So You Want to Be King? A Guide to Ruling Calradia in Mount & Blade Warband
Do you dream of fighting in Calradia, not as a mercenary, but as a king? Mount & Blade Warband offers you this chance. It’s not simple. It’s more like venturing through dangerous forests with a reluctant caravan. But who said taking a throne would be easy? This guide shows how to gain power, from building your own kingdom to taking over an existing one. Think of this as your roadmap to royalty, without dragons or eager bards (well, maybe some).
Forging Your Own Path: Founding a Kingdom
You want to create a kingdom. It’s a bold choice. Imagine it like launching a medieval tech startup. But instead of coding, you’re conquering. Instead of investors, you have yourself and your friends. There are several ways to start your royal venture.
Prerequisites for Royal Ambition
First, you can’t just declare yourself king. You’ll face obstacles, both metaphorical and actual (some tournaments have hoops). You need clan rank 4. It’s like reaching level 40, but with swords involved. To actually form a kingdom, you have some choices:
- The Lone Wolf Approach: Take a fief without swearing loyalty. Go rogue and seize what’s meant for you. Find a castle or town that seems vulnerable and make it yours.
- The Rebel Yell: Serve a king as a vassal, get denied a fief (those monarchs can be stingy), then rebel! Take your fiefs and exit, but prepare for war with your old allies. Awkward family gatherings will be the least of your troubles now.
- The Marital Maneuver: If you have charm, persuade your spouse to help establish a kingdom. Consider it a medieval power duo, ruling together. Just ensure your partner agrees on the “world domination” plan.
Your Companion: The Royal Messenger
Before you fully embrace royalty, send a companion on a PR mission. They won’t hand out flyers; instead, they spread news of your future kingship across Calradia. This companion embarks on a diplomatic venture, sharing your grand ambitions. Think of it as social media in medieval times. They return later with “Right to Rule” points. This ensures your place as royalty because declaring yourself king isn’t enough. People need to accept it (or at least be intimidated enough to comply).
Climbing the Ladder: Becoming King of an Existing Faction
Perhaps you prefer inheriting a kingdom over founding one. Like a corporate takeover, but with more swords and less documentation. To be king of an established faction, you must engage in political maneuvering.
Succession and Royal Elections
Kings, like people in real life, die. When a king passes (or faces a sword), a vote occurs for the successor. Think of this as medieval royal elections. If the sitting king is unpopular, vassals might oust him. Your chance of winning relies on how well you know other lords. Being friendly, doing favors, and not annoying them is vital. Basically, become the medieval politician everyone enjoys (or can at least tolerate).
The Royal Toolkit: General Requirements
Whether starting anew or seeking an existing throne, certain qualities are essential. Think of them as your royal toolkit. You wouldn’t conquer without a sword, so don’t aim for kingship without these attributes.
Right to Rule: The King’s Legitimacy
This principle will prove significant. “Right to Rule” defines your royal standing. A higher score leads more people to see you as a legitimate sovereign. The companion spreading the word? They collect Right to Rule points. This acts as royal public relations. The more you have, the lesser the opposition, and it attracts more lords to your side. No one follows a ruler who declared themselves king on impulse (even if that’s how it happened).
Relationships: It’s Good to Be Liked
Being a king isn’t solitary work. You need vassals and loyal companions who won’t betray you instantly. Good ties with other kingdom members are crucial, especially if you want to become king of an existing faction. Positive relationships aid in keeping your own kingdom functioning down the line. Be courteous and helpful, avoiding theft of the best loot. You attract more lords with kindness than threats (though threats have their uses).
Honor: A King’s Virtue?
Honor is more than an abstract idea; it plays a role in Calradia. It influences marriage prospects. High honor increases your chances of royal unions (or just for attraction). Low honor might not earn universal loathing, but it can limit options. In Warband, positive honor is beneficial for relations, while negative honor hurts you. However, negative effects diminish over time. Therefore, maintaining some honor benefits even kings.
Clan Tier: Level Up to Royalty
As previously noted, Clan Tier 4 is the minimum for starting a kingdom. It’s the height requirement for getting on the royal rollercoaster. You show that you aren’t just a random peasant dreaming of glory. Clan Tier indicates your rising influence and power in Calradia.
Royal Gameplay Mechanics: The Nitty-Gritty
Being king involves more than wearing a crown (though that’s part of it). It means managing the kingdom, dealing with vassals, and avoiding being overthrown. Let’s look at some mechanics you’ll encounter as a ruler.
Fiefs: Lands to Rule
In Calradia, fiefs symbolize power. Castles, towns, and villages are battle prizes, grants to vassals, and your kingdom’s foundation. Capturing a fief is key to establishing your own kingdom. For vassals, fiefs represent service rewards. Ever wonder why lords eagerly join fights? Fiefs, my friend, fiefs.After winning a siege or conquest, the fief usually goes to the lord who performed best. You can also persuade other vassals to back your claim for fiefs. Political maneuvering runs deep – everything synchronizes!
Vassalage: From Subject to Sovereign
Becoming a vassal is often your first step towards kingship. It immerses you in the game, offering lessons and friendships. To become a vassal, take an oath to a king or marry into nobility. While vassals can’t be promoted to king within their faction (unless voted in), vassalage serves as a launching point—a way to learn before you craft your own future.
Marriage: A Royal Alliance or a Political Game?
In Calradia, marriage is not always about love (but it may have its moments). Most times, it serves political objectives.
For female characters, there’s a chance to marry a king. You can help someone else take the throne and still find love. Building relationships is key. Look for a king who seeks a queen. It helps if he isn’t too picky about how she got him there. Rulers do have standards. Low honor might hurt your chances.
Controversy: Keeping Your Kingdom in Check
Being king means you carry weighty duties. Protect your realm. If raiders attack villages, you need to act. Ignoring them creates “controversy.” Think of it as royal disapproval points. If too much builds up, lords question your rule. If a town under your liege falls, that also causes controversy. Simply put, controversy means keep an eye on your kingdom.
Leaving a Kingdom: A Royal Exit Strategy
Sometimes life takes a turn. Being king can mean more paperwork than fighting. You might disagree with your liege. While you can’t topple a king from within, you can leave the kingdom. Taking your fiefs comes with that. But be aware; it means declaring war on your former allies. Be ready for battle if you want to stage a royal exit.
So there you have it, future monarchs! Your guide to the twisting road to kingship in Mount & Blade Warband. Expect battles, betrayals, and some diplomacy. Now go forth and conquer. Try to keep your head intact. Calradia awaits its new ruler – perhaps that ruler is you.
