Alhambram toast his first PBEM game with Russian vodka

[Mardoc]

About not declaring me war to prevent religious victory: two things are cause of it, firstly I made sure that I got deterrent army every time by time that my friendship with Woden expires.
...
Secondly is that I kept signing friendship with everyone. At start of this thread Commodore asked me how to protect missionaries and apostles from players. While playing I found answer in declaration of friendships, so it sort of became my cornerstone to achieve religious victory.

Yep, that's what I meant. You made them choose between maybe eventually helping your religious victory, or definitely right now facing an invasion from the biggest army in the game. Definitely made it clear that 'just declare war' isn't cost-free.

[Alhambram]

Turn 145:

Opened my save to see one of my knights killed (my wounded knight who attacked Helice previous turn), I responded with attacking the knight that did it with two musketman and killed it (1-1 losses). Meanwhile my another knight kept attacking Helice and knocked out its walls, now true hard work starts. Knight at stone quarry tile that couldn't attack Helice due lack of room, pillaged it and it gave me 25 culture and shortened Mercantilism with one turn, nice!
   
Meanwhile at Abydos my knight keep attacking, next turn help form other knights and galley which might put city under siege to prevent it healing. TheArchduke shall manage to build niter mine, so I shall see his musket or increased city strength next turn. I shall leave Zaycnthus for a while, 2 knights shall deal with niter mine first and then help with Abydos and Helice.
   

St. Petersburg finished art museum triggering inspiration for Opera and Ballet, I also got eureka for square rigging by killing enemy unit with musketman. I used my Great Artist to build a Great Work and it just gives 3 culture and 2 tourism compared with Great Books which gives 4 culture and 4 tourism (next turn tourism for Great Books shall double due finishing printing), the true power of Great Artist's works are unlocked by theming: place same sort work from different Great Artists next each other and they doubles in value. Next Great Artist is Michelangelo who just paint one religious painting and creates 2 sculpture. My current Great Artist is Bosch who paints 3 religious paintings. I must make a choice: wait for next Great Artist for more powerful culture and tourism output or use Bosch to fill out art museum and gain culture and tourism now (lower rate at long term).
   
I also wait with producing builders now, since civil engineering gives a new policy card (Public Works) that not only gives builders 2 extra charges, but also 30% faster (in other words combination of Ilkum and Serfdom).  
I so I decided to start produce some horseman now, I shall get military science at turn 152 if my science rate remains same and it means Cossack shall come in action from that turn. I am also saving up bunch faith now for Cossacks and maybe Great Persons for example Great General. St. Petersburg shall finish workshop quickly and then squeeze out some horseman before military science is finished.

TheArchduke and Singaboy both also got merchant republic government same as oledavy while Woden and me have chosen theocracy government.

Empire overview:
   
   

[Quagma Blast]

Turn 145:


St. Petersburg finished art museum triggering inspiration for Opera and Ballet, I also got eureka for square rigging by killing enemy unit with musketman. I used my Great Artist to build a Great Work and it just gives 3 culture and 2 tourism compared with Great Books which gives 4 culture and 4 tourism (next turn tourism for Great Books shall double due finishing printing), the true power of Great Artist's works are unlocked by theming: place same sort work from different Great Artists next each other and they doubles in value. Next Great Artist is Michelangelo who just paint one religious painting and creates 2 sculpture. My current Great Artist is Bosch who paints 3 religious paintings. I must make a choice: wait for next Great Artist for more powerful culture and tourism output or use Bosch to fill out art museum and gain culture and tourism now (lower rate at long term).

I believe the museum theming bonus is only activated if the works are from three different artists. Also you're free to move works around after they've been put in a museum, so, there's no downside to slamming out all three of Bosch's works right now.

[Alhambram]

Quagma Blast, I was sure that I couldn't move my Great Works while playing single player games before. After some searching on internet it turned out that truth was somewhere in middle: Great Works can only be moved 10 turns after putting it in museum for first time. Well, that answers the question. And about theming bonus, well please allow me having delusional dream about more culture, only to slammed by reality when I got Michelangelo and it turned out that my assumptions were wrong and then getting mocked by lurkers in lurker's thread. That is part of charm playing PBEM!

