[SPOILERS] Sandover(cre/spi) of Egypt

[Sandover]

I would've needed to begin the convertion process earlier to make majority in time for the last election, which I didn't because I obviously thought of it too late. I could've waited but it made sense to spend hammers on Missionaries before I got to Rifling rather than after and to make time to build AP-Monasteries before I obsolete them. Or are you saying that being in buddhism gives me additional votes? I've always played with diplo victory turned off in single player so I don't really know how the AP work.

[Rowain]

Or are you saying that being in buddhism gives me additional votes? I've always played with diplo victory turned off in single player so I don't really know how the AP work.

AFAIK having the AP-religion as state-religion doubles your votes.
Just look how small Celtica has more votes then you.

[Sandover]

Heh, whoops. I assumed that was because he had the AP.

Better luck next time I guess!

[Sandover]

Actually...

7. Diplomatic (Religious) Victory
Prerequisite: ALL Civs in the game must be Members and a single Civ cannot be supplying 75% or more of the vote.One of the candidates will be the Owner (even if that Civ is not running the AP Religion), the other candidate will be the Full Member with the most votes who is not the Owner. A Civ that is a Vassal is eligible for Victory.
To pass, this proposal requires 75% of the vote and it cannot be Defied.

So winning wasn't ever really an option. Doubt I can get someone else to vote for me (where is TT when you need him?), at least not at this point. I am looking forward to blocking Moogle's annoying peace votes though.

[Rowain]

While you might find it hard to win that way you can (once you become pope) do such nice things like 'Declare war on the infidels against 1 of your opponents or Stop treading etc, etc.

While those can be defied the unhappy cost can become quite taxing. Although humans can make peace & open borders immediatly afterwards the loss of trade-route-bonus (for time on peace) is still heavy.

[Sandover]

I think the declare war vote only works against Amelia as both Scooter and GES are voting members, so it doesn't have a lot of utility. Being able to end a war with Moogle (and prevent him from doing the same to me) is why I wanted all those votes in the first place, and I honestly don't think I can do a whole lot of other stuff with them. Denying him the posibility of voting himself to victory is actually rather huge though, as I'm sure he and Scooter would find that an attractive if option if I were to get close to a different victory type.

[Sandover]

No response from GES, and he's queued up Military Tradition as his next tech. Maybe I'll have to solve the Khmer situation as originally planned...

I can now see Coal. A quick scroll across the map reveals 6 sources, one for each civ, some even right at the capitals. I control two of them, so I guess I have a backup.

I'm thinking Moogle might try to pull a GA-bomb assault on Thespis Hill once the enforced peace is over. I moved my Knight stack back into the city to signal that I'm aware of the option. I can add an extra bomb of my own to the city in two turns if I want.

Nothing much going on in general. Drafting 3 Rifles per turn, training some more, finishing build projects in slower cities etc. Can't make my next move until I hear back from GES.

[Sandover]

Going for Steel and Railroad as my next two techs. Railroads are going to be huge for me, so I want them built as soon as possible. Not sure yet where I'll head next after that. I'll probably build Ironworks in Soothsayer Port.

Converted to Buddhism and my votes did indeed double. Scooter has started to spread it so he's obviously worried.

[Sandover]

Sandover,

I have considered your request and I can agree to half of your request.

I cannot agree to just gift you my map. You have the largest military in the world by far and without any NAP in place (in fact, you continue to choke my city), I cannot allow you to use your control of the inner sea to stage an attack with my own map. If you would like to negotiate some sort of a peace agreement, then I can consider a map trade.

On the other hand, if you will agree to run your trade mission in the city of my choosing, taking the route I layout so that you do not get to scout my territories without a similar opportunity for me to scout your own, then I can agree to let you conduct a trade mission in one of my more valuable cities.

I have received heavy pressure to work actively against you. I would prefer for you not to place my civilization in a situation where I feel we must engage in deeper hostilities. I would prefer a detente between us. What say you?

GES

Took his sweet time...

I won't bother explaining to him why his making the map into such a big deal isn't waranted, so I just went with something simpler instead. Last chance to show me he isn't going to get in bed with SM and Scooter.

GES,

I realise from your message that your fear of the Egyptian military is more profound than is valid considering our relative strength. To ease your mind I have lifted the blockade on Angkor Wat, and hereby withdraw my initial request for concessions. I'm sure you've heard a lot of made-up stories about me but I assure you that I'm not half as bad as they make it sound. I will accept peace in exchange for your personal guarantee that you'll no longer provide military aid to the Celts. Fair enough?

Pharaoh Sandover of Egypt

[Sandover]

The enforced AP-peace has ended. Here's the situation at the front;



My Catapults and Cuirassiers are hiding on a tile where they aren't visible to Scooter's spies. If this isn't cold war then I don't know what is.

Further south;



Oh, so that's where my navy is!