Mod and playthrough Recommendations

I'm coming back to the game (haven't played since the earliest stages). Back then I really loved taking on really difficult challenges. Due to some circumstances I won't get into, what I'm looking for now is a more "chill" playthrough of a medieval nobody-to-nobility and later having an heir become king. I know there are a ton of mods out there that could help make this doable. So my question is this:

Does anyone have guidance for choices/tactics and/or mod recommendations for a relatively relaxed (but not invulnerability-level cakewalk) playthrough?