Seems weird that e.g soldiers don't even have a shield, a sword and a leather tunic at the start of the game.
Would be nice if they all started with that (just a very basic sword that gives +1 attack or +1 counter or something, a wooden shield and a leather tunic), archers started with a hunters' bow and a leather tunic, etc.
Since sentinels require 10 iron to build they should also have metal armour, swords and wooden shield at the start - ditto for knights.
This wouldn't have to be as good as the stuff you make from crafting, which could be renamed "steel chain", "mithril plate" etc