If you join the Aserai they are likely not going to give you aserai fiefs, but give you fiefs they conquer from other factions, so this -loyalty on fiefs isn't important for this. You should look over the culture perks at the games start. I like the Battanian one very much and think the rest are garbage. If you plan on being in the desert a lot though, the Aserai one might be useful. However likely most of you warfare will be in foreign faction's areas taking their stuff and chasing them around there.
Bow is really useful, throwing is..... not as useful.... you can always just carry some throwing weapons for fun anyways though. When push comes to shove being able to use a good bow can get a lot of work done.
It will work. Lots of ranged in a good position is the most important part of battles in Bannerlord. The Horse archers in this game are also very useful (unlike warband) and serranid's Aserai's got them too. Even sieges are much easier with more ranged units in a good position.
I haven't tried a controller so I don't know what problems there might be, but I think it's fine to use 2 groups. I think of Bannerlord tactics as you have the bait and the gun, 1 thing is engaging or attracting the AI's attention while another thing does ranged damage on them. Even with 5 or 6 groups this is still what's going on, just with more intricate firing positions.