AU501 - DAR2: First Dromon

[Arnelos]

AU 501, Stock game, Emperor level

STATUS AS OF 2110 BC
5 Cities, 4 Warriors, 5 Workers, 33 beakers toward Philosophy, 1 luxury (incense) hooked up, 2 granaries. Contact with Japan, Hittites, Sumeria, Egypt, Russia. Possession of Bronze Working, Masonry, Alphabet, Pottery, The Wheel, Warrior Code, Ceremonial Burrial, Iron Working, Writing, an Mysticism. Sumeria has Mathematics, but they will not sell it to me for a price I can accept.
2070 BC: Japanese coastal city's culture expands. Curragh moves south along Russian coast.
2030 BC: Caesarea completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 1), starts Granary. Constantinople expands to Pop 3. Hittites start Oracle. WF in Constantinople set to 2-15-18 (4 fpt, 5 spt). Curragh moved south along Russian coast.
1990 BC: Adrianople expands to Pop 2. Adrianople completes Warrior, starts Warrior. Russians are building the Pyramids. Curragh moving along Russian tundra coast.
1950 BC: Nicaea completes Curragh, starts Barracks. Second warrior moved into Constantinople and forted. Second Curragh moves out to explore Japanese coastline. First curragh continues south and encounters a barb galley. The MM begins... WF's in Con, Adr, and Nic all swapped around. I'm not even going to bother detailing this in the future.
1910 BC: 1st Curragh defeats barb galley. Forest chop nar Constantinople complete. Constantinople expands to Pop 4. Varna completes Warrior, starts Barracks. Nicaeae expands to Pop 2. 1st Curragh makes it around the Horn of Siberia. 2nd curragh exploring the Japanese coast.
1870 BC: 2nd Curragh explores Japanes coast. 1st curragh moves northeast on the other side of the Horn of Siberia.
1830 BC: Temple complete in Constantinople, start Settler. Warrior complete in Adrianople, start Settler. Caesarea expands to Pop 2. There are Numidian Tribes near Constantinople. 1st curagh moves NE. 2nd curragh moving south along Japanese coast and finds Kyoto.
1790 BC: Constantinople expands to Pop 5. Adrianople expands to Pop 3. Slider to 30% Tax, 70% Research (13 bpt, 4 gpt). Sell Writing to Russia for Horseback Riding. Sell Horseback Riding to Egypt for 50 Gold.
1750 BC: Egyptians are building the Oracle. Russians have completed the Pyramids. Curraghs continue exploring. Slider changed to 40% Research, 60% Tax (9 bpt, 8 gpt).
1725 BC: Philosophy research complete. Map Making research complete. Literature research started. 1st curragh headed north. 2nd curragh rounds the south end of Japan. Nicaeae switches from Barracks to Granary. Slider set to 100% Research (21 bpt, -3 gpt). Sold Horseback Riding, Iron Working, and 22 Gold to the Sumerians for Mathematics. Varna switched from Barracks to Catapult.
1700 BC: Constantinople completes Settler (shrinks to Pop 3, expands to Pop 4), starts Settler. Settler moves to found its city in the valley of tobacco to the East. Curraghs continue exploration.
1675 BC: Curraghs continue exploration. Settler moves toward site.
1650 BC: Culture of Constantinople expands. Adrianople expands to Pop 4. Japanese start The Oracle. The Sumerians start The Temple of Artemis. Sumerians complete the Oracle. Slider set to 20% Luxury, 80% Research (16 bpt, -3 gpt).
1625 BC: Adrianople completes Settler (shrinks to Pop 2), starts Barracks. Varna expands to Pop 2. Japanese start The Colossus. Smyrna built. Smyrna starts Barracks.
1600 BC: Constantinople completes Settler (shrinks to Pop 3), starts Barracks. grr.... I forgot to change my slider last turn. Slider adjusted to 100% Research (oh well). Eastern curragh finds another barb galley.
1575 BC: Forest near Constantinople chopped (10 shields toward Barracks). Curragh defeats barb galley, promoted to Vet. Egyptians start The Colossus. Heraclea built. Heraclea starts Warrior. Curragh in east suicides!!! Western curragh exploring a disastrously bad looking island (well, other than the nice bonus tiles).
1550 BC: Constantinople expands to Pop 4. Caesarea expands to Pop 3. Varna completes Catapult, starts Worker. The Hittites start The Colossus. Suicide galley in the east succeeded, found an island with sugar and horses... no AI civs yet.
1525 BC: Nicaeae completes Granary, starts Worker. Sold Writing to Egypt for 80 Gold. Curraghs continue exploring.
1500 BC: Constantinople completes Barracks, starts The Great Lighthouse. Trebizond built. Trebizond starts Worker. Curraghs explore.
1475 BC: Horses connected (the tile was already mined and is in use as one). Nicaeae completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 2), starts Barracks.
