*Dusts off thread*
When discussing strategy, Suite insisted that in a game this large it is necessary to conquer more land early while I initially wanted to tech for a while. Suite won the argument. Due to the new and improved AGG trait our choice fell on an orthodox cat/axe attack on either AT or Elkad, our land neighbors. Orthodox at civforum.de at least, less so here. We also decided that due to the lay of the land (see below) AT was the better target and that we were going to try to soften him up in advance with a sea-based raid.
We prepared a total of five galleys manned by nine vultures and one chariot. Three of the vultures and one chariot had barracks training.
The small eastern group aimed at the farflung outpost Lockjaw.
The western group attacked AT's nortwest coast.
As you can see, we could hit both areas from staging point inside our territory, the eastern group even from a point that was not visible to AT. In the first turn of the war, we landed 2 vultures west of Lockjaw, capturing a worker, and moved the western group into the position in the screenshot where it could flank both northwestern coastal cities.
On the second turn of the war, we destroyed all three cities losing two vultures, killing three axes, two warriors and a chariot.
We could also reach AT's undefended island city with one galley on the next turn.
I also burnt it to the ground which made Suite rather unhappy.
We regrouped the remaining units of the western group threatening the canal city of Uppercut.
Reinforcements have been gathered in Ur (city below the stone bubble). Two vultures and two galleys are still operating off AT's west coast tying down defenders.
Uppercut, likewise, will be burned to the ground and then a moderate force of around 15 units will advance into ATs core area. Hopefully, we will be able to take and keep the cities there. The resistance has been light enough that holding on to the initial cities may have been possible.
Civilian matters have been comparably pedestrian. We have met Mjmd, Charriu, Donovan Zoi and Miguelito/Rusten. Donovan Zoi is situated to the north (and south
![lol](https://www.realmsbeyond.net/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif)
) of us.
He graciously agreed to open borders . We also managed to secure an open borders deal with Elkad which allows us to monitor his territory for backstab attempts. Moreover, people have finally
![rolleye](https://www.realmsbeyond.net/forums/images/smilies/rolleye.gif)
started to settle island cities and provide us with 3 yield trade routes.
Miguelito/Rusten did not open borders. They are sitting due southeast of us.
They are one of the teams I'd rather not have so close.