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                             QUEST FOR ASIA
                            Darius the Great
                             Version 2.2
                            By Stefan Härtel
               http://members.xoom.com/SHaertel/Index.html
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WARNING: YOU NEED FANTASTIC WORLDS TO PLAY THIS SCENARIO!

                            CONTENTS


           "I am blind. But not deaf. And this incompleteness of my 
           misfortune forced me, nearly six hours long, 
           to listen to a self-proclaimed historian, whose opinions of 
           the 'Persian Wars' (As the Athenians like to call them), 
           were nothing but a single nonsense.
            Well then, I do know the origins of the 'Greek Wars'. He 
           doesen't. How could he? How should a Greek know? 
           I spent the most time of my life in the Persian Court, 
           and even now, in my seventy-fifth year I serve the 
           Great King [Artaxerxes I] just like his father -my 
           beloved friend Xerxes- and much earlier his father, 
           a hero even the Greeks know as Dareios the Great."

                          -Persian envoy Cyrus Spitama in Pericles' Athens                                (from G. Vidal, "Creation", 1981)

INTRODUCTION
------------

"King Dareios I. -who knows this name, or, if he really knows it, knows more than just the name? One has propably heard of the unfortunate and unimportant Dareios III. Codomannus in school, because he was the opponent of Alexander the Great. Possibly even the name Dareios I. - and a little more that of his son Xerxes - is, in relation to the Persian Wars remains in one's mind. But who does make an attempt to imagine the character of this ruler, his work and the meaning of his empire at all?"
                            -Peter Julius Junge, "Dareios I. König der Perser"

This scenario deals with the Great King Dareios I., who is, thanks to his accomplishements for the Persian Empire, widely accepted under the title "Dareios the Great". It is version 2.2 of this scenario. Previous versions have already had good critics.
This is my most bombastic scenario to date. Darius version 2.0 was not much more than a "copy" of one of my previous scenarios, "Artaxerxes", but it was good enough. Version 2.1 was just a bugfix (that was available only on the Largest German Civ2 Page). This new version is a major remake, but since I used the old scenario as a base, I decided against giving it the version number "3.0".
In general, I will call the main character of this scenario Dareios -his Greek name- because I dislike the Latin "Darius". But if you seek for information about him in a book or so, check the latin pseudonyme.
I hope that this scenario will be good enough to match my view of the Great King, a character whom I regard as one of the greatest rulers in history (IMHO). 
The most important thing for you to have when you play this scenario is tolerance. I created it from a very Pro-Persian point of view. Why? I see no reason to do it differently. It would be inaccurate to create a scenario about a Persian ruler that is Greek-biased.

INSTALLATION
------------

Contrary to version 2.1, version 2.2 now has three events files. Installation, though remains the same:

If you have played scenarios such as "Spartacus", "Der Anstieg und Fall des Dritten Reiches", "The Sword of Shannara", "Hannibal" "Enemy of God" and other scenarios similar to these, you are already familiar with the multi-events files concept. If not, please read the following instructions.

This scenario has three Events files.  You need to rename the file "Events1.txt" in "Events.txt". When it says that you need to switch the events, you need to rename "Events2.txt" in "Events.txt". Please backup the file "Events1.txt"! (The Same of course goes for "Events2.txt" and "Events3.txt)

It is a lot easier if you use the French, German, Spanish etc. version of Civ2 (those that do NOT use the files with the destination *.txt but *.Fre, *.Ger etc.). Example for use with German version:
-Rename "Events1.txt" in "Events.ger". Create a new text file called "Events.txt" and write anything you want in it. 
-When it says to do so, Rename "Events2.txt" in "Events.ger". You don't need to backup anything.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
---------------------

"The mass of his [Dareios'] power spread out everywhere. First of all, he now set up a new bas-relief of stone. This picture showed a horserider and carried following inscription: "Dareios, the son of Hystaspes, aquired the Persian throne by help of his horse and his equerry Oibareus." 
           -Herodotos, Histories III (88-89)

