A Classical Diplo?

[Zylka]

change is good for some, especially in fiction..

as for yours - if you don't want Africa there, why not just lop it off and put more focus into middle europe?

[atawa]

I would be interested in a diplo but the only time I can commit for a longrunning game is Euro weekday evenings.

Sounds interesting though, I would prefer to play either the Dutch on the euro map or else the Celts on the other map.

/me

[Zylka]

Ok. Rise of Lesser Europe: The map

[Zylka]

The file

[Zylka]

~The civs~

[Zylka]

Dutch, Belgian, or Luxembourg

A nice, even yet defensive home pocket - all three of these choices rest with naval ability for interaction in the near British atlantic - as well as the snaking mid continent body.

The Dutch have the clear initial advantage resource wise of the three, with a whale and silk - and they also have quick and easy access to the Atlantic for any planned off-shore exploits. Belgian location suggests a quick route exploit of northern France as home - while still maintaining dominancy of the *near* east from any severe Dansish/Polish approaches. The Luxembourgers are a specialty choice - movemnt to nearby specials would likely be followed up by a sudden claim to thwart Sicilian/Corsican/Sardinian claims to the rich, defensive Alps region.

[Zylka]

Basque or Portugese

At first glance - not much is seen as benefit of this pick, but what lies just outside of the mainland grasp is near assured for one or the other choice. Portugal is a super defensive, isolationist power with a rich, medium sized offshore island to offset relative distance from thick grasslands. One playing Portugal is almost sure to capitalize at least a third of the hospitable North Africa, after a quick boatload is made across the Gibraltar straight.

The Basque will likely take on an entirely different settlement tactic - assured control of the rich south of France and biding claims for the rest of the east with (Orange) and (White). At the same time, they can be near sure to leave behind dry Spain and its rich island for eventual return when things get cramped and hostile in the east. North Africa is further away and into (White) hands, but still an option.

[Zylka]

~

[Zylka]

Sicilian, Corsican, or Sardinian

A trade friendly spot for anyone who wishes to control the mediterranean and have southern access to the inner snakeway - these picks are a little isolated initially but do not remain traditionally as islands. Sicily is the bulk spot focusing on the connected mainland - with a fair start of a whale and a fish to make use of. The Sardinans have two near spot choices combining a whale and pheasant (between 2 whales, 1 pheasant) - and are logical for quick land passage to the Tunis area or route to the mainland. Corsica focuses more on the mediterranean shore, with direct route to the rich Marseilles/Nice/Monaco area. All are varying degrees of desired isolation or expansion.

[Zylka]

Serbian, Turkish, or Israeli

Greatest range in choice; these options offer either a head on, interactive and assertive Serbian force, a midway & conservative yet still able Turkish Empire; or a chance to re-create Israeli history in less than conventional location.

Serbians should be considered only by one able of direct conflict - as run ins with the near all mainland civs are possibility by many a shared border (especially the Ukranians). They are a little cramped in comparison to other mainlands, but opportunity to leave the Turkish hills and middle east for late colonization is option - although proportional to (White) and Ukranian aims.

The Turkish are pseudo isolationist - but will see a fair bit of contest between (White) and the Ukranians. A more assured dominance of the middle east and even Egypt is seen with them.

Israeli's are the toughest choice by far - able and beneficial only by hands of some of the most specialty method players. Early isolationist can only be applied in description - as their specific type, location and amount of growth space can in time skyrocket to the top and expand outwards with dominance.

[Zylka]

Irish, Scottish, Welsh

If one plans not to have super large trade hubs with one of these civs, there is little room for option elsewhere. Differences between civs here are mainly roleplying, added that the well centered Welsh only recieve a whale in vicinty, the Irish a whale and nearby coal - and the distant Scots a pheasant and wine. Each option should be looking for early claims in Brittany and even West Scandanavia; lest the isles and their bonus surrounders seem enough territory to please.

[Zylka]

Polish, Danish, or Lithuanian

One of the most well rounded of colors, choices under purple provide for a larger, more army based culture with adequate navy and trade. The Danish option is for one adament on settling Scandanavia with little contest - yet willing to (an extent) set the vast green fields of greater Euope temporarily aside. The Polish are highest recommendation of choice, not only for secure and prosperous chance of radial growth - but to preserve balance of claims in central Europe. Lithuania is choice for those always fearing the great Eastern tide - a slight benefit in direction of settling European areas open for the Ukraines; yet at definite cost of westward expansion.

[Zylka]

Ukrainians

Last and certainatly not least - the all powerful, mega populous Ukraine. Of course this isn't definite outcome of such location, but the vast open fields of the breadbasket open for settlement & accented by rich food resources suggest so. Even with modifications making the eastern north far less hospitable - this civ will likely still take crown in land area as well. The only problem is trade bonus, so one had best be looking for offshore exploits and general fear to make up the difference. The Ukraine are quite able to control the Eastern half of the snakeway with an iron fist - for instance; so don't rule it out as a techburb quite yet.

(I as well might add one or two hill islands in the Caspian for those fish - for contest between the Ukraine and [Blue] - ideas?)

[Zylka]

~

[Prometheus]

I would like to play.

I can only play Sunday though.