This is a quick post to help players new to the game who are having problems getting their empires off the ground.  I noticed some threads from people 100+ turns into a game, but still having a problem getting momentum behind their forces.  Here are some exploits to help get you started.  I'm calling them 'exploits', because they aren't cheats... not really.  They are just simple strategies which might get overlooked.

Neutral Kingdom Exploit

Neutral kingdoms make the world look more populated, and they exist for you to conquer with your new armies and Sovereign.  They are also great for you to level up on.  Since they exist to be conquered, there isn't much point practicing diplomacy with them, right?  Wrong!  BEFORE you take them over, drain them of their stockpiles of gold and materials.

Just open up the diplomacy screen and offer them a peace treaty.  Treaties are valuable to them, so they are willing to drain the bank for one.  Once you strip them of all their resources you can declare war on them in the same turn.  Declare war, conquer them and you have a small settlement and stockpiles of goodies to show for it.

Diplomatic Capital Exploit

Same scenario, but just offer to trade some diplomatic capital points for gold.  For some reason, some kingdoms love these points and will pay over 50 gold for one point of DC.  Use your DC points to get all their gold, then declare war on them and conquer them.

Last Man Standing Exploit

When you've just about finished off another faction, don't be to hasty to kill their Sovereign.  Once you've taken over all their cities, use diplomacy to drain them of their gold and resources.  If they trade away all their goodies, you can reduce them to wandering the countryside without the means to build any cities.  This neutralizes them as a threat and you can just ignore them for the rest of the game. 

Glass Sword Exploit

In tactical battles, the first person to land an attack has a great advantage.  So you can field an effective force, -cheaply- by using the "design" feature on your build screen.  If you are running low on gold and metal, just create a unit with nothing but a the best weapon available, and no armor.  This unit will have no defense and could be killed with a single blow.  But if you place them where they get the first hit in, then you can tear through a superior force easily.  Remember, armor costs gold and resources so leave them off!  Yeah, they look funny on the battle field with nothing but rags, but what do you care?  Anyone who sees them is about to die anyway.

Strong Man/Woman Exploit

If you're really having a hard time getting started, create a Sovereign with 15 strength, 15 health and the "Intimidating" trait.  Then outfit him with the best weapon you can from the character creation screen.  You may have to take panelties to get the points to do this, but just do it.  Choose Ugly or something.  Anyway, if you play the game ignoring magic all together, you can easily find yourself with a warrior Soverign by turn 30.  Use your level points on Strength only, and don't research anything aside from Warfare.  You will conquer towns so quickly at the start of the game that you should win by around turn 125.

Once you have a few wins under your belt, you should feel comfortable with starting a magic weilding Sovereign.

Thanks to the person on the forums who used the term "Glass Swords" before.  I liked it so much I use it for the name of my warriors who are outfitted this way.  Their rally cry is "Strike first, and pray that does the job.'

Any other suggestions?