Knights of Tezoth

I

Despite its size, Revnland cannot boast either wealth or established production, and the spoiled relations with Vistory Sjofnlofn effectively cut off their access to flying mounts, making Revnland's armies extremely vulnerable to attacks from the air.

The geographic fragmentation of settlements greatly complicates the defense of this region's territories. The fortified positions of Grimgale, Frozenhop, and especially Blacksoul are capable of giving their defenders an advantage in defense against naval attacks and encroachments from the south, but they do not solve either the logistics problem or the problem of the small number of defenders themselves.

The region's military forces also, for the most part, leave much to be desired. Only the recruits from three locations deserve attention. Despite all their skill, against armored warriors, the fallen swordsmen of Dusqwing will prove little better than a simple warrior with an axe. The warrior women of Lesszen will skillfully handle dangerous lone opponents, but such situations are rare in war, and achieving numerical superiority will not be easy for Revnland. Except perhaps the assassins from Grimgale, at the cost of their vulnerability, will manage equally well with both the first problem and the second, if their arrows manage to find their target.

Revnland's main strength lies not at all in economy or army, but in the capabilities of their figures, around which the region will build its strategy. The Mute Horror will replace a mediocre army, conquering enemy cities single-handedly, gradually opening access for its mistress to more promising recruits and richer lands. Karnarez will methodically rid future opponents of their political figures and talented generals. And Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret herself, with her intrigues and cells of sleeping agents, will compensate for the remaining shortcomings of her domains, or even conquer other regions from within.

One cannot ignore the support of the ruler by the Temple of the Dawn Raven, ready to supply her with lost souls for her service. A gift that is unpredictable and, depending on their personal qualities and motives, potentially dangerous, but capable of providing this region with, if not unique advantages, then at least a steady influx of competent figures. For someone seeking to expand their domains, that is an irreplaceable opportunity.

But within it also lies a threat hidden from Carneya, should she suddenly weaken her vigilance or in any way lose her faithful advisor in the person of milord Gayaavl. If we take into account the case with the Mirror of Ambitions, it becomes abundantly clear that the priesthood of the Dawn Raven is not an ally of Revnland and is a separate party playing its own game.

This region should also fear its immediate neighbors in the persons of Luniya and Lorelei. The former not only have a direct path to the region's capital, but are also capable of fully exploiting its vulnerability to air attacks. The latter completely negate the advantage of the warrior women of Lesszen, while at the same time possessing both tactics aimed at eliminating individuals like milord Gostdrein and milord Sarigon capable of fully implementing them. I dare to suggest that it is to this very general that the legendary assassin will head in the coming days.

Florenzan experiences no shortage of figures, finances, or territories, and Lord Githgud's wise position of neutrality allows his region to slowly accumulate strength and wait while other regions spend the lives of their warriors and resources on internecine conflicts. It is enough to simply watch one's borders and gradually develop cities, keeping an eye on maturing threats.

If any region is capable of emerging from this conflict unharmed, it is Florenzan. Through sound diplomatic decisions, it is even capable of multiplying its influence. Except for major alliances, which would hardly find this land on their list of opponents, only Revnland and Sordgard can shake Githgud Flowersens' position, and perhaps Faradjia, full of surprises. But none of these regions, at the moment, has any reason to seek conflict with the land of merchants. And only one of them is its direct neighbor.

If it turns out that each of the factions fighting for the throne of Tezoth fails, in one way or another losing its key figure, I can easily imagine Florenzan forming a coalition of independent kingdoms as an additional guarantor of its own security. But only if power still remains in the hands of Lord Flowersens.

If misfortune befalls the current ruler and someone more ambitious comes to replace him, Florenzan will have every chance not only to significantly expand its already considerable territories, but also to overcome other major players. It has more than enough resources and figures for this.

The abilities of the Daughter of the Sun guarantee Sanbornia almost complete protection from external interference, allowing Manu Sanbornian not only to maintain control over the territories occupied by him and his followers, but also to prepare for further actions without any risks to himself.

His warriors are as fanatical as they are formidable — only someone like the knights of Oshi will be able to survive their attack. They can be dealt with, but losses will most likely be unavoidable. Especially considering Sanbornia's large stocks of aconite, which will allow Manu to equip his soldiers far better than the soldiers of future opponents.

