[Septimius Severus]

Don't know why the server is acting slugishly or freezing/pausing on the "getting game info screen". I've sent a PM to Gandalf. The game seems to have hosted fine though, so it should have finished processing the turn awhile ago. May be necessary to stop/restart the game. The timer would be reset to 48 if necessary to allow for this period of limbo.

On another subject: NaVIII due this fall, based on the input I received (thanks), I will likely go with a single human played independent nation for game 3. Most likely either LA R'lyeh (with a dozen or so sea provinces in the center, and perhaps the 4 corner lakes as well, or LA E'rmor. Freshwater masks and mountain masks will be added in either case.

I do think the Merc/Merchant is/was a decent enough idea for inclusion in other/future games, and can be viable in the right situations with certain implementation. But a single nation able to ally as they please with the team of their choice and with a possible solo victory condition may have more of a strategic impact, especially given the power of LA R'lyeh, LA Ermor and the 3 person teams.

I'm leaning toward LA R'lyeh, since it will enable me to add the aforementioned central multi province lake and will provide a buffer zone for the indy player (surrounded as they will be by 4 AI caps). No bonuses will be given to this nation.