ok, so, this technically is possible, but a catch: There are 25 spaces in 5x5 formation in a square (and only square) maps. And each space can hold 25 spaces. Unfortunately, these spaces are rotated on map generation, so placing them on the edges will yield... variable results. forexample, if you place them on the edge and put them on the 2nd row of the force pattern (essentially, any of the middle third from the center of the map), the palaces can wind up closer or further from each other due to rotations! It's best to place them in the center of the unit pattern, then place those in the middle third of the force pattern.

So does it mean I should edit these premade squares? Do I understand right that now this looks like this?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/159044723590430720/1078993558347993128/image.png
Castles by default placed in 1, 5, 21 and 25 squares. So if they can be rotated by random and placing castle in 5e for example can lead to castle placed either closer to the middle of a map or futher from the middle of the map. Hope I understand it the right way. In this case is it possible to just place castles in the middle of 7, 9, 17 and 19 squares?

Lol, I thought it was necro threaded. Is that issue still relevant? It should be possible to bring players castle's closer in multiplayer. However, it will require replacing original game files.

We did play some games with modded Majesty a while ago and it was nice experience. Let me know if you're still interested in this and maybe I'll create a mod.

Sure! That would be great!

So, it's ready. Tested with 2 players, works fine and should work with 3 and 4, hypothetically.

What all players need to do:

1. Download this .zip

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d80ijGq4MtFyz5aSTtYP2B5P-vttEfsb/view?usp=sharing

2. Unpack zip inside Majesty folder replacing files.
3. Play.

To restore original files simply verify files through Steam.

This mod spawns a new palace around the map center and destroys the old one. Simple as that. Works only with palace, other player buildings remain on their place.

So we tried the mod at last. It works but as you've said - in a strange way making all additional start conditions not that useful. In a current state option Nothern Kings do the same thing but keeping other starting building options not broken at least. I should thank you for spending your time for creating this mod but is there any way to fix it and make other buildings to spawn near the palace? Also option for starting with level 2 palace doesn't work with this mod. I guess it's because you always start with level 1 palace instead of your current one. In this case option with starting with only outposts also won't work.

Wild theory, but Enerril could test each building and destroy them individually with a foreach or while loop command, storing each saved result in a list, then spawning each of them via list call, removing members from list so that they won't spawn again and again.

Isn't it possible to mod starting conditions? In this case it should be possible just to take some strings from Nothern Kings and import them to other starting conditions for players.