Turn 146:

Completed both printing and mercantilism. Started researching tech Civil Engineering for 200 defense points in every city instead walls and military science for Cossacks, oledavy or Woden don't know what is happening with them when they attempt to attack me soon. oledavy's domination rose seriously this turn, nearing benchmark of 1000 points, he is completely ready for war. I don't feel that his aggression is aimed for me and moreover he offered a deal: 4 gold per turn in exchange for my salt that I just mined. Interesting I couldn't raise amount gpt that oledavy can offer which means that oledavy is close running losses at gpt. Well, I accepted and I can use every little coin now. 

New civic also mean new policy swap, just minor: professional army out (next civic shall be at turn 152, one before friendship with Woden expires and I shall get professional army back for last round of upgrades before friendship with Woden ends) and raid in for some pillaging TheArchduke. Pillaging mercury mine nearby Abydos did shorten military science research with one turn, in 5 turns Cossacks! What about TheArchduke's niter mine, well he didn't have it, I did forgot one thing:
   
I completely forgotten about it: the existence of the zone of control! It was zone of control from my knight that prevented TheArchduke's builder to able mine niter, builder's movement points reduced by 2 when moving in my knight's zone of control, so no movement points left to mine niter. So I captured it and no musketman for TheArchduke and also no increased strengths for his cities.
Meanwhile at Helice TheArchduke's knight was gone, he likely retreated it deeper in his lands. Maybe against oledavy soon? I took advantage of no defender in city and lower city defenses than expected and put it in yellow zone. Helice might fall next turn, maybe at turn 148 and Abydos shall surely fall next turn.
   

I did put another work of Bosch in art museum increasing my culture a little. Rostov finished lighthouse and can't produce horseman due lack of encampment, so I decided to build Great Lighthouse there for more tourism and little extra gpt (3). I know that Woden is building Colossus for a while in Magic Carpet when my missionary passed it and I don't bother to challenge already lost battle. I don't see Woden building Great Lighthouse yet, so I am doing it now. St. Petersburg shall finish workshop firstly and then it can squeeze in one horseman before military science is finished. Sushigrad is producing builder and it shall be finished after policy swap where I shall put public works policy card in it. 

Empire overview:
   
   

[Alhambram]

Turn 147:

My musketmans captured Helice and to my surprise TheArchduke has a builder with 5 charges wandering east of Helice, I didn't let it go and captured it.
Abydos has also fallen this turn, adding 2 new cities (at least still occupied) in my empire.
   
My knights are going to Zacynthus, but I am unsure since I have quite number injured units, maybe heal them next turns till they are at full health and then resume attack, alternative I can purchase Cossack with faith in both Helice and Abydos when I got military science. oledavy didn't declare war this turn, I wonder what he is doing.

My military engineer did complete a fort, Woden's military engineer didn't build any fort while it was walking around at borders nearby Desertgrad, maybe Woden changed mind or he yet have research siege tactics? 
But I can see Woden building terracotta army. It gives all Woden's units a free promotion when completed, I fear that Woden shall not finish it but wait till perfect timing to pull it off. Alternatively Woden's archaeologists can enter my lands without open borders with this wonder, that gives Woden possibility for cultural victory. I have to be cautious of that wonder.

Empire overview:
   
   

[Alhambram]

Turn 148:

Well, well two major news this turn!

Firstly TheArchduke agreed peace with Singaboy in exchange of returning Troy (former Frankfurt 2) and upon returning Singaboy promptly renamed it into Free City of Frankfurt. 

Secondly and bigger news is that oledavy finally made his move against TheArchduke and moreover he took his capital in one turn!  He renamed it into Yorktown.
Well, I know that oledavy got one industrial tech, either military science (cavalry) or ballistics (field cannons). Also note that TheArchduke's capital lacks walls and missed out increased strength due my knight preventing TheArchduke's builder build niter mine and thus also missed out ability to build/upgrade musketman. Well then it basically becomes a battle between medieval army versus industrial army, no wonder that oledavy does some big sweep. Next turn Myrmidon likely fall to oledavy's army too, what shall be oledavy's next cities to target.
   
It would be problematic if he goes for Ithake. I am going capture Zaycnthus next turn, but I need Ithake for secure border between me and oledavy. Without Ithake Zaycnthus becomes easy prey for oledavy in future.
I already sent my 2 knights to Ithake in hope they can cut off oledavy's route to city. My remaining units are now healing as fast as possible. Any healthy units after conquest of Zaycnthus shall go to Ithake fast.

