That makes it as clear as can be expected in respect to traties, Naps, ect.
My vote would be for set strating positions.
As I said in an earlier post, I played a number of test starts and they where all over the place in relation to Provinces around the Capitol closeness to opponents ect.
But the other side is NO ONE knows where anyone is if we do it random.
I'll go with either way you guys decide
