Minor Factions & Mercenary Companies

While Minor Clans provide flavor to the world, for a ruler, they are tools to be used. This guide focuses on the strategic management of Mercenary Companies.

Hiring Strategies

When to Hire?

• Emergency Defense: If you are suddenly attacked on multiple fronts, hire mercenaries immediately. They spawn with parties ready to fight, unlike vassals who need to recruit.

• Offensive Push: If you need 100-200 extra men to besiege a town, mercenaries are the quickest way to get them.

How to Hire

You must find the leader of the minor clan. Check the Encyclopedia (N) -> Clans -> Filter by Minor. Click on the leader's name to see their last known location.

Managing Mercenary Costs

Mercenaries are not cheap. Unlike your own parties which have fixed wages, Mercenary Clans are paid based on the Influence they generate.

• The Formula: Influence Gained x Contract Rate = Denars Paid.

• The Trap: If a mercenary clan wins a big battle, they generate massive influence. You then have to pay them a huge sum (sometimes 5,000 - 10,000 denars per day) until that influence drains.

Pro Tip: Monitor your Kingdom Budget. If a mercenary clan is draining you dry, release them from their contract. There is no penalty for firing mercenaries.

Mercenaries in War

Mercenaries behave slightly differently than Vassals.

• Raiding Focus: The AI for mercenaries favors raiding villages. This is great for distracting the enemy economy.

• Low Loyalty: If your kingdom starts losing bad, mercenaries are likely to defect to the enemy for a better contract.

• Cannon Fodder: Use them to lead assaults or soak up damage. Their troops are replaceable; your noble knights are not.

Summary

Mercenary companies are a high-cost, high-reward asset. Treat them as temporary contractors, not loyal subjects. Use them to win wars, then fire them to save gold during peace.