Yellow:

Starting Out: If you begin with only a ship, purchase all available wood from Lord Northburgh. Consider selling fish and buying tools for an aggressive start.

Island Selection: Aim for a large, flat island with no lakes, close to a neutral port, centrally located, and possessing Cider and Hemp fertilities, plus at least two Stone and Iron Ore deposits. Settle on the southern end.

First Settlement: Immediately build three woodcutters near your warehouse, ensuring they have space and are supplied with Trees. Build two Fisherman's Huts connected to the port. Construct a Marketplace and surround it with as many houses as you have wood for. Increase taxes to 'Happy' or 'Calm' as your population grows. Build Cider farms once you have 60 peasants; a Chapel is only needed once peasants are satisfied with cider.

Exploration: Use your Flagship to explore the archipelago and claim good islands. Visit Northburgh, buy a Diplomatic Scroll (using 50 honor), and then trade it with Al Zahir for resources.

Stone and Tool Production: Prioritize producing Stone and Tools. Build Stonemason's huts and an Iron Ore mine with a Charcoal burner. Establish Tool maker's workshops connected to a Market. Limit house upgrades to conserve tools.

Citizen Needs: Once Tools production is stable, meet Citizen needs for Linen Garments (Hemp Farms, Weavers Hut) and Ropes (Hemp Farms, Rope Yards). Set up a second Tools chain. Implement Fire stations for fire protection once you pass 355 Citizens.

Oriental Development: Settle a large Oriental island with Spices and Dates. Build 10 Nomad Houses for Spice production and deliver Spices to your northern island. Aim for 440 Nomads to unlock buildings and build Milk farms. A Stonecutter's hut is useful for upgrades and defense.

Northern Development: With Spices, Citizens can become Patricians. Settle a new northern island with Brine deposits, a river, and Crop/Herb fertilities. Produce Bread, Beer, and Leather Jerkins, and set up trade routes. Use Honor points to upgrade trading fleets.