diff --git a/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS200.lua b/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS200.lua
index 64ea3b4cb5..737ca24235 100644
--- a/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS200.lua
+++ b/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS200.lua
@@ -175,6 +175,10 @@ rttr:RegisterTranslations(
     },
 })
 
+function getNumPlayers()
+    return 1
+end
+
 -- format mission texts
 -- BUG:     NewLine at the end is wrongly interpreted, adding 2x Space resolves this issue
 function MissionText(e)
@@ -205,13 +209,6 @@ function onSettingsReady()
 
     rttr:GetPlayer(0):SetNation(NAT_ROMANS)     -- nation
     rttr:GetPlayer(0):SetColor(0)               -- 0:blue, 1:red, 2:yellow, 
-
-    rttr:GetPlayer(1):Close()
-    rttr:GetPlayer(2):Close()
-    rttr:GetPlayer(3):Close()
-    rttr:GetPlayer(4):Close()
-    rttr:GetPlayer(5):Close()
-    rttr:GetPlayer(6):Close()
 end
 
 function getAllowedChanges()
diff --git a/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS206.lua b/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS206.lua
index 7e878824db..d050eda176 100644
--- a/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS206.lua
+++ b/data/RTTR/campaigns/roman/MISS206.lua
@@ -189,8 +189,12 @@ function addPlayerBld(p, onLoad)
     rttr:GetPlayer(p):DisableBuilding(BLD_SHIPYARD, false)
     rttr:GetPlayer(p):DisableBuilding(BLD_HARBORBUILDING, false)
 
-    if(p == 2) then
-        if onLoad then return end
+    if onLoad then return end
+
+    if(p == 1) then
+        rttr:GetPlayer(p):PlaceHQ(112, 82)  -- !SET_HOUSE 24, 112, 82
+    elseif(p == 2) then
+        rttr:GetPlayer(p):PlaceHQ(40, 54)   -- !SET_HOUSE 24, 40, 54
         rttr:GetPlayer(p):AIConstructionOrder(43, 59, BLD_FORTRESS)
     end
 end
diff --git a/doc/lua/functions.md b/doc/lua/functions.md
index e142d2eb26..b7b65ba3ec 100644
--- a/doc/lua/functions.md
+++ b/doc/lua/functions.md
@@ -343,6 +343,10 @@ Ignored if the current player is not controlled by AI.
 **GetHQPos()**  
 Return x,y of the players HQ
 
+**PlaceHQ(x, y)**  
+Places this player's headquarters at map location {x, y}.  
+Does nothing if the player already has a valid headquarters position (e.g. set by the map or using a previous PlaceHQ call).
+
 **Surrender(destroyBuildings)**  
 Let the player give up either keeping its buildings or destroying them.
 Can be called multiple times e.g. to destroy buildings later.
diff --git a/libs/s25main/GameLobby.cpp b/libs/s25main/GameLobby.cpp
index e1f3496b5b..11be3ae5dc 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/GameLobby.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/GameLobby.cpp
@@ -24,3 +24,8 @@ unsigned GameLobby::getNumPlayers() const
 {
     return players_.size();
 }
+
+void GameLobby::setNumPlayers(unsigned num)
+{
+    players_.resize(num);
+}
diff --git a/libs/s25main/GameLobby.h b/libs/s25main/GameLobby.h
index 171152d721..d97cf01e67 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/GameLobby.h
+++ b/libs/s25main/GameLobby.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ class GameLobby
     const JoinPlayerInfo& getPlayer(unsigned playerId) const;
     const std::vector<JoinPlayerInfo>& getPlayers() const { return players_; }
     unsigned getNumPlayers() const;
+    void setNumPlayers(unsigned num);
 
     GlobalGameSettings& getSettings() { return ggs_; }
     const GlobalGameSettings& getSettings() const { return ggs_; }
diff --git a/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.cpp b/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.cpp
index d00de03b98..39fb077a05 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "WineLoader.h"
 #include "addons/const_addons.h"
 #include "buildings/noBuildingSite.h"
+#include "buildings/nobHQ.h"
 #include "buildings/nobHarborBuilding.h"
 #include "buildings/nobMilitary.h"
 #include "buildings/nobUsual.h"
@@ -411,6 +412,19 @@ void GamePlayer::RemoveBuildingSite(noBuildingSite* bldSite)
     buildings.Remove(bldSite);
 }
 
+bool GamePlayer::IsHQTent() const
+{
+    if(const nobHQ* hq = GetHQ())
+        return hq->IsTent();
+    return false;
+}
+
+void GamePlayer::SetHQIsTent(bool isTent)
+{
+    if(nobHQ* hq = const_cast<nobHQ*>(GetHQ()))
+        hq->SetIsTent(isTent);
+}
+
 void GamePlayer::AddBuilding(noBuilding* bld, BuildingType bldType)
 {
     RTTR_Assert(bld->GetPlayer() == GetPlayerId());
@@ -1400,6 +1414,12 @@ void GamePlayer::TestDefeat()
         Surrender();
 }
 
