Random start locaitons on custom map/mod

I generated a map in-game by selecting a scenario, saved the map via the in-game menu.
Quit the game and loaded world builder.
Loaded the saved map.
Edited the map.
Made one nation (player 1) playable. Five nations defined but not playable.Six city-states defined.

First attempt:
Set starting locations for all civs and city-states. No units.
Locked mods.
Saved.
Loaded it in modbuddy and did successful build.
Loaded game, enabled mod, selected my map.
Enabled the 'load scenario' button.
Clicked start scenario.
All players (settler/warrior), and city states (settler only), started adjacent to each other in a bare region of the map.

Second attempt:
Cancelled starting locations for all civs,placed actual cities for city-states. Placed settler and warrior for each civ at start loc as per first attempt.
Saved.
Loaded it in modbuddy and did successful build.
Loaded game, enabled mod, selected my map.
Enabled the 'load scenario' button.
Clicked start scenario.
All players (settler/warrior), and city states (settler only), started adjacent to each other in the same bare region of the map.

WTF am I doing wrong? Someone help me please!