I was having the same issue, I fixed mine by removing the Fallen Enchantress entries from my firewall which is Comodo. Re-lauched the game and it was fine
turgotZ
I think upgrading outpost is a great idea. Another option would limiting the outpost to 1 upgrade as the connect city levels up: a choice between a defensive upgrade or one that improves the output of the local resource
Lands which have more stone exposed like some areas of the Canadian Shield http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ShWR57e9BlI/Ss0WmWfWzeI/AAAAAAAAD44/8SvJmg8f6YI/s1600-h/P8213511+copy.jpg http://charlinex.hubpages.com/hub/Dramatic-Rocks-In-Easte
Vote fair The game is shaping up to be great but the strategic AI at least on Challenging seems to lacking situational awareness, it is very signal minded in its goal. What I have seen in two games is the AI choosing a target like a poorly defended city and attacking it over and over. The army which is defending the city(say 3 squares out) is ignored. The AI simply tries to walk past the defending army gets its self destroyed. After the AIs 
This program will fit your needs fairly well its free http://www.silo3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16966 I use it for 3D modelling. For the map editor you will need to change your video setting to a windowed resolution. I have tested it and it works