Captivity & Escape

November 21, 2025

What happens when the player is captured and how to recover.

Captivity & Escape

Defeat is not the end in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Whether you stumbled into a massive army or got knocked out by a looter rock, being taken prisoner is a setback, not a game over. Here is how to manage your captivity, escape, and rebuild.

Prison Break Mechanics Breaking out of a dungeon is one of the most thrilling experiences in Bannerlord.

The Art of Getting Captured

When your health hits zero and your party is defeated, you will be dragged around by your captors.

  • Inventory: You generally keep your gold and equipment, but you lose some inventory items and your troops.

  • Time: You will remain a prisoner until you escape or are ransomed.

  • Escape Chance: Your Roguery skill determines how quickly you can slip away.

Escaping Captivity

You don't have to wait to be released.

  1. Wait it out: Eventually, you will see a "You have escaped!" notification.

  2. Barter: If a lord holds you, they might offer to release you for a fee.

Breaking Others Out (Prison Breaks)

The most proactive way to deal with prisons is breaking your allies (or yourself, if you roleplay via mod/mechanic) out.

  • Infiltration: Enter an enemy town in civilian gear.

  • The Guard Fight: You must fight your way to the dungeon.

  • The Escape: Fight your way out with the prisoner.

Stealth Infiltration Use civilian gear and stealth to infiltrate enemy keeps.

Ransom Mechanics

If you capture enemies, you become the jailor.

  • Ransom Brokers: Found in taverns. They pay cash for prisoners.

  • Donating: Donate prisoners to friendly dungeon for Influence.

  • Recruiting: You can recruit prisoners into your party over time, though they start with low morale.

Ransom Broker Transaction Selling nobles to Ransom Brokers is a quick way to make thousands of denars.

See our Prisoner Management Guide for more on handling captives.

Rebuilding After Defeat

Once you are free, you are alone and vulnerable.

  1. Go to a friendly town: Recruit basics.

  2. Find your companions: They will be scattered in taverns across Calradia. Check your clan tab to find their location.

  3. Rebuild Wealth: Do a few tournaments or trade runs.

Don't give up. Every Emperor has lost a battle or two.

Summary

  • Level Roguery to escape faster.

  • Use Ransom Brokers for money, Dungeons for influence.

  • Prison Breaks are high-risk, high-reward missions.