Adventure 45: Hail Hannibal, fickle God Emperor and Patron of Knowledge (CR+GLib)

[Profane]

FINAL REPORT IS DONE!

First, about my Civ experience:
My experience is usually only with Duel games, where I can defeat Immortal AIs 1v1 (but not Deity).
I've only ever played 1 Standard sized map on Noble and I didn't even finish it!
As a result, i'm really poor in diplomatic dealings and tech trading when there are several AI; I was not very confident of being able to pull through.

I picked Cristo Redentor and Great Library.
Cristo Redentor was chosen because I wanted to have a Spiritual trait of sorts, and I wanted to play around with some civic swapping, which I had never done before.
The other thing about this wonder is that it allows you to easily swap to Slavery only when you absolutely need it - knowing Random Events was on, this would effectively minimise the risk of Slave Revolts.
Also, I was swapping between Serfdom and Slavery once I obtained Feudalism to effectively use both traits in any given turn.
Later, alternated between Emancipation and Serfdom to get the benefits of Emancipation every other turn while getting the Serfdom benefit every turn.
Great Library was chosen so I could pump out Great People quickly at the initial stage of the game.

My second choice would've been Eiffel Tower/Great Library.
Eiffel Tower is more or less like a Creative trait; since it provides Broadcast Towers (+50% culture) and allows you to hire Artist specialists, I could get very easy border pops for my early cities by assigning my first citizen to be an Artist till i get the fat cross.
In the end I decided I preferred to being Spiritual over being Creative.

I was considering HE/WP/Pentagon, but decided not to, as I was worried i'd be outteched so badly that even high promotion units wouldn't cut it against more advanced units.

By the way, nice Mediterranean theme; I noticed it.

For those of you who want a very brief summary till I have time to provide a longer report:

SUMMARY
Settled first GP (Scientist) at t10, built academy at t30 when I spawned a 2nd Scientist.
Opening was CS Slingshot with Oracle. Unfortunately to do this I only had 2 cities at the time (I was behind on expansion).
As a result, got crammed up in a small piece of land, was either last or 2nd last in power.
I did, however, manage to grab the Iron by Egypt, which was much needed for my Cannons later.
Politically, I was allied to Ramesses (he founded Hinduism and 4 other religions) because I converted to Hinduism and was running Org. Rel. for most of the game. The Buddhist bloc consisted of Caesar, Justinian (founder), Alex. The rest (Mansa & Louis) were pariahs.
In the midgame, I was starting to stagnate, and that was not good.
I failed to colonise the central islands, being the last to Astronomy.
Managed to Liberalise Democracy, and was going to immediately swap to it, but then when I counted how many Towns I had to see how many hammers i'd get, I decided not to. Should've liberalised Steel instead.

I decided to hit Mansa Musa with Riflemen and Cannon ASAP because I found out I didn't have coal!
When I was half done knocking him out, Justinian the #1 power (more than double mine, IIRC) said he 'had enough on his hands'.
Byzantium declared, but just as he was about to deal enough damage (to Egypt, who was my Vassal), managed to secure AP (which was Buddhist) peace. More on this later.
So, invaded France - I planned to stop after that to go for Space Victory, but halfway through Caesar (#2 power) and Alex (Caesar's vassal) declared war on me because Louis vassalised to him - wasn't prepared for it; i'd lost virtually no units before the Romans joined in. Halfway through the war with Caesar, he vassalised to Justinian, who then declared war on me! He was still #1 in Power and had more advanced units than I did! It was 2v4, the Allies (Rome, France, Greece, Byzantium) vs the Axis (Carthage, Egypt).

Outcome in the end:
Domination Victory in 1876AD (T308). I'm most definitely not in contention for the Quickest Domination Victory.
I had generated 10 GGs in the game (including the free Fascism one) - this is far more than i've ever obtained!), and 13 GPs (at least first 10 of them from Carthage!) if i'm not mistaken.

By the way, I need to work on playing faster - spent 45 hours, 5 minutes.
To be fair, I was writing my report as I was playing my turns (alt-tabbing a lot). As a result, my game crashed a few times now and then . Luckily I had those autosaves every turn!

Images and Full Report below; hope my full report won't bore anyone - reads almost like a turn log.

[Profane]

Ok, here's the full report in 4 posts.

Composite World Map with War Events directly relevant to Carthage:


T0
Warrior -> NE Plains Hill
Research: Agriculture - need that Corn running!

T1
Borders expand - free Hunting Tech!
Find out i'm S of Ring.

T6
Agriculture discovered.
Research: Bronze Working - need to clear land for Carthage!
Carthage borders expand EOT

T7
Ramesses to the East. Bad news about wonder grabbing, and hoping for Copper for some Spears to counter War Chariots!

T8
Buddhism FDL.

T10
GP1: Great Scientist. Settle as per variant rules.
Warrior pauses to heal for 5t after losing 48HP to Panther while in Jungle.

T11
Bronze Working discovered. NO COPPER!
Research: Wheel
Ramesses reaches my borders; he can't send scout further.

T14
Worker complete; Carthage building Warrior. Don't feel comfy without defense
Worker irrigates corn.

T15
Wheel discovered.
Research: Pottery

T20
Carthage size 2.
Corn online.

T21
Pottery discovered.
Research: Animal Husbandry
Cottage FP.
See Egypt's borders - Thebes 21E from Carthage
Egypt has IVORY nearby!
I don't have Copper for Spearmen; if I don't have Iron, i'm a sitting duck for Egypt's War Chariots! I guess I should try to stay on good terms with Egypt.

T22
Hinduism FDL. Has to be Egypt; F8 shows Thebes' culture increased by +7
Carthage produces Warrior. Building Work Boat.
New Warrior heads W.

T23
Egypt has its first Settler out!
Egypt converts to Hinduism

T24
Egypt's settler's headed for IVORY ...

T25
... Or not.

T26
Animal Husbandry discovered. At least I have Horses nearby.
MUST secure Egypt as permanent Ally! Hoping for Hinduism spread.
Initial Warrior reached as far E as he can go.
Worker roading to city site (Marked by the #)

T28
First Barbarian (Archer) appears! Need to be careful now.

T29
Worker heads to Western Clam; it will be shared with future city site (#)

T30
GP2: Great Scientist again. Academy, of course!

T31
Writing discovered.
Research: Mathematics
Sign OB with Egypt to build relations and explore further.

T33
Thebes has 2 Clam, 1 Horse, 1 Cattle, 1 Banana.
Ramesses irrigated his Horse and hasn't pastured his Cattle.
2nd Warrior returning home for Garrison duty.

T35
Hut near Egypt's borders. Why didn't Ramesses pop it yet?

T36
Ok, maybe THAT's why. 2 spanking angry cavemen. At least I'm on a forested hill. Use saved promo on Woodsman I - I fear for his safety.

T37
He LIVES! 2 HP left, though. Odds were 99% and 96.2%.
Being CHA, I promote Woodsman II! Haven't done that in awhile - my initial scouts in other private games keep dying < T10. Ha!
Needs to heal for another 5T.

T38
Mathematics discovered.
Research: Mysticism
Settler complete, heading to Horse site.
Forest grows near Carthage.

T39
Utica founded 2440BC.
Set research to 0% for the first time.

T41
Mysticism discovered.
Research: Polytheism

T42
Horses online.

T43
Polytheism discovered.
Research: Priesthood
Worker begins chopping/building mines for Oracle.
Moved warrior into flat ground, next to a Barbarian Warrior...

T44

While my Warrior survived (thanks to the river) at 74.9% odds, an ambassador commits a faux pas against Egypt!
Warrior retreats to the SAME hill to heal for 9T.
Carthage emphasises Production in anticipation of Oracle build.

T45
Priesthood discovered.
Research: Code of Laws
I regret emphasising Production in Carthage. I'll probably need an extra turn of 0% science because of that.
Warrior retreats into Egyptian territory to explore in safe areas and heal instead of staying in neutral territory.

T50
First Mine operational. Woodsman II Warrior healing for 9T now. And I regret wasting so many turns to explore the tiny peninsula North of Thebes now. Should've just healed up and sought more contacts.

T54
Ramesses builds Stonehenge in Thebes.
40% science to complete Code of Laws in 1T just in case i'm in a race.

T55
Code of Laws discovered. Founded Confucianism in Utica.
Research: Iron Working. Need to find a metal NOW.
And I need to clear the Jungle on those Pigs.

T56
Oracle complete! Slingshot Civil Service.
Confucianism spread in Carthage.
Holding off converting to Confucianism from fear of Egyptian reprisal.
Switched to Bureaucracy, of course.

T57
Ramesses is in Organised Religion now. I should get into this soon.

T59
Warrior finally healed. Moving on to explore Eastwards.

T60
Iron Working discovered.
Research: Sailing
GP3: Great Engineer from Carthage. Can't use him to rush anything till 1AD. That's... 40 turns away? Might as well settle him or lightbulb Metal Casting. Since it just takes me 8 turns' research, and i've more important things to build than a Forge at the moment (I'm behind schedule in settling my lands!), I settle him.

It turns out the nearest Iron is in Egyptian territory!
Okay, so much for the plan for building Macemen to invade a neighbour. I'll have to head to Feudalism quick.
Library built in Carthage, need another Worker now, so Carthage does that.
With another chop in from building a Grassland Hill mine, it comes out next turn.

T61
Worker in Carthage complete. Building another one.

T62
Sailing discovered.
Research: Masonry
Granary in Utica complete.

T63
Masonry discovered.
Research: Monotheism
Great Wall BFL
Worker in Carthage complete. Building Monument to coincide with growth.

T65
Monotheism discovered.
Research: Archery - I'm feeling a little edgy.

T66
Archery discovered.
Research: Metal Casting
My scouting Woodsman II Warrior landed in a Jungle next to 3 barbarians.

T67
He died.
Jungle pigs at Utica finally pastured.

T68
Completed Worker in Utica. Working on Library.
Converted to Confucianism and take a -2 hit on diplomacy. Hope I don't regret this.
Switched to Organised Religion as well to alleviate this and speed the Library.

T69
Settler in Carthage complete. Working on Barracks.
Prophet born in Thebes (Egypt).

T70
Barracks in Carthage complete. Working on Archer.
Ramesses completes Kashi Vishavanath with his Prophet.
Pigs online.
With the Hindu Shrine up, i'm hoping to get a Hinduism spread to my 3rd city.

T71
Hadrumetum founded. Costs pushed up by -5. Ugh.
Ramesses founds Heliopolis... somewhere. I'm hoping it's not the Iron spot.

T72
Archer in Carthage complete. Working on Granary.
Switch to Slavery to whip Library in Utica.

T73
Switch back to Tribalism to reduce cost and avoid chance of Slave Revolt.

