[Mightypeon]

Eh, that went badly, Shinus assassination spell output is also quite impressive.
Unless Caelum does something while I still have armies, they will definitly win. From my own scout networks, Caelum would stand absolutly no chance 1on1 against Shinuyama. Shinuyama can cast Storm Warriors, can very likely cast Gaias Blessing, and can definitly cast warriors of Niefelheim.
Shinuyama can counter even large armies of me due to having major access to all spell schools (other than Blood). Bakemono Sorcs with Reinvig 8, are quite tough, especially if supported by mistform, arrow fend and army of gold which makes killing them with random shots unfeasable. I can at least do something about Heat from Hell and Firestorm, which will propably rip Caelum a new one if they end up in a major battle.

My main issues is still being in "late midgame" while Shinus is fully in the lategame, as well as some mistakes in Pretender design (should have gone for a rainbow), diplomacy and a lack of true lategame options.

I did kind of precict things, which is why I tried to end Shinuyama early, but Acro intervened. Than came Mictlan, followed by the war with Pythium.
I made another mistake there in offering to prop up Pythium after Shinu/Caelum went for it, which totally faeled due to the subbing issues.

Overall, Black Rose still has the following weaknesses:
-No access to Wards of any kind
-Highly dependent on Earth Income, which was not particularly forthcoming. I didnt check for the -1pathboost on my pretender, who actually cant cast Bloodwell -.-
-Poorer Magic diversity than CBM Ulm.

I failed to transport my midgame advantadges into a truely powerfull lategame position.