Thanks for the continued everyone!
While I don't agree with the lawyer in many respects, I'm kind of powerless here. If he threatens to sue, regardless of who's really right, I created this as a hobby and haven't got the cash to defend myself. And if I did have the money, he also threatened to sue in any jurisdiction, such as Germany, that would take the case. When I asked if I could remove the parts he's complaining about (island scenario, etc) he told me to seek legal council. Of course he knows this isn't viable for me, but my question contradicts his client's interests.
Instead of Settling an Island, put a religious spin on it...about gathering worshippers...
It's not an island, it's a new world (or old world, i.e. Pangea)
Filled with different races, five Races...that correspond to each of the resources...
Each player is going in as a "God" building Chapels and Temples....that help them get more Worshippers...(For Victory Points and more Troops) Certain worshippers pray for spiritual connections (roads) that you the God needs to remain spiritually present within the temples/chapels, You need 4 races to build a chapel (Settlement) and 5 races to build a Temple(City)...
It would be too similiar having the same default map layout...I suggest take up the task of making it a "sea farers" level design. Which means waterways and islands. This eliminates the obvious "Catan" Hexagonal island design. Instead you have a main continent and minor outlying countries etc...
You can do the same with a military twist...recruiting troops/armies...and the player being a general...
