Thank you all, again, for your previous help.

I think I might be finally catching on. :)

Would you kindly comment on this start and offer thoughts on future strategy?

Vox Dei,

(I'm also a Monarch player at the mo', so I'm happy to hear any contrary views from Emperor+ players).

Again, it seems to me you're doing well, and your two cities are well served with resources. I like it that you're going after Construction.

The lack of decent intelligence on your prospective enemies is one point of concern. When there are loads of goodies on your build list, a Scout or two doesn't seem to be a particularly great move, but it's your only two-move unit at the moment, so I'd knock one out sooner rather than later.

The other point is to grab that iron a.s.a.p. I assume that you're working towards Samurai through Code of Laws, and there's no guessing who will end up with that resource if you don't act quickly. Thankfully Washington doesn't have Iron Working yet, so it's unlikely that the area will be of priority to him.

Otherwise, brace yourself for war with your chosen one ... I'd aim to take Washington out of the game first, but there could be legitimate arguments for other targets. Build some War Elephants and some Catapults, and send off a few mini SoDs. Get Literature soon for The Heroic Epic and The Great Library (and National Epic).

Furthermore, consider your Triangle Diplomacy options. Getting on side with Saladin could be a good move, as he often can be talked into an AI dogpile with opposing empires of different faiths.

Thank you for your thoughts. My darn scouts keep getting killed! I am glad to hear that I'm at least starting to figure out the start needed on monarch level. I personally dislike the apparent need to be pretty much constantly at war at this level and above.

Furthermore, consider your Triangle Diplomacy options. Getting on side with Saladin could be a good move, as he often can be talked into an AI dogpile with opposing empires of different faiths.

Are leaders with the Spirtual trait more likely to go to war w/ someone of another faith?

Are leaders with the Spirtual trait more likely to go to war w/ someone of another faith?
Depends on the leader. Mansa is a pretty peaceful guy, Isabella however is a nutter who'll hate you if you have a different religion.

In general spiritual leaders hate you more, or love you more in turn depending on your religion.

My advice is don't worry about what the civs typically do. Sometimes I find myself targeting Izzy or Monty just because.

Make you first early war based upon which civ has the best land relative to where your civ is. Also obviously factor in what religions they've founded and if they've gotten any wonders. Don't worry about "who" the civ is. If you get a tech lead, you could be playing Saddam Hussein for the WMD trait and you'll still win.