[Lazy_Perfectionist]

On Aran- it's sized almost perfectly for one water nation.

On Parganos - it can fit two water nations in completely seperate bodies of water with a little custom positioning.

In the southwest, its cramped, but you've got better connectivity. North-south, you've got more territory, but you'll never be adjacent to more than two other water provinces.

And if you're really unlucky (hence Llama's fixed version and maybe some custom placement on my part), you'll start in the one isolated water province, Doven 17. You've got the advantage of heading to two bodies of water and being shredded by local archers as you're immediately forced onto land.

I'm not sure you really, really want to play R'leyh on this map, but I won't stop you. I don't think this map will leave you, even if you end up the sole water nation, overpowered. Though it will give you some strategic flexibility.

Cradle is way too big of a map for 8 players, unless the other players want an epic game. I have no objection. Alone, you'll have less than 20 water provinces, the other 7 players will average about 28 land provinces apiece.

Despite saying all that... I'm tempted to give you everything you ask for. I'll weigh in on that in a day or two. The only real bone I have to pick is with Custom Balance. I don't believe 1.2 is out yet, and I'm wondering about compability with version 3.10 of Dominions. I'll look into that and some of the other mods- though you're welcome to chime in if you already know about compatibility.