The Altera Centauri collection has been brought up to date by Darsnan. It comprises every decent scenario he's been able to find anywhere on the web, going back over 20 years.
25 themes/skins/styles are now available to members. Check the select drop-down at the bottom-left of each page.
Call To Power 2 Cradle 3+ mod in progress: https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/call-to-power-2/ctp2-creation/9437883-making-cradle-3-fully-compatible-with-the-apolyton-edition
Hiawatha sat on the top of a hill watching sunset over lake Cayuga and pondered his diplomatic options.
Sumerian threat was gone but security of Iroquois borders was far from assured.
As it happens so often, Zulu, former Iroquois brothers in arms in a war aginst Sumeria, were now royally pissed at Iroquois, thinking perhaps that they have not got their fair share of war spoils. Iroquois-Zulu trade agreement, which provided for supplies of Zulu incense in exchange for Iroquois expertise in representative governments, was about to expire and it was highly doubtful that fresh supplies can be renegotiated for any sort of reasonable price.
On the South, cold war aginst Aztecs turned decidedly hot with the acquisition of a common border with Aztecs at the former Sumerian city of Lagash. Unlike Zulu, Aztec troops posessed not only courage but also Iron and had all the latest advances in military technology (Feudalism and Engineering). Aztec Empire was largely spared from wars that raged on the Iroquois continent and was able to develop an intimidating military. All this military might was now converging towards Lagash. Iroquois scouts reported no less than 107 units in the direct vicinity of the city, with reinforcements on the way.
At the sight of all this firepower, some of the Iroquois top brass got demoralized and a few even argued for an immediate truce with the Aztecs. (Ok, more than just a few). As it was customary in the moments of great danger, it was decided to consult with the Higher Powers. The Great Shaman himself spent an entire night in his wigwam smoking grass and searching for celestial guidance. In the morning, he emerged completely exhausted, shouted "In vino veritas!" and fall on the ground, unconcious. What these words meant, was not entirely understood, but everybody agreed that it had something to do with Aztec supplies of wine. Hiawatha suggested that aforementioned supplies should be captured for the Iroquois Republic. This interpretation prevailed for the lack of alternatives, and so hostilities continued.
Finally, across the ocean, there was a mighty Celts empire. For the last millenium or so they were embroiled in a war against Mongols, slowly but surely gaining ground. Hiawatha was extremely concerned about the Celts since there was precious little he could do to limit their power. Hiawatha sighed, lit up his pipe, and opened the last report from the Iroquois embassy in Entremonte.
Report indicated that Celtic empire now comprised 29 provinces after capture of some Mongolian cities. Technologically, however, Celts have appeared to lose some ground, partially due to their bloated war budget an partially due to increased war weariness. Iroquois Embassador attached a sketch of the Celtic capital, indicating prevailing moods in the city:
Attached Files
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
So it was decided: Iroquois will support Mongols, and possibly fledging English, in their struggle against the Celts, while securing their own continent.
Now, back to Aztecs and their legions. It was fairly obvious that an immediate offense has to be ruled out, since Hiawatha's 30 or so mounted warriors would not be able to stop Aztec pikeman without prohibitive losses. On the brighter side, Iroquois assets have included two armies loaded with medieval infantry, that should be able to hold Aztec horseman at bay.
First objective on the Aztec front was elimination of Aztec offensive capability. To this end, Hiawatha have authorized an operation code-named "Mousetrap".
On even turns, Iroquois two armies, backed with trebuchets for artillery support, would park in front of Lagash. Since Aztecs were reluctant to engage Iroquois armies directly, their troops would move away, searching some other approach to the city:
Attached Files
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
And on odd turns, one of the armies would hide in Lagash. Seeing an opening, Aztec hordes would move towards Lagash, but due to speed differential, Aztec cavalry would run out from their defensive cover:
Attached Files
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
Unprotected cavalry would then fall an easy prey to Iroquois mounted warriors.
To assault Aztec cities, however, mounted warriors were clearly unadequate, and so Hiawatha ordered his scientists to work on Chivalry with all possible haste.
