Fighter Outlaw

The outlaw bands of the wilderness have a terrible reputation within the towns and cities of the civilised nations, for they are viewed as the lowest form of thief, bandits and brigands who lie in wait to kill and rob any unwary traveller.

The Quintessential Fighter

Author Matthew Sprange

Publisher Mongoose Publishing

Publish date 2002

Many outlaws do indeed follow this mould, but in regions dominated by a tyrannical ruler, many choose to voluntarily leave the comforts of the town and join the growing outlaw bands, rather than submit to inhumane and cruel laws.

Such outlaws often become the heroes of the outlying villages who themselves must suffer daily under the predations of the evil ruler and the heavy taxes that force many families to starve. By providing such people with food and a measure of protection from the soldiers of the ruler, the outlaws can create a whole chain of villages willing to support and them when most needed.

Adventuring: Notoriety is both the friend and enemy of the outlaw. A famous outlaw can cause an entire merchant train to surrender without a fight just by appearing at the head of his band, as well as being able to count on the support of any village he has helped. However, as his legend grows, so too will the efforts of the ruler to hunt down and destroy him.

Many outlaw bands are often faced with no choice but to break apart and leave the region with all haste. Even the younger and less experienced members will be marked men with a price on their heads and many of these, with no home to return to, embark on a life of adventure, keeping their past life a secret lest it catch up with them.

Role-Playing: Many outlaws revel in living up to their stereotypical image of dreadful thieves and murderers, relying on a cruel reputation to get what they want from life. Others, however, have a very strong sense of personal ethics that cause them to fight injustice wherever they find it. This leads many to actively despise all in power or with wealth, who drink and dance in fine halls whilst the rest of the population starves outside.

Bonuses: The outlaw is used to fighting impossible odds, willingly taking on large numbers of armoured and well-trained soldiers when in his natural habitat, as he is adept at using terrain (usually forest or mountain, though any may be chosen), the outlaw receives a +2 competence bonus to all Hide, Move Silently, and Wilderness Lore checks.

Penalties: Having spent so much time fighting enemies in the wilderness, the outlaw values speed and stealth over raw Endurance in battle. The outlaw receives Armour Proficiency only in light armour.