I forgot the no indies thing, untill I wanted to create another castle, and my expansion army was stranded in a nice castle position when the rest of my commanders were bogged down in forests several turns away. Having to choose between expanding and making another castle wasn't a choice I wanted to make and I should have planned for it.
I think the fact that there are no indies increases the need for planning ahead and is a good thing. I think this game will favor the prepared (and eat me alive
)