Lord Markin was slowly crushing Magnar, he took him from 4 cities down to 1. Lord Markin's power rating is 200, Magnar's is 20. In the diplomacy screen with Markin, the value of declaring war was 980. So I took it in trade for all his technology and was able to instantly learn 3 new research skills in the tree.
Seems like an exploit if he is crushing Magnar without my help.
