AU501 - DAR4: Steam Power

[DrSpike]

A neat analysis. I also use 2 turn pumps if the situation warrants it. Here I decided the early 5 turn pumps would fit nicely into the game. Support costs were beginning to bite just as I bumped the capital to 12, which is as it should be.

[Hermann the Lombard]

AU501 – DAR4 Stock, Merely Monarch

570 BC - A quiet century followed the frenzied period of First Contacts. In this year the other exploring Dromon becomes elite…but RS Primus--First Curragh of the Eastern Roman Empire--is in trouble, fleeing before one lousy Jute Conscript Galley. The elderly boat is leaking from every seam, badly damaged by prior barbarous attacks. We hope for a long pursuit, as opposed to a noble death for the heroic crew.

490 BC – THE GREAT LIGHTHOUSE! Now RS Primus can out-run the Jute!

470 – Sumer has caught up in tech, lacking only Construction but having Monarchy (which Gilgamesh will not trade). Send Mysticism to the Dutch for 110gp, and Lit to the Maya for 280gp (at least three AI are already building the Great Library). Send CoL to Russia for 80gp, and to Japan for 20gp (all they have). No one will agree to gpt deals. Establish Embassy with Maya: Size 8, Pyramids, Artemis in 13. Embassy w/Dutch: Size 8, Colossus and Mausoleum, building Barracks (hmm…).

390 – RS Quintus—the other surviving curragh—sinks two barb galleys and is now a Vet.

370 – Currency -> Middle Ages -> Feudal Now, should Byzantium be a Republic or a Monarchy. Theodora likes the idea of being Queen, and fighting will soon be necessary, but the commercial interests and the cities are clamoring for Republic. Advisors point out that a Republic will send more gold to Theodora’s treasury. Theodora is fond of gold. Well, let’s see what tech I can trade for. Trebizond finishes 4th Catapult, starts Library. We need Settlers!

350 – Everyone in the world is working on GL and GW, so only the Statue of Zeus seems in reach. Sight Sumerian colonists landing on West Island. (The silly creatures colonize the base of the volcano; seers predict fiery doom!) Theodora is hostess for a Diplomatic Reception. Trade Const&Curr to Sumer for Monarchy+60gp. Gave Poly to Dutch hoping for a good deal on Republic. Maya give 100gp for Currency. Theodora holds a Fire Sale on CoL: Egypt pays 20gp, France 30gp, and England 3gp + FURS. (That’s better.)

330 – Upgrading Swords to Medieval Infantry. Dutch trade Republic+Spices for Monarchy+Currency. Ah, we hate to go into anarchy with GW (15t) and Statue (11t) under construction. Well, we won’t get GW anyway…REVOLUTION! (5t—now that’s a break!)

310 – Mt. Fujikillyouall erupts (without Aeson’s Crispy Critters).

290 – Wonder Cascade: Artemis, GL, GW…but no one else was working on the Statue.

270 – Hanging Gardens built (not by Byz!) RS Quintus returns to port after 1250 years at sea. The shore leave is understandably enthusiastic, nearly leveling the port.

250 – RS Primus limps home after 1750 years and circumnavigating the globe! The crew is too tired to even crawl to the brothels and taverns. The second elite Dromon comes home, but no one pays attention to the young whippersnappers.

230 – The Byzantine Republic is declared!

210 – Byzantine exchange students land next to Osaka to study the large gray beasts with the ivory tusks, but they are met with hostility by armed Japanese zoologists. This forces Theodora to send troops to protect the students and to facilitate their visits to Japanese cities.

190 – Osaka is opened to students and tourists; Japanese laborers will improve the area.

150 – Dromon sinks Japanese galley by bombardment, and a Golden Age begins! (Waited until Republic to trigger GA.) To celebrate this wondrous time, Theodora invites all the other leaders (except Tokugawa) to a party in Constantinople. Representatives from Sumer, the Netherlands, and England attend. Sumer receives Feudalism for Engineering+37gp; the Dutch receive Feudalism of 13gpt+40gp; the English receive The Republic for 70gp. The other nations miss out on the party favors.

