Game: Age of Exploration

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

Tom Lehmann — 2008-05-21T05:23:01+00:00

This is correct; gold can be used when outfitting in the New World to obtain certain cards (see 5.1 in the rules).

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

Tom Lehmann — 2008-05-19T23:28:13+00:00

Chris's answers are all correct. Thanks, Chris!

Natives for Europe (just a few natives) cannot be converted back into Porters (a lot of porters, see scale discussion in the Historical Guide).

Yes, you could take an Interpretor or Native Guide (for the region that the New World base is located in) and then start sailing for Europe to deliver them to satisfy 1st or 2nd Natives for Europe (if these VPs have not already been claimed). You then represent the bright person who thought that courts would be impressed by the novelty of actual natives.
Of course, doing so right away is a lot of work for just 1 VP...

A tentative answer (as I don't have the rules at hand), but my memory is that gold is both delivered to Europe (receiving card draws, plus VPs if enough gold is delivered) and retained during Outfitting to buy various cards that require letters of credit (any "unspent" gold is discarded when you launch). That is why there is the rules note about not *turning in* the gold chits (after *delivering* them).

Historically, this represents the fact that future expedition backers were much more likely to lend credit to someone who had returned to Europe with actual gold.

I'll try to get you the exact rules reference for this.

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

Chris Dorrell — 2008-05-19T17:43:06+00:00

PaulGrogan wrote:
Bringing gold back for VP. I am uncertain about whether this actually uses the gold. The rules say that all chits are returned except gold, but then the reference sheet mentions gold 'delivered'.
The Gold you bring back gives you VP as per the VP chart and expedition card(s) for your next expedition draw. Thematically, I take this to be to do with reputation etc.

PaulGrogan wrote:
I got a bit confused with Porters. We had an expedition that landed but was still a boat. Drew a land card which said gain a porter. Since it wasnt a land expedition yet, I assumed this meant that you couldnt have a porter and instead got a 'Natives for Europe' chit. Was this right?

But then I wanted to make progress, at which point the porter would have been useful, so I ruled that I turned it back into a porter.
I asked a similar question on BGG:-
My Question: "One thing I'm unsure about is that I gained a Porter through a Land Card while still at anchor ie all crew etc still on board on a land square. Where does the Porter go? There are spaces on the land expedition section of the player mat but none on the ship?"
Tom Lehmann's Answer: "I don't have the rules at hand, but my memory is that one "unit" of Porters (maximum), represented by the chit itself, can be placed on a ship (or raft) cargo space (next to a Trade Goods, for example), counting as 1 cargo at sea (raft). Alternatively, the Porters could be converted into a "Natives for Europe" (no cargo) chit."

So you can have a porter on your ship, he just takes cargo space. If you have no cargo space you have to convert him to "Natives for Europe". I'm not sure about converting NfE back to a Porter though? The Lets Play rules on the last page under "Natives for Europe" says "... the expedition can take a Natives for Europe chit, using no sea cargo capacity ... but giving up the option to use these Porters for another land expedition"

PaulGrogan wrote:
Some other questions. What happens if you come back to your ship with >1 porter - are the rest just discarded and you take 1 'Natives for Europe' chit?

The reference sheet shows that the 1st Natives for Europe are worth a VP and it says that this is a Guide, Interpreter, Porters or 'Natives for Europe'. I'm not sure how it can be a porters since you trade in the porters for the 'Natives for Europe' chit.
No you don't have to trade the Porter for NfE as long as you have cargo space.
There are references to Porters in the Historical Guide - Page 15 - top right.

PaulGrogan wrote:
Whilst I am on the subject, can you start an expedition at a New World Base, take a guide and then just head straight to Europe to drop the guide off fulfilling the 'Natives brought to Europe'?
I don't see why not. Although this would presumably be towards the end of the game when you just need 1VP to win. In which case remember that you only get a VP for first and second Natives brought to Europe.

Hope that helps
Chris

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

Chris Dorrell — 2008-05-19T16:48:38+00:00

Paul,

No problem - I just had a bad day and a quick thanks is nice. I'm also interested in feedback on whether you now understand the issue.

I'll fetch out my notes and give you my thoughts on your new questions.

Regards
Chris

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

PaulGrogan — 2008-05-19T16:24:49+00:00

Sorry Chris. Thanks to you too for your other posts. Reading them has saved me from asking lots of other questions, although I see that you've been a bit confused about the porters yourself before

Thread: Re: Another play, a couple more questions

Chris Dorrell — 2008-05-19T16:21:05+00:00

PaulGrogan wrote:
.....
Thanks in advance (especially to Tom who answered the last questions quick enough). Might even play the game tonight again.
Mmmmm - I put quite a bit of effort into a reply to your other thread as well.

I'll leave Tom to answer these questions this time then.

If he doesn't reply I do have some Q&A extracts from him that cover most of your questions.

Chris

Thread: Another play, a couple more questions

PaulGrogan — 2008-05-19T16:01:51+00:00

Bringing gold back for VP. I am uncertain about whether this actually uses the gold. The rules say that all chits are returned except gold, but then the reference sheet mentions gold 'delivered'.

I got a bit confused with Porters. We had an expedition that landed but was still a boat. Drew a land card which said gain a porter. Since it wasnt a land expedition yet, I assumed this meant that you couldnt have a porter and instead got a 'Natives for Europe' chit. Was this right?

