New to Tainted Paths mod, need some help.

[The Friendly Russian]

Hi, I just found the mod and it looks really nice and all, I just wish I could find a tutorial on how it works since although I am a veteran of Warband, I don't understand aspects such as the new siege weapons, city management, army management, and inventory. For example, when I use a pistol in the arena, the bullets to it will magically disappear and I don't know why. Another thing I don't get is when I buy an item, it always is chipped, cracked, or broken. I've bought every item so far from my own fief's store. I also want to know if I can unlock recruitment of other troops specific to other classes such as the bandit when you choose your background. Finally, I can't understand army management at all since I want to rest my army in my fief, but as soon as I do, almost all of my army (i.e. Veteran Crossbowmen, Knights, and Vikings) desert me and it frustrates me a lot. I use cheats and I just started, if that helps to anything that may have to do with any of this.I should also mention: my armies have max morale and training and this still happens. Ontop of that I don't understand the tier restrictions and why I cannot recruit all elite units, naval battles and how they work, how to get past the 2nd quest (I tried to play as Spain in the Exploration Age and couldn't find an Ottoman noble in Gallipoli since no one was there, even though it said to look for the local nobles), and how to court ladies since when I went to send a message to one noble lady in the noble's mansion of Sparti, I was given the response of to sneak into the mansion and not let the gatekeeper see me. But when I tried to go into the streets and find the mansion, I was hopelessly lost and frustrated. I know this is all a big thing to ask for, I but I really need some help since I want to enjoy this mod thoroughly.