Few comments on your sheet, TCM. While it is a bit of a tonal departure to say the least, I can see that you've put a lot of effort into it and I rather like it. I have no particular problem with more exotic characters, as long as you try to avoid special snowflake syndrome ("I'm different!") or make it into a gimmick of yours to say "That's not how it works in my homeland". Looking at your sheet, though, I'm certain that won't be a problem. I would prefer, however, if you wrote your character's name using only the twenty-six standard alphabetical symbols, as I do not have a clue what the ! represents, how it is pronounced, or why it is essential (if the signification is important to you just write it phonetically).
I will try my very best to avoid becoming the Mysterious Foreigner Mary Sue archetype; it's helped by the fact that Mbun!fu embraces the Western cultures rather than rejects him. I'd rather use his cultural points as way to fit in cool little details as opposed to trying to outdo everyone else in uniqueness.
The '!' in names refers to a click consonant frequently used in several native African languages. It is pronounced by flicking one's tongue quickly against the roof of their mouth, producing the clicking sound. Because the sound is not recognized by any singular letter, the exclamation point is used in wording. When you flick your tongue against the roof of your mouth, what letter are you making? That's the conundrum.
If it would help, I'd like him to keep the name, but perhaps due to his passion to the Holy Trinity religion, he can be christened with a Western title, in the same manner that Popes or Saints get names.
Well my character sees the order as created to rule the people to bring peace as the church did for his homeland and that requires military strength.
From a military point of view defending a coastal base with our limited stength is substantially harder then a town in the center of a kingdom. The people won't attack us and we can expand outwards bringing population centers into our control 1 by 1 and as we expand we effectively create defenses in the form of all the loyal people to us.
On the coast we're vulnerable to sea borne attacks from any kingdoms that dislike our rise to power and we have to build a fleet to defend ourselves as well as an army. Plus people are more apt to accept a ruler who is one of them then one who lived apart from them.
Although for my character it makes no real difference his role will be the same either way we'd just need to find somebody who shares the faith and has naval skills to put in charge of a defense fleet.
Where exactly are we starting from then? A Holy Trinity-controled Western town? A neutral one? One filled with dissenters and such?
The trading river mentioned is specifically for trading, which means that we would have difficulty managing our own fleet, but simultaneously would deter the aims of an enemy navy if they attempted to sail in waters unsuitable for military/raiding aquatic vehicles.
One of the main reasons I choose the Recruiter was so that we would have an easier time having a guard to protect ourselves. Really, I see no need for a fleet in the beginning if we have a guarding force of archers, which could handle enemy armies with conventional methods, and use incendiary missiles against ships, which of course would be easy targets as they attempt to navigate a river meant for merchant vessels.
On the contrary, I think people would approve of having an unconventional leader who promises new systems and implementations to aid a previously lackluster development. Plus, he's very positive about the West and Holy Trinity Religion. It would be like during the Crusades, if the Holy Order suddenly came across an Arab country who converted to Christianity and would aid them with all the technology and strategy that the former lacked.
Please note that if elected leader, I'll be flexible with any changes that you all would collectively wish for in regards to the Headquarters.