Yeah, it seems to be something with setting the settlement's culture, even when starting a new campaign.
<!-- Varcheg, far-flung on peninsula. Probably Sturgian version of Nordic 'Varjag,' sworn companion -->
<Settlement id="town_S1" name="{=Settlements.Settlement.name.town_S1}Varcheg" owner="Faction.clan_sturgia_1" posX="361.256" posY="554.313" culture="Culture.oldempire" prosperity="3100" gate_posX="357.3419" gate_posY="551.6558">
<Components>
<Town id="town_comp_S1" is_castle="false" level="3" background_crop_position="0.0" background_mesh="gui_bg_town_sturgia" wait_mesh="wait_sturgia_town" gate_rotation="0.608" />
</Components>
<Locations complex_template="LocationComplexTemplate.town_complex">
<Location id="center" scene_name="sturgia_town_c" scene_name_1="sturgia_town_c" scene_name_2="sturgia_town_c" scene_name_3="sturgia_town_c" />
<Location id="arena" scene_name="arena_sturgia_a" />
<Location id="tavern" scene_name="sturgia_house_b_interior_tavern" />
<Location id="lordshall" scene_name_1="sturgia_castle_keep_a_l3_interior" scene_name_2="sturgia_castle_keep_a_l3_interior" scene_name_3="sturgia_castle_keep_a_l3_interior" />
<Location id="prison" scene_name="sturgia_dungeon_a" />
<Location id="house_1" scene_name="sturgia_town_house_d1_interior_b_house" />
<Location id="house_2" scene_name="sturgia_town_house_d1_interior_b_house" />
<Location id="house_3" scene_name="sturgia_town_house_d1_interior_b_house" />
</Locations>
<CommonAreas>
<Area type="Backstreet" name="Backstreet" />
<Area type="Clearing" name="Clearing" />
<Area type="Waterfront" name="Waterfront" />
</CommonAreas>
</Settlement>
<Culture id="oldempire"
name="{=kiOst6DH}Old Empire"
is_main_culture="true"
color="FF4E3A55"
color2="FFDE9953"
elite_basic_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_vigla_recruit"
basic_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_recruit"
melee_militia_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_militia_spearman"
ranged_militia_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_militia_archer"
melee_elite_militia_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_militia_veteran_spearman"
ranged_elite_militia_troop="NPCCharacter.imperial_militia_veteran_archer"
can_have_settlement="true"
town_edge_number="16"
villager_party_template="PartyTemplate.villager_empire_template"
default_party_template="PartyTemplate.kingdom_hero_party_empire_template"
caravan_party_template="PartyTemplate.caravan_template_empire"
elite_caravan_party_template="PartyTemplate.elite_caravan_template_empire"
militia_party_template="PartyTemplate.militia_empire_template"
rebels_party_template="PartyTemplate.rebels_empire_template"
prosperity_bonus="1"
encounter_background_mesh="encounter_empire"
default_face_key="000fa92e90004202aced5d976886573d5d679585a376fdd605877a7764b8987c00000000000007520000037f0000000f00000037049140010000000000000000"
text="{=X0kKBzsW}The Calradians are the people of the Empire, though by now they have given their name to the entire continent which they dominate. A thousand years ago, they were an undistinguished tribe living in the hill country between the southern sea and the Battanian woods. One tradition set them apart from their neighbors - the Calradoi had no kings. Their citizenry has always taken an intense interest in the art of self-government, the balance between protecting the liberty of individuals and the needs of the state. Perhaps this is why they had a slight edge in the endless wars between one town and another, keeping armies in the field just a little longer, bouncing back just a little more quickly from a defeat. Some of their neighbors federated with them; others were overrun. Eventually the Calradians formed an empire, which evolved into a monarchy in all but name. Their leaders are no longer distinguished civic elders but great landholders scattered across the confident; the striking force of their armies is no longer citizen-infantry but heavily armored cataphracts in the retinues of the wealthy. But they still take their civic traditions very seriously, believing that the Calradian ideal can unite a continent in peace, if only the ”barbarians” beyond their borders would agree to submit to it."
