Succession Game starting on 11/29/2001, Join the game/follow the saga in this thread

[vovan]

Vovansim IV

(0) 1285AD Looking around. Not much I could change. Barbarian warrior attacks Sverdlovsk. He is defeated. Gamma builds a settler. Starts work on a library.
(1) 1290AD Order is restored in Kiev. I rush-build the harbor there, so that the people can start enjoying the luxuries earlier. Workers near Excelsior finish building mines. The road to game near Kappa is finished. The deal with Egypt, where we sold them wines for 1 gold / turn expires. The new terms of the contract are 15 gold / turn for wine. Mosfrog finishes a courthouse. Starts work on a Library. Kiev finishes the harbor. People there are happy. Work starts on a temple.
(2) 1295AD A mine near Vovanville is finished. The Forbidden palace will now be completed in 22 turns, not 29. The settler and the spearman land on the Eastern island. Alpha finishes a pikeman. Starts work on knight. New Lurkburg produces a settler. Starts work on a library.
(3) 1300AD Cultural influence of Minsk expands.
(4) 1305AD A settler boards a galley in Vovanville and is ready to settle new lands. Beta produces a pikeman. Starts work on a Library. A spearman in Beta is upgraded to Pikeman. Epsilon finishes an aqueduct. Starts work on a library. Iota builds a temple. Starts wok on a pikeman.
(5) 1310AD Workers continue to improve lands. Egypt and Rome have signed a peace treaty. Excelsior finishes building a knight. Starts work on a settler.
(6) 1315AD We have discovered the secret of Banking. Starting work on invention. I contact Cleopatra and trade Banking for Astronomy. I contact the English in hopes that I could trade them some wine for money (I found out that if I increase the science financing now by just 10%, the amount of turns till the next breakthrough would drop from 23 turns to just 11!) Unfortunately, Elizabeth has 0 gold in the treasury, and has 0 per turn income (!) I contact the Germans with the same proposal, but get the same response - no money. Strange. I change production in Excelsior to Copernicus' observatory - we need science desperately now. The city of Yakutsk is founded.



(7) 1320AD Cultural influence of Zeta is expanding. An encampment of Estrusians is dispersed near Yakutsk.
(8) 1325AD Continuing to improve lands. Our galley is attacked by the barbarians, by is victorious. A spearman from Minsk is dispatched to check out a goodie hut to the north of Minsk.
(9) 1330AD Two Egyptian Knights are approaching our territory. They have not entered it yet, though, so I hope they are not out for us. They are still at war with the Greeks, so I hope its for them.
(10) 1335AD Theta finishes a courthouse. Starts work on a library. Minsk finishes a worker. Starts work on a courthouse.
(11) 1340AD Egypt and Greece have signed a peace treaty. The Egyptian knights turn back to their territory. I hope they don't change their mind! Lambda finishes a Pikeman. Starts work on Courthouse. Alpha finishes a knight. Starts building a bank. Gamma finishes a library. Starts work on a marketplace. New Lurkburg builds a library. Starts building a Knight - just in case. The spearman defending the city is upgraded to a pikeman. Word is that the Egyptians are building Leonardo's workshop. I wonder if they'll give us the knowledge of invention... There is no way Cleopatra would agree to do it. That's a pity, though. A Phoenician tribe to the north of Minsk was dispersed. We got some money from them.
(12) 1345AD Beta builds a library. Starts work on an aqueduct. Excelsior memorials builds an aqueduct. Starts work on a library. The spearmen in the city are upgraded to pikemen.
(13) 1350AD Delta builds a courthouse. Starts work on a university. Epsilon builds a library. Starts building a university. The spearmen from the city are sent to Beta for upgrade. New Excelsior finishes a library. Starts work on a courthouse.
(14) 1355AD St. Lurking finishes a Cathedral work starts on an aqueduct. The Romans want to exchange their World map for our World map and the knowledge of Banking. How about they give us their world map, Invention, and 10 gold (all they have) for our world map and banking? They agree.
(15) 1360AD Our scientists are now working towards gunpowder. Vladivostok builds pikemen. Starts building a courthouse.
(16) 1365AD Cleopatra wants our world map in exchange for her world map. As we already know all the territory she does, we ask her if she would be willing to give any money in exchange for our maps. But she has none. Oh well, no money - no maps. A new barbarian encampment is spotted to the north of Delta. A warrior is dispatched to take care of it. The city of Novgorod is founded.



(17) 1370AD The cultural influence of New Excelsior is expanding. The ivory resource is now within our borders. And the road towards it is almost completed.



(18) 1375AD The Bulgarian encampment to the north of Delta is dispersed. I establish an embassy in Egypt. It turns out that in 14 turns the Copernicus's observatory will be completed in Thebes. Our people estimate the completion of the observatory in Excelsior in 13 turns. It is going to be a close one.
(19) 1380AD Excelsior Memorials finishes a library. Starts work on a Bank. Odessa builds a pikeman. Starts building a courthouse.
(20) 1385AD Some English forces enter Russian territory near the city of Odessa. The King, Vovansim IV tells them to get out. They agree. But smiles can be seen on their faces. Have they lied to the great King? Or is he so old that the orders that he gives sound comical? In any case, the King is ready to give his crown, and his empire, to his worthy successor.

