Isn't it a bit unrealistic to send a govenor out into the wildress to get better at governing? 'Here son, take this spear and this helment and come back with the ability to research better!'

Simple solution: Governor traits affect the nearest city instead of only a city the governor is stationed in.

path of the governor is imo worthless. The game only provides two methods for passively levelling units, as i recall (only one which works for champions). Both of them give only a "25% CHANCE" per turn, to gain 1 xp. which is pretty pointless. It would be too weak even if it were a guaranteed 1xp per turn. 

Given the far far far higher rate that xp can be gained from battle, i don't think it would be unreasonable to expect the adventurer's guild to give a flat 5xp per turn to heroes stationed in the city. Or failing that, perhaps add some other non-unique buildings for passive xp gain so we can stack them up

having to level a governor in combat, just doesn't feel right. Governing itself needs to have some xp gain. A possible approach to consider is the one used in Endless Space, where a governor gains some xp for every unit/project that is completed under their command.

aside from that, i think the path does need some other abilities. I don't see much worth in % based bonuses, i'd rather see something more fundamental like

• +1 materials
• +1 grain
• +1 essence
• Some amount of passive xp gain for other units in the city
• Some extra defending units in the city the governor is stationed in
• % reduction in the cost of strategic spells within a few tiles of this city

These right away are simple things that are hard to get, but would make an immense difference to a city. Rather than marginally more of what you've already got, these abilities could be used to transform a city, and to make an experienced governor a highly valued unit

Yeah, I now usually run with 2 governors in most game (I just cast destiny's insight to level them if I can't be bothered to actually fight with them), their main purpose is to go to new cities to reduce unrest and boost growth. My main is usually an assassin, and sometimes (rarely) a mage. Considering that, I see governors as probably the most useful path as it is, definitely don't really need to buff them anymore unless you're totally changing the unrest/growth mechanic in the process.

Probably too hard to mod in, but it would be appropriate if the POTG heroes got experience from some/all of the following:

•  Leveling the town they are in (travellin' governors - weee!
• Creating a Wonder in the town they are in.
• Extra XP for winning a battle in the city and/or that city's territory where another Hero is not part of the battle.
• XP from any battle you win in which a Hero or Sov is NOT present.
• Rushing a building.
• Being on the same tile as a Pioneer when it settles a town.
• Shared experience for all Govs you control when making a trade.
• Shared experience for all Govs you control when creating an alliance.
• Shared experience for all Govs you control when negotiating peace.

 I just thought of those in 5 minutes.  I'm sure there are some other appropriate town-related and diplomatic events that could all apply to the Govenor's stay-at-home attitude

Where are you people finding extra heroes to leave in cities..In the games I've played I've been able to recruit 2-3 champs and I need them all exploring in the field

I generally only fight with one stack (the sovereign), so the first two hero are usually sitting in towns. Field exploration is left to a horse scout (4 movement + ignore terrain penalty).

I have henchmen to do some of the heavy lifting.  Not every hero works well as-is, sometimes you need someone that can cast Aid/Heal or haste/Guardian Wind in the back.  Well, I find it works pretty well.

+1 to this. Taking a Governor on a conquest (tagging along behind the main army if needed) is great when you capture an enemy town and plant him in it to counter the occupation unrest and get it up and running as soon as possible. If part of the main army he can bank up a bit of experience.

With Altar and quest scrolls you can PRODUCE governors from henchmen by carrying them by a good army. They essentially pay for themselves doing the quests. Keeps you occupied when not at war haha.

If you want army boosting skills, go path of the defender... I don't think governors should be boosting army strength. The only thing I think would fit governors would be a wage reduction path, and perhaps something akin to a bribe skill (spend gildar to stun enemy for x turns).

If the defender shows up in battle, I'm pretty sure he gives it to the militia as well as normal units. Then again, it's been forever since I've defended a city.

I'd like to see an incentive to keep governors with an army (apart from levelling them) in a role not already covered by one of the other paths (parking a governor in a settlement just doesn't seem like interesting/fun gameplay to me). The most obvious role would be to provide economic benefits such as

Paymaster: No upkeep for units in the governors army

Salvager: Gain resources from defeated units (such as metal, horses, crystals etc.)

Extra spoils: Increase amount of gildar earned when winning a battle by 50/100%

Looter: Receive gildar when capturing (or razing) an enemy settlement, e.g. based on its level

Pillager: Receive gildar or resources when destroying an enemy resource improvement (mana from altars, horses from ranches, gildar from gold mines etc.)

Some other abilities that might fit the governor role:

Quartermaster: +1 to the movement of all units in the governor's army

Banker: Earn 1% interest on gildar in treasury each season

Pioneer: Can build an outpost for 50 gildar

Road builder: Can build roads (already in the game but not sure if governors get a chance to pick it up)

Cook/healer: +1 health regeneration per season (already available to henchmen/warriors but seems to fit the governor too)