Thank you for the feedback
Some comments:
1) Bandits parties are affected by the player level, how many troops you have and "Campaign AI" option
2) Traits are defined by your skills. You created a character focusing on combat, you could have a great leader (leadership), etc. There are 4 traits out there to try with new campaigns
4) Did you try visiting a village or a town and talk to the local leaders about your cattle? (hint hint). Also you should visit a farmstead sometime
5-6) Advanced formations take a few seconds to set all the bots into a good position (like shield-wall). That is consequence of how the game spawns everyone over one another hehe. You can also give advance commands (move 10 steps) to help your bots if you have a big army (100-300 troops).