Variables

Maroth.

This is the variable that no one in Vernium and even Arial himself could have anticipated. Varnikar surrendered to Arial. 

Arial gained Maroth without even moving a single soldier. If only all of the states in the Shadowlands could be won like that, Arial would settle this in a month. 

But, this a rare and almost unreplicable feat. 

Varnikar is not like the other High Lords and because Arial now has Maroth, the situation of Shadowlands is now very different than anyone could have thought

Among the warlords that rise since the Shadowlands was lifted out from the shadows, Arial is the only one that have great foundation and he now has two states under his belt.

Among the warlords, he is the most promising and Arial city state of Balhae is now full of people wanting to join his army. 

With Maroth, Arial had many more advantage and room to make his move. 

They all look at the map and then Arial ask