Can You Ignore the Main Quest in Bannerlord? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can ignore the main quest in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. While the main quest provides a narrative framework and a specific path to potentially forming your own kingdom, the beauty of Bannerlord lies in its sandbox nature. The game allows you to forge your own destiny, whether that involves becoming a renowned mercenary, a wealthy merchant, or a powerful vassal within an existing kingdom. Ignoring the main quest opens up a world of possibilities, but it does come with certain consequences.
The primary consequence of ignoring the main quest, specifically Neretzes’ Folly, is the eventual failure of that questline. After a certain number of in-game years (roughly 10), the game will register that you haven’t completed the investigation, and you will receive a message indicating its failure. Critically, failing Neretzes’ Folly will block you from completing the Dragon Banner quest objectives, thus preventing you from using the quest as the mechanism to create your own kingdom. You’ll still be able to create a kingdom, but it will require reaching certain clan tier and making certain choices along the way.
However, this does not stop you from creating your own kingdom through other means. Bannerlord provides multiple avenues for achieving this goal, such as capturing a castle or town, increasing your clan tier and declaring independence. You can still amass power, build alliances, and conquer territory without ever touching the main quest. This freedom is what makes Bannerlord so engaging for many players.
The Freedom of Choice in Calradia
Bannerlord offers a truly open-ended experience. While the main quest provides a structured goal, the game emphasizes player agency. You’re free to:
- Become a Mercenary: Earn a living by fighting for various factions, gaining renown and experience.
- Engage in Trade: Build a trading empire, buying low and selling high across Calradia.
- Join a Kingdom as a Vassal: Pledge your allegiance to a ruler, earning fiefs and participating in wars.
- Form Your Own Kingdom (Without the Main Quest): Capture settlements, build up your clan, and declare your independence.
Each of these paths offers unique challenges and rewards. The choice is entirely yours. Some players might find the structure of the main quest appealing, while others prefer the freedom to create their own story. Neither approach is inherently better; it simply depends on your personal preferences. This kind of game-based learning makes the game highly replayable, as players can continually find new ways to engage with the world. Resources like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, often discuss the educational value of such open-ended game design, emphasizing how they promote strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Consequences of Ignoring the Main Quest
While you’re free to ignore the main quest, it’s important to understand the consequences:
- Quest Failure: As mentioned earlier, the main quest will eventually fail, removing it from your active quests.
- Blocked Kingdom Creation (potentially): The main quest provides a specific mechanism to create a kingdom, but other means are available.
- Missed Story Elements: You’ll miss out on the narrative elements and lore revealed through the main quest.
- Limited Early Game Guidance: The main quest provides some early-game guidance and direction, which might be helpful for new players.
Despite these consequences, the freedom to pursue your own goals often outweighs the disadvantages. Many players find that the emergent stories and experiences they create through their own actions are far more compelling than following a pre-defined narrative.
Building Your Own Kingdom Without the Dragon Banner
If you choose to ignore the main quest but still aspire to rule your own kingdom, you’ll need to focus on the following:
- Clan Tier: Increase your clan tier by gaining renown through battles, tournaments, and quests.
- Wealth: Accumulate wealth through trade, raiding, or ransoming prisoners.
- Military Strength: Build a strong army by recruiting and training troops.
- Settlement Ownership: Capture a castle or town.
- Declaration of Independence: Once you meet the requirements, you can declare your independence and establish your own kingdom.
This path requires more effort and planning than simply following the main quest, but it’s ultimately more rewarding for players who enjoy a greater degree of control over their destiny.
FAQs: Ignoring the Main Quest in Bannerlord
1. What happens if I completely ignore Neretzes’ Folly?
The game will register that you haven’t completed the investigation within a certain timeframe (approximately 10 in-game years) and you will receive a message indicating that the quest has failed.
2. Does ignoring the main quest lock me out of the endgame?
No. While the main quest provides one path to kingdom creation, you can still form your own kingdom by capturing settlements and declaring independence, but the Dragon Banner quest objectives will be blocked.
3. Can I still become a powerful ruler without doing the main quest?
Absolutely! You can become a powerful ruler through military conquest, political maneuvering, and economic dominance, all without ever touching the main quest.
4. Is it possible to rejoin the main quest later if I initially ignore it?
No. Once the main quest fails, it’s removed from your active quests and cannot be restarted.
5. What are the benefits of ignoring the main quest?
The main benefit is the freedom to create your own story and pursue your own goals without being constrained by a pre-defined narrative.
6. What are the downsides of ignoring the main quest?
The downsides include missing out on the story elements and lore revealed through the main quest, and potentially facing a slightly steeper learning curve early in the game.
7. Can I still get married and have children if I ignore the main quest?
Yes. Marriage and family are independent of the main quest and can be pursued regardless of your quest progress.
8. Does ignoring the main quest affect my relationships with other lords?
No. Your relationships with other lords are determined by your actions and interactions with them, not by your progress in the main quest.
9. Can I still become a vassal of an existing kingdom if I ignore the main quest?
Yes. Becoming a vassal is independent of the main quest and can be pursued at any time.
10. What happens if I destroy all factions by executing their lords?
If you execute every lord and lady that is of age, the clan is destroyed. If you do that to every clan in a kingdom, the kingdom is destroyed. This approach, while effective, has severe consequences for your reputation and honor.
11. Is it better to be a mercenary or a vassal in Bannerlord?
It depends on your goals. Being a mercenary is a good way to earn money and renown early on, while being a vassal offers more opportunities for long-term power and influence.
12. How important is honor in Bannerlord?
Honor affects your interactions with other lords and causes certain events. A high honor can increase the likelihood of a mercenary accepting an offer, or of you being elected as marshall.
13. What is the ultimate goal in Bannerlord if I don’t follow the main quest?
The “end goal” is whatever you choose it to be! It could be uniting Calradia under your banner, amassing a vast fortune, or simply living a life of adventure.
14. How long does a game of Bannerlord last?
It depends on how you play. A focused playthrough might take 30-40 hours, while a more open-ended game could last hundreds of hours.
15. Can companions get married in Bannerlord?
Yes, you can make them lords and then they start their own clan and then some of them marry. but no, you cant do that directly.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to ignore the main quest in Bannerlord is a personal one. The game’s strength lies in its flexibility and the freedom it provides to players. While the main quest offers a structured narrative, the world of Calradia is vast and full of opportunities for those who dare to forge their own path. Embrace the sandbox, create your own story, and become the ruler you were meant to be – with or without the Dragon Banner.