On Lighthearters growing powers
Perhaps have a deputy? This is a lot for one person as has been easily noticable for awhile. I'm sure it isn't written in stone that it has to be run by one person. Even if your deputy/second doesn't handle the save just someone to keep track of everything and provide a second voice of
AUTHORITY would probably ease some of the burden.
I know Nukeknockout probably keeps you informed of anything you miss and he doesn't but he's a player not a
VOICE OF AUTHORITY so... yeah.
I've allways thought if someone ever seemed to be in the final stages of starting a third Realpolitik i'd caution them to have one person handle the save and rules and one to handle the story and political drama
On the War
Wow, well we still havn't seen a screen-shot but your words are pretty much condemning our chances... ouch indeed. As has been said in the end it would be Arya's last choice as leader.
Personally though i'd treat it like gambling. If we go for an easier option, wether a smaller scale terrain battle or narrative battle (didn't understand the last option) then the risk for loosing could be greater.
For example, in a narrative, Arya could call ALL of Ravus-york to raise up arms, thus providing an army but risking the whole city. If we failed the city would be too small for Rome to keep and it would be razed. Thus the risk.
Stratigically could be useful to yourself but i'm unsure what our debt would be for failure. Perhaps the Romans wish to destroy the holy city and would hold the city but burn all the Christians? Thus a Crusade against us.
Well i'm sure people get the idea... If we make it easier we should risk more for our losses if we end up loosing anyway.
On the Financial Crisis
This is of our own devising not yours. We are not in a position for war but we have to anyway. Not even a nice move for veteren players. If we were at peace we would be going for currency for it's extra trade routes and the ability to build a market in the holy city to best take advantage of that +1 gold per religious city trait when it comes online. (perhaps a money wonder like the collosus as well)
Pillaging should help us untill we get there. By my count it should be 20 turns till the Great Prophet pops (i could be wrong). We should send a un-used galley to search for peaceful civ cities (we have to see them to be able to trade with them). Currency should be prioritised in trade asap as once we get it we can trade gold for our useless back techs. And has been mentioned civics help.