The Discussion Thread at Dawn!

[amikaligula]

I agree with stargate in my assumptions.  However, the problem with this is that, realistically, some of our nations, if not most, will not exist anymore...so perhaps we should focus on reincarnating our distinctive cultures?

If that makes sense.  What I'm trying to point out is that maybe we could preserve the cultures we've created, if not the lands (as that might not be particularly realistic).  Perhaps the focus in our orders should be more on reincarnation or even having the option of starting from scratch?

[Stargate525]

I think many of the nations could be the same. Remember, this isn't reality, so we can bend the timeframes of existing nations in many respects. Also, late early bronze to middle iron is just over a thousand years. If you look at culture, it's not that huge of a gap.

[Polycarp]

First I'll draw on a bit of precedent -

Despite the part of the stats that say "early bronze age," we're getting into the middle bronze age.  With chariots, you might say we're already there.  The jump in "earth time" would still be long, 600-800 years or so.

If we compare a map of the Mediterranean in about 1600 BC with 1000 BC, however, we see a lot of similarities.  Egypt is still around.  The Hittites are gone, but their cultural descendents, the "neo-Hittites," have arisen.  The Thracians have expanded into northern Anatolia.  Babylon is still around.  Elam has formed a state; the Greeks have expanded.  Newcomers have also arrived on the scene.  The later map is different from the earlier one, but there is a clear link - one proceeds from the former, and many cultures have survived.

Of course, I'm open to suggestions, and if you'd rather have a shorter jump we can do that.  It's up to you.

I don't really want to clear the map either, I was just expressing the problem inherent to extrapolation, which is that I end up doing a lot with states because of the long time period.

[snakefing]

I'm okay with plenty of extrapolating. It stands to reason that some of the existing states will still exist, others will be swallowed up, and so on. The map of the "known world" might expand a bit...

Perhaps once the extended history of the period is posted, people might have an option to continue the country/culture they had before, if it still exists, or to take up as a newcomer.

[Stargate525]

We will be able to give final, borad orders, right? To nudge how we want our nation te develop?

[Polycarp]

Snakefing, that's basically what I was thinking.  If a state in Chapter 2 is a more-or-less direct descendant of a Chapter 1 state, it will be given a "reservation," meaning that a player of the original state gets first dibs if they want it.  If they don't, the reservation goes away and anyone can take it.

Stargate, I'm a little hesitant to accept "long term" orders, as ancient Babylon didn't really have a 100-year plan (or a 800 year plan, for that matter).  Government just doesn't work that far in advance, and people can't think that far ahead.  I would prefer to extrapolate from your short term orders - the decisions you have already made and the ones you are still making will influence the final result.  You have been "nudging" since turn 1. :)

I'm beginning to think that a skip to the middle/late bronze age would be more appropriate; think 3-4 hundred years rather than 6-8.

[Stargate525]

I would prefer to extrapolate from your short term orders - the decisions you have already made and the ones you are still making will influence the final result.  You have been "nudging" since turn 1. :)

I'm not saying a unified plan, I'm saying more of a 'state of direction.' For example, if I were giving broad orders for ancient babylon, I'd say 'land grab and build an empire,' Romans would be the same, Great Britain in the 1300-1800s would be 'increase trade and build naval power,' etc.

It's more reliable than extrapolating the orders which, at least for me, are a bit chaotic, and since I'm considering taking a rather different tact with Numenas than Inveran...

[Polycarp]

That works for me.

[AllWillFall2Me]

I am fantastic at choosing poor times to walk away for a weekend. Though in my defense, I was on a bus from Friday-Sunday.
I like Stargate's line of thought.

[Polycarp]

If you post orders before I'm finished with the update, I'll include them.

[Polycarp]

Despite our hopes for weekly updates, I must delay this update by a few days for personal reasons.

[Tillumni]

don't worry too much, we know you try your best, just get the personal stuff sorted out first, neh?

[Stargate525]

No, we insist that TWaD comes FIRST! :P

In seriousness, do we have an ETA?

[Polycarp]

The update will be up before I go to bed.  The map, probably tomorrow.

[Stargate525]

oh you fiend... And here I thought I was going to be able to turn in early...