quote:

When harvesting land, population units won't generate "shields"(production), instead they generate "rocks"(resources). An average population unit can turn 1 "rock" into 1 "shield". Excess "rocks" can be stored (up to a point) or they can be put in a caravan. The caravan could then dump them off somewhere that needs more "rocks" (the caravan would remain able to carry more stuff). The caravans could also ship food and "shields" this way.

Connected ideas include
1) dedicated workers/gatherers-workers turn 2 rocks->shields and don't harvest-harvesters harvest 2 squares and don't work.

2) factories increase how many rocks a worker/citizen can turn into shields.

3) Caravans that set up an automatic route of selling and buying "rocks", "shields", and food for gold.-allowing a civilization to make a profit by trading with others.

4) Buying shields from caravans would replace instant builds

5) "tractors?" or mines that allow a harvester to harvest even more spaces. [a modern population of 1-4 should be able to harvest the entire area.]

This would allow a caravan route-go to arabia buy x rocks for 1 gold, go to japan sell x rocks for 2 gold, buy x shields for 3 gold, go to arabia sell x shields for 4 gold.