Can Your Companions Have Children in Bannerlord? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, your companions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can have children, but with a significant caveat. They must first become vassals of a kingdom, meaning they need to be granted a fief and established as an independent clan within that kingdom. Only then will the game’s mechanics allow them to marry and potentially start a family. This adds a layer of strategic depth to companion management, turning them from mere followers into potential contributors to your kingdom’s long-term stability.
Understanding Companion Fertility in Bannerlord
The ability for companions to have children isn’t automatic. It’s tied to their status within the game world. Think of it as a reflection of societal norms and the practicalities of medieval life. Wanderers, simply roaming Calradia, wouldn’t have the stability or resources to raise a family effectively. Becoming a vassal provides that foundation.
Once a companion has a fief and is part of a kingdom, they are then eligible for marriage. You, the player, can even influence this process by arranging suitable matches for them. These matches should ideally bring traits and skills that complement the clan and contribute to the kingdom’s overall strength. Much like with your own character, a companion’s age and their spouse’s age will affect the likelihood of pregnancy. Older characters have a reduced chance of having children.
The system is designed to add a strategic element to your gameplay. By strategically placing companions in fiefs, building their skills, and arranging their marriages, you can strengthen your kingdom not just through military might, but through a robust and growing population.
Managing Companion Families: A Long-Term Strategy
Investing in your companions’ families is a long-term strategy that pays dividends. A growing family means more potential clan members, which translates to more party leaders, governors, and eventually, powerful lords and ladies supporting your kingdom.
Keep an eye on your companions’ ages and marital status. If a companion is approaching their late 30s or early 40s without a spouse, it’s time to intervene and arrange a marriage. Similarly, if a companion’s spouse is past their prime childbearing years, the chances of expanding the family are slim.
Remember that a companion’s skills and attributes are passed down to their children, albeit with some randomness. By carefully selecting spouses with desirable traits, you can improve the overall quality of the next generation of leaders in your kingdom.
The Importance of Fief Management
A companion’s success as a vassal, and therefore their family’s success, is directly tied to the prosperity of their fief. Ensure they have the resources and support needed to develop their settlements, maintain order, and defend against threats. A well-managed fief will attract settlers, boost the economy, and create a stable environment for a growing family.
By taking a holistic approach to companion management, you can turn them from simple adventurers into the cornerstones of your kingdom’s future. This adds a compelling layer of depth to the gameplay, rewarding players who invest in the well-being of their followers. This all goes to show how Games Learning Society principles can be applied to games like Bannerlord.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about companions and families in Bannerlord:
1. How do I grant a fief to a companion?
You must first capture a fief (castle or town). Then, after the conquest, during the settlement distribution decision, you can choose to award the fief to your companion. Ensure your companion is of a suitable culture for the fief to minimize unrest.
2. What happens if my companion’s fief is captured?
If a companion’s fief is captured, they become landless. They will continue to serve your kingdom, but their clan’s influence will diminish. They will then typically be granted a new fief in future territory distributions, so make sure to grow your kingdom to allow this.
3. Can I choose who my companion marries?
Yes! You can arrange marriages for your companions with members of other clans. Talking to the fathers of ladies you want to marry to your companion’s family member makes it faster and easier than getting married yourself.
4. Do companion children inherit their parents’ skills?
Yes, children inherit skills from their parents, but there is also an element of randomness. Focus on companions with the skillsets your future leaders need.
5. Can my companions die of old age?
Yes, characters in Bannerlord, including companions, can die of old age. The average lifespan is between 50 and 65, although some can live much longer.
6. What age does a companion’s wife stop having children?
A wife’s fertility starts to decline around age 30 and ends at age 41. Pregnancy chances decrease significantly with age.
7. Can female companions marry?
Female companions can marry, but only after they have been granted a fief and become vassals. Therefore, a female character may marry one of her own vassals, thus the possibility of marrying a male companion.
8. Can I adopt children in Bannerlord?
No, you cannot adopt children into your clan in Bannerlord.
9. How many children can a couple have in Bannerlord?
It’s difficult to have more than 3-4 children, but it is possible with a young wife and consistent efforts.
10. Can companions have children before becoming vassals?
No, companions must be vassals with their own fiefs before they can get married and have children.
11. Does a wife’s culture matter for pregnancy?
No, a wife’s culture does not directly impact the chance of pregnancy.
12. Can I improve a companion’s fertility?
There are no specific actions to directly improve fertility in the game mechanics. The best strategy is to marry companions to younger wives.
13. What happens if my companion’s entire clan dies out?
If a companion’s entire clan dies out, the fief they held will revert back to the kingdom’s control for redistribution.
14. Can I name my companion’s children?
Yes, when a child is born, a notification will appear on the right, allowing you to name the child.
15. Are there any mods that affect companion fertility?
Yes, there are numerous mods available that can alter various aspects of the game, including companion fertility rates, marriage mechanics, and character lifespans. Check out the GamesLearningSociety.org for useful modding information.
By understanding these mechanics, you can effectively manage your companions and their families, turning them into valuable assets for your kingdom and ensuring its long-term prosperity.