As long as Sanbornia is shielded from any possible threats, Manu will have the opportunity to act on terms extremely favorable to himself. This makes him a very dangerous neighbor and opponent.

As I already wrote in another of my works, the most likely course of action for this region seems to me an early expansion into the lands of Olivus, followed by a withdrawal into deep defense. Even without access to high technology, the knights of Oshi are among the harshest, if not the harshest, warriors in the kingdom. If weapons from Oliver fall into their hands, then even among knights only a few will be able to handle them. Even encroachments from such an inconvenient neighbor as Sanbornia will not be so terrible.

In another situation, I would note the lack of figures and commanders as the main limiting factor for future expansion, if Oshi succeeds in the first phase of its actions, but the peculiarities of the Mirror of Ambitions do not allow me to do so. Any captured knight risks becoming a puppet of milady Blood, and any captured warrior will swell the ranks of her army.

There are also reasons to believe that the shadow ruler of these lands is one of the few capable of negating Sanbornia's advantage and bypassing the seemingly absolute protection of the Daughter of the Sun, due to the Knight of Wisdom's rich knowledge in theology. The brute force of this region's knights and the peculiarities of the Mirror of Ambitions are far from the only trump cards up Oshi's sleeve. Especially if this expertise also proves capable of revealing or multiplying the capabilities of the aforementioned artifact.

If anyone Anelle Blood should fear, it is Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret. If anything can cross out Wisdom's new ambitions, it is the talents of the legendary assassin. But most likely, the ruler of Revnland will not rush into this. Such an agent of chaos in a northern region so far from her own domains would even be to her advantage. Unless the dawn bird whispers to Her Cunningness about Wisdom's new toy and she wants to acquire it for herself.

Of course, if milady Blood decides to act more cautiously, not risking exploiting the vulnerability of neighboring lands, this will slow down Oshi's potential growth. At the same time, it will introduce uncertainty into the direction of their future expansion, which may well turn the land of sages from a hypothetical threat to Silverdan into an actual one.

Despite the wealth of the lands and the giftedness of milord Vermgrays himself, in the early days of the conflict Estellia will be extremely vulnerable to attacks from better-prepared neighbors. First and foremost, the Village of Heroes, although aggression from Kanamiya or even Luniya cannot be ruled out either.

If Galmeus Draxslaus decides to attack, a strike at the very heart of Estellia — at Bright — is the most logical option. Such giants must be defeated before they have time to realize the advantage granted to them by their vast domains. Otherwise, the forces of the Village of Heroes risk either falling victim to a counterattack from a recovered opponent, or being captured during another sortie.

The Kanamiyans will also have a hard time when it comes to military clashes, since even their knights, for the most part, are not protected from Estellian arrows striking straight at the heart. The strength of milord Vermgrays' enemies will be turned against themselves.

If this region manages to deal with a potential attack from the Village of Heroes, then Kanamiya, plunged into chaos, will most likely break under the onslaught of a coordinated and organized Estellian army. Most likely, the occupied capital will become the main bargaining chip in the hands of milord Vermgrays, should he survive the probable assassination attempt on his person.

What follows after that, however, I will not venture to guess. But it is important to note that the stronger Estellia grows, the easier it will be for it to defend against potential opponents and, theoretically, capture their commanders.

The tragedy that befell these lands disfigured the lands of Albus, changed its inhabitants, and almost completely destroyed the region's economy, but it could not break the spirit of the survivors. Despite the losses suffered, as well as the current poverty of the territories, I find this region one of the favorites of the coming conflict.

One of the reasons for this is the defensive advantage these lands now possess. Devoid of economic and production capacities, the half-ruined cities of Albus are of little value even to the most ambitious and land-hungry rulers. And the R-factor, capable of destroying any invasion army, serves as an additional reason why attempts to capture these territories, even if successful, will hardly ever pay for themselves.

At the same time, it cannot be said that Albus is completely devoid of economic advantages. Access to aconite, so rare and valuable in the art of war, can serve the region both on the military and diplomatic fronts.

Nor does it lack mighty figures, whose main talents are geared precisely toward war, and the surviving warriors of this land are not far behind them. Only Guildaria is capable of competing with Albus in terms of potential army flexibility, but they cannot boast the same brute force of the ambitious neighbor's host.

