IMO, you are not doing this purely IC. You have said yourself that you are trying to renew and revitalize the island. The end result you desire and the road to it do not agree. There are two large realms that are reluctant to give way to Lukon because there is no fun in trying something that many view as impossible. For the other realms, you have already more or less crippled them to the point where only a few council positions and lords can do anything but boring courtier work, priestly stuff, and sit and RP.
Minas Thalion, for example, haven't had a capital for like a year it seems. Would the majority of players in the game be content to sit in a region unable to recruit, cash bonds, and do even a few minor things that the two actions allow? Sure, it might sound like a cool challenge to rise from the ash to restore a realm, but sit around for a year? It's just not fun.
Personally, I think you should take an alternative route. There was discussion on the forums before about the idea of limited warfare.
Some examples would be:
Oritolon wars OT over claims to Volkanita.
If Oritolon wins, they get the region. If they lose, they pay OT 1000 gold preparations.
Both parties agree to a 3 month period for this war.
Lukon wars Oritolon for rights of passage and preaching. If they win, they get them; however, they pledge to ban any noble who violates a treaty respecting the boundaries.
No realms are destroyed, everyone can be provided some fun challenges, AND we (the players in the Colonies) can test a concept before people decide if it might be a good addition to try on other islands.
War games could even be done in a single realm, I suppose, though limited. The Duchy of Wetham might challenge the Duchy of Portion that their nobles can rack up 500 gold or bushels of food in loot of a foreign realm the quickest. They could have wagered that the losing duchy host or at least finance a tournament in honor of the victor; or some land could be exchanged.
Either way, you could have clear goals that give satisfaction without "changing the balance of the island," as many people worry about in wars. You get your excitement without having done any permanent damage; thus, keeping the fun coming.
This isn't to say we couldn't have serious wars with dire consequences, but it at least would pursue an avenue other than an "all or nothing" mindset that many have.
Hell, even if you want to see Lukon reigning supreme you could flex their might in creative ways. You could impose a war game on other realms, if you wanted. Example:
Lukon wants to see who is the more worthy opponent, Oritolon or Outer Tilog. Lukon gives the terms that the victor must take and hold 3 regions from the loser within 3 months. Lukon will reward the victor 3000 gold, and enforce s treaty that grants the victor control of the regions for 3 months after their win.
Should the two realms refuse, Lukon will sack both capitals until they are reduced by 2 levels of fortification each.
Who knows, the Duchy of Wetham and realm of OT might even have a secret wager that if the duchy rebels and isn't crushed in a month the two will ally, but if they lose they will give away some lands before Lukon can get them.