tournament_master="NPCCharacter.tournament_master_empire"
villager="NPCCharacter.villager_empire"
caravan_master="NPCCharacter.caravan_master_empire"
armed_trader="NPCCharacter.armed_trader_empire"
caravan_guard="NPCCharacter.caravan_guard_empire"
veteran_caravan_guard="NPCCharacter.veteran_caravan_guard_empire"
duel_preset="NPCCharacter.empire_duel_preset"
prison_guard="NPCCharacter.prison_guard_empire"
guard="NPCCharacter.guard_empire"
steward="NPCCharacter.steward_empire"
blacksmith="NPCCharacter.blacksmith_empire"
weaponsmith="NPCCharacter.weaponsmith_empire"
townswoman="NPCCharacter.townswoman_empire"
townswoman_infant="NPCCharacter.townswoman_infant_empire"
townswoman_child="NPCCharacter.townswoman_child_empire"
townswoman_teenager="NPCCharacter.townswoman_teenager_empire"
townsman="NPCCharacter.townsman_empire"
townsman_infant="NPCCharacter.townsman_infant_empire"
townsman_child="NPCCharacter.townsman_child_empire"
townsman_teenager="NPCCharacter.townsman_teenager_empire"
ransom_broker="NPCCharacter.ransom_broker_empire"
gangleader_bodyguard="NPCCharacter.gangleader_bodyguard_empire"
merchant_notary="NPCCharacter.merchant_notary_empire"
artisan_notary="NPCCharacter.artisan_notary_empire"
preacher_notary="NPCCharacter.preacher_notary_empire"
rural_notable_notary="NPCCharacter.rural_notable_notary_empire"
shop_worker="NPCCharacter.shop_worker_empire"
tavernkeeper="NPCCharacter.tavernkeeper_empire"
taverngamehost="NPCCharacter.taverngamehost_empire"
musician="NPCCharacter.musician_empire"
tavern_wench="NPCCharacter.tavern_wench_empire"
armorer="NPCCharacter.armorer_empire"
horseMerchant="NPCCharacter.horseMerchant_empire"
merchant="NPCCharacter.merchant_empire"
beggar="NPCCharacter.beggar_empire"
female_beggar="NPCCharacter.female_beggar_empire"
female_dancer="NPCCharacter.female_dancer_empire"
gear_practice_dummy="NPCCharacter.gear_practice_dummy_empire"
weapon_practice_stage_1="NPCCharacter.weapon_practice_stage_1_empire"
weapon_practice_stage_2="NPCCharacter.weapon_practice_stage_2_empire"
weapon_practice_stage_3="NPCCharacter.weapon_practice_stage_3_empire"
gear_dummy="NPCCharacter.gear_dummy_empire">
<male_names>
<name name="{=aeLgc0cU}Acthon" />
<name name="{=tWDyWroN}Amnon" />
<name name="{=uTFjknE2}Andros" />
<name name="{=QjJAbaoT}Apys" />
<name name="{=zInIqBD0}Arenicos" />
<name name="{=W1uwgvAQ}Arion" />
<name name="{=5VzWRMTn}Artimendros" />
<name name="{=rGuYLmez}Ascyron" />
<name name="{=J1nh9YiN}Atilon" />
<name name="{=NBAGX54b}Avigos" />
<name name="{=9cDw6vPF}Cadomenos" />
<name name="{=lD1sl2XC}Camnon" />
<name name="{=LP7yYoGQ}Caribos" />