But the future of this region is covered in dark clouds. It is unknown whether the R-effect has affected the lifespan of those Albusians who managed to preserve their selves. It is unknown whether their children will be protected from the new realities of the lands. It is unknown whether they will even be able to continue their lineage. Even the question of food is in doubt, if this land is now unsuitable for agriculture.

For survival, for building its future, Albus will need lands. And Lord Secretgarten will undoubtedly make every effort to give his subjects that future, even if he needs to go to war against one of his neighbors. In view of the factional struggle engulfing the north and east, his eye will most likely fall on the weakened Guildaria. Especially in the context of Sanbornia's potential motive for revenge for all the lives taken by the tragedy.

The region has two weaknesses. First, due to the destroyed economy, the Flawless Lord will not be able to afford Vistory Sjofnlofn's services in the long term. This means the absence of cavalry in Albus's armies, implying that they will not be able to put the mutated creatures of their long-suffering homeland into their service. It is not a fact, however, that the mounts would have survived the long-term effects of the R-effect even if the region had retained any wealth.

Second, the main force that unites the inhabitants of Albus and its knights is the young heir of the previous lord. It is his noble figure that many of them see as the savior who will lead this once-prosperous region out of its deplorable state. With his death, Albus's hope will also die, which other favorites of the Tezoth war will certainly try to exploit.

The convenient location of Sordgard's lands greatly facilitates their defense even outside the context of the destructive magic of the returned Deus. Emcia Transcend's predisposition for business makes its economy deceptively strong for a land primarily famed for the martial craft, and the inspiring presence of Adata and the secrets of sorcery brought by His Piety, together with the military traditions of this land, tested by a century-long battle against the monsters of Regret, make Sordgard a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The diplomatic trump card up the sleeve, bearing the name Astorotia, and the mighty knights are merely the icing on the cake.

Although Renavan's faction is tied to his returned figure, the same cannot be said of the region itself, whose strengths are distributed among several important figures. Even having lost its liege, in one way or another, Sordgard will remain an important player on the global arena. It is not excluded that the mastery of a new branch of magic will continue even in the event of His Piety's premature death. But, of course, such a scenario would force Sordgard to hastily seek new allies, since for Kanamiya they will most likely remain traitors to the crown. In view of Renavan's declared mission to unite Tezoth under his leadership, such an outcome would be preferable for us, as it would turn Sordgard from a potential threat to Silverdan into a potential partner. Especially in light of the regions' long-standing friendship and shared interest in protecting the northern borders.

The main threats to the ambitions of the returned Deus are, as usual, Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret, or rather Karnarez in her service, and, as I mentioned earlier, internal instability, which external forces, in the person of the same Manu Sanbornian, could exploit. Secret operations from Kanamiya cannot be ruled out either, which may wish to rid itself of the ghost of the past, while enlisting the help and loyalty of the deprived heiress.

Until then, however, as long as Renavan's figure remains on the board, even those possessing the mightiest armies will not dare to encroach upon Sordgard's territories, while the conquests he himself carries out will allow the land of warriors to turn the fallen champions of the enemy to their own service. Sordgard will move toward its goal slowly, but inexorably.

The calamities that have befallen the capital region are no reason to underestimate its strength. Especially if the Village of Heroes resolves the Estellian problem for Kanamiya, granting it such valuable preparation time.

If Deus's knights manage to deal with the chaos engulfing their region and manage to reorganize in time, they will have at their service potentially one of the strongest, perhaps even the strongest, armies in the kingdom, reinforced by many talented warriors and generals.

However, time, at the moment, is working against them. While Kanamiya's knights are busy resolving local issues, their neighbors are weaving intrigues and preparing their armies. By playing her cards correctly, Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret is capable of leaving neither Deus Mariarnelia nor her faithful knights a single chance.

Therefore, if the Kanamiyans wish to emerge victorious from this conflict, they will have to carefully weigh every action and decision. A mistake could prove fatal both for them and for their liege. In the event that Lorelei maintains loyalty to the crown, the support of this region may also be of direct interest to them.

