I have some questions:
1) Is Averland ALLIED with Marienburg, or does it just have a trade deal with them? Why would they Ally with them and piss off ALL the neighboring provinces?
Looks like it is according to the background and timeline that has been provided.
2) Why would Averland make a deal with a city some ~550 miles away from them? We're talking the distance from Washington DC to Detroit. That's a LONG way to march/send food.
I believe what's been provided mentions a trading pact of some kind.
3) Why wouldn't the other breadbasket southern provinces join them?
I'm guessing Averland has been allied with marienburg via their connections to Tilea and Estalia via the Border Princes through the Black Fire pass. I question how ise Averland's leadership is regarding this, and yet with wide spread famine, I suspect they obtaining food by providing soldiers for the upcoming fight.
Also, my understanding is the bulk of the campaign will occur in the Marienburg area.
(GP's fluff only
... although I can see how Orc's could create problems for the trade route through Black Fire Pass (particularly since I just bought the 6th edition Empire Orc box and have begun painting
), not to mention the Sigmarites being just a bit annoyed when they discover Averlanders fighting in the Marienburg area. Hopefully Averland will have enough sense to keep a few troops home for the defense of their borders, just in case the Sigmarites decide to make a thrust in the Averland direction.
)