[Taqwus]

Hm. It's a valid point that, in terms of pure leadership, plain vanilla independent commanders may be significantly better deals than national ones.

~~~

Some ideas which would shift various balances:

Making most mages absolutely lousy commanders of normal troops -- perhaps only able to have a few bodyguards. Most have studied magic, not men.

For the same reason, giving troops led by mages less free staying-alive experience than troops led by more military-minded commanders. This could be made dependent on the normal leadership value. Better leaders drill more effectively. One might argue for similar effects on siege and patrol efficiency, or even supply usage; a great military leader would do more with the same army and logistical support, where one accustomed to alchemy and moldy tomes might be hamper the army with poor decisions (resulting in waste, confusion, et al).

A morale bonus for national troops (normal or capital site) being commanded by a national commander (normal, pretender, hero, or capital site); a morale penalty for national troops commanded by a non-national commander. This would reflect different confidence, pride, loyalty, et al.

As a side note, this could be further augmented by a bonus for being commanded by a national commander from the same home province.