Too many Lords joined our Kingdom so spent a ton of time not getting nominated for literally anything. Eventually I got a city. haha

I've never used a Workshop before and it hasn't necessarily crossed my mind. I spent the first in-game half-year just making it with 2 castles with 90-100 Tier 4+ troops and 200-300 Militia. I could barely keep an active party full of soldiers as my wages were -800-1,000 a day. Eventually I sought out the only 3 Wanderers in my game with Trade and assigned them Caravans when I had money and they've helped me correct my deficit significantly.

Might be more situational? idk

Don't you think that the Caravans make too little compared with the Workshops? Since you need the same amount of Dennars, plus a companion and have a huge risk of loosing the caravans to looters and during was.