[Ygorl]

I think they should be fair game as well. Just, if you get Ermor, and choose Ashen Empire, be prepared for everyone around to mass priests and hit you early. Vice-versa, if you start near AE Ermor, you'd better build a lot of priests and hit them early.

The different nations unquestionably have different strengths at different times in the game; successful players will take advantage of their own strong times and abilities, and work to prevent others from doing the same.