But then I wanted to make progress, at which point the porter would have been useful, so I ruled that I turned it back into a porter.

Some other questions. What happens if you come back to your ship with >1 porter - are the rest just discarded and you take 1 'Natives for Europe' chit?

The reference sheet shows that the 1st Natives for Europe are worth a VP and it says that this is a Guide, Interpreter, Porters or 'Natives for Europe'. I'm not sure how it can be a porters since you trade in the porters for the 'Natives for Europe' chit.

Whilst I am on the subject, can you start an expedition at a New World Base, take a guide and then just head straight to Europe to drop the guide off fulfilling the 'Natives brought to Europe'?

Thanks in advance (especially to Tom who answered the last questions quick enough). Might even play the game tonight again.

Thread: Re: Some questions from our game last night

Tom Lehmann — 2008-05-15T23:00:19+00:00

Yes, Ice is an automatic effect (see Map legend). It affects certain checks in those spaces, as described on the cards and noted in the rules under section 6, Map Modifiers.

Channels give extra outfitting cards. Historically, this represents the continuing hope that some newly discovered channel would be the sought after NW passage, which was a major motivation for further expeditions.

"D" discoveries only apply *before* movement and status checks, see Sequence of Play. This is different from automatic discoveries, such as the Amazon river mouth, which are marked after movement (see Discovery under Terms). For why these are handled differently, see the Automatic Discoveries section of the Design Notes.

(From a game play perspective, allowing a player to know that they have a "D" and then move accordingly to discover something makes a mockery of the discovery mechanism.)

Yes, you can switch back and forth between ship type on successive outfitting turns as long as when you do so, you adjust to obey all the limits of the new ship type. See Altering Outfitting Decisions under Outfitting.

While continuing to outfit at a New World base (if that's where you returned to from your previous expedition instead of Europe), you don't draw cards; once you *launch* and become an inland expedition, then you're no longer at the New World base, you're in the land space containing that base and then do draw land cards (to make progress, etc.).

Thread: Re: Land card question

Tom Lehmann — 2008-05-15T22:31:01+00:00

Expeditions can be Sea / Coastal, Inland, or Raft, as shown on the expedition mat, depending on where the leader is.

Sea / Coastal expeditions draw either blue Sea exploration cards or Land cards depending on where they are located.

Inland expeditions draw either Land or Civilization cards depending on where they are located. Inland expeditions never draw blue cards.

Raft Expeditions usually draw blue Sea/Coastal cards, unless they are building rafts, in which case they become inland expeditions, flip the raft/land marker over to the land side, and draw land cards (see Raft Expeditions under 12. Special Cases in the rules).

Thread: Re: Some questions from our game last night

Chris Dorrell — 2008-05-15T16:22:31+00:00

PaulGrogan wrote:
I finally managed to convince a couple of people to try this game last night. I explained that it would be a learning game and that we would spend quite a bit of time hunting for rules.

We got a few wrong along the way which subsequent reading of the rules would clarify. However, I still have a few outstanding.

Ice: We spent 5 minutes looking in the rules for 'Ice'. In my couple of test solo games, I'd never gone into the NWP, so it never came up. The Ice is in a white box - so I said this was an automatic discovery, but since it isnt worth any points, there was no need to mark it. We couldnt find anything in the rules at all about Ice, so we assumed it didnt actually have any effect apart from to give modifiers to certain cards that are drawn.
I think that’s correct. There are maybe half a dozen Sea/Coastal cards that have Ice modifiers on navigation.

Channels: This we did mark with a D but we spent ages looking for what they did in the rulebook and eventually gave up. Until someone got back to base and we realised that they give you more outfitting cards next time around.
Correct – one extra Outfitting card per channel.

Discoveries: I got myself confused with Discoveries thinking that the 'D' on the card could be used on spaces before or after movement. I'm now pretty sure this is wrong and that they only apply to the space that you are in BEFORE you move. It is a little counter-intuitive but it is mainly lack of experience. Automatic discoveries however I think ARE discovered on moving into a new space.
Cards are resolved in three stages. Follow instructions based on current location, resolve any Discovery and then if Progress was made you may move if possible. So you discover then possibly move. In theme terms I take this to represent an expedition finding something and moving on, happy with its discovery. If they don’t find what they’re looking for the expedition may decide not to move on and try again on the next turn.

For example, a ship is in NWP 1 and draws a card with a 'D' on it. They can mark the channel with a 'D' chit. The card also allows for 1 progress, so they make a navigation check and make it into the bay - which they automatically discover. I think thats right.
Yes I think so too, provided that you pass the navigation check as you say.

Outfitting ship and deciding ship type: I wasnt sure when you had to decide your ship type. On my second attmept (first one failed from scared crew on the way to South America), I chose a Caravel again, but then when I drew my cards I had some cool stuff but no extra ship. So I switched to Carrack to store all the cargo. But then I stayed another turn, drew 2 more cards and got an extra ship, so switched back to Caravel. Was this ok?
I have an FAQ from Tom Lehmann that addresses this issue. The question posed was: Can a player look at outfitting cards before making decisions about leaders, ships and starting base. Answer: Yes, certainly all the ones that he or she initially starts with.

