I think the option to have either gems or crystals on day 7 sounds cool, but I do appreciate most save their gems for buying vital items like generals etc. Maybe give that as a choice at some point?
As for Excelsior itself, I'm absolutely loving it and all the various options we have and quests to be done. This is so much more preferable as a daily log in and quest to the usual silly amount of copper ore and 2 xbows a week