you can create a soverign with any equipment that is available at the game

So then - how do you modify what equipment is available at character creation?

If that can be changed\modified that will work for me as well.

here is an example including an item with a spell-ability that I made (with HeavenFall's assistance) a cheap starting item to play-test:

- <GameItemType InternalName="Mindsword">
<DisplayName>Mindsword</DisplayName>
<Description>The Mindsword spun in the dawn's gray light, And men and demons knelt down before. The Mindsword flashed in the midday bright, Gods joined the dance, and the march to war.
It spun in the twilight dim as well, And gods and men marched off to hell.</Description>
<Type>Weapon</Type>
<WeaponType>TwoHanded</WeaponType>
<CanBeEquipped>1</CanBeEquipped>
<CustomizationPointCost>1</CustomizationPointCost>
<ShopValue>5080</ShopValue>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>AdjustUnitStat</Attribute>
<StrVal>UnitStat_Attack_Cutting</StrVal>
<Value>14</Value>
</GameModifier>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>AdjustUnitStat</Attribute>
<StrVal>UnitStat_CombatSpeed</StrVal>
<Value>6</Value>
</GameModifier>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>UnlockCombatAbility</Attribute>
<StrVal>MindswordsCall</StrVal>
<Provides>Man, beast, demon... all shall swear fealty!</Provides>
</GameModifier>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>AdjustUnitStat</Attribute>
<StrVal>UnitStat_CurrentWeight</StrVal>
<Value>10</Value>
</GameModifier>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>AdjustUnitStat</Attribute>
<StrVal>UnitStat_MaxCounterAttack</StrVal>
<Value>1</Value>
<Provides>+1 Counterattacks per round</Provides>
</GameModifier>
- <GameModifier>
<ModType>Unit</ModType>
<Attribute>CannotBeCounterattacked</Attribute>
<Provides>Unit never gets Counterattacked</Provides>
</GameModifier>
<IsAvailableForSovereignCustomization>1</IsAvailableForSovereignCustomization>
<RarityDisplay>Unique</RarityDisplay>
<HeroOnly>1</HeroOnly>
<IsAvailableForUnitDesign>0</IsAvailableForUnitDesign>
- <Prereq>
<Type>UnitStat_Level</Type>
<Attribute>1</Attribute>
</Prereq>
- <AIData AIPersonality="AI_General">
<AIPrefType>AIPrefType_CUTTING</AIPrefType>
<AIPriority>404.5</AIPriority>
</AIData>
<ArtDef>Longsword_Altar_ArtDef</ArtDef>
</GameItemType>

Here is the link to a good thread with able assistance from HF, Seanw3 and other great modders: https://forums.elementalgame.com/433881

And your ideas for starting class gear would be a great addition to the game, look forward to your stuff!