I'm still not sure about them...my real concern is that I can't really mess around with the map and it is kind of crowded up there. On the other hand, they do have some room to expand (Chester/Bristol/Camborne...even Ireland, I guess). +the game is meant to last longer (0.50 timescale, reduced pop growth, expensive city upgrades, etc.) which will hopefully delay the inevitable thrashing at the hands of the more powerful factions.

I'll think about it some more...All said, I still kind of like the idea.