Great shape to not so great- Warning for Kings...

[iffy]

Well, I was in great shape yesterday.  My kingdom covered almost 1/2 the map. 
That stupid decreasing renown kept pissing me off, but I didn't want to cheat so I figured it was time to declare war.
I decided to go to war with the Sarranids since no one was at war and they control a big portion of the map.  (Swadia is gone, Rhoduks are gone, Nord is small, Khergit is very small)
I took a castle from the Sarranids and the Nords suddenly declared war on me.  Then I took a Khergit city which the Sarranid's controlled.  They immediately besieged Wercheg (which was mine).  I show up with my army of 130 knights and jump in the battle.  We fought off the first wave of about 250 even thought it was 1700 vs. 300.    I thought I could retreat and leave as it was an option during the battle.  After we beat the Nords I was able to leave the city.  It was still under siege so I jumped back in figuring I could leave if/when it got ugly.  I started losing a lot of guys, so I hit the retreat button.  Guess what... you can't leave the city.  I just fought until I was captured.  They took my sword, a book, and about 70K dinars.  I started with 600K dinars, so I'm still okay, but I premanently lost 1 AGI. 
Very shorly after the Khergits declared war.  Luckily the Vegirs declared war on the Nords, so it's not soooo bad.  I bought my companions back from a randsom broker for about $15K all told.

Here are my tips:

If you go to war with someone, try to take castles/cities that are native to that faction.  It will greatly reduce the chance that another faction will declare war to "regain lost territory". 
Also, be careful going to war when no one else is at war.

Finally, you only need to beat about 250 guys and you'll get a chance to get out of a city/castle siege.  If you lose all your people, you will not be able to retreat and you'll be captured.

 

[lovestofeast]

Keep your chin up dude, it sounds to me like you're still in good shape. You're like Warren Buffett when the recession hit- lost a ton of cash but still on forbe's rich list  How did you get that much money by the way?

good tips.

 

[Deneidez]

Here are my tips:

If you go to war with someone, try to take castles/cities that are native to that faction.  It will greatly reduce the chance that another faction will declare war to "regain lost territory". 
Also, be careful going to war when no one else is at war.

Finally, you only need to beat about 250 guys and you'll get a chance to get out of a city/castle siege.  If you lose all your people, you will not be able to retreat and you'll be captured.

Actually it can climb over 400 guys, but after you have killed/wounded them all you will be able to flee. Best weapon in siege when defending is pike.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Deneidez/MB#slideshow/5497053978115348722
(Khergit weaklings were no match for swadian sergeants. No cheats, no mods, normal dmg, 150 battle size etc. My char has light lance. I picked it up in the middle of fight. I think it was something like 150 vs 1700 battle.)

 

[iffy]

Keep your chin up dude, it sounds to me like you're still in good shape. You're like Warren Buffett when the recession hit- lost a ton of cash but still on forbe's rich list  How did you get that much money by the way?

good tips.

Thanks.  I'm better now. 

I sent a companion to ask for peace with the Sarranids and I got that after about a week more.  The Vegirs attacked the Nords, so they helped me weaken them and then I was able to put the beat down on them.

I took a couple cities from the Nords and then accepted peace.  Then I was able to beat the Khergits down and took one of their cities and my guys took two of their castles.  Then they asked for peace so I back to being at war with no one.

As for my money.  I take a group of 40 knights and I kill bandits and run trade routes.  Buy Iron in Curaw and Ahmerrad, buy spice in Tulga, buy fish in Wercheg, buy Velvet in Veluca.  Just look at prices and you'll figure it out.  There are also charts, but experience will teach you.    One of my guys has trade 10 so that helps, but it's not necessary.  I'm making big money with my new girl who is on day 16.    The reason for 40 knights is so I am fast and I get more loot.  If you have 40 guys and you kill 60 bandits you'll get a lot more loot than if you have 100 guys and kill 60 bandits.  40 knights can take on any bandit troop.

 

[iffy]

Here are my tips:

If you go to war with someone, try to take castles/cities that are native to that faction.  It will greatly reduce the chance that another faction will declare war to "regain lost territory". 
Also, be careful going to war when no one else is at war.

Finally, you only need to beat about 250 guys and you'll get a chance to get out of a city/castle siege.  If you lose all your people, you will not be able to retreat and you'll be captured.

Actually it can climb over 400 guys, but after you have killed/wounded them all you will be able to flee. Best weapon in siege when defending is pike.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Deneidez/MB#slideshow/5497053978115348722
(Khergit weaklings were no match for swadian sergeants. No cheats, no mods, normal dmg, 150 battle size etc. My char has light lance. I picked it up in the middle of fight. I think it was something like 150 vs 1700 battle.)

You're right, I've been in the 400 range too.  My mistake.