Old friends become new enemies, and old enemies become new friends
We pick up our Bannerlord run today free from the contracts that bound us for so long. Contracts that lead us to death after death, loss after loss.
We could go anywhere from here - do anything. We briefly flirt with the notion of joining one of the other Empire splinters, before our true path becomes clear. It's time to side with the Khuzait peoples and see if this time we can't be on the winning side of some of these battles.
But first - a Tournament!
What a throw! Nailed him as he rode past on horseback with a javelin - which is harder than it sounds!
Ahhh the sweet default red of our banner - enjoy this single time you see it because it's going to change for a long time after this!
We do a bit of trading while we try to figure out what we're going to do for the future, snagging something like 1,000 Denars just for trading some fish. We also are in desperate need of more horses after the loss last episode, so we snag a bunch of them.
While in Myzea getting rid of my fish and buying horses, I take a moment to talk to Lord Belithor, and inquire about their Mercenary rates.
He's offering a pretty competitive 172 Denars per point of Influence, but it would mean siding with the Empire again and... well... we all know my track record with Empire armies.
So, we head back up to Makeb and talk to Mehir of the Khuzait Khanate, seeking to join the service of Khan Monchung.
It's less than the Empire would have offered, no doubt. 149 Denars per point of Influence is a pretty sharp hit... but given that I'll actually win some battles with the Khuzait, it works out in the end. We accept - so long as the denars keep flowing, so will the blood of their enemies. Long live the Khan.
Our heraldry is automatically updated to the colours of the Khuzait Khanate, and we immediately head out looking for a fight. Time for a little payback on that ol' Empire pal of ours, starting with Archon Baranor.
He's vastly outnumbered - we could have simulated this fight entirely but, heck... we lost so many forces for the Empire's wars, it'd be a shame if our first dust-up with them now that we're on the other side was to be simulated!
Also, I have to say - riding with the Khuzait's if you're not used to being in a cavalry-heavy company is something else. What a cool feeling, bearing down on the enemy within a sea of cavalry.
I have generally run with a pretty infantry-heavy army, so being amid so many cavalry is exhilarating. And, they absolutely destroy at open field battle like this. I mean, we faced off against 100 men and in the end, how many did we lose?
Two. Two units lost fighting 100. To say that this wasn't a fair fight is the understatement of the YEAR. The Empire got absolutely destroyed in this battle.
So, why stop there, eh? We join up with another army cutting chunks out of Southern Empire territory every step of the way.
We take an active role in the siege of Jogurys castle, picking up the very first spot and pushing the battering ram to the gate. We take a hit from a catapult immediately, which luckily doesn't injure us but does a number on the ram itself.
A second direct hit puts us in a pretty precarious position. If they manage to aim well enough to hit us once more, this ram is done and we'll have to take the walls with ladders.
Thankfully, we make it to the gate after the miss another shot or two, and despite being peppered with arrows, crossbow bolts, and javelins, we're doing fine as we reach the wall. I take a moment to survey our team and realize that in first-person view while using the battering ram, we get this unsettling view when we look behind us.
That's gonna stay with me for a while.
The gate falls pretty quickly once we reach it, and I get to actually use the battering ram for the first time which is neat!
And then we're inside the castle grounds. They don't really stand a chance.
Per usual with the Southern Empire, despite fielding 150-ish troops, they only actually manage to take down 5 of ours and wound 10. Not a great trade-off, considering that a competent garrison in a castle should be able to at the very least match 1:1.
We engage in a couple of minor skirmishes and then pop down to the city of Husn Fulq to besiege it.
The militia forces garrisoned here are about to have a very bad day.
In the end, these forces do actually do considerably better than any prior engagement we've fought today, but it's still not nearly enough to stop us, and another city falls to the Khanate.
We finish the session with a bit of trading to restock our party before calling it a day. Next time, we will continue to absolutely stomp the Empire with our new allies!
Until next time friends, happy gaming!
Check out the video! The link is below.
Join the Worldbuilding Community!
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 15/55) Liquid rewards.
Thank you!
I knew you'd find the right path, man. Khuzaits always destroy the empire. And it was great to see what you did with that javelin. I've played the game before, so I know how hard it is.
Why didn't you join them as a vassal instead of a mercenary? Isn't your clan at that level yet?
I was pretty surprised that I managed to tag him with it, no word of a lie lol.
And, I am. I could accept vassalship but I like the extra income of mercenary work and in the end, when I go to set down roots I want it to be at home, in Vlandia.
Makes sense. What's the situation for Vlandia in game? Are they strong now?
Overall mid tier I'd say, but their cavalry are MONSTERS at high levels, and their cities are densely packed so their economy is fantastic. Plus, nearly impossible to attack them on multiple fronts. All ya have to do is push east and win.
I used to play mount and blade and I loved it, now unfortunately my computer is not powerful enough to open this game. You captured the screenshots well, the game has really improved in terms of image quality. I also enjoyed your detailed description of the battle.
It's super fun. I am glad you enjoyed the post, thanks for the comment!