I WANT SOME ACHIEVEMENTS

[SarranidRiot]

I want to get two achievements on my Steam account: Calradian Tea Party (make your own faction) and The Golden Throne (rule all of Calradia). For no particular reason. I don't play multiplayer so I'm not looking for completion.

I read somewhere that ruling all of Calradia was, like, crazy hard. I've never attempted it... until now.

One thing I'm regretting deeply is not upgrading leadership and charisma earlier on in play. 'Cause I'm at Level 19 now. I have CHA:19 and Leadership 4 (77 troops). One of my questions is: should I just restart? What I really need to do is get my first castle (That's how you get your faction, right?). And that's kind of not happening. I wanna KILL the Swadian Empire but they have a good economy or something and all their castles are filled with troops (170+).

After my failure to take a castle I downgraded my army. I went back to the Sarranid Sultunate to try and get XP but it's a struggle. What can I do with this, y'all? Any wiz out there that can give me some advice with this information?

My Character

Level 19
Not married
I have 2 companions
My party's skills
Trade (2)(+1)
Looting (5)(+2)
Spotting (4)
Path-finding (4)(+1)
Tracking (3)
First Aid (4)
Surgery (4)
Tactics (2)
23,972 denars
Renown 370
Honor -3

I have a lot of money. Should I start investing in industry? Will that give me XP?
Can I ask another faction/lord to help me take a castle (without being affiliated with them)? Will they take it for themselves?
In order to rise in the ranks as a faction, do have to make friends with the other kings? And then go against them?

Literally taking this first step is so hard but I wanna be the king. I'm thinking of just starting over and making sure my CHA is off the chain.

 

[cwr]

Merc and quest for a while longer. (maybe even accept vassalage) At the point where you are now, even if you take a particularly weak castle, you will not be able to defend it effectively. Fight in lots of battles. The more battles you fight in the more your renown goes up- the higher your renown is the bigger your party can be.

Also, check the wiki for companion likes/dislikes to know which ones you want so they don't desert and you can get as many as possible. You'll want them later (more than 2 at least) for:

-free (usually loyal) vassals if no one defects to you
-one needs to be your minister unless you get a wife
-emmissarys/diplomats to foreign kings
-right to rule quests before starting your own kingdom
-and of course, for those you choose to keep in your party, invincible fighters