T74
Metal Casting discovered.
Research: Monarchy
Planned to build Forge immediately in Carthage with a Granary there completed this turn, but the Barbarian Archer appearing East of my empire forces me to build an Archer first.
2 Barbarian Archers to the East discovered by my Archer! Promoting to Guerilla I - not taking any chances.

T78
Monarchy discovered.
Research: Currency
Barbarian pillaged my Pigs! Killed it with a Combat I Archer from Utica at 66.8% odds.
Had a spare Archer nearby to clean up in case he failed, so not much risk there.

T79
Barbarian threat neutralised for now.
Swapped to Hereditary Rule to help with Happiness in Utica.

T80
Settler complete in Carthage. Working on Confucian Missionary.

T81
Hippo founded.

T83
Accidentally put a turn into a Forge in Hippo. Switched to Granary.
Ramesses has a War Chariot outside my borders! I hope he's just passing through.
He's sending a Hindu Missionary to me now! Hope it goes to Carthage, so I can build Missionaries fast.
10% science to just barely get Currency next turn.

T84
Currency discovered.
Research: Feudalism. I want to unlock Serfdom quickly.
Unfortunately the Missionary went to Hippo, my new city.
Confucianism spread to Hadrumetum & Hippo.

T85
Ramesses is sending another Missionary to me! Way to go, dude!

T86
Another Missionary! Woohoo!

T87
A Jewish Missionary? What the heck is he doing here?
So Ramesses was the one who founded Judaism...

T88
Ramesses failed to spread Judaism in Utica. Keep 'em coming, and slow your expansion!

T89
GP4: Great Engineer from Carthage. Can't rush anything yet; guess i'll settle it like before.
Hindu Missionary complete in Carthage and is heading to Utica.

T90
Ramesses gets another Prophet - robably will build the Temple of Solomon.
Hinduism spread in Utica, and now all my cities have Hinduism. It's time to convert and make Ramesses VERY happy!
Suddenly, he's +8 towards me.

T93
Christianity FDL. Ramesses bulbed it with his Prophet - I was wrong about the Jewish Shrine. Maybe he'll build the AP; I don't exactly mind...
Switched to Slavery to whip Granary in Hippo.

T94
Met Mansa Musa EOT.
Switched to Serfdom.
EP spending switched to Mansa Musa to get Demographic visibility.
Just realised I mispromoted my best unit (Archer) with Combat I and CG I awhile back.

T95
Temple of Artemis BFL.

T96
I got beat to the Iron spot by Egypt.

T98
Carthage working on The Great Lighthouse.

My settler shifts to the Southern city site instead. (# on the south)

T99
Met Alexander. He's Buddhist, but isn't the founder. He's also at WAR with Ramesses. He's also the one who built the Temple of Artemis.

T99
Founded Kerkoane near Egypt's borders.
Founded Leptis in the West near the Gems spot. I look forward to hooking up my first Luxury.
Traded Code of Laws to Ramesses for Meditation and 220 gold. Angered Alexander as a result.
Traded Code of Laws to Mansa Musa for Alphabet.
I'm inexperienced in tech trading, and I don't know if i'm going to suffer for this.

T100
Scientist BFL.
Hinduism spread in Leptis.

[darrelljs]

spent 45 hours, 5 minutes.

Holy cow . I rolled a few test maps and decided that domination was going to be a pain, so I went space. I also had to take on Mansa for Coal however .

Darrell

[Profane]

T102
Paper discovered.
Research: Education
Thucydides says the Carthaginians are the most Advanced in the world.
Mansa Musa adopts Hereditary Rule.
My Hindu Missionary reached Kerkoane but didn't convert it as Ramesses had a Hindu Missionary arriving EOT... Gotta love that guy.

T103
Research: Horseback Riding. Education on hold.
The Great Lighthouse built in Carthage.
Carthage now working on Colossus (without Copper).

T105
Horseback Riding discovered.
Research: Education (Resuming)
Prophet BFL.
Just realised I should've built a workboat in Utica for Leptis' clams when the borders expand.
Ideal timing was last turn.

Kerkoane is in bad shape culturally. Didn't expect this!
Archer by Barbarian city of Phrygian is pillaging around for some loose change.

T106
Research: Aesthetics. Education on hold, again.
Met Justinian EOT. He and Alexander are in a Buddhist bloc, and will likely be hostile.
He has Aesthetics!
It was Byzantium that build The Great Wall.
Did not sign OB with him to prevent him from making more contacts.
I'm going to try for the Artist at Music - I just had some ideas on what to do with it.
Consulting the F4 screen, it seems Justinian has contacts with everyone I know as well, so I might as well sign OB to make him less annoyed.
Switched to Slavery so I can whip the Library i'm building in Hadrumetum for 2 pop (one Unhappy).

T107
Alexander makes peace with Ramesses.
Switched back to Serfdom.

T108
Just realised I forgot to switch EP spending on to someone else. Had Mansa Musa's demographics for awhile now...

T109
Aesthetics discovered.
Research: Literature. Justinian has Literature; he must be beelining for Music already! Not sure if I can make it.
Colossus built in Carthage. Building Stables and a Numidian Cavalry for exploration purposes.

T110
Literature discovered.
Research: Music. I can get it in 3T; hopefully that's fast enough.
Carthage builds Numidian Cavalry. Was considering National Epic, but I think I want to reserve the National Wonder slots for Oxford and Ironworks.

T111
Gems are online now. Yay for my first Happy resource.
My first Numidian Cavalry is out, and I promote it to Sentry. He's going to head Westwards to explore.
In other news, Ramesses and I are best buddies (Friendly) at +11 now. Unfortunately, it may not last based on my next plans.

T112
Scientist born in Thebes (Egypt). That probably means a Capital Academy for Ramesses.
Spy BFL. Must be from the Great Wall.
Sheep online.

T113
Music discovered.
Research: Calendar
Meet Julius Caesar EOT. Apparently, despite both being Buddhists, Caesar and Alexander are at WAR. This is good news, as it slows down the global tech rate.
No need to antagonise him further, so I sign OB with him.

I land the free Artist!
I'm wondering if I should save him, or... we'll see in a few turns...
By the way, is there a Mediterranean theme here? Only Mansa Musa doesn't fit.
Hopefully i'm able to stay peaceful till I at least get Rifling.
Taoism FDL. Again, i'm wrong. Ramesses used his Scientist to bulb it.
I'm starting to wonder if he's gunning for a Cultural Victory already!

Borders at Kerkoane expanded, so i've regained control of my inner ring tiles, which means I can connect Dye! ... if only I had Calendar. I dial up Justinian to see if he's agreeable to Code of Laws for Calendar trade, but it seems he really hates me now.
I research it myself, and should get it in about 2T.
Scouting shows Mansa Musa has Marble.
He's got either Copper or Iron as well.

T115
Calendar discovered.
Research: Drama. I'm going to be in an uphill Culture War with Egypt - Ramesses has too many religions, so I need all the help I can get!

Anyway, my Artist reached Kerkoane. Guess what he's going to do?

BOOM! I now have Iron. Also, Rice.
I'm probably going to take a diplo hit from Ramesses. Hopefully he won't be *TOO* unhappy and stay Friendly with me.
The bomb spotted Stone in an offshore island North of Kerkoane, with the Bananas. I'll send my next settler there, probably. Should've spotted the Stone earlier; it was the one tile in the area that I missed.
This would've been an ideal Moai Statues location, but I already started it in Utica some time back.
Switched to Slavery to whip a Granary in Kerkoane.

T116
Whipped Library in Hippo, and switched back to Serfdom.

T118
Drama discovered.
Research: Machinery - since I have Iron now...

T119
Alex comes asking me to join him in the Greco-Roman war. We don't even get along at all, so just forget it, Alex. It's unlikely he'd come after me, since he's more annoyed with Ramesses and Caesar.

Also, Tin in Utica!

T120

Vermin in Hadrumetum!
I pay 21g to restore it - need the food for whips.
GP5: Great Scientist born Carthage. This means it's time for an Academy in Utica.
Met Louis XIV. He's already annoyed with me because I 'traded with his worst enemies'. Don't know who that is, though. Possibly Mansa Musa.
This means i've now met everyone in the world.

T121
2 Generals BFL. One each for Caesar and Alex. Keep it up and kill each other!
Just realised the Governor of Hadrumetum had assigned a damnable Spy for a couple of turns! Corrected that immediately.

T122
Machinery discovered. Bring on the Macemen!
Research: Education

Mansa Musa is trying to settle in MY territory?!
Alex adopts Hereditary Rule, Caesar adopts Org. Rel. Not good, as it means Ramesses is going to be friendly with him.


T123
Research: Guilds. Education put on hold. AGAIN.

Mansa Musa is trying to steal my Gems! Wadan must BURN!
Also, prevents me from placing my fishing village (#). I don't appreciate that at all. Now i've got a Settler with nowhere to go. Oh well, guess i'll use it for a filler city near my capital.
This annoys me so much that I switch my research from Education to Guilds.
Carthage is building the Mausoleum of Mausollos without Marble. Can't let the AI get it.
In other news, the Banana and Stone island colony of Sicca is founded.

T124
Traded Literature to Ramesses for 235g. He's unlikely to trade it to anyone else except Caesar.
Thaenae founded, and costs increased by -12. Ouch.
Switched to Slavery and whipped Hippo's Marketplace for 4 pop.

T125
Pyramids BFL - Caesar built it.
Hadrumetum grew into Unhappiness. Oops.
Whipped Kerkoane's Forge for 2 pop.
Whipped Leptis' Forge for 1 pop. Theatre for culture combat is next to protect my Gems.
Switched back to Serfdom.
Traded Carthaginian Pigs for Egyptian bovine.

T126
Carthage celebrates 'We Love the Monarch Day!'. What causes this to happen? Not that i'm complaining...
Also, Slave Revolt in the Malinese city of Djenne. Anything that harms my opponents is more than welcome.

T127
Guilds discovered. Bring on the Knights!
Research: Education.
Good news: Mansa Musa converts to Christianity, annoying Ramesses. Bad news - He also goes into Org. Religion, greatly pleasing Ramesses.

T128
Caught a spy in Kerkoane. I'm not pleased at all. Hopefully it's not Ramesses trying to be funny.
Scientist born in Gao (Mali).

T129
Volcanic eruption at Ephesus.
France completed the Elite Swords quest. Now he's got either free CR I for his Swordsmen (lame) or free Drill I for all Melee units (better). Not good news, for one thing.
Justinian adopts Vassalage. He's gearing for war.
Worse news, he traded it to Mansa Musa.
Forget about Knights; i'll need something stronger.

T130
Louis converts to Confucianism. This will make life so much easier. Hopefully Mansa Musa and Louis will DoW each other.
Romans complete the Horse Whispering quest.