[Excelsior]

Re: Lord Lurking Excel

Originally posted by Lurking
(note to players: do you know how to show the lines representing peace/trade on this view?)

That's a bug in the new patch. The lines disappear when you click on the one of the other advisors, the military advisor, I think. The only way to get them back is to restart the game.

[Excelsior]

The reign of Excelsior V

From the palace towers, Excelsior V surveyed his realm. To the west stood the cathedral of Excelsior, the colosseum, the marketplace, the library, and the university. To the east were the neighborhoods, bustling with the activity in the early morning hours. In the distance, he could make out the ocean, the muscle-powered ships slowly crawling along the coast.

Greater distances, only his mind's eye could see. Vovanville, to the north, lacked mere years until the Forbidden Palace was completed. To the west, the English threatened the border cities, the cities of iron and incense so critical to the functioning of Russian Empire. To the east, the rapid Russian colonization of the continent now ensured the almost total Russian control of the region, yet the Egyptians maintained a strong grip on the eastern coast, controlling the seas.

Thus was the state of the Russian Empire as Excelsior V began his reign as king of the Russian people!

Turn #0>1385AD
Excelsior V studies the state of his kingdom. His predecessors have done well. The Russian Empire is one of the most powerful in the world, second only to the Egyptians. He makes plans to change that.
Turn #1>1390AD
Alexander of the Greeks comes to Excelsior demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops in Greek territory. Excelsior V is perplexed. He did not know of any Russian troops in Greek territory, but promises to Alexander that they will be moved immediately. Later, Excelsior learns that the offending force was actually a group of galleys ferrying settlers to another continent. But Alexander's jumpiness demonstrated weakness; Greece, it seems, is now a tiny empire, having been reduced to virtually nothing during the wars with Egypt. Excelsior begins to draw up a plan to eradicate the Greeks once and for all.

The city of Kappa completes a temple. Excelsior, seeing that the city will eventually be hemmed in by the English orders the people of Kappa to begin work on a library in order to promote the cultural expansion of the city. Excelsior also orders the city of Smolensk to switch from training Knights to training Pikemen.

All that remains of Greece:

Turn #2>1395AD
New Lurkburg completes the training of a Knight and is ordered to train another. Excelsior V considers sending the Knights north to defend against a possible Egyptian invasion force massing near Novgorod, but decides that if the Egyptian forces there are bent on conquest the knights would arrive far too late to save the city. Instead, he decides to use them in his plan to invade Greece.

Turn #3>1400AD
Little of importance happened this turn. The Egyptians ordered Excelsior to get remove an offending galley from Egyptian Territorial Waters, but very little else.
Turn #4>1405AD
Beta, Vladivostok, St. Lurking, and Lurkburg celebrate "We Love the Czarina Day" as Ivory from New Excelsior is finally brought to the mainland. Excelsior V is pleased to be loved by his people. The Forbidden Palace has been constructed in Vovanville. Finally, after many centuries of labor, it is complete, and corruption levels drop throughout Russia. To the distant north, Krasnoyarsk is founded.

The Russian knights have positioned themselves along the Greek border, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Yet, Excelsior does not give the word. The Greek hoplite defenders are too strong to risk an attack yet. He orders the training of a knight at Zeta to be rushed so that it can join the attack when the time comes.
Turn #5>1410AD
The city of Alpha completes a bank and begins training a knight. The city of Zeta completes the training of a knight and begins the construction of a courthouse. To the west, Iota completes the training of a Pikeman and also begins constructing a courthouse. The Russian people love Excelsior so much that they offer to construct an addition to his palace. He happily allows them to do so.
Turn #6>1415AD
Mosfrog completes the construction of a library and begins work on a marketplace. St. Petersburg completes a temple and alters construction orders likewise. Smolensk completes the training of a Pikeman and begins construction of a courthouse.

Russian Wise-Men have discovered the secret of gunpowder! The news of this discovery sweeps through the Russian Empire. Scouting expeditions are sent forth to search for a new resource that may be vital to the survival of the Russian people, saltpeter. After many days of searching, the final reports come in. There is only one supply of saltpeter in all of Russia located in the mountains near Delta in the heart of the Russian Empire. There is also a second deposit to the distant north which is now being guarded by Russian warriors. Excelsior V rejoices and declares a national holiday in honor of this great day.
Turn #7>1420AD
Lurkburg completes an aqueduct and begins the construction of a marketplace. The cities of Delta and Epsilon complete Universities and also begin the construction of marketplaces.
Turn #8>1425AD
Beta completes an aqueduct and begins the construction of a bank. The city of Riga is founded near the Roman cities of Viroconium and Hispalis in order to secure two more sources of iron.

Excelsior decides that it is time to begin Operation Alexander's Horse. Two divisions of knights stand ready to commence the lightning blitz of Greece. The order comes and the men charge towards Marathon. The knights clash uselessly against the well-trained elite hoplites and are beaten back. The Russians are beaten, for now, but Excelsior vows that they will return to destroy Alexander. Excelsior authorizes the rushbuilding of a knight at New Lurkburg in pursuit of this goal.
Turn #9>1430AD
The city of Theta completes a library and begins a temple. Greek veteran archers are observed moving towards the remote city of Yakutsk. Excelsior begins to debate the wisdom of his decision.
Turn #10>1435AD
Russian spearmen defending Yakutsk successfully held off the Greek onslaught, becoming veterans in the process! Excelsior is so relieved that he donates a generous portion of his personal fortune towards financing a bounty on Alexander's head. Meanwhile, Russian knights destroy Greek archers venturing forth from the city of Marathon. The city of St. Lurking builds an aqueduct and begins the construction of a marketplace. The Russian Navy sinks a barbarian galley off the coast of Rome.
Turn #11>1440AD
The city of Eta completes an aqueduct and begins work on a marketplace.
Turn #12>1445AD
Splendid news has arrived! The city of Excelsior has completed its monumental task, Copernicus's Observatory! The city begins building a bank so that it may produce as much gold as it does science. Meanwhile, we have received word that both the Egyptians and the Germans are now building Leonardo's Workshop.
Turn #13>1450AD
The city of Alpha completes a knight and begins work on barracks so that the city may both upgrade outdated troops and train better new troops. To the north, the road to Krasnoyarsk has been completed. To the south, the Russian Navy destroys a barbarian galley.

Once again, the knights stand ready to destroy Greece. This time the Russian forces are 50% larger than before. Hoping that luck is on their side, Excelsior sends them toward Marathon once again. The first wave of regular knights is repulsed, falling back with only minimal damage to the defending hoplites. The second wave of veteran knights charges forward smashing into the elite hoplites. After a long tense battle the knights clear the field, but the battle is not yet over. The third wave of veterans falls against the Greeks, but the Russians are routed and fall back leaving Marathon still intact. But not for ever…
Turn #14>1455AD
The city of Krasnoyarsk completes a spearman for defense and begins constructing a temple. To facilitate the restoration of the Russian Knight Corps, Excelsior V orders the city of Smolensk to rushbuild a barracks. To the south, a Russian galley is surrounded by three barbarian galleys.
Turn #15>1460AD
The brave Russian galley to the south finally succumbs after being brutally attacked by 5 barbarian galleys. Delta builds a marketplace and begins the construction of a bank. Smolensk completes the barracks and switches back to producing a marketplace. The city of Iota completes a courthouse and begins a harbor.
Turn #16>1465AD
Vovanville completes an aqueduct and begins producing a marketplace. New Excelsior builds a courthouse and also begins a marketplace. Excelsior V is astonished to hear that the Egyptians are now building Smith's Trading Company! They must be far ahead of the Russians technologically. The Germans, too, for they are building J. S. Bach's cathedral.
Turn #17>1470AD
Lurkburg completes a marketplace and begins a library. Gamma completes a University and begins a marketplace. Epsilon completes a marketplace and begins building a harbor. Excelsior Memorialis completes a bank and begins building a university.

Excelsior V himself stood with the knights now, ready to lead the charge into Marathon. He spurred his horse towards the city his fearless comrades chasing behind.

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the Valley of Death
Rode the three units.
"Forward, the Knight Brigade!
"Charge for the spears!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the three units.

"Forward, the Knight Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the three units.

Hoplites to the right of them,
Hoplites to the left of them,
Hoplites in front of them,
Volley'd and thunder'd
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the three units.

Flash'd all their sabers bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the hoplites there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd
Plunged in the battery smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the three units.

Hoplites to the right of them,
Hoplites to the left of them,
Hoplites behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of three units.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Knight Brigade,
Noble three units.

The Russians have lost the battle and Excelsior V is mortally wounded.
Turn #18>1475AD
The city of Alpha completes a barracks and begins a colosseum. St. Lurking and Mosfrog complete a marketplace and begin a library and Aqueduct, respectively. Vladivostok completes a courthouse and begins an aqueduct. New Lurkburg completes a knight and begins another. But for these trivial matters, Excelsior V has no patience, the life draining from the gangrenous wound on his leg.
Turn #19>1480AD
Russian Wise-Men have discovered the secret of Navigation. From his deathbed, Excelsior V directs them to consider the secrets of Economics.
Turn #20>1485AD
The city of Excelsior completes a bank and begins work on a great project, Leonardo's Workshop! Theta, to the north, completes a temple and begins work on a marketplace. To the east, Sverdlovsk also completes a temple and begins the construction of a marketplace. Word has also come that the English are now working on a new great project, Magellan's Expedition!

Thus ended the reign of Excelsior V. He died in 1488 from the wound sustained at the third battle of Marathon. In memory of his leadership, the loyal Russian Knights vow to continue the crusade against Greece.

The eastern continent:

[Lurking]

Lurking's reign 1485-1585 AD

1485 - Greeks request an audience, Lurking denies their request.

1490 - Most cities with barracks are ordered to produce knights. The city of New Lurkburg rush builds an aqueduct. The will allow a large, somewhat effecient city on the eastern continent. King Lurking would like to move the Russian palace to this continent, but is told it would take 900 turns to build it in a city near the center of the continent. Lurking decides to wait until a great war produces a great leader at which point Russia can rush the palace in a good central city. Lurking also meets with the German leader Bismark. Russia agrees to trade wines to Germany in exchange for Music Theory.

1495 - Many libraries are completed throught Russia. Lurking smiles at the news because he knows Russia is a scientific civilization and this may give us the edge we need in the technology race. Lurking begins to plan a great war with Egypt in the distant future. "We'll need to surpass the Egyptians in tech advances and build a great army before we attack," mumbles Lurking to himself. This grand plan is all in Lurking's head; he doubts he'll be able to start the war during his reign.

1505 - Russian scientists discover the secrets of Economics. Lurking directs them to research Chemistry next.

1520 - New Excelsior complets a Marketplace. This is good news because Lurking's quest for scientific acheivement is putting a drain on the Russian treasury.

1525 - Bad news! Thebes, the Egyptian capital city, has completed Leonardo's Workshop. Lurking pounds his fists in despair!

1530 - Excelsior switches to Smith's Trading Company, this will allow Russia to grow wealthy beyond belief if it can be completed before Egypt completes it!

1535 - A new city, called Rostov, is founded at a Northern tip of the Russian main continent. Lurking is pleased with this news because Rostov is near a deposit of saltpeper.

1540 - Russian knights, poised outside of the Greek stronghold of Marathon, attack mercilessly. Many, many Russian lives are lost in the attempt to take the city. Wave after wave of Russians throw themselves on the Greek Hoplites' spears. Finally the Russian army breaks through Greek defences and Marathon is captured. Lurking orders the destruction of the city immediately. No sign is left of the once proud civilization of Greece.

1545 - The Russian scientists discover the secrets of Chemistry. Lurking finds this news outstanding.

1555 - Vladivostok completes an aqueduct. This is the second city, on the eastern continent of Amazonia, to grow beyond a size "6" city.

1560 - Three worker brigades are disbanded in the fairly young city of Rostov. Lurking sees a benefit in this, because workers are no longer seriously needed on the main continent. The disbanding of the workers will allow Rostov to complete it's temple contruction a few turns earlier.

1580 - Russia produces thousands of trained musketmen. Lurking is glad his decree of building Russian defenses is carried out with such fervor. Russia has the most trained marksmen of any civilization. Lurking deems it wise to hold off on the war with Egypt until more offensive units can be added to the military. "We'll also need ships to ferry our troops across the oceans," notes Lurking.

1585 - Lurking, now over 100 years old, dies a painful death. The people honor his memory and rejoice at the great accomplishments of the past 100 years. War with Egypt may come soon.... It's up to Russia's next ruler when this war may start...

Note: I didn't include any images of the world because not much has changed in that respect since last time... I have a galley with some settlers headed to an island just east of the southern tip of Amazonia. Good luck players!

[Lurking]

attn: fsck!

Hey fsck,
Do you have an expected time of repair of your machine? I'd really like you to re-join our grand game here. You are on deck, and I just want to make sure you're still disabled. Are you giving up on Civ III completely?

[fsck]

fsck going on vacation

Feh, machine is mostly fixed but it wouldn't matter anyway.

I leave for a three-week road trip TOMORROW.

I have e-mailed Lurking and Excelsior instructions on how to access the FTP server and upload their pictures. It's pretty straight-forward, but if you have questions feel free to e-mail.

Count me out of this game until the second week of January.

See you in 2002!
-fsck

[Skanky Burns]

Re: Patch/Disappearing Lines

Originally posted by Excelsior
That's a bug in the new patch. The lines disappear when you click on the one of the other advisors, the military advisor, I think. The only way to get them back is to restart the game.

Actually, its a bug with the old patch
Firaxis put the wrong patch up initially.
Just download the patch again and run it twice.
The first time will uninstall the previous patch, the second time will install the correct patch. Then you will be able to see the lines in that screen even after visiting other advisor screens.

Keep up the good game btw

[Excelsior]

Re: Re: Patch/Disappearing Lines

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Actually, its a bug with the old patch
Firaxis put the wrong patch up initially.
Just download the patch again and run it twice.
The first time will uninstall the previous patch, the second time will install the correct patch. Then you will be able to see the lines in that screen even after visiting other advisor screens.

Keep up the good game btw

Actually, I did that. Unless I somehow managed to download the old patch again and then reinstalled that rather than the new patch, it is still a problem no matter which v1.16f you have. Are you sure this is only a problem in the incorrect version of the patch?

[Skanky Burns]

Pretty sure. I downloaded the old patch (from civ3.com) and had those diplo-lines disappear. After seeing Dan's message that the civ3.com file was only replaced later, i re-downloaded it and now i havent had a problem since. So maybe you did get the old patch again...
Unless i was just lucky

[vovan]

(0) 1585AD Our scientists have discovered physics. Starting work on MAgnetism. Cultural influence of Tbilisi expands.
(1) 1590AD The workers improve the land. The ships are exploring / patrolling the territory. I contacted the Egyptians. We made a deal: Printing press + 19 gold / turn for our excess ivory. With this new source of money, I increase the financing of science. That slashes some 3 turns off the time till the next breakthrough, namely, magnetism. Also contacted all the other world leaders, but they have nothing whatsoever to give us.
(2) 1595AD Gamma builds musketmen. Starts work on a marketplace. Kiev builds a temple. Starts work on a courthouse. I rush the construction of an aqueduct in Smolensk. The settlers arrive to the island to the east of the Amazonia.
(3) 1600AD Lurkburg builds musketmen. Construction of a catapult begins. Mosfrog builds a university. Begins building musketmen. The aqueduct of Smolensk is finished. It will soon produce a settler. The city of Astrakhan is founded. Construction of a library is ordered. Musketmen are finished in Alpha. Construction of a courthouse is under way. Krasnoyarsk finishes building a temple. Starts work on musketmen.
(4) 1605AD Lurkburg builds a catapult. New bank will be constructed soon. Delta finishes building a knight. A catapult is in order. Vladivostok builds musketmen. Time for more knights.
(5) 1610AD The lands continue being improved. I consult our military advisor. He says that compared to the Egyptians, our military is WEAK. We should build up our might. Beta builds a cathedral. Time to improve the defenses. Musketmen are being recruited. St.Lurking builds a knight. Catapult will soon be constructed.
(6) 1615AD Vovanville builds musketmen. We need a bank now. Delta finishes a catapult. Cathedral is ordered. New excelsior builds knights. But more are needed.
(7) 1620AD The lands continue being improved. St.Lurking builds a catapult. Production of knights is ordered.
(8) 1625AD Only one turn left till the discovery of magnetism. A Cathedral is built in Excelsior memorials. The construction of knights is ordered. The pikemen defending the city are equipped with muskets. Iota builds knights. We love Czarina day is celebrated in the city. Magnetism is discovered. Our scientists start working towards metallurgy. The word is that the Egyptians are building Shakespeare's theatre. I contact them, but they don't want to give the knowledge of democarcy to me. They don't even request the knowledge of Chemistry from me. I survey the map. They have only one source of saltpeter. And that is a colony to the north of Novgorod. I think about taking it away from them. The plan is that as soon as we get to military tradition, we would smash the Egyptians with the modern cavalry units.
(9) 1630AD The Romans want our world map, but don't have any money. Well, they don't get the map. St. Petersburg builds a knight. The construction of library is ordered.
(10) 1635AD Construction of barracks is ordered in Vladivostok, so that we could upgrade our troops on the Amazonia island. Lambda builds Musketmen. Construction of a library has started.
(11) 1640AD Musketmen are finished in Beta. I order the construction of a frigate. Gamma finishes building a marketplace. The construction of a harbor is started, so that we could upgrade our ships. Musketmen are built in Mosfrog. The people complain it is too crowded, so I order the construction of a cathedral.
(12) 1645AD A courthouse is built in Alpha. Construction of another frigate is ordered. Vladivostok builds barracks. Starts work on a library.
(13) 1650AD Smolensk builds a settler construction of a library is ordered. Five knights and two catapults from the main island are transported to Amazonia.
(14) 1655AD St. Lurking builds a knight. More are needed. Iota produces a library. Starts work on a marketplace. Bad news. The Egyptian city of Elephantine has completed Magellan's voyage. I hate to loose all the work done in Epsilon, but I have to change the production to something else. That something else is a new cathedral.
(15) 1660AD A cathedral is built in Epsilon. Starting work on a bank. Musketmen are built in Theta. Construction of a new university is under way. We have discovered metallurgy. Military tradition is not far away. I contacted the military advisor. He says, that the Egyptians are a democracy. Well, easier prey for us.
(16) 1665AD Excelsior builds the Smith's trading company. Our profits rise at least 30 gold / turn.
(17) 1670AD Beta builds a frigate. Production of a cannon starts. Lurkburg finishes the construction of a bank. Starts building a courthouse. Sverdlovsk builds a marketplace. Starts work on a musketman. Novgorod builds musketmen. (finally) Starts production of a library. One of our catapults is upgraded to a cannon. Military tradition is now only 4 turns away. A knight is produced in New Excelsior. Production of a university starts. A library is built in St. Petersburg. Time to supply the city with some more fresh water (aqueduct). The Egyptian city of Pi-Ramesses completes the Shakespeare's theatre.
(18) 1675AD Alpha builds a frigate. The people are getting unhappy, so the production of a Colosseum is ordered. Vladivostok builds a library. A new marketplace is in order. Another catapult is upgraded to a cannon.
(19) 1680AD Vovanville builds a bank. Time for some entertainment - a Colosseum will soon be built. Excelsior memorial builds another knight. People there are getting unhappy as well. Another Colosseum is being constructed.
(20) 1685AD A cannon is built in Beta. Construction of a new knight is ordered. A cathedral is built in Delta. More knights are needed (just to be re-equipped before being fully trained with rifles). A Knight is built in St. Lurking. Another one is in order.
Vovansim V is ready to pass on his crown. In his will, he writes: "Everything is ready for the conquest of the Egyptians. Before soon, your people, [insert the name of my heir here], will possess the knowledge of Military Tradition. That will allow your knights to be equipped with rifles. You will find most of the equestrian troops in Vladivostok. There is a barracks there, too, so it will be easy to upgrade the knights. There are two cannons in there, too. That will serve as a base for a first attack. I am confident, you know what to do next. You are well worth the challenge.
Vovansim
PS: I know there is not enough money left. Sorry!"