1450 BC: Caesarea completes Granary, starts Worker. Heraclea completes Warrior, starts Catapult. Exploring.
1425 BC: Exploring. Slider set to 70% Research, 30% Tax (21 bpt, 3 gpt).
1400 BC: Literature research complete, start Construction research. Constantinople expands to Pop 6. Adrianopolis completes Barracks, starts Worker. Caesarea completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 2), starts Barracks. Philosophy and Literature sold to Sumerians for Polytheism and 9 Gold. Research switched to Monarchy. Slider set to 10% Luxury, 90% Research (27 bpt, -7 gpt).
1375 BC: Smyrna expands to Pop 2. Dutch build the Colossus. Egyptians are building the Temple of Artemis. Exploring.
1350 BC: Forest chopped near Adrianople. Adrianople completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 2), starts Temple. Nicaea expands to Pop 3. Exploring.
1325 BC: Adrianople expands to Pop 3. Heraclea expands to Pop 2. Smyrna changes from building Barracks to building Harbor. Exploring.
1300 BC: 2nd Curragh sunk by barb galley. Varna completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 1), starts Catapult. Smyrna completes Harbor, starts Dromon. Exploring.
1275 BC: Nicaea completes Barracks, starts Worker. Exploring.
1250 BC: Heraclea completes Catapults, starts Catapult. Trebizond builds Worker (shrinks to Pop 1, expands to Pop 2), starts Warrior. Exploring.
1225 BC: Nicaea completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 2, expands to Pop 3), starts Temple. Caesarea expands to Pop 3. Adrianople expands to Pop 4. Slider changed to 20% Luxury, 80% Research. Exploring.
1200 BC: Forest choppe near Caesarea (helps Barracks). Varna expands to Pop 2. Forest chopped near Adrianople (helps Temple). Exploring. Sold Mathematics to Egypt for 79 Gold. Sold Mathematics to Russia for 50 Gold.
1175 BC: Caesarea completes Barracks, starts Worker. Constantinople expands to Pop 7. Japanese start the Great Lighthouse. Exploring.
1150 BC: Connected Iron. Exploring.
1125 BC: Smyrna expands to 3. Exploring. Smyrna changes production from Dromon to Temple. Exploring
1100 BC: Adrianople completes Temple, starts Swordsman. Caesarea completes Worker (shrinks to Pop 2, expands to Pop 3), starts Temple. Nicaea expands to Pop 4. Exploring.
1075 BC: Varna completes Catapult, starts Harbor. Heraclea completes Catapult, starts Catapult. Exploring.
1050 BC: First Japanese Galley spotted moving along my southern coast. Well, damn. Trebizond completes Warrior, starts Dromon. Sumerians are building the Great Library. Hittites are building the Great Lighthouse. Sold Philosophy and Literature to Russia for Code of Laws and 28 Gold. Sold Philosophy to Japan for 38 Gold. Sold Philosophy to the Hittites for 16 Gold. Sold Code of Laws to the Sumerians for 62 Gold. Exploring.
1025 BC: Japan is building the Mausoleum of Mausollus. Curragh suicies!
1000 BC: Trebizond expands to Pop 2. Nicaea completes Temple, starts Swordsman. Adrianople completes Swordsman, starts Swordsman. Hittites are building the Mausoleum of Mausollus. The Egytians are building the Mausoleum of Mausollus. The Russians are building the Great Library. Cultural influence of Adrianople expands. Exploring.
975 BC: Heraclea completes Catapult, starts on Harbor. Caesarea expands to Pop 4. Russians builing Temple of Artemis. Exploring.
950 BC: Russians demand 36 Gold (I give it to them). Egyptians demands Map Making (I give it to them). Constantinople completes The Great Lighthouse, starts on Library. Nicaea expands to Pop 5. Smyrna completes Temple, starts on Dromon. Japan starts builidng Mausolleum of Mausollus. Sumerians start builing The Hanging Gardens. Exploring.
925 BC: Adrianople expands to Pop 6. Forest chop near Heraclea (helps Harbor). Exploring. Sumeria now has Monarchy, which has reduced the price.
900 BC: Adrianople completes Swordsman, starts Swordsman. Nicaea completes Swordsman, starts Swordsman. Nicaea cultural influence expands. Exploring.
875 BC: Constantinople completes Library, starts Swordsman. Smyrna expands to Pop 4. Exploring
850 BC: Forest chopped near Heraclea (helps Harbor). Heraclea completes Harbor, starts Dromon. Barbarian camp sighted north of Smyrna (swordsman dispatched, more to follow). Slider changed to 50% Tax, 30% Research, 20% Luxury (18 bpt, 5 gpt). Exploring (2 barb galleys sighted).
825 BC: Monarchy research complete, start research of Construction. Constantinople completes Swordsman, starts Swordsman. Adrianople completes Swordsman, starts Sworsman. Nicaea expands to Pop 6. Sumerians start builing the Mausolleum of Mausollus. Exploring.

