Template Balance

Isn't there a template where heroic deeds only happen with native troops (without mercenaries and other goodies) and where there are a minimum number of artifacts scattered in the treasure, which will influence the outcome, but not significantly?

There are so-called "Polish rules," where the Balance template is used, and taking hidden locations is prohibited. Instead of angels and sprites, money is given in castles and outposts.

This is probably the most boring set of rules I know.

There isn't much imbalance in terms of troops, so all the imbalance is reduced to skills that give bonuses to the hero, and to spells in the guild.