I just got Marnid (or whatever his name is too), and yea, he is definitely going to be doing some non-combat duties for me. Mostly because he is entirely unwilling to come with me as I raid villages.
When you say 600 - 700 troops, I just want to clarify, you mean between you and your lords right? Not just you personally.... My army size (not even at Day 200 yet) is just 90.
With Diplomacy, when should I start being able to take a castle by myself? What are some good troops to have? Without a place to store my troops, I have to use all the ones that are in my warband. In Native, I had gotten a castle by now (seems harder to get your own castle in Diplomacy) and could store my siege units there (less cavalry, more archers and Nord Huskies) until I was ready for siege. Now I find myself having a very hard time winning any siege battles. Renown is just about 300 or so and no lords will follow me. Fighting for the Sultan, I have participated in every major battle besides the taking of Veluca and Halmar (both times I was off raiding) but never received a castle in return for my services. Frankly, the puny Jeriche village fief is not enough to sustain my army when it costs nearly 3k every week, and my other investments only typically bring in about 2.5k. Next time there is peace (as I build up my treasury a lot during war) I will expand my enterprises, but for now, I could really use a castle.
Speaking of enterprises, what are some good ones? Ironworks in Dhirim and Curaw have served me well, and I have a dye works in Praven that continually brings in between 300 and 500. A weavry in Shariz and a few ale-making buildings (can't remember the name) in two of the other Sarranid towns as well.
(Sorry for the thread hijack. And thanks for all the help SkyChef)