Freezing the World below Absolute Zero - Illians Succession Game

[Mardoc]

Sounds like some nice progress!

Nice catch on the flaming arrows, I forgot there was anything worthwhile at level 2. We've built so many javelin throwers it was definitely a good move. I just have to work the logistics to get that upgrade distributed.

Looks like we have enough army to do a little more than just react. Any preferences for goals? Personally I'm leaning toward focusing in the south. Need to kill some of Falamar's stuff to have breathing room (even if he can just resummon them), but this looks like a good time to pick up some more cities, and hopefully a kill as well.

Anyway, good timing on that, Jalepeno. Got the save, will start tonight and hopefully finish my turnset this weekend.

Edit: It looks like Blight has mostly worn off. I'm probably going to leave Agrarianism, therefore. Preferences between Foreign Trade (we're kinda broke, and can cash rush things or actually get a new tech for once) or Conquest? (would gimp the draft, but an extra 2 XP on all our units, especially adepts, would be pretty handy)

[Qgqqqqq]

Not much time, but agree on south. Really don't want to see Falamar getting a foothold there.

[DaveV]

Nice work, jalepeno! Enchantment II was a good idea. This really confused me:

Falamar took a peak with a pirate...

I couldn't figure out how the pirate was able to capture a mountain, until I realized you meant "peek". Krill and novice should have had a city called "Take a peak" in PB18, since this isn't the first time I've seen this.

I think the logical next move is to try to clean up Thessa and Mahahla, since it would give us a nice contiguous block of territory, copper, and get rid of motherland anger in several cities.

Edit: It looks like Blight has mostly worn off. I'm probably going to leave Agrarianism, therefore. Preferences between Foreign Trade (we're kinda broke, and can cash rush things or actually get a new tech for once) or Conquest? (would gimp the draft, but an extra 2 XP on all our units, especially adepts, would be pretty handy)

Without checking in-game, I lean toward Foreign Trade over Conquest, because our economy could really use some help. At some point (like, probably after we have Optics), we should send some Floating Eyes to scout the ocean and check for islands, though I have to say the oceans are looking pretty empty so far. A good candidate for cash rushing would be some workboats in Laktor, if the pirates have cleared out.

It might also be a good idea to build some more hunters in Evermore, to help with recruitment of tigers. Carnival + tiger is a nice (although expensive) source of culture and happiness, which would be helpful in several places.

[jalepeno]

...until I realized you meant "peek". Krill and novice should have had a city called "Take a peak" in PB18, since this isn't the first time I've seen this.

flying pirates!

I'm a fan of foreign trade over conquest as well. adepts can get their xp by fighting.

[Aurorarcher]

Nice set, Jale! Enchantment II was a clever move, I had forgotten about that, too.

I agree on FT, the benefit for our economy vs. 2xp for adepts, and IMO the economy wins here. We should definitely hit Orthus with adepts if it comes for another visit, maybe hit it with some collateral/summon first to get better odds.

It looks like Falamar's power is kind of misleading and if things look good that way we should definitely grab Mahala's land.

[jalepeno]

oh yeah, that reminds me that I killed another orthus on my turn, but the adept only got 5xp out of it. the softening up javelin thrower did too much damage (couldn't use a summon because their odds were too good).

[Mardoc]

Alright, revolted to Foreign Trade, it only made about 60 gpt difference . So, y'know, about tripled our net economy.

I'm still working on this, the weekend was busier than anticipated but I expect to have time in the evenings.

[Mardoc]

Played five turns. We lost our southernmost city, but we have managed to pick up two ex-elven cities to replace it. We've also got our mage stack in the area and a good chunk of other army, and cultural control of a lot of area, so I expect we can grind our way to owning the entire southern peninsula without too much trouble. About the only units I lost while killing tigers...were hunters . They could lose 95% odds fights while pit beasts won at 50%. So we only have one captured tiger so far, but Falamar will give us as many shots as we want.



Sheelba's pretty much stopped picking on us. Varn lost another city to her, so I doubt she'll be distracted forever, but hopefully we can make good progress in the south first.

I finished up Taxation - someone should look and see if Republic is worthwhile or we should stick with city states. Put the overflow on Elementalism but no real investment in just yet.

If possible, I'd really like to get the killing blow in on Thessa, to make sure that Drifa is unlocked. It ought to help our happiness situation too. Falamar doesn't have enough tigers left in the south to finish her off, but he does have enough that we'll have to be a little bit cautious about moving in.

Here's the save

[Qgqqqqq]

Taxation vs. City States

City States:
- 36gpt in distance maintenance
- 30gpt in no. of cities maintenance
- Slap on maybe 15gpt with Mahala/Ljolsofar cities.
- Total: ~80gpt

Taxation
- 28 towns currently in workable locations
- 6 villages within 20t of growth
- ~15 villages/towns under the above in lands we can be reasonably confident to gain in the next 20t.
- Total: 28gpt, 28hpt immediately, ~21gpt, ~21hpt over next 20t
-- Sidenote: we need a ton more cottages
- +40% culture
- 15GPP currently, so definitely negligible effect

Conclusion: Not worth it immediately, but will probably become worthwhile at some point in the next 10-15t

[Mardoc]

Huh, I didn't really expect Republic to be worthwhile - but that's close enough to be mainly a question of how much hammers are worth compared to gold. Bonus effect of Foreign Trade: speeds the village maturation rate.

Also, I realized I didn't explicitly say I'm done with my set . Q, you're up.