Mercenaries are so expensive though. If I'm playing NE, then I'll just get a bunch of nobles from the Nords and upgrade them to Major Thanes, or get some Cavaliers. I don't even remember what the vanilla game has, but I think I would upgrade the Vaegirs to knighthood.

Those merc cavalry were built from 100 days of travelling and looting enemy villages.

And I'm not really part of the Khergit, I first joined Nord, then i took like 5 castles, and Ragnar wouldn't give me more than 1 so i was like ♥♥♥♥ it.
I disoathed him and took all the castles back for myself. Then i always look at Khergit for troops because.
Well, all the factions hate me lol, besides Khergit. Anyways, I bought mercs to defend my castles and stuff.
In the end, I ended up gaining 2 towns and 5 castles, and i was holding several lords in my dungeons.
I also had King Yargolek.

I didnt know there were mods for this game. Can i get them off of steam?

Also, i always fight looters until i capture a good many of them, induct them into my party, upgrade them so they dont run away, and capture peasants until i can upgrade a few and then i end up with some really good stuff. And all i use is throwing daggers, swords, and a shield.

You can get them off the forums, but make sure you find out how to install them for Steam, probably could find a guide via search.

Here, have a forum. It's got some fairly friendly people in it, and if you look under The Pioneer's Guild, you'll find plenty of mods. Some just tweak the game, some make significant changes, and others rework the game entirely, to include guns 'n ♥♥♥♥.
Edit: Good lord, correct me if I'm wrong, but the games have the same file structure whether or not they're bought off of steam. The only difference is that they're stored under the steam folder.

I personally like to take up about 1 hundred Nords and conquer the Calradia.

I basically find the biggest axe and the best armor I can find, usually with a bow and some arrows, and I carry a steel shield with me to save my ass when leading seige charges. I mainly play cavalry, with my OP'd 1hit axe chopping people to bits. My record kills for a single battle battle was 216. THE LAST ♥♥♥♥ ARCHER WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CASTLE AND HE SNIPED ME. GAAAAHH!

What's Hegemony like?

It would be fun if it was ported, but alas, it hasn't been. But it will be, don't worry.

Decided to start playing warband a couple of days ago and got utterly hooked.

Any mods that you could suggest?

I didn't even know there were mods for warband yet.

Not gonna deny that I didn't even know warband came out...

I only recently realized it. I really only started play M&B again a few weeks ago though.

Again with the mods question, but this time directed at the original mount and blade.

I prefer Europe 1200 and The Viking Series.