The Senior Zoologist Horseman (Constantine) publishes the definitive treatise on Big Gray Beasts With Ivory Tusks and is granted the title of Great Leader. Curiously, this is a military title, and loyal graduate students gather around to create the cadre of a Zoological Research Team.

70 – Byzantine students force themselves into the Zoology Library in Kyoto. Theodora’s Council of Professors grants peace for complete Byzantine academic freedom in Satsuma and Edo in Japan, and Nara and Kagoshima on West Island. This leaves only Tokyo as a refuge for Tokugawa’s zoologists…and only the Sumerian vulcanologists in Erech on West Island. [Hmm…Tokyo may be a culture threat.]

The Minus First Millenia passes quietly, though no ATMs are functional, which would have created a panic if ATMs had been invented.

70 AD – INVENTION! Oops. Lost Spices and Furs. The Dutch want too much for their spices…but the luxury slider wants even more. Theodora trades Engineering for Spices+9gpt+43gp (not so bad). England decides to resume the fur trade for Ivory+20gp (NICE big gray beasts!) Russia gives 40gp for Peace (meaning they must have declared war in there somewhere). Current status: 4 luxuries in use, research at 50t (p.u.) and net 55gpt.

90 AD – Founded Chalcedon, first colony in Bananaland (two islands west), followed by Sardica and Naissus. This land is OUR land! Founded Dyrrachium in cleared swampland across the mountains from Trebizond.

170 AD – Lost second dromon in treacherous waters without sighting any new land.

230 AD – Discovered (by testing) that a Zoological Research Team with two Ancient Cavalry Student Bodies does not fit on a Dromon.

250 AD – Placed Septum in the middle south shore of Bananaland…just in time to notice an escorted Japanese students seeking to found a new university east of the volcano dubbed Bananas Flambe.

270 AD – LEONARDO’S WORKSHOP complete! Golden Age kaput. The GA began with a war, so to be symmetrical (an ideal of Byzantine Zoologists), we declare war on Japan. Built Nicomedia, the second (and last) city in the cleared swampland. No more cities will be built in Byzantium Proper.

290 AD – Our Zoologists force their way into Tokyo, losing one elite MA but gaining 3 elite victories…but unfortunately no MGL. Japan builds Nagoya ENE of Bananas Flambe.

320 AD – Byzantine zoologists finally eradicate the Japanese plagarists, destroying the research colony of Nagoya. The timing was good as hostile Japanese students were approaching the undefended Byzantine colonies along the south shore. Japan KIA

340 AD – GUNPOWDER. Yikes! Theodora is upset to discover that she is losing 40gpt at merely 50% research. These scientists are expensive! (Income 328, Science 131, Corruption 96, 74 units.) Time for another Diplomatic Reception and Fire Sale, in honor of the eradication of Japan. Sumer gets Gunpowder for Mono+Gems+52gpt+100gp. The Dutch get Gunpowder for 52gpt+100gp. The Maya get Invention for 15gpt+15gp (they already had Gunpowder). Egypt gets Currency for 13gpt+20gp (the Pharoah is too young to play with matches, much less with Gunpowder). The scientists are told that Byzantine horsemen lack civilized graces, and are ordered to develop a code to be called Chivalry (7t, now +65gpt).

350 AD – Founded Armorium east of Bananas Flambe, using stone from the ruins of Nagoya.

400 AD – Hittite exchange students arrive unannounced in 3-Man Chariots next to Nicomedia, which has no appropriate welcoming committee. Theodora orders the Hittites to leave, the Hittites declare war in a huff. One turn to Chivalry and party time!

410 AD - Lost one ill-mannered horseman and two Dromon but eliminated the TMC exchange students.

430 AD - Time for Byzantine students to repay the courtesies, landing in the hills beside Harran. Dromons make sport of the horses along the shore, destroying all Hittite improvements there. Other Dromons attempt the same along the spice hills on the East Hatti Coast, but can’t get sufficient elevation to do damage. Meanwhile, Smoke-Jaguar offers Wines for Ivory and 11gpt. (Nice Big Gray Beasts!)

