Chapter 2: The Sultan's Request
Chapter 2, titled 'The Sultan's Request,' marks a pivotal moment in your Anno 1404 campaign, introducing you to the exotic wonders and intricate supply chains of the Oriental world. This chapter serves as your formal introduction to the Grand Vizier Al Zahir and the crucial necessity of establishing trade routes and diplomatic ties with the Sultanate.
Your journey begins with Lord Northburgh, who, recognizing the strategic importance of the Orient, tasks you with sailing south to meet the enigmatic Al Zahir. This encounter is not merely a formality; it's the gateway to unlocking new resources, production chains, and advanced technologies that are indispensable for the prosperity and growth of your Occidental settlements.
Objectives and Initial Steps
Upon reaching the southern seas, you will locate Al Zahir's main island, typically identifiable by its distinct Oriental architecture and the presence of his flagship. Your initial interactions will involve a series of quests designed to test your capabilities and prove your worth to the Sultanate. These quests are crucial for building reputation and unlocking further opportunities.
- Locate Al Zahir: Sail your flagship to the southern region of the map. Look for a large Oriental island with a prominent harbor and Al Zahir's unique ship.
- First Contact: Initiate dialogue with Al Zahir. He will immediately present you with your first set of tasks.
- Fulfill Initial Quests: These often involve simple delivery tasks or clearing minor threats.
- Example Quest: "A Taste of Home": Deliver 10t of Spices to Al Zahir. You will likely need to establish a basic Oriental production chain for this.
- Example Quest: "Pirate Menace": Destroy a small pirate encampment or a few pirate ships. Ensure your flagship is adequately armed.
Integrating Oriental Production Chains
The core challenge and primary learning curve of Chapter 2 revolve around understanding and integrating the new Oriental production chains into your existing Occidental economy. Without Oriental goods, your Occidental citizens will be unable to upgrade beyond the Citizen tier, severely limiting your progress.
Key Oriental Goods and Their Significance:
- Spices: Essential for the provision of Occidental Citizens. Produced from Spice Farms.
- Dates: A basic foodstuff for Oriental Nomads and a luxury for Occidental Citizens. Produced from Date Plantations.
- Quartz: A vital raw material for producing Glass, which is needed for Occidental Patricians. Mined from Quartz Quarries.
- Indigo: Used to produce Indigo Dye, a component for Oriental carpets and Occidental Patrician needs. Grown in Indigo Plantations.
Establishing Your First Oriental Settlement:
To acquire these goods, you must establish a small settlement on an Oriental island. Look for fertile islands in the southern region that support the growth of Spices and Dates.
- Scout for Fertility: Use the island fertility overlay (hotkey 'F') to identify islands suitable for Spices and Dates.
- Build a Warehouse: Place a warehouse on the chosen island to establish a foothold.
- Construct Nomad Houses: Begin building Nomad houses to attract workers. Nomads require Dates and Water.
- Set Up Production:
- Date Plantations: Build these near your Nomad houses.
- Spice Farms: Construct these on fertile land for Spices.
- Norias: Crucial for irrigating your farms. Place them strategically to cover multiple plantations.
- Establish Trade Routes: Set up a trade route between your Oriental island and your main Occidental island to transport Spices and Dates. Ensure you have enough ships and warehouse capacity.
Reputation and Rewards with Al Zahir
Fulfilling Al Zahir's requests diligently will significantly increase your reputation with him. This is not just a cosmetic statistic; higher reputation unlocks access to advanced Oriental buildings, technologies, and crucial diplomatic options.
Reputation Tiers and Unlocks:
| Reputation Level | Key Unlocks/Benefits |
|---|---|
| Neutral (Initial) | Basic Oriental buildings (Nomad Houses, Date Plantations, Spice Farms, Norias). |
| Friendly | Access to more advanced Oriental production (e.g., Indigo Plantations, Quartz Quarries), ability to buy more goods from Al Zahir. |
| Respected | Unlocks Oriental military units, advanced cultural buildings, and potentially unique items from Al Zahir's trading post. |
| Honored | Access to the most powerful Oriental technologies and diplomatic options, including the ability to build the Sultan's Mosque. |
Common Pitfalls and Strategy Tips:
- Resource Management: Oriental production chains often require more complex setups, especially with Norias for irrigation. Plan your layouts carefully.
- Pirate Threats: The southern seas are often plagued by pirates. Ensure your trade routes are protected, or your ships are robust enough to fend off attacks.
- Balancing Needs: Remember that Oriental Nomads have different needs than Occidental Peasants. You'll need to provide them with Dates and Water first.
- Trade Route Efficiency: As your empire grows, optimize your trade routes. Consider using multiple ships and setting up efficient loading/unloading schedules.
- Don't Neglect Occidental Needs: While focusing on the Orient, don't forget the needs of your Occidental population. A stable Occidental economy provides the tax income and workforce for expansion.
- Al Zahir's Quests: Prioritize Al Zahir's quests. They often provide valuable starting capital, goods, or reputation boosts that accelerate your progress.
By successfully navigating the challenges of Chapter 2, you will lay the groundwork for a thriving dual-culture empire, capable of leveraging the unique strengths of both the Occidental and Oriental worlds.