You seem to start with solid one handed weapon skills, maybe I just need to focus on that early in the game. The game is great, but play for a bit then start again and play 'for real'. You should not be leveling up PARTY skills, that's what companions are for. Read about how companions with higher group skills can compliment your skills.

IIRC Pathfinding increases your groups speed on the main map. Then you need to work hard on bandits and quests. The only time funds are in short supply is when you are part of a faction that is not fighting anyone. Your companions need the second best equipment you have (you need the best, steal from them if needed). Funds are pretty easy to come by as long as you can fight regularly. I always max out the fights and I haven't played vanilla in years so my other advice may no longer apply. The mobility a horse provides is a huge advantage to keep as long as possible. HINT: You can talk to people in towns from horseback. Stay on your horse for as long as possible. As such, in M&B you stop your horse, look down at the ground and the option to dismount comes up. Generally most people wait for the horse to stop before getting off. They toned it down, smoothing the movement to try and simplify. They got much of the feel of movement at a trot/canter/gallup about right. Finally, I have to give some kudos to the game for the horse riding sim. I appreciate the advice and, after a needed visit to the gym expect to look at a FAQ for a bit and try moving a bit further along. I like the early merchant quest line, the king's less than ideal response felt realistic which I enjoyed. Also, how do you scale the size of your warband? Is ten aggressive in the early game or is money fairly easy to get? Do you upgrade every soldier as soon as possible if funds are not incredibly low? Are there clear points where this starts increasing your fixed costs? Are wages paid daily or weekly? Do you collect every bit of loot and sell every time back at town, just keeping stuff you can equip on the POV character? I presumed so but could not tell if I should equip folks in my band. Question number one would seem to be how to get off your horse. Heck, trying to fight the very first wimp led to an epic fail when I didn't swap my crossbow out for a hand weapon. Getting off my horse, somehow, does not seem to be in the list of commands within the option screen which led me to track down an alleged robber and get to watch him knock me unconscious as I flailed about.

My ability to hit something with a lance approaches absolite zero. I tried the M & B Warband demo last night and found it more than a little challenging.

So, I can listen at least once a quarter (mark the calendar).

Mount and blade warband cattle herd