I want to make a character that is part of a smaller band that goes around questing and fighting smaller groups. Is this possible? I don't have a desire to start a large army.

Also, I want to use a horse, sword and shield, and bow. Can I equip both a sword and shield as well as a bow and switch weapons easily? Thanks

Bow, sword, & shield. There are 4 slots of usable equipment.
as shown below:
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1082264199027180264/66D923AF9600DC802EFDF151D3662BAC43779849/

You start by your self. (literally)
At first you will engage 5-16 enemies. (or even lower sometimes)
But as your renown gets higher. You will have to engage a much larger amount of troops.
(You gain renown after a battle is won in your favor.)

gogwitcher300

A small group can easily evade larger armies, especially when mounted or with pathfinding skill. It will take much longer to build experience and renown if you only fight small groups.

Weapon swapping is very easy. Mousewheel up equips your next weapon; mousewheel down equips your next shield. You can pick up weapons, ammo, and shields from fallen enemies in the middle of battle too.

I have successfully played with an army under 90 but if you are forced up against an army of 3000 you will feel the pain.

I typically have one shield, one (or if two, always a thrown weapon for ranged then) melee weapons and always one ranged weapon.

Playing with a small army is totally possible, but it may limit what you can do. If you plan to join a kingdom then it's not a great disadvantage, as long as you can get some allied lords to follow your lead when needed (requires about 30+ rep with them) but if you're going to stay factionless, welll then... forget facing large armies and conquering castles on your own. Not sure about that, actually... I think I read somewhere that bandit party size is related to how big is your own warband, whereas lords' armies seem to be limited by how many fiefs they possess.

Small party has some nice advantages:

- Morale is easier to keep high
- Smaller party eats less food, so more of your inventory can go towards trade items
- Lower upkeep cost (wages)
- Generally faster travel (mentioned earlier), making it easier to avoid the fights you don't want to get into, and also easier to catch up to the enemy groups you'll need to deal with for those quests.