[Morkilus]

Diplomacy actually plays a pretty good part, though less when it's a blitz. When you first meet, some people ask for a non-aggression pact with 3-turn notification before attacking, unless they think they can rush you or gain a particularly early advantage. Then you can focus on one-front wars without too much of a disadvantage. Everyone seems to start with Ulm... but they're a bit of a handicap in long games. Nifelheim is a nice nation to get used to casters. Just be sure to take Order, they're expensive!