At this moment I am no match against oledavy's Great General powered industrial army, I need Cossacks and maybe in future I can get Great General. I am running 11 Great General Points thanks mass tossing down encampments and buildings. When I get it, I can use it for Cossack since it is a industrial military unit. Maybe I should start some projects, I need faith for Cossack now! Might oledavy choose to attack me, then he is likely making a mistake: soon I get 200 defense in all cities and Cossack units.
   
oledavy's moves is making me nervous, he can force to take Ithake. After that he likely shall sweep up all cities in eastern continent (although Singaboy shall set up fiercely resistance, but tech difference between oledavy and Singaboy is big and oledavy got Great General at top of it), if he manages conquer entire eastern continent including Ithake and city states, he shall get 26 cities over there with still some room to expand! While Woden is still at 12 cities with 2 possible spots more in northwest of his empire and me who just founded new city west of Desertgrad named Fishygrad, also 3 additional Greek cities makes it total of 13 cities. So if Woden and I are doing nothing or fighting each other, then oledavy shall eventually have a empire at same size as Woden and me combined! 

So I am considering this seriously now: sign alliance with Woden, I shall wait a bit with offer till oledavy does more rampage and Woden hopefully realizes the true threat now. I think that I shall offer him alliance at turn 150. Woden don't need worry about my apostles, all he needs to do is have inquisitors stationed in every cities next my border and I know that I can't convert Woden's cities. Moreover I am using faith now for military use.

Woden completed Colossus and I decided to wait with building Great Lighthouse since I want a another trader first (Helice's commercial district). I don't really feel the gains of Great Lighthouse in long term and I choose short term profit from trader over long term at this moment, I might regret it. Thanks 3 added cities (Fishygrad, Helice and Abydos) I did formally pass Woden in score (my score still need a update, but it is 335 now).
   

Empire overview:
   
   

[Alhambram]

Turn 149:

Firstly, don't tell me that this is a bug. I noticed it, but I firstly thought that it was interface error. But now after several turns same and checking all numbers, it seems that I am earning too few culture and tourists.
   
I am getting 4 culture and 2 tourists too few, that 4 culture might mean difference between grabbing civic one turn earlier or not. It clearly says 3 culture and 2 tourists per painting when not themed, so I should get it three times.

Well the battlefield then, Zaycnthus was captured by me and I start to think: maybe also part of Russia's power not described in guide: upon conquering city, it also get additional tiles in same way when I found new city, see difference amount tiles of Zaycnthus at previous post when it was still TheArchduke's and this turn when I captured it? It also happened with all other cities that I conquered, I just didn't pay attention to it. This makes Russia more dangerous civilization in war, if you keep in mind that Cossack gets 5 strength bonus when fighting in Russian tiles, that extra tiles gives Cossack more room to fight with +5 strength.
Also near Zaycnthus I see TheArchduke's swordsman, maybe several of his main army is nearby (likely in Dorium due its defense of 50). I take precautions and moved my wounded knights as far way from fogged tiles possible and heal. Might TheArchduke come with his entire army, it is likely that I need to flee and give up Zacynthus.

I don't think that I can capture Ithake, I am seeing oledavy's field cannon, so his industrial army is mainly consisting field cannons and musketman with Great General which gives bonus to both renaissance and industrial units. oledavy did research ballistics but not yet military science. By clicking my knight first and hovering over oledavy's field cannon reveals several things: my full health knight get crushed by oledavy's field cannon in melee battle, so war with oledavy is best avoided at this moment. Secondly it gains Great General bonus which means that oledavy's Great General is just over there, ready to attack Ithake. Ithake lack walls and unit inside for defense, so oledavy likely shall take it in 1 turn in similar manner as TheArchduke's capital and another city just in this turn which oledavy renamed Buenos Aires (it returns to its orginal city state name). So I opted to pillage tiles and commercial district around Ithake for extra gold and science, oledavy likely won't be happy with it. 

oledavy offered me deal my 4 gpt for his wine, I did click offer but I wasn't aware of situation in my land and I yet have good look around. I couldn't leave diplomatic screen so I originally rejected. Maybe a suggestion for patch: able to leave offer to look around your empire to weigh the decision instead make decision right now. After looking around, I decided that I need a amenities and sent him same offer from my side. But clunky interface when dealing such diplomacy. 

