Chapter 4: Rising Empires – G1

Hello and welcome back to the Civ Grand Royale! My name is ExplosiveWatermelon, I am your lovely narrator for the series where wars are fought good, if not well. Let’s get started

As some might recall, the last chapter saw a few dramatic happenings, including a shocking rise to power for China as they invaded neighboring Shu Han. However, looking at the map, it doesn’t seem like they’re done just yet- they still have a few units to spare, and some extra settlers too. Be careful, for as a famous Chinese idiom goes: 有勇無謀.

Other events included war between Yemen and Ur, Texas’ fall from grace, and a rather forgettable Hundred Years’ War occurred.

Tygyn Darkhan (The Yakuts) has built a pretty sizable empire for himself, but he needs to find an opening if he wants to invade the steppes. Currently, that tundra isn’t going to afford him much luxury.

Unfortunately for me, this chapter starts off with IMMEDIATE ACTION as Mongolia actually puts Rouran on the defensive. This might come as a surprise to our power rankers who have usually witnessed the opposite. Also, over in Europe...

Szeged has been given up in a peace deal to France, thus ending the regent Horthy’s desire to create a sprawling kingdom for his youthful monarch, who we have still not actually seen. In other news, France is doing pretty good, creating a sprawling empire across Europe.

Balanjar teeters on the brink of destruction- the Khazar government-in-exile’s capital basically consists of a few rocks to sleep on. However, they retain the city for now.

A lone Portuguese settler wanders the grand Sahara, allowing us to get a glimpse of the West African empires being carved. Sierra-Leone has a modest 3 cities, the Almohads have 4, and Sokoto is stuck at 2. While the situation may look grim for Sokoto, their eponymous capital has a pretty sizeable population compared to their neighboring capitals.

In Southern Africa (not to be mistaken for South Africa) we can find the most peculiar civ in light blue- Lesotho. TranquilSilence’s lone entry into the royale, this civ has some late game uniques, replacing the Gatling Gun and the Observatory. However, they do receive some notable bonuses from Declarations of Friendship, however they need a more aggressive approach if they want to go far.

Jetarkte and Malte are perhaps 2 of the worst cities on the cylinder, but they’re also the only cities on the cylinder for the Kaweskar. Yes, it seems like the Power Rankers put too much faith into the Kaweskar, as they mostly refused to settle and now hold one of the smallest empires on the planet. We can’t even see if they have their Unique Cargo Ship, the Wallef.

Perhaps the Choctaw have a rather decent shot at success, somewhere in here. However, it does not lie in this war with the Shoshone, in which they have already lost the city of Doaksville. Now, a rather intimidating military presence is starting to form around Bok Chukfi Ahiliha. Pushmataha better prepare for the worst.

Rouran seems to be holding itself together well, despite the Mongolian invasion. The reason, I’d suggest, would be the presence of their UU- the Wriggling Rider. Not only does this UU get additional movement, its movement is restored near Freshwater. However, there is a catch- I don’t believe the ability works correctly due to an error elsewhere in the code. It’s a case of bad luck, really.

Sarawak’s luck seems to be taking a turn for the worst, as the Wahgi have captured Simanggang. The Wahgi have been proving to be extremely opportunistic in this game, and we can potentially see an empire based in Papua if they continue to play like this

A large army from Sierra Leone approaches the doorstep to Almohad territory. If this is foreshadowing for a larger conflict in Africa, well, I can only see this going one way.

Cascadia.

What can be said about Cascadia? Well, they’re competing for what is basically a participation trophy. With 2 cities and several rising empires in North America, what can we expect from them? Personally, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

There’s a war in South America, but it’s not as exciting as one would hope- the Omagua and Guaycuru declare war on each other, but there’s a slight problem in Brazil’s existence between the two civs. I don’t expect this conflict to go too far.

Good ship name tho for the slide title.

Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration because Grenades haven’t been invented yet, but here we are, the major conflict of the episode. Yes, Thomas Peters’ Sierra Leone has declared war upon the Almohads. This looks like it’ll be a decisive conflict.

That’s not all- do you remember when I said the Omaguaycuru war wouldn’t go too far? Well, I lied. Brazil AND the United Fruit Company join on Guaycuru’s side. However, with the Amazon in the way of any easy battles, it’ll be seen who will take advantage the most of this war.