This topic is also covered more clearly on page 2 column 2 of the “Rules of Play and Reference” booklet in the section: “Altering Outfitting Decisions”

Drawing Cards: I'm not sure I understand the exceptions at the start of section 6. "No card is drawn if within the Straits of Magellan, at a New World base or if not intending to leave a mid-Atlantic Island that turn. The 1st and 3rd I understand, but not the New World base one.

For example: Patrick last night launched his 2nd expedition from Hispaniola. He wanted it to be a land expedition to go get some gold from CB2. This seems to be possible "four New World bases appear from which expeditions (including inland ones without ships) may be launched" and also "Launching from a New World base - If an inland expedition, place the land expedition chit in the space containing the base".
So, we did that. But if he doesnt draw a card, how can he then gain any progress to move west?
I hadn’t picked up on this one. I think I played that you don’t draw a card on the turn you launch the land expedition so you move out of the base into CB1. Then on the next turn you’re not actually in the New World base so draw a Land card. Not sure though?

Hope that helps. It's good to see some activity around this excellent game. I haven't played it for a while so now I have my mind back on the subject I'll give it a go again. I mainly play it solitaire which works extremely well.

Regards
Chris

Thread: Re: Land card question

PaulGrogan — 2008-05-14T06:34:18+00:00

A land expedition can never be on the coast. The coast spaces refer to the light blue spaces around the land - i.e A water space which is next to land. The land space which is adjacent to that is land.

A land expedition can only ever be in a land space (or river if it becomes a raft), whereas a boat can be on sea, coast, or land. When a boat first makes a status change to land, it stays as a boat and only changes to a land expedition if you want to press on further into the land.

Not sure if this helps with the particular card as I dont have it with me.

Thread: Some questions from our game last night

PaulGrogan — 2008-05-13T10:31:56+00:00

I finally managed to convince a couple of people to try this game last night. I explained that it would be a learning game and that we would spend quite a bit of time hunting for rules.

We got a few wrong along the way which subsequent reading of the rules would clarify. However, I still have a few outstanding.

Ice: We spent 5 minutes looking in the rules for 'Ice'. In my couple of test solo games, I'd never gone into the NWP, so it never came up. The Ice is in a white box - so I said this was an automatic discovery, but since it isnt worth any points, there was no need to mark it. We couldnt find anything in the rules at all about Ice, so we assumed it didnt actually have any effect apart from to give modifiers to certain cards that are drawn.

Channels: This we did mark with a D but we spent ages looking for what they did in the rulebook and eventually gave up. Until someone got back to base and we realised that they give you more outfitting cards next time around.

Discoveries: I got myself confused with Discoveries thinking that the 'D' on the card could be used on spaces before or after movement. I'm now pretty sure this is wrong and that they only apply to the space that you are in BEFORE you move. It is a little counter-intuitive but it is mainly lack of experience. Automatic discoveries however I think ARE discovered on moving into a new space.

For example, a ship is in NWP 1 and draws a card with a 'D' on it. They can mark the channel with a 'D' chit. The card also allows for 1 progress, so they make a navigation check and make it into the bay - which they automatically discover. I think thats right.

Outfitting ship and deciding ship type: I wasnt sure when you had to decide your ship type. On my second attmept (first one failed from scared crew on the way to South America), I chose a Caravel again, but then when I drew my cards I had some cool stuff but no extra ship. So I switched to Carrack to store all the cargo. But then I stayed another turn, drew 2 more cards and got an extra ship, so switched back to Caravel. Was this ok?

Drawing Cards: I'm not sure I understand the exceptions at the start of section 6. "No card is drawn if within the Straits of Magellan, at a New World base or if not intending to leave a mid-Atlantic Island that turn. The 1st and 3rd I understand, but not the New World base one.

For example: Patrick last night launched his 2nd expedition from Hispaniola. He wanted it to be a land expedition to go get some gold from CB2. This seems to be possible "four New World bases appear from which expeditions (including inland ones without ships) may be launched" and also "Launching from a New World base - If an inland expedition, place the land expedition chit in the space containing the base".
So, we did that. But if he doesnt draw a card, how can he then gain any progress to move west?

We played for a couple of hours. 3 players. Patrick did really well, returning to Europe with about 5 discoveries and quite a few points, before launching a land expedition from Hispaniola, getting some gold and returning, before a final expedition where he got to the outskirts of the Aztecs and came home getting a total of 9VP.

Christian went up into NWP, spending a number of turns stuck, but discovering channels, bays, cod banks, etc. He didnt quite make it back home safely losing his last ship just off the coast of Hispaniola (although subsequent reading indicates this is a shipwreck and he should have been ok).

I had no luck. My first expedition got delayed as I was getting hit by scurvy a lot, so I decided to head south for the hardwood. I got most of the way, but my crew got afraid, so I spent most of the game getting back. When I did, I got no VP and then only got 2 cards to re-outfit. So I stayed a few turns getting more cards and set off again. I managed to get some hardwood and then headed further south, trying to extend the Known SSA. But again, my crew got afraid and I headed home. I didnt get back before Patrick finished his 3rd expedition and we ended the game there.

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Brund the Decrepit — 2008-03-28T22:06:41+00:00

Fantastic job Chris and thank you!
Tell me, how did you mount the cards, I am just curious on your method.

Again a job well done!