T131
Caesar asked me to go to WAR against Greece. I don't see why not; it's going to be a phony war, probably. As long as Egypt doesn't sign OB with Greece, i'm very safe.
Switched to Slavery and whip a Theatre in Kerkoane and a Library in Leptis.

T132

Carthaginian Revolt in Elephantine! It's going to flip to me sooner or later.
Statue of Zeus BFL - Justinian built it.
Switched to Serfdom.

T133
Education discovered - finally!
Research: Construction
Ramesses is spreading Hinduism in Mansa Musa's cities!

T134
Construction discovered.
Research: Engineering
Switched to Slavery and whip a Library for 2 pop in Kerkoane. Gotta stop being such a sadist over there.
Also whip a Lighthouse in Thapsus.

T135
Justinian and Caesar both have Machinery now.
Mansa Musa has Civil Service.
Whipped Utica's University for 3 pop, Hadrumetum's University for 4 pop. Utica was going to be unhappy, and Hadrumetum was already unhappy.
Switched to Serfdom.

T138
Engineering discovered.
Research: Printing Press
Scientist born in Heliopolis (Egypt).
Mansa Musa adopts Bureaucracy, of course.

Elephantine flips (that was fast!). I even got a Longbowman out of the deal. I disband the city because of its crappy location. Carthage builds a Settler to replace it (I'll plant 1S of the ruins).
Because of the receding Egyptian territory, i've acquired Silks.
The Longbowman explores the uncharted portions of the Egyptian border.

T139
Parthenon BDL.
Islam FDL. Probably Ramesses.

T140
2 Scientists BFL.
Just noticed Louis has 'enough on his hands right now'. I presume he's going to mount an offensive against Mansa Musa, considering Mansa Musa's the guy he's most irked with (Annoyed but Cautious/Pleased with everyone else).

T142
Tacape founded south of Elephantine's ruins. Longbow from the revolt garrisons it.

T143
Barbarian city of Phrygian caputured by Mali. My Numidian Mercenary was present to witness the bloody Mace vs Archer matchup.

T144
Spy BFL. Probably Byzantine.
General BFL. Not sure if it's Roman or Greek.
Caesar has Engineering now.
The problem with I have with tech trading is that no one has anything to give me.

T145
Philosophy discovered.
Research: Liberalism
Contacted Ramesses and traded Feudalism to him for Theology, as he's the only one apart from miserable Alex who doesn't yet have the tech. Got an extra 120g in the trade, too.

T146
Ramesses adopts Vassalage.
Built Notre Dame in Carthage.
Just barely got visibility on Justinian. He must be the #1 power.

T147
Prophet BFL.
Louis adopts Vassalage. Whoever he's fighting is going to be in a world of pain. I hope it's not me, considering I still have cardboard cutouts for military.

T148
Louis demands 180g. I reject it. He is angry.
I wonder if he'll declare war on me. Regardless, without OB with Mali, he can't touch me. :neenernee:
Mansa Musa completes Hagia Sophia.
Caesar adopts Vassalage. What is it with these guys?
Switched to Slavery to whip Granary in Thaenae & Lighthouse in Sicca.

T149
Divine Right discovered.
Research: Nationalism
GP6: Great Scientist from Carthage. He goes and builds an Academy in Hippo.
Mansa Musa adopts Theocracy & Caste System.
Thapsus's Forge whipped for 2 pop.
Leptis' University whipped for 3 pop.
Switched to Serfdom.
Contacted Ramesses and traded Horseback Riding & Drama for Compass and 10g.
Contacted Caesar and traded Drama for 190g.

T150
Hanging Gardens BFL. Alex built it.

T151
Pliny says i've got the most pathetic military in the world.
Banking discovered.
Research: Nationalism

T152
Sabratha founded on outer Crab isle near Egypt.

T153
Scientists born in Thebes (Egypt) and Gao (Mali).
Louis DECLARES WAR on Mansa Musa!
Hope they both wear each other down for me to mop them up later.
Looks like i'll try to Liberalise Democracy and trigger a Golden Age with 2h Towns under Suffrage.

Current state of global tech.

T155
Spiral Minaret built in Carthage. Was worried i'd lose it to Ramesses.

T156
Nationalism discovered.
Research: Constitution
University of Sankore built in Carthage. I had it queued up earlier when I swapped over to Spiral Minaret when I got Divine Right - Sankore was never in jeopardy. A forest chop completed it.
Ramesses has Optics, but i've no use for that. He wants 130g + Civil Service just for it. Not a chance.
Justinian adopts Bureaucracy. Got bored of Vassalage?
Switched to Slavery to whip Sicca's Granary for 2 pop.

T157
Shwedagon Paya BFL. Louis built it in the midst of war.
Ramesses exchanged Optics for Louis' Civil Service. Bah.
Also, I just found out that Byzantium is Egypt's other neighbour; always thought it was Greece.
Switched to Serfdom.

T158
Artist BFL.
Ramesses adopts Bureaucracy.
Switched to Slavery to whip Tacape's Granary.

T159
Engineer BFL.
Whipped Hippo's University.
Whipped Hadrumetum's Bank for 3 pop.
Switched to Serfdom.

T160
2 Generals BFL.
1 more General born in Kumbi Saleh (Mali).
Buddhist Apostolic Palace built in Greece. Argh, should've built it first before Sankore!
Now i'm going to have a huge problem with outproducing the Buddhist bloc.
In other news:
Mansa Musa adopts Slavery.
A Theatre in Walata burned down.

T161
50% science for Lib in 1T.

T162
Liberalism discovered - Liberalised Democracy!
Research: Replaceable Parts
Happenings around the world:
Thunderstorms and Twisters struck just East of Djenne.
A Forge in Alexandria burned down.
Just realised that i'm not ready for Suffrage & Emancipation: I have too few Towns, my capital can't cope with Happiness without Hereditary Rule, and I still need to Slave this turn.
This is because I was teching much faster than I normally would in a typical game, and thus my Cottages haven't had the time to mature. If I had known, i'd have beelined for Chemistry and Liberalised Steel instead.
Also note that it's not really worth it to switch to Free Speech at the moment, as I have so few Towns. Rather have the Hammer bonus from Bureaucracy than some extra culture at the moment.
Free Religion is definitely out, as I still want Org. Religion to appease Ramesses (and also because i'm still building infrastructure).
Switched to Slavery to whip Thaenae's Forge for 2 pop.
I doubt i'll ever go back to Serfdom though - probably wiser to use Emancipation instead, and swap to Slavery when necessary.

***

T163
BAD NEWS!

Ramesses bloody Vassalised to Caesar!
This messes up everything!
This also means he declares WAR on Alex (again).
Well, at least Ramesses is still Friendly with me at +16. Just hope Caesar doesn't come after my head.
In other news, a Greek folk hero inspired creation of apple trees, and there's a controversial philosopher around in Byzantium (Did he just get a free Academy or Scientist?).
Whipped Tacape's Lighthouse.
Switched to Emancipation.
EOT Caesar offers Optics for my Paper and 65g. Not a chance, especially since Paper is a monopoly tech!
Mansa Musa also asks for help (again). Forget it.

T164
In a surprise move, Louis converts to Hinduism.
... I didn't really want that; wish he'd remain a pariah as a follower of Confucianism.
Switched to Slavery to whip Thapsus' University for 4 pop. This is mainly so I can build Oxford in Carthage next turn.

T165
Ramesses wants to trade Optics and some loose change for Guilds. After you vassalised to Rome, you expect me to be so generous anymore?
Whipped Work Boat in Kerkoane.
Switched to Emancipation.

T166
Replaceable Parts discovered.
Research: Gunpowder. Not taking risks anymore.

Alex capitulated to Caesar.
Anyway this also means I have Peace with Caesar.
Unfortunately, it also means I may be open to direct attack from Rome due to the vassal agreements (Rome-Greece-Egypt).

T167
Gunpowder discovered.
Research: Rifling. Yep, not taking chances now.
Justinian adopts Caste System.
Switched to Universal Suffrage. This causes 1 Unhappiness in Hippo, but the production boost in Carthage more than makes up for it, and the Unhappiness is wearing off in 2 turns (from slaving).
This also makes Louis annoyed (if he wasn't already so).

T168
Ramesses builds Chichen Itza. Pretty much junk if you ask me.
Spy born in Constantinople (Byzantium).
General BFL. Either Mali or France.
Caesar has Gunpowder now.
Switched to Slavery to whip Sicca's Forge for 3 pop.

T169
Whipped Tacape's Forge for 3 pop.
Switched to Emancipation.

T170
Rifling discovered. Time to go into Military mode soon.
Research: Chemistry
Ramesses builds Angkor Wat.
Engineer born in Kumbi Saleh (Mali).
Switched to Slavery to whip Tacape's Theater and Sabratha's Granary. Weedy move on my part; I had a Missionary there ready to spread Hinduism to get the Org. Religion bonus.
Carthage is now in Military mode, pumping out Riflemen.

T171
Mansa Musa wants Education and lots of cash for Optics? Hah.
Louis adopts Free Religion. That's not great either, as it means it's less likely Caesar will attack him.
Engineer and Prophet BFL.
Hinduism spread in Sabratha.
Whipped Sicca's Library for 2 pop.
Switched to Emancipation.

T172
Caesar starts a Golden Age with a GP, and switches to Universal Suffrage. His production is going to be even more out of control.
Just realised I should've developed Lumber Mills on forests that are on rivers first before non-river forest tiles.

T173
Chemistry discovered.
Research: Steel

T175
Greece developed smokeless powder for their Muskets for FREE PINCH on Musketmen!
GP7: Great Artist from Carthage. Start a Golden Age, of course!


Would've preferred an Engineer for rushing Taj (which I haven't built yet because of lack of Marble). Will start Taj now, since i'm in a Golden Age.
Prophet born in Memphis (Egypt). Bet he builds a Shrine (probably Temple of Solomon).
Ramesses has Nationalism.

T177
Steel discovered.
Research: Economics - I want that Great Merchant as it's at risk now that Education is out there.
Ramesses builds Temple of Solomon, as expected.

T178
Economics discovered. I get the Great Merchant!
Research: Steam Power

Discovered Rifled Barrels - All Cannon get Combat I
Switched to Free Market.

T182
Steam Power discovered.
Research: Military Science
I don't have Coal!
Mansa Musa does, hoevewer. It means I need to invade ASAP.
Alex adopts Caste System.

T183
Military Science discovered.
Research: Military Tradition

Ramesses breaks free from Caesar! This is GREAT NEWS!
Grenoble (France) is captured by Mali.

T184
Caesar demands we stop trading with Mali. I comply, fearing Roman reprisal. Anyway i'm going to invade Mali soon, so it doesn't really matter.
Taj Mahal built in Carthage.
General born in Timbuktu (Mali).
Spy born in Antioch (Byzantium).

