So, I'm pretty much a layman when it comes to modding, game development, coding, etc. With that said, am I correct in thinking that creating a small to midsized mod for a game like Stellaris is a much smaller/easier undertaking than even a simple indie game?
If I want to get started in that direction, creating a small (functional) Stellaris mod might be a good idea?
modding games really varies based on the mod tooling available. Assuming that there is an active modding community with decent tools, it's not a bad place to start. The good thing is that, well, there's already a whole playable game already in place so there's a LOT less boring and tedious stuff you have to deal with. You can just focus on how to add your content
I say go for it!