Rather critical decision point here on how to proceed. Should I use poprushing to reduce the population of my cities (while pumping out units) and high tax to fuel myself for first the Japan war, likely followed by other wars once (with reduced pop) I switch to Monarchy? Should I try to switch to monarchy now and just ride try out the anarchy period with these dangerously high populations? Could I try to wipe the Japanese out under Despotism using my dromons exclusively for amphibious attack and attempt to avoid having my GA until later? What about research? I can either go 20% Lux/80% Tax (well, under Despotism) to upgrade warriors to sworsdmen, but I'm going to need a number of units (which might as well be swordsmen) sitting at home anyhow. Should I try to research all the way to Construction (and trade for Currency) so that I can finally build the rest of my improvements, and have a reasonably happy and large population? I'll take some time to think on it. Suggestions welcome.

Stopping at this point (I complete my first Dromon next turn), I'm #1 in population (1,154,000), #1 in GNP (57 million), and #1 in Mfg goods (53 megatons). In fact, I've been #1 in production for as long as I can remember and #1 in population for a rather long time. The #1 in GNP is quite recent, however.

What I have:

8 Cities (with 34 pop points)
13 Workers
9 Warriors
5 Swordsmen
5 Catapults
1 Curragh
Techs: All ancient techs other than Republic, Construction, and Currency
Gov't: Despotism (Monarchy research completed this turn)
Contacts: Japan, Hittites, Sumeria, Egypt, Russia
Wonders of the World: The Great Lighthouse
City Improvements:
4 Barracks
4 Granaries
4 Temples
1 Library
2 Harbors

[cracky]

AU 501 DAR 2 2150BC to First Dromon -Monarch, standard rules


2110: Constantinople builds settler, starts on another one (5 turns). This settler is going south west to the shielded grassland closest to Japan.

1990: Caesarea built and worker begun there. The two workers are mining the grassland just north of Caesarea before becoming a road crew for the settlers headed south-east for the incense and game. After this next settler from Constantinople I think I need a third worker.

1950: Adrianople builds settler and starts on second curragh. This settler is headed north for the hills by the gold. I don’t really want a city that close to Adrianople, but if the shoe fits…

1830: Nicaea founded on the northernmost hill and begins a warrior.

1790: Constantinople builds a worker who heads north to improve Nicaea. The first curragh built has located Japan, the empty island north of Japan and an island west of that. Still no other contacts.