440 AD – Harran gladly opens its doors to the Byzantine students after the Byzantines salute the city with two trebuchets, four catapults, and five Dromon. Over-enthusiastic salutes cut one approach road but leave the other intact.

450 AD – First Zoologic Army (Knights) created, and since there are three groups in it, it will be on this continent for quite some time (we hope). First Zoologic Army victory, taking lightly-held Aleppo. Probed Tyrana.

520 AD – Ancyra founded north of Bananas Flambe, completing north-south territorial integrity in Bananaland. A big gap remains on the west coast, and a small coastal gap on the east coast.

570 AD – Our heroic zoologists enter Hattusas and Hattusha, but students with muskets cause considerable losses entering Hattusas.

590 AD – Our students enter Ugarit, the last city on the Hatti Mainland, but there is a Hatti student revolt in Hattusha. Nuts.

610 AD – Hatti students expelled from Hattusha, leaving two Hatti universities on the southern island. Bananas Flambe erupts; again, Aeson’s Crispy Critters are not there.

640 AD – The University of Ankuit is now accepting Byzantine students, and Belisarius, the president of the senior class, graduates Magna *** Laude. Now THAT shows something about artificial intelligence as applied to censoring! This great zoologist is expected to found a new center of learning in Harran. Founded Brusa on a small island far to the southwest.

650 AD – We just noticed a party of Hittite scholars who have been sitting quietly outside the walls of Nara (on West Island) for about a millennia. Send Knightly Students from Constantinople to bring them into our educational road-building force. This will take a while…

660 AD – Mt. Lagatero erupts in the land of the Maya, causing the Maya to suspend the wine trade, which triggers several riots among wino students. Belisarius founds the College of Forbidden Learning within the University of Harran. Despite the curious name, this center gives a great boost to all the universities in Hattiland. Apparently the first Forbidden Lesson is called Astronomy, and the new field may have come in time to salvage the students efforts to build the Sistine Chapel. A great academic argument breaks out as to the next field to open: Printing or Music or Banking or Chemistry.

670 AD – Byzantine students salute Kadesh with Cats and Trebs, and elite students enter the city (barely surviving the entrance exam). We make peace with Dean Murilus, which suggests that there is another Hatti university somewhere (unless Murilus has joined that small field research team near Nara). It is good for the Republic to be at peace once more. Theodora starts calling the exchange students home from Hattiland…but the senior zoologists fear that Sumerian animal husbandry teams may make surprise visits. Theodora orders the development of more infrastructure before sending any of our scholars to visit Sumeria.

780 AD – Apparently nothing of note happened for a century or so. The Maya cancel exports of Silk. The Dutch want too much for Chemistry, but pay 15gpt + 15gp for Ivory. (Nice Profitable Big Gray Beasts; our zoologists are proud of them).

[Hermann the Lombard]

DAR4 - Part 2

850 AD – Still quiet despite rising curiosity about Sumerian wildlife…and rumors that younger students are curious about Sumerian nightlife. Build Prilep to control Iron on Hermann’s Hideaway (West Island).

890 AD – Virgin land—a new island—found on the far side of the world! Oops. Apparently the Virgin Queen founded the city of Reading here some time ago!

900 AD – Built Ohrid, the Canal City, on the isthmus between the Hittite and Sumerian “continents.” Now our field teams can move swiftly between the east and west coasts.

920 AD –There is another uprising by students loyal to discredited Dean Murilus, and Tarsus reverts to become the sole Hatti city! (Aarrgghh.) Tarsus is "persuaded" to re-admit Roman students. Dutch are +3/-1 techs, having Metallurgy+Nav+Music to our Economy. Traded Econ+Lots for Navigation+Music Theory. Dutch immediately start building Smith’s.

940 AD – Lifestyle Crisis! All my luxuries are gone except for Ivory (Nice Big Gray Beasts!) Basically EVERYONE is restless. Negotiating from weakness, we gain Fur from England and Dyes from Russia, paying tech through the nose. Ick. The unrest is under control, more or less, but Theodora demands that Byzantium gain direct control of more luxury items…like Sumerian gems. Zoological expeditions are prepared, with a field effort to be centered at Ohrid with other teams exploring northern Sumerian wildlife.