Gbudwe (Azande), having just set foot in Egypt, finds the water too sticky and sweet for his tastes and decides he doesn’t really want Egyptian lands anyways. Tutankhamun may count his blessings.

Granada falls to Sierra Leone’s lightning siege! Units are already marching towards Fez. As previously stated, this could be a nightmare for the Almohads.

Mongolia makes peace with Rouran, thus ending a conflict that was only too short. However, it’s probably for the best- Mongolia’s army was looking pretty tattered, and Rouran seems like it was holding still.

Japan starts sending ships into the port of Mokjeo, starting an invasion that will probably last far too long because triremes aren’t the best siege weapons. However, that’s not to say this is a bad move- indeed, it’s one of Japan’s major chances to get onto the mainland.

With Simanggang razed to completion, the Wahgi see themselves as having accomplished a major feat and declare peace with Sarawak. Hopefully their territorial ambitions will extend beyond a leisurely visit, next time.

Fez is down to half health! People have switched out their decorative hats for more warlike fezzes. However, there is no defense around these cities!

Chandragupta Maurya is the general leading the great siege.

The White Huns declare war on the Pahlavis! A conflict that would be great to watch if either nation bordered each other. However, if you look closely, you’ll see that the siege of Balanjar has been lifted, but a lone warrior still persists.

The Makhnovist forces gather around Mariupol in order to create a defensive line to withstand the Timurid forces. It appears that this conflict has persisted past the fall of Samandar, as Nestor Makhno resists further incursion into his territory.

The battle fezzes are taken off and replaced with a white fez of surrender, as the namesake city is captured by Sierra Leone’s forces. Now it remains to be seen whether Thomas Peters intends to go the full distance and eliminate the Almohads.

The Azande are invaded by forces from Luba! However, they field one of the greatest generals in the form of Patton, and Mpingas flood the streets of Azande cities in order to prepare a strong defense.

This dog bites! Pomerania goes for a kill by invading Hungary, hoping to steal that valuable capital. This could be a major move for one of the earliest underdogs.

Rouran initiates a strong offensive against Shu Han, sending their riders and archers barreling towards the city of Wenshan! Hopefully this conflict can launch Rouran from a decent empire into a glorious one.

Skullyville is under an intense siege as Shoshone forces surround the city and bring it down to half health. With archers and spearmen at the ready, I expect this city to be flying the blue banner soon.

Mokjeo is taking damage as- oh. They made peace. Because of course they did.

Portugal builds the Parthenon, I guess?

The Pahlavis find themselves between an unstoppable force and an immovable object, as the Timurids declare war after the siege on the Khazar city of Balanjar fails. The last dynasty of Persia will need some ingenuity to dig themselves out of this one.

Moshoeshoe I (Lesotho) opens up the Great Mosque of Djenne. “Where’s Djenne?” a Citizen asks. Moshoeshoe turns to his guard, nods, and the Citizen is promptly carried off, never to be seen again.

The Aboriginal general, Sargon of the Bunuba, marches a large force towards Pomberuk. Jandamarra’s not messing around- he aims to quickly annihilate his opponent in a single strike. This could be disastrous for the Ngarrindjeri.

Deseret sends a settler towards the big island of Hawaii. These faithful patriots march on a mission to find heaven on Earth. Little do they know, they’ll form powerful friendships along the way. This summer* in,

A Boatload of Fun

*postponed indefinitely due to people suddenly not wanting to go to theaters? Wonder why.

Skullyville falls, as New France declares a sneak war against New England. Louis de Buade’s forces take damage around Boston, but he still retains a clear advantage.

Brazil is putting in good work, as Camadsuari is already at half health. Lula might be going for gold this game! Let’s hope they can do as well as their Mark 2 equivalent.

Sierra Leone pushes towards Marrakech in a frightening approach towards the Almohad capital of Tinmel. THIS is how you fight wars.

Shang makes peace with Shu Han as a surprise challenger declares war on China: The Ket, of all civs. What could this mean?

Marrakech falls! The almohads, once a sprawling empire, have been pushed to the brink of destruction in the span of a single chapter. This could be a dramatic collapse- we could be seeing an elimination soon.

Oh, that’s what the Ket declaration meant- it’s the beginning of our first coalition as Siam joins in! Hopefully we can export more relevant alliances form in this coalition to take down the menace of the East!