1750: Second curragh built in Adrianople which switches to a worker. Since the last curragh went west, this one heads east.

1725: Varna built one tile west of the incense and worker begun. Right now I have three workers and five cities, with Caesarea one turn from completing a worker and Adrianople 2 turns away.

1675: Sumeria contacted to the East. I have The Wheel while they have Masonry and Mysticism. (one turn to go on writing.) Japan has Iron Working.

1650: Check back with Sumeria after completing writing. Strange, now they’re up by Masonry and Mysticism. How did they get The Wheel and Writing in one turn? The only thing I can think of is that I accidentally gifted them The Wheel which I’m 99% sure I didn’t do. Trade Japan Iron Working for writing. 13 turns until philosophy…

1550: Smyrna founded. Looks like there’s only room for two more cities on the home continent. Oops, forgot I got Iron Working from Japan… Trade it to Sumeria for Mysticism and 64 gold.

1450: Contact the Dutch: Trade CB for Masonry. They have map making, I have The Wheel and Mysticism. They won’t go for a trade… bastards.

1400 Heaclea founded to the east by all that tasty tobacco.

1350: Philosophy done. Turned out I was the first to get it and took Polytheism as my free tech. The Dutch take Math and Philosophy for MM and 35 gold. Japan gives up Horseback Riding and 4 gold for Masonry and Mysticism. Sumeria takes Philosophy and HR for Math and 19 gold. So now I have at least a one tech lead on everyone with Japan way in the back.

1300: First worker (the 10th) put on automate/no changes (I know, I know)

1175: First Dromon started in Adrianople. English contacted after one heck of a suicide run by my first curragh. I’m up at least three techs.

1150: Woot! Our glorious Byzantine civilization is the happiest nation on earth! Mayans contacted. Up at least three techs here as well…

1100: French contacted. Up at least 4 techs.

975BC: First Dromon built in Adrianople. I have only three warriors built to upgrade to swordsmen. Constantinople is building a barracks and then swordsmen. I have several cities working on temples, but I think I’ll switch those to barracks and get busy on some Japan bashing. Hopefully this campain will be over before Japan gets map making...

Overview: I have seven cities, ten workers. Almost every worked tile is improved. I’m about to gear up for an elimination war with Japan. I’ll do this before settling the two islands to the west. 14 turns until Monarchy. I have contact with 6 other Civs, and have between a tech parity and a large tech advantage over them all

Again, any and all advice is appreciated. I just recently moved up to monarch after getting a little bored with the easy wins on Regent. So far I haven't quite adjusted to the greater number of units the AI is likely to have on Monarch which leads to under-manned invasions. Hopefully it won't happen this time.

[cracky]

...and of course, here's the screenshot. I know it looks crappy, but I can't quite figure out what I'm doing wrong tonight.

[Smellincoffee]

In 2110 BC, the ice finally thawed over Byzantium. (Meaning, I got tired of having to right-click to find my bonus grassland, so I abandoned the beautiful winter terrain). That year, the Year of Elation, contact with Gilgamesh of Ur was made. Gilgamesh did not know how to write, and the captain on the Adrianople eagerly exchanged that ability for his pottery and masonry techniques. Gradually, our explorers made contacts with other city-states, but it was soon revealed that Gilgamesh was their virtual king, demanding taxes and men from them. The kingdom of Gilgamesh was referred to in the Byzantine logbooks as "Sumeria".

In 1790, the people of Adrianople attempted to revolt. This was probably due to a lack of military in the city. Troops in the Great Big Swamp were ordered to the city.

In 1675, the crew of the Adrianople made contact with the man who called himself "Merciless". He knew nothing interesting.

Fifty years later, as another settlement was founded, the crew of the Caesarea made contact with the Japanese, trading them masonry and gold for "The Wheel".

The Sumerians soon discovered the art of mapmaking. Lord Smellincoffey was highly irritated, history records. In fact, some say he was throwing darts at a crude likeness of Gilg.