T185
Military Tradition discovered.
Research: Scientific Method. Need to find some Oil!

T187
Enterprising grocers in Heliopolis (Egypt) struck some deal to import surplus food.

T188
Scientific Method discovered.
Research: Railroad
I have Oil - One near Kerkoane, and another near Leptis. Going for Combustion to hook it up.
A Slave Revolt took place in Niani (Mali).

T189

Herbalists discover a rare commodity near Hadrumetum. I decide not to gamble.
Justinian adopts Free Market.

T190
GP8: Great Merchant from Carthage. Save for 2nd Golden Age.
Scientist and General BFL.
I'm now 5th in Power. Not bad.

T191
Railroad discovered.
Research: Combustion

T192
French infrastructure wiped out by thunderstorms.

T193
Ironworks in Carthage complete. Time for some Rifleman spam.

T194

It's time for WAR!
Declared War on Mansa Musa.
Bombarded Wadan's defenses to 4%, and lost a Cannon at 91.7% odds.
Didn't lose anything else after that, and burnt Wadan down.

T195
Combustion discovered.
Research: Optics
Hooking up Oil near Kerkoane now.
Versailles BFL. Caesar built it.
Ramesses adopts Free Market.
Inspired Buddhist missionaries from Setia (Rome) spread their religion.

T196
Optics discovered.
Research: Astronomy. Although i'm sad to lose the Monument happiness and Colossus bonus commerce, Saw Mansa Musa has Frigates and need to take appropriate countermeasures.
Oil online.
Finally, I can build much-needed Railroads.

T197
Astronomy discovered.
Research: Physics. Can I get that Great Scientist?
Observatories queued at all major commerce cities.
My troops have arrived at the gates of Phrygian.

T198
Bombarded Phrygian down to 0% defense, and attacked with a Cannon at 81.8% odds. It retreats successfully.
Suffering no casualties, I take Phrygian.

T199
Ramesses Vassalises to me!
He declares war on Mansa Musa, as he must.
General BFL.
I clean off 2 trespassing Knights and get a Great General in Hadrumetum. He'll build a Military Academy in Carthage.

T200
My double Golden Age has ended...
Caesar adopts Representation, Caste System & Free Market.
My first Destroyer (Also my first actual Naval combat unit!) is fresh out of the Drydocks of Carthage.
My game crashed for the first time as I selected my Numidian Cavalry sentry.

[Profane]

T201
Physics discovered. I get the Great Scientist!
Research: Communism. Want that Great Spy before Justinian snatches it away.
Thucidydes says i'm the 5th most Powerful in the world. Mansa Musa is 2nd...
But all i've seen so far is garbage...
Scientist born in Constantinople (Byzantium)
General born in Timbuktu (Mali)
Spy BFL.
Used my Destroyer and 1 Cannon to bring Tekedda's defenses to 0%. 3 Cannon retreat at 92.2%, 86.2% and 93.7% odds.
Rammed everything I have into the city. Suffered no casualties, but don't have enough troops to take the city yet.
By the way, just found out how annoying it is that the QuickLoad shortcut is so close to the Corporations tab. Can't believe I accidentally pressed Ctrl-F7 instead of Shift-F7.
Decided to save my Scientist for a 2-GP Golden Age later. I'd like to expand my territory before triggering it, even though I could trigger it with my Scientist and Merchant (I have 2 now).

T202
Mansa Musa brings a lot more junk into Tekedda. I'm 3 units short of taking it; dealt collateral with my Cannon just for some extra XP for the next Great General and also for Promos - gotta love that about being Charismatic! Also, thanks to Charismatic trait, I have an 8 XP unit now and will be able to build the Heroic Epic!
Sent my bombarding Destroyer away to explore the centre isle.

T203
Amiens (France) captured by Mali.
Engineer BFL.
Mansa Musa converts to Hinduism. A little too late for that.
More junk in again.
Lost 1 Rifleman at 98.3% odds. Oh well. I take the city this turn, and send some troops to siege Agades.
My Destroyer finds out that Egypt has a Settler in place to found a city on the centre isles next turn.
Looks like there are resources there that are not found anywhere else in the world (i.e. Furs).
Utica begins construction of the Heroic Epic. Too bad I don't have Marble, though.

T204
Communism discovered - Got the free Great Spy!
Research: Corporation. Heading for Assembly Line.
Caught a Byzantine spy.
Justinian adopts Free Speech.

T205
Bombarded Agades' defense to 0%, but waiting for next turn to attack to avoid unnecessary casualties.

Sunk Mansa Musa's Frigate off the central isles with my Destroyer.
Not entirely sure if I should attempt to settle these islands; may be better off invading instead.
As for my Great Spy, I think i'll send him around for exploration since he can't be caught. Heading to spy on Mansa Musa.

T206
Corporation discovered.
Research: Assembly Line
Caesar demands tribute of 204g. I reject him. Hope I don't regret this decision.
Scientist born in Gao (Mali).
Also, I shouldn't have completed Corporation research till I had enough cash for a 100% science run to Assembly Line to not lose the Great Lighthouse bonus.
Started on the Kremlin in Carthage.
In other news, i'm #4 in power now.
Also, accidentally promoted all my Riflemen to the wrong Promotion when maximising the game window (writing this report while playing). Good thing I autosave every turn so I can recover from such drastic misclicks.
Took Agades with no losses (I had just enough troops!)
Moved my troops just outside of Tadmekka.

T206
Louis demands I adopt Hereditary Rule.
I refuse.
Mansa Musa adopts Free Religion.
The siege of Tadmekka begins. Bombing down defenses over the next few turns.
Justinian has presence in the central isle as well.

T207
Louis makes peace with Mansa Musa. Looks like I can expect to face more troops from the North now. Good thing i've got Machine Guns to defend my stacks at the moment.
Prophet born in Thebes (Egypt).

T208
Ramesses builds the Church of the Nativity.
More junk pour in from the North.
Alex adopts Free Market.
A Forge burns down in Hun (Byzantium).
Louis adopts Bureaucracy.
Bombarded defenses to 1%, and send in 1 Cannon for collateral at 94% odds. It survives.
Took Tadmekka with no losses; just had enough troops. I got a Great General from the battle that heads to Utica for a Military Academy. Incidentally, Utica just built the Heroic Epic this turn.
Sent a preliminary bombardment squad to Awlil while I heal my troops.

T209
Engineer BFL.
Ramesses adopts Emancipation.
My Awlil bombardment squad reaches the gates of Awlil, with the main force following behind.
Sent out a second bombardment squad protected by Machine Guns to Djenne.

T210
Alex starts his first Golden Age with that Engineer born last turn.
Ramesses spread Hinduism to Agades for me.
My Destroyer heals in the Byzantine port city of Odessos.
Troops are indeed pouring in from the North, according to my Great Spy's reports.
Moved my 2 Cavalry to reinforce my Djenne bombardment squad.

T212
Assembly Line discovered.
Research: Flight
Kremlin built in Carthage.
Slotted a Destroyer before a Factory in Carthage because Mansa Musa's sending Frigates to pillage my Seafood. I should've built a Naval unit to defend my seas.
Awlil bombarded to 4% defense, and 1 Cannon deals collateral and retreats at 93.4% odds.
Awlil falls without losses; I sent just enough troops again.
Flight won't be complete in awhile, as i'm saving money to upgrade my Riflemen & Grenadiers to Infantry.
I've upgraded 3 Riflemen and 1 Grenadier to Infantry.

T213
Mansa Musa didn't pillage my Fishing Boats.
My (small) attack force arrive at the gates of Djenne.
Upgraded 7 Riflemen to Infantry.

T214
Louis offers 65g for Economics. Laughable!
Malinese Frigates in the Outer Sea!
Sent a fresh Transport from Utica to sink it (in a few turns). This Transport was meant for an assault against the radioactive Uranium isle of Taodenni.

Bombarded the defenses of Djenne to 0% and do some small skirmishes outside, as well as take out some defenders that haven't fully fortified yet. I don't have nearly enough troops, so I wait for my stack of Infantry that i've just sent out of Tadmekka.

Apparently, Justinian 'has enough on his hands right now'.
I'm the only one he despises, so we know he's going to attack me sooner or later.
Ramesses gave me his World Map for free.
I couldn't see Half the World till now.

T215
Sent my Great Spy back to my lands, to spy on Byzantium.

T216
Justinian stole Military Tradition from me.
I spend EP points 100% towards him.
Ramesses spreads Hinduism to Phrygian for me.
Justinian adopts Vassalage and Emancipation. No doubt about it. War is looming.
With Infantry, Djenne falls without losses. I had just enough units, yet again.
Sent a small bombardment squad protected by Infantry to Walata.
Naval threat from Mansa Musa is neutralised; my Destroyers head back to heal (and later look out for Byzantine Galleons)
I begin to send some Workers to railroad a path through Ramesses' land in anticipation of the future Byzantine strike.

T217
GP9: Great Artist from Carthage. Saving him as well.
Justinian's got Assembly Line; bad news!
Upgraded 1 Rifleman to Infantry.
Sent a small attack force to join the bombardment squad headed for Walata.

T218
Alex's Golden Age has ended.
Engineer born in Timbuktu (Mali).
Mansa Musa adopts Free Market.
Ramesses spread Hinduism in Awlil for me.
Upgraded 3 Riflemen to Infantry.

T219
Flight discovered.
Research: Fascism. I might be in a race with Justinian.
Also, my game crashed for the 2nd time.
Bombarded Walata's defenses down to 38% and rammed my Infantry into the city.
Suffered no losses, but don't have enough troops to take it just yet.
My Destroyers are blockading Malinese ports on the inner sea coast, while my Transport blockades Taodenni.
Sending a stack towards Timbuktu.

T220

Caesar signs a Defensive Pact with Justinian. That means I have to *WAIT* for them to declare on me, or i'll be dogpiled by 3 civilizations.
Bombarded Walata's defenses down to 16% and capture it without losses. Unfortunately i'm not sure if i'm able to hold it. I did get a Great General in Tacape from the siege, which is just the place I want to build a Military Academy in.
Had to push my Culture slider to 20% because of the mounting War Weariness crippling my Production.

T221
Justinian started a Golden Age. Not good, since he's planning on attacking me soon.
Interestingly, Mansa Musa didn't even try to retake Walata!
He's lost his chance, now that i've moved my troops in to heal.
Started on the Pentagon in Carthage.
Moved my stack to the gates of Timbuktu.

T222
Fascism discovered. I got the free Great General.
Research: Electricity. Heading for Industrialism.
The Great General is sent to build a Military Academy in Leptis.
The siege of Timbuktu begins. I'll bombard its defenses down for a few turns - currently at 31%.

