Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Rilis is one of the few champions who has nice stats. Not a bug as far as I know.  As for the faction you encountered, that's an independent NPC faction.  It won't grow nor can you deal in a 'civilized manner' with them. 

 

Burn them to the ground or conquer them...  Unless you think they serve as a good buffer between your kingdom and the enemy.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I got the impression that the research on better heroes works something like researching relations with darklings and such - an exceptional hero is created in / near your cities. I would further guess that Rilis is one of those.

But that's guessing. Really.

As for the scattered towns - that's 'mior' factions - single towns and such. Some are led by very exceptional people.

These exceptional heroes or rulers would make good candidates for marriage, I believe, although I'm not sure how you can marry the ruler of a mior nation. If you want diplomacy with them, just right click on its sovereign when you stand as close as you can get. (WIthout declaring war).

I liked that town led by a dragon though. Too bad that's gone. :S

The minor factions also make for decent(ish) convoy targets.