Tiaral

Let me put it this way: when the Hospitallers left Palestine, that's exactly the goal they set for themselves (and as a result of their wanderings, they became the Knights of Malta).

Rhodes was seized from Byzantium, which was considered heretical and pagan. And Malta was given to them in exchange for vassal service. And all this time, the order genuinely declared that its primary goal was to fight against pagans.

We also won't be able to expand our activities without causing conflict with someone, no matter what our goals are.

That's one thing, but to immediately declare yourself a gang that wants to seize someone else's land, regardless of who it belongs to, is another.

Added 1 minute ago

Random guys are unlikely to have such a clear goal, unless they are all peasants under Ples (or butlers like Jeeves, hehe).

Why is that? You give land to a lord, and he gives you prestige, wealth, and women. And if the lord is young, you can even become his trusted advisor, if you know what I mean.

You can swear allegiance to Sarceid, whose vassals have an acceptable level of autonomy...

It's better to help the communist from Rheima (I've already forgotten her name, lol) than the vampires.