+const nobHQ* GamePlayer::GetHQ() const
+{
+    const MapPoint& hqPos = GetHQPos();
+    return hqPos.isValid() ? GetGameWorld().GetSpecObj<nobHQ>(hqPos) : nullptr;
+}
+
 void GamePlayer::Surrender()
 {
     if(isDefeated)
diff --git a/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.h b/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.h
index 59ee843473..3f71b505bd 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.h
+++ b/libs/s25main/GamePlayer.h
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class noShip;
 class nobBaseMilitary;
 class nobBaseWarehouse;
 class nobHarborBuilding;
+class nobHQ;
 class nobMilitary;
 class nofCarrier;
 class nofFlagWorker;
@@ -91,6 +92,9 @@ class GamePlayer : public GamePlayerInfo
     const GameWorld& GetGameWorld() const { return world; }
 
     const MapPoint& GetHQPos() const { return hqPos; }
+    bool IsHQTent() const;
+    void SetHQIsTent(bool isTent);
+
     void AddBuilding(noBuilding* bld, BuildingType bldType);
     void RemoveBuilding(noBuilding* bld, BuildingType bldType);
     void AddBuildingSite(noBuildingSite* bldSite);
@@ -426,6 +430,7 @@ class GamePlayer : public GamePlayerInfo
     bool FindWarehouseForJob(Job job, noRoadNode* goal) const;
     /// Prüft, ob der Spieler besiegt wurde
     void TestDefeat();
+    const nobHQ* GetHQ() const;
 
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
     /// Unsynchronized state (e.g. lua, gui...)
diff --git a/libs/s25main/desktops/dskGameLobby.cpp b/libs/s25main/desktops/dskGameLobby.cpp
index 10ac875659..bd3392a9cf 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/desktops/dskGameLobby.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/desktops/dskGameLobby.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include "ingameWindows/iwMsgbox.h"
 #include "lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.h"
 #include "network/GameClient.h"
+#include "network/GameServer.h"
 #include "ogl/FontStyle.h"
 #include "gameData/GameConsts.h"
 #include "gameData/const_gui_ids.h"
@@ -102,6 +103,13 @@ dskGameLobby::dskGameLobby(ServerType serverType, std::shared_ptr<GameLobby> gam
             RTTR_Assert(gameLobby_->isHost());
             LOG.write(_("Lua was disabled by the script itself\n"));
             lua.reset();
+        } else
+        {
+            if(const auto num = lua->GetNumPlayersFromScript())
+            {
+                GAMESERVER.SetNumPlayers(num);
+                gameLobby_->setNumPlayers(num);
+            }
         }
         if(!lua && gameLobby_->isHost())
             lobbyController->RemoveLuaScript();
diff --git a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.cpp b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.cpp
index 8f29d5658f..5b24778a53 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.cpp
@@ -247,3 +247,13 @@ bool LuaInterfaceSettings::IsMapPreviewEnabled()
     }
     return true;
 }
+
+unsigned LuaInterfaceSettings::GetNumPlayersFromScript()
+{
+    kaguya::LuaRef func = lua["getNumPlayers"];
+    if(func.type() == LUA_TFUNCTION)
+    {
+        return func.call<unsigned>();
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.h b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.h
index a577a3e1ed..931f50c91e 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.h
+++ b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaInterfaceSettings.h
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class LuaInterfaceSettings : public LuaInterfaceGameBase
     /// Get addons that are allowed to be changed
     std::vector<AddonId> GetAllowedAddons();
     bool IsMapPreviewEnabled();
+    unsigned GetNumPlayersFromScript();
 
 private:
     IGameLobbyController& lobbyServerController_;
diff --git a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.cpp b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.cpp
index 3dd5158883..7984ca2ee7 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "ai/AIPlayer.h"
 #include "buildings/nobBaseWarehouse.h"
 #include "buildings/nobHQ.h"
+#include "factories/BuildingFactory.h"
 #include "helpers/EnumRange.h"
 #include "helpers/toString.h"
 #include "lua/LuaHelpers.h"
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ void LuaPlayer::Register(kaguya::State& state)
                                .addFunction("GetNumPeople", &LuaPlayer::GetNumPeople)
                                .addFunction("GetStatisticsValue", &LuaPlayer::GetStatisticsValue)
                                .addFunction("AIConstructionOrder", &LuaPlayer::AIConstructionOrder)
+                               .addFunction("PlaceHQ", &LuaPlayer::PlaceHQ)
                                .addFunction("ModifyHQ", &LuaPlayer::ModifyHQ)
                                .addFunction("GetHQPos", &LuaPlayer::GetHQPos)
                                .addFunction("IsDefeated", &LuaPlayer::IsDefeated)
@@ -259,15 +261,22 @@ bool LuaPlayer::AIConstructionOrder(unsigned x, unsigned y, lua::SafeEnum<Buildi
     return true;
 }
 
