Preface: I purposely don't watch tutorials or learn about min-maxing. I rely on just my experiences which make unique and fun playthroughs, although in-efficient. Here is an accurate account of my last city.

Our town of Leto started with a simple vision: an educated community focused on discovery and serving as a refuge for humans, sorely needed in a land dominated by other races. In its humble beginnings, the population was evenly split, half dedicated to farming and producing bread, the other half immersed in science and learning. For a while, we lived in peace, steadily growing our settlement. But as Leto began to flourish, it caught the attention of small-time raiders. Though their numbers were few, they posed a grave threat to our farmers and academics, who had no experience with combat and no means to defend themselves.

After the slaying of countless intellectuals and breadmakers by a handful of raiders, it was determined we needed income to pay for mercenaries to defend us. Upon discovering abundant clay deposits near our city, We recognized an opportunity in the lucrative trading market for clay pottery and bricks. To capitalize on this, we established a small but efficient clay mining and pottery crafting outpost. Leveraging our substantial science resources, we focused on optimizing mining processes and pottery production techniques, transforming our outpost into a highly productive hub of innovation and trade.

We had plenty of pottery to sell, but our neighbors didn’t see us as equals. As an outcast settlement of humans in a land of other races, they’d rather extort us than trade fairly. We finally found a nearby ruler willing to do business, though on their terms. The deal was harsh, but the money started rolling in. That’s when I realized the potential. More workers were sent to the clay pits and factories, each one adding to the growing profits. Before long, our struggling mud town transformed into the epicenter of pottery in the region, with prices to match. The wealth and its perks were intoxicating to us... to me.

This only made our raider problem worse. I had the money to hire mercenaries to deal with them, but it was draining my pottery profits fast with each wave of raiders. Something had to change. So, I decided to build our own military supply chain. It was a massive undertaking. I needed raw materials, skilled weapon and armor smiths, training grounds, and, most importantly, miners and farmers to trade their tools for swords. It wasn’t easy, but none of us were ready to give up the empire we’d built from clay and fire!

However, this presented a new challenge. If our laborers were busy training for battle, who would mine the clay and grow the food to sustain us? A grim but decisive solution emerged: enslave the defeated raiders. “They brought this on themselves,” “They’re lucky we didn’t do worse!” became the popular cry. With every wave of attackers, our ranks of enslaved workers grew. They toiled in the mines and fields, ensuring that my citizens could focus on becoming skilled warriors and advancing the research needed to expand our military-industrial complex. It was a dark path, but it kept our people alive… It kept my empire thriving.

Before long, I was swatting away raiders with ease. With no need to pay mercenaries, my pottery profits soared. Suddenly, I looked around and realized that the neighboring kingdoms, once so threatening and immense, no longer seemed so strong compared to me.

I decided reparations were in order, and some extra living space for my growing population didn’t sound too bad either. So, I began raiding and overtaking a small neighboring kingdom. Watching my fully trained, well-equipped elite units slice through their underprepared militia was deeply satisfying. Perhaps too satisfying. One victory led to another, and before I knew it, I had taken both of their cities by force.

No one remembers who sparks a conflict like this, our other neighbors sure didn’t. Despite the years of provocation and exploitation that justified my actions, a coalition formed to stop what they called my “warmongering.” Three kingdoms joined forces, determined to put me down. Fortunately, I had amassed enormous stockpiles of wealth from trading pottery. That wealth was quickly drained to hire mercenaries, and I was forced to conscript our newly conquered populations as cannon fodder. At the same time, I poured even more resources into expanding the ever-growing military-industrial complex in my capital. But I was determined to hold my ground.

But the war machine needed workers, so I fell into a brutal cycle, conquering and enslaving my defeated enemies to fill the mines and farms. The war was grueling, and soon it wasn’t just soldiers and raiders being enslaved, but anyone with the skills needed to keep my empire running. To maintain control over the newly conquered regions, I implemented a single-truth religion policy. The entire empire was unified under state-sponsored religious practices, a strategy that proved highly effective in pacifying the occupied cities. Harsh, but these measures were essential for the survival of my empire!

Now, I find myself at the tail end of the great regional war. I’ve gained one true ally, my first trading partner, whom I cherish deeply but even they have grown wary of my methods. As for my other neighbors? They’ve either been pushed back or wiped out entirely. I now stand at the helm of a battle-hardened army, with reinforcements steadily on the way. My sights are set to the north, toward other human settlements, with the hope of forging more favorable diplomatic ties for trade. The pursuit of ever-higher pottery profits never truly ends.

But we are not the same people we once were. What began as a humble settlement, dedicated to science and free thought, has transformed into something unrecognizable. Now, we are an empire driven by the demands of our armies and the relentless production of pottery. Conquered peoples of other races labor in our fields and mines to sustain the machine, bound by a strict religious mandate and a legacy of destruction left in our wake. Yet, for our citizens, life is prosperous. They have food, education, luxury goods, the freedom to follow their passions, and the peace of mind that comes with security.

Still, in my quiet moments, I wonder if we traded too much for this prosperity. I think of Leto as it once was, a town where we banded together, free from greed and war, where discovery and unity were our highest priorities. Now, I stand alone, surrounded by the weight of what we built, what I built. As Thucydides wrote, ‘The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.’ Was it all justified? History will be the judge.

But as for me, I’m left to wonder. Can I ever guide us back to the ideals we once had… or do I even want to.

