In case we are debating game settings, I would vote against always war. We don't need that kind of limitation. We are going to do plenty of fighting trying to get allies. And if you want more fighting, we could start with agressive AI, and raging barbarians.
As for other settings, here are some that I usually play with: all unique features, living world, and wildlands.
I would also suggest blessing of Amathaon, if you don't think it makes the game too easy for us (doubles the ammount of resources, so it increases our changes of getting good land for our cities)