Orange:

Starting Out: If starting with a ship, purchase all available wood from Lord Northburgh. For an aggressive start, also buy tools.

Island Selection: Settle a large, flat island with minimal waste, close to a neutral port, centrally located, with Cider and Hemp fertility, and at least two Stone and Iron Ore deposits. Settle on the southern end.

First Settlement: Build three woodcutters near the warehouse, then two Fisherman's Huts. Construct a Marketplace and surround it with as many houses as wood allows. Increase taxes to 'Happy' or 'Calm' as needed, but revert to 'Euphoric' for ascension. Build Cider farms once enough peasants settle; a Chapel is only needed after peasants are satisfied with cider.

Exploration: Send your Flagship to explore the archipelago to claim good islands. Visit Northburgh, buy a Diplomatic Scroll with honor, and purchase more Wood and Tools. Deliver the scroll to Al Zahir for a ship with resources.

Stone and Tool Production: Prioritize producing Stone and Tools to reduce NPC reliance. Block ascension after reaching 16 Citizen houses. Build enough Fish, Cider, and one Chapel. Construct Stonemason's huts and an Iron Ore mine, Charcoal burner, and two Tool maker's workshops.

Satisfying Citizen Needs: Produce Linen Garments (Hemp Farms, Weavers Hut) and Ropes (Hemp Farms, Rope Yards). Set up a second Tools chain. Implement fire protection (Carpenter/Fire Station) once you pass 355 Citizens.

Developing the Orient: Settle a large Oriental island with Spices and Dates fertility. Build 10 Nomad Houses, Date plantations, and Spice plantations. Deliver Spices to your northern island. Aim for 440 Nomads for building access and honor rewards. Build Milk farms and consider a Stonecutter's hut.

Developing the North Further: With Spices, Citizens can progress to Patrician level. Settle a new northern island with Brine deposits, a river, and Crop and Herb fertility. Produce Bread, Beer, and Leather Jerkins, and set up trade routes. Upgrade trading fleets of Al Vizir and Northburgh with honor points.