 turns?)

I hope this shows that I too desire peace, and a willingness to find a better away around my time constraints to work out our differences and perhaps become co-operative friends rather than destructive enemies.

Feel free to propose other reasonable suggestions to bring about peace.

Yours hopefully,

Chancellor Twinkletoes

Dear Chancellor,

Now you're giving me something I can work with. However, before I address your latest message, I shall make you aware on the fact that turn 84 is no longer with me. The two Workers at Cha Cha Cha are dead and your Corn farm has been pillaged. Wayne Rooney is still alive and well, but should it ever occur that I find him on the wrong side of my border with no peace deal in place he too will be killed.

Personally, I find that regular chats go too much against the casual approach I have towards this game, but I like where you're coming from. Here's an attempt at a counter offer:

1) All diplomatic messages from the Pharaoh will be replied to by the Chancellor within 48 hours - but if he cannot respond fully due to time constraints, he is allowed to send a 'message received' response detailing when he will be free to respond properly. The Pharaoh is free to sometimes stress the urgency of a message, in which case the Chancellor must provide a full reply within 48 hours - unless the game is currently at a hold.

2) Wayne Rooney will be allowed safe passage out of his enclosed pocket at the coast. Similarily, no harm will be done towards the Egyptian units who have assaulted the farmers of Cha Cha Cha.

3) a) Open Borders will be signed and kept open. A trade route will be established between Nubian and Waltz by Egyptian Workers. Both parties are expected to have their border city connected to their capital by turn 95 the latest (if not already connected) and to keep the connection online.
b) No German units may enter Egypt without prior permission. Egypt is allowed to have a maximum of three units within German borders until turn 110, and a maximum of one unit between turn 110 and 135. The Chancellor must keep the presence of Egyptian units within his borders secret to other nations until turn 110.

4) The Chancellor will found his three next cities towards Celtica. The Pharaoh may not settle for the Pig at the coast or the Pig that is part of the BFC of Waltz. The Chancellor may not settle for the Stone at the coast.

5) Both parties agree to not spend more EP's on each other.

6) The Chancellor will share with the Pharaoh what he has told Advisor SleepingMoogle of the Pharaoh's hostile intentions towards Celtica. If the Egyptian scout near Celtica is killed by the Celts without prior provocation the Chancellor is obliged to compensate his death to the Pharaoh by means of 20 gold coins.

7) Both parties will immediately update each other on their technological status (technologies researched and beakers spent on unfinished techs).

I hope you will find this proposal acceptable to you. It is clearly favouring Egypt over Germany, but one must keep in mind that Egypt is also in a favourable position in terms of military strength. I have refrained from making any claims to your land or your land-to-be, despite my being eager to do so, as I felt it wasn't within my right to do so while expecting good relations post war. It is my honest belief that this proposal is reasonable, and I must tell you that I will have a hard time accepting any less than what is currently on the table.

Also, if you don't mind me jumping one step ahead, I'd like to inquire about the possibility of making a trade for that Prophet of yours, should peace be achieved. Since you haven't used him so far I cannot help but figure that he's not of as great value to you as one might expect. Plainly, could you tell me how much he's worth to you in terms of hammers? I'm thinking Workers/Settlers/military, which I seem to be able to produce in abundance. Let me know if you have any interest in making a trade.

Regards,

Pharaoh Sandover of Egypt

Dear Pharaoh,

I like your proposal and am happy to agree to it with a couple of slight amendments. In terms of the fact that my 2 workers are dead and my corn pillaged, I would like to have at least 1 worker gifted to me as a sign of peace and rapprochement.

All proposals (excluding parts of 6 which I shall explain below) are fine and accepted from this message onwards.

To answer 6 now I shall tell you what has been said. I have only spoken to him once since the declaration of war and then it was only to try and guarantee a safe flank if peace talks failed. Nothing specific was mentioned about the threat. I can 100% guarantee that I didn't mention your request to enter my borders to try and steal a worker or two - and the ill-fated diplo message which I failed to send adequately was recognition of my permission for you to do it. There are no agreements in place between our nations at this point in time and contact has been limited due to my time constraints. He has been given no instruction on where your units are or their purpose.

Also I would prefer the removal of the clause for compensation as I have not said anything to make Moogle attack your scouting unit - nor will I. I hope that you will trust me enough to remove that clause.

I am prepared to listen to offers for my Prophet as he is currently kept for an emergency Golden Age should it be needed. To start discussions on it, I would like you to stake a first offer and I will then respond and see how close to agreement we are.

I know I ask a little give but I hope that they are reasonable enough requests to make peace and begin our steps to a hopefully fruitful friendship.

Yours hopefully,

Chancellor Twinkletoes

Dear Chancellor,

Consider clause 6) removed. I was worried about my scout as a Celtic Axeman showed up near his path rather unexpectedly. However, it turns out the Axeman was only there to escort a Settler.

Sadly, your request for a Worker is a deal breaker to me. As such I have once again turned down your in-game peace offer. Wayne Rooney has been done no harm and no further pillaging has been done near Cha Cha Cha, but I did move an Axeman into position to attack Waltz the incoming turn. It is my hope that you will accept peace without the added Worker and instead seek to strengthen your work force by virtue of a Prophet trade.

