Round table

As I see it, here are the possible development paths: a rush across the sea, building up an army in the sea, a rush with a Mage through the upper castles, leveling up a Mage through the upper castles, and leveling up a Warrior in the sandy territory. Plus, there are bonuses in the form of fighting for gold mines and for that artifact. But it seems like there's an overabundance of that artifact, so you can either place guards there or simply replace it.