So I've been experimenting with the Custom Sovereign creation windows...

While I still haven't quite worked out my 'Lieutenants' thing, I did discover how to 'hard-code' a Sovereign's class into a Sovereign's Unit file.  It's actually pretty easy, just add this code, where you see all the other <SelectedAbilityBonusOption> tags:

        <SelectedAbilityBonusOption>PathOfTheWarrior</SelectedAbilityBonusOption>

Replace(substitute) PathOfTheWarrior with PathOfTheAssassin, PathOfTheDefender, PathOfTheGovernor, PathOfTheMage, or some Custom Path you may have (PathOfTheRanger, etc.) as appropriate to your needs.

This 'preempts' the 'Choose your Path' window at the appropriate time, so it won't appear should you have already chosen your path via this method or the method/mod I'm about to detail below.

For those looking for something more extensive/not wanting to edit the .xml after the fact...

Here is my

Custom Sovereign Creation Path Picker Mod

This mod allows you to pick a Path during Custom Sovereign Creation.  Also, there are two file versions:

You may choose whether already created Sovereigns which have not pre-selected a Path should level up normally (i.e. at Level 2), or on Turn 1, by installing the approprate .xml file (see readme in the .zipfile).

Bad News: This replaces the CoreAbilities.xml file, so you WILL need to put that file somewhere safe... Of course, I will give my .xml file a slightly different name, so you don't overwrite the original file should you drag it into the core folder before relocating the default file.

Other minorly bad news: It chooses that 'ChoosePath' (green pointy finger) icon automatically, cluttering up the display of your traits with a 'useless' icon.  This would be a great place to 'hardcode' some trait that you want all Custom Sovs to have, or you could just delete it from the .xml file for the Sovereign you just created after the fact.  Note that this exists soley to 'call out' and separate the five Sov Paths (you can pick only one, or choose not to pick one at all), from the Background Professions below.  The Professions window 'automatically' picks the first option, and I couldn't figure out how to make it part of the 5 paths selector WITHOUT filling up your Path choice, should you choose to NOT pick a path immediately.

The 'third' option would be to move the Sovs to the bottom of the list, but then you'd have to scroll to see them, and this would defeat the other thing that my mod allows (not choosing a background), see below.

If some modder out there has a suggestion on how to 'hide' a trait Icon once it is selected , so that it doesn't 'clutter up' the column of traits or the first 5 traits in the ingame Army/Unit (Sov) window, (Note that I already tried NOT assigning an icon, that just cause the 'ChoosePath' to not appear, hence defeating my purpose here), I'm all ears!

Anyways, the GOOD news is that this mod will allow you to do two things.  You may NOW pick a Sov Path in custom Sov creation.  ALSO, you can choose to have No Profession and save a point during Character Creation for other things (dunno why you'd do that, the professions are pretty useful).  Just choose the box next to 'Choose Background', or simply DO NOT PICK a background and you will have saved a custom sov creation point for other things.  Choosing the box next to Choose Background will clutter up the trait icon column/row further, so I'd recommend NOT clicking that box if you don't want a background for some reason.  Again, it's there mainly to 'remind' the player that they may now choose a path AND a background during custom Sov creation.

There are two versions of this mod in the .zip file below (Turn 1 or Level 2 for 'ingame' Path picks, if you haven't chosen one during Sov Creation).

Version 1.0 Here!

[eMOD] Custom Sovereign Creation Path Picker V1.0

Compatable with Elemental 1.6.  Not sure about earlier versions...