The 'Escort Caravan' quest, a common request from lords in Mount & Blade: Warband, presents a straightforward yet potentially lucrative opportunity for players. Undertaking this task involves protecting a merchant caravan as it travels across Calradia, fending off bandits and other threats that aim to plunder its valuable cargo.
Quest Giver and Location
This quest is typically offered by a lord of any faction. You will find them in their castles or towns, or sometimes roaming the world map. The lord will explain that a merchant caravan is preparing to travel and requires protection due to the dangerous roads. They will ask you to escort it to its destination.
Quest Objectives
The primary objective is to ensure the caravan reaches its destination safely. This means:
- Protecting the Caravan: You will need to stay close to the caravan and engage any hostile parties that attack it.
- Defeating Hostile Parties: The most common threats are bandit parties, but you might also encounter enemy soldiers if you are at war with a faction that controls the caravan's route.
- Reaching the Destination: The caravan will travel to a specific town or city. You must accompany it all the way.
Starting the Quest
To accept the quest:
- Find a Lord: Locate a lord who is not currently at war with you (unless you wish to take the quest as a mercenary).
- Initiate Dialogue: Speak to the lord and select the dialogue option related to quests or requests.
- Accept the Quest: If the 'Escort Caravan' quest is available, you will be presented with the option to accept it.
Once accepted, the quest log will update, and you will be directed to find the caravan. The caravan will usually be found near the lord's current location or at a nearby town.
Gameplay Mechanics During the Quest
- Caravan Movement: The caravan moves at a moderate pace across the world map. You will need to keep up with it.
- Enemy Encounters: Bandit parties will frequently appear and attempt to attack the caravan. These encounters can range from small groups to large, dangerous bandit armies.
- Combat: When an enemy party attacks, you will engage in a battle. Your goal is to defeat the attackers while minimizing damage to the caravan itself. The caravan's wagons and merchants are not directly controllable units but will be present on the battlefield.
- Quest Failure: The quest fails if the caravan is destroyed or if too many of its members are killed.
Tips for Success
- Strong Army: Ensure your party is well-equipped and has a decent number of experienced troops. Elite infantry and archers are particularly useful for defending the caravan.
- Keep Morale High: A happy army fights better. Ensure you have enough food and variety of food.
- Scout Ahead: If possible, try to clear out nearby bandit parties before the caravan reaches their territory.
- Positioning: During battles, try to position your troops to protect the caravan. Archers can be placed on higher ground, while melee troops can form a defensive perimeter.
- Focus Fire: Prioritize eliminating the most dangerous enemy units first, especially those that pose a direct threat to the caravan.
- Save Often: Since bandit ambushes can be unpredictable, saving your game periodically is a good idea.
Rewards
Upon successful completion of the quest, you will receive:
- Renown: A boost to your character's renown.
- Money: A significant sum of gold from the lord.
- Relationship Improvement: Your standing with the lord who gave you the quest will improve.
- Experience: For your character and your troops from the battles fought.
Variations and Challenges
The difficulty of this quest can vary greatly depending on the strength of the bandit parties encountered and the region you are in. In some areas, bandit activity is much higher, making the escort more challenging.