Trade: 1836 AD

[Sparrowhawk]

We currently have only one Caravan (salt), which is from Apolytonia and is situated south of Caralis (exploring).

By the city Advisor window the nearest city to this caravan is Caralis, indicating it will be a while before it gets to another city to establish a trade route going in the direction it is currently headed.

So what do we do with it?
- continue exploring our unknown continent?
- return the caravan to Caralis to be transported by boat to the known Egyptian colonies?
- return the caravan to Caralis to be transported by boat into the great unknown?
- return the caravan to Apolytonia in order to be used to help produce a wonder?
- some other option I have not considered (written below and explained)

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Other Trade notes of interest:
The two discovered Egyptian colonies demand:
Giza - Dye, Wine, Silk
Kildeer - Copper, Dye, Coal

Our 4 cities supply:
Apolytonia - (salt), (beads), and Gold, no one we currently know of demands Gold

Utica - Beads, Wine, Wool

Malaca - Beads, Silk, Salt

Caralis - Beads, Salt, Wool

Obviously my recommendation is that if we decide to build Caravans in our Colonies (see City Planner poll for further information) that we should choose Wine from Utica to send to Giza and Silk from Malaca to send to Giza. If Caralis or Apolytonia construct caravans, I leave it to the Consuls discretion as to what we should choose, but if you have any advice for him or I, please post it below

[Bloody Monk]

I recommend sending the salt to the west to find the Celts.

At this stage of the game, I have never seen salt demanded. All effort should go toward rushing vans from Apolytonia, when there is a supply, even if undemanded. OTOH, making vans in dirthole cities to be delivered on the same land mass does not hold much prospectr. We need to open the map the best way we can, by sailing toward hidden WOW cities and hoping for the best. As long as it is offshore and to an AI, we will get some benifit from trade.

But first we need more cities. If the colonies build vans now, we will languish til game's end.

Monk

[cavebear]

I think that our greatest need of the Salt Caravan is located good spots for new cities. It doesn't explore quickly, but it is the only thing we have in the area (and not as likely to be attacked as most units would be).

[Bloody Monk]

It'll be a terrible waste of 50shield investment if it does get smacked, especially considering there is a real explorer about to disembark.

If the van IS used for land exploration, what should the Caralis boat do?? Assuming it gets rehomed there, that is??

Monk

[cavebear]

If the Salt Caravan explores west (where there does not seem to be AI civ exploration based on the huts that have been found) the Explorer can check out the terrain south and east of Utica.

Do you think that Caralis can get along with having the Caravel homed to it? I'm not sure; it is a rather small city.

[Bloody Monk]

Originally posted by cavebear
If the Salt Caravan explores west (where there does not seem to be AI civ exploration based on the huts that have been found) the Explorer can check out the terrain south and east of Utica.

Do you think that Caralis can get along with having the Caravel homed to it? I'm not sure; it is a rather small city.

Change the workers from 4f/2s to 2f/4s. It is already size 2 and no longer needs to push food. With that, yes, Caralis can support the boat.

Monk

[Bloody Monk]

I didn't mention the main reason for spreading the unit support away from Apolytonia, celebration potential. Eventually we will get Sanitation and in the meantime we may pop out a settler or three from Apolytonia. With redfaces from too many units afield, no amount of Lux will allow Apol. to celebrate and grow again.

To me, this is reason enough to put a bit of pressure on the colony cities.

Monk

[cavebear]

Originally posted by Bloody Monk


Change the workers from 4f/2s to 2f/4s. It is already size 2 and no longer needs to push food. With that, yes, Caralis can support the boat.

Well, we're building a Settler there. If we make this change, then the Settler will be built before the population increases. That would leave us at 0 food and a size 1 city.

[Bloody Monk]

Originally posted by cavebear


Well, we're building a Settler there. If we make this change, then the Settler will be built before the population increases. That would leave us at 0 food and a size 1 city.

Shift to 2f/4shields AND rehome the boat to Caralis. The settler will be ready in 14 turns, just after the turn the city grows to size 3. The settler will march out and quickly build another city nearby, so if there is a zero food situation, it won't pertain for long.

Monk

[Ben Kenobi]

vans in dirthole cities to be delivered on the same land mass does not hold much prospectr.

1 extra trade/turn adds up.

[Bloody Monk]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


1 extra trade/turn adds up.

Exactly!! The 1 extra arrow/turn (minimum) from the city square of a new city adds up and continues to deliver new build orders, making settlers a much better prospect, at this stage of the game, than sending out vans from tiny colony cities.

Monk

[cavebear]

Originally posted by Bloody Monk


Shift to 2f/4shields AND rehome the boat to Caralis. The settler will be ready in 14 turns, just after the turn the city grows to size 3. The settler will march out and quickly build another city nearby, so if there is a zero food situation, it won't pertain for long.

Right. I wasn't accounting for the shield the Caravel will use up. OK.

[Sparrowhawk]

A tied poll with a day to go....I know the trade offs are many, but I hope that someone else votes...you wouldn't want your Minister of Trade deciding for you would you?

(by the way, to give you advanced preview of what my suggestion will be for our consul if the vote is tied...I voted for the Caravan to return to Caralis and be transported to Egypt to establish a trade route).

/me

[Hydey]

Originally posted by Sparrowhawk
...you wouldn't want your Minister of Trade deciding for you would you?

Yes I would

[MrWhereItsAt]

Well, this is odd... another poll I missed due to my trip away. I would vote for continuing towards the West but for one thing - how are we sure there is a good large civ anywhere clsoe by? Unless someone is reasonably certain of this through some way (60% or greater certainty, I guess), then I suggest we go back and set up with Egypt. At least we know where they are and it gets us the trade quickly, and is close to home too!

So to the Chief Scientician, my vote is to Egypt unless someone KNOWS we are going to hit a civ in the West.