Some newbie questions (no nation specific)

[shovah]

PD commanders, you get your first commander at 1 pd and your second (and final iirc) at 20pd. Just remember some pd is far weaker than others (machaka and mictlan have it bad whereas ulm, abysia, jotunheim and atlantis if the right spells are researched have it easy.
if you need any help or would like a test game vrs me (i can set up a server for us to have a blitz or i could do a pbem) just email * Email link removed as requested by the owner
the people here have basically covered all of your other questions.