Ok. If castles don`t play any role what so ever, then why exist at all. In my opinion, they will have the abillity to make the gameplay ten times better than the first KOH. Each situation will be uniqe. For example, castles could be a major problem for an invader, but only if the attacked kindom, left sufficiant garisons in them. If the haven`t, than they fall automaticly, with the fall of the major city. Ofcourse, soldiers left there will take upkeep, so not every one will be able to aford to gard his castles. And then there are the rebellions. If there are any, they really shoud use the castles, if they are not maned by the invader already. Every conquest will be deferent. Sometimes it will be easy, others it will be hard. Depending on the situation. If castles have no real poprous than we will have the same game, as the original. And will be really more of the same, every time you start a war. The idea for the player to be able to build fortifications is very interesting, and if it can`t be done, than at least the castles should indeed be placed in stratigic locations.