1010 AD – Byzantine students gain access to Sumerian studies at Lagash and Kish, and a definitive treatise on Sumerian Natural History is published by Constantine, who is honored with the title of Military Great Leader. [Maybe someday a soldier will be named Scientific Great Leader. Someday.] Byzantine vulcanologists take possession of Erech on West Island.

1030 AD – Bad-tibira accepts Byzantine applicants. Theodora sees that we have gained admission to Sumerian Gemological specimens, and sends emissaries to Dean Gilgamesh. Sumer gives a Worker, 2gpt, World Wildlife Map, and 7gp for Peace, but refused to admit students to Sumer or Umma, even for 2 techs, 20gpt, and 300gp. Education is so expensive these days! In another academic setback, someone else published their work ONE TURN before Copernicus’ Observatory would have opened! The Dutch are at least 3 techs ahead: ToG, Mag, and Military Tradition! Oh, oh. Byzantium has nothing to trade: 311gp, no techs or resources, and the Dutch are the first (and so far only) Industrial nation. The other nations have empty treasuries: Egypt 16, Maya 19 (with Wines & Silks, but won’t offer for Gems), Russia 11, England 4 (and –2 techs), France 16 (and –3 techs). Theodora still hopes for Smith’s (in 6 turns), and has asked Hermann to supervise the project after the loss of the Observatory. Theodora does NOT expect to get J.S.Bach’s (10t) and certainly not Magellan’s Voyage (22t).

Form 1040 AD – A taxing year of regrouping and consolidating. Completing the north-south road on West Island, and also clearing the orchards in the shadow of Bananas Flambe. Students are recovering from their all-nighters during the Sumerian Mid-term Exams, and more students are arriving for the coming Finals. MM squeezed one turn out of Smith’s but will lose one pop starving. In recognition of valor, Constantine’s Horseman is upgraded to Knight.

1050 AD – First cannon emerges from the foundry in Edo, with many more cooling around the Republic. Library in Lagash as we begin bringing culture to the Sumerians. About half of Bananaland has been cleared, and all but two tiles are within the culture borders. Unfortunately all 6 cities are totally corrupt, but the four size 6 cities each support two scientists. Constantine creates the Second Zoological Army (Vet Knights) in Kish, though through a foulup by the Registrar, an Ancient Cavalry got admitted to the class (this preserves two vet knights for possible promotion and another MGL).

1060 AD – Dug out the wild game trapped in ash south of Mount Theodora, next to Nicomedia.

1080 AD – The Printing Press will allow better publication of zoological research. Restart Theory of Gravity. An oceanographic research ship sights a tiny Sumerian city on a tundra island halfway around the world. It looks like a fine place for Gilgamesh to spend a sabbatical…15 turns from now.

1090 AD – Starvation delays Smith’s! Nuts. So much for that plan. Found another tundra island far southwest of Bananaland, almost to the Russian coast. Upgrade two catapults to the new cannon (shipped to Heraclea from Kish, where the Barracks is not yet complete).

1100 AD – Got SMITH’S after all, which will probably trigger the next cascade. Pillaged our own iron on West Island to preserve it from exhaustion. We have a lovely cluster of endangered workers clearing pumice below Mount Erechbane on West Island. Still can’t get the Dutch to trade Magnetism, so our ships continue to wander in circles from time to time. Traded WM to Dutch for Spices+40gpt (valuable map right now!) Printing Press to Maya for WM, 10gpt+30gp (their map is not as valuable). Surprise! Elizabeth trades Military Tradition for Physics, Printing Press, and Contact with the Russians. Pull back some knights for upgrade to cavalry, with 12 turns left on the peace treaty.

1130 AD – Sumer completes J.S.Bach, which is very thoughtful of them. The Maya complete Newton’s University before the Byzantines even learn the Theory of Gravity. We are strong in Zoology, not so strong in Physics! The English complete Magellan’s Voyage, totaling ignoring the prior publication of the logs of RS Primus. Many, many nations lose shields in THAT cascade…including the Byzantines!