Thread: Land card question

billbold — 2008-02-28T05:31:17+00:00

My question is in reference to the "Lost in Jungle" land cards. When are you considered on the coast and when inland? I say when a land expedition is in a land area with a status change arrow to an ocean area they are on the coast. A friend of mine argues that I also need to be on ships to be on the coast.

Bill

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

toguopp — 2007-10-17T12:43:01+00:00

Actually, I'm even more interested in the enhanced counters. Will you be posting a file of those as well? (pretty please? )

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Will220 — 2007-09-24T02:33:38+00:00

Chris, great job on the cards! I just got the game and have printed them up. Adds the perfect flavor. Did you ever upload your new counters? I'd really like to get a set if possible. Thanks for the hard work.

Thread: Re: A few missing cards, anyone have them?

Chris Dorrell — 2007-09-17T09:53:07+00:00

Bob,

And now the raw text as you requested:-

Land Exploration Card 170
Gun Demonstration

(Picture)

May trade 1 Provision for Progress.
OR
May check negotiation [@+4 if Soldiers or Cannons (with Crew) are present]:
(Thumbs up) Gain any one of: 1 Provision,
1 Porter, or remove a
"Natives Attacked" chit.
(Thumbs down) No effect.
OR
May check combat (take "Natives
Attacked" chit):
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision and 1 Porter.
(Thumbs down) Lose 1 men.
170

Sea Exploration Card 103
At Sea: No event. D

(Picture)

Wind: Strong
Sea Progress
Caravel: 1; 2 w/ sea check
Carrack: 1
=== ===

Coast Lost*. Check navigation
[@-2 in Ice]:
(Thumbs up) 1 Progress.
(Thumbs down) Lost (take chit). No Progress.

*River: Suspicious Natives.
May trade 1 Provision for Progress.
OR
May check negotiation @ -2:
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision or 1 Progress.
(Thumbs down) No Progress. May check
combat:
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision,
(Thumbs down) Lose 1 men.
103

Sea Exploration Card 111
At Sea: No event. D

(Picture)

Wind: Fresh
Sea Progress
Caravel: 1
Carrack: 1
== ==

Coast: No event*. D
1 Progress.
*NW Passage: Channel ends.
No Progress. Expedition must visit
a lower numbered NWP space (or
NWP 0) before moving to a higher
numbered NWP space.
*River: Poor Natives.
May trade 1 Provision for Progress.
OR
No Progress. May check combat@+2:
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision.
(Thumbs down) Lose 1 men.
111

Sea Exploration Card 119
At Sea: Scurvy. D
Lose 1 Provision (men).

(Picture)

Wind: Fresh
Sea Progress
Caravel: 1
Carrack: 1
=== === ¬
Coast: 'Friendly Natives*. D
1 Progress. Check negotiation:
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision.
(Thumbs down) No effect.

*River: Friendly Natives.
May trade 1 Provision for Progress.
OR
May check negotiation:
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision or 1 Progress.
(Thumbs down) No progress. May check
combat
(Thumbs up) Gain 1 Provision.
(Thumbs down) Lose 1 men.
119

Regards
Chris

Thread: Re: A few missing cards, anyone have them?

Chris Dorrell — 2007-09-17T08:52:11+00:00

NickDanger42 wrote:
Got this game off of a prize table, but it is the kind of theme I like and it looks interesting. After checking the cards, I noticed I seem to be missing a few. I sent (I think) Tom Lehman this question, but I didn't receive a reply, so I'll post it here...
Sea Exploration - #103, #111, #119
Land Exploration - #170

If anyone can either post, or email me the text of these cards, I'd be thankful.. I'd offer GG, but I be poor.

Bob,

Images of the cards you asked for. Hope that helps.

]]>

I loaded the image into my BGG personal image gallery so I'm assuming you'll be able to view it as a larger image. If not let me know and I'll email it to you.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: A few missing cards, anyone have them?

Tom Lehmann — 2007-09-17T08:35:15+00:00

Bob, I'll dig them out and send you the text (I thought I replied to your message and offered to actually send you the missing cards if you would give me your mailing address).

However, I'm off to England later today and then busy both with my day job and preparing for Essen, so if someone else wants to get the text to Bob, I'll pony up 10 GG for saving me time when I'm so harried.

Take care,
tom

Thread: A few missing cards, anyone have them?

NickDanger42 — 2007-09-17T03:11:28+00:00

Got this game off of a prize table, but it is the kind of theme I like and it looks interesting. After checking the cards, I noticed I seem to be missing a few. I sent (I think) Tom Lehman this question, but I didn't receive a reply, so I'll post it here...
Sea Exploration - #103, #111, #119
Land Exploration - #170

If anyone can either post, or email me the text of these cards, I'd be thankful.. I'd offer GG, but I be poor.

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-06-09T19:45:18+00:00

Hi all,

43 downloads - wow - but still only one recommendation? There are 185 owners on BGG so if the great feedback I've had is true how about recommending the cards to the other owners? Surely that's what the system is for?

Having said that I'm delighted that potentially 43 explorers are benefiting from something I did purely for my own pleasure and enjoyment.

Chris

Thread: Re: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

dougadamsau — 2007-05-29T00:37:29+00:00

shawn_low wrote:
So did you win?

