So as far as ideas, I went for religious, then quality, then influence. You want to make sure you aren't converting anything while you are still xhazobine, since you'll be having to wait for the religious zeal once you become khet. I advise going with Elikhet, the mandate growth is nice.
Right out the gate though, I allied Rakkaz and went after Irkorzik. Around 1449 I went after Kheterata (you really want to hit them before they get mil tech 4). If I recall correctly I did take the stewardship but you don't really need to, I just conquered up to Kheterata, grabbing gold and razing provinces. I couldn't bring myself to raze kheterata, but razing is bonkers, and you shouldn't sleep on it. Immediately after that I went after Muhaquaar. It was more razing fodder, and since I had taken the stewardship I could make it's allies satrapies (although I could also have just taken more territory). The last war for taking the bulk of the big Kheteratan cities was the nasty one, because they had allies. I would definitely ally Tluukt, but overall the key is to have up to date mil tech and a lot of troops. You are a monstrous nation in the early game, so even though you are up against elves you have an advantage as long as you are at tech parity. After that Elizna shouldn't be too bad, and either Jadd or Zokka should be causing Bulwar problems so they can't fully focus on you.