Ok about the MODs, I really REALLY want to play without any as it is my first game ever and I would rather see the limitations of the base game first, before I venture into 'modland'.
I would ONLY want to enable 'Worthy Heroes' if this ONLY addresses a weakspot in the game to level out all nations concerning heroes and it leaves all other factors alone. Just for the sake of everyone having reasonably similar chances. So, Quitti if this is the case we can enable that mod, but I really want to keep it at that then, any objections?
Others: welcome, I've added you to the list!
Pyg: Please decide upon which nation you would like to play. Three is too much, obviously.
One question remains:
How does one engage in diplomacy in a game? Are there ways in-game to send messages? How does one register treaties/alliances being made? Does this work in the form of e-mails?