[HoneyBadger]

I'm kind of in the same situation as you are, except I'm using a cyclops with 10 earth, 10 water, 10 nature. It's not easy, is it?

My advice is to consolidate your strength. If you need to let a few outlying provinces go, then bite the bullet now before it's too late. A good strategy for alliances is not only to bribe your opponent, but threaten them.

Find the weakest and not only promise them lots of goodies if they join with you, promise them that if they don't, then you'll use all your remaining strength to take them down with you.