Hello Stovell, welcome on board. We've all been glued to that screen when playing M:TW and some of us still are. Once you get the feeling you've seen it all (which probably won't be soon) you can always download one of the brilliant mods made by experienced members of the .org.

I'd say you are missing the best part of the game if you decline to fight your own battles. It's the hardest part of the game, but it's also the most rewarding. There is always the 'pause' button to help you out in the beginning - but don't get used to that, or you'll be unable to play MP scenarios.

One reason for fighting at least some of your own battles is that it teaches you about battlefield dynamics and shows you why a particular army is superior to another. If you want to become a proficient campaign player, one thing you should know is how to compose your armies before sending them off to do battle against a particular opponent. What mix of missile troops, spears, swords and horses is most effective against the average Almohad army, against a horde of Spanish jinetes, or against a host of Byzantine Kataphraktoi? Apart from that, battles are usually great fun once you learn to handle large armies and use weather, heights, woods and other natural features to your advantage.

As for your questions:

1. I play all battles at the start of a campaign, later on I play only the large, more interesting and challenging battles, particularly those where I know (or reckon) I'll do better than the AI.

2. We all hate the Papacy, to the point where it's become a running gag of the .org.

3. Campaign MP is the wave of the future - it is only a matter of time before some company comes up with a game combining online campaign MP with role playing and other features of online gaming.

Meanwhile, be sure to report back once in a while and tell us about your campaigns, about your tactical progress and about possible problems. There is no shortage of helpful members here.