This might apply more to Tasalak than Ikalak, since they were stronger and more organized from the beginning.
But you don't always have to fight to take regions - sometimes you need to fight their armies, too. Ikalak's behavior this long and late is pretty inexplicable, to me at least.
Regarding reset: I propose we do without the Ruler's channel, and make it clear that WI collusion is a "kick you off the island" offense.
We had great fun RPing in Sandalak, but the whole island could have been a lot more so with a proper three-way fight like it was designed to be.