It was expected that operation "Mousetrap" would allow Iroquois to hold Lagash with relatively light military commitment, and correspondingly some substantial forces would be available elsewhere. Well, Hiawatha does not pay his military premium wages so that they could stay idle.
With this in mind, Hiawatha started to think abou Zulus. There were plenty of reasons for a military campaign against them.
First, they had incense.
Second, they had the Great Lighthouse, which would be needed eventually to cross the ocean separating Iroquios from the Celts, safely.
Third, most of their armies have not returned home from the Sumerian campaign yet. In fact, plenty of Zulu troops stayed within the Iroquois territory, as Zulu never paid much attention to such diplomatic niceties as the sovereignity of Iroquois borders.
The only thing that worried Hiawatha was the possibility of Zulu alliance with Iroquois. Truth being said, Zulu troops were plentiful but technologically backwards and Hiawatha intended to keep it that way.
Of course, direct agression against Zulus would be unthinkable. Iroquois, peaceful people as they are, have never attacked anyone in the past. Except poor Ottomans, of course, but that does not count. In any case, now that Iroquois have representative government, it is important to appear to be a victim of foreign agression to placate pacifists at home, useless hippies as they may be.
Hiawatha sighed again, remembering his old Despotic days with some nostalgia, and started to write a letter to his foreign minister.
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
290 BC
(i) Ally with Zulu against Aztecs. Pay them Gems+Silks against alliance+44gold.
(ii) Demand tribute from Shaka until he gets mad.
(iii) Ask him to withdraw troops.
==> War with Zulus.
MWs destroy most of Zulus' expeditionary forces.
270 BC Ngome captured.
250 BC
Advance/regroup
230BC Agade captured (Zulu's incense city)
Discover Chivalry. Research set on Invention at 60% science.
210BC Tugela captured.
190BC
Nothing much
170BC Bapedi captured. Leader (#5)->army.
Golden Age ends. Was good while it lasted.
150BC
Leader (#6)->army; leader (#7)->marketplace in Sumer. Mpondo captured.
Thought about using Leader#7 to rush Pentagon but decided against it, as
(i) there is no immediate need for 4-unit armies;
(ii) I won't be able to transport 4-unit armies to Celts before Industrialization;
(iii) Pentagon may be useful as a wonder prebuild.
130BC
Celts demand Chivalry. Request denied. War with the Celts. Thanks for war happiness, Celts
Leader (#8)->marketplace in Istanbul.
Sold Chivalry to English for 68g+19gpt.
// My mistake. I wanted to bribe them for a war against the Celts but did not want Celts to get some war happiness from the English declaration of war. What I am forgetting of course is that English will trade Chivalry to Celts, which will speed up Mongols' demise. Oh well.
// It is not that I think too highly of KT, but Oil Springs used to produce ~25spt during my Golden Age. Not enough for a MW/turn and a huge waste for a MW in two turns. Thus, some cheap wonder was a better option. Crusaders are underwhelming individually, but as a part of the Army, they kick a**.
90BC
Leader (#9) -> army (iirc; coffee spill on my notes ) Zimbabwe destroyed.
// Poorly placed and I cannot spare a garrison to prevent culture flips.
Sold Engineering to English for an alliance against the Celts, 236g and 84gpt.
// They obviously got these 84gpt from Chivalry sale to the Celts. Oh well, at least we get the money.
70BC
Leader (#10)
Discover Invention. Research set to Gunpowder.
50BC:
Attached Files
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
10 BC
Nothing much. Finished upgrading my military.
10AD Ulundi captured.
Zulu are down to two tundra cities and I made peace with them as their destruction will only serve to increase my tech costs. I substantially outculture them by now, so I don't have to worry about culture flips much (which was the case with Sumeria).
Military advisor reports that we are at average strength against Aztecs. I used to keep track of Aztec units killed near Lagash but lost count in 90BC at 57 units. Still way to go. But they are reduced enough by now to undertake an offensive. Stay tuned
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
It is only totalitarian governments that suppress facts. In this country we simply take a democratic decision not to publish them. - Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister
Kudos Erik. A very impressive game and your reports are better than the novel I’m reading. It seems you’re doing your own research now and so how is that going? Do you have Education yet?
You built Leo’s on Sid...
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.
Tweet
)
Comment