Mrs Mongol's Gold - A Crazy Succession Game

[La Fayette]

I'm back, and ready to play tomorrow morning.

[Scouse Gits]

The summer palace in the land of Mrs Mongol was situated north west of the capital during the early AD centuries. It was traditional that monarchs stayed here prior to a coronation so that the first entrance to the capital as ruler was part of an elaborate celebration procession. King Git 2 knew differently! This delay was to allow the civil servants time to prepare for a new administration. Old scrolls could be updated, embarrassing ones lost and convenient ones created.

The King's reign was a mere 12 hours old as he took breakfast on the large terrace of the summer palace overlooking the whale rich waters of the west. After eating he turned his gaze south in the direction of No Decorum wondering why such a potentially trade powerful city was so small. Great civilisations have bustling, self-confident capitals not modest towns that sprawled at random. "Damn tradition" he muttered. "Driver, prepare my chariot - I am going to meet the High Council before they expect me so don't spare the horses!"

A strengthening sun glistened off the Colossus - the King wished the monolith would turn botanical but the monument just sneered back at him. Turning into South Gold Street the offices Government House came into view. An imposing building inspired by both Greek and Roman architecture. Alas its contents contained neither the philosophical wisdom of the former nor the opulence of the latter. The girl at reception gasped "It's the King!"

All advisors were immediately summoned. They handed over their status reports for their respective departments. The King read them avidly. An hour later Git 2 summoned them again to listen to his analysis.

"We have the makings of a great empire, but we seem to be determined to avoid success. We are only strong when we must be supreme. For a start it would be helpful if the Science Ministry talked to those in Foreign Affairs. We are currently researching Seafaring - our foes the Egyptians have this secret along with two others we lack - University and Banking. No Decorum could well use a Bank. For the first part of my reign turn Science to zero and let the enemy be our researchers. We will boost our gold reserves so we may purchase some yellow real estate. The construction of cities along the coast facing Egypt will ensure that diplomats have easy access to this precious goal. When we have acquired tech from our opponents we turn research on, as Navigation is a key advance.

I am well aware of the plans for Operation Blooming Ruskie. The Gardens would be nice, but until Caravels are available the geography of the world is against us. Triremes will have to cross too much open water to be sure of safe passage. Modern boats will sail direct and will carry a greater payload. The Moscow plot must wait for Navigation.

Our capital is small and should grow. I'm not sure why commodity caravans are mothballed here. They should be used for trade. Wonders must be built with food caravans so supply commodities are not wasted.

To the west of here we have a vast river with minimal expansion along its course. A sleaze along this waterway will help us become mighty, then supreme.

Good luck with your duties. Extract tribute and gifts regularly. May the spirit of Mrs. Mongol be amongst you all"

And so it came to pass that the techs of Seafaring, Banking, University, Navigation and Bridge Building became known. The enemy cities of Byblos and Memphis were seduced by diplomats' coins. (The latter bribed for 180 with settler, city walls, market and barracks - plus choice of tech - was a bargain ) 250 gold was obtained by diplomacy, whilst trade brought in over 400. Seven cities were founded, amongst them Summer Palace where the King preferred to reside … away from bronze statues! No Decorum became size 8 with a food surplus and a bank. A vet caravel in South Whales is ready for Russian action. By the end of his reign the King handed over a civilisation at the top of the powergraph.

A note for the successor to the throne: No Decorum will only celebrate with an even number of citizens.

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SG(2)

[Scouse Gits]

The order reads as follows:

1) La Fayette
2) Julius
3) SG[1]
4) Straybow
5) SG(2)

Messer Niccolò is on holiday for 10 days will slot in on his return.

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SG(2)

[La Fayette]

Mysterious events in the summer palace:
A bunch of charming young ladies in deep blue uniforms, said to be very clever at poisoning and sabotaging, have been seen in the backyards. No bloodshed, nothing clear, only one thing for sure: Lafayette Khan comes to power.

