Delusions can come in many forms. Delusions of self-worth, abilities or importance. But there are also collective delusions, beliefs that all people of a group share.

Words Are My Shield

While the Kingdom of Tryggr will be the first on the receiving end, Al Khezam are the next most likely kingdom to be on the receiving end. As stated before, no kingdoms leadership feels their people will be on the receiving end and all kingdoms leadership have some degree of naivety.

Al Khezam are not exempt from these human flaws either. Preferring diplomacy over war, the leaders in Dreamland believe that they will still be capable of defending their territory despite their people’s and generals having no experience of combat. Wars bring innovation, innovation in tactics and technology. Simply buying this technology from other kingdoms or adopting tactics that have been successful doesn’t make for a kingdom adaptive to war. Neither will they attract warriors until war arrives. At that point many warriors will have settled elsewhere, fuelling a demand for mercenaries which the kingdom will have to maintain and replenish over a long period of time.

If diplomatic talks break down, they have to rely on other means, means they were not prepared to use.

A One Way Attraction

Had Arkadia not been Al Khezams neighbour, this utopia the peaceful kingdom is striving for would have a greater chance of success. But as Al Khezams economy grows and prosperity and wealth is spread across the land, they become a more attractive target. While their neighbours fight, their people and their leaders will have never seen war. So like an old lion fighting a young lion, the old lion knows how to face certain challenges. However, the young lion has a lot of energy and can use its resources more efficiently. Al Khezam just have to hope that the old lion doesn’t have its energy, because if it does, it’ll have more than double the young lions energy.

The Threat Persists

If Al Khezam are left untouched, and stick with their anti-war policy, they have a very real chance of growing into a prosperous kingdom with a strong influence overseas. Refugees will be drawn to this safe haven and no one will see them as a threat as their military spending will be less than that of their neighbours. Preferring much of their budget spending into growth and colonisation. Therefore, the military tech will not be as advanced.

It cannot be overlooked however that their largest neighbour is twice as big and may want to acquire foreign resources if trade deals are not in their favour. Arkadia could become disgruntled at trading away too many resources or their most valuable resources for a unique resource only Al Khezam have. Even worse, Al Khezam may choose not to trade that unique resource as they may find a better deal elsewhere, or prefer to keep it.

Discussions over trade benefiting both party’s may fail, particularly if Arkadia feel acquiring/stealing the unique resource from border counties is either economically better than trading for it or their only option. If the enemy feel superior, they will be more willing to take risks.

If Not Today, Tomorrow

Disputes can arise over sea territory, trade routes, banditry and any number of challenges Al Khezam may face with their too close for comfort neighbour. It’s no secret that the enemy is very sensitive and won’t hesitate to act aggressively if they don’t get what they want.

The orator tasked with preventing a state who feel superior, righteous, sometimes entitled and aren’t concerned with the costs of aggression, must be one of the sharpest and most persuasive communicators one can find on the continent. For Al Khezams ambition to avoid unnecessary conflict depends on the skill of their most talented diplomat.

If all goes well, they will not be a threat on the mainland. Though they will most certainly be a threat overseas, in turn bringing the threat home.

A pessimist will say that Al Khezams future looks bleak, a realist will say that Al Khezam has a better future than Tryggr and an optimist will say that Al Khezam‘s reliance on diplomacy will safeguard its borders and avoid foreign intervention, inwardly or outwardly.