To some extent, this crisis can be called a test of Tezoth's strength, as well as that of its current ruler. She has chances of emerging victorious from the conflict. And this outcome will not only be a source of valuable experience for Mariarnelia, but will also strengthen the legitimacy of her power, potentially forcing doubting and neutral regions to take her side. Such a development would significantly complicate Cortina's achievement of independence.

II

A relatively wealthy region, whose main strength lies in its convenient defensive position and, thanks to the efforts of milord Liiron, its preparedness for the coming conflict. This allows Teneressa not only to begin equipping its army from the very first days, but also not to worry about spreading its forces across several strategically important points at once.

The region's convenient location also guarantees it buffer space in the form of a neighbor controlling Makiat and Tempesta, which Teneressa, in case of danger from a future opponent, can support with its own forces, with minimal risks to itself. At least, as long as the scales do not tip in favor of the neighbor serving as a shield.

But all the security of these lands rests on Fantasy and milord Dragonheart. If they fall, then Teneressa will fall too. Not least because it is in this fortress that most of the region's knights and warriors will be concentrated. Having lost leadership and a convenient defensive position, Teneressa's warriors, who possess no talents worthy of attention, will become easy prey for any half-prepared invader.

The most likely threat to this region, as I already mentioned in my assessment of important figures, is Faradjia. If the islanders truly possess technology capable of erasing cities from the face of Tezoth, Teneressa will have few chances. But the long game that milord Liiron probably counts on may also fail to pay off.

In the context of our potentially overlapping interests, in the event that events do not develop according to the Faradjian scenario, I allow for the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation with it. Especially if Teneressa, having finished training its warriors, wishes to convert Fantasy's production capacities into an additional source of income.

In terms of its defensibility, this region is not much inferior to Teneressa, and in some aspects even surpasses it. In particular, taking Kerves seems to me a more difficult task than taking Fantasy. At the same time, Faradjia is more vulnerable to various kinds of sabotage, implying that its opponents are capable of resorting to such methods.

Faradjia's military forces are distinguished by a variety of unusual features, some of which surprisingly resemble Sithian or Kisgilt magic, and are certainly one of the strongest aspects of this region. Given that these are all likely prototypes, untested in conditions of war, it is logical to assume that this is merely the starting point of Genburry's experiments. Over time, his warriors will only become more dangerous.

One cannot rule out the possibility of sabotage against those opponents that this region cannot overcome with military might alone. In view of the unpredictability of the fruits of the scientific genius of Faradjia's ruler, this makes conflict with him doubly undesirable. Otherwise, even victory could have extremely unpleasant and long-term consequences. The difficulty of taking the island itself serves as an additional argument for this.

If my assumptions regarding the conflict with Teneressa are correct, victory in it will allow Lord Genburry to negate the main shortcoming of his domains. At the same time, if Faradjia truly has access to that device and it is used on Fantasy, this will inevitably attract the attention of Albus and, most likely, result in open confrontation between the two regions.

The relatively modest territories of Kabocha are easy to defend, and the skillful leadership of Lord Odolerus more than compensates for the apparent lack of wealth and production capacities. In the shortest possible time, this region is capable of assembling one of the largest, if not the largest, armies in the kingdom.

In view of the peculiarity of the local crops used by Kabocha's warriors on the battlefield, the region's host poses the greatest danger to opponents who neglect ranged weapons. Battles against archer armies will be harder for them, forcing them to rely more heavily on numerical superiority.

In the event of war, Kabocha will hardly be able to cope with its southern neighbor, Florenzan. The western neighbor, Micu, will also prove a difficult target for Kabocha. But I cannot say the same about Sordgard or the Archipelago of Furious Waves. In the first case, a swift capture of Taleia or Asteria alone should suffice to force the returned Deus into a deep defense. If Kabocha manages to take both cities at once, Sordgard will have no choice but to capitulate. In the second case, a conflict between the regions would most likely end in a swift defeat for the Archipelago.

If Kabocha truly manages to expand its lands, and the local ruler develops plans for further expansion, then only coordinated efforts by its neighbors and a lack of commanders will be able to slow them down.

Silverdan's main advantages are the abundance of flexible figures and military innovations aimed at countering orthodox methods of warfare. The economic potential of our lands, while not comparable to that of other giants, is still higher than that of many other regions of the kingdom.