T223
Ramesses completes the Statue of Liberty. I wanted it.
Timbuktu's defense brought down to 2%. I decide to not attack till next turn when I can deal collateral, to be safe.
A second stack moves out from Walata and will either move on to Timbuktu or Kumbi Saleh.

T224
Engineer born in Rome (Rome).
Mansa Musa sends yet another Frigate to harass me.
Ramesses moves his junk stack up to Timbuktu as well.
I deal collateral and ram all my Infantry against Timbuktu. I don't have enough to capture it, but I should get it next turn. Ramesses won't be able to steal the city from me, as he doesn't have enough troops to do so.
Decided to move my other stack to Kumbi Saleh.
Upgraded a Grenadier to an Infantry.

T225
Goth (Barbarian) captured by the French.
Justinian has Railroad.
Timbuktu captured without losses.
It has 3 Great Instructors in it; I think i'll eventually build West Point here for Quad-Promo units - I'm thinking along the lines of Ace Bombers.
The Sistine Chapel in it is pretty nice, too.
Next Great General will probably go here for a Military Academy.
My other stack has reached the gates of Kumbi Saleh. Looks like it's falling next turn.

T226
Caesar adopts Free Speech, Emancipation.
Bombarded Kumbi Saleh's defenses to 9%, and captured with no losses.
Landed a small invasion force outside Taodeni; it should fall in a few turns.

T227
In world news: Greek merchants selling caged parrots as pets. And it's not even in a workable tile!
Justinian has Combustion. His tech rate is ridiculously fast.
Sent a preliminary bombardment squad from Timbuktu to Awdaghost. Some Infantry from Kumbi Saleh head there as well.
Taodeni bombarded. Will wait till next turn before attacking.

T228
Electricity discovered.
Research: Industrialism
4 Infantry and 3 Cannon are just outside Awdaghost.

T229
Mansa Musa adopts Caste System.
Taodeni captured in a most unexciting manner.
Awdaghost bombarded to 19% defense. Attack force fully assembled outside.

T230
Engineer born in Cumae (Rome).
Prophet born in Niani (Mali).
Built the Pentagon. Carthage working on Broadway. May be in a race with Alex and Justinian.
Awdaghost brought down to 0% defense & captured without losses.

T231
Alex demands Assembly Line from me. Told him to go away.
Coal online, finally! Now my Coal Plants are ready to roll!
Alex and Justinian have Electricity.
Sent a preliminary bombardment squad to Gao, and another in between Gao and Niani. Will decide next turn which city it will head for.
And the game CRASHED AGAIN.
I need a better computer.

T232

Caesar founds Mining Inc! I wanted that, but just never got another Engineer.
Spy born in Paris (France).
Ramesses adopts State Property.
Sent more troops from Awdaghost, but doubt that is actually necessary.
Bombardment squad arrives at the gates of Gao.

T233
A patron of knowledge in Arretium (Rome) donated writings. Just what I need, my biggest rival getting random bonuses to his research.
The siege of Gao begins - Defenses bombarded down to 36%, and 2 Infantry sent in. Will wait for next turn to capture it.
Niani's defenses brought to 0% by my Destroyers, as my attack force arrives at its gates.

T234
Brought Gao's defenses to 12% and captured the city with no losses. Gao has an Academy.
Odds were so highly in my favour, so I rammed 4 Cannon into Niani just for some XP; i'm short of 1 troop to capture it.

T235
Broadway built in Carthage; that sure helps the War Weariness i've been sustaining (+9 in Carthage).
Gold miners near Cherbourg (France) struck the mother lode.
Justinian adopts Free Speech.
Alex adopts Emancipation.
Louis adopts Free Speech, Caste System & Free Speech.
Mansa Musa adopts a life of incarceration.

I will dial down the Culture Slider next turn from 20% when the war weariness disappears next turn.
My plans for the immediate future is to regroup for a stab into France.
In other news, Byzantium has Radio. I may lose Rock 'n Roll to them.

T236
Vermin infested the Granary in Pharsalos.
Prophet born in Thebes (Egypt)
Scientist born in Hun (Byzantium).
Buddhist marriage between Greece and Byzantium - doesn't change a thing.

T237
Industrialism discovered. I have 2 sources of Aluminium.
Research: Radio. Hope I can get it quick enough to nab Rock 'n Roll away from Justinian.
Ramesses starts a Golden Age with that Prophet.
Justinian poisoned Kerkoane's water supply.

I postpone the war on France for just a bit; my Sentry Numidian Cavalry reveals that while Louis may have an outdated military force, he has a HUGE outdated military force.
The Buddhist trio have Rifling now - this means i'll be facing Infantry.

T238
My first Battleship rolls off the Drydocks.

T240

My Forge in Utica burns down. Paid to avoid having to rebuild it.
I'm now #3 in Power, but probably only because of my recently built Battleships.

T241
Wall Street built in Hippo.
Alex's got Radio too.
My first Tank rolls off the Assembly Line.

T242
France is sending some annoying spies at me as well.

T243
Radio discovered. Just realised that i'm also in a race for Eiffel Tower.
Research: Mass Media
Scientist born in Pharsalos (Greece).
Spy born in Constantinople (Byzantium).
Carthage starts work on Rock 'n Roll.

T244
Money changers flock to the Market in Cherbourg.
Ramesses' Golden Age ended.
Louis has Rifling.

T245
Volcanic eruption near Nicomedia (Byzantium).
Justinian spread Buddhism in my capital. Should've closed my Borders.

T246
Mass Media discovered. I'm immune to AP now, I think?
Research: Biology. Need to quell those Health woes from Factory/Coal Plant.

T247
Built Rock 'n Roll.
Carthage is now working on Eiffel Tower. Hope I get it.

T248
Industrial fire burns down Factory in Hun (Byzantium).

T249
Biology discovered.
Research: Medicine

Popped Copper in Carthage, my Bureaucracy/Iron Works city!
Prophet born in Thebes (Egypt).

T250
Justinian declared war on me!
I was going to declare war on France this turn, but now I think I can't do that.
Research: Artillery. Medicine put on hold; need Military tech now.

T251

Uuuh... Unanimous vote for Peace from AP. Even Justinian! Did he just declare war to pillage 1 fishing boat?
Research: Medicine. Artillery on hold.
Ramesses adopts Free Speech.
Toynbee says Justinian is #1 in Power, Caesar is #2, and i'm #3. Louis is #4.
Well, the peace deal means i'm going to war with France again.

T252
I declare WAR on France! Moved a huge stack towards Grenoble.

T253
Built the Eiffel Tower.
Carthage assigned to build Hollywood.

Ramesses requested Oil for some seafood to me; I gave it to him since i've got some to spare, and he needs it to help with the next Byzantine incursion.

Louis moved a huge Cavalry stack up to Niani.
Sent a Barrage II Cannon across the river against the stack. It surprisingly retreated at 5.2% odds! Lost my second Barrage II Cannon at 6.4%, though.
The stack is obliterated without further losses, but have to delay my siege of Grenoble so that my Tanks can heal.
Got a Great General out of the battle, and he heads to Timbuktu for a Military Academy there.

T254
Medicine discovered.
Research: Artillery
GP10: Great Prophet from Carthage.
Established Sid's Sushi Co. in Hippo, my Wall Street city.
Tacape's water supply was poisoned (probably by Byzantium).
The siege of Grenoble begins. It will fall next turn unless some reinforcements turn up.
AND MY GAME CRASHED AGAIN

T255
Artillery discovered.
Research: Rocketry
Visigoth (Barbarian) captured by Byzantium.

Power company workers restore outages quickly, making Carthaginian people happy. +1 to all Cities is awesome!
Captured Grenoble, but lost 1 Tank at 95% odds.

T256
Engineer born in Cumae (Rome). Does this mean i'm going to lose Hollywood by 1 turn?!
Avignon captured with no losses. However, I had just enough troops, and it's only defended with a damaged Tank, so i'll likely lose it next turn.

T257
Spy born in Nicomedia (Byzantium).
Justinian asked for Oil. Well, considering that he plans to invade in about 4 turns (probably), i'm so not going to let him come in with Tanks and Battleships!
Hollywood wasn't rushed this turn, so I should get it!
Apparently, Louis didn't attempt to retake Avignon.

T258
Hollywood built in Carthage.

My troops performed a heroic gesture toward wounded French troops. I don't want to end the war yet, though.

T259
Captured Amiens with no losses.
Advancing bombardment squad to Rheims.

T260
Rocketry discovered.
Research: Refrigeration
Prophet born in Orleans (France).
The siege of Rheims begins.
Carthage starts on the Apollo Program. I think i'll be forced to go for a Space Victory; Caesar's and Justinian's military might is formidable, so it's difficult to go for Domination.

T261
Alex adopts Universal Suffrage, Environmentalism.
Louis starts his Golden Age.
Louis adopts Emancipation, State Property.
Caesar remains Resident of the AP.
Also, Justinian somehow has Oil.
Probably that offshore oil.
Rheims captured.

T262
Justinian adopts Universal Suffrage. His military's just going to get even bigger now.
Halicarnassus is unhappy because of its jail.
General born in Thebes (Egypt).

T263
Refrigeration discovered.
Research: Superconductor
Rouen captured with no losses.
Got a 20XP unit, meaning I can now build West Point! Also, that unit gave me a Great General this turn. Saving him for a Military Academy in Paris (soon to be conquered), as I expect many settled Generals in it.
Louis has Combustion; I should expect to face Destroyers at sea now.

T264
Ramesses requests Steam Power, and I don't see why I shouldn't give it to him.
Spy born in Antioch (Byzantium).
Caesar completes Apollo Program. Not good news.
Orleans captured with no losses; sunk a Destroyer in port. With this, I gain control of Shwedagon Paya, which is all but useless now.

T265
Alex completes Apollo Program.
Louis vassalises to Caesar, causing Caesar and Alex to go to WAR with me!
Looks like I have no choice but to go into full-blown Military mode.
Good news is that Timbuktu is ready to spam Ace Bombers this turn (with Theocracy, which i'll swap to).

Also, a volcanic eruption North of Agades destroys a Crab fishing boat of mine, a Town and a Workshop.
Lyons bombarded to 2% defense and captured with no losses.
Siege of Paris begins; i'm short of 1 troop to capture it. If Caesar doesn't interfere in the interturn, I should be able to get it next turn.

T266
Engineer born in Sparta (Greece).
Justinian has Computers.
Paris falls with no losses; as expected, it has 3 Instructors and an Academy to boot!


After a few days' break to ponder on my next course of action, i've switched to Theocracy and Free Speech. I'm sad to see the +30 relations with Ramesses disappear.
As for why I didn't switch from Bureaucracy to Free Speech earlier...
Also, just realised I should've sent out my Great Spies to look out for Caesar's incoming stacks when he declared war on me.

