I agree. I think negative traits are "not fun." I think smart developers build on elements that are fun and balance around them while weeding out things that just make the game frustrating.

One of my generals did pick up an unusual retainer. I can't decide if the trait is positive or negative. It's +1 command to attack on land (I think) combined with to -1% to attrition. I can't figure out if the -1% means that his army suffers more or less attrition than normal. On the face of it, I'd think -1% means less attrition, but I don't know what it means to the developers.