I've had a chance to look closely at the map, and the starts at 290+269 are adjacent as well. So the problem with the starts at 264+258 wasn't just a typo. (so even if the previous attempts to start the game had started, neither would have been any use to us)
This means the map is unusable in it's current form, so it will basically have to be re-done from scratch for 17+2. I personally won't have time to do this until Sunday at the earliest, so if someone wants to volunteer to get it done before then, please be my guest and step forward
Or
The Yomi player did not report-in in time for the start of the most recent attempt to get this game going. So I am starting to edge strongly towards booting the Yomi player and going with just 18 players. This has the huge advantage (I hope*) of allowing us to use the July 2008 version of the Alexander map, as that has pre-set starts for 16+3 (which I'll edit slightly for 16+2). Or the Asia Twist map which also has pre-sets for 16+3. (again it should be another easy edit job for 16+2)
* I say I hope, as this will mean uploading another map + image file, when we are back in the lap of fate with regards how happy the llamserver will be.
I'm also slightly unsure about creating the game (to allow Pretender uploads) until the map is sorted, as maybe changing the map after the initial game creation is what is causing the problem (and haven't got time right now to test this theory)
I'll hopefully get back to you a little later with a decision. (although I must admit the more I think of it, the more attractive the option of starting with 18 is looking. Since the Yomi player did use up all of their credit by not uploading their Pretender in the three days the 2nd game was in the waiting for Pretenders stage)