Pomerania brings down Budapest’s health to around 60%- it looks as though the city could topple over any minute. However, the invading forces seem to be dissipating. Hold your head up high, Bogislaw!

New France presses hard on the city of Boston. William Stoughton will have to bring down the gavel if he wants to move forward with this game, but it seems only god can judge Louis de Buade at this moment.

England sends a sizable force towards Braga as Henry V declares war on Carlos I of Portugal! I wouldn’t get my hopes up for this war, either- it seems like the terrain is too rough to make any headways.

Ah, it seems Omagua has captured the- wait what.

Omagua has somehow turned the tides on their invaders and have captured the city of Belo Horizonte! Camadsuari is intensely damaged, but there’s only a single warrior nearby! What could this mean?

Wenshan starts taking damage as the invading Rouran forces start hammering down upon their walls! However, mounted Units are weak against cities- don’t expect too much here.

Yes, another capital has fallen as Louis de Buade (New France) takes Boston under his control! With the Fleur de Lis flying proudly over the city, who knows what William Stoughton can do now? His empire’s split into two meager cities, and they hardly have a force nearby. This looks to be the end of their competition.

Yes, we’ve talked about Lesotho a lot- you’re welcome Tranq- but now let’s show off an underrated contestant. The Maravi are already fielding one of their UUs, the Zimba Marauder. This powerful unit heals after defeating enemies and can permanently increase its strength by pillaging tiles. However, what I want to talk about is the unique religion, and the Missionary UU that we won’t be able to see until the Maravi adopt one. The Maravi have a chance to found the Nyau religion, which is a custom addition that’s included as part of the mod, and ties into their UU: the Nyau Cultist. However, these uniques are only useful if the Maravi raze cities, which they haven’t done yet. Not only that, we have seen every religion that CAN be founded. I simply wanted to bring attention to these aspects that we won’t be able to show off properly.

While the Maravi got Chichen Itza, the Kaweskar got the Hanging Gardens. I don’t think this is enough to make a comeback.

Yes, you see that correctly- the Azande are invading their invaders. Patton has successfully diverted all Luba attacks, and is now pressing forward towards Kipushya. Already, Mpinga are approaching Kabongo.

R.I.P.

Ari’s hopes and dreams

2020-2021

Yes, Shang has given up half of their empire in a peace deal. And China razed it. Daji may have been a brute IRL, but she’s more of a pushover in this game, isn’t she?

Pomerania’s attack on Hungary has left them wide open to an invasion from Russia! Things are not looking good for the fluffy white dogs.

Ivan the Terrible leads Mongolia’s troops into another war with Rouran! It remains to be seen whether this one will have any effect, since the original war petered out as well.

Jandamarra, having reinvented himself for this royale, fails to do much to the Ngarrindjeri capital of Pomberuk. The city only took light damage, and the Bunuba army was completely wiped. This is a disaster.

Sierra Leone is the target of its own coalition now, as Carthage declares a war. However, that doesn’t stop Thomas Peters from pushing into Tinmel- the Almohads seem to be on their last legs.

Jesus Maria has been captured by the Omagua! The Guaycuru somehow blundered an invasion with 3 allies. This is what Paraguay wishes it did. By god, the Omagua are brutal.

Oh yeah, we enter a Golden age. Yay.

What’s the other UU for Rouran? Answer is a bit more complicated than you might think: It’s the Nonor, a Great General replacement which can upgrade into the Khan! As you can see, with Douluofubadoufa on display, the Rouran forces make a deeper push into Shu Han territory.

Teuta (Illyrians), seeing Budapest still recovering from Pomeranian invasion, makes her move towards the Hungarian capital!

As we end off this episode, we are faced with a few civs teetering on the brink of destruction, and here we get a glimpse of the Almohad capital at half health. Could this be the end of Abd al-Mu’min’s hopes and dreams? Probably. Who will win first place in a race down the highway to hell? Find out next time on: THE CIV GRAND ROYALE!

With Love,

The Timurids actually took the lead from the Shoshone in this chapter! Not only that, the Shoshone have dropped a few ranks as other Civilizations have climbed upwards- including the nearby Deseret! What could this mean for Washakie?

Losers for today, with Shang at the very bottom. It seems the only death in this chapter was Ari’s heart. :(

Some middling civs to look at.