[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Spacepain:
First of why use indies to expand, almost always your own troops are better, higher moral, attack, defense etc. and you can build your troops faster because of the fortress located in the provinence.

Some indy provinces allow the hiring of unusual mage types, which are always good to have, to expand the diversity of your national magics. Some nations, such as Mictlan, have craptacular regular troops, for which even Indy HI and HC can be an improvement. Other nations lack archers, etc.

Secondly, how do you build the indies in sufficient quantities to make them of any use? Thee aren't any fortifications so production can be very slow 2 or 3 units per turn.

I do believe you've just answered your own question: Build a fortress.