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1. Yes, the hero's ability happens before an opponent is given a chance to defend.2. Yes to all, it doesn't matter if you are blocked or not. Note with the last ability that abilities only last until the end of the current phase.3. The dominant can be played anytime (but note that abilities already played must complete - dominants don't interrupt abilities). CM can be played while Handkerchiefs is active, and works normally everywhere (including battle) except territory. In territory, the discard is just delayed until the artifact is deactivated.
Assyrian Camp, Pharoah's throne room, HQ at riblah, High Priests Palace, House at Rimmon.... etc.I consider S. Realm to be pretty useless, only card it stops that is commonly used is Women as Snares.
TTotD is near useless. It's only good against Captain bands, since it grants EE's CBP, not CBN.