Konkistador some interesting ideas to consider.
IDK about any TP changes at the moment yet though, need to see how they work in a real round first. I know giving all TP in the beginning would be a -1 from me, I enjoy the slow buildup to higher techs that occurs during the months, can't imagine facing off against fully teched kingdoms right from the start, and it cheapens the value and experience of earning techs imo... I like the idea to add TP to the late joiners box though! But not enough to make them balanced with everyone else, maybe just enough to buy a few techs, maybe 200 points or so.