1140 AD – The Maya are now Industrial, with the Byzantines struggling to catch up. Theodora orders maximum effort for Magnetism and the dawn of a new age. Build Military Academy in Constantinople and Colosseum in Kyoto, salvaging some shields. Promote four to cavalry in Heraclea, and build barracks in Lagash as a student lounge for use during Finals.

1150 AD – England cancels the fur trade, and will make no reasonable deals. Seeing the opportunity for a quick profit, Russia cancels dye shipments, but renews for Ivory, Incense, and one tech. Highway robbery. The Military Academy opens in Constantinople, bringing Zoological research to its highest level yet. There is no unrest among the fur-deprived, but many celebrations end, and only PETA starts a new celebration. Perhaps we need to “chat” with Elizabeth about fair trade. Built Samosata west of Lagash to bump the border and gain more diamonds. Rush Barracks in Kish, just waiting for our Cavalry to order the Sumerian students out of the area. If they leave, we’ll declare anyway…once the treaty expires in 8 turns.

1160 AD – Finish fortress on hill on the Sumerian border. Start the last segment of the Westway in Bananaland (a road down the west side, clear of the volcano).

1170 AD – Cavalry reach Kish, straining at their bits. Sumerians withdrew on demand. Pity. Scientists swear they will master Magnetism in no more than ten years. Theodora will not hold her breath.

1180 AD – Dutch offer 20gpt for Incense & Ivory; shrewd Byzantine negotiators extract 30gpt. MAGNETISM & INDUSTRIAL! Got Nationalism; Steam in 8. The Great Lighthouse is now obsolete, and the elderly Dromon now seem very sluggish. We start building some privateers to chat with Elizabeth. Completed the lava-vulnerable Banana Road.

1190 AD – Promoted three caravels to galleon, which can actually transport zoological armies. Much MM to avoid starvation while switching research effort to Medicine, hoping to trade it.

1200 AD – Many celebrations, but behind the Dutch by Democracy and Communism. Theodora sends a nasty note to Sumer (with 30 years left on the treaty).

1210 AD – Dutch/English MPP, could be threatening (since Liz is quite grumpy).

1220 AD – Dutch/Byzantine MPP, partly to neutralize the English, but also in case the always-polite Maya suddenly become less so. The peace treaty expires, and Byzantine students clamor for admission to Sumer. When denied, Theodora declares war. The opening shot is the first by a Frigate, and this war is likely the last hurrah for the Dromons, which sink a galley in the harbor of Sumer. The first Byzantine rifles attack a veteran unit of Sumerian spearmen, and barely live to tell the tale. (“We know those new rifles make a loud bang, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.”) Attacked Sumer expecting little resistance after the massive salute from the sea. In Byzantium’s first cavalry action, two cavalry go down, one becomes elite, and the 2nd Zoological Army (Knights) is heavily bloodied. However, we do gain admission to Sumer. The 1st Zoological Army camps outside Ur, waiting for the artillery train to come up. The northern force presses toward Ur from Kish.

1240 AD – A mighty pincer closes on Ur, with artillery massed before the northern and western walls. Attacked many stray Sumerian units, hoping for promotions, but no luck.

1250 AD – Massive bombardment falls on Ur, the greatest salute yet offered by Byzantium. [We scored eleven hits on six units.] Ur falls at the cost of 2 Vet Cavalry, but the second treatise on Sumerian Natural History gains the highest zoologic award for Theodosius, the coveted MGL. Roman students celebrate in the halls of J.S.Bach’s and the Temple of Artemis. Theodosius immediately organizes the 3rd Zoological Army (Cavalry). Only Umma (on this continent) denies entrance to Byzantine applicants. MEDICINE now available for trade.

