Thank you for taking the time to provide so much feedback!
I definitely agree with you about the problems around persisting effects from combat. I'm currently considering changing this. I think the problems are compounded by the fact that the game has one loss leading to total defeat. I think the summons persisting from combat is the one especially interesting thing here, but maybe that could be some kind of item or indulgence - I'll probably have to try some things and see.
You point about the on-death items is very interesting too. They become completely different if a unit were to be resurrected after each combat.
Thanks again! Feedback is very appreciated.