Interesting and worrying diplomatic news from oledavy: he signed friendship with Singaboy. The good news is that Singaboy won't be attacked and my feared oledavy's sweep over eastern continent won't happen fast. But oledavy shall still grab majority of TheArchduke's cities which shall boost him greatly. But I wonder whether oledavy shall have easy time with Singaboy after 30 turns? oledavy is basically giving Singaboy 30 turn countdown till his attack upon Singaboy which Singaboy can use as indication to prepare. My apostle did convert Singaboy's last city Bremen this turn and I have a very good overview upon all tiles of Singaboy. I must say that oledavy better not underestimate Singaboy, Singaboy really did many things right in his empire as I can see. Current problem is pillaged Hansa's by TheArchduke, but soon Singaboy repairs them, he can make surprising comeback with production. But his science and civic are behind, that is going be problem for Singaboy, at least he can expand in peace for 30 turns. I am waiting till he grabs civil service so we can sign alliance. With that Singaboy should know that oledavy shall face two front war when he attacks Singaboy.
Bad news of that deal is that oledavy's target after TheArchduke is likely me, maybe he plan to attack at same turn as his ally Woden. That would be nightmare for me. 
So I shall attempt to deal this diplomatic as possible, but as I showed before, I am not really adept at it. So it shall likely end in 2 vs 1 war with me in wrong side, but I shall try to solve this before it happens.
Finishing civil engineering should be good message to both that they might regret attacking me greatly.

Now I did call his name once, Woden. He holds key now in which direction this PBEM is going, till now he didn't declare war same as me until recently. Also printing gave one more effect: all diplomatic visibility rose with 1 rank and since I already got limited view with Woden, it rose to open view. And I can see that Woden just swapped policies this turn and I can see which policy cards!
     
merchant confederation and caravansaries for more gold per turn, conscription for lower maintenance to save up gold and feudal contract to build medieval and renaissance melee/ranged units for lower production. It is clear that Woden is doing military buildup with potential gold saving to do mass upgrades, he has 639 gold in his treasury now. So I know that Woden is clearly preparing for war and he is likely coming when friendship expires. Also I shouldn't forget that Woden is about to complete Terracotta Army which gives all of his units free promotion which might also used as way to mass heal his units deep in my lands (unit heal when using promotion). Woden also adopted natural philosophy which boosted his science over 100 science per turn. Sigh which enemy to choose: oledavy with his industrial army or Woden who is running away with science. At other side oledavy is seeing in such picture: Woden running away with science or Alhambram who is running away with culture, religion and big army. And Woden who must choose between his southern neighbor who is more threat to his lands and oledavy who might become too big in eastern continent. This surely isn't a boring PBEM! 

Currently Woden and oledavy have more common reasons ,main reason being if oledavy and I both attack Woden and eliminate him, I automatically win religious victory. So I can't count upon declaring friendship or alliance with oledavy. Woden is tricky one to ally with, I said previous turn that I consider to ally with Woden. However after some thinking I start to see disadvantages, for example his inquisitors could enter my land and I need to do tiring religious war with Woden and it shall put heavy strain upon our alliance, same story if I attempt to send apostles to Woden. Another thing: Terracotta Army do one thing more: Woden's archaeologists don't need open borders anymore and they can roam my lands freely for artifacts if we sign alliance. This means that Woden shall have serious chance to win cultural victory since I can't stop or kill his archaeologists. Well a friendship again with Woden, not really. I am (Woden likely too) bit tired of it, so low chance to resign friendship unless one of us are in deep disadvantage. Geez, diplomatic situation is too complicated.    

In view of current situation, I decided that I need a Great General of my own. Astrakhan and Vilnius completed horseman and there is too few turns to produce more horseman, so I decided to do encampment project in both cities to boost Great General. I want to save up so many faith as possible for Cossacks, not spend it upon Great General purchase. I shall have total of 4 horseman, not much but I also have some swordsman roaming in my lands which also requires upgrade. I shall add more Cossacks with faith purchase, so I likely have 6/7 of them when friendship with Woden expires. Toronto start workshop and I need one more somewhere, then I trigger eureka for Industrialization. After military science I need take good look which technologies I want grab. Finally to make clear to everyone that I want keep conquered cities, I added grad behind their names. That should also make people remember easier which city it was earlier.