[vovan]

And, of course, the saved game:

[Excelsior]

I'm going to play now!

Originally posted by vovansim
The plan is that as soon as we get to military tradition, we would smash the Egyptians with the modern cavalry units.

Don't forget. We're the Russians which means we get Cossacks! It is not a terrific unit, but it will trigger a golden age.

[Excelsior]

D'oh! Would you like to know what I just realized? We've got about a dozen knights, but we can't upgrade them to cavalry because we have Cossacks and you can't upgrade to a UU. Boy does that throw a wrench in the works.

[Excelsior]

Excelsior the Conqueror

Excelsior the Conqueror ascended the throne of Russia in 1685AD after the passing of Vovansim V. For many years he had served in the Russian Army as a general, constantly urging the king to ready the Russians for an attack on Egypt. Now, as the supreme ruler of all Russia, he stood ready to make his dreams of conquest a reality.

Turn #1>1690AD
Russian Wise-Men have discovered the secrets of Military Tradition. Soon Russian Cossacks will overwhelm the Egyptians. The Wise-Men report that they believe a "Theory of Gravity" would be useful to the Russian people. Excelsior VI agrees.

The city of Excelsior completes a courthouse and is directed to train Cossacks for the Russian Army. Lamda completes a library and begins construction of a temple. Gamma completes a harbor and begins work on a new frigate for the Russian Navy. Wonderful news has come! The city of New Lurkburg has completed Wall Street! Soon the Russian coffers will be filled to overflowing! The people of New Lurkburg are unhappy, so Excelsior VI directs them to build a marketplace. Many cities producing knights are switched to Cossacks.

All knights are ordered to return to the nearest barracks for refitting with rifles. To the far east, the city of Mu is founded. It is ordered to build a temple. A caravel, loaded down with a cannon, a spearman, and a knight sets sail for Zeta.
Turn #2>1695AD
Cleopatra sends an emissary to the Russians offering to exchange territory maps. Excelsior declines the offer, but not before discovering that the Egyptians are willing to pay top dollar for the secret of Physics. Excelsior sends an emissary to the English. The emissary successfully negotiates a deal to trade the secrets of economics for the secrets of democracy plus 2 gold and 1 gold per turn.

The Russian caravel lands in Zeta. The troops are dispatched to the Egyptian border. A galley sets sail for Zeta, loaded with a knight and a musketman. The Russian knights return to Vladivostok, but cannot be upgraded. Excelsior is enraged to discover that the poor Russian knights are too stupid to learn how to pull a trigger.
Turn #3>1700AD
The city of Iota completes the construction of a marketplace and begins construction of a bank. Eight Russian knights are dispatched north to guard the cities of Yakutsk and Novgorod. A division of spearmen at Vladivostok is refitted with muskets.
Turn #4>1705AD
The city of Lurkburg completes a courthouse and begins construction of a new frigate. Krasnoyarsk completes a musketman and begins construction of a courthouse. Three divisions of spearmen are refitted with muskets.
Turn #5>1710AD
The city of Excelsior completes the training of a Cossack and begins another. Smolensk completes a library and begins construction of a courthouse. Zeta completes a frigate and begins work on a marketplace.
Turn #6>1715AD
Epsilon completes a bank and begins training a Cossack. The knights and musketmen from Vladivostok are dispatched to the Egyptian border.
Turn #7>1720AD
Beta, Delta, and St. Lurking all complete the training of Cossacks. The city of Mosfrog completes a cathedral and begins a bank. New Excelsior completes a university and begins training a Cossack. New Lurkburg completes a marketplace and begins building a bank. The Russian people are so proud to live under the benign rule of Excelsior VI that they decide to add a new wing onto his palace.
Turn #8>1725AD
Alpha completes a colosseum and begins training a new division of Cossacks. The Imperial Russian Frigate Raven arrives near the Egyptian city of Pithom. The Russian fleet sails from Gamma, carrying 4 new divisions of Cossacks to the eastern continent.
Turn #9>1730AD
The city of Gamma completes a new frigate and begins work on a bank. Eta completes a Cossack and begins a marketplace. Theta completes a university and begins a marketplace. Excelsior the Conqueror decides that the Raven should depart for the Egyptian city of Asyut. The eight Russian knights arrive at Novgorod. Six of them are sent north towards the Egyptian saltpeter colony while the other two are positioned along the border with Egypt to the east. To the south, the Cossacks arrive at Zeta while two new Russian frigates near the Egyptian city of Buto, the I.R.S. Corn Hawk and the I.R.S. Eagle.

