Which nation for a newb's first MP game?

[John Agartha]

I've played and won two AI games of Dom3, plus the tutorial. In one game I played MA Agartha; in the other I played EA Fomoria. I'm about to start my first MP game, in the Middle Age, and I'm not sure which nation to play.

I'm inclined to avoid blood or astral magic (communions), neither of which I really understand yet. RP-wise, I like the look of Shinuyama or maybe T'ien Ch'i, but the strategy articles here suggest that they're both kinda tough for a beginner. Shinuyama, for example, apparently starts out kinda slow.

I suppose I could play Agartha or Fomoria, both of which I'm comfy with, but I'm kinda thinking a change of pace would be more fun.

Any advice?