Nope... an angry missionary isn't enough to conquer the Aztecs. But a F2F game would be fun.

Thread: Re: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

shawn_low — 2007-05-28T07:15:46+00:00

So did you win?

Thread: Re: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

Chris Dorrell — 2007-05-09T09:41:17+00:00

Doug,

Yes a Conquistador would have been better. I've played about 14 solitaire sessions in recent months and the one thing you realise is that the game mechanics reflect reality very well. The subtle differences between Explorer and Conquistador stats mean that on balance if Conquistadors did it in history then they'll give you the best chance in the game - but no guarantees!

I have a similar narrative 2/3rds done - you've motivated me to finish it off.

Good post, thanks
Chris

Thread: Re: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

dougadamsau — 2007-05-09T01:16:03+00:00

Thanks - it was a "let's try to remember the rules" session that I thought I'd jot down to see how it narrates.

I tried the 95 turn game, and should have taken a Conquistador and cannons for that third expedition

Thread: Re: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

jens_hoppe — 2007-05-07T08:01:53+00:00

Nice writeup, Doug. I feel like dragging out my copy of the game now.

Thread: The Journies and Discoveries of Vincente Pinzon

dougadamsau — 2007-05-06T08:50:38+00:00

The following is an extract from the diaries and journals of Pinzon, who was captain of the Nina.

THE FIRST VOYAGE

Journal Entry 1. Spain, 1499. With the blessing of Ferdinand and Isabella, we sail west to the new world. We fit our ships... Caravels.

2. We continue to fit out our ships.

3. We complete our fit out and the expedition is ready to depart Europe.

Our expedition will comprise of 3 sturdy ships, with an excellent Rutter. Martin, my brother, will accompany us as our missionary. We are well crewed and provisioned.

4. We launch and make good progress.

5. We continue to make excellent progress, passing the Madeira Islands off our starboard.

6. Skies heavy and we cannot take navigation sightings on the stars. Are we lost? No! Winds freshen and we speed past the Azores without making landfall. We are at the limits of the known waters.

7. Light, favourable winds help us to make progress. Our voyage has been very fortunate.

8. Crew sick with some sort of scurvy.

9. Still sea breezes keep us moving. Weather very favorable.

10. More scurvy on board. But land is sighted - a wonderful discovery!

11. Today we discovered cannibals rowing out to the ship. We negotiate our way out of trouble and sail on.

12. We have discovered the mouth of a large river. My missionary brother, Martin, appears to have upset some of the natives. Trouble with natives eases.

13. A terrible storm blew up today. We battened down and rode it out.

14. Steady progress.

15. We have discovered a bay, a safe anchorage. Martin and I land a shore party and forage for provisions.

16. Native population appears to be hostile, but we appease them with food and they allow us to move inland. They tell us of a yellow soft metal further on - could this be gold? Martin and I agree we have to investigate!

17. We continue on our inland journey, searching for the gold. The natives appear to be content to allow us to pass if we give them food.

18. A terrible couple of days. We are lost in the jungle and out of food. We will have to live off the land. The rumours of gold appear to amount to nothing.

19. Hunger is badly affecting our shore party. Men died today.

20. We encounter some friendly natives who allow us to continue back to the ships.

21. The lack of food is causing the crew to be restless and angry. They force Martin and myself to commit to returning Spain. We return to our ships but only one ship remains. Two have departed!

22. We are sailing for Spain. Today we provisioned at an uninhabited island.

23. Mutiny on board. We are already returning to Europe - what more does this crew ask of me! We depart the coastal waters are begin to cross the Atlantic.

24. Fresh winds today.

25. Fresh winds continue. The crew are afraid, but my reckoning finds us half way home.

26. Bad storm. We run with it and make excellent progress. We pass the Azores.

27. The storm is still continuing, and we continue to run with it. We have returned to Europe.

I publish several discoveries - Land Sighted (1), River (1), Bay (1), Landing in the Carribean (1). My discoveries lead to a base on Hispaniola being established.

THE SECOND VOYAGE

28. Martin and I fit out a second expedition from Hispaniola. Two carrack ships, provisioned and crewed. We launch into the Carribean waters.

29. We discover hostile natives, but sail past them.

30. Today we discovered an excellent navigable channel.

31. Nothing to report today. Steady progress.

32. Disease on board. We do not know what it is. We lose several men. We land on what appears to be a mainland, as we can't sail around it.

33. Martin angers the local natives with his fervent sermons. It results in battle which we survive. Martin and I decide to form a shore party and explore this land. These natives appear to be a vast people who call themselves Aztec.

34. More disease and we lose more men. We make no progress today as we care for the sick.

35. Today we met some of our countrymen - a Conquistador who tried to press gang some of our men. We defeated them and recruited those who surrendered to our party.

36. We met with friendly natives and rested here.

37. We do battle with a rival native chief and take some losses.

38. More battles. We make no progress.

39. The natives are very impressed with our fire-arms. Today we gave them a demonstration of our muskets.

40. We have allied ourselves to what appears to be a rival native chief. They have provided us with food and native bearers.

41. We trade food to be allowed to continue. We see before us a vast city, with thousands of natives. The wealth of this place appears to be phenomenal. We are on the outskirts of this immense city and cannot hope to continue with our poorly equipped party. Martin and I agree to return to Europe.

We will return to this place with a more formidable force!

