e_b.txt edits - naval ports

[edyzmedieval]

But can't you write new ones?

[tk-421]

I could probably write new descriptions for units and buildings that I already know a lot about like Hastati, Principes, and some of the wonders, but these are already taken care of. Besides, if I were a description writer who would edit?

[tk-421]

Tired of scrolling down to edit.

[tk-421]

I haven't added any new descriptions in a few days because I'm stuck on the Ptolemaic description. I have skipped it for now with the intent to come back and work later. I have finished several other Hellenic descriptions but have not posted them yet because I don't want to get it out of order.

I think that this Ptolemaic description may need to be completely rewritten. In my other edits I've tried to edit out the present tense stuff that sounds like an advisor talking (As our kingdom grows in importance, etc.) and narrow it down to historical information and anything about what the building does. This description has some relevant information in the second paragraph but if I cut out everything before that it will be to small. I will try write a new one based on lesser Ptolemaic port descriptions.



{naval_port_numidia} Neorion Stratou Nautikou
{naval_port_numidia_desc}
Port of the Ptolemaic Naval Fleet\n\n
As our kingdom grows in importance and prosperity, so does our fleet. We can not sit back and be content with what we have, when we can construct better warships and provide docks for an entire fleet of them. We should not let the enemy gain any advantage on the sea and our fleets should have the best warships available for construction to have an advantage over the enemy.\n\nA Port of the Naval Fleet has one, or maybe two large shipyards for construction and repairs, and is surrounded by docks where several warships can be docked during the winter and awaiting repairs, safe from the nature and enemy ships alike.
{naval_port_numidia_desc_short}
A large shipyard for constructing advanced military vessels.

[Kull]

Here's something I found in the Ptolemaioi Thread (from last October). Not sure if all four of these levels are still in the game for them - or if they match the ones currently in game:

{naval_bay_greek} Kolpos Stolou
{naval_bay_greek_desc}
Hellenic Naval Bay\n\nThe sea: an endless frontier. A place of mystery and myth. A source of life and joy to the people living on its shores but, occasionally, also a cause of death and grief. But the sea is more than that. It is a means of communication and cultural exchange. A fast ship can take men to far away places much more quickly than land travel. For the more practically-minded individuals it is also a great source of profit. Trading ships can carry tons of merchandise to distant ports and significantly boost the economy of a province. Yet beware! Robbers of the sea, pirates, harsh men who will not hesitate to attack merchant-ships and loot them or raid coastal defenseless cities, are on the loose, and especially from the rugged lands of Cilicia. Even small poleis need a few ships of their own to help repel raids or to act as speedy messengers of a distress call to a friendly provinces or allies. The Hellenes are well-known for their skill in building relatively small but fast and agile ships, capable of withstanding battle with heavier opponents. A site with, at least, the elementary installations for military ship-building will be essential.\n\nIf you plan to make the seas your own, you should improve upon the naval facilities to gain better warships and an advantage over your enemies.
{naval_bay_greek_desc_short}
A small shipyard for constructing of only basic military vessels.

{naval_harbour_greek} Neorion
{naval_harbour_greek_desc}
Hellenic Military Port\n\nThe sea is vital for the Ptolemaic kingdom, as we have interests in the southern Anatolia and the island of Kypros. Indeed, we must do all we can to keep the Seleukid dogs from invading Kypros, like Antigonos, the One-Eyed did decades ago. And also to reinforce Cilicia and our other holdings in Anatolia or to supply our armies in Syria. Then a Naval Bay is not enough and more advanced and improved warships are needed. The Neorion, or Military Port is an upgrade of the Naval Bay with better shipyards and more docks to berth better and more warships.
{naval_harbour_greek_desc_short}
A medium shipyard for constructing of average military vessels.

{naval_port_greek} Neorion Stratou Nautikou
{naval_port_greek_desc}
Hellenic Port of the Naval Fleet\n\nAs our kingdom grows in importance and prosperity, so does our fleet. We can not sit back and be content with what we have, when we can construct better warships and provide docks for an entire fleet of them. We should not let the enemy gain any advantage on the sea and our fleets should have the best warships available for construction to have an advantage over the enemy.\n\nA Port of the Naval Fleet has one, or maybe two large shipyards for construction and repairs, and is surrounded by docks where several warships can be docked during the winter and awaiting repairs, safe from the nature and enemy ships alike.
{naval_port_greek_desc_short}
A large shipyard for constructing advanced military vessels.

{great_port_greek} Neorion Hypermega
{great_port_greek_desc}
Enormous Hellenic Military Port\n\nOnly the mightiest states can afford and have the resources to build enormous military ports like these. Fleets of ships, in the hundreds can dock at the same time here, and the shipyards here are manned with the most skilled dockworkers and the most learned shipwrights in the entire kingdom, or the even the world. With improved docks, shipyards and personnel, the finest warships ever conceived by man, can be built here for use in our glorious war fleets. Few enemies or pirate-scum will be able to confront your awe-inspiring navy.
{great_port_greek_desc_short}
An enormous shipyard for constructing the best military vessels available.

[tk-421]

I have become increasingly frustrated with the general lack of information in the higher levels of Hellenic ports and the terrible inconsistentcy between factions and port levels and I am going to alter my editing strategy. I am going to sort of start over but not really. I plan on taking the best elements from all of my current Hellenic description edits and writing one darn good template for each port level. Then I'll add faction specific information for my final descriptions. This will set me back a little bit (not that I'm terribly ahead...) but I am a firm believer in doing things right instead of fast and I believe beginning again with this new strategy will produce a better result. As for the Roman and Celtic ports, I am perfectly happy with what I've written.

[Kull]

There's a book by Lionel Casson called "The Ancient Mariners", and it has a wealth of information on the Hellenistic ports and navies of this era. There were huge naval battles between the Successor states and there's a lot of information on the source of naval timbers and supplies, and the kinds of ships that were built and maintained. If you can get a copy at the library or on-line, it will allow you to make significant improvements in the quality of these descriptions.