The game seems to have no manual, or official forum, and while there are two wikis, neither seems to contain much yet. So I'm hoping somebody here knows:
1) Is it possible to be at war with one faction, or is the war-with-all setting the only way to oppose them?
2) Gold stars occasionally appear over ships and watch towers. What do they mean?
3) In the scenario settings on the upper right, there are two boxes labelled "min" and "max." What do they do?
4) One can buy shipments of stone and wood, but I can't find a use for them. What do they do?

Thanks for any insights anyone can offer. :)

I cannont post any links at this moment: forum, guides and manuals have @ Steam Valve

Except in starter region 0: If you press "Contest the Region" you declare conflict to all factions within this region.
Lucky if there has only one faction, difficulty if there the five others.

The stars: with the stars increases you (critical?) damage. So then you sunk five vessel you get 5 stars. From six onwards it shows the scull. I don't know what actually the percentage has.

min" and "max.: Once you are in work to generate a worldmap these settings are for the minimum and maximum TP-levels.

"shipments of stone and wood": e.g. you buy a box for gold and exchange into resources. Either you buy them or find in loots. Do a click with your right mouse button on it shows more info.

1. It is inpossible. War only possible during battle mode, or during certain quests (especial when you must pirate). When you are in normal quest mode, you can't be in war with anyone, except the pirates.

2. The gold stars is the "special" counter. It can be up to five, or a skull (skull is the max). As Hafenzoll said it increase your stats permamently till you survive. If you sink, the ship this will be reset.

3. Exactly as Hafenzoll said. It is the minimum and maximum possible random. XD

4. The stone and the wood is the resource of war. You use these to repair yourself, build towers and ports, or some special abilities require it too. But it is really out of balance. You can gather it extremely easy, and everything uses only a bit.

Thanks for the info, guys. :D

You're welcome! :)

little necro....

Trying to take Sojourn starter town, I have 100% control of the neighbouring area but game tells me I cannot capture anything as I do not control the neighbouring area. Im at perm war with all other nations.

Something intended or something broken

Maybe you are not from the same faction as the neighbouring area's holders.

Valliant 100% control, and I am valliant Sojourns last area

Then it could be a bug.

Yeah, thats what im thinking. Working on upgrading the neighbouring area atm, get max towns etc

Cool idea. Also try to conquest the areas where not 100% the control, or has different factions as neighbour. Maybe it requires some pirate hunt in Cumbat.

But since I has the demo only, I can't know for sure. XD

Well that explains it.... slightly irritating but okey dokey. would help if the message said that instead of the stupid control thing.

Defeats the purpose of a perma war in a way though