42. The natives have almost guessed our future intentions and are hostile. We negotiate our way past them by bartering food.

43. Martin's fiery temper has again upset the locals and we fight our way past. We have returned to our ship but one has departed for home.

44. We are in dangerous waters. The currents are tricky.

45. We make progress, but the currents are dangerous.

46. Today we discovered the delta of an enormous river! Our progress is sluggish - I sent men over the side to see if we have barnacles. They have discovered some sort of sea worm that is eating the wood in our hull! I will name this pest "teredo".

47. We are lost for a while but manage to get back on course.

48. We provision at an island.

49. Scurvy on board - we are running out of food, but we are again in the Atlantic.

50. Strong winds.

51. Gusty winds. We make good progress.

52. Scurvy on board.

53. The crew are afraid and insist on returning. I tell them we are returning! We land at the Azores and provision there.

54. We navigate past a large storm.

55. We are becalmed, and there is scurvy on board again.

56. The winds have picked up again.

57. Today we landed at the Madieras and provisioned.

58. Overcast - we cannot sight the stars.

59. Scurvy again. The journey home has been hard and long.

60. Favourable winds blow us home. We land in Europe.

I publish my discoveries: Mississippi River (1), 1st CA landfall (1), Aztec Outskirts (2), Teredos (1), 1st Natives to Europe (1).

THE THIRD VOYAGE

Martin and I determine to return to the Aztecs with soldiers. I am bent on conquest of this rich place, Martin wants to convert them. We fit our ships with 2 regiments of soldiers, 1 of cavalry, in three sturdy ships. We have shod the hulls in copper plate to try to defeat the sea worms.

61. We launch and reach the Carribean with only one loss to scurvy.

62. We enter the Carribean coastal waters.

63. Dangerous currents make progress slow

64. We provision at an island and continue.

65. Martin again upsets the local natives. We make no progress.

66. The natives are hostile. We land our forces and prepare for the journey to the city of the Aztecs. To avoid trouble with the men, I order the ships to be scuttled. We will live like kings!

67. We demonstrate our cavalry to the local natives. They grant us food and porters.

68. We make progress today, trading food to be allowed to pass peacefully.

69. Today we were ambushed by natives, but beat them off. We have recovered some gold!

70. Lost - no progress today.

71. A marvelous find today - ruins of some ancient civilization. We also sighted the Pacific Ocean - is this the first sighting by a European?

72. We make progress today.

73. We had a large battle with natives today - we defeated them easily with our firearms. But I fear that our progress will be greatly impeded from now on.

74. We encountered hostile natives again today which we again defeated. We are near the large city.

75. Martin witnessed ritual native ceremonies today and was greatly upset. We negotiated with the friendly chief and settled things down.

76. We besiege a section of the outskirts of the city and enter.

77. We had word today that the Aztec king died.

78. Nothing has occurred recently. We are camped on the outskirts of the great native city.

79. Sickness has struck our party. Several of the native porters have died.

80. The natives seem to regard us as some sort of legendary gods. We are granted access into the main city itself. We are very near the central capital.

81. We are ambushed and defeated in battle today. Some of our crew from our ships died and we are weaker for the loss.

82. We battled natives again today and defeated them.

83. It has been quiet for a few days.

84. We have been encircled and trapped in our position in the native city. Our food is getting low.

85. Food running low - we may have to eat the cavalry horses.

86. Our food ran out today. Our campaign is going badly.

87. A small party of friendly natives came to our camp under a truce and have provisioned us.

88. Terrible news ... today Vincente Pinzon, my brother, fell to an attack from a rival party. I, Martin, will continue his journal.

89. The friendly natives continue to provide us with sustenance. However, our peril is great - we cannot go on and cannot return.

90. The native chiefs are allying against us. We lost more men in battle today and our forces are half of that which entered this place.

91. We are granted a royal audience.

92. Food running low...

93. We are ambushed and somehow managed to defeat the native attack. The natives seem in awe of us.

94. There is some sort of civil war occurring and we fight on the victorious side. We are granted porters and provisions as a reward for fighting.

95. We are attacked again by hostile natives. We suffer terrible losses.

96. We decide to take an opportunity and battle our way out of our quarters. We enter the royal capital and attempt to take the royal quarters.

97. We are defeated today in battle - one of our regiments of foot was wiped out entirely.

98. We are trapped and beyond hope. Our porters and soldiers are all killed in battle.

99. Our cavalry goes mad and commits slaughter. It is an atrocity and the natives attack us in huge force. We are wiped out and only I remain. Will this journal ever be found?

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loade

Sigrdrifa — 2007-05-01T23:35:18+00:00

Ya know, lots of times I'm on my way out the door headed to school as I'm checking and typing these things. You get two thumbs up in my book, and I'll try to remember to give you real virtual ones too.

MJ

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-05-01T17:19:20+00:00

Matthew,

Thanks for the "thanks". We're up to 30+ downloads now so I'm pleased the cards are at least being downloaded.

Only one "Thumbs Up" though? I'm assuming folks are not using it - as the feedback is very positive.

Anway may any cannibals you meet always be open to negotiation.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loade

Sigrdrifa — 2007-05-01T05:57:42+00:00

Chris,
Just a quick note to say thanks for the hard work that we can all enjoy.

