How high is your relations with the people you are trying to recruit? IIRC, you need it quite high to get the first ones to join you. Also, are you married? Try and marry into a family that fits your disposition as they will be easier to recruit.

I average 38 relationship points with several vassals from other factions. For marriage, no, I'm not married and it's too late since I have my own faction and I can't marry someone from another faction, I believe.
The game is too hard on this point and that is disappointing.

Generally I have relations with a few choice lords at 60-80 range and keep an eye to make sure they don't have enough feifs which helps a lot.

38 is way to low. Your need higher 70 or 80s. Best way is to just jump in and help them with battles or be a merc for a while and build up friendship.

ok, thank you guys!

I believe the 20's is when a lord considers you a friend. Just make as many friends with upstanding or good-natured lords in a single faction. Then go to war with that faction. Find those lords your friends with and attack them and try to take them prisoner. When their your prisoner talk to them and they give you an option of serving you as a vassle.

Originally posted by helmet_hair:

I believe the 20's is when a lord considers you a friend. Just make as many friends with upstanding or good-natured lords in a single faction. Then go to war with that faction. Find those lords your friends with and attack them and try to take them prisoner. When their your prisoner talk to them and they give you an option of serving you as a vassle.

Are you sure you're given an option for the imprisoned lord to become your vassal? I've never seen it, but that would be nice.

My game was a total fiasco. I made the mistake of taking all the castles, towns and villages in my name to take care of them and redistribute them later when I have vassals. I wiped out the sarleon faction thinking all the friendly lords would join me..that didn't happen..the game distributed them all to the other factions and i was left alone mobbed by the attacks of all. I had to give up, disappointed.

Having your own faction won't keep you from marrying ladies of other factions. Just gotta put your charm on, befriend the lady's guardian and woe her.

Originally posted by Birkebeiner:

Having your own faction won't keep you from marrying ladies of other factions. Just gotta put your charm on, befriend the lady's guardian and woe her.

I have already tried to marry a lady from another faction, but the family told me that I must belong to this faction. I think only the ladies who like adventure will be ready to follow you...I have to try.
in any case, thank you for your answer. There are so many things we don't know about this game.