Here's my offer for your Prophet. I will give you around 200 hammers worth of units, depending on what kind of units you desire. Settlers, Workers and War Chariots I value slightly higher than their in-game values, as the first two require halted growth and because the third is a UU. Axemen, Spearmen and Archers I'm willing to give you a discount on as their period of usefulness is slowly coming to an end. All military units will come with at least 3/2 experience points. Delivery will be made step by step at a speed depending on how soon they are produced and on how many of the required units I already have available. I would like to have the Prophet no later than turn 95.

He then poked for a chat on friday night. I'm not cleaning it up for you, though here's a summary.

- He said he sees himself as being in the worst position of all civs. (I agree with him.)
- He expressed desire to play a "sunrise-esque game" (his term not mine) serving me as an attack dog in exchange for mutual security and support.
- I expressed interest in the idea, but explained that it's up to him to first show me he can be a good friend before I decide whether such a co-operation is worthwhile to me.
- As a follow-up to this we agreed to a package deal.

a) He waves his request for a Worker as compensation and accepts the peace treaty.
b) A 30 turn NAP is signed lasting until turn 115.
c) He will trade me his Great Prophet for 3 Workers, 3 Spearmen and 2 Archers.

So by fighting a war with zero casualties (unless I count the forest I chopped to build an unpromoted Axeman a casualty) I've turned an annoying neighbour that's hard getting hold of into a potential ally that wish to serve me on my quest to victory. He may not like me for it, but why should I care? It'a all about the glory of Egypt.

I'm sure some of you wrote me off for my war declaration in the lurker thread. Shame on you!

Now, let me explain some of my reasoning regarding the peace (I shall call it the Treaty of Nubian from here on). First of all, I really didn't want to spend beakers on Construction and hammers on Catapults when there's better things for me to do (Code of Laws/Courthouses being just one example). I could have claimed the border area, i.e. two pretty nice city spots, by force, but that would do nothing but give me an enemy for life and allow breathing space for Moogle further east. The war was fought for diplomatic gains not territorial ones, and I winded up getting more out of it than I hoped for. Way more.

The Treaty of Nubian has a lot of gold in it.

- TT will focus expansion east, making sure Moogle isn't getting too much land over there.
- I get access to TT's territory for a forseeable future so I can keep an eye on him and send units to harrass Moogle.
- I will get tech visibility on TT. Intelligence is always good.
- TT will get tech visibility on me. Then he'll see I don't have Construction and have been focusing on economy. This is good to put a chill on his paranoia.
- TT will develop the border territory for me, in case I decide to take it later.
- I have the option of creating a pact with TT, giving me the ability to expand south through Rome instead. Options are good.
- I get a Prophet. Sure, it's not all that useful. But it beats building wealth, and strengthening TT with ancient military units is a non-issue as I shall explain to you later.
- The NAP isn't a negative as I'm not going to start a war of conquest prior to it ending anyway. Neither do I see Bob being scared by it, as we have such a fruitful relationship thus far and it's only reasonable of TT to demand a NAP as part of a peace deal.

To sum things up - I'm feeling really good about my position in this game atm.

[Sandover]

Right, tech choices. You recall my building Hanging Gardens in Sandoria, right? So I've been running an Engineer in there since the Forge was constructed, and I'm looking to lightbulb Machinery within the next 10 turns (hence why I researched Archery and Iron Working lately). Crossbowmen plus Catapulst can do a good number on Germany, and on Rome, if that's what I wanted. This was my intended phase 2 of the war, but since that has ended I'm now merely looking to use the Crossbowmen as a securance. The big thing of note is that I will be only three techs away from Knights (Horseback Riding, Feudalism, Guilds) and that I'm in a pretty damn good position to fight a medieval war if I so desire.

TT can't challenge me tech-wise, and if I play my cards right Bob will be thinking that an Egyptian mobilization is a sure death for Germany, so there we are with having options again. Ideally I could charge deep into Rome with my cavalry while his army is fighting Timmy in the east, while the plentitude of Crossbowmen I'm bound to build takes out his border cities with the help of some siege units. Fighting a war of conquest on quick isn't easy though, so it's all very circumstantial. I may not go to war at all until drafting if I'm not confident of success.

My next goal is Code of Laws to get some Courthouses up and running, and then it's probably onwards to building the Epics and possibly grabbing the Great Artist from Music. I want to establish stables in due time, so won't delay Horseback riding for too long, but Construction just might wait as I want my neighbours to know of my "peaceful intentions".

I'd like to have Theocracy for the sake of extra promotions, hence why I traded for a Prophet, but that all depends on when Bob starts to send me Missionaries. I did say to TT I wouldn't use him for a golden age, but seeing as we might end up being buddies I can probably use a golden age as means of attacking Bob without angering Germany. I won't settle him, that's for sure.

Anything else I should mention? Can't think of anything right now. Poke me if I missed something.

[Sandover]

Trade

Just had a rare email exchange with Timmy. I'm going to trade him one of my Furs for his spare Gems. He also has a spare Dye, but he want another luxury in return, which I don't have.

Since some time back I've also agreed with Bob to trade Fur for Sugar, once he gets the latter connected.

For happiness I now have:

+2 Gold (doubled by Forge)
+2 Fur (doubled by Market)
+2 Ivory (doubled by Market)
+2 Gems (doubled by Forge)
+1 Sugar

Once I get Calendar I will also have +2 from Silk (also doubled by Market) and +1 from Spices.

That's 12 extra happiness just from resources. My happy cap is satisfying with what I have already, so I surely can't complain about that number.

[novice]

Interesting developments. Thanks for the quality updates!