[sevenwarlocks]

Thanks. Having played a couple games now, I can see the need for no-starts. I've heard that in multiplayer games each start should connect to at least 4 or maybe 5 provinces to prevent large discrepencies in resources available to the starting province. Given the differences in terrain on this map, I'm not sure that would entirely prevent such discrepencies, but it would be step in that direction, and I don't think the remaining random element would be intolerable.

As for no start on the mainland, I'm not sure. I could see it being a problem if there were only a small number of players, but with many players, the dis-advantage of needing to cross water relatively early might be balanced by the advantage of having a few provinces that are unlikely to be attacked early.

If it is a problem, I'll probably connect Calais and Dover rather than make the whole main-land no-start.

I could also connect Ireland with Scotland accross the Celtic Sea if that would improve the map, but I sort of like the strategic aspect of having to choose when it is best to go in the water.