Cultural Domination in Balance: EitB Succesion Game

[Molach]

To be clear: When I bulldozed cottage/hamlets, it was to spread irrigation where it otherwise wouldn't spread or give extra food to cities that needed it. So agree to keep developed core cottages.

Grassland farm can support an artist, which will give +2 beakers and +1 gold, so farms aren't too far behind. There is also GPP generation, but I suppose it matters little whether 20 cities or 15 cities run 20 artists - total Great Bards wouldn't be much (any?) higher.

One benefit of getting republic is actually that our pop will grow faster - so when we do start the merc awesomeness we will have more pop to turn into specs. Our gold gathering will be a bit slower, but that probably only means 1-2 turns since we can pump hammers into the wonder pretty fast.

about tundra farms not spreading...but we have a bit of riverside ice that at least can become tundra farms.

I think we can get nature in trade from the elves, at least we could 70 turns ago. We can also trade for elementalism both for water and nature nodes if we want.

[Qgqqqqq]

I think the advantage of Gibbon is more Vitalize/Mistforms then elementals for Acheron - we're going to have plenty of time to research tier 4 units to kill Acheron with.
I think we should go Warhorses soonish so we can get shadowriders, I don't think we can build priests in Esus (?) so that seems a waste.

[Molach]

I think the advantage of Gibbon is more Vitalize/Mistforms then elementals for Acheron - we're going to have plenty of time to research tier 4 units to kill Acheron with.
I think we should go Warhorses soonish so we can get shadowriders, I don't think we can build priests in Esus (?) so that seems a waste.

We might want 1 priest at least, so we can cure disease/wither after we mutate units. Sadly no priests of esus, nope. Need to dip into a 'real' religion for that.

However need the units first. And the mutating wizards.

Sorcery will go faster, and give more time for Gibbon to mature, so maybe that? I still think we get shadowriders in time for the first reaping anyway...

[Mardoc]

Settled a couple more cities, but didn't push quite as far as I maybe could have. Put a lot into economy, though - many courthouses, a few money changers, and of course front line culture buildings.

Got about a third of Sorcery researched.

We got a Great Sage on T218, and I decided he should pair with the Great Commander we have sitting around to be one last Golden Age for us.

Jubilee's got the Pillar of Chains built, and has started on the Tower of Divination. It's due in 10 turns - might not even be worth rushing.

The Empy holy city got a Monument, so Loki alone won't convert it, but the other cities in the area might do the trick. Loki's been hanging out there keeping the culture at 15, anyway, to make that conversion go easier.

We've got a couple Triremes out chasing away a Barb trireme; should be able to rebuild the fishing nets soon.

Not sure there's really anything else to report. Fairly boring turnset, just focused on economy.


The Save

[akatosh]

Apologies on the revolt to Republic, a dumb move on my part. I am used to MNAI, so I don't really use any government civic other than aristocracy

[Qgqqqqq]

Sounds good.
I agree on sorcery first. Why do you want one priest for healing? I mean, I understand why, but I don't think its worthwhile given we have to leave Esus for it, and research a expensive tech. Also don't think mutation will be useful - maelstorm versus dragon and then slam in a bunch of high withdrawl HA, finish with knights, and after that there's nothing we want to fight.
Remember to close borders when thinning garrisons (and only start when it has ~80% culture).

[Mardoc]

Apologies on the revolt to Republic, a dumb move on my part. I am used to MNAI, so I don't really use any government civic other than aristocracy

45 gpt is pretty minor, really.

Thought of a picture worth posting:



Lotsa hammers! Also the econ is in pretty good shape, although granted at least half of that is the Golden Age.

When we go after Acheron, I'd rather use Snowfall than Maelstrom . Just need to convert that one Luch city to get it.

[Qgqqqqq]

Played, none of my screenshots took for some reason
Not a very hard set.
I rushed the ToD 4 turns in, wasn't sure if that was the right choice or not...
Until the next turn when it gave us 40gpt and the EPIC culture started pouring in.
Carnivals first people, it's awesome to look at a recent plant and see 200cpt coming in. I really pushed settlers this set, and I think thats best - the western Ljolsofar city is now 50% ours, the Svartalfar one has all but dissapeared.
Some grueling worker movement, but there were some epic moments. At one stage I was sending a settler east when I noticed a city sign had 45% Svartalfar 42% us. End turn and the tile flips
We're up to 50% of territory, and domination looks easy. I've started Gibbon and put research on Guilds, as it comes in faster then warhorses. Gibbon should be able to spread Esus for us.
The save: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1253...dSwordSave

[Molach]

Played 8 turns but need rest. Taking a bit longer to play now...

Preview: Big Barb, cities being founded and the yellow is spreading.

[Molach]

My kingdom for an axe! Bannor has taken our axe. No blitz for us...well unless we promote towards it.


Current status. Forgot to post end-of-set land area, perhaps next player?


Hm, didn't we have a city here? It had no garrison, and was razed by fire elementals. Did not refound, we had more important things to build.


Oh, hello! Is it friendly?


In case not, microd to 1-turn a horseman. Built 4 more to counter the threat.


Settled a GM here. Later on started building basaar of mammon. Golden age doesn't really work on specs' output (just more GP) so just went and did this.

Where did the great general go by the way? I didn't see him anywhere.

New city!


Just loving this output on a size 1 city. Phear our culture.


Left warrior on defense in city, planned to counterattack with horsemen.


Hey, what's this? City razed?

Seems the happy elves aren't that happy with each other. They also razed the city, probably feeling our cultural pressure. The tile named 'city' was left in our culture. No settlers around just then, so queued up another in Myrean.

Supplies for a temple. Gold and 20% culture. Okay.


New city! Spreading the word.


After a bit of deliberation, settled him here. It would be better in the city we plan east of here, but this will speed up the opening of the land quicker. He isn't _that_ a big deal. Mercantilism rules!

Besides there are plenty where he came from. Or She. Furia the Mad. She.

Guilds, and courtesans. Started building one, but not finished.


The big brute falls. I warrrior on defense hurt him some. 2 horsemen retreats, one death and he was killed. No drops though.


Around this time we get a revolt in Serodh, Clan westernmost city.

Loki takes a peek at nameless, soon cultureless tower:

It's all proceeding as I have foreseen...they will join us....or DIE!

New city! I did not pick the name for this, honest!


Revolt in Sordoh- making progress here.

The 'city' sign tile is up to 9% Bals culture.

New city! All not quiet on the eastern front


New city! Thanks Faeryl. You vicious beast, you. And have fun with our open borders...


Hey wait Faeryl, this city had a 'keep' on it. You probably had the option to "return control to the Balseraph empire". We are not amused.

However we have a settler now 1 NE of this spot. Thanks, Faeryl. Pay you back someday. Perhaps you can join the greater Balseraph cultural cultural group.

Aand a revolt in Wercer.


Take it away.