hello. i am in goverment level 5 and i just got a massage that i can make colonies .yet all around atlantic ocean- except to near to africa and europe -sea area is covered and i can not go further. Even to canary islands i can not land . Do i miss something in order to make colonies? i play as england Thank you in advance.
That covered sea area is called "terra incognito." It's latin for "hidden earth" and it means you have not, nor has anyone else for the last 25/50 (depending on what your options are) years, sailed there. In order to colonize and uncover Terra Incognito, you need to adopt the national idea "Quest for the New World." This National Idea allows you to hire Explorers (to lead your navy in the place of admirals) and Conquistadors (to lead your armies in the place of generals). Explorers are the only way your navy can discover sea incognito, and Conquistadors are the only way you can discover land incognito (apart from some function about wars, which I don't really remember) without waiting for others to discover it first.
So basically, adopt QFTNW NI, hire an admiral, attach him to your navy, and sail him out into terra incognito. Watch your attrition rate, because if your ship's maintenance hits zero, it sinks.
Two quick questions:
How do my troops board ships when ships are in port?
When I am the papal controller or the pope, how do I influence cardinals, cause excommunication etc.
ta
You may not board ships at port, for all I know. Sail it out to sea and march your army into the sea. XD
I don't really know for sure, but I'm fairly sure that if any Catholic nation has relations less than 100 (it might be zero, I don't know) you can click "Excommunicate" in the diplomatic settings with that nation where you'd find Declare War and such.
Also, my question:
Is conquering North Africa worth it, or will it just bring RR and drag down my research?