City-state quests

[dreizehnX]

I have just started Civ5 (last civ game was civ 2 back when it was new, so I don't know much) and I have met some city-states. They give me quests like creating a trading route between them and me or they want horses. At that moment I am far away from building a caravan and shortly after the icon (which shows the quests) has gone. Can I reopen them somewhere or is the quest lost if I don't do it immediately?
Also I have no idea yet how to get hands on horses. I think i I have use some units there or expand my city borders.(?)

[General Malaise]

Yep, there's a button top right. Show you all the City States(you've met) and, what quests they have.

Do them whenever possible. Getting allied to City States for free, is very valuable. You will get free faith, free happiness, free food, or free Units. It's well worth doing. Some you can't do much about early on - like producing a Great Admiral. A lot you can though - always try and help them with Barbarians, and their camps.

[dreizehnX]

Originally posted by stevethebarbarian:

Yep, there's a button top right. Show you all the City States(you've met) and, what quests they have.

Do them whenever possible. Getting allied to City States for free, is very valuable. You will get free faith, free happiness, free food, or free Units. It's well worth doing. Some you can't do much about early on - like producing a Great Admiral. A lot you can though - always try and help them with Barbarians, and their camps.

Now I can find it, thanks a lot.
Do the city states let me pass through their territory (eventually right through their city) at some time? (They sit right on a languet I need to pass. ^^°)

[cerberusiv]

You can move units in city state borders but unless they are friendly or allied (you have to gain influence over them) your influence will drop each turn you have a military unit within their borders.

To be able to see horses on the map you need to research the Animal Husbandry tech. Click on the down arrow button top left then on the beaker and you will see your current research, click on this and you will get an option to see the whole tech tree - study it carefully.

Once you have horses within the border of one of your cities move a worker unit onto that tile and make a pasture and you will have access to horses. That will complete the city state quest (and gain you influence) and also means you will be able to build military units that require horses - once you have the tech for that unit.

The learning curve is pretty steep but hang in there and it will eventually start to come together.

[General Malaise]

Originally posted by dreizehnX:

Originally posted by stevethebarbarian:

Yep, there's a button top right. Show you all the City States(you've met) and, what quests they have.

Do them whenever possible. Getting allied to City States for free, is very valuable. You will get free faith, free happiness, free food, or free Units. It's well worth doing. Some you can't do much about early on - like producing a Great Admiral. A lot you can though - always try and help them with Barbarians, and their camps.

Now I can find it, thanks a lot.
Do the city states let me pass through their territory (eventually right through their city) at some time? (They sit right on a languet I need to pass. ^^°)

That's been answered now. You will go into minus influence if you stop in their territory when you are not friends.

To be honest, it was an inspired idea to include City States, they bring a brilliant angle to the game.

Late game, when you likely have more gold - Spending 1000 to ally a City State right next to someone you are going to attack can be the best 1000 you ever spend. A City State can often have military units worth 15,000 gold. Make him your Ally, antd they will all fight for you(not under your control though). Not only that, the AI lacks much strategy, and will often waste units attacking City States instead of you.

[General Malaise]

Another thing with City States. If you're at war, and have one Allied to you, fighting one Allied to your enemy - you can help your City State defeat the other. You get any resources in that City State, and obviously deny your enemy. I find it a lot of fun.

I never capture City States. The AI often does though. Liberate them, and they will be your Allies for Ages.

[dreizehnX]

Thanks for sharing your tactics. I made the mistake to try to bribe the city states right at the beginning which let me stay with nearly zero gold.

I thought I am not allowed to cross city state boardes anyway; i was not aware of the idea to just pass it within one turn.