[MaxWilson]

Nit: "archmage" definitely sounds higher-level than "master."

The AI is perfectly willing to push into the water. It's not easy to do, though.

I don't think coastal forts gather from sea provinces even if you are an aquatic race. I haven't tested it, though, which is the way you often have to settle questions w/rt this game: test it directly or ask someone woh has. Sea provinces in my experience give much better gold income than land provinces. I think they count as some kind of rich farmland. I'm not sure how good they are for resources or gems.

-Max