I wouldn't complain if my end of the map was poorer (it was in our first game, but I ended up with more systems, so it all evened out); anything that gives you an edge is fine with me.
Just send me back to the bottom of the Hill.
So, no intel, no religious, no Crystalline, Balanced mods, manual starting points, and we are set? I will upload my Empire right now, though I will not be playing turns this evening (namely because I will head to bed soon).