Marrying for Power and Profit: The Point of Marriage in Mount & Blade: Warband
In Mount & Blade: Warband, marriage isn’t about love, romance, or happily ever after. It’s a cold, calculated strategy for increasing your power, influence, and legitimacy within the game world. Primarily, the point of marriage is to gain Right to Rule, a crucial factor for establishing your own kingdom or solidifying your position within an existing one. It provides a much-needed boost to this valuable stat. While other benefits exist, that initial bump to Right to Rule is the driving force behind most strategic alliances in Calradia.
Right to Rule: The Foundation of Your Kingdom
Right to Rule is essentially your credibility as a ruler. Without it, lords will be less likely to join your faction, and other kingdoms will see you as an easy target. Marriage provides a significant and relatively easy boost to this stat, making it a cornerstone for any aspiring monarch. Other methods of increasing Right to Rule are more time-consuming and unreliable, such as sending out companions on missions. Securing a strong marriage alliance is the quickest and most efficient route.
Beyond Right to Rule: Other Benefits of Matrimony
While Right to Rule is the primary driver, marriage offers other advantages, though they are less impactful. These include:
- Political Alliances: Marriage automatically improves your relationship with your wife’s family and faction. This can lead to valuable alliances and support in political matters, though it doesn’t guarantee that they will be happy about you declaring war on them.
- Recruiting Companions: Occasionally, your wife’s relatives may become available as companions, offering additional skills and party leadership capabilities. These companions are not always guaranteed, and their quality varies.
- A Noble Wife: The presence of a noble wife adds a touch of legitimacy and prestige to your court. While it doesn’t have a direct gameplay effect, it can contribute to the overall impression you make on other lords.
Choosing Your Bride: Stats and Strategy
Selecting a wife isn’t just about picking the prettiest face in Calradia. Consider her family’s power and influence, her faction’s strength, and the potential benefits her connections can bring to your kingdom. Some players prioritize marrying into powerful families within established kingdoms, while others seek out alliances with families of potential rebels, hoping to exploit existing tensions. Don’t get too bogged down though, your wife’s stats are generally more important.
The Wedding Ceremony and Aftermath
Once you’ve secured a betrothal (which often involves completing a quest for the potential bride’s father or guardian), the wedding ceremony itself is a simple affair. After a brief cutscene, your bride joins your party, and you gain the coveted Right to Rule boost. From this point forward, your wife will follow you around, offering occasional advice and contributing to your court.
Drawbacks and Considerations
Marriage in Warband is not without its limitations:
- No Children: Unlike some strategy games, Warband doesn’t feature dynastic elements. You won’t have children to inherit your kingdom or forge alliances through further marriages.
- Limited Diplomacy: While your relationship with your wife’s family improves, it doesn’t guarantee unwavering loyalty. Political considerations can still override familial bonds.
- Static Relationship: Your relationship with your wife is essentially fixed after marriage. There are no opportunities to develop or improve it, and no consequences for neglecting her.
Ultimately, marriage in Warband is a strategic tool for achieving your ambitions. While it may lack the emotional depth of a role-playing game, it provides a crucial advantage for aspiring rulers.
FAQs: Mastering the Art of Marriage in Warband
1. How do I propose marriage in Warband?
First, find a suitable noblewoman. Speak to her directly and, if your relationship is high enough (usually above +20), you will have a dialogue option to express your interest in marriage. If she’s receptive, you’ll then need to get permission from her father or guardian, often by completing a quest.
2. What affects my chances of a successful marriage proposal?
Your relationship with the noblewoman, your renown, your honor, and your standing within the game world all affect your chances. Having a high Right to Rule also helps. A good relationship with her family is essential.
3. Can I marry a commoner in Warband?
No, you can only marry noblewomen in Warband. Commoners are not eligible marriage candidates.
4. What happens if my wife’s faction goes to war with mine?
This is an interesting scenario. While your relationship with her family may suffer, your marriage remains intact. Your wife will stay with you, though she might express disapproval of the conflict.
5. Can I divorce my wife in Warband?
No, divorce is not an option in Warband. Once you’re married, you’re stuck with your choice.
6. Does my wife have any skills or abilities?
Yes, noblewomen often have skills in areas such as surgery, first aid, and training. These skills can benefit your party if your wife is assigned the role of a companion.
7. Can my wife lead troops in battle?
Yes, you can assign your wife to lead troops in battle, similar to a companion. She can be an effective leader, especially if she has high combat skills.
8. Is it possible to marry a ruler, like Rhagaea?
No, you cannot marry a ruler (like Rhagaea) in Warband. You can only marry members of their families, such as their daughters.
9. What is the best way to increase my Right to Rule before getting married?
Completing quests for villages, helping lords in battle, and releasing captured lords all increase your honor, which indirectly contributes to your Right to Rule. Sending companions on missions to spread word of your noble deeds is another option, albeit slower.
10. Does my wife’s appearance change after marriage?
No, your wife’s appearance remains the same after marriage. There are no options for customization or changes to her attire.
11. Can my wife die in Warband?
No, your wife cannot die. She is essentially immortal, so you don’t have to worry about protecting her in battle or from other dangers.
12. What are some of the best wives to marry in Warband, strategically?
Some popular choices include ladies from powerful families within strong kingdoms, such as those from the Sarranid Sultanate or the Swadian kingdom. Ultimately, the “best” wife depends on your specific goals and play style. Consider Nadja, she has excellent archery skills.
13. Can I arrange marriages for my companions or other lords?
No, you cannot arrange marriages for other characters in Warband. Only the player character can get married.
14. Does marriage affect my relationship with other companions?
No, your marriage does not directly affect your relationship with your companions. However, they may have opinions on your political decisions, which could indirectly impact your relationship.
15. Is marriage more important in certain mods for Warband?
Yes, some mods, such as Diplomacy, expand upon the marriage system and make it even more strategically important. These mods often include features like dynastic succession and more complex political interactions. Learning more about these mods is important, and the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org often researches such modifications.
In conclusion, marriage in Mount & Blade: Warband is a strategic decision primarily driven by the need to acquire Right to Rule. While other benefits exist, they are secondary to this crucial factor. Choose your bride wisely, and you’ll be well on your way to conquering Calradia.