Legacy of Shantiri

I didn't want to write, but the author asked me to. I'm playing as Haven. I think I started well, got full ballistics, mentored my troops, and developed well overall. But then a lot of Barbarians appeared. In a direct battle, I suffered significant losses; I can only fight them in the castle. I eliminated a few, but the rest hid and are waiting. Sitting and waiting means losing. Maybe I should really weaken the Barbarians. I want to continue playing.