In fact, I think the "egalitarian" trait was a direct result of a compromise between gamers that'd rather have a more realistic medieval society and people who'd rather have fantasyish armies with both men and women.
A bit off topic maybe but I feel that egalitarian is, usually, a must in a fantasy game (unless lore forbids it). Different worlds are not just for different laws of "physics" (and/or "magic" for some of you), they can also mean different evolution paths (biologically and socially speaking). It's not about making happy some feminists or chainmail bikini fans, but if dragons are possible, if resurrections are possible, if raising volcanoes are possible... why should we stick to "Women to the kitchen"? 
Now I need an option that forbids men from joining my army and only allows women*...
On topic, I must say that the "little" details of being able to customize our troops is wonderful. It's amazing, feels good. It doesn't matter in your global plan of world domination but it's nice. It's like painting Warhammer miniatures: you can play with them unpainted but they feel much more better with some nice paint on them.
I know that the Sovereign's kids are randomly created but I'd like (at least for single player) a window for them when they grow up so we can pick up clothes/equipment. Or something. Appeareance is already determined (included those ugly sions that Frogboy loves so much) but it'd be nice to be able to equip them or something someday. Surely in their plans anyway.
The customization of the Sovereign also promises a lot for same reasons as the troops customization.
I'd like to mention the 3d Engine as promising feature too. We cannot see it right now but I was comparing the first screenshots with the latest ones the other day and... hell, sweet promises there. Even the cloth map ones looks so far better.
* and if someone was thinking "Pick egalitarian and don't recruit men", then he/she/it misses the potential of Diplomacy interactions and possible quest triggers based on talents and weaknesses.
