[thejeff]

I suspect when Gandalf says larger maps, he means LARGE maps. I think he's talked about 1000+ province maps.

In MP with a more normal number of provinces per nation it would probably be perceived as an attempt to stake out too much territory and cut off your neighbors from expansion, thus leading to war on all fronts.

And with normal indy strengths, only the strongest indy provinces will be more than a speed bump to an aggressor by the end of the first year. Before that to anyone planning a rush.