Regions must be defended and conquered by lords, often requiring the services of mercenaries.

A growing city in Manor Lords may need help from outside sources to defend itself, deal with bandit problems, or conquer a neighboring region. Mercenaries for hire can be found by traveling through regions on the map. When they come near your region, you will receive a notification that the gang of armed misfits is nearby and ready to be paid. It is sometimes wise to hire mercenaries so that you do not endanger your hard-working families, which could reduce your male population and the overall efficiency of the city. However, in order to hire mercenaries, you will need to have a certain status in Manor Lords, specifically an administrative building and treasury funds.

To hire mercenaries in Manor Lords, you will need an active administrative building and enough villagers in your city to pay some form of tax to a Treasury fund. A Treasury fund is different from Regional Wealth, it belongs to you as the lord, not the villagers. Land tax was the easiest way for me to make money, I made over 500 Treasury Wealth in less than 6 months, but be aware that taxing your villagers will lower their Approval rating.

To hire Mercenaries, wait for a notification that they are nearby. Click on the War tab, then click on the "Hand with Money" icon. This will show you information about the nearby Mercenary group, including the monthly cost of having them in your service. At Wayward Sons, the bill was 45 Treasury Wealth per month, which comes from the Manor Treasury funds. Click on the ribbon at the bottom of the pop-up to purchase the Mercenaries in Manor Lords.