uhmmm... All players can have edited their DP sliders at the beginning by 2, so Japan could have edited by 10 them (think that China loses 6 stab in the event after a rr event when they choose the option "expand Outwards" that changes their sliders and tech group).
Also, Japan can have from the beginning the muslim tech group... If he's enough aggressive in Manchu or builds a fleet enough to stop any Chinese invasion that shoudl be enough to survive, think they'll ahve even a bit of advantage before 1435-1455, since they'll enjoy the tech group and sliders more years than Chinese...
Donnie D. If Lithuanians are not already chosen (and i would bet they aren't, just chech the first page of this thread) i see no problem (probably Muscowian player will make me have a headache about this too

). You only have a sign from Gak saying "Lithuanians are"
LJ. I am talkign to you right now by MSN, but i'll repeat it anyway:
Burgundy was rejected... No.
Hessen
1) There are currently 2 powers in German land
2) Only 1 province, or 2 if edited...
Genoa:
1) 4 provinces
2) Good lands to expand (yout half of Italy, Crimea... who knows)
3) Initial fleet and a CoT + Big city
Uhmmm... You're Genoa i think, or anyone would ask for Lorraine... That makes the game more interesting for you, and for all others
