Knights of Tezoth

I

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

The geographical fragmentation of settlements greatly complicates the defense of this region's territories. The fortified positions of Grimgale, Frozenhope, and especially Blacksoul are capable of giving their defenders an advantage in defending against sea 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 axeman. 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. Unless the assassins from Grimgale, at the cost of their vulnerability, manage to deal equally well with both the first problem and the second, if their arrows manage to find their mark.

Revnland's main strength lies not at all in its economy or army, but in the capabilities of its figures, around which the region will build its strategy. The Dumb Terror 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 her of political figures and talented generals of future opponents. 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 indispensable opportunity.

But within it also lies a threat hidden from Carneya, should she suddenly let her guard down or in any way lose her faithful advisor in the person of my lord 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 able to fully exploit its vulnerability to air attacks. The latter completely negate the advantage of the warrior women of Lesszen, while possessing both tactics aimed at eliminating individuals like my lord Ghostdrain and a lord 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 lacks neither figures, nor finances, nor territories, and Lord Githgood'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 unscathed, it is precisely Florenzan. Through sound diplomatic decisions, it can even increase its influence. With the exception of large alliances that are unlikely to find this land on their list of enemies, only Revnland and Swordgard can shake Githgood Flowersense's 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 immediate neighbor.

If it happens that each of the factions fighting for the throne of Tezoth fails, losing its key figure in one way or another, 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 Flowersense.

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 of Sanbornia 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 Osha will be able to survive their attack. They can be dealt with, but losses will most likely be unavoidable. Especially considering Sanbornia's large reserves of aconium, 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 Osha are among the harshest, if not the harshest, warriors in the kingdom. If weapons from Oliver fall into their hands, then even among the knights only a few will be able to deal with 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 Osha 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 my lady 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, given the Knight of Wisdom's rich knowledge in the field of 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 Osha's sleeve. Especially if this expertise also proves capable of revealing or multiplying the capabilities of the aforementioned artifact.

If there is 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, combined with the intrigues of his mistress. Even the protective properties of the mirror will, sooner or later, give way here. 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 get it for herself.

Of course, if my lady Blood decides to act more cautiously, not risking exploiting the vulnerability of neighboring lands, this will slow down Osha'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 Silverdane into an actual one.

Despite the wealth of the lands and the giftedness of my lord Vermgrace himself, in the early days of the conflict Estellia will be extremely vulnerable to attacks from more prepared neighbors. First of all, the Village of Heroes, although aggression from Kanamia or even Luniya cannot be ruled out either.

If Galmeus Draxlaüs decides to attack, then 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 enemy, or being captured during another sortie.

The Kanamians 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 my lord Vermgrace's enemies will be turned against themselves.

If this region manages to deal with a potential attack from the Village of Heroes, then Kanamia, 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 my lord Vermgrace, should he survive the probable assassination attempt on his person.

What follows after that, however, I dare not guess. But it is important to note that the stronger Estellia grows, the easier it will be for her 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 aconium, so rare and valuable in the art of war, could 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 can compete with Albus in terms of potential army flexibility, but they cannot boast the same brute force as 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 question, 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 this future to his subjects, even if he needs to go to war against one of his neighbors. In view of the factional struggle that has engulfed the north and east, most likely his eye will 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 Sjöfnlofn'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-factor 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 dire situation. 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 Swordgard's lands greatly facilitates their defense even outside the context of the destructive magic of the returned Deus. Emcia Transcend's predisposition to 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, force one to reckon with Swordgard 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, Swordgard 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 Swordgard to hastily seek new allies, since for Kanamia 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 Swordgard from a potential threat to Silverdane 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, such as Manu of Sanbornia himself, could exploit. Secret operations from Kanamia cannot be ruled out either, as it may desire to rid itself of the ghost of the past while enlisting the help and loyalty of the slighted heiress.

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

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

If Deus's knights manage to deal with the chaos engulfing their region and reorganize in time, they will have at their service potentially one of the strongest, if not the strongest, armies in the kingdom, reinforced by many talented warriors and generals.

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

Therefore, if the Kanamians 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. If Lorelei maintains its loyalty to the crown, support from this region could 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 would not only become a source of valuable experience for Mariarnelia, but 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 my lord 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 enemy, can support with its own forces, with minimal risks to itself. At least, until the scales tip in favor of the neighbor serving as a shield.

But all the security of these lands rests on Fantasy and my lord 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 my lord Liiron is probably counting on may also not pay off.