In 550 BC, the Persian king Kyros (Cyrus) the Great overthrew the Dejokid dynasty of the Medes, an Iranian tribe that wandered in about 500 years ago. In 546 BC, he conquered the powerful Lydian empire, and in 539 BC he occupied Babylon, the most powerful city on earth at that time. 
In 529 BC, he was succeeded by his son, Cambyses, who, in 525 BC conquered Egypt. Cambyses then planned to conquer the oasis of Siwa, but the expedition failed. The king himself wanted to undertake a campaign in Nubia. In 522 BC, however, news arrived that in Hagmatana (Ecbatana, Hamadan) his brother usurped the throne. Cambyses knew that this was impossible, for he had murdered his brother when he acessed the throne. Underway to Persia, Cambyses died in an accident.
A member of his royal staff, Dareios, the son of Hystaspes, gathered some old friends around him and killed the usurper, a Magi (priest) of Median descendance. The assassination was followed by a series of revolts throughout the empire, the most important ones in Babylonia and Central Asia. Dareios could surpress all these, and managed to re-organize his empire within a couple of years. 
His army was regarded to be invincible, for it pushed towards the outermost borders, far into Libya, India and Central Asia, but it was defeated in 512 BC, in a campaign against the European Scythians who lived in today's Ukraine. 
In 508 BC, the pro-Persian government in Athens was replaced by a democratic one, but an alliance was quickly signed. 
In 500 BC, however, the Ionian Greeks, who resided in Asia Minor, revolted against the Persian government. This was supported by Athens, and a wave of Greek solidarity followed, beginning the so-called "Persian Wars". The Greeks feared that Athens would soon fall to the Persians, but the invasion of 490 BC was a failure for the Greeks defeated the Persians at the famous battle of Marathon. Dareios died in 486 BC, and his empire crumbled through revolt. Can you succeed where Dareios failed?

THE PLAYERS
-----------

This game is first of all intended to be played as the Persians and the Athenians. The Spartans may be fun too, but all others are not for play.

Persians
--------

You begin with a gigantic empire and a lot of cities- most of which are poorly developed and in revolt. This is to simulate the large social and economical reforms Dareios had to undertake in order to stabilize his empire.
You will have a relatively small army, but all you can do at the start is conquer Libya and India- you will also have to defend yourself against the nomads from the north. Once you will begin larger military operations, you will also be able to recruit new forces and build barracks (both is not possible at the start). 
Your units are not necessarily the best available, but they are quite cheap, giving quantity advantage over quality. 
Your first "real" task will be the war against the Sacan confederation. This will not be difficult. But once you advance to part 2, your luck might change...

Athenians
---------

At the beginning of this scenario, you'll have to try to gain as much power as possible. This includes founding, and, if possible, even conquering new cities. It is advisable to keep some garissons everywhere. You'll see why I say this.
After the "revolution", you have about seven years to re-stabilize your empire and prepare for upcoming struggles. Once the Ionian Revolt breaks out, you'll be facing a very tough opponent.
Use your ability to negotiate with the Spartans to the fullest!

Spartans
--------

If you really don't want to play as either the Persians or the Athenians, you can also try as the Spartans- at your own risk!
You'll pursuit the Athenians for Greek hegemony. You have got three advantages, however: A very strong navy, very strong infantry units, and the ability to negotiate with the Athenians (and the fact that the Persians may never clash with you).

All other civilizations are not for play.

RULES AND VICTORY CONDITIONS
----------------------------

This scenario runs under the objective system. The Persians are the protagonists, meaning that they have to conquer as many cities as possible. There are 62 objectives, the Persians control 5 of them at the start. The scoring works as follows:

            --> 50 objectives or more is a decisive victory
            --> 33 objectives or more is a marginal victory
            --> 19 objectives or more is a marginal defeat
            -->  9 objectives or more is a decisive defeat

These are the cities that are considered as objectives:

ATHENIAN                 SPARTAN          IONIAN
Athinai     *3           Sparta     *3    Miletos    *3
Delphi                   Olympia    *3    Ephesos
Eretria     *3           Syrakosai  *3    Lindos
Chersonesos (North) *3                    Abdera     *3
Tanais                                    Pella      
Rhegion     *3                            Salamis    
Kroton      *3                            Naxos      *3
Taras       *3

PERSIANS           INDEPENDENTS            BARBARIANS
Sparda             Taxila      *3          Kyrene     *3 
Daskyleion         Sangala     *3          Barka      *3
Byzantion   *3     Pattala     *3          

UNITS
-----

You will get familiar with most units as you play this scenario, and in addition, each one appears in the pedia. 
There are many unique and special units in this scenario. Most of these are historical personalities. I will only describe the most important here:

Dareios-- This is the leading character in the scenario, and once he dies, the game is lost for the Persians! But don't hesitate to use him. He is very powerful and good for city conquest (I wouldn't use him in the Greek campaign, though).

Anausha-- The so-called "Immortal 10,000". They truly are immortal, for once this unit is killed, another one will appear-for a price! Very powerful, a good weapon. Don't be afraid to use them.

Gobryas, Artaphernes, Miltiades, Aristagoras...- Important characters either with special abilities or only powerful.

WONDERS, CITY IMPORVEMENTS, ADVANCES
------------------------------------

Wonders and city improvements are described in the pedia. All wonders except for the palace of Dareios and the Bosporos bridge are already built.

