Guide to EA C'tis

[RamsHead]

Yes, you should have 10 or more provinces by the end of the first year, not counting your capital. Unless you have independents set higher.

The Solar Disc is a good pretender, but you need research in several schools of magic to allow him to take provinces on his own. He will not be useful right away.

Have your Shamans cast Body Ethereal on the Behemoths to make them much more survivable.