PBEM game: The first step (Running)

[Shmonk]

Just sent in my turn 3.

Interesting start, some witch cursed my units for stealing gems from her?? I didn't get an email the prior turn, but checking my treasury, I see 5 nature gems. Hmm.... how to put those to use.

And on this rather large map, how is it that I'm only 2 provinces away from one of these false pretenders I'm hearing about (me being the 1 true god)? Argh!!

Questions on diplomacy (since it doesn't apply to SP games. Is it always prefered/recommended early in the game to allow everybody to ramp up? Is it frowned upon too early? Just curious (not that my neighbor "deserves" an alliance with me, but just curious).

- Shmonk