u/FullFuckinFFO

That 1st siege after becoming your own Kingdom hits different

Every time I start a new Bannerlord campaign, I tell myself it's just another save file.

Then 30+ years pass.

The nobody mercenary I started with becomes a lord. He survives impossible battles, buries friends, raises a family, secure towns, wins wars, and carves out a kingdom that didn't exist when the campaign began.

By the end, I know it's just a collection of stats and code, but it's hard not to get attached. When my character finally dies of old age, I always feel a weird mix of sadness and pride. Sad because the person whose story I've followed for dozens of hours is gone, but proud because of everything they built. King Harald is 75 now and I am just waiting for that dreaded notification to get my affairs in order before the end.

Anyone else get way too invested in their Bannerlord characters, or am I the only one treating a sandbox game like a family saga?

More screenshots from my latest campaign.

As always, Skål from The Kingdom of Varangard.

Edit: thanks for the love on the pics folks

Probably my favorite campaign I’ve ever had in Mount & Blade

The idea started as a simple roleplay campaign. Harald of Clan Hardrada was a loyal vassal of the Nords, hopeful to become ruler someday, that day never came, when Halthdar passed and Sidundric took his fathers place, Harald knew the only way he would have his throne, was to create a kingdom himself.

That kingdom became Varangard.

What I thought would just be another short campaign somehow turned into a 40+ year saga full of desperate sieges, last stands, betrayals, ruined alliances, and victories that honestly felt earned.

The screenshots here are some of my favorite moments from the campaign, I love to use the photo mode tool

Honestly, this playthrough reminded me why Bannerlord is so good at creating stories naturally. Even with all the flaws the game has, no other game really creates these “history book” moments the same way.

After starting with just 2 castles Harald and his loyal followers have forged the largest kingdom in Calradia with currently 18 clans, 9 Cities, 8 Castles and a population of over 20,000.

His Son Magnus stands ready to take over his Father's throne when Odin eventually calls Harald to dine in the halls of Valhalla.

A few questions for you guys:

-What is your favorite army composition?

This Campaign has largely been Huscarls and Sky God Chosen for me, very little cavalry to stay true to Norse tactics

- What faction becomes your biggest enemy no matter what playthrough you do?

For me it’s always Vlandia somehow.

Skål from the Kingdom of Varangard.