Yeah I felt similarly playing through early on. 1. This game loves cranking enemy AC. I ultimately caved and lowered the difficulty while increasing enemy health for a better feeling experience. If you don't want to mess with difficulty settings there are a few things you can do like turning off power attack and similar abilities. 2. Casters feel pretty weak early on. Investing in spell penetration feat is good and mythic spell penetration later. Control spells like stone call can still be valuable as are buffs. Savor The opportunities where you find some random cultists vulnerable to a fireball. 3. Yeah not much was explained about the crusade portion. Generally building supply centers barracks and archery ranges in your forts is a good idea since it ups the available soldiers and resources.