Its hard to unwrap your brain from building cities, but if you get the notion to try something different, go this route.

1.) Don't build a city.

2.) Don't take over a city unless your just seeing how tough your guys are.  If you do just let it be.  destroy it if the AI come back for it.

3.) Dont save for your first 20-30 turns just to see if you make bad decisions.  turn 50 - 200 just go and muck up the world.

4.) Make sure your Sov starts with a +mana ability.  Sure you could do it another way, but it helps.

Beast lord is fun as all get out.

 edit:  2 dragon eyes does not make 1 dragon... FYI