Genuinely what were they thinking with Balin's expedition
This has to be one of the most egregiously tedious starts in CK3. The amount of bullshit thrown in your face and the amount of savescumming you have to do just to survive the first year is crazy dawg.
Let's start the run off with restarting 5 times because whatever you do the arrow blasts poor balins start.
Oh you thought you could defend well from big boss? Random raiders fuck you up. Restart
Oh you only have 30 gold? Too bad, give me 75 else you get debuffed for TEN FUCKING YEARSSS.
Wow you finally managed to build some stuff up! Too bad RNG is gonna destroy your profits.
Wanted to conquer anything? Too bad you literally can't support the army to siege. Just get mercenaries! Oh wait, remember, you don't have money.
Okay you managed to get shit under control, now you gotta kill balrog, aka RNG final boss. Also make your you befriend Elrond's goat else you might as well sign away your death. Speaking of death you will certainly die either way.
You finally did it! Too bad Balin's dead by now and the misty mountain orcs are breathing down your neck.
Is there a way to beat this stupidly designed start? Of course there is, I have done so. Is it fun? No.