If we were going to go from game to game, I'd prefer to start with Crusader Kings 2 rather than Europa Universallis 3, but hey. That's just me.
Just as a note, I don't want to START later than 12 CST. Going later than 12 AM CST is fine though, or midnight CST. 12 PM CST is noon, additionally.
The only 'mod' I play with is a self made mod where I flip everyone's techs up to 100% for everyone, regardless of actual teching. The interesting note is that I've found that still means usually that Europe gets widely ahead, just not so compeltely ahead it has 100% of an advantage over the other societies. Especially important if you want to play an Eastern or Muslim nation.
Mark me down as Genoa. I was thinking it was 3, not 4, and Genoa starts with 4 and is within the Empire, as opposed to Venice which is not. Though it's foreign territories are much better.