He admires the wide ocean and says: 'I had a dream...our coneheads are now at work researching Physics and we already know a lot in the field of Iron Working. This should allow us to have a look at Magnetism quite soon and then be able to build some of those mighty Frigates. My friend Magellan Khan agrees to give high speed capacities to those frigates if we manage to build 8 caravans in the meantime.'
No one has anything to say against Lafayette Khan's dream (and the charming young ladies are not far away).
Lafayette Khan also has a look at the beautiful crusaders under building in South Wales and nearby and he says: 'Jesus' (in fact I am not sure he said 'Jesus' )'you crusaders look mighty and intelligent; why lose your time and energy fighting the Russians in the deep south?; I shall give you 2 caravels and you shall sail towards Egypt where the fat city of Thebes is waiting for you with wonderful Pyramids inside'.
Short log:
720AD: Physics discovered, Magnetism researched
740AD: Hut gives NON crusader
820AD: Hut gives Chemistry
880AD: Magellan high speed wonder built; Mongol crusaders 2 squares from Thebes.

[Scouse Gits]

OK Julius - you are on next.

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SG(2)

[Straybow]

Oh well.

The spirit of Straybow hovers over No Decorum, consulting with the spirit of SG(2). "I didn't think I needed to mention the tip of continent #8 to the south, which the seers of Blackclick clearly showed made a coastal route to our Slavic enemies…"

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Isn't it generally true of nonrepresentative governments that celebration is unfeasible for odd-numbered sizes above 8ish? Usually it takes way too high a percentage. Once I was experimenting with Fundies and I couldn't make my capital celebrate at 13, even at 80% lux. As other cities grew from 10 to 11 they dropped out, too. Not all the size 9 cities would celebrate.

[Scouse Gits]

The "odd citizen city" refusing to celebtrate is well known. This is not affected by the government in place. The problem arises when there are generally 12 - 50 cities. In Democracy this can be overcome by building a courthouse. In all other governments (including demo) by having wonders such as CfC OR THE HANGING GARDENS

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Both Gits dropping hints for future games

[Straybow]

I don't recall having the problem in my normal games where I either stay in Rep or (rarely) go Dem. Do the extra black faces over 50 cities somehow undo the effect?

[Julius Brenzaida]

Ok, I am going to screw, er play this one.
What's more, STYOM isn't there to help me with my republican ideas

[Scouse Gits]

Get to it Julius
There's nothing wrong at all in becoming a Republic at the right time At the wrong time it can cause problems which take centuries to put right.

Straybow

The figures used above are only estimates. It is my understanding that celebrating with an odd number of citizens is a problem when the first one is a red face. To bring the capital from 6 to 8 I joined two settlers in the same turn. At size 7 there were 3 happy faces and four content (even with luxuries at 70% - but remember only a maximum of double city luxuries are ever applied by the game) At size 8 there were 4 happy and four content. Somewhere there is a thread about this topic

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SG(2)

[Straybow]

OK, that was my conclusion way back in '98 when I couldn't get the capital to celebrate at size 13. I saw that no matter what my trade and lux, the effects were never more than 2xSize. Sücks. I can see making it take more lux after a certain point, but not a hard cutoff.

[Julius Brenzaida]

Ok, I will try to play this evening or tomorrow morning
I've already played for 2 succession games today

[Julius Brenzaida]

880ad. Well, the whole world is watching me, at least the whole Gits world !
900ad. According to LaFayette’s plan, we capture Thebes and the Pyramids and the Great Library. The wealthy city was only defended by 3 warriors ! El-Amarna and Pi-Ramseses are also incited to revolt, for good measure.
920ad. We discover Magnetism.
960ad. Engineering from GL.
1060ad. Feudalism discovered. No Decorum now size 12.
1080ad. Get Whale founded. Heliopolis walls sabotaged and city captured.

[Julius Brenzaida]

That were my 10 turns of fame. A small force (2 dips and 3 crusaders) is heading for the Russians. It should be able to take a city by surprise, providing this one has no city walls. The Egyptians are down and should be finished soon. I’ve started building Sun Tzu ...
Here is the saved game.

[Scouse Gits]

Calling all RODENTS
Time for Republic?

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SG(2)