Blackmantle
King
I whould suggest you go up in difficulty right up to monarch (skip prince allright the difference would be minimal). Then those issues will fade a bit and there is nothing which will sensibly prevent this on noble or prince. Also you'll get a bit more challenging game. (still should be quite winnable.)
Yes the AI is quite incompetent when it comes to FFH2 (the Team is working on that issue among a few others right now... Do expect it to improve, but don't worry, it'll improve far slower than you do...).
If you grasped the basics which you quite seem to have done, monarch should be comparable to noble in vanilla (while noble might be comparable to chieftain/warlord difficulty in vanilla.).
If that's still to easy for you after one or two games don't hesitate to go up to Emperor alright. It will still be comparable to prince (or monarch with settings put in your favor at worst) quite likely.
Beyond that point (immortal and especially deity) it gets a bit messy since the AI bonus gets so huge that even when making massive mistakes (which it does) this is smoothed over by the handicap. Emperor-Immortal is the range that most experienced players end up. (with deity not undoable but usually quite tendious.)
I'm quite sure you'll find your sweet spot somewhere up there... (when you move on to a new civ best allways start it at monarch or if you really feel competent emperor. Don't bother with anything below it, or you'll repeat the experience you just had...)
Regarding the questions:
1 - Yes they do, i believe. Makes religious victory possibly quite difficult. But given the game you outlined it may still be the way to go. (possibly Hyborem may help you here (or you may be helping him...
all a matter of perspective. A peak into the lore might be worthwhile here).
He is at peace with the barbarians so he might spread it to the barbs like mad (the AI at times is quite rabid when it comes to spreading its faith.). Don't know for sure if barbarian leaders do such a thing. If he does it should just be a matter of waiting and seeing the percentage go up.)
2 - Just research infernal contract (the tech which is Veil-exclusive and comes after the tech founding the Veil.). Then Hyborem will come into creation using a loophole in the contract. (You evil armagedonite you...
Making contracts with the lord of balors.
)
Your capital must beaker-central (provided you build the veil-shrine. Which you definitely should if you haven't yet.) so much is for sure...
Yes the AI is quite incompetent when it comes to FFH2 (the Team is working on that issue among a few others right now... Do expect it to improve, but don't worry, it'll improve far slower than you do...).
If you grasped the basics which you quite seem to have done, monarch should be comparable to noble in vanilla (while noble might be comparable to chieftain/warlord difficulty in vanilla.).
If that's still to easy for you after one or two games don't hesitate to go up to Emperor alright. It will still be comparable to prince (or monarch with settings put in your favor at worst) quite likely.
Beyond that point (immortal and especially deity) it gets a bit messy since the AI bonus gets so huge that even when making massive mistakes (which it does) this is smoothed over by the handicap. Emperor-Immortal is the range that most experienced players end up. (with deity not undoable but usually quite tendious.)
I'm quite sure you'll find your sweet spot somewhere up there... (when you move on to a new civ best allways start it at monarch or if you really feel competent emperor. Don't bother with anything below it, or you'll repeat the experience you just had...)
Regarding the questions:
1 - Yes they do, i believe. Makes religious victory possibly quite difficult. But given the game you outlined it may still be the way to go. (possibly Hyborem may help you here (or you may be helping him...

He is at peace with the barbarians so he might spread it to the barbs like mad (the AI at times is quite rabid when it comes to spreading its faith.). Don't know for sure if barbarian leaders do such a thing. If he does it should just be a matter of waiting and seeing the percentage go up.)
2 - Just research infernal contract (the tech which is Veil-exclusive and comes after the tech founding the Veil.). Then Hyborem will come into creation using a loophole in the contract. (You evil armagedonite you...


Your capital must beaker-central (provided you build the veil-shrine. Which you definitely should if you haven't yet.) so much is for sure...