So I finally got the Empress to let me join her as a vassal. She was kicking all sorts of rear end in the South and I got to fight in some great battles. Then peace suddenly broke out and now I’m chasing down looters and running down poachers until the next war when I hope to grab a some real estate.
Tip: I saw this on a stream. You can turn in Looters to the castle dungeon as prisoners and get good influence. I’m building up enough to be able to claim a castle of city next war that breaks out.