BigandScary, thanks for answering that ever awkward Q. I signed you up
All, re. not marking VPs. OK, they will not be marked. Each player will have to keep tabs on how many capitals he controls. Each capital is worth one VP and the first player to control enough to meet the winning condition wins.
re. magic sites, I see no reason not to take the MA default.
Pjoo, given the capital VP conditions, extreme difference in experience levels is even more unbalancing. Perhaps I'll aim for my next game to be open for all and learn from experience how it ends up.