Thanks everyone
(for the birthday greetings, of course
)
Regarding compression: how about .7z?
Personally I don't really care which compression is used, since I can open every kind that I'm aware of.
Regarding theme: It's more that I really dislike the middle-eastern theme than that I prefer any other specific theme. If you want another backdrop suggestion then how about
:
1) Norse/Germanic tribes. Yes, I'm aware that there are already several Nordic nations in the unmodded game, but the somewhat tribal tones fit nicely with the warring tribes theme, the warlike tones fit as well
2) Variety. There could be some difference in theme between the different elements. Perhaps part of the reason these groups didn't get along so well is that they come from different regions.
3) Greek and/or Roman. Go for an RTW like feel, where several theoretically friendly factions are aggressively competing with each other.
4) Overrun Rome. Rome after being destroyed by barbaric tribes, some cultural remnants remain from the old Rome, but mostly barbaric/chaotic/disorganized/tribal/adjective rule.