The northern theater:

Turn #10>1735AD
The city of Excelsior completes the training of a Cossack while the city of Lurkburg completes a frigate. Both begin another of the same. Vovanville completes a colosseum and begins building a cathedral. Yakutsk completes a temple and begins a marketplace. Vladivostok completes a marketplace and begins a new bank. St. Petersburg completes an aqueduct and begins a courthouse. Minsk completes a courthouse and begins a marketplace. Whew!

The Cossacks move into position as the Raven arrives near Asyut. The Russian invasion of Egypt is nearing.
Turn #11>1740AD
"Now begins our time of trials, my people. We have been at peace too long. We have become decadent. The wasteful Egyptians provoke us with their every breath, and yet we do nothing."

"No longer, my people! We shall rise up against our oppressors. We shall rise up against our foes. We shall rise up and destroy Cleopatra and all Egyptians. From this point forward, I declare that we are at war with Egypt!"
---"A Call to Arms," Excelsior VI, 1740AD

The war begins in the south. Russian cannon divisions bombard Egyptian spearmen and longbowmen near Buto. Softened by the bombardment, they are quickly decimated by Russian knights. Then the Cossacks swept in, hitting Buto before the Egyptians had time to react. Two consecutive attacks by Russian Cossacks quickly destroy the city's defenses and the Russians capture Buto. Unfortunately, the entire population has armed themselves in resistance. Two divisions of knights are installed to deal with the problem with 3 musketmen on the way. The roaming Russian Cossacks capture 8 Egyptian workers fleeing from the battle. The I.R.S. Eagle attacks and sinks an Egyptian caravel off the coast of Buto.

To the north, the I.R.S. Raven bombards the city of Asyut, destroying the temple there. Russian knights destroy the Egyptian saltpeter colony, capturing Egypt's only supply of gunpowder. Further, these great victories by Russian Cossacks have heralded a golden age in the history of Russia!


Turn #12>1745AD
Egyptian caravels land longbowmen on the shores of Buto while Egyptian spearmen move up near Novgorod. Russian troops in Buto quell two resistors, but the city falls into civil disorder. Excelsior the Conqueror orders his advisor, "Let them riot! I don't care!"

The I.R.S. Eagle puts into port a Buto for repairs, while the I.R.S. Corn Hawk attacks an Egyptian caravel attempting to land troops in a counterattack. After a fierce battle, the Corn Hawk defeats the caravel and its crew achieves elite status. The longbowmen are destroyed by a Russian counterattack and three musketmen fortify themselves in Buto. The Raven bombards Asyut but fails to do any damage. The 3 Russian knights attack Asyut, but the entrenched spearmen prove too difficult a challenge and the Russians are routed.
Turn #13>1750AD
An Egyptian spearmen counterattacks and destroys one of the knights near Asyut. To the south, two Egyptian caravels attack the weakened Corn Hawk hoping to destroy it before it can return to port. Both are destroyed, but at great cost in lives. By the time the Corn Hawk returns to port, it is little more than a burning hulk (1 hit point left out of ten!). Lamda completes a temple and begins work on a marketplace. Beta, Delta, Epsilon, and St. Lurking all train Cossacks and begin training more.

The Raven bombards the counterattacking spearmen, weakening them severely. Though it takes two divisions of knights, the spearmen are eventually destroyed. A new frigate arrives at the front, the I.R.S. Little Wing. It bombards and destroys the temple of Pithom. Knights retreating from the battle of Asyut arrive at Novgorod.
Turn #14>1752AD
Excelsior and Alpha complete the training of Cossacks and begin training the same. Lurkburg completes a new frigate. Sevastopol completes a courthouse and begins a marketplace. Excelsior Memorialis completes a colosseum and begins work on a new galleon. New Lurkburg completes a bank and begins work on a cathedral.

