I had something similar happen to me a few months back. I'd spent so much time agonizing over decisions and min maxing everything that the thought of trying to wade through it all again was stifling. In the end I decided to just cheat my way through to where I was again. It still took a solid 100 hours, because I didn't want to cheat too much and I can't help myself but try to min max some things.I've lost mine 96h Save Because of Windows update... i was in the half of Third Ancient War, has someone a save closer to that to help me out?
I'm not saying you should do the same, I'm just prefacing the fact that, while I DO have a save from the start of the Third Arclent War, Simon owns a few more investments than he should really be able to in that save. He also has the highest RP realistically possible by that point and every conceivable point of every hidden stat, and every experience point that can be squeezed out of every encounter. Nothing you couldn't earn legitimately in any of those though, I'm pretty sure. It's Saner Altina and Healed Varia. Didn't back the central Zarantian Government. Pretty sure I went with Orlise.
If the thought of using a save that had someone cheat in is too icky for you, I'd totally understand and you might wanna look for someone else (or do it again yourself. It's just as fun the second time through). Either way, here it is.
I have Simon standing right in front of Janine, with nothing left to do but talk to her and start the war.