Hey you two, thanks for the fast reply. Well, I did ask for a specific reason, since I may or may not start a two months long hiking tour lasting from May to June. Sadly it isn't set in stone yet, whether it takes place or not. So, if it does I am effectively out of game, whatever the state of game is at that specific time. It's up to you, whether I then should rather stay put and wait for a game later that year. But maybe you're right and I will have a hard time (read: die early) and won't even be around by that time anyway 😂
Usually I prep hard before I enter the MP part of a game to make sure I am not too much of a noob but stars! is a different beast so I can't tell.

Anyway, you have the important info on the table, so it's totally up to you to decide.

One more thing: I usually love the diplomacy part of TBS multy faction MP games. I know it's a Deathmatch, No techtrade Game, so only one can win. This is clear. But since talking is allowed, I assume this to be like an FFA game with a lot of temporary alliances to get the current leader down etc. Is this assumption correct?