Well the more people you have the easier it is to do things in strat.
If you'd rather just do things on your own you're probably going to be limited to either trading or banditry or both.
Im sure there's plenty of topics to read up on about strat.
It's the user interface that puts people off the most.
You can't always count on just fighting one faction, they may have big allies who will give them troops/gold etc.
I would ally yourself to a clan with fiefs, and learn how to play from them, sign up for strat battles (dont be upset if you dont get hired) and just make a name for yourselves.
When people know you are a good player and listen to orders (strat takes a LOT of patience and standing around sometimes) you will get hired more often.