In 1300, the crew of the Constantinople fought off two attacks by "massive boats of war", the log records. How on earth could barbarians have better ships than the sealoving Byzantines? The goverment in Constantiniople decided on a course of action. Their diplomats got King Gilg a wee bit snookered and he agreed to sell the Byzantines advanced shipmaking-- and mapmaking-- skills for "the wheel" and gold.

In 1250, the crew of the Adrianople discovered the land of Egypt. According to the first officer's log, they were "pretty freakin' dumb". The captain sold the Byzantine alphabet to the Egyptians for their mysticism.

In 1200, the Constantinople won another battle.

In 1150, the crew of the Theodora discovered a "northwest passage" -- relativly tame seas that cut through the turbulent oceans.

In 1125, contact was made with a strange man named Rus. He had an even stranger wife named "Catherine". Rus seemed to be out of it, so the diplomats on the Adrianople spoke with her. She, however, knew nothing.

In 1100, the Year of Rot and Death, the Nicaea sank just outside the shorewaters of her namesake. The military regent of Nicaea commented "Ouch."

In 1075, the crew of the Theodora used the "northwest passage"-- now known as the "Passage of Theodora"-- and found coast.

In 1025, the Theodora discovered the Mayans. They knew iron-working. The Theodoran crew taught them how to write down the instructions. While that happened, two barbarian warships attacked the Theodora, now manned by a skeleton crew. However, the crew won the day.

In 1000 BC, the first Byzantine warship was produced, the Varna.

---------------------

In 975, the Second Year of Rot and Death, the Adrianople was sunk by a barbarian galley.
In 950, the Third Year of Rot and Death, the Theodora was sunk outside of English shores. The [i]Smyrna[i] was built.
In 900, the Fourth Year of Rot and Death, the Caesarea was sunk trying to find the Passage of Thedora. The Great Volcano of Adrianople suddenly erupted as the news was given. Also, Merciless VIII demanded mysticism. Smellincofficus is said to have said "stuff it!" Merciless declared war on the Autocracy (as it was known then), and Smellincofficus had a fit laughing.
In 825, the Year of Way-Bad News, philosophy was discussed among Constantinople's elite. Nothing resulted from the discussions, leading Smellincofficus to believe that his people were clueless. (I didn't get it first! What the?!)

Picture to come soon.

[jshelr]

Due to the power of the early boat that sounds like you are clearing your throat, we were ahead of Dom's schedule well before our first strange smoke spewing Dromon.

Met Gilgamesh in 2350 BC trading the wheel for pottery and 10 gold. Gil thinks we are an easy mark and turns cautious from annoyed.

Switch capital from barracks to granary.

Exploration shows lots of land empty to the west. That raises the question of whether to race for early claim on that land or concertrate on eating the Japanese.

Trade with Japan for mysticism in 2150 and finally see the horse hiding under the capital's star

Also found out we can't enter the ocean. Good mod change, I presume.

1950 the guys already have writing

Trade mysticism for it and start philosophy at 100% = 47 turns. That will come down quickly.

Met Thebes in 1600 BC. They have all tech but wheel, LoL. Gil's got literature in 1525, illustrating the changes in the mod.

Russia met in 1500 BC. All boats sunk in 1450 as the barbarian technology is leading edge in boat building at this point.

Summaria has math 1325
Japan has code in 1300
Egypt has poly in 1200

Hittites demanded gold so I bribed Sumeria into an alliance in 1175. They can't get over here and the war might bleed both of them for awhile.

We got Philosophy and refilled our Grey Goose glass in 1100. We traded around the wheel before choosing our next tech, which was maps. So, we have our tech lead.

Set Republic at 50 and decided to put a few settlements on the isle to the west while mostly concentrating on the Japs. Dad would approve of that strat.

Building swords and pumping settlers. We have built cities on the coast to get max ability to build boats.

Having fun.

[jshelr]

So, what I was planning to do with my strange UU was to wait until currency was available and then trigger a republican golden age, to hasten the building of markets and slingshot into the next era.

Here's what's happened:

On the better to be lucky than skillful front, we saved the hut in the northern swamp for a long while and got horseback riding from it in the end.

That was in 975 BC, and we were pumping workers in the granary capital to attack the swamp.

