Mercenaries
Soldiers-for-hire who are typically enlisted to defend a stronghold. They will perform other military duties in a wilderness setting, such as driving away monsters from surrounding lands, fighting other armies, and so on. Mercenaries will not accompany characters on adventures.
Note that as mercenaries are hired by a character to perform specific services, they are not treated as retainers and thus do not count toward a character’s maximum number of retainers.
Contents
Locating Mercenaries
Mercenaries can be located by posting notices. The response will depend on the availability of suitable troops in the area and the offer made.
Wages
Outside of wartime: As listed below.
During wartime: All wages are doubled.
Upkeep
The monthly rate of pay includes food and basic gear. Most mercenaries already have weapons and armour when hired, though their employer may give them additional gear. Note that armourers are required to repair mercenaries’ armour and weapons (see Specialists).
| Wage per Month | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | AC | Morale | Human | Dwarf | Elf | Orc | Goblin |
| Archer | 6 [13] | 8 | 5gp | — | 10gp | 3gp | 2gp |
| Archer, mounted | 9 [10] | 9 | 15gp | — | 30gp | — | — |
| Crossbowman | 5 [14] | 8 | 4gp | 6gp | — | 2gp | — |
| Crossbowman, mounted | 9 [10] | 9 | — | 15gp | — | — | — |
| Footman, light | 6 [13] | 8 | 2gp | — | 4gp | 1gp | 5sp |
| Footman, heavy | 4 [15] | 8 | 3gp | 5gp | 6gp | 15sp | — |
| Horseman, light | 7 [12] | 9 | 10gp | — | 20gp | — | — |
| Horseman, medium | 5 [14] | 9 | 15gp | — | — | — | — |
| Horseman, heavy | 3 [16] | 9 | 20gp | — | — | — | — |
| Longbowman | 5 [14] | 8 | 10gp | — | 20gp | — | — |
| Peasant | 9 [10] | 6 | 1gp | — | — | — | — |
| Wolf rider | 7 [12] | 9 | — | — | — | — | 5gp |
Archer
Equipped with a shortbow, leather armour, and a shield.
Archer, Mounted
Mounted on a riding horse. Equipped with a shortbow.
Crossbowman
Equipped with a crossbow and chainmail.
Crossbowman, Mounted
Mounted on a mule. Equipped with a crossbow.
Footman, Light
Equipped with a sword, leather armour, and a shield.
Footman, Heavy
Equipped with a sword, chainmail, and a shield.
Horseman, Light
Mounted on a riding horse. Equipped with a lance and leather armour.
Horseman, Medium
Mounted on a warhorse. Equipped with a lance and chainmail.
Horseman, Heavy
Mounted on a warhorse. Equipped with a sword, a lance, and plate mail.
Longbowman
Equipped with a longbow, a sword, and chainmail.
Peasant
Unarmed.
Wolf Rider
Mounted on a wolf. Equipped with a spear and leather armour.
