[chrispedersen]

Um..

I'm an ok player =). I rarely put 20 Pd. I build 1 castle every 4-5 provinces - and I'm considered an aggressive castle builder.

Try starting with sauromatia, hinnom or niefle. These are 3 very strong races. Read Baalzs guides if necessary, but these nations can conquer with their starting troops, and only need to field 5 (niefle) to 30 troops (sauro) to conquer most indies.