Isn't there an argument for moving the Norse start date back to around 780 in line for the first recorded Viking raids in 793? That would allow the Viking points goal to move back to around 980AD, then move the conquest goal and Vinland goals back to 1066, including the Isles, Ireland, Scotland, Normandy, Sicily, Apulia, Calabria and Iceland. Just make sure cities spawn in Sicily, Apulia and Calabria, so that you can just move armies round there to conquer, rather than having to ship a settler all the way.
As an aside, maybe look to rearrange the Calabria and Apulia provinces so Apulia isn't so much larger - I would say possibly have Calabria cover the west coast and Apulia the east, so you can actually spawn a viable city in each province? It would also allow for a city on the east and west coast of Southern Italy which would show the historic Byzantine and western influences on the region. The map below shows that Apulia doesn't spread to the area of Naples at all:
Maybe even remove Scotland and replace it with Northumbria, as the Vikings never actually controlled much of the Scottish mainland outside Caithness?
That would be more Viking esque imo, as the majority of their expansion, conquest and settlement occurred prior to the end of the 11th century. And as has been pointed out above, achieving the current 2nd UHV is very possible by 1066, even with the need to conquer Scotland.
It would also allow for a Viking conquest of Sicily, followed by the spawn of the Duchy of Sicily at its historic start date of 1071AD.
I thought the 1263 date represented the end of the Viking age, with the Vikings losing the last main battle they fought in Europe (Largs in Ayrshire). But that seems too late to me - have it earlier so you have have the first half of the Viking game be purely conquest and expansion, and then the rest of the game be geared towards the score based UHV.
As an aside, maybe look to rearrange the Calabria and Apulia provinces so Apulia isn't so much larger - I would say possibly have Calabria cover the west coast and Apulia the east, so you can actually spawn a viable city in each province? It would also allow for a city on the east and west coast of Southern Italy which would show the historic Byzantine and western influences on the region. The map below shows that Apulia doesn't spread to the area of Naples at all:
Spoiler :
Maybe even remove Scotland and replace it with Northumbria, as the Vikings never actually controlled much of the Scottish mainland outside Caithness?
That would be more Viking esque imo, as the majority of their expansion, conquest and settlement occurred prior to the end of the 11th century. And as has been pointed out above, achieving the current 2nd UHV is very possible by 1066, even with the need to conquer Scotland.
It would also allow for a Viking conquest of Sicily, followed by the spawn of the Duchy of Sicily at its historic start date of 1071AD.
I thought the 1263 date represented the end of the Viking age, with the Vikings losing the last main battle they fought in Europe (Largs in Ayrshire). But that seems too late to me - have it earlier so you have have the first half of the Viking game be purely conquest and expansion, and then the rest of the game be geared towards the score based UHV.
