Fr though the shield on the back is kinda odd. I'll keep your idea in mind for a simple mod once I get a grasp on it better (currently learning)
I believe it's based on the fact that Genoese Crossbowmen carried a large portable shield (Pavise) that they would use as cover when reloading.
Obviously not very well represented in-game, since it's treated like any other shield. (LOL I can't imagine even the strongest man trying to hold up a Pavise and swing a Sword at his enemy at the same time, well I suppose it could be done in a pinch like hip firing an LMG.)
You know it's funny Battania was doing well in my latest playthru, they had like 8 Towns. Somehow they effed up and the Western Empire, Vlandia, and Khuzait basically became the dominant super powers at 14,000ish men each. Though somehow the Northern Empire made an amazing comeback from just 1 Town. Simp Empire got wasted. Only reason Vlandia is failing is because they keep picking a fight with me, and I basically wreck them in any scenario with my 1000 man army. Even when they get 2000 man doom stacks I just sneak-in to castle/town and route them. I'm glad the A.I. can at least team up on sieges,
but it is hilariously stupid how a 500 man army will go siege the 1st castle they can, even though my larger 1000 man army is within sight, and will just catch up to them soon as they do.
I was trying to keep Sturgia alive as proxy state/independent clan, but I got tired of sniping Castles/Towns, formed a Kingdom, and cannibalized what was left when they attacked me.
That said I did run into one scenario with Vlandia that was unwinnable in a 500 vs. 500 just because of their superior troop composition. That said I am using my troop mod and a cultural assimilation mod which has greatly lowered rebellions (good thing) but I'm a bit iffy at the speed settlements convert. Really wish there was some kind of built-in cultural conversion mechanic, it's pretty silly that you can hold a fief for years or decades and the culture won't change at all. Notables change culture, but it's very slow and random. It's interesting, but also a bit odd to see multiple cultures in one Town.
Fun Fact: High Roguery will make you stupid rich
Battia feels out of place entirely; like it would make sense if it was like Calradia years -400 to 400.. kinda.. but it's out of place; the empire feels disjointed, they want to have a rome-analog but it's lacking a lot of the foundations of the early mediaval era.
Yeah Battania is basically a Dark Age Celtic Kingdom, in a Medieval setting. They feel really out of place, though it's kind of implied Battania is very old based on their architecture. Would have been nice if Battania was more like a proper Medieval Celtic Kingdom.
Empire is clearly very Byzantine styled, but then they got all these classic Imperial Rome inspirations which feel a bit silly. It's like blending a bunch of ice cream flavors, the end result is you have no real flavor.
I like Vlandia being overly strong. If you want an easy-mode game: join them. If you want a harder game, play on the opposite side of the map from them. If you want the hardest time, go face-to-face against them straight away.
Options are good to have.
The problem isn't that they are overly strong, they are actually pretty weak in base game live battles, it's that
simulated battles (A.I. fought battles) heavily favor them due to their two lines of melee cavalry. Pretty sure it's same with Khuzait and their two horse archer lines.
Only real "easy mode" is recruiting exclusively Fians and Khan's Guards, actually one alone is usually good enough. Making the game harder is irrelevant; you could just use Recruits entire game. Well closest thing to hard mode IMO would be "Mercenaries Only" absolute garbage troops with extra high wages, and spotty recruitment.