BOR - Ist Punic War - Long Version Questions

[Chai Chai]

I have been playing the long version the the 1st Punic War as Carthage and have a few questions/observations.

Volarii(?) (just north of Rome): The first time I played I didn't do much with these guys as I assumed they would be crushed, that was a mistake. Since I didn't move them they were soon beseiged and destroyed. The next game I moved them out to capture the level 1 fort city to their East, and they continued to take level 1 city after level 1 city, the AI didn't destroy their homeland nor chase them down to be crushed. From what I have read a Dictator was appointed but he seemed to head down to Sicily.

Massina - Does it take naval movement to move across the strait from Italy to Sicily? My Punic fleets can't seem to stop anything here.

Locri - I usually take Hanno's small force and try and take Locrii (level 1 fort city) to prevent Roman movement to Sicily. Even when I hold the city the Romans just blow right past me - is this right?

I played the Demo version of AJE and liked the random or scripted events that brought in other forces, the only thing like that I saw in the Punic War scenario was Syracuse trading sided. Is that it? It seems like 3/4 of the Punic holdings aren't even used. What will bring in the forces North of Italy into the game? Are their slave uprisings or is going into Italy a fools errand?

I find I have forces but no leaders, is it possible to recruit or appoint one star Generals?

[Franciscus]

Regarding Messana strait blockage, it is fixed in the beta patch

[Chai Chai]

Regarding Messana strait blockage, it is fixed in the beta patch

Where/how do I get the beta patch? My current version is 1.02.

[Franciscus]

Here: http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?28267-Birth-of-Rome-quick-fix-patch-Public-Beta&p=262099&viewfull=1#post262099

Regards