T267
Alex founded Creative Constructions. This means no Hammer corp for me.
Maybe I should switch to State Property... but that would mean I would have wasted a Great Merchant and a couple of expansions of Sid's Sushi.
Ramesses builds UN. Can't say i'm sad about that; it means only 2 of us are candidates for Diplomatic Victory, and with both of us being the pariahs of the world, it's never going to happen.
Ancient texts have been discovered in a Greek Monastery. Apparently some ancient monks had knowledge of either Flight, Ecology, Plastics, Superconductors or Mass Media.
We'll find out which in a couple of turns, I guess.
Also, my first Ace Bomber is out in Timbuktu.
Rebased in Lyons.

T268

I screwed up and lost Rheims to Caesar during the interturn. His Cavalry killed my lone Machine Gun.
Prophet born in Memphis (Egypt). Spy born in Mycenae (Rome).
Louis' Golden Age ends.
Forgot to get Carthage to build another Battleship instead of Apollo Program.

I found out that the UN is practically useless if I vote myself, as since the rest of the world abstains, no one has enough votes to be Sec. Gen!
Prior to Caesar's interference, i've only ever lost 1 Rifleman, 1 Tank, 1 Warrior and 2 Cannon.
I recapture Rheims, and station a Pinch Tank in it for more safety, at least until my reinforcements from my core reach the front.
Siege of Tours begins, but I only have 1 Tank to attack. 2 more move up.

Aerial Recon shows Caesar is streaming tiny stacks to me instead of a massive stack, at least for now. That's good news!
As such, I believe it's safe for me to send 4 tanks from Lyons to attack Marseilles in 2T.

T269
Superconductors discovered. Research Labs queued up at all major research cities.
Research: Plastics. Will be saving cash till my Research Labs are up.
General born in Neapolis (Rome).
Louis is pillaging my seafood in the outer sea with a Destroyer he built in my back lines. My screwup.
Tours captured with no losses.

T270
General born in Assyrian (France).
Marseilles captured with no losses.
Lost a Battleship a 88.9% odds vs a Destroyer.
Sent a massive attack force into remaining French territory on the mainland.

T271
A dam in Rome broke.
A renowned playright appeared in Chartres.

T272
Justinian completed Apollo Program. Very BAD news.
Theatre in Chartres (France) caught fire. I see what that renowned playright did.
Sunk that annoying French Destroyer in the outer sea.

Caesar's 'megastack' spotted in a forest near my newly acquired French lands. I think i'll wait for him to come out of the forest before I hit it.
Chartres captured with no losses; it has a Military Academy in it.

Alex has a 'megastack' outside Heliopolis (Egypt). I think Heliopolis won't survive the next turn.

Traded Assembly Line to Ramesses, but it won't be in time to save his bacon.
I decide to take out Caesar's 'monster stack' in the forest after looking closer at the tactical situation: He could send his 9 Cavalry and retake Louis' cities that i've captured.
Suffered the most bloody battle in Carthaginian history - 1 Cannon, 2 Tank.
Assault on Cherbourg delayed for my troops to heal.

T273
Research: Satellites. Plastics put on hold; I need to get Advanced Flight ASAP.
Prophet born in Thebes (Egypt).
Ramesses adopts Universal Suffrage. About time!
I'm surprised Alex didn't hit Heliopolis last turn.
Carthage builds Apollo Program. I forgot to switch it to something else 2T ago.
Also, it's apparent that the earlier ancient monk texts in Greece were about the secrets of Satellites.

T274
Caesar completes the Three Gorges Dam. I'll be taking that from him sooner or later.
I've surpassed Caesar in Power, and am now #2 behind Justinian.
Cherbourg captured with no losses.

Alex's stack wasn't attacking Heliopolis because it was wandering the Egyptian countryside.
This will buy me some more time to attempt to defend Egyptian soil.
Tank stack moved up near Assyrian, which has been softened to 0% defense by Carthaginian naval and air forces.

T275
Someone stole Refrigeration from me.
I'm back to 100% science.
Military Academy built in Paris.
Assyrian captured with no losses after aerial support, and another Tank stack moved up to Dijon, which has also been reduced to 0% defense.

[Profane]

T276
Egyptian authorities capture a Byzantine fugitive. Judging by the huge relations hit Ramesses took, I think he cashed it in for quite a bit of EP.
Justinian has Robotics.
A single Tank blitzes into Dijon to capture it, kicking the French off the mainland. I'll have to go island-hopping to rid myself of the hideous French War Weariness points (540!).
Rebased 1 Ace Bomber in Heliopolis, and moved 3 fresh Tanks into it.
Lost a Battleship vs Destroyer matchup at 94.5% odds.
Sunk a Roman Destroyer in the outer sea to get another Great General.
He heads to Tadmekka for a Military Academy.

Cleared that Jungle Fort with Tanks at 66.2% & 74.3% odds respectively. Must say I got lucky there.
Split my Monster stack of 24 Tanks into 2 groups to block the path into the annexed French land.

T277
In foreign news:
A pilot from Rhodes (Greece) flew over the North Pole. Is that +2 gold to the city's Airport?
A songwriter from Rome (Rome) has gained local and national recognition.
2 Battleships bombarded Arpinum to 20%, and the city falls after sending in 3 Tanks with no casualties.
Sunk a Roman Transport trying to sneak troops past my outer sea blockade.
Bombed Alex's stack in Egyptian soil. Will hit the stack next turn when my Tank reinforcements arrive. Alex is apparently sending more troops in.

Scouting with a Commando Tank.

T278
Satellites discovered.
Research: Advanced Flight

Carthage achieved Legendary Culture.
A Greek passenger aircraft crashed in Roman territory.
Lost 2 Tanks in rather unlucky rolls in Egyptian territory. Guess i'll have to wait for my next column to arrive.
Rebased another Bomber in Heliopolis.
Navy bombarded Antium to 22% defense and Bombers softened its defenders, as a Tank stack moves up to strike it next turn.

T279
Caesar moved around 13 Infantry into Rome.
Alex completed SS Docking Bay. I need to hurry!
Mopped up Alex's initial stack with no losses in Egyptian territory.
Navy bombarded Antium to 0% and it is captured at an unfortunate loss of 3 of my elite Tanks (one of them a CI CRIII).
Antium has an Academy.
Lost 1 Bomber to an enemy Fighter which I couldn't see.

T280
Advanced Flight discovered.
Research: Plastics. Aiming for Robotics for the Mech. Infantry it unlocks.
Lost a Tank in the interturn.

An Intelligence officer defected to Egypt. I opt to lose 300EP against him, since Ramesses won't touch me anyway.
I'm now Secretary General of the UN.
Justinian adopts State Property.
Wiped out that Tank that killed mine with my Commando Tank.

T281
Lost a Battleship in the interturn to a coin flip.
Got to love those Commando Tanks sniping lone wandering AI troops; took out an Artillery with it this turn.

Monster Tank stack + Cannon moved out of Antium to hit Rome.

T282
Justinian completes SS Life Support.
GP11: Great Artist from Carthage.
Founded Civilized Jewellers in Hippo with him.
Egypt is importing Byzantine tea.

T283
Lost another Battleship in the interturn, to a bloody Destroyer.

Uh, Caesar? I moved a Monster Stack of Tanks just outside Rome and yet you didn't move any troops from nearby cities to defend it?
Cannon brought Rome to 12% defense, and Rome is captured with no losses!
This means I now control the Pyramids, Parthenon (both useless now) and Mining Inc.
The thing is, I just founded Civ. Jewellers, so I can't really use Mining Inc.
Rome came with a Military Academy and 3 Great Instructors!
Sunk a Roman Destroyer after bombing it. Not taking chances when my Navy has been thinned out by bad luck.
Noticed no Roman Fighters are on Interception missions at the moment, so my Bombers hit Cumae's defenses in anticipation of my Tank assault.
Moved a Tank stack towards Cumae, ready to strike next turn.
Decide to finish Plastics before I have enough cash to get Robotics, as my research path is diverted to Laser: I think i'll get more immediate value out of having access to Mobile Artillery. I'll be sad to see the +2 Happiness from Furs go, though.

T284
Plastics discovered.
Research: Laser
Ramesses adopts Hereditary Rule.
Caesar suicided an Artillery against Rome and didn't follow up on an attack.
Naval forces bring Cumae's defenses to 0%. My C4 Jet Fighter was shot down by a C2 Fighter. How does that even happen?!
Anyway, 4 Bombers hit Cumae (another 2 got intercepted), and my Tanks roll in. Lost a CR2 C1 Tank at 90.9% odds. Because of this, Caesar gets a Great General in Mediolanum.
Lose another 3 Tanks at 72.6%, 86.2%, 89.1% odds.
Thanks to my horrendous luck, I fail to take Cumae this turn because there's still 1 Infantry with 0.8 strength in it.
... But suddenly I remember I have that Commando Tank...
Upgraded my lone Fighter to a Jet Fighter.

T285
Lost a Battleship and a Level 5 Destroyer to Caesar during the interturn. My Battleship lost to a Destroyer on defense at 21.9% odds. At least I sink his Battleship.
A songwriter in Giza (Egypt) has gained local and national recognition.
Louis is no longer a Vassal of Caesar.
Caesar completes SS Docking Bay. Building spaceship parts when you're badly losing a war? Guess that's his only option to escape joining Mansa in prison.
Water supply in Niani and Leptis poisoned.
Navy bombarded Arretium's defenses to 0% and 5 Bombers deal collateral damage (another 1 was intercepted by a Destroyer). Lost a good Tank on attack at 83.1% odds. Oh well.
At least I captured it with the Tank Commando in Cumae.
Just noticed Caesar has Jet Fighters and Gunships now. This does not bode well for my Tank army.
Tank stack moved up near Ravenna, and a Jet Fighter strikes at its defenses to bring it to 52% defense.

T286
Louis adopts Bureaucracy.
Alex adopts Hereditary Rule, Theocracy.
Justinian declares WAR on me!
This is because Alex and Louis decided to stop being Vassals of Caesar to become Justinian's Vassals. I hate the Vassal State mechanic.

Thus, World War I begins in 1832AD.
Allies - France, Rome, Greece, Byzantium
Axis - Carthage, Egypt
Lost a Tank in the interturn to a Gunship.
Navy bombarded Ravenna to 31% defense and is captured with no losses.
Carthage is building a Battleship fleet to pillage Justinian's only source of Oil: An offshore platform to the West of Nicaea.
Upgraded 4 Infantry to SAM Infantry to defend my Tanks and captured cities against Gunships.

T287
Justinian tried to sink my Battleships in Egypt with 2 Destroyers.
A Gunship was shot down by an SAM Infantry in Rome.
An Attack Submarine pillaged Clams at Carthage. Should've built some Airships when I could!
Justinian landed a small amphibious force at Alexandria (Egypt), so I take it out without losses.

