Could someone help a clueless newbie?

[FallenBishop]

Thanks for all the help, both of you. Just a few clairifications:

Arralen said:
Some additional remarks:

- IIRC the national hero has a reduced risk of getting insane

Do all of them? My Stargazer was doing a really good job before a vastness ate him up, he was up to 7 or 8 summoning I think, but the aboleth went nuts after his second try. I didn't think of using the Traitor, and he was campaigning all the time anyway.

- neither R'lyeh nor Mictlan make very good newbie nations, really. Too many "peculiarities" ..

I'm beginning to notice. What would be a good starter, preferably with a wide magic range to choose from?