MJ

Thread: Re: 5 More Rules Questions

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-18T08:56:14+00:00

Tom,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm pleased I hadn't missed something obvious in the rules.

Your point re Pilots and Conquistadors is a useful reminder.

I'm almost disappointed that you can status change even without progress that turn. I'd established my logic for my interpretation and accepted the increased difficulty. I might keep it as a house rule for my solitaire sessions but play properly for multi player games.

Anyway thanks again and good luck with your new game ventures.

Best regards
Chris

Thread: Re: 5 More Rules Questions

Tom Lehmann — 2007-04-18T07:34:06+00:00

Four out of five isn't bad.

1. Progress is only associated with movement. You can make a status change even if you made no progress that turn.

The references to "after all movement" are in the rules since there was a tendency observed during playtesting for players in a Land Sighted Box to draw a "D" (discovery result) and then want to status change to the adjacent coast space and then move from there (this doesn't work since movement is before any status change).

2. Correct (provided the deceased leader wasn't a Conquistador with a Pilot). You always remove pieces as necessary to fit a new leader's capabilities after changing leaders (as per the rule for doing so when outfitting).

3. Correct; you use the sea navigation rating for navigation checks in river spaces, ignoring any guide for that region (note that river spaces are labeled R1, R2..., not NA, SA, etc. as the Guides are). Historically, over the river distances traveled by raft, a guide would be of little use.

4. Correct; discoveries that directly contribute to outfitting cards do increase the number of outfitting cards received after completing a major expedition. Discoveries that would contribute additional VPs (and thus outfitting cards) that are not explicitly listed as producing card draws are marked off but do not add VPs nor outfitting cards.

5. Correct; the limit is one guide per expedition. As always when taking on a new item that results in violating some outfitting or expedition rule, remove items (your choice) until you are no longer in violation.

Glad that Age was able to entertain you during your recent illness; I hope you are feeling better now.

Take care,
tom

Thread: 5 More Rules Questions

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-15T19:34:24+00:00

I have now enjoyed 13 games of AofE (it has kept me entertained and sane during a recent illness) and I think I have the rules pretty well nailed down now. I just have a few questions which I cannot resolve in spite of studying the rules again. My problem now is that I’ve read the same paragraphs so often, that I’m in danger of missing bits, if that makes sense.

So apologies to Tom in advance if these are covered in the rules but I have tried to find answers. Here goes:-

1. Status Change
If an expedition is already in a space containing a status change (SC) arrow which it is entitled to use, does it have to make progress that turn (obviously rejecting movement) in order to be allowed to change status. Example: In Figure 10 of the Let’s Play section of the rules the card shows - At Sea: No Event. Sea Progress 1 and a Discovery. The expedition changes status. Would the expedition have been able to do this if the card had not shown/allowed progress?

Rule 8. CHANGE EXPEDITION STATUS says: “After all movement, an expedition in a space containing a status change arrow may shift across it …….”

I have therefore been assuming that if no movement is possible then no SC can occur. This means that an expedition already in a SC space off the coast, which did not status change when arriving, would not be able to land if it made no progress that turn through say: failing navigation in a hurricane, battening down the hatches, getting lost, having missionary anger natives etc. Thematically this limit seems correct, as landfall in a hurricane for example would be difficult, but makes things harder. Is it what the rules intend?

2. Leader Death
When a leader with ship handling skills of +1 or +2 dies does the expedition have to reduce to 1 ship as the Second in Command has ship handling of +0? I have assumed “yes” and used ship consolidation rules to transfer crew where possible before abandoning the surplus vessel(s).

3. River Navigation
As rivers are treated as a subset of coast on the Sea Exploration Cards, I assume that a navigation check when on a river is against the Leader’s Sea Navigation stat. This assumption also means that a Guide cannot be used on a river. This seems to be what the rules intend but it could be argued that land navigation plus a guide where available would be thematically valid?

4. Major Expedition Reporting
The rules are quite clear that “When a major expedition is completed, the player receives VPs only for it, not for any other discoveries (or major expeditions) made while performing that expedition.” What about discoveries that contribute to the number of outfitting cards received for the next expedition, are they also ignored? I have assumed that they are not ignored and that Channels, Hardwood, Gold, Porters chit etc. do give extra cards even when a major expedition is reported.

5. Native Guide Limit
Native Guide (and Interpreter) cards state that only one is allowed per expedition. The play mat says the same. I assume that this means one Guide full stop and not one CA Guide, one NA Guide etc. If this is correct then an expedition would have to abandon a CB Guide employed during outfitting (say) if it subsequently gained a SA Guide through exploration. Correct?

Hopefully that all makes sense and I haven't missed something embarrassingly obvious in the rules!

Regards
Chris

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-15T09:51:13+00:00

Tom,

No problem - I hope you enjoy using the revised cards.

You'll be pleased to know i have a few quick questions following my 12 solitaire sessions of Aof E so I'll post them up! I'm sure you've loads of spare time to answer them (I don't think ) with Phoenicia on the horizon.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loade

Tom Lehmann — 2007-04-12T00:51:20+00:00

Thanks Chris!

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-11T22:04:01+00:00

It's good to have the cards being used.

Just for the purists I should point out that the Explorer Card for the Corte-Real brothers has the picture of Pedrarias Davila (Pedro Arias de Ávila) as I couldn't find any portraits of the brothers. So call it artistic licence and I apologise to PA de A.