Justinian's troops are in Egypt.
Utica starts building Battleships to handle Justinian's naval forces in the outer sea.

An Ace Bomber in Heliopolis blows up the Offshore Platform. I got lucky there as there was a Fighter (in Mistra) and Destroyer guarding it.
This is also when I notice Nicaea had a Nuclear Meltdown.
Also, I noticed Justinian built Moai Statues in Constantinople which has only 3 water tiles.
Upgraded 2 SAM Infantry to Mobile SAM, 7 Cannon to Mobile Artillery (2240 gold!)

T288
Shot down 2 Roman Jet Fighters and 2 Byzantine Fighters during the interturn.
During the interturn I see Alex sending a big stack of troops through Byzantine territory towards Egypt. This is good news, as it means he's not sending anything monstrous through Rome.
General born in Edessa (Byzantium).
Justinian has another Attack Submarine pillaging my seafood.
Sunk the one off the coast of Carthage.
Lost a Battleship to a Roman Destroyer at 88.9% odds. What is it with my luck in naval engagements?
I sink it anyway.
Cleared some Byzantine troops from Egyptian land, but the main stack remains. I do get a Great General from the encounter, however.
He is sent to found a Military Academy in Hippo next turn.
Hun (Byzantium) blockaded.

A stack of Tanks, Mobile Artillery, Mobile SAM and Gunships move to the Forest 2NW of Neapolis, ready to strike the city next turn. A Battleship and Destroyer pair head there as well to assist in bombardment. There are 2 Bombers in that city, which will probably be shot down during the interturn.
Accidentally sent my Nav2 Destroyer on Sub detection duty against a hidden Attack Submarine. I wish orders are interrupted when a hidden target is spotted. I got a lucky break there when my Destroyer won at 29.3% odds.

T289
Spy born in Thessalonica (Byzantium).
Shot down the 2 Roman Bombers during the interturn.
AND I CRASHED!
I wanted to capture Neapolis before I ended this session. Oh well.
Lost a Tank at 93.6% odds and a Gunship at 73.1% odds in Egyptian territory.
Oh well, at least a ton of Byzantine units (20) were killed there.
Military Academy built in Hippo.
Neapolis bombarded by sea to 19% defense and further to 9% by Mobile Artillery.
Rammed 5 Mobile Artillery into Neapolis (all retreated), and is captured with no losses.

T290
General born in Thebes (Egypt). Ramesses partially mopped up the badly damaged Byzantine stack in his territory.
An industrial accident gutted a factory in Toulouse.
Wiped out all Byzantine forces in Egypt. Aerial recon shows Greece will have a big Tank stack in Egypt next turn, and that Byzantium has reconnected its Oil.

Pillaged Roman Oil. This should deny the resource to either Caesar or Alex (Caesar had 2 Oil, while Alex had none).
Moved a combined arms stack to hit Mediolanum next turn. Caesar's time is short.

T291
Built a Mobile SAM in Timbuktu without a Barracks. Whoops.
UN vote comes up, but decided to pass, because nothing seems to be useful to me at the moment, with the world at war (trade routes will just help my opponents far more than it will help me).
Justinian adopts Universal Suffrage.
Lost 2 Tanks in Egypt at 91.7% and 89.4% odds.
Just 1 badly wounded Greek Tank remains in Egypt.
Sunk a Transport that was intended to mount an amphibious assault on Egypt.
Mediolanum bombarded to 12% defense, and captured with no losses.
Pushed for an assault on Circei.

T292
Computers discovered, obsoleting Sankore and Minaret.
Research: Composites for some Modern Armor.
General born in Constantinople (Byzantium).
Lost a Battleship to a Missile Cruiser at 28.8% odds during the interturn.
Justinian has moved a new Mech. Infantry stack into Egypt. My troops retreat to heal; no way they're hitting Mech. Infantry in a Forest.
Sunk another Transport that was intended to mount an amphibious assault on Egypt.

T293
GP12: Great Engineer from Utica. This is my first GP that's not from Carthage.
I am now #1 in Power.
Eliminated Byzantine stack in Egypt, but find out Justinian is sending yet another stack, though it is not big.
Circei which was pre-bombarded by naval forces for the past couple of turns, is captured with no losses.
Satricum bombarded to 0% and captured without losses after 3 Mobile Artillery deal collateral damage and retreat.

With the birth of this Great Person, I just remembered I had 5 different Great People to trigger 2 Golden Ages for ... ages.
Anyway this is a good time to trigger it; this speeds up Composites research to finish next turn, so Tank builds are prepared in various cities and in anticipation of availability of Modern Armor. Some Tanks are ready to be upgraded as well, as I can't advance before my Mobile Artillery heals up anyway.
Golden Age triggered with my Great Artist and Merchant.

T294
Composites discovered.
Research: Robotics
In the interturn, lost a Battleship carelessly left in the Northern Outer Sea.
In world news, Caesar vassalised to Justinian. Well, not as if it makes that much of a difference now, just that we can clearly see the World at War now.
17 Tanks in the North upgraded to Modern Armor at 200 apiece; i'm broke now, but will get more cash to upgrade even more next turn.
Cut off Byzantium's oil supply, with 2 Battleships sitting on it.
I now have Oil monopoly!

T295
Ramesses adopts Universal Suffrage. About time!
Shot down a Byzantine Fighter in the interturn.
Heartrending ballad in Poitiers (France), which is a 1-tile island city off the Roman coast.
Carthage started on Internet for denial purposes.
Lost a Battleship at 88.8% odds vs a Destroyer in the Northern Outer Sea, the theatre where my navy is weakest.
Upgraded 9 Tanks to Modern Armor this turn.
2 large stacks of Modern Armor, Mobile Artillery and Tanks march upon Mycenae. The Tank and injured Mobile Artillery stack will arrive first, which will bombard the city.

T296
A Greek pilot flew solo around the world. +1 attitude towards everyone doesn't matter in the current world situation.
Justinian completes Docking Bay. Not great news.
Ramesses builds Apollo Program.
Mycenae bombarded via land to 3% defense. 3 Mobile Artillery retreat at 94%, 87.7%, 99.3% odds, and is captured without losses. It has a Military Academy in it, and my 9th (including the Fascism one) Great General is born in Utica after the battle, who heads to Tacape for a Military Academy.
Since I was able to capture Mycenae this turn, the Modern Armor stack heads to strike Setia instead.
Lost another Battleship to an Attack Submarine at 88.7% odds - only managed to hit it twice. What is it with my awful luck in Naval battles?
8 Tanks upgraded to Modern Armor.

T297
UN vote came up again; declined to put forth any Resolution.
My C4 Jet Fighter in Egypt was shot down by a Fighter?! ARGH!
General born in Angora (Byzantium).
Greek infrastructure wiped out in Athens.
Setia bombarded from sea to 0% defense, and is captured without losses.
Upgraded 6 Tanks to Modern Armor.
Just realised Tacape already has a Military Academy. Military Academy built in Kerkoane instead.

T298
Mediolanum's water supply poisoned. No big deal.
Justinian completes Internet. Damn.
Ardea bombarded from sea to 0% and captured without losses. Stack moves on to strike Argos next turn.

T299
Lost a Battleship to a Missile Cruiser at 32.9% odds. Oh well, used to the awful luck at sea now.
Mobile Artillery bring Argos' defenses to 3% and the city falls without losses, granting me control of the Three Gorges Dam!
With the capture of Argos, Roman borders fall, and with their final city of Corinth in revolt, I take it this turn... (without losses), and now control the useless Apostolic Palace. Caesar joins Mansa Musa in incarceration.

Bad news is that only Egypt and myself do not have Mech. Infantry.
Bombed out Poitiers this turn and loaded a Transport for an amphibious assault next turn.
Lost a Battleship to a Byzantine Missile Cruiser at 72.1% odds. Oh well.
Moved a huge stack of Modern Armor up next to Athens and forking Rhodes at the same time.

Spotted a big Byzantine stack invading Egypt. I don't have my Bombers around to deal collateral, but we'll see what I can do next turn...

T300
Alex rammed 3 Mobile Artillery into my stack. It was an intense interturn for me, as I was worried that my whole stack would be obliterated. Luckily that didn't happen.
Floods washed out the French city of Goth.
And the first Global Warming incident strikes... near Antium. That tile was probably a Grassland Town.
Lost a Jet Fighter in Egypt. I've got no air cover there now...
Poitiers captured without losses via amphibious invasion. Will be dropping a Mech. Infantry in there next turn.
In Egypt, the cost of 1 Mobile Artillery, the entire Byzantine stack is eliminated.
Athens bombarded to 21% defense, and injured Modern Armor move in. This was a mistake on my part, I believe; lost an elite C2CR3 Modern Armor because of this, and don't have enough troops to take the city. Fresh Modern Armor are moved in to cover the badly wounded ones.

T301
Robotics discovered.
Research: Stealth
GP13: Great Engineer born in Hadrumetum.
Lost a Mobile SAM, Battleship (50% odds) during the interturn.
General born in Ephesus (Greece).
Greek borders have finally reexpanded correctly, so this means reinforcements to my attack stack and Corinth is cut off...
...Until I capture both Athens and Rhodes this turn, gaining control of Creative Constructions.
Rhodes bombarded down to 2% defense, and both cities captured without losses.
Athens has 2 Great Generals - I may build West Point here to get 4 promo units.
Timbuktu starts on Space Elevator for denial purposes - no guarantee it'll be able to complete it in time.

T302
Justinian adopts Hereditary Rule. Don't know the rationale behind that.
Cleaned a new Byzantine stack of Mech. Infantry, Tank and Mobile Artillery from Egypt without losses, again.
Bombers in Athens begin softening Sparta's defenses, while my troops heal up in Athens.

T303
Stealth discovered, entering the Future Era. Bring on the Stealth Bombers!
Research: Genetics
Lost a Bomber to a Jet Fighter; I forgot there was an Interceptor there.
Worse, that caused Justinian to get a General in Thessalonica.

Attacked Toulouse (bombarded by Battleships to 0% defense) via sea with Modern Armor; would've been able to take it if not for losing a Modern Armor to a Cavalry!
In the South, conducted a surprise attack against Hun; Navy bombarded its defenses to 0%, while 2 Mobile Artillery ram themselves into the city at 15.6% and 30.3% odds, successfully retreating!
This is counterbalanced by losing a Modern Armor at 95.9% odds.

T304
Lost Hun (and a whole bunch of units) during the interturn.
Worst combat losses in Carthaginian history.
Lost a Battleship during the interturn in a coinflip again.
French (imaginary) Aircraft Carriers are now made of steel. Not as if they'll ever be able to build any, though.
Toulouse captured.
Launched aerial bombardment against Sparta (3% defense remaining), and suicide 1 Mobile Artillery against it. Lost a C1CR3 Mobile Artillery that I can't rebuild in an unlucky roll.
Sparta is captured without further losses, granting control of the Hanging Gardens (+1 health is nice!) and the obsolete Temple of Artemis. An Academy is also present in the city.
Recaptured Hun. May lose it next turn again.
Lost a Battleship to an Attack Submarine at 92.2% odds!

