A couple of suggestions:
Random start positions and a wrap-around map are imo vital, as otherwise feeder/fighter strategies will make for a strange game. I once played in a team game where my side was a collecion of cooperating nations, and the other side was a team organized to feed gold to a dual-blessed Vanheim. It was no contest, and not much fun for anybody.
I'd also suggest that if there are any water nations, that there be both, and that they be on seperate teams.
There's been some talk on the IRC channel about putting together a team to challenge the other posters on this thread - we'll see if anything comes of it
