[Lazy_Perfectionist]

I'm not generally over-taxing my provinces, but I was considering that because of my negative income modifier. I may have to go with order after all.

About changing my magic strategy? Well, to be honest, it wasn't really about going to an order scale, except on not spending as much on commander. It had more to do with being uncertain about my magic strategy.

So, you'd recommend diversifying magic away from my nation's strengths?

Now, oddly enough, I've built twenty militia and a taskmaster, and my income hasn't gone down one bit. In fact, 40 produces the same result. Does this mean that the 'cost / 15' is rounded down, or truncated? So, 10 and a taskmaster is oh, 100 gold down, no monthly payments. And why don't I see any upkeep for my taskmaster? Anyways, if I had a farmland i was willing to exploit, it could pay for itself fairly quickly.

I agree. The mother of monsters is far from a good choice, but she interests me - I may play her simply to see if I can use her without killing my own troops. Later, though, and only in singleplayer when I'm able to avoid dying regularly.

Other than giving myself one easy opponent whose always the same race, do you have any advice on any particular map settings that it will make it easier for me?

I certainly will refocus my fort building efforts and I'll take order three in my next game. Though I will miss seeing the random events. I am avoiding rainbow mages, though, simply because too much magic variety is a bad thing at this stage- simple data overload.

I think, since I'm living in Florida, and my state's recently been on fire, I should consider switching to Abyssia. I may not be serious, but its the ultimate roleplaying extreme! Yeah... I hear I can scan in a map of the state, if I just throw in some heat scales and fire magic, its true to life! No water mages allowed. We're conserving water, ya hear. Heh.