This is functionality I was unaware of. I would prefer not to have to do it at the start of every battle though
I would put money on it being a purely random dice roll, maybe some weight from the kingdoms proximity but not enough to stop sturgia and aserai from being at war close to the start of the some of my games
What if I want two equivalent groups of cavalry on either flank? That doesn't seem very micro intensive at all. I feel like half the people play this game purely by charging all of their troops in at once.
No, but the enemy has to close the distance to your Fians for a second time.
I was specifically thinking of Charm, it's a skill you WILL use, but are unlikely to get points in until much later in the game since you can really only level it by spending influence or releasing lords.