So yeah, anything that makes it easier and faster for new players to get into the action would probably help keep them interested and with the game.
Would it help new players if they were immediately placed into an army? That way from the beginning they would be able to figure out where they should be and what the realm is up to. You could just have the starting army set by the general or something.
Regarding Oaths, any lord who offers one like that is really shortsighted. As a mentor, I always really helped my peps out regarding this as you can't just leave it to the lords.