+void LuaPlayer::PlaceHQ(MapCoord x, MapCoord y)
+{
+    // Ignore if there is an HQ set in the map file.
+    if(player.GetHQPos().isValid())
+        return;
+
+    GameWorld& world = player.GetGameWorld();
+    const MapPoint mp{x, y};
+    constexpr auto checkExists = false;
+    world.DestroyNO(mp, checkExists);
+    BuildingFactory::CreateBuilding(world, BuildingType::Headquarters, mp, player.GetPlayerId(), player.nation);
+}
+
 void LuaPlayer::ModifyHQ(bool isTent)
 {
-    const MapPoint hqPos = player.GetHQPos();
-    if(hqPos.isValid())
-    {
-        auto* hq = player.GetGameWorld().GetSpecObj<nobHQ>(hqPos);
-        if(hq)
-            hq->SetIsTent(isTent);
-    }
+    player.SetHQIsTent(isTent);
 }
 
 bool LuaPlayer::IsDefeated() const
diff --git a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.h b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.h
index 3335084a51..f15aa6bf78 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.h
+++ b/libs/s25main/lua/LuaPlayer.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "gameTypes/BuildingType.h"
 #include "gameTypes/GoodTypes.h"
 #include "gameTypes/JobTypes.h"
+#include "gameTypes/MapCoordinates.h"
 #include "gameTypes/PactTypes.h"
 #include "gameTypes/StatisticTypes.h"
 #include <map>
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ class LuaPlayer : public LuaPlayerBase
     unsigned GetNumPeople(lua::SafeEnum<Job> job) const;
     unsigned GetStatisticsValue(lua::SafeEnum<StatisticType> stat) const;
     bool AIConstructionOrder(unsigned x, unsigned y, lua::SafeEnum<BuildingType> bld);
+    void PlaceHQ(MapCoord x, MapCoord y);
     void ModifyHQ(bool isTent);
     bool IsDefeated() const;
     void Surrender(bool destroyBlds);
diff --git a/libs/s25main/network/GameClient.cpp b/libs/s25main/network/GameClient.cpp
index f6bf470891..504c086dce 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/network/GameClient.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/network/GameClient.cpp
@@ -323,8 +323,10 @@ void GameClient::StartGame(const unsigned random_init)
             gameWorld.GetPlayer(i).MakeStartPacts();
 
         MapLoader loader(gameWorld);
-        if(!loader.Load(mapinfo.filepath)
-           || (!mapinfo.luaFilepath.empty() && !loader.LoadLuaScript(*game, *this, mapinfo.luaFilepath)))
+        if((!mapinfo.luaFilepath.empty() && !loader.LoadLuaScript(*game, *this, mapinfo.luaFilepath))
+           || !loader.Load(mapinfo.filepath)) // Do not reorder: load lua first, load map second.
+                                              // If the map is loaded first and it does not have a player HQ set, it
+                                              // will not load correctly, even though the HQ may be set using LUA.
         {
             OnError(ClientError::InvalidMap);
             return;
diff --git a/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.cpp b/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.cpp
index 4605f8a1c9..67dbea9263 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.cpp
@@ -526,6 +526,11 @@ bool GameServer::assignPlayersOfRandomTeams(std::vector<JoinPlayerInfo>& playerI
     return playerWasAssigned;
 }
 
+void GameServer::SetNumPlayers(unsigned num)
+{
+    playerInfos.resize(num);
+}
+
 /**
  *  startet das Spiel.
  */
diff --git a/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.h b/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.h
index d4e921a7fd..cf8d3ea735 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.h
+++ b/libs/s25main/network/GameServer.h
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ class GameServer :
     /// Assign players that do not have a fixed team, return true if any player was assigned.
     static bool assignPlayersOfRandomTeams(std::vector<JoinPlayerInfo>& playerInfos);
 
+    void SetNumPlayers(unsigned num);
+
 private:
     bool StartGame();
 
diff --git a/libs/s25main/world/MapLoader.cpp b/libs/s25main/world/MapLoader.cpp
index b3b60b0dcb..746f2a42d4 100644
--- a/libs/s25main/world/MapLoader.cpp
+++ b/libs/s25main/world/MapLoader.cpp
@@ -409,8 +409,9 @@ bool MapLoader::PlaceHQs(GameWorldBase& world, std::vector<MapPoint> hqPositions
         // Does the HQ have a position?
         if(i >= hqPositions.size() || !hqPositions[i].isValid())
         {
-            LOG.write(_("Player %u does not have a valid start position!")) % i;
-            return false;
+            LOG.write(_("Player %u does not have a valid start position!\n")) % i;
+            if(!world.HasLua()) // HQ can be placed in the script, so don't signal error
+                return false;
         }
 
         BuildingFactory::CreateBuilding(world, BuildingType::Headquarters, hqPositions[i], i,