The main drawback of our situation I would call the inconvenient position, where each of our immediate neighbors represents a potential danger, in the long or short term. And that is without even touching on the question of the threat from the Crater of Regret.

Guildaria, our main opponent, is economically stronger than us and possesses better production capacities. The longer the conflict drags on, the lower our chances in it. Especially if Lord Grimm's Ikazkan expedition proves successful. The wisest course of action seems to me a swift onslaught, with the goal of returning the trifecta of Tempesta-Novelette-Makiat to Silverdan as soon as possible. In addition to achieving one of our immediate goals, this will also negate our neighbor's territorial-production advantage and deprive it of access to the entrance to Ikazka, allowing us to dictate the terms of the conflict and delay the arrival of potential reinforcements.

Sanbornia, while not possessing the same military might, forces us to carefully watch our borders, in case of sabotage from Manu Sanbornian. If we fail to deal with the self-proclaimed lord, we will hardly be able to return these lands to the bosom of Silverdan. He most likely understands this fact perfectly well and will hardly appear on our territory without due confidence in his own victory. Alas, as long as Sanbornia is protected from external influences, its occupier dictates the terms of war, and we must rely solely on the hope that sooner or later Manu will stumble somewhere. If the opportunity arises to deprive him of such an advantage, it must certainly be seized, since even a small detachment of aconite warriors is extremely dangerous in a direct clash.

Sordgard, in view of the goal declared by the returned Deus, represents a potential long-term threat. A Tezoth united under his rule runs counter to the plans for a sovereign Cortina. At the same time, he has no reason to enter into conflict with us now, otherwise he would only risk weakening himself and us while the winner of the Revnland-Kanamiya conflict gathers strength and consolidates power. It would be far more useful for him to remove the obstacles that separate Sordgard from Kanamiya and Revnland, while simultaneously absorbing the allies of either of these two sides. And the threat from the north is just as real for them as it is for Silverdan.

A similar situation applies to Oshi. They have more vulnerable targets, as well as a probable aggressor in the person of Sordgard, as a result of which war with us is not in their interests. However, if this region succeeds in its conquests, it may sooner or later turn its gaze toward us as well. Of all our immediate neighbors, they would be the best candidates for diplomacy, were it not for the peculiarities of the Mirror of Ambitions and the associated risk to the negotiator. Moreover, at present it is unknown whether the power of this artifact will grow over time and spread beyond the region. There is a risk that even without committing acts of aggression toward us, Oshi risks becoming a threat to Silverdan.

Although Guildaria is currently not at the peak of its power, it still remains one of the strongest regions of Tezoth. In the event of the success of Lord Grimm's expedition and his timely return, no one will be able to handle this region. But this same fact also makes it a priority target for many ambitious rulers. A threat that must be nipped in the bud.

The enormous financial cushion, the masterful training of soldiers by milord Valentine, the discipline inherent in local warriors, and the worthy production capacities of current Guildaria make it a formidable opponent. Even its borders are better protected than ours, since it has no reason to fear aggression from Teneressa and Olivus.

But this does not mean that the land of warriors will not have to wage war on several fronts. A war between Guildaria and Albus seems to me a likely event of the near future, capable of leading to the loss of not only its territories, but also its key figures. Without talented commanders, they simply will not be able to cope with the military genius of milord Secretgarten, and even Skaurr will not be an obstacle for Albus.

Sanbornia may also wish to expand its territories at the expense of its former, now forced to defend itself on two fronts, ally. Especially in light of the fact that Guildaria will find it difficult to counter the aconites, capable of defeating most Guildarian warriors with a single blow. Only numerical superiority, or the defensive talents of milord Xezbet, can save it here.

In view of these factors, Guildaria's main goal will not be conquest, but the defense of its own territories, in the hope of Lord Grimm's timely return.

III

Despite its modest size and de facto non-existent economy, through the efforts of its inhabitants, the Village of Heroes is quite capable of coping with its mighty neighbor, should it come to conflict. Not least because Estellia will hardly expect a strike from this direction, having turned its attention to Kanamiya.

