Hmmm.... It depends on the city you start with and who you ally yourself with. When I started with the Nords at Sargot, the Swadians were weak but the Khergits were destroying us. Later... I tried a new game starting in Praveen, but I joined the Vagirs instead. We were weak, the Nords were killing us and the Swadians collapsed in a month. -shrugs- You never know what you're gonna get