Basic editing help please, descr_strat

[GORE]

i only started editing my descr_strat file last night and im getting really into it, but here is were i am stuck.

i want my starting towns to be minor cities with 6000 population and all buildings of that level, so i put them in but when i start the campaign it no longer says what population i need to reach the next level (12,000). will i be able to build the next level of settlement when i reach that population?

secondly, the game fails to start when i change my generals ages, but is fine when i change their traits. i really want to raise the age of one of my generals so i can place his sons straight onto the map and decide their traits. EDIT: problem solved

any help would be greatly appreciated.