Unlocking Mounts: My Kingdom for a Horse Guide

Mounts revolutionize travel in New World Aeternum, especially with the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion introducing rideable companions. The quest “My Kingdom for a Horse” grants your first mount, the Moonshadow horse, but requires prerequisites and precise steps. This guide covers everything from eligibility to advanced riding progression.

Prerequisites for Accessing Mount Content

Before diving into quests, ensure you meet these core requirements drawn from official gameplay mechanics.

• Level Requirement: Players must reach at least level 20 (some sources note level 25 for full access).
• Expansion Ownership: The Rise of the Angry Earth pack is mandatory for mount unlocking.
• Quest Journal Check: Open your journal upon hitting the level cap to spot initial mount-related tasks in Everfall.

These thresholds ensure players have foundational gear and skills before tackling mount acquisition, preventing early-game frustration in open-world traversal.

Starting the Journey: A Change in the Wilds

The mount questline begins with “A Change in the Wilds,” a gateway mission appearing automatically at the required level.

1. Travel to the Everfall region and locate the horseshoe icon on your map.
2. Interact with the Mud-Stained Note to initiate the quest.
3. Fast travel to Shadowmine Shrine for efficient access to the next objective.
4. Speak with Jochi Khan, the key NPC son of a legendary warlord building a stable for Beast Lords.

Completing this hands over “My Kingdom for a Horse” directly from Jochi Khan, setting the stage for your first mount reward.

Completing My Kingdom for a Horse Step-by-Step

This pivotal quest involves exploration, interaction with mystical elements, and rewarding a stray animal. Follow these detailed instructions:

1. Follow the Compass: Head to the quest marker southeast of Jochi Khan, near a lakeside grove and cave entrance.
2. Commune with Beast Lords: Enter the cave and investigate for signs of ancient powers. This triggers a communion event.
3. Gather Azoth-Infused Oats: Collect the special resource inside the cave post-communion.
4. Feed the Stray Horse: Exit to the cave’s exterior and offer the oats to the wandering horse named Moonshadow.
5. Return to Jochi Khan: Deliver completion for your reward: the Moonshadow mount, 500 Riding XP, and mount summoning ability.

Upon turning in, Moonshadow appears as an inventory resource—open it to equip and summon via the mount hotkey.

Mount Management and Inventory Tips

Once obtained, manage your mount effectively:

• Summoning: Press the default mount key (customizable in settings) to call Moonshadow.
• Inventory Resource: Treat Moonshadow as an item—double-click to activate if not auto-equipping.
• Skill Progression: Check Riding skill via the K key (trade skills tab, bottom right). Quests provide initial XP boosts.
• Speed Upgrades: Higher Riding levels increase mount speed; equip gear via Tab menu while mounted.

Avoid common pitfalls like ignoring the inventory step, which leaves players unable to summon despite quest completion.

Beyond the First Mount: Questline Continuation

“My Kingdom for a Horse” unlocks a rally series for further progression and additional mounts like wolves.

• Hermit’s Rally: Nearby race with checkpoints; complete under timer for XP.
• Subsequent Races: Radiant Hills Rally, Stolen Shores Rally, King’s Road Tour, Ghost in Groves.
• Advanced Unlocks: Finish rallies to access Weas Fen and Great Cleave quests, culminating in wolf mount.
• Mount Food Cooking: Jochi teaches recipes post-initial races for stamina boosts.

These time-trial races demand practice—dilly-dallying risks failure, but retries are unlimited.

Alternative Mount Acquisition Methods

Not all mounts come via quests:

• Azoth Stalker Wolf: Pre-order bonus.
• Behemoth Bear: Purchased from in-game store.
• Lion Mounts: Later questline rewards after horse basics.

Questing remains the free, core path, emphasizing exploration and lore tied to Beast Lords.

Optimizing Your Riding Experience

Maximize mobility with these strategies:

• XP Farming: Prioritize mount quests—they dual-purpose as Riding progression.
• Gear Slots: Unlock via skill levels; swap on-the-fly with Tab.
• Stamina Management: Cook food from Jochi’s lessons to extend sprint duration.
• Fast Travel Synergy: Dismount before shrines to preserve mount cooldowns.

As Aeternum’s threats grow, mounts enable quicker responses to events and PvP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What level do I need for My Kingdom for a Horse?

Level 20 minimum, with level 25 ensuring full quest visibility.

Do I need Rise of the Angry Earth?

Yes, it’s required for mount features.

How do I summon my Moonshadow horse?

Open it from inventory as a resource, then use the mount key.

Can I fail the rally quests?

Yes, timers exist—practice routes to succeed.

When do I get the wolf mount?

After completing rally chains up to Great Cleave.

Is Jochi Khan the only NPC?

Primary turn-in; he chains all mount quests.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Players often encounter:

• Quest Not Appearing: Verify level/expansion; relog if bugged.
• Mount Not Summoning: Check inventory—open the resource item.
• Rally Timeouts: Use optimal paths; upgrade Riding for speed edges.

For persistent issues, consult official patch notes or community databases like NWDB.