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Originally Posted by FreeCol Rulebook
Your Home Country is a European monarchy and colonial power. The original
game featured four playable nations, namely Spain, France, England
and the Netherlands. FreeCol optionally adds Portugal, Denmark, Sweden
and Russia.
Virtually all players agree that the addition of Portugal corrects a glaring
omission of the original game, but the other three European nations are
controversial. Sweden, Denmark and Russia all had colonies or territories
in the Americas, but were either minor colonial powers or arrived very late.
However, as we wished to make multi-player games with up to eight human
players possible, we had to add further nations. We might well change the
selection at some later date, and you can change the selection by editing the
rules yourself.
Each of these countries may have special abilities and different starting
units. In the original game, these abilities and units were tied to particular
nations. FreeCol, however, optionally allows you to select your national
advantage.
At the moment, FreeCol allows the following eight advantages, and also
allows you to select no advantage at all:
No advantage: You start with two Free Colonists and a Caravel, and
no special abilities. This is mainly intended for multi-player games, as
it removes a potential imbalance between players.
The trade advantage: You can buy and sell twice as many goods in
Europe before prices change. You start with two Free Colonists and a
Merchantman.
The cooperation advantage: You generate only half as much native
alarm as the other European nations. You start with a Free Colonist,
a Hardy Pioneer and a Caravel.
The immigration advantage: You need to generate only two thirds as
many crosses as the other European nations in order to attract new
immigrants. You start with two Free Colonists and a Caravel.
The conquest advantage: You capture twice as much treasure and twice
as many converts when destroying native settlement. You start with
a Free Colonist, a Veteran Soldier and a Caravel.
The naval advantage: All your ships can move one tile further than
those of other European nations. You start with two Free Colonists
and a Merchantman.
The building advantage: Your lumberjacks produce two units of lumber
and your carpenters produce two hammers more than those of other
European nations. You start with an Expert Lumberjack, a Master
Carpenter and a Caravel.
The agriculture advantage: Your farmers produce two units of food
more than those of other European nations. You start with an Expert
Farmer, a Free Colonist and a Caravel.
The fur trapping advantage: Your fur trappes produce two units of
fur and your fur traders produce two coats more than those of other
European nations. You start with an Expert Fur Trapper, a Master
Fur Trader and a Caravel.
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