First off, for those looking for answers from me: I did say I'd be gone for the weekend, and would see about making final decisions after getting back, so shame on you for all your impatience!
You do have a good point about casting AI behaviour Calahan, (which I admit I did not think about) but since all people who expressed an opinion before were in favour of using the Holy War mod, and since Llamabest assures us there were no issues with the previous well-tested version that's good enough for me.
I'll update the OP to refelct we'll be using CBM 1.83 and the Holy war mod.
With Llamabeast joining and Rabelais dropping out (Have a good rest I'd say
) we have 14 players so far. (If Calahan confirms participation.) While there's obviously room for more I see no specific reason to hang around waiting for more with a nice field of players allready assembled and no new signups the last two days. I propose we start making our nation choices and send them to Sasooli. (I asked him to turn on his PM's). Anyone new signing up before nations are assigned is obviously still free to join.
In the meantime (and assuming no more people sign up: Any map suggestions? From the ones I have on my disk Cradle of Dominion seems the best fit. (Rather roomy, but not too much so, and not too many water provinces.)