<name name="{=VhbasI9J}Castor" />
<name name="{=VG9ng2n2}Chandion" />
<name name="{=aezwJGvY}Chenon" />
<name name="{=acp2IcMs}Crotor" />
<name name="{=XKxeaF0I}Dalidos" />
<name name="{=pCBkH35Q}Danos" />
<name name="{=2OJEyP0d}Dasys" />
<name name="{=SoTUisL3}Deltisos" />
<name name="{=HfuAdGQX}Destor" />
<name name="{=lEHtUGed}Diocosos" />
<name name="{=5EiKEdi5}Dorion" />
<name name="{=yAZC6F7P}Ecsorios" />
<name name="{=rUvnbDi2}Encurion" />
<name name="{=KjzJjj5n}Eronys" />
<name name="{=gYit4RTe}Euchor" />
<name name="{=uW38UtSH}Eupitor" />
<name name="{=WfAuSpJq}Eutos" />
<name name="{=RyorjCXF}Galon" />
<name name="{=ZFlIT1tH}Ganimynos" />
<name name="{=f3hTGKIP}Garitops" />
<name name="{=iDxygnVF}Gerotheon" />
<name name="{=rFbAjSWM}Gorigos" />
<name name="{=4lEEqyCg}Jacorios" />
<name name="{=DwzrsJxS}Jamanys" />
<name name="{=IU63oxWD}Jemynon" />
<name name="{=t1OpnZph}Jeremos" />
<name name="{=katzUyMI}Joron" />
<name name="{=GWaJ7Ksq}Joculos" />
<name name="{=BCy1KpvR}Lacalion" />
<name name="{=6LMiTKZz}Lamenon" />
<name name="{=F13aYbuk}Lavalios" />
<name name="{=bHbR5Mgy}Losys" />
<name name="{=CbxLZdVg}Lycos" />
<name name="{=HCXHcBzT}Mattis" />
<name name="{=X21PahQn}Menaclys" />
<name name="{=tTuaiLS6}Meritor" />
<name name="{=qqW5n5Ox}Milos" />
<name name="{=5yFy4U4i}Morynon" />
<name name="{=ud6rhXbn}Mostiros" />
<name name="{=FF3dQKc1}Nethor" />
<name name="{=u1lTJoPO}Nemos" />
<name name="{=sDFb1PRI}Nortos" />
<name name="{=QGIAbglw}Obron" />
<name name="{=ZmQx4gT3}Olichor" />
<name name="{=pq0w8kry}Orachos" />
<name name="{=JFVseSa3}Oros" />
<name name="{=7UkzXWTQ}Osarios" />
<name name="{=cZIhxH9e}Pacarios" />
<name name="{=9sokmYMZ}Padmos" />
<name name="{=NXOOJs2X}Patrys" />
<name name="{=plx8kkxa}Pelicos" />
<name name="{=1cKxsHSh}Penton" />
<name name="{=vgBRa2BE}Poraclys" />
<name name="{=q186AQHt}Phadon" />
<name name="{=LMWiJi6V}Phirentos" />
<name name="{=XZxIpCQH}Phorys" />
<name name="{=5eTb2xr7}Sanion" />
<name name="{=Zm4a2xsf}Salusios" />
<name name="{=egCbjHDT}Semnon" />
<name name="{=GeJobcre}Sinor" />
<name name="{=E4WhEvu7}Sotherys" />
<name name="{=FClEZIkT}Sovos" />
<name name="{=rVUhYuvE}Suterios" />
<name name="{=Axe5FkET}Talison" />
<name name="{=PR4IqkTW}Temeon" />
<name name="{=9xyXdX4I}Tharos" />
<name name="{=zfUhnG7y}Themestios" />
<name name="{=P7iNhhPl}Turiados" />
<name name="{=kfNW01y5}Tynops" />
<name name="{=wbJzSg3X}Ulbesos" />
<name name="{=SRncaw79}Urios" />
<name name="{=pRbKbPK3}Vadrios" />
<name name="{=TiJOjUi5}Valaos" />
<name name="{=5nEh20ju}Vasylops" />
<name name="{=bWb245zO}Voleos" />
<name name="{=WTePYMNF}Zaraclys" />
