Yes, remember, you can change the diplomacy to anyone at any time to ally, neutral or enemy, but they need to accept.
Everyone starts with 3 villagers and 1 scout cavalry, and 200 stone, 200 gold, 200 food and 200 wood, except me i start with 100 wood.
I send my 3 starting villagers to get food and i start making 1 more villager in the process. 3 posts to complete.