The other portraits are correct as far as I can establish.

The portrait on the Second in Command cards is Samuel de Champlain (I think), a French explorer who discovered Lake Champlain on the New York State / Vermont border. Again artistic licence and no slur intended on S de C for demoting him. He just looks like a second in command for some reason.

Chris

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loade

Dave Richtmyer — 2007-04-11T19:29:50+00:00

Chris,

Many, many thanks for your hard work. The results look fantastic! As a rare book cataloger by profession these graphics simply delight me ... I can't wait to get out the cardboard and 3M Sprayment!

Again, my profound thanks,

David

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-11T16:49:46+00:00

Todd,

Thanks for the GG - All contributions gratefully received. I've just enough now for another Microbadge - what a spendthrift.

Hope the cards print off OK.
Chris

Thread: Re: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Sir Loin o Beef — 2007-04-11T16:17:55+00:00

Thanks for all the work, Chris. A GG for you!

Thread: New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Card Files now loaded!

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-11T14:37:55+00:00

Hi Fellow Explorers,

The four files containing my DIY cards are now approved and loaded!

(see the Image Gallery and thread: "Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment")

Please let me know how you get on with them if you decide to use them. I've checked them out and if you align the fronts and backs carefully using the red outline as I suggest in the downloads then they do match up well when cut apart.

Let's use this thread for feedback on improvements etc.

I'll post up my revised counter sheets when I get a chance - also see samples in the image gallery.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-10T00:36:57+00:00

The card layouts have still not been approved but I've posted up some more photos of my DIY cards and counters plus some shots of a game in progress.

Chris

Update:-

Card Layouts now approved and available - see thread: "New Explorer, Conquistador and Ship Cards now loaded!"

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:40:07+00:00

Cabot Reports Success in North America

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:38:12+00:00

Cabot Marks Known Discoveries

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:36:04+00:00

AofE DIY Player Mat and Magnetic Markers

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:33:48+00:00

AofE DIY Civ Markers

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:31:39+00:00

AofE DIY Cards with Originals

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:28:25+00:00

AofE DIY Cards and Magnetic Frames

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-09T19:23:56+00:00

AofE DIY Cards and Counters

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

loquitur — 2007-04-07T01:36:57+00:00

I've waited many weeks in the past for a file to get approved.

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-06T16:06:13+00:00

Hi,

I just submitted 4 Word documents containing the card images. Let's hope they get approved.

Chris

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-06T00:42:39+00:00

Albert,

Thanks for the ideas. I have a package which came with my machine called CutePDF which writes OK pdf files for normal use but doesn't seem upto the job on high res graphics.

Anyway I think I may have cracked it. I have good looking graphics in Word docs which are about 400k for a set of 8 cards (one side). I'll finish them off tomorrow and submit them asap. It should be between 3 and 4 meg for all the files for the Explorer, Conquistador, Second in Command and Ship cards (front & back).

Watch this space.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

fractaloon — 2007-04-05T22:07:07+00:00

Chris,
I'm not sure what your using to create the PDF, but I suppose that could make a difference. I have Adobe Acrobat if you want me to try. I think it's version 4.0. If your interested, send me a note and I'll give an e-mail address.

Microsoft does have a free PowerPoint viewer that you can folks can download from their website. There's a Windows version, but I don't think they make it for Apple, much less Linux.

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-05T20:04:51+00:00

Hi All,

I've got all the cards set out ready for printing. I've spent quite a bit of time making sure the backs and fronts line up etc. and I've tweaked the design very slightly since the prototype images I posted.

My problem now is how to distribute them. I've done all the work in Powerpoint (file size 2.4mb) but if I export to pdf the image quality is horrendous. I've tried jpegs, bmps, emfs, wmfs and either the quality is hopeless or the file sizes are massive.

If you folks can handle a Powerpoint file then that may be the best thing to post.

I'll await comments before submitting anything.

Cheers
Chris

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Sir Loin o Beef — 2007-04-04T23:32:38+00:00

Chris, I'm also looking forward to printing/mounting them. They really look great and will enhance a great game further!

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-04T17:30:42+00:00

Tom Lehmann wrote:
It would be great if you posted the card layouts and counters; I look
forward to downloading and printing them myself.

So you're at the Gathering eh? Now I'm jealous!

Anyway I'll take it as a great compliment if the author uses my alternative components. I'll tidy up the cards and counters and submit them asap. Meanwhile enjoy the games.

Chris

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Tom Lehmann — 2007-04-04T15:21:50+00:00

Hi Chris,

It would be great if you posted the card layouts and counters; I look
forward to downloading and printing them myself. In fact, we intend to play Age at the Gathering, but I don't have the printing capabilities here in the hotel, or I would use them later this week!

Thanks again,
tom

Thread: Re: Enhanced Game Components = More Enjoyment

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-03T23:31:43+00:00

Tom,

Thanks - the game's worth the effort! Presumably there is no problem with me posting the card layouts and counters here for others to use?

Chris

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-01T00:26:58+00:00

AofE DIY Ship Cards & Counters

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-01T00:25:45+00:00

AofE DIY Conquistador Cards

Image

Chris Dorrell — 2007-04-01T00:24:10+00:00

AofE DIY Explorer Cards