Trade: 1863 AD

[Sparrowhawk]

Our intrepid explorer Carvan has set out on the long voyage to the Celtic lands with the hope of establishing an additional trade route with the people we know of as the "Celts".

My question for the populace is:
Should we establish a trade route with the first city we encounter or scout around for our best option?

My own inclination is to establish the route at first opportunity (hopefully before anyone gets any ideas about sinking any more of our navy) and then have the ship return home (by a different route) exploring more of the sea on the way home.

What say you all?
(3 days to vote)

[cavebear]

I think our Bead Caravel should do some limited exploring to find a good sized city (and maybe a poll to decide the size that is acceptable for me to trade with is a good idea). I'd hate to be required to drop our cargo in so size 1-3 city when there was a 12 around the corner (so to speak. But equally, I wouldn't want to risk our precious Bead Caravan long. Perhaps I should veer slightly away from Rhayader to see if a city closer to the top of the Celt city-list (and presumably larger) appears as "closest city".

[rjmatsleepers]

Originally posted by cavebear
I think our Bead Caravel should do some limited exploring to find a good sized city (and maybe a poll to decide the size that is acceptable for me to trade with is a good idea). I'd hate to be required to drop our cargo in so size 1-3 city when there was a 12 around the corner (so to speak. But equally, I wouldn't want to risk our precious Bead Caravan long. Perhaps I should veer slightly away from Rhayader to see if a city closer to the top of the Celt city-list (and presumably larger) appears as "closest city".

I agree with this except that I would use the van to do the limited exploration to find a city. Whether we trade with the first city really depends on how big it is. If it's less than size 3 I'd spend a little time looking for another. If it's size 8 or bigger I'd trade. If it's in between I'd say I'm glad its not my job to make these decisions.

RJM at Sleeper's

[atomant]

what the bear wsaid, explore for a touch, send the caravel home, then let the van do a little exploring to find a right sized city.