Tracking down the 10 nobles required for the Neretzes’ Folly quest is the first major step on your Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord journey, its completion immediately tasking you with finding two NPCs in order to learn more about and complete the Dragon Banner.
But how exactly do you complete the Dragon Banner in Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord and which side of the conflict should you pick? Our guide is here to help.
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord Dragon Banner
As soon as you’re done speaking to the 10 nobles, the Neretzes’ Folly quest will be replaced with two new quests. One of them tasks you with meeting with Istiana, the other with Arzagos. Thankfully, they don’t move around, being found in Epicrotea and Mannurath respectively.
Upon talking with the NPCs, you’ll learn that the Dragon Banner has legendary status in Calradia and could potentially unite factions under it for a single cause.
You’ll also learn that the two NPCs have opposing agendas: while Istiana wants to use the banner to bolster the Empire, Arzagos wants to use the Dragon Banner to destroy it.
You start the quest with one piece of Bannerlord’s Dragon Banner in your possession, the remaining two being obtainable from hideouts near Epicrotea and Mannurath. You’ll learn their exact locations after speaking to the NPCs after which you’ll have to clear them out as you would any other hideout.
Once you have all three pieces of the Dragon Banner, you’re going to have to make a choice that’s going to determine how the rest of your Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord campaign will play out.
Istiana gives you the option of either creating your own imperial faction or supporting one of Calradia’s existing imperial factions by presenting the banner to their leaders.
Arzagos lets you choose between creating a non-imperial faction or joining one of the independent kingdoms by giving the Dragon banner to its leader.
To create your own factions, you’ll need to ensure that your character has reached clan rank 3, has at least 100 troops under their command, is part of an independent clan and owns a settlement.
Depending on your choice, you’ll either be tasked with weakening the Empire or the kingdoms that oppose it. Meanwhile, Istiana or Arzagos will start planning to stop you from doing so.
For more help with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, check out our guides on caravans and the Family Feud quest.
