Picked up the game for the first time since full release, happy to see Sword Sisters back, was sad not to see them in the pre-release version. Surprised at how the AI throws spouses at your family. They barely hit adulthood and immediately get an offer of marriage.
Decided to sort of remake my Beta character, Rhylan the Bear, champion of the Battanians. Big guy, good with bows and two handed weapons, sworn to Battania. Rather heroic sort. Spent most of the game with no horse, fighting on foot alongside my archers. Amazing siege fighter.
Original version married the daughter of Caladog and was made king after Caladog died in battle, proceeded to thrash the Empire, Vlandians and Sturgians before I called it quits.
New iteration of the concept is more... bandit adjacent. Rhagyd the Mountain, not as good with weapons, and certainly less good of a person. Raid villages, recruit bandits, ambush vulnerable lords. Haven't sworn allegiance to any kingdom, but I don't pillage Battanian lands, preferring to raid the Vlandians and Sturgians. Conquered Varcheg from a revolt, a nice little bit of opportunism. Vlandia has been doing awfully well, they've expanded quite a bit, so I might need to sign up as a merc for the Battanians to help them retake land and do a little expanding the next time they're at war.