We decided not to explore and concentrated on settlers and attacking Japan.

No one is building the Statue of Z

In 690 BC Gil offer 300 gold to continue the useless alliance against the Hittities. Helpful

Trade russia for Republic in 670 BC and, more luck, only a 3 turn anarchy ensues.

So, we declared on Japan in 590 BC and, thanks to my brilliant leadership, or, more probably, the fact that Japan has no resources, the battle was decidedly one-sided.

Did you know that galleys could deliver two loads of two units per turn if the distance travelled is short enough?

Satusma falls in 510BC. The Dutch show up in 310
BC and are the tech leaders soon after.

Statue of Zues started in 270BC.

Decided to take a GA in 210 BC.

Japan will be gone in a few turns, although we are going slow in hopes one of the elites will produce a leader. The GA should help trade for currency and build markets.

Going well. Having fun. Madam is threatening the vodka bottle and, I think, might want to eat dinner at table. Good night.

[Master Zen]

Originally posted by jshelr

Hittites demanded gold so I bribed Sumeria into an alliance in 1175. They can't get over here and the war might bleed both of them for awhile.

Hope that doesn't backfire. Sumeria has iron, Hittites don't. In my last turn I have a Dromon parked right near the chokepoint spying on the war and it seems Sumeria is going to get a smashing victory...

[ZargonX]

Hope that doesn't backfire. Sumeria has iron, Hittites don't. In my last turn I have a Dromon parked right near the chokepoint spying on the war and it seems Sumeria is going to get a smashing victory...

You know, I was doing that in my game too; just sitting a dromon at the chokepoint watching them fight back and forth. I thought the Sumerians had the clear advantage, with Med. Infs. and Pikes, but the Hittites had a neverending stream of 3-man chariots that somehow managed to hold the Sumer back. Of course, things went even more in their favor after I invaded Sumeria

[Master Zen]

DAR 2 - AU Mod / Demigod

Well, nothing much exciting happened during this time other than contact with the Sumerians, Hittites, Egyptians and Russians as well as become the tech leader of my part of the known world after some smart trades.

To start, on the last turn of the last DAR (2150 BC), I founded Nicaea, in a prime spot for building the Great Lighthouse which I figure will be vital for this game (5 turn Dromons with sea access!!!).

Military

This period witness my first "mini-campaign" against a pesky barb camp smack in the marshlands. My expedionary force was a pair of vet Archers and a regular Warrior. They fought off 3 enemy warriors and 2 horses before taking the camp. I didn't lose any of them although many were at 1-HP which made me have to stop and heal about two times before approaching the camp. Unfortunately, there were no promotions.

City Placement

Perhaps the only interesting thing to discuss was my city placement. I've seen a lot of rather loose spacing from some of the other DARs and I'm rather surprised that knowing how little space we have people did not try to max out as many cities as they could. Land isn't fabulous but there are plenty of hills, forests and mountains which means that most cities can develop pretty good production, at least for ancient and early-medieval standards. Obviously the problem with a tight build is that it limits growth once your cities are in the teens but given the difficulty level I'd rather sacrifice that for early power, translating it to more room to grow in the future.

My cities built were:

Vardna - 1750 BC - Built to get the Incense and the western whale
Smyrna - 1650 BC - Good spot in the east
Heraclea - 1500 BC - Built to take back the BG that the Japanese had swallowed with their border
Trebizond - 1325 BC - Can you say gold hill and mountain??
Chalcedon - 1300 BC - Built to take advantage of the eastern whale
Sardica - 1100 BC - Good spot for a naval producing city since it can't really do much else

There are plans for 2 more cities, one being built 2 from the marsh fish and the other built 7 from the same tile. The settler for the first city is already built and should reach the tile just as soon as the workers clear it.

Thus, in total I managed to fit in 12 cities in the home island. Let's see if my gamble pays off.