Empire overview:
   
   
   

[Sullla]

The Great Works of Art thing is not a bug. Here's the same issue happening to me:



Great Artists just aren't very good; they are the worst of the three Writers/Artists/Musicians types because it's far too difficult to get the theming bonus, and without that bonus their Great Works don't produce very much culture and tourism. Of course, it's still better than nothing and you've done a fine job of collecting those Great People with minimal opposition in this game. Thanks for all of the reporting!

[Alhambram]

Ah, Sulla thanks for making that clear, I shall see whether I can maybe do some theming, we shall see.

Turn 150:

Now I am clear leader at score, I never imagined this to happen around turn 100 and surely not before it when I botched my start!
   
oledavy likely shall take lead soon after he mop up remaining cities of TheArchduke and maybe Woden do have some master plan. I need to be cautious of both.  

oledavy accepted his original offer of my 4 gpt for his wine. As I expected he took Ithake in one turn and he renamed it into Theodosia. When shall his thirst of conquering cities stop? I doubt that taking TheArchduke's two remaining cities are enough to silence oledavy's hunger. My units in conquered cities are healing as fast as possible, in Helicegrad my builder harvested stone (why didn't TheArchduke do it earlier, stone is basically useless now, mining grass hill gives same food/production with apprenticeship) to instant repair granary. Cities in occupation is a pain, I hope that oledavy make a quick work of TheArchduke, that is likely also what oledavy wants. But TheArchduke is making last stand at Dorium, so it can take a while.

While all warring is ongoing, only peaceful player Woden is continuing teching, he shall grab Great Scientist next turn that gives him 3 eureka's for renaissance and/or industrial techs. Also all of his cities is converted to Norse Mythology and all of Weedy Movement are almost gone out his cities, to symbolize it Woden did rename his capital a while ago from Main Street to Monsanto which I do find amusing.    

Horseman in St. Petersburg complete and I also start encampment project in St. Petersburg which takes measly 3 turns. Next turn I shall able to produce/upgrade/purchase Cossack! Not sure that I do it soon I get tech, maybe wait 2 more turns to save up gold. I still need to wait one more turn after next turn for policy swap to bring professional army back in policy card spot.

Empire overview:
   
   
   

[Alhambram]

Turn 151:

Finished researching military science and my civilization advances into industrial era. Not Cossacks yet this turn, I want save up gold. Also they cost 570 faith to purchase which is quite much, I can purchase 2 of them next turn if needed. Next turn I shall do policy swap and get professional army policy card and also public works for more worker charges. Trader in Rostov finished and I decided to start builder there, Fishygrad need some improvements. I sent trader to Abydosgrad to build road from it to Helicegrad to move my units easier over hilly terrain around my conquered cities. My military engineer completed second fort, triggering eureka for ballistics, 6 turns left to research it.  

Zaycnthusgrad is too exposed to oledavy and if oledavy declare war upon me, I shall abandon Zaycnthusgrad quickly, but defend Helicegrad and Abydosgrad till death if possible.
Woden did get Great Sciencist and he also built university in Nan Madol, finally he got bombard in Jungle Cruise's encampment which mean that Woden is aiming for eureka of siege tactics.

I am nervous now, turn 153 my friendship with Woden expires and he got some units around Jungle Cruise including bombard. Woden do have quite gold in his treasury same as me, which mean possible mass upgrade. Also his terracotta army is almost finished. Also oledavy's army is sitting around Theodosia, possible ready to strike my conquered cities quickly. TheArchduke is still around, maybe oledavy has another use for him, but most logical would that TheArchduke shall be eliminated soon. I am paranoia now, that much that I am considering to do preemptive strike against Woden with Cossacks at turn 153. I think that I can plan out things more calmly next turn when I do policy swap.

I have one weakness: I am generating 9 science from trade routes to Woden, so if he declare me war, I lose 9 science which is quite a blow, also 4 culture and bunch gpt. I need to raise science somehow without depending upon Woden, short term plan: build campus at Helicegrad, I see one location with 4 adjacent science bonus, best which I ever saw for my cities, that tile need to be purchased though (one tile northwest of banana tile of Helicegrad, 3 mountains and 2 rainforests).

Empire overview: