Storyline & Main Quest

The main storyline in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is more than just a tutorial; it is the key to legitimizing your rule over Calradia. Whether you wish to restore the Calradic Empire or crush it under the hooves of a barbarian horde, you must first assemble the legendary Dragon Banner.

The Beginning: Neretzes' Folly

After the tutorial, your brother gives you a quest to "Investigate Neretzes' Folly". This requires you to speak with 10 Nobles who were present at the Battle of Pendraic.

Tips for Finding Nobles

• Look for lords with blue exclamation marks (!) on the map or in lord halls.

• Ask any lord about the battle; if they weren't there, they will tell you who was.

• Check the Encyclopedia ("N" key) to see the last known location of the target nobles.

Assembling the Banner

Once you have the information, you will be directed to find two key figures: Istiana (in Epicrotea) and Arzagos (in Marunath). They will task you with finding pieces of the Dragon Banner hidden in bandit hideouts.

Check our guide on Clearing Hideouts if you are struggling with these stealth missions.

The Great Choice

Once you have the banner, you must make a choice that defines the rest of your campaign.

Path A: Support the Empire (Istiana)

• Goal: Unite the three imperial factions (Northern, Southern, Western).

• Requirement: Give the banner to an existing Imperial ruler OR create your own Imperial faction.

Path B: Destroy the Empire (Arzagos)

• Goal: Weaken the empire until it collapses.

• Requirement: Give the banner to a non-Imperial ruler (Vlandia, Khuzait, etc.) OR create your own non-Imperial kingdom.

For help with this step, see Starting Your Own Kingdom.

The Conspiracy

Regardless of your choice, the opposing faction will launch a "Conspiracy". A bar will fill up over time.

• Conspiracy Quests: You will receive quests to stop conspiracy caravans or hideouts. Completing them delays the war.

• The Final War: Once the bar fills, all 3 opposing factions will declare permanent war on you.

  • If you supported the Empire, all Barbarian kingdoms attack.

  • If you supported Arzagos, all Imperial factions attack.

This is the hardest part of the game. Ensure you have mastered Diplomacy & Kingdom Politics before triggering this phase.

Victory Conditions

To win, you must capture two-thirds of all imperial settlements (for Pro-Empire) or reduce the Empire's holdings to near zero (for Anti-Empire). Once achieved, the opposing factions will dissolve, and you will be declared the supreme ruler of Calradia.