I've just added the NPC nations to the region names/races/exports/owner list. Do you think this works better? 

NPC PASSIVE = nation will avoid war, unless it is superior, and will be more likely to accept treaties. Will muster to defend itself if under attack, and may become NPC AGGRESSIVE as a result.

NPC AGGRESSIVE = Nation is seeking to take land, and will be prepared to fight you on your own soil. Alliances and trade deals can be made, but they might be fragile. If nation's army is defeated, or its economy floored, it will become NPC PASSIVE.

EDIT: NPC regions can be claimed and replaced for new players, prior to the IC starting later on tonight. 

Late joiners will have a chance to take control of the NPC state, or choose their own nation to replace it with if other players are happy for them to do so.

Edit: Also thinking of allowing for Vassal states. Say, if your military defeats theirs and you surround their capital, you can ask for their submission. This grants you control of their army, and their exports, but heightens the chance of future rebellion.

Edit: Players who go AWOL will become NPC controlled... I sure love my edits. I think we've already got two flakers, but we'll see.

Edit: And another one, haha. How about if armies under 1,000 men do not have to report their location? Allowing for ambushes to be set, or for a vanguard of an invasion to assemble on a border without being noticed whilst the main army hangs back to look all innocent.