What Happens When You Marry in Bannerlord 2?
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Marriage in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is more than just a symbolic union; it’s a strategic cornerstone for building a lasting dynasty and strengthening your clan’s position in the turbulent world of Calradia. At its core, marriage provides you with a companion who can fulfill various roles within your clan, contribute to your party’s fighting strength, and, most importantly, bear children to secure your lineage. Upon marrying, your spouse joins your clan as a fully functional companion. They bring their skills, equipment, and often a pre-existing relationship network that can be beneficial. Economically, your spouse’s clan may offer a dowry, providing an initial influx of cash or goods to boost your coffers. Beyond the immediate benefits, marriage opens the door to political alliances and the potential for increased influence within your chosen faction or the broader Calradic landscape. A well-chosen spouse can be a skilled governor, a capable party leader, or even a shrewd negotiator, significantly augmenting your clan’s capabilities. Finally, and perhaps most crucially, marriage is the primary mechanism for continuing your lineage. Having children ensures that your legacy will live on and provides heirs to inherit your power and holdings when your character eventually passes away. Neglecting marriage can leave your clan vulnerable and ultimately lead to a game over scenario.
The Benefits of Tying the Knot
Companion and Clan Member
Your spouse immediately becomes a valuable member of your clan. They can be assigned roles such as governor of a fief, leader of a party, or simply accompany you as a companion in your party. Their skills and attributes contribute to the overall strength and efficiency of your clan’s operations.
Inheritance and Lineage
One of the most significant benefits of marriage is the ability to have children. In Bannerlord, children are essential for ensuring your clan’s survival. When your main character dies, you will take control of one of your children, carrying on your dynasty. Without children, your game ends when your character dies.
Political Influence
Marriage can improve your relationships with other clans, especially your spouse’s clan. This can lead to political opportunities, such as securing alliances, influencing decisions within a kingdom, and gaining access to valuable resources.
Economic Advantages
Depending on the spouse and their clan, you might receive a dowry upon marriage. This can provide a significant boost to your finances, allowing you to invest in your clan’s development and military strength.
Skill and Stats
Your spouse brings their own set of skills and stats to your clan. Depending on their background and training, they might excel in combat, leadership, governance, or other areas. This can supplement your own skills and fill gaps in your clan’s capabilities.
Choosing the Right Spouse: Factors to Consider
Selecting a spouse in Bannerlord requires careful consideration. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Skills: Look for a spouse with skills that complement your own and address your clan’s needs. For example, if you need a skilled governor, choose someone with high stewardship.
- Age: Consider the age of your potential spouse. Younger spouses have a greater chance of bearing children, while older spouses may have more experience and political connections.
- Temperament: Pay attention to your potential spouse’s personality traits. A spouse with compatible traits is more likely to be loyal and supportive.
- Clan Relations: Marrying into a powerful and well-respected clan can significantly boost your own clan’s status and influence.
- Personal Preference: While strategic considerations are important, don’t forget to choose a spouse you find interesting and engaging. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time with them.
The Marriage Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Finding a Potential Spouse
The first step is to identify a suitable candidate. You can browse the encyclopedia to view the profiles of available nobles and their stats. Visit towns and castles to meet potential spouses in person.
Building a Relationship
Once you’ve identified a potential spouse, you need to build a relationship with them. Talk to them, complete quests for their clan, and participate in activities that increase your relationship score.
Proposing Marriage
When your relationship is high enough, you can propose marriage. This usually involves a persuasion check, where you need to convince the potential spouse that you’re a worthy partner.
Negotiating Terms
After the proposal is accepted, you need to negotiate the terms of the marriage with the spouse’s clan leader. This usually involves exchanging money or goods in exchange for the spouse’s hand in marriage.
The Wedding Ceremony
Once the terms are agreed upon, the wedding ceremony takes place. This is a simple event, but it marks the official union of your clan and your spouse’s clan.
Potential Complications and How to Handle Them
Infertility
In some cases, your spouse might be unable to have children due to age or other factors. This can be a significant setback for your clan’s long-term survival. The game also references surrogacy as an option for those unable to have children through a conventional marriage. While not a direct game mechanic, it hints at the lengths one might go to for an heir.
Infidelity
While rare, spouses can be unfaithful. This can lead to negative consequences, such as loss of loyalty and political instability.
Death
Spouses can die in battle or from other causes. This can be a devastating blow, especially if they were skilled warriors or leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Marriage in Bannerlord 2
Here are some frequently asked questions about marriage in Bannerlord 2:
1. Is marriage important in Bannerlord 2?
Yes, marriage is crucial. It provides you with a companion, potential heirs to continue your lineage, political influence, and economic advantages. It’s practically required if you want a long game.
2. Can you marry more than one person in Bannerlord 2?
No, you can only marry one person at a time. Bannerlord 2 does not support polygamy.
3. Can you divorce your wife/husband in Bannerlord 2?
There is no built-in divorce mechanic in Bannerlord 2. The only way to “divorce” is to use console commands to imprison and then execute your spouse, which obviously comes with negative consequences.
4. How do you get your wife/husband killed in Bannerlord 2?
The easiest way to get a companion killed is to make them a party leader and send them into unfavorable situations or leave them in a hostile fief. Alternatively, you can try orchestrating a prison break and “accidentally” kill them in the process.
5. What to do if your wife/husband can’t have kids in Bannerlord 2?
Unfortunately, there’s no in-game mechanic for surrogacy or fertility treatments. You’ll either have to accept it or start a new game with a different spouse.
6. What is the max relationship in Bannerlord 2?
The relationship scale ranges from -100 to +100. Maxing out a relationship at +100 can sometimes make it less susceptible to deterioration.
7. Can you marry a king/queen in Mount and Blade Bannerlord 2?
Yes, you can marry a king or queen, but only after they have been deposed and are no longer ruling.
8. How much money do you need to marry someone in Bannerlord 2?
The cost of marriage varies depending on the potential spouse’s status and your relationship with them. It can range from 1,000 to 30,000 denarii.
9. Who is the best husband/wife in Bannerlord 2?
There’s no single “best” spouse, as it depends on your priorities. Some popular choices include Ira due to her potential inheritance and nobles with high skills in areas you need. Consider the individual stats and family connections.
10. Does gender matter in Bannerlord 2 marriages?
Gender doesn’t significantly impact the marriage itself. The main difference is related to your children; daughters who marry will leave your clan, while sons will remain.
11. How do you have a child in Mount and Blade 2?
Pregnancy occurs randomly when a married couple spends time together inside a fief. There’s a chance of pregnancy each day they are together.
12. What is the benefit of marriage in Bannerlord 2 beyond children?
Beyond offspring, marriage brings a free and skilled companion into your party, improves relations with their family, and can provide access to their equipment and resources.
13. How do you get your wife/husband pregnant quickly?
The key is to spend time together inside a settlement. There’s no guaranteed method, but the more time you spend together, the higher the chance of pregnancy.
14. Why can’t I marry a specific character?
There could be several reasons. They might already be married, have negative relations with you, or their clan leader may disapprove. Ensure you meet the prerequisites and have a positive relationship.
15. Can you become a ruler through marriage in Bannerlord 2?
While you can’t directly become a ruler through marriage, marrying into a powerful family can significantly increase your influence and chances of being elected as ruler if you are part of a kingdom. The Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, offers fascinating insights into game mechanics and player strategy.