This are just some new ideas from the top of my head.
1. Instead of making all battles autoresolve why not make human vs human battles decided only if your general has greater command stars. Otherwise you cannot attack. This way players will make sure their best generals are in command of their best armies. If the battle includes an army without a general with one with a general then the army with a general can attack. If both generals have the same command stars or both armies have no generals then the attacker is the one who controls the province. If it is in the border so each army is in their controlled province then the one with more units in the stack gets to attack.
If the rule is broken the player is kicked out from the hotseat.
2. Capital cities require at least 30 units besieging the city before it can be stormed.
3. To declare war on another player there must be a valid reason. Reasons include:
- the enemy holding some of your homeland provinces
- the enemy breaking treaties which had yet not reached their valid expiration time (if any expiration date)
- the enemy at war with an ally of yours
- the enemy breaking trade rights agreement or alliance
- the enemy never giving land which was promised after a certain time or event
- you "liberating" a province which has more than 50% of the population following your religion and not that of the of the occupiant
- you "liberating" a province which is under revolt (has revolt sign)
- you "liberating" a territory that had once been under your rule and you never recognized it as being part of the other players domain.
4. To simulate supply lines somewhat all armies can only march through enemy territory for 5- 10 turns before they must return back to an owned province or allied province (only if they have military access). If someone stays for a longer period everyone except the general in the army will be disbanded by the headmaster.
What do you guys think?