There is one key advance for the Persians to research: Spada. This will allow them to build barracks and new units. Some techs make wonders obsolete. Both Greeks and Persians will have a lot of advances to research to improve their military forces (some techs are also given via events).


TIPS&TRICKS
-----------

The conquest of India is not only neccessary, but also very useful. Average production here is 65 shields per city!

When playing the Persians, you might wait a little before conquering Eretria

If you run into money trouble you can sell your temples (as the Persians).

When playing the Persians, hold the city of Shar-I Qumish at all costs! It is practically the only connector between east and west!

Defense against the nomad tribes at the north will require the improvement of the infrastructure.

When playing as the Athenians, you should build up a large army and keep it through the whole scenario. Founding additional cities (esp. in the north) may benefit greatly.

OTHER NOTES AND BUGS
--------------------

-The Persian flag is based on the royal standart of the Achaemenians. It dates back from the 9th century BC and was designed by some smith or so. It shows a golden eagle on white cloth. The Athenian flag is supposed to show an owl. The sun symbol on the Ionian flag was a pan-hellenic symbol before it was taken over by the Macedonians. The symbol on the Spartan flag is some Spartan symbol.

-The title picture shows the bas-relief of Bisotun that was done under Dareios.

PERSIAN-ENGLISH GLOSSARY
------------------------

I'm using quite a few terms in Greek, Persian and Median in this scenario. Here is what they mean:

Spada=(Median), "army"
Gymnaseion=(Grk), some sort of facility for sports and learning
Akropolis=(Grk), Castle, fortress
Paridaiha=(Pers.), Greek: Paradeisoi, Royal park
Qanat=(Arab), special Iranian underground irrigation 
Agora=(Grk), Market Place
Bulutereion=(Grk), City Hall, City council
Kurtash=(Pers), "Workers"
Pasti=(Pers), Infantry
Rshtika=(Pers), Lance carriers
Thanuvaniya=(Pers), Archers
Akinákes=(Pers), Short sword
Asabara=(Pers), Cavalry
Hazarapatish=(Pers), General
Strategos=(Grk), General
Anausha=(Pers), Immortals. The Greeks propably misunderstood the meaning of this  word. The Persians propably gave them the name "Anushiya", which means 
"followers". The Greeks gave them the name "Athanatoi", which means 
"Anausha"=Immortals.
Ushabari=(Pers), Camel Riders

Here are a couple of geographical terms:
Athinai=Athens (Grk)
Sparda=Sardeis, Sardis (Pers)
Babirush=Babylon(ia) (Pers)
Mudraya=Egypt (Pers)
Parsa=Persia, Persepolis, Persians (Pers)
Seraz=Shiraz (Pers)
Aspadana=Esfahan (Pers)
Hagmatana=Ecbatana, Hamadan (Pers)
Zaryiaspa=Bactra (Grk or Pers)
Maraqanda=Samarqand
Qart Hadasht=Karchedon, Carthage (Punian or Phoenecian)
Akra=City (Pers)

CREDITS
-------

This scenario is based on the book "Dareios I. König der Perser" by Peter Julius Junge. Special thanks to my Grandfather who gave this book to me. Additional information came from following books:

Wiesehöfer, Josef: "Das Antike Persien"
Koch, Heidemarie: "Es kündet Dareios der König"
Briant, Pierre: "Darius, les Perses et l'empire"
Ghirshman, Roman: "Iran"
Baltrusch, Ernst: "Sparta"

And others.

This scenario would have never been completed without the aid of the Civ2 community. I thank a lot the people who have responded to my posts on the forums of the Apolyton Civilization Site, but also the people who have eMailed me sepparately. Numerous ideas have spread into this scenario. I thank especially Ioannis Coritidis, for giving me so much information on ancient Greece, and being a patient listener and critic to this scenario and my opinions. Further, I'd like to thank the other people who helped playtesting this scenario and bothered to send me numerous comments (in alphabetical order):
Ioannis Coritidis, Miguel Sanahuja Muñoz, Nicolas Wauthoz and War Void.
Thanks also to those people who contributed to this scenario with their graphics:

Allard Höfelt, Alex "The Magnificent" Mor, Erwan, Paul Cullivan, Jesús Balsinde, Harlan Thompson (for his great collections) and Fast Eddie (for teaching me how to make these great city styles). If I should have forgotten anyone, please tell me so immediately! I will include you here as soon as possible.

FEEDBACK
--------

For comments or suggestions, please write me at Stefan.Haertel@t-online.de
You can also post something at the Apolyton Forums, preferably SLeague or Civ2 Creation.
Please visit my homepage where you can find all scenarios I have created to date:
http://members.xoom.com/SHaertel/Index.html

I hope you will enjoy this scenario!