In the context of our potentially overlapping interests, should events not develop according to the Faradjian scenario, I admit the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation with it. Especially if Teneressa, having finished training its warriors, desires 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, the taking of Kerves seems to me a more difficult task than the taking of 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 all of these are likely prototypes, untested in wartime conditions, 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 this region cannot overcome with military might alone. Given the unpredictability of the fruits of the Faradjian ruler's scientific genius, 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 only 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 drawback 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.

Due to the peculiarities 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 more difficult for them, forcing them to rely more heavily on numerical superiority.

In case of war, Kabocha will hardly be able to cope with its southern neighbor, Florenzan. The western neighbor, Micu, will also be a difficult target for Kabocha. But I cannot say the same about Swordgard or the Archipelago of Furious Waves. In the first case, a swift taking of Talea or Asteria alone should be enough to force the returned Deus into deep defense. If Kabocha manages to take both cities at once, Swordgard 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 the coordinated efforts of its neighbors and a lack of commanders will be able to slow them down.

Silverdane'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, although not comparable to that of other giants, is still higher than that of many other regions of the kingdom.

I would call the main drawback of our situation the inconvenient position, where each of our immediate neighbors represents a potential danger, in the long or short term. And this is not 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 rapid onslaught, with the goal of returning the trifecta of Tempesta-Novelette-Makiat to Silverdane 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 Ikazkan, allowing us to dictate the terms of the conflict and delay the arrival of potential reinforcements.

Sanbornia, although not possessing the same military might, forces us to carefully watch our borders, in case of sabotage from Manu of Sanbornia. If we fail to deal with the self-proclaimed lord, we will hardly be able to return these lands to the bosom of Silverdane. 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 have to rely solely on the fact 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 aconium warriors is extremely dangerous in a direct clash.

Swordgard, 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 only risks weakening both himself and us while the winner of the Revnland-Kanamia conflict gathers strength and consolidates power. It would be far more useful for him to remove the obstacles that separate Swordgard from Kanamia and Revnland, while 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 Silverdane.

A similar situation exists with Osha. They have more vulnerable targets, as well as a probable aggressor in the person of Swordgard, as a result of which war with us is not in their interests. However, if this region succeeds in its conquests, it may eventually 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 for the negotiator. Moreover, at the moment 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, Osha risks becoming a threat to Silverdane.

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 deal with this region. But this very fact also makes it a priority target for many ambitious rulers. A threat that must be nipped in the bud.

The huge financial cushion, the masterful training of soldiers by my lord Valentine, the discipline inherent in local warriors, and Guildaria's decent production capacities currently 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 fight a war on several fronts. A war between Guildaria and Albus seems to me a likely event of the near future, capable of leading to its loss of not only its territories, but also key figures. Without talented commanders, they simply will not be able to cope with the military genius of my lord Secretgarten, and even Skaurr will not be an obstacle for Albus.

Sanbornia may also desire to expand its territories at the expense of its former, now forced to defend itself on two fronts at once, ally. Especially in light of the fact that Guildaria will find it difficult to oppose anything to the aconites, capable of defeating most Guildarian warriors with a single blow. Only numerical superiority, or the defensive talents of my lord 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 blow from this direction, having turned its attention to Kanamia.

They will have to act quickly. The longer the conflict drags on, the more time my lord Vermgrace 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 Kanamian knights, for completely unrelated reasons. If the Village of Heroes' onslaught stalls, then further defense of Estellia's borders against future encroachments will pose no difficulty for my lord Vermgrace.

Despite all its advantages, such as developed industry, a professional organized army, and talented generals, Lorelei was also unlucky enough to serve as Kanamia's shield against Revnland. And although the talents of both the Loreleian warriors and my lord Sarigon are as if honed specifically for confronting individuals like Ardas Ghostdrain, they will be able to oppose nothing to Karnarez's skill. 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 cope with the Dumb Terror, and that takes time. From the point of view 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 seeking an ally in the person of larger regions. For example, Florenzan.

The exception to this is a fantastic scenario where Lorelei's armies truly manage to cope with my lord Ghostdrain. In such a scenario, my lord Mraksvet has a chance, with a single 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 only the abundance of strong, but not inflexible, knights and access to the strongest weapons in Tezoth. The defense of territories is somewhat complicated by the unfortunate location of the border town of Olivia, despite the compact and convenient location of the other cities.

In case 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, which would leave 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

Given 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 gathering troops will take Lord Druugdrdrag considerable time. By then, 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 anything to her.

The only option in which the situation could change, I see, is Luniya's capture of part of Estellia's territories, in the event that the Village of Heroes, or Kanamia, manages 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 unyielding lord desire it, would be Swordgard, 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 will 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.