OK, the game is being sent around in cheiftan mode. Since there is AI players it could be an advantage to those close to the AI.
There is a way to change it after everybody has played there 1st turn. To change the difficulty Ishtari needs to do the following:
EDIT:at least in version 1.14 anyway!
Make sure you are not connected to the internet. Instead of selecting load game from the main menu, select the multiplayer menu, then select host. If you are offline you should have a screen that allows you to;
select difficulty (down the bottom of the screen, I would pick Monarch or Emperor, but thats up to Ishtari)
select game type (up the top, so select Play by Email) and then,
select game mode, (select the option to load game), it then gives you a prompt to select the sav file, select the file sent to you by Isildurs Heir since he will be the last player of the 1st turn.
This will load up the game, I notice some of the fonts get scrambled on the player list (ignore that), click on the Launch button. It should load up Ishtaris 2nd turn at the difficulty level she has set. From then on people can load the game as normal. IT should say the level when you load it.
You will notice a change in difficulty by an increase in the turns to research stuff. The scores will reflect the chaneg in difficulty after everybody has played the 2nd turn.
Hopes this makes sense to everybody.
PS My vote is for Emperor if that helps you decide Ishy

, even though I hav'nt won at that level yet
