Wizard-lords of Nevershyed.
Two powerful unicorns and a pegacorn who rule Nevershyed.
Genius Loci, brother of Numinous, unicorn, studied at the crooked tower when Emerald was there.
Numinous Spirit, sister of Genius, unicorn, mostly taught by her older brother.
Spellfeathers, pegacorn, estranged daughter of Malign Gaze Sr, who deposed her from the overlordship of Nevershyed with the help of Genius and Numinous. (Malign Gaze's other daughter, Malign Gaze Jr, now rules in the remaining part of her mother's territory.)
Though not as evil as some, the wizard-lords are pretty bad - they manage Nevershyed for their own long-term benefit and not for the welfare of its population. Unlike Malign Gaze Sr, though, they aren't doing wicked experiments to make pony aberrations and invent new types of undead, though.
The soil of the area is poor and a high population cannot be supported. Intensive cultivation, raised beds, recycling of fertilizers, and summoning of extradimensional food by wizards are popular. Lately produce from Teardrop island has reached them as well, though the overlords have tried to suppress this to some extent since they don't want RBO propagandizing their subjects.
The wizard-lords have a tower in Nevershyed which is by far the tallest structure in the NE Dusts.
There is an annual summit of eminent wizards in Nevershyed, which Risen Bones formerly attended. He has not in some years (the last year he attended was 3327 before his destruction) but has sent word that he will attend this year. It's whenever the party is in town. Parades will be rehersed and so forth for them to notice. People may think Emerald is a delegate.
This is part of EL's plans. She is planning to assassinate the other attendees and occupy/liberate (depending on your POV) the NE Dusts. The casus belli will be the 'destruction' of Risen Bones at the summit, a false flag operation to be pinned on Malign Gaze Jr. EL/RBO will be assisted by troops from the NW transported over the crystal forest by the stolen missing aeropony ship (who have been moving them from the NE; RBO has promised to aid them in achieving a peaceful succession from New Equestria as part of the to-be-founded Harmonic Empire Dominion of the Ashen Sea, and to destroy the forces of The Swift One. The Northwesterners also did most of the capturing of the aeropony ship, RBO supplying the antichangeling weapon which is also pretty much how Ruby got one.)
Risen Bones being destroyed will allow EL to officially take over; the occupation of the NE Dusts will allow it to take place at a high point.
The question of why RBO obviously prepared (the NW troops) is legitimate. The claim will be that they were gated in, an incredible feat of magical prowess intended to overawe potential enemies of RBO. The person who explains this will believe it is true; EL obviously knows it isn't, and is willing to confide in the party of asked privately (hopefully Akasha doesn't just shout "YOU LIE" at her in front of a bunch of people... a risk I guess)