They will have to act quickly. The longer the conflict drags on, the more time milord Vermgrays will have to reorganize his troops. Most likely, in this confrontation, the Village of Heroes will try to march straight to the capital via the Todo-Roku-Bright route. If the measures taken by the Knight of Loyalty and his own valor prove insufficient, his march on the capital may end before the first clash with the Kanamiyan knights, for reasons completely unrelated to them. If the Village of Heroes' onslaught stalls, then further defense of Estellia's borders against future encroachments will pose no difficulty for milord Vermgrays.

Despite all its advantages, such as developed industry, a professional organized army, and talented generals, Lorelei was also unlucky enough to serve as Kanamiya's shield against Revnland. And although the talents of both the Loreleian warriors and milord Sarigon are as if honed specifically for countering individuals like Ardas Gostdrein, they will have nothing to oppose to Karnarez's mastery. Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret will hardly find it difficult to decapitate this region and put its military machine at the service of her own ambitions.

Will Lord Gurentses be able to achieve any success in this hypothetical scenario? Hardly. Without a prepared army, his knights will not be able to cope with the Mute Horror, and that takes time. From the standpoint of survival, probably short-term, the most reasonable move for him would be, if not to defect to the side of Her Cunningness, then at least not to hinder her, while simultaneously seeking an ally among the larger regions. For example, Florenzan.

The exception to this is a fantastic scenario where Lorelei's armies truly manage to cope with milord Gostdrein. In such an arrangement, milord Mraksvet has a chance, with one swift onslaught, to rid himself of both the ruler of Revnland herself and the legendary assassin. But this outcome seems unlikely to me. Most likely, Carneya Keykuniya Iretiret perfectly understands the threat emanating from her industrial neighbor.

A region stuck between several fires, whose strengths can be called, at best, the abundance of strong, but not inflexible, knights and access to the strongest weapons in Tezoth. The defense of the territories is somewhat complicated by the unfortunate location of border Olivia, despite the compact and convenient location of the other cities.

In the event of conflicts, Olivus's main goal will be to maintain control over Oliver, as its main military trump card. The loss of this point would be tantamount to defeat, leaving this region not a single chance in future conflicts. However, if Olivus manages to protect its territories, then over time a quite formidable army may come into its service.

An alliance with the neutral Florenzan is the best path to realizing such a future, implying that the region of the Torovians agrees to protect its smaller neighbor. An alliance with a more warlike faction, however, would entail great risks for Olivus's future.

IV

In view of its position, Luniya's chances of surviving the conflict are decent, but that is where it ends. The Dragonfolk are a mighty people, but few in number, and therefore Lord Druugdrdrag will take considerable time to muster troops. By that time, potential opponents will find it easy to secure their borders against potential raids.

If Luniya dares to enter into a conflict with Revnland, which does not seem impossible to me, then its ruler will find it easy to keep the negligent neighbor in check with her sabotage. In such a scenario, Luniya will not have a single chance to oppose her with anything.

The only option in which the situation could change, I see as Luniya's capture of part of Estellia's territories, in the event that the Village of Heroes, or Kanamiya, manage to deliver a decisive blow to it. Additional lands, and with them resources, would significantly increase Luniya's chances of success in this conflict, although they would not protect its leadership from the legendary assassin.

The talents of Lord Ryderson and his warriors run up against the borders of far more formidable neighbors, whose warriors either do not yield to the natives of Micu in valor, or surpass them in numbers. The most promising direction for expansion, should the unbending lord desire it, would be Sordgard, were its borders not protected by the magic of the returned Deus.

Dirk Ryderson will most likely be able to maintain control over his domains. But I doubt that Micu will be able to make a tangible contribution to the coming conflict as anything other than an obstacle in the path of more ambitious rulers, or part of some coalition. Unless some unforeseen event leaves the lands of Micu's neighbors unprotected, or this region acquires some unexpected advantage.

The situation of the Archipelago of Furious Waves is in many ways similar to that of Micu, however, the subjects of Nilchi Imekoh are primarily fishermen and sailors, but not warriors at all. In a naval clash, her forces would most likely prevail, but the nearest ports will hardly prove to be within their reach. An attack on Grimgale would cost the ruler of the Archipelago half her army outright.

The safest course for this region would be to stay out of conflicts, especially since its territorial location is conducive to this, and focus on defending its existing domains, or to conclude an alliance with someone like Florenzan, which is not interested in wars or expansion.