¶ Mercenary
Difficulty: Medium
Duties: Carry out assignments for hire.
Restrictions: The role's faction falls into the category of Combatant factions.
A Mercenary is a hired hand and skilled warrior who takes any job for money.
¶ "This Will Cost You"
Need protection? Desperately short of rare ores? Run out of magical scrolls? Need companions for a dangerous dungeon? A Mercenary can help in all these situations. Their combat skills, knowledge of the region's roads, and good equipment allow them to accept any assignment that promises a large payout.
Mercenaries are directed by the Mercenary Leader. Under the Leader's command, they carry out assignments. The Leader also chooses jobs and divides the loot and money.
¶ Guard and Provider
Guarding and procurement form the basis of a Mercenary's earnings. Guarding may mean escorting merchants, joining a group of travelers, or attaching themselves to one side's army. Such dangerous journeys can earn Mercenaries substantial pay.
Procurement is the second main source of income. Wealthy merchants or members of various guilds may ask Mercenaries to find scrolls, special items, valuables, or cursed equipment. Such risks are rewarded accordingly, and in some cases Mercenaries may acquire an improved sword or cuirass for themselves.
¶ Other Ways to Earn
Mercenaries may occasionally be offered a fairly small contract, such as gathering ore, hides, or ingredients. Hunting can also serve this purpose. Although the work may seem tedious, enough eloquence can persuade the employer to offer a more substantial reward. These options are also the safest, since encounters with enemies are minimal and the Mercenary is therefore more likely to survive.
¶ Mercenary Army
The most dangerous but also best-paid option is joining an army. Two armed forces operate in the region, and a Mercenary may enlist with either one. Everything depends on the amount their commanders offer. In that case, the Mercenaries form a squad subordinate to the commander-in-chief of the chosen faction's forces.
¶ Conclusion
A Mercenary's work is full of danger and adventure, from the thrill of an impending reward to the fear felt at the entrance to a perilous dungeon. Together with fellow Mercenaries and the Leader, they will overcome every danger and earn a large amount of money that may be enough to spend the rest of their life carefree.