u/Adventurous_Try_1515

So I am trying in this challenge but I don't understand if I can send my companions create their own groups and them recruit troops except me recrut troops or if is to maintain them in my party and get big with a big family? Actually I am still maintaining them in my party but its too slow progress, also they don't level up so fast as I am I think its because they don't kill too much and we only fight againd bandits and groups of 9-18 so it is starting becoming boring because we are in 5 now and my children didn't grew up yet. In my last playtrough in last campaign I play as a merchant and I have a lot of fun since the beginner, I would like tips to become the challenge more fun or some other playstyles. Thank you in advance