Diplomacy

The only other interesting thing was the tech trades. I went for Writing with the hope that I could whore it with my newly-discovered neighbors. My first trade was with Japan, got The Wheel+Mysticism+80g for Writing. After that, I went for Philosophy and with it, hopefully, a free tech. I got Philo in 1050 BC but to my dismay, no free tech (damn demigod) but I was still able to whore it very very very nicely. I had discovered Egypt at this time and the trades for Philo were:

Japan - Polytheism+17g
Sumeria - IW+Masonry+194g
Hittites - Math+14g
Egypt - HBR+275g

In 975 BC I got contact with Russia, I traded Philo for MapMaking, and later traded MM with the Hittites for Literature.

Amazing all you can do with just one tech

By now I was the tech leader and doing Currency. I immediately switched Nicaea to the GL. My first dromon had to wait a little while before it rolled off the shipyards of Caesaria but lo and behold, by 875 BC the Dromon HMS Conqueror had been built, and with it, the birth of the Royal Byzantine Navy.

[Dominae]

Set Republic at 50 and decided to put a few settlements on the isle to the west while mostly concentrating on the Japs. Dad would approve of that strat.

[ducki]

I can't think of a good place to ask this, so here goes -
I've invaded Japan and have their two hill/mountain cities still to take which shouldn't take long, since my first Crusaders are coming out now.

I just got a MGL and, while an army would be nice, I am 99% sure I won't be doing any conquering before knights are quite obsolete.

I'm thinking a second core this early(well, not that early, but it's around 200AD, I think and I'm researching Printing Press to nab and switch to democracy really quick, noone has Education yet and noone has Gunpowder yet) - anyway, I'm thinking I'd like to get another core online and Japan being the most logical choice, I was wondering which exJapanese town you would put your FP in if you were going to do that?

I have two towns with homeland borderlock on the island to Byzantium's W-NW and 3 towns with all but two tiles on the island south of Hittites(bastards nabbed that one tile of tundra on the far southwest corner. grr).

So, corruption-gurus, which japanese city makes the most sense?

If it's a better idea, I can go start a "help me out" spoiler-containing thread for anyone else that has minor questions like this.

[steven8r]

DAR2 AU501

Edit: Regular game, Emperor /edit

I'm not sure how far (what dates) this thread is supposed to encompass, but I'll post what I've done so far--and in a much less detailed maner than in DAR1.

At the end of DAR1, I had 1 other city and a slight Barb problem. Well, since then, I got Constantinople up and running and turned on the Pump. I put down 5 more cities (7 total) and produced some Workers and a few Warriors to escort my Settlers through the 'problem areas' of my island. I finally got some releif from the RNG when a couple of Barbs slew themselves against my Forted Warr on a Hill. (about time I won a Barb Battle!!!).

I made several Curraghs and started exploring coast lines. Met Japan then Hittites and Sumeria, as well as discovered the 2 vacant, jungle islands to the Northwest.

I managed to purchase Writing from the Hittites about 6 turns before I could research it and went for Philo as vigorously as I could. Building Workers and Settlers helped keep my pop low and thus less dependant on the Lux Slider.

I made some suicide runs w/ my Curraghs and low, and behold, they were just that--suicide. (What must I do to appease the RNG gods?!?!?!) However, just as one sunk, I somehow got contact w/ Dutch.

I got Philo and chose MM as my freebie--got to make Dromons after all. Turns-out, this wasn't the best choice. Hittites already had MM, but hadn't traded it to anyone. I traded it like a madman and with that and Philo, achieved tech parity and started building Harbors.
Note to self: Curraghs CAN'T carry units, Galleys/Dromans CAN--remember this.
I didn't even think about sending-out Settlers until I started seeing Japanese and Sumerian Galleys heading for the NW Island. Time to play catchup. I didn't have any Curraghs to upgrade (have I mentioned my bad luck w/ the RNG yet?) so I quickly built enough to send some Settlers and Spears to the NW Islands also.

It seems that the Black Death has struck 2 of my cities--just as I'm trying to build units to send w/ my Settlers. (Bad RNG!) (Note the Skulls and Vultures on Caesarea and Heraclea below)

It turns-out that it only lasted a few turns and all was OK.

