Playing as a small warband (clan tier1-ish) feels really bad

[Seeigel]

I miss those huge bandit partys/battles from warband (or was is floris?)

While those gave you a nice fight, they didnt captured every Lord who crossed their way.

It would also be cool if I could level leadership without the need of creating an army so I can recruit all those bandits into nice elite troops. (or move this perk to the rogue line).
I just feel forced to join a kingdom. All I want to do is slaughter bandits with my nice little elite troop warband.

 

[LordKaien]

I would like as an <10 army, be able to propose my service to a lord, be paid and feed and follow him in battles and be in the rank. Or join a caravan protection. Or join a bandit group or be able to build one.