Astrum is fighting against invasions by Luria Nova (who are trying to colonize them, which isn't going to do a lick of good for the island) and their neighbour Helyg Derwyddon. This is partly a religious war as well as a territorial one. Astrum is well positioned for sending expeditions west, and indeed they are the only ones who hold a reclaimed city. They will definitely be a fun realm to join as you will get immediate action and lots of choices for the future.
The fact that you don't think the colony will be good for the island shows how ignorant you are about what the colony is.It isn't going to be a realm of Lurians. It is a realm for the remnants of the Western realms. I can't say more without ruining IC events, but trust me when I say it is going to be independent of Luria.
