First, merry xmass to all

As for the Medmod, what a difference. I thought i was doing great as England, (early, hard). Wales, Scotland, France, and western HRE were mine by 1150 or so. I was a little nervous about all the Swedish ships in the North Sea and the Channel, etc, and Friesland had 3-4 stacks but what could happen?

Boom. The Swedes took out all my ships and the next turn invaded and took 5 seperate provinces. Civil war soon broke out and when King Arthur didn't rise to save the day I decided to try again.

This time around I've been more cautious and have kept parity with fleets in my home seas. The Danes and the Swedes are still powerful, though this time they found an outlet in Moslem Spain. I've taken most of France, but Italians are insanely powerful with large stacks in Anjou, Toulouse and Burgandy.

I guess I'd sum it up by saying, be afraid, be very afraid.
Threats are everywhere and they will come after you with a vengence. I'm playing GA but I don't know how I'll ever get to the east to take (let alone hold) the levant. Crusades are also 4,000 fl so I cant waste an attemp. I really want the Italians out of Anjou but those proto-pikemen look scary.

Sorry if these impressions are sketchy but to all who haven't tried it download this and give yourself a nice xmass present.