Powermonger

Quick invention:
Instruct your captain to invent an item, then pause game play.
Set the game speed to full and wait approximately two minutes.
The item will have been invented when game play resumes.

Alternatively, click on the invent option, then click on it again when your mean leave.
This may be used to create an instant catapult, but may only be done once per island.

Sheep eating:
Take a single captain to the north section of the map during winter.
Leave him at that location and he will eventually shear and eat a sheep.