The Volcano errupted twice now. The first time it just polluted itself, the second time it got one of my roads, but I had another and was able to clean it up. It seems the Japanese Volcano has errupted 3 or 4 times now--sucks to be them!

Founded Trebizond on NW Island and poped Construction from a hut! WooHoo!!!

Through my trading, I managed to start building ToA and MoM. However, I managed Literature and changed MoM to GL--and got it!! I was building the ToA and someone else got it so I looked in the Build box and, what's that, SoZ in 1 turn..... Guess what I did, thanks to Fine Ivory from Japan

About this time, the Dutch got all upity (just because their Galleys can move 1 more AND survive in Sea squares) and tried to extort some gold from me. They became all upset and declared war on me. Not having many land units, I concentrated my builds on Dromons. (Nice boat that Dromon!) I managed to hold-off conflict until after the GL got Monarch and Republic (from the Dutch no less), and switched to Monarchy. A Dutch Galley made the mistake of attacking a 2x Dromon stack. Even though he was Elite and I was only Vet, the first D bombed him and the second took him out trigering my GA.

Spend the GA building Markets and Libraries (as well as a few more Dromons). Only 1 Dutch Galley made it to my Island w/ troops--which the AC from SoZ quickly dispatched. I sent most of my Dromons to Netherlands to intercept thier Attack forces. I sent a few others out exploring. 1 found the Egyptians and Russians, another found Maya, England, and France. The French are waaaay behind--I gave them a tech just cause I felt sorry for them.

One of my cities on NW Island (placed to nab Iron from Sumerian city) Flipped! Not sure I'm liking the Sumerians. I'll let them live awhile longer while I build-up my military.

Managed to make lots of gold via tech trades. Finally made peace w/ Dutch for as much gold as they had. Sumer and Hittites have fought each other twice now.

I learned Chivalry from GL about 4 turns before I could finish it. Started Theology. However my GA has ended and I'm researching slowly again. Started building SunTsu's, might switch it to Leo's--not sure yet.

Anyway, I came back from a fairly bad start, I just have to keep the momentum going.

[jshelr]

"So, corruption-gurus, which japanese city makes the most sense?"

I don't qualify to answer as a guru, but my guess was that it was best to choose a site nearest to the homeland -- the one with the ivory. (That was partly due to reduced turns to build it, however, and you don't have that problem with a leader.) It will be interesting to see how others place a Japanese island FP.

[jshelr]

In my game, the French were destroyed in 30BC and soon after I was able to trade mono for engineering and then flip engineering to the Dutch for Feudalism, adding some gold and 0-extra horses and ivory.

The Dutch promptly started Statue of Zeus and I remembered that they might get a SGL -- still probably it was worth it to get Feudalism since we have only 4 turns to Statue of Z.

Volcano killed off a city on the NW island that was stupidly placed too close to it.

We puttered along until 320 AD, building temples, aqueducts, harbors, and markets in most cities during a GA. Then, lacking completely any research infrastructure, we focused on military. The attack on the Hittites in 320AD was accompanied by a cheap alliance with Sumeria (110 gold), using the Dromon units to bombard the horse resource and a stack of pikes, MI, elite swords, and few ancient cavs. We took a city and starved it down to 1 while using the attacking Hittite archers as elite target practice. Finally got a leader, which I should have used to complete the Japanese FP, but it seemed more fun to make an army and go for complete domination of the Hittites, followed by an attack on Sumeria.

We seem to be falling well behind the Dutch on buying techs. I used to think this was a big deal, but lately it has not mattered much. I'm going to be shocked, shocked, if the Dutch don't wander around in the Nationalism, Commie, fascism line and steal ToE from us.

We're number one in all categories except lit on f11. We're last on that category

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by jshelr
"So, corruption-gurus, which japanese city makes the most sense?"

I don't qualify to answer as a guru, but my guess was that it was best to choose a site nearest to the homeland -- the one with the ivory. (That was partly due to reduced turns to build it, however, and you don't have that problem with a leader.) It will be interesting to see how others place a Japanese island FP.

I built in Edo (?, the Japanese capital). That is a nice city site, and is on a river with access to several bonuses and a couple of hills.