In my search for a (playable) challenge, I choose you, Grenada! (hands over a rose) 
This gives the advantage of being able to build upgrades, but finds itself in a challenging position: it is expected to be conquered by Spain within the first few months of the game, at least without the mundane brilliance lacking in the AI. There came a point in the game where I moved the capital north to Toledo province (like the Vandals, gold mines make a good foundation). Later, I gave them claims on everything south of the Tagus and Ebro rivers, which is roughly the territory under Moslem control in the early 13th Century, and moved the Spanish capital (repeatedly captured) to Aragon for safety.
Some observations: for someone who follows the maxim of It's the Economy, Stupid", Grenada is one tough cookie. For the first time outside Fantasia, I went bankrupt. Even without counting that, borrowing and an early reliance on gold mining drove my inflation up to 20% before I was able to start promoting mayors (it's now down below 1%). Diplomats are few and far between, but I guess that was alright; after all, I didn't have the cash to send gifts anywhere. Colonists are even rarer - I'll never get more than one per year. And leaders are rarest of all: I won't get any all game. Then again, I can never keep track of where my leaders are, anyway. What I'll miss most are never getting explorers or conquistadors.
I've discovered the game expected to use the same monarch all game long, so I've imported the board game's handling of this. When a monarch is scheduled to die, I'll roll up new atributes and reign length (# of five-year turns).
Actual reports to follow later.
-Pat
This gives the advantage of being able to build upgrades, but finds itself in a challenging position: it is expected to be conquered by Spain within the first few months of the game, at least without the mundane brilliance lacking in the AI. There came a point in the game where I moved the capital north to Toledo province (like the Vandals, gold mines make a good foundation). Later, I gave them claims on everything south of the Tagus and Ebro rivers, which is roughly the territory under Moslem control in the early 13th Century, and moved the Spanish capital (repeatedly captured) to Aragon for safety.
Some observations: for someone who follows the maxim of It's the Economy, Stupid", Grenada is one tough cookie. For the first time outside Fantasia, I went bankrupt. Even without counting that, borrowing and an early reliance on gold mining drove my inflation up to 20% before I was able to start promoting mayors (it's now down below 1%). Diplomats are few and far between, but I guess that was alright; after all, I didn't have the cash to send gifts anywhere. Colonists are even rarer - I'll never get more than one per year. And leaders are rarest of all: I won't get any all game. Then again, I can never keep track of where my leaders are, anyway. What I'll miss most are never getting explorers or conquistadors.
I've discovered the game expected to use the same monarch all game long, so I've imported the board game's handling of this. When a monarch is scheduled to die, I'll roll up new atributes and reign length (# of five-year turns).
Actual reports to follow later.
-Pat
