'Micro' Player nations

Tonga did seem to avoid the attentions of Europe for quite some time, despite the Dutch visiting in 1616 (though that was only to an out-island, the main island was visited by the Dutch for the first time in 1643) and Cook's visits in the 1770s. Missionaries turned up late in the 1790s and 1820s and in 1900 the islands became a British protectorate, but they do seem to been have left alone largely.

Now, an expansionist or at least exploring-minded China might make contact...

Have those Exploring -minded Chinese chaps thought of Australia & New Zeeland, they claimed they were there first but no flag was ever found.

I have always planned to send some ships off there in the various Chinese positions I have played but the big problem has always been the need to actually create a fleet in the first place. For China, its like being Russia multiplied four or five times, given the long coastlines of the empire, it always amazes me how long it takes to build up a decent sized navy (it shouldn't surprise me but I always think this time I can do it better and quicker and it never works).

I have always found the theories on Chinese exploration interesting and it was after reading "1421" that I actually decided I would like to play China in Glory. I don't believe all that Menzies claims (esp in his sequel book "1433") but I think he is right on some of the aspects.

It was a very interesting point of view and seemed to have some credibility, but I would agree the later claims seemed to go too far

China claims it's great expedition reached Australia years before the Europeans. In Game terms in 1700 it is still undiscovered( well apart from the people who live there but as non-Europeans they don't count)
I one Game an expedition from Europe has dicovered & claimed the territories of Australia & NZ. If you want a micro position I suppose acting as Governor or Viceroy of either of these could be an option.

Going back a bit in the discussion I thing J Flower and TRKL hit the point re Pirates. I was one once ;-) and did OK until my base was raided and my "treasury" captured.

A few months later I was forced to (game) suicide.

I started well but never got to make the grade - I guess diversifying is the trick.

[The Rowzi position seems a pretty formidable one especially if you can keep the Europeans at arms length.]

And as for tricky Micro's how about the Inuit? No change for eons how long could you stick at that position??

[China claims it's great expedition reached Australia years before the Europeans. In Game terms in 1700 it is still undiscovered( well apart from the people who live there but as non-Europeans they don't count)
I one Game an expedition from Europe has dicovered & claimed the territories of Australia & NZ. If you want a micro position I suppose acting as Governor or Viceroy of either of these could be an option.]

I'd be up for that! Gov of New Zealand - all those great Maori stories to emulate ....

If your interested I can make the position avaliable to you, let me know. The sheep are already there.

Basileus wrote:It was a very interesting point of view and seemed to have some credibility, but I would agree the later claims seemed to go too far

Oh yes, def had some good reasoning and evidence behind some of the claims...plus the book was useful for giving appropriate Chinese admiral names

J Flower wrote:If your interested I can make the position avaliable to you, let me know. The sheep are already there.

That's ok...until someone sends a boatload of wolves to invade

Now all the Prussians need to do now is invent larger, faster and refridgerated ships and they may actually find a use for all those sheep

Stuart Bailey wrote:Now all the Prussians need to do now is invent larger, faster and refridgerated ships and they may actually find a use for all those sheep

They could market NZ as a holiday destination to the Welsh?

Prussia needs to create a navy first , then it can think about more complicated things like ships.

Dear God Jason, (talking about sheep and the Welsh) there is a discussion in the France v England thread about good mental health. Well I live in rural Wales at the moment and can now identify different breeds of sheep and go to sheep dog trials for entertainment

You have my deepest sympathy (after 3 years at uni in Carmarthen, I mean that most sincerely )