Chris, if you find you have the time and want to play as the Usurpers captain, and the rest are fine with it, that's great. If you don't have the time, you could also advise the team.
Let me address Chris' littany of requests:
1. Not sure what your getting at about troop balance. Some changes I will agree to but some things I won't budge on as they are core to my vision for the game.
2. The AI is positioned between all factions, so you'll likely be facing the AI before you really get into it with other teams in a major way. As before, AI decimation constitutes the first part of the game, their 8 VPs should probably not be ignored. Plenty of time to research and build your forces.
3. Yes, I am aware the AI may throw up a global or two. The ban on globals for 50 turns is for human players, but yes all are free to dispel them if they happen.
4. The other captains would have to agree to changes that affect competition/balance such as changing Border Mountain provinces to Mountain Provinces, giving your team a water gem boost, or giving you a special pretender.
On a side note: I'd like to get a replacement for myself, as captain of Crom, so I can remain completely impartial and can roll the team and magic locations myself. If possible. Hehe.
I'd also encourage registration/use of the team forums if you can. Early strategy planning gives a team a definitive competitive advantage. But use is not mandatory of course. Plenty of ways to communicate.