Preface: I purposely don't watch tutorials or learn about min-maxing. I rely on just my experiences which make unique and fun playthroughs, although in-efficient. Here is an accurate account of my last city. Our town of Leto started with a simple vision: an educated community focused on discovery and serving as a refuge for humans, sorely needed in a land dominated by other races. In its humble beginnings, the population was evenly split, half dedicated to farming and producing bread, the other half immersed in science and learning. For a while, we lived in peace, steadily growing our settlement. But as Leto began to flourish, it caught the attention of small-time raiders. Though their numbers were few, they posed a grave threat to our farmers and academics, who had no experience with combat and no means to defend themselves. After the slaying of countless intellectuals and breadmakers by a handful of raiders, it was determined we needed income to pay for mercenaries to defend us. Upon discovering abundant clay deposits near our city, We recognized an opportunity in the lucrative trading market for clay pottery and bricks. To capitalize on this, we established a small but efficient clay mining and pottery crafting outpost. Leveraging our substantial science resources, we focused on optimizing mining processes and pottery production techniques, transforming our outpost into a highly productive hub of innovation and trade. We had plenty of pottery to sell, but our neighbors didn’t see us as equals. As an outcast settlement of humans in a land of other races, they’d rather extort us than trade fairly. We finally found a nearby ruler willing to do business, though on their terms. The deal was harsh, but the money started rolling in. That’s when I realized the potential. More workers were sent to the clay pits and factories, each one adding to the growing profits. Before long, our struggling mud town transformed into the epicenter of pottery in the region, with prices to match. The wealth and its perks were intoxicating to us... to me. This only made our raider problem worse. I had the money to hire mercenaries to deal with them, but it was draining my pottery profits fast with each wave of raiders. Something had to change. So, I decided to build our own military supply chain. It was a massive undertaking. I needed raw materials, skilled weapon and armor smiths, training grounds, and, most importantly, miners and farmers to trade their tools for swords. It wasn’t easy, but none of us were ready to give up the empire we’d built from clay and fire! However, this presented a new challenge. If our laborers were busy training for battle, who would mine the clay and grow the food to sustain us? A grim but decisive solution emerged: enslave the defeated raiders. “They brought this on themselves,” “They’re lucky we didn’t do worse!” became the popular cry. With every wave of attackers, our ranks of enslaved workers grew. They toiled in the mines and fields, ensuring that my citizens could focus on becoming skilled warriors and advancing the research needed to expand our military-industrial complex. It was a dark path, but it kept our people alive… It kept my empire thriving. Before long, I was swatting away raiders with ease. With no need to pay mercenaries, my pottery profits soared. Suddenly, I looked around and realized that the neighboring kingdoms, once so threatening and immense, no longer seemed so strong compared to me. I decided reparations were in order, and some extra living space for my growing population didn’t sound too bad either. So, I began raiding and overtaking a small neighboring kingdom. Watching my fully trained, well-equipped elite units slice through their underprepared militia was deeply satisfying. Perhaps too satisfying. One victory led to another, and before I knew it, I had taken both of their cities by force. No one remembers who sparks a conflict like this, our other neighbors sure didn’t. Despite the years of provocation and exploitation that justified my actions, a coalition formed to stop what they called my “warmongering.” Three kingdoms joined forces, determined to put me down. Fortunately, I had amassed enormous stockpiles of wealth from trading pottery. That wealth was quickly drained to hire mercenaries, and I was forced to conscript our newly conquered populations as cannon fodder. At the same time, I poured even more resources into expanding the ever-growing military-industrial complex in my capital. But I was determined to hold my ground. But the war machine needed workers, so I fell into a brutal cycle, conquering and enslaving my defeated enemies to fill the mines and farms. The war was grueling, and soon it wasn’t just soldiers and raiders being enslaved, but anyone with the skills needed to keep my empire running. To maintain control over the newly conquered regions, I implemented a single-truth religion policy. The entire empire was unified under state-sponsored religious practices, a strategy that proved highly effective in pacifying the occupied cities. Harsh, but these measures were essential for the survival of my empire! Now, I find myself at the tail end of the great regional war. I’ve gained one true ally, my first trading partner, whom I cherish deeply but even they have grown wary of my methods. As for my other neighbors? They’ve either been pushed back or wiped out entirely. I now stand at the helm of a battle-hardened army, with reinforcements steadily on the way. My sights are set to the north, toward other human settlements, with the hope of forging more favorable diplomatic ties for trade. The pursuit of ever-higher pottery profits never truly ends. But we are not the same people we once were. What began as a humble settlement, dedicated to science and free thought, has transformed into something unrecognizable. Now, we are an empire driven by the demands of our armies and the relentless production of pottery. Conquered peoples of other races labor in our fields and mines to sustain the machine, bound by a strict religious mandate and a legacy of destruction left in our wake. Yet, for our citizens, life is prosperous. They have food, education, luxury goods, the freedom to follow their passions, and the peace of mind that comes with security. Still, in my quiet moments, I wonder if we traded too much for this prosperity. I think of Leto as it once was, a town where we banded together, free from greed and war, where discovery and unity were our highest priorities. Now, I stand alone, surrounded by the weight of what we built, what I built. As Thucydides wrote, ‘The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.’ Was it all justified? History will be the judge. But as for me, I’m left to wonder. Can I ever guide us back to the ideals we once had… or do I even want to.