Consumed the Prophet, Engineer and Spy for another 12 turns of Golden Age.

T305
GP14: Great Merchant born in Carthage.
10th Great General (count including free one) born in Leptis. I've never ever obtained so many of them! He heads to Walata for a Military Academy.
Upgraded 5 Bombers to Stealth Bombers at 200 apiece.

T306
Ramesses adopts Bureaucracy.
Justinian pointlessly suicided 8 Mech. Infantry and a SAM Infantry against Hun.
Lost a Modern Armor at 81.1% odds attacking Theodosiopolis.

Hurried Space Elevator in Timbuktu with a Great Engineer to finish it next turn!
Founded Aluminion Co in Hippo, just for fun, since i'm going to be winning very soon.
Military Academy built in Walata.

T307
During the Interturn:
Lost Battleship to coin flip AGAIN.
Lost a Modern Armor. This was my fault.
Built the Space Elevator in Timbuktu. Yay!
Ramesses builds SS Docking Bay. Too late; i'm winning next turn!
Bombarded defenses of Ephesus to 0% via sea. Lost 2 Modern Armor at 83% and 76.3% odds, but succeed in capturing Ephesus.
Knossos captured as well.

T308

DOMINATION VICTORY!!! WOOOHOOO! 130598 pts

Useless random event since i've won.

Final Replay


Score


GNP


MFG


Crop Yield


Power


Culture


Espionage

I was blind for the majority of the turns.

Demographics


Top 5 Cities


Top kills


Place in History


Hall of Fame


Afterword:
My favourite part of the game was my Culture Bombing Kerkoane to seize the Iron I had just barely failed to obtain.

In the end, that Iron was left unused till I got to Steel for Cannons; I never built a single Maceman, Knight or Crossbowman.
At least I had the option to do so in case of an emergency - which never arose, thankfully.

Interestingly, Ramesses was more focused on spamming his Religions rather than expanding, to his detriment. Had I not defended his lands, he'd have been completely run over.

On hindsight, Elephantine could've been kept to act as a canal city connecting the inner and outer seas. However, that sacrifices good city locations, so maybe it was for the best that I disbanded it.
My fast tech rate in the beginning locked me out of tech trades, as no one had cash or tech to trade anyway.
I really need to improve my diplomacy.

I had wasted cash on researching Military Tradition; I never built more than 2 Cavalry in the end, and never actually built West Point.

I never utilised the Kremlin at all either, if I recall correctly. Well, I guess it still had value in denying it to others.

One of my major regrets is not building the AP before Sankore, causing me to lose it to the Buddhist bloc.
This really handicapped my production capability while more worryingly boosting my rivals' productivity - with the difficulty at Immortal, it's not as if they need any more!

The other regret is in not saving 1 Engineer for a hammer corp; I had thought that i'd spawn another one when deciding to settle my second Engineer. Maybe it's for the best though; it's possible i'd have missed out on some wonders if I had not settled it for the extra +3 hammers.

I should've been more careful about Byzantium's Attack Submarines pillaging my Seafood resources like no tomorrow; I just didn't have enough Destroyer/Battleship task forces to protect everything because of my poor Naval warfare luck...

After cutting off the Oil, I thought my Naval woes were over... until I learnt painfully that Uranium needs to be cut as well.

My choice of Cristo Redentor was really more on a whim than anything else, and somehow I feel I failed to fully leverage this to my advantage.

I started spamming Sid's Sushi in my newly acquired territories around after the time Rome fell in order to reach Domination at a quicker date.

Some issues on the map:
I feel the culture bonuses from Sid's Sushi is a little broken on this map script, because there's an over-abundance of seafood.
The central islands didn't seem very attractive to settle at all, in my opinion.
I was definitely surprised at the ice and small islands in the centre, for one thing. Great job there - I was expecting a large continent; imagine how relieved I was when I found out that it wasn't that great after all (Was worried that Oil could only be found in the centre).

Although I doubt my victory date is anything to shout about, I must say I had lots of fun with this Adventure (my first!).
Thanks to T-Hawk for sponsoring a great game!

[Profane]

Holy cow . I rolled a few test maps and decided that domination was going to be a pain, so I went space. I also had to take on Mansa for Coal however .

Darrell

Well I didn't have experience with Standard maps on Immortal, so I just didn't realise how much time it'd actually take for me to finish it.

I had planned on going for Space (even built the Apollo Program!), but with the whole world angry at me, I had to abandon that plan.

[Rowain]

Wow 45 hours played time

And a nice modern-time war too.

[T-hawk]

That is quite a turnlog but I got through it.

Also, I was swapping between Serfdom and Slavery once I obtained Feudalism to effectively use both traits in any given turn.
Later, alternated between Emancipation and Serfdom to get the benefits of Emancipation every other turn while getting the Serfdom benefit every turn.

Yeah, sounds like great use of Cristo Redentor. The Labor column is definitely the most exploitable like that. Religion is abusable too if you take care to build Theocracy units in synch. And nice catch on dodging slave revolts! It is heavy on the micromanagement though of course.

Domination Victory in 1876AD (T308). I'm most definitely not in contention for the Quickest Domination Victory.

If everybody else goes for culture, then you certainly are

I do wonder what the best path for a dedicated military game would be. I was thinking Steel, which you rode for a while, but sounds like that wouldn't be enough to get all the way around the ring.



T94
Met Mansa Musa EOT.

94 turns to meet Mansa Musa? Sounds like he did something wrong in a lot of games. For me, he built the Temple of Artemis too early and killed his expansion rate. Do you have an idea of what he did early? Maybe he tried and failed on Temple?

And I wonder if the turn order hurt Mansa? I think I picked Ramesses before Mansa in the setup screen. Both of them probably research Polytheism right away. Ramesses got Hinduism in all games, and maybe Mansa suffered badly by not having a religion.


T162
Liberalism discovered - Liberalised Democracy!

Pretty good! I got that on T144 with a more dedicated plan, without having gone for Guilds or Banking.


Discovered Rifled Barrels - All Cannon get Combat I

Ha, and siege can't even get Combat I normally! (That was a change in one of the patches.)


Louis offers 65g for Economics. Laughable!

Actually, that probably means that he almost finished researching it himself. Definitely so if he had more than 65g available. If so, then it's probably right to take the trade. It gets you the 65g, pushes Louis towards WFYABTA with other AIs, and counts towards diplo credit "you have shared your technological discoveries".


Mass Media discovered. I'm immune to AP now, I think?

No. The AP goes away only when the AP owner knows Mass Media.


Justinian completed Apollo Program. Very BAD news.

Not really so bad. Apollo still means 10-20 techs to go. Fusion and SS Engines are the place to worry.

[Profane]

That is quite a turnlog but I got through it.

I'm kind of worried I put in too much irrelevant content. These were after all notes I took while playing...

Yeah, sounds like great use of Cristo Redentor. The Labor column is definitely the most exploitable like that. Religion is abusable too if you take care to build Theocracy units in synch. And nice catch on dodging slave revolts! It is heavy on the micromanagement though of course.

One other reason I chose Cristo Redentor is that this is the only time we get to mess around with Labor column, since Cristo Redentor normally comes in when just about everyone is in Emancipation.
Yes, I was considering doing that with Religion, but unfortunately I didn't manage my cities well to be able to do that; I had units completing just about every turn (also, I was getting pretty tired of micromanaging the civics ).

I must say, the period when I was alternating between Emancipation and Slavery every turn made me laugh at the time...

If everybody else goes for culture, then you certainly are

I do wonder what the best path for a dedicated military game would be. I was thinking Steel, which you rode for a while, but sounds like that wouldn't be enough to get all the way around the ring.

I'm probably not experienced enough to comment on that, but I think Fast Movers are critical in getting around fast, so I guess Tanks are necessary (Cavalry get obsolete too quickly - good thing I didn't build more than 2 of them).

T94
Met Mansa Musa EOT.

94 turns to meet Mansa Musa? Sounds like he did something wrong in a lot of games. For me, he built the Temple of Artemis too early and killed his expansion rate. Do you have an idea of what he did early? Maybe he tried and failed on Temple?

And I wonder if the turn order hurt Mansa? I think I picked Ramesses before Mansa in the setup screen. Both of them probably research Polytheism right away. Ramesses got Hinduism in all games, and maybe Mansa suffered badly by not having a religion.

There was some barbarian activity between us; according to the replay, Phrygian spawned between both of us at 2400BC, so that may have been the cause of the delay.

Mansa Musa wasn't doing too badly actually; he was #2 in Power (I didn't know this at the time) when I attacked, and he controlled a pretty big chunk of land - bigger than my chunk, anyway.

Ramesses on the other hand was the worst civ in the game; he was just hoarding religions (5!) and spamming Missionaries (even non-state ones like Judaism) to everyone, and even worse, building any useless wonder that had been neglected by others, just because he can.

However, that made him a valuable meat shield to me, I admit.

T162
Liberalism discovered - Liberalised Democracy!

Pretty good! I got that on T144 with a more dedicated plan, without having gone for Guilds or Banking.

T144 is amazing!

Discovered Rifled Barrels - All Cannon get Combat I

Ha, and siege can't even get Combat I normally! (That was a change in one of the patches.)

I know, I always love getting this event - makes a big difference in retreat chances! :D

Louis offers 65g for Economics. Laughable!

Actually, that probably means that he almost finished researching it himself. Definitely so if he had more than 65g available. If so, then it's probably right to take the trade. It gets you the 65g, pushes Louis towards WFYABTA with other AIs, and counts towards diplo credit "you have shared your technological discoveries".

... well I didn't know all that; see what I mean when I said I didn't know how to trade?
I should try this in my next non-Duel private game.

Mass Media discovered. I'm immune to AP now, I think?

No. The AP goes away only when the AP owner knows Mass Media.

Didn't know that; guess that means i'm lucky there were no interferences from the AP during all those wars or I might've lost a Space Defeat.

Justinian completed Apollo Program. Very BAD news.

Not really so bad. Apollo still means 10-20 techs to go. Fusion and SS Engines are the place to worry.

The thing is, Justinian just lacked Fibre Optics and Fusion when that happened. I'm not actually sure why he didn't finish researching both of them; I had expected him to get Fusion in < 10 turns, as he was popping techs like there was no tomorrow.
But then he just suddenly lost steam at Fibre Optics.
Maybe he was pumping a lot of cash into EPs; he had > 40k EPs against me.
I was quite happy that he finally obsoleted the AP hammer bonus by getting Mass Media real late into the game.