[Xietor]

MA races with longbows(off the top of my head)
Pangaea, Shin. Bandar Log, Man.

Better than longbows(at times)

Tien Chi has the composite bows, Maragon crossbows, Ulm arbalests, and ap bows are not commonly found among indies. Ulm's arbalest are also better infantry than many so called infantry.

And later in game, arrow fend can neutralize missile troops to a large degree, so you cannot always rely on them.

My only point is, not to argue with anyone, is that some races likely could use some adjusting with their capital only troops.

As for thematics , just change the description of Ulm's keep to say "In Ulm's Keep, the heart of Ulm, the FIRST Lord Guardians and Guardians were trained."

For Man, "The Knights of Avalon, loyal to the Mother of Avalon, fight alongside her." As you know, the Mother of Avalon can be recruited at all castles, so it is no less thematic to allow the KOA to be recruited all over either.