I was going to suggest you sending the save file and I could see how it compared to my map situation, but we may not be on the same patch version (I went with GoG). This might also be why your map situation is different.

I also remembered something I did at the start, in turn 1 I immediately retreated out of one of my territories because it was next to an overwhelming enemy force. Because I had stockpiled 100 gold I was able to retake that territory the very next turn, and go on to stomp the adjoining territory on the following turn.

As far as race relations went I went with Ophelia to check out a claim one of the writers made on this forum. Consequently I annoyed the undead immensely and got no other bonuses.

As far as the RTS went my strategy was similar on normal (which is still a pretty low difficulty), the only difference is I would frequently either fake out taking a map point so as to stall for time, or use Trooper's building capture ability (which is completely overpowered) to take anything the enemies took early on. When the dragon spawned I was generally able to completely overrun the enemy around the capture points and gain an economic advantage. Lastly I'd just blob into the enemy base. In Chapter 3 things have gotten harder so I have to make feints to lure the enemy army away from his base.