Is this still ongoing? I'd like to weigh in, as the player of the sole land-owning noble of FR.
Paul saw firsthand two single-region realms withstand direct assaults from multi-realm coalitions; he was on the other side. Eventually they won out, but it was lengthy and costly for the aggressors. Now he finds himself in the same situation, but regionally he has many allies, having paid his dues to Phantaria and D'Hara. Asylon considers GF cursed, so they will not attack, and FR has a non-aggression treaty with Astrum, which it fully intends to uphold. So it will not fall due to enemy action.
Starvation is an issue. However, with Farrowfield to feed as well, starvation has been an issue for FR for a long time. The realm was simply unable to feed itself. Due to treaties with various entities, they were unable to expand. Asylon's resurgence is thus a boon to Golden Farrow. As their own food situation stabilizes and they grow their borders, they will have more food to sell than FR's rurals alone did, and Paul pays top coin for every bushel. The realm may fall due to starvation, but that was always a danger.
In my opinion, FR as a single region stands a better chance of survival than before. It will not be a very exciting realm, but Paul Marlboro doesn't care for excitement. He sees gold, and lots of it, and now has no obligation to spend it on throwaway armies to back the ally-of-the-day. There is no politicking separating him from his gross profits. Ever since he first swore an oath to Allison Kabrinski, then-margravine of the city, he knew he wanted it all to himself. Now he's finally got it. This wasn't a realm merger, it was a power play. It may turn out to be a really stupid one, but the dice haven't finished rolling.
