Soldier-at-Arms (profession)

Soldiers-at-Arms are non-levelled combatants who have undergone rigorous combat training, making them the backbone of standing armies, city garrisons and noble retinues. Unlike common levies or militia, these professional soldiers possess discipline, battlefield experience and the ability to function effectively within formations, allowing them to serve as the mainstay of organized warfare.

While they lack the individual prowess of levelled fighters, their training enables them to execute strategic maneuvers, hold defensive lines and endure prolonged engagements. They are well-versed in the use of common battlefield weapons, such as longswords, spears and crossbows, and are proficient in wearing chain mail or lighter forms of plate. Their effectiveness is further enhanced when fighting under the leadership of trained officers or commanders.

Roles

Within the game world, Soldier-at-Arms are essential to maintaining order in fortified towns, escorting caravans, manning border outposts and serving in noble courts. They are found in every realm where professional military forces exist, forming disciplined ranks in the service of feudal lords, city-states and mercenary companies. Although non-levelled, their combat proficiency makes them more formidable than ordinary commoners, ensuring that they play a critical role in both warfare and security.

Possessing a standard morale that is likely to improve through experience, most soldiers find themselves in service as retainers to powerful fighters, sworn to a lord, knight or military commander. These bonds offer steady pay, protection and opportunities for advancement, though at the cost of personal autonomy. Upon mustering out from the army, many turn to civilian roles where their combat expertise remains valuable. Some take up positions as town guards, charged with maintaining order in urban centers, while others become haywards and reeves, overseeing rural law enforcement and land management. A few rise to the rank of constable, directing the efforts of lesser guardsmen and overseeing the security of districts or townships.

Those with a preference for the sea may find employment in the merchant marine, escorting vessels and defending trade routes, while others pursue a more independent path as mercenaries, hiring their swords to the highest bidder. A rare few accumulate enough wealth through plunder and service to establish themselves as freeholders, securing land and station without the need for noble patronage.

Beyond these roles, some aspire to become levelled characters, undertaking rigorous training or long campaigns to refine their skills. Many of the greatest fighters, paladins and rangers begin their journey as ordinary soldiers, gaining their first taste of war within the ranks before proving themselves worthy of greater mastery.

Soldiers as Combatants

Soldiers possess hit points determined by their body mass, with an additional 2–5 points reflecting their physical conditioning and combat experience. While their negative hit points are lower than those of levelled characters, their resilience ensures they do not succumb to injuries until damage reduces them to below -5 hit points. This allows them to remain in the fight longer than common warriors, though they lack the endurance of true adventurers.

Their base THAC0 is 20, placing them at a combat proficiency above untrained combatants but below trained fighters. Each soldier is proficient with a club and a hereditary weapon, typically a family blade, an ancestral spear or a culturally significant armament. Many also develop a third or fourth proficiency over time, often tied to their service role or personal experience. Their non-proficiency penalty ranges between -3 and -4, making unfamiliar weapons a significant disadvantage but not an impossible burden.

Unlike common levies, soldiers are trained to fight in any form of armour, whether light, medium or heavy. This flexibility allows them to adapt to the needs of the battlefield, from rapid skirmishing in lighter mail to holding the line in full plate. Their skill set ensures they can serve in various military roles, whether as foot soldiers, cavalry or guards, making them a critical asset in any force.

Abilities and Additional Training

Soldiers commonly roll 3d6 for all ability stats, with an additional +1 to +2 points in both strength and constitution, though neither may exceed 18. This reflects their physical conditioning and rigorous training, ensuring they are more durable and capable in combat than untrained warriors, though they remain within the natural limitations of their species.

Most possess a modest number of knowledge points in one or two fighter-class sage studies, with Mastery at Arms being universal among them. Some also develop knowledge in an additional study, gained through either structured training or battlefield experience. If generating these knowledge points randomly, assign 2d4 points to reflect their varying levels of expertise.

Beyond combat proficiency, some soldiers have received additional instruction in specialized skills. A portion have been trained in horse handling or camel handling, particularly those serving in cavalry units or desert campaigns. Others take on roles requiring more technical expertise, such as an artillerist, managing siege engines and ranged battlefield weaponry, or a sapper, skilled in undermining fortifications and constructing field defenses. A few also gain familiarity with canine handling, utilizing war dogs for patrols, tracking or battlefield support. While soldiers lack the broad versatility of adventurers, their focused expertise allows them to serve effectively in multiple martial capacities.

Experience

Soldiers can accumulate experience through battle, receiving one-half share of the experience point bonus after combat. Though they are not levelled characters, the accumulation of experience allows them to refine their skills, sharpen their instincts and improve their standing among their peers.

If a soldier amasses 1,500 experience points, they develop the necessary acumen and battlefield awareness to convince an established military institution or fighting order that they are worthy of formal level training. This recognition grants them the opportunity to transition from a non-levelled combatant to a true fighter, assuming they can secure a sponsor, complete the necessary training and demonstrate the necessary aptitude.

For most soldiers, this transformation is rare, as many lack either the means or the ambition to elevate themselves beyond their station. However, those who survive long campaigns, distinguish themselves in battle or seek to improve their lot through discipline and perseverance may eventually rise above their rank, gaining the opportunity to forge their own path as independent warriors, knights or adventurers.

See also,
Archer (soldier)
Artillerist (profession)
Footsoldier
Horse Soldier
Pike Soldier
Sapper (soldier)
The Adventure