<name name="{=p0hcyZdp}Zenon" />
<name name="{=3RBVn5yi}Zoros" />
<name name="{=uCyAnus4}Zostios" />
</male_names>
<female_names>
<name name="{=BNnLbOkN}Adinea" />
<name name="{=EGatdCLg}Alena" />
<name name="{=UPaP0B2L}Alchyla" />
<name name="{=QyXwJXIV}Andrasa" />
<name name="{=NM5f1Q6I}Ariada" />
<name name="{=bmHAYBwX}Catila" />
<name name="{=AdK4Ilzw}Chalia" />
<name name="{=xVSOKf0p}Chara" />
<name name="{=915frsPd}Corena" />
<name name="{=BNuZ6nvd}Daniria" />
<name name="{=YBGCXSEx}Debana" />
<name name="{=Oy5dH7gZ}Elea" />
<name name="{=rA3KybBX}Ethirea" />
<name name="{=qiTtJyHE}Gala" />
<name name="{=fGmpS0Dr}Gandarina" />
<name name="{=a6qaFH7L}Herena" />
<name name="{=LE9mRhSs}Hespedia" />
<name name="{=RHXdqjQY}Ilina" />
<name name="{=HSlPLC4m}Ira" />
<name name="{=028iCb8B}Jythea" />
<name name="{=6vtmYjTW}Jolanna" />
<name name="{=Ew69yN84}Juthys" />
<name name="{=Jif1C3X3}Laria" />
<name name="{=2oy7atk6}Lundana" />
<name name="{=dwFZFQ6V}Lysica" />
<name name="{=2fYYfHUI}Martira" />
<name name="{=Vxt0xTvV}Mavea" />
<name name="{=lgvtLEDA}Melchea" />
<name name="{=QvfUqzpF}Mina" />
<name name="{=11KckWau}Mitara" />
<name name="{=uLjRHv9p}Nadea" />
<name name="{=FUT6eXfw}Phaea" />
<name name="{=WrAMfIG1}Phenoria" />
<name name="{=XMTD2clw}Rhoe" />
<name name="{=0XEaaoah}Rosazia" />
<name name="{=L9weGfoX}Salea" />
<name name="{=nSoJkeBI}Sittacea" />
<name name="{=V1QLbhRl}Sora" />
<name name="{=b2aRoXsb}Tessa" />
<name name="{=bQKbW8Tx}Thasyna" />
<name name="{=CvVJyKYA}Thelea" />
<name name="{=VzhbUL60}Vendelia" />
<name name="{=a2ajWcI3}Viria" />
<name name="{=wbLqHvjE}Zerosica" />
<name name="{=zxZH2WbD}Zimena" />
<name name="{=AccBcEIt}Zoana" />
</female_names>
<clan_names>
<name name="{=pRA9EzNv}Acapanos" />
<name name="{=ogq9oxDn}Angarys" />
<name name="{=MgDUudOx}Balastisos" />
<name name="{=Rvww4Kxi}Corstases" />
<name name="{=kWiQaFLM}Delicos" />
<name name="{=DiB4ukeK}Elysos" />
<name name="{=pUvrTrHT}Gessios" />
<name name="{=fsOUhzLv}Jalos" />
<name name="{=CuocGtTq}Lestharos" />
<name name="{=FVl3D2qT}Meones" />
<name name="{=fAKa9JfU}Nathanys" />
<name name="{=RhwPmahK}Opynates" />
<name name="{=OL6fbZRY}Paltos" />
<name name="{=HPrHkie6}Phenigos" />
<name name="{=DYdI0faN}Stracanasthes" />
<name name="{=g7etVhSO}Sumessos" />
<name name="{=oGf1fUpP}Therycos" />
<name name="{=AeNqteUX}Zebales" />
</clan_names>
</Culture>
Just Settlements and SPcultures (in both sandbox and sandboxcore), nothing else.
Thank you for the reply! Sadly, I checked both of those things multiple times and it still crashes whenever I start a new campaign.