I don't have a problem with restarting. But if we do I would simply choose a more standard map if that is what the problem is. I don't fancy practicing for a couple of days
If people simply want to choose different races / pretenders thats OK, but it will mostly help the experienced over the inexperienced.
I don't really agree that the map massively helps anyone in particular. As everyone can get access to death with recruity gates it's not too bad. Disease etc. does not kill quickly and you don't neewd to hold the gate for long although many of the gates will have massive unrest that has to be reduced before you can recruit.
The unusual nature of the map means that even the more experienced players will not know how it will play. We should have plenty of room due to the map size vs number of players. Yet the gates will shake this up.
But if all you can build at the sites are Necromancers or Illusionsist etc. they are not going to decide the game. Simply aid diversification (a bit - it is often combinations of paths that are crucial for forging). And all but undead / demons can't use the gates that easily due to disease but you can guard your access to the nodes easily with PD and standing forces.
Personally I have played a few mp games but am still inexperienced. Plus I have not played a blood nation in sp or mp before (although this is the third game I have just started with one). So I doubt I will win whatever we do
I was quite looking forward to an unusual and chaotic game, but I appreciate that isn't to everyones taste. And if people feel at a disadvantage already I would rather we restarted.