1255 AD – Umma is taken almost as an afterthought by the 2nd Zoological Army and veteran knights from Kish. Gilgamesh is sent on sabbatical to his island retreat where he can study Antarctic wildlife to his heart’s content. There are two tiny Sumerian cities on distant tundra islands. The ungrateful wretch still refused our envoy! Theodora wants to hold another Diplomatic Reception and Fire Sale, but none of the ambassadors have anything to offer, except Smoke-Jaguar’s, but the Mayans already have the techs! Ah, the Dutch will trade Democracy for Medicine! Ta-ching! [Curiously, they would NOT have traded Communism or Fascism; Theodora guesses that William likes collecting governments.] Exchanged ROP with the Maya, perhaps delaying the inevitable. Traded Medicine to England for Furs, 20gpt, and 50gp. Only 50 years to Steam, they promise Theodora (10t).

1260 AD – The first chat goes poorly as the first privateer is unexpectedly attacked and sunk by a British Man O’War. Constantinople returns to wonder work: The Pentagon. About 2/3 of the exchange students are told to return home from Roman Sumeria.

1275 AD – Can’t get the hang of chatting, as two more privateers are sunk by a pair of British Men O’War. We could have handled one, but not two.

1280 AD – Regicide as the Russians destroy the Egyptians. A new superpower may be emerging. The Dutch cancel the spice for gems deal.

1290 AD – STEAM!!! Theodora’s advisors debate: beeline for ToE or revolt to Democracy first? Theodora declares the dissolution of the Second Roman Republic and the dismemberment of fractious advisors. Anarchy for 6 turns (again fairly short). We find Coal in Bananaland, already connected. Theodora orders the immediate construction of Iron Roads.

Whither Byzantium in DAR5?

[ducki]

Zoological Research Team

This had me in stitches.
Thanks!

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by Hermann the Lombard
270 – RS Quintus returns to port after 1250 years at sea. The shore leave is understandably enthusiastic, nearly leveling the port.

250 – RS Primus limps home after 1750 years and circumnavigating the globe! The crew is too tired to even crawl to the brothels and taverns. The second elite Dromon comes home, but no one pays attention to the young whippersnappers.

And this one cracked me up!

[Hermann the Lombard]

Originally posted by ducki

This had me in stitches.
Thanks!

Originally posted by Thriller
And this one cracked me up!

You're welcome! That's my CTP2 Succession Game side coming out. And thank all of you for so much insight into the game. [Besides, I was beginning to think I had killed four DAR threads!]

[vmxa1]

They do taper off, but posting a report will not kill one. In fact it keeps it alive.

Anyway a good laugh here and there is always welcome.

[conmcb25]

870AD to 1410 AD

Short report:

At 870 Im still at war with the Hittites, I started it.

900AD I capture the Hittite Capitol and Gets Knights Templar

1030AD the bad boy wars start, everyone keeps declaring war and then different civs join the alliance against me.

Trebezod culture flips to Summeria

Summer declares war as part of the bad boy wars, I recapture Trebezod and raze the Sumerian city on my continent, then I capture A Summerian Port and make peace.

1230 AD FP built in Kyoto

1400 AD I research Steam power and finish up ar with the Hittites capturing two more cities and the Salt Peter I desparately need!

Stopped at 1410.

I was not careful enough about my reputation. tech trades are difficult and Im slightly behind in tech. The Dutch are a REAL powerhouse, I may have to take them on and prune 'em after I moderize my military.

I am commiting genocide in the newly captured cities, building a temple (rush build), then building them back up with workers.

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by conmcb25
Trebezod culture flips to Summeria

Nasty! It was on the far side of your continent to Sumeria and not far from your capital. I know Sumeria had huge cultuer in this game, but that's harsh!

[Rhothaerill]

Originally posted by conmcb25

Trebezod culture flips to Summeria

Ah ha...I knew it.

Sorry con.

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by Thriller




Nasty! It was on the far side of your continent to Sumeria and not far from your capital. I know Sumeria had huge cultuer in this game, but that's harsh!

They had a city on my continent two tiles away from it.

I put a temple and a library in there and still

Thats OK once Summeria declared war on me, I got what I wanted

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by conmcb25

Thats OK once Summeria declared war on me, I got what I wanted

Ummm.....yeh, I kinda noticed