[chrispedersen]

Your current setup gives the vets a huge advantage. I don't say you should alter it necessarily, but everyone should be aware of it.

A vet sea capable nation, like agartha or ermor has central access to water, a huge number of water provinces. Newb nations, even if sea capable would have vastly diminished access.

I would suggest using dead seas, giving virtually no advantage to owning those territories. (no recruitables, no income, no resources, no sites).