Ganked by Gandhi: What do you mean you won't go to war?

620ad: Great Barrier Reef discovered - Indian people very happy, quickly becomes the number one holiday destination.

640ad: Golden Age Begins

He looks really pleased to see me!

Okay... so it seemed my fellow leaders didn't want to go to war for the promise of a few stones and a fur pelt. However, I still felt my best option was to cause friction in the world. There was too much peace! How can I become renown as an accepting, dedicated, peaceful leader if everyone followed the path of non-violence? How can I stand out of the crowd and be praised for my efforts? Originally I thought I would try for a culture victory but the resources I uncovered early on stopped me taking that path. I am instead relying on diplomatic or space race victories! But having fallen behind on points (my back up option) I needed to redress the balance.  It meant I had to redouble my focus. Therefore my aim was to ensure everyone went to war with Suleiman. His Ottoman empire was the largest and most prestigious at this point and so if I could persuade the others to attack they would hopefully divide the spoils between themselves meaning no one civilisation grew too large. Either that or Suleiman would batter everyone and become the first super power. Worth a chance I say!

I quickly begin negotiations with Germany. I want to be on friendly terms with each leader to ensure they are more malleable to my will. I take the opportunity to trade for some whales, which kicks off more 'We love the king' days in each of my cities. I mean I don't blame them, I am fantastic. However Bismark, the wily negotiator,  knows of my need and quickly adjusts his prices. Every deal I strike is costing way more than I expect and although I am making a lot of money I was relying on my gold to be able to bride everyone into declaring war in one turn. To aid my efforts I start the Notre Dame. It was an effort to keep my people happy without a reliance on luxury resources so I have more to offer on the bargaining table.

800ad: Notre Dame completed in a far off land - Bugger!

Don't try anything stupid now... because there's
nothing I can do about it.

Right, so that plan lasted a few turns. Well back to the old plan, lets just accumulate more money! By this point Bismark wants to declare our friendship to the world and I agree, reluctantly. I am scared of falling into military action simply by being associated with another power. I am wary of too many diplomatic ties. Especially as there are plenty of Biremes and even a few Triremes milling around my Islands menacingly. I have never been more conscious of how weak I actually am. 

820ad: Warrior returns - India feels safe now Dave is back on home soil.

860ad: Chivalry discovered - Women everywhere are relieved that doors will no longer be left to swing closed in their face.

940ad: Eldorado found - Turns out to be a pretty rubbish film. Gandhi decides he prefers Aladdin instead.

I didn't know it was lost.

980ad: Lighthouse purchased in Vijayanagara

I turn my attention to Vijayanagara (I really wish I had renamed it!) and work hard to ensure quick growth. I wanted it contributing more to my economy and it had been a dead weight for too long. It doesn't take long to get the city really ticking over and added it's wealth to my growing war fund. Having created a 'war fund' I can't help feeling I have deviated somewhat from the spirit of my challenge!

Gandhi pondered for a moment, his quill hovering above the paper. The letter had to be perfect. Every sentence carefully considered. One misjudged phrase would expose his plan and destroy the delicate web he had constructed. He rapped his fingers on the table. Suddenly a flourish of inspiration took hold of him and his pen worked furiously across the paper. When he was finished he sat back and sighed with satisfaction.

'Read it aloud to me please,' Gandhi said handing the page to his aid.

'Yes sir,' The Aid cleared his throat. ' "Bismark, I went out wid Suleiman the other nite and he came back to me palace for a bifta or two. Mate, you shulda heard the stuff he was saying about your mum! I would do him in for it. Yours, Gandhi" ' The aid considered for a moment, '... It's perfect sir.'