Instructions
Start a new game and click the "Quest" button to start the first quest. Build a cottage, and then level it up to level 2. Click the "City" tab of the build queue, and then build an inn.
Click the "Fast Forward" icon on the taskbar. This is crucial to building population quickly, because in these initial stages, you are not doing anything but waiting for your buildings to be constructed and populated. After the inn is built and you have enough gold and resources, build a farm, and then click the fastest speed again. Repeat this step for the sawmill, quarry and iron mine.
Level up your sawmill, and then turn in the quest for experience and extra gold. You should have enough wood and gold to purchase and place three more cottages. Level these cottages up to level 2. In less than five minutes, your population will be at 1200, increasing your prestige to 200 and allowing you to build a town hall, making your settlement into a city.