The FIRST English M&B Group on Steam

Mount & Blade takes place in the land of Calradia, where war has broken out between five militarized factions: The Swadians, The Rhodoks, The Vaegirs, The Khergits, and The Nords.

According to the published history, the Kingdom of Swadia was Calradia's all-encompassing monarchy. Under circumstances not yet revealed, the nation was plunged into infighting and civil strife. Despite this, Swadia can still be considered the strongest faction at the beginning of a Mount & Blade play through; it is common for Swadia to be engaged in wars on two or more fronts at any point due to their expansive territory.

This original breakdown of Swadian supremacy allowed the Nords an opportunity to invade by sea and set up their own kingdom from carved-out swathes of unguarded Swadian territory. This is similar to the history of the British Isles, where pre-Norman England fell victim to Viking raids and, eventually, settlement.

The Kingdom of Vaegir and the Kingdom of Rhodok were parts of the Kingdom of Swadia which declared their independence a generation before the events of the game.

The Khergit Khanate was formed by invading steppe nomads who settled in Calradia and became urbanised.

The currency used in game is known as the Denar.