Yes, this surely would be necessary. A friend of mine is currently modifying the map file in order to add "no start" provinces.
Regarding my personal work, I have just started a new map, which is mostly aquatic. It takes place after a sort of mystic cataclysm. The background is written by my friend Kern Ridenow, who is the author of Hannoerth, the world which inspired the Tyrande map for Dominions II created by Robin le Guetteur.
But don't expect it before July !
PashaDawg, glad to know you appreciate the little unicorns ! The vale of unicorns is one of my favourite site too (with the Palace of dreams and the crystal garden and... oh I loved drawing everything).