Velch

Velch is an Etruscan faction of coastal Etruria, only playable in the small Etruria-only sandbox. It uses the same logo as the North Etruscans who don't appear in that setting.

Its starting neighbours are Veii, Velathri and Clevsin. In other game modes, Velch's starting territory is divided between these 3 factions.

In-game Description
"A maritime power nevertheless founded inland, Velch was a major Etruscan city and home to people whose influence was felt as far as Rome. Its patron deity was the Etruscan fertility goddess Turan."

Starting Cities

 * Velch***:
 * Vatluna***:
 * Pupluna+:
 * Saina-:

*** City belongs to Veii in the main sandbox.

+ City belongs to Velathri in the main sandbox.

- City belongs to Clevsin in the main sandbox.

Strategy
Velch has the most exposed starting position in the Etruria-only sandbox, being surrounded by all 3 other factions. Your starting city is also inconveniently located away from your other cities on the southern fringe of your territory, and exposed in multiple directions to attacks from Veii. Velch's population growth bonus also isn't the most useful for shorter scenarios, and everything combines to make it probably the most difficult faction to play as in the Etruria-only sandbox.

Veii is probably the first neighbour that should be dealt with, as they threaten your starting city from multiple directions.

Remember to claim the 2 gold mines on the island of Elba near Pupluna!

Trivia & History

 * Velch was one of the most important Etruscan cities and apparently managed to exercise its influence as far as Rome, with several legendary figures of early Roman history (such as the 6th Roman king Servius Tullius) being of Velchine origin. This changed when the Romans overthrew the monarchy and founded the Roman Republic.
 * Though many details surrounding the Roman-Etruscan wars have been lost, Velch is known to have been conquered by Rome in 280 BC, in the same year as when Pyrrhus of Epirus launched his invasion of Italy.
 * Like all factions in Etruria, the various cities that are part of the faction were in reality independent of one another, but were merged in-game to simplify the faction roster.
 * The faction's icon seems to be taken from engraved coins produced in Pupluna that depict the mythological figure Metus, the Etruscan equivalent of the Gorgon Medusa of Greek mythology.