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Venice

The Most Serene Republic of Venice was an imperial, maritime republic in northeastern Italy for the millenium between the 8th and 18th centuries. Having a small population with few natural resources, Venice could not live without gold and silver.

In the 13th century, doge Enrico Dandolo subordinated a Crusading army to Venetian interests, diverting it to acquire territory and subjects for the Republic. Thereafter Dandolo's creation of the Venetian empire, the republic's lands and tributaries would stretch from the Alps to Cypress. and its merchants would be ubiquitous throughout Europe, bridging London to Crimea to Alexndria.

With the rise of colonialism, Venice's relevance as a commercial and military power declined. From the 18th century onward, it transitioned into being a cultural hub and is today visited by 20 million tourists per year.

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DETAILS

Unique Ability: Most Serene
Additional Diplomatic policy slot after researching the Political Philosophy civic. +1 Trade Route capacity for every specialty district constructed in the capital. Patronage of Great People Costs 33% less Gold. Venice cannot build, buy or capture Settlers.

Unique Unit: Muda
Venetian unique unit that replaces the Trader. Trade Routes to foreign cities triple Tourism pressure and yield +3 Gold, and +2 Culture, Science and Faith for each Luxury at the destination.

Unique Unit: War Galley (From Dandolo)
Venetian unique unit that replaces the Quadrireme. Is better at attacking cities than the Quadrireme.

Unique Building: Fondaco
Venetian unique building that replaces the Market. Yields +5 Gold and +2 Culture. Contains 3 Great Work slots and doubles Tourism pressure from this city after the Industrial era.

Unique Leader: Enrico Dandolo - Fourth Crusade
+100% production bonus when building naval units. Earns envoys fast. Gains the War Galley unique unit after researching Feudalism.

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GAMEPLAY

Venice cannot build Settlers and so will not have as many specialty districts as other civilizations. Instead, Venice is dependent on trade. They cannot compete scientifically, culturally, religiously, or monetarily unless their trade routes are reaching the best trade destinations. As trade yields scale with luxuries, you'll need to strategically capture cities in trading range of whoever has the most luxuries and maintain good relations with them. Capturing those cities will be easy early game if they're near the coast. Enrico Dandolo comes with a naval siege unit, the War Galley, and can acquire extra units from neighboring city-states.

If trade is doing well, Venice is doing well. There will be enough gold to substitute for the lack of additional build queues, and they shouldn't fall far behind on the technology or civics tree. With the extra money, they can supplement their weaknesses by buying the relevant Great People at a reduced cost. This also gives them access to cheap Great Works. Each Great Work in Venice is worth more than it is anywhere else, as Venice's trade routes and its unique building, The Fondaco, multiply tourism pressure several times over.

While Venice itself is suited to a cultural victory, utilizing trade routes and affordable Artists and Writers, under Dandolo, it's also suited to domination victories on small island maps.

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FAQ

"Is it compatible with the Rise and Fall expansion?"
Yes. There is a small, era-score related bug associated with R&F, but it is otherwise compatible.

"Is it a One-City-Challenge?"
No.There is no way to implement the puppet mechanic from V into VI, so you will have full control of any cities that you capture, and I fully expect you to have to capture a city or two, as Venice was imperial, and it's balanced with the expectation that players will spread out at least a little.

"Is Dandolo animated?"
No.

"Do you use any original art?"
No. The Fondaco uses the Market's model, and the War Galley uses the Quadrireme's model.

"Is it balanced?"
It's balancedish.

"Is this compatible with mod X?"
There is compatibility for Yet Not Another Earth Map Pack (YNAEMP), but no other mods have been tested for compatibility.

"Does this work in True Start?"
It works in any of the YNAEMP maps, but not with the base game's True Start map.

"Will you continue to develop this?"
Yes. I'll continue to balance it and implement advice. I may follow with an alternate leader at some point.
[UPDATE 08/25/2021]: I no longer have interest in this project, but if anyone's interested in developing or maintaining the mod further, you're welcome to.

"I don't like how you're handling the mod. Can I take over or help?"
Probably.