Egyptian cavalry is spotted near Novgorod! The Russian knights make preparations to strike preemptively. Unfortunately, Excelsior's generals report that the Knight Corps cannot make a strike due to the shattered condition of the military at this time. Only two divisions are battle ready, but they will be insufficient to deter the attacking force and will be vulnerable to counterattack! Excelsior decides to hold at Novgorod and heal his force before risking them on the battlefield again.

Turn #15>1754AD
Egyptian cavalry attacks Novgorod. The first wave is repulsed by the city's musketmen, but the second breaks through, destroying a defending knight division. More cavalry is seen moving into position. The I.R.S. Raven bombards the Egyptian cavalry, doing minimal damage. Russian knights counterattack Egyptian positions, destroying 3 cavalry and 1 spearman. Fresh troops arrive in Zeta, 5 Cossacks ready for battle.

Iota builds a bank and begins building a cathedral. The income of the Russian treasury is now 432 gold per turn.
Turn #16>1756AD
The English wish to trade with the Russians. Excelsior strikes a deal quickly, the Russian secrets of Physics in exchange for Free Artistry, 46 gold, and 4 gold per turn. Egyptian counterattacks near Novgorod destroy a division of knights. Mosfrog completes a bank and begins construction of a colosseum. New Excelsior completes a Cossack and begins construction of a cathedral. A division of Russian knights attacks the spearmen near Novgorod, destroying them and achieving elite status.

Now Excelsior must decide what to do about the Egyptian musketmen entrenched in the hills outside Yakutsk. Obviously they must not be allowed to stay, but destroying them will difficult given the mountainous terrain. He decides to authorize the attack anyway. Through great bravery a single division of Russian Cossacks was sufficient to destroy the musketmen. This enormous stroke of luck allows the remainder of the Cossack divisions to continue on to their destination of Novgorod uninterrupted.

Russian inventors have discovered the "Theory of Gravity" and the secrets of Nationalism! The Russians have entered a new stage of development! The Russians have entered the industrial age! Russian inventors are set are to work on the secrets of a very useful idea, the Steam Engine! Further, the Russian people are so pleased at these advances that they offer to expand Excelsior VI's palace once again.
Turn #17>1758AD
Further Egyptian counterattacks destroy another division of knights, but the cavalry involved have exposed themselves to future counterattack. The city of Excelsior has completed the training of another Cossack. It begins construction of a great wonder, Newton's University, which it will complete in 14 turns! Lurkburg completes a frigate and begins construction of a harbor. St. Lurking trains a Cossack and begins a barracks. St. Petersburg completes a courthouse and begins a bank.

Russian frigates bombard the Egyptian cities of Pompeii, Pithom, and Lisht, doing insignificant damage. The Raven bombards counterattacking Egyptian forces. Russian Cossacks attack, destroying an Egyptian cavalry division and an Egyptian Pikeman division.
Turn #18>1760AD
Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Epsilon train Cossacks and continue training the same. Vovanville completes a cathedral and begins building a harbor. Gamma completes a bank and begins building a galleon. Theta builds a marketplace and begins building a cathedral. Rostov builds a temple and begins a library. Pompeii, Lisht, Alexandria, and Pithom are all attacked by Russian frigates, but they sustain little damage. Russian knights attack Egyptian forces near Novgorod destroying a division of Spearmen, a division of Pikemen, and a division of cavalry, but one division of Russian knights is destroyed.
Turn #19>1762AD
The Corn Hawk, off the Egyptian coast, spots Egyptian knights and war chariots moving up towards Russia. 3 divisions of cavalry are landed off the coast of Riga! This is disastrous! The only defense the city has is a single division of antiquated spearmen! 5 Russian Cossacks arrive in Novgorod.

Excelsior Memorialis completes a galleon and begins construction of a frigate. St. Lurking completes a barracks and begins construction the training of a Cossack. The I.R.S. Corn Hawk destroys an Egyptian caravel off the coast of Alexandria. It set course back to Russia for repairs.
Turn #20>1764AD
Though valiant in their efforts, the spearmen at Riga fall to the superior Egyptian cavalry. Egyptian counterattacks near Novgorod destroy one division of knights. Odessa completes a courthouse and begins a temple. Eta completes a marketplace and begins a courthouse. The I.R.S. Eagle is destroyed by an Egyptian caravel. Five new divisions of Cossacks arrive at Zeta.

Excelsior the Conqueror decided to personally lead this counterattack against the Egyptians. One exposed division of Egyptian cavalry was quickly destroyed by Russian knights. Then Excelsior himself led the charge of Cossacks against the Egyptian knights.

The battle went well. Six divisions of Egyptian knights and one division of war chariots were annihilated, but Excelsior the Conqueror was killed. He did not want to die. There were still battles to be fought and won. There were still Egyptians to destroy. But fate does not give us the luxury of choosing whence we live and die. In his absence, the command of the Russian Army fell to General Lurking VI, the new leader of the Russian people.

[American Guy]

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