[Squirrelloid]

Not that i'll have time over thanksgiving (family time is family time), but your map and setting suggestions are crazy. I'd tone them down to something sensible.

Rare events just makes misfortune a 'no duh' choice instead of just very good. Bad idea.

Difficult research is not generally a good idea.

Cradle of Dominions with 4-7 players? Seriously? You want a map half that size (105 optimal, maybe 140 provinces tops, assuming 7 players). More than 20 provinces per player is just ridiculous. Actually, 20 provinces per player is still pretty ridiculous.