No matter how far back we look into the history of mankind, there has always been a group of people who prioritized their own good and wealth over the well-being and even lives of their fellow kin.
They are not used to living off the hard work of their own hands, and it is in vain to look for them in honest workplaces, such as farms, workshops, or stores. 🗡 Oh no, their places of work are mountain trails, forest paths, and hiding places near narrow bridges. The bandits are the real terror of travelers roaming around the world of Gimle. Remember to always keep your eyes and ears wide open… but make no mistake – one gloomy day you will meet them too.
Today, we will take a closer look at their inglorious profession and consider the best tactic for interacting with a pack of greedy bandits (though this interaction is usually limited to the simple choice: coin or life). The trick is to make sure this isn’t your life that gets taken 💀
The life of an outlaw
How does one become a bandit? Well, it’s quite simple. You leave your homeland and set off into the unknown – from now on, all you need is something to cover your face, sharp steel, and the strength of your arm. There are numerous circumstances that make the people of Gimle abandon honest jobs and set off on a road to plunder and rob 😈 Poverty, unfair harm, a desire to get rich, or the call of adventure are only to begin with!
We have to remember, that bandit’s life is very unpredictable and risky. It is not uncommon for some of them to end their careers during the first ambush – either on the end of a rope or with their backs studded with the arrows of caravan guards. Travelers often know how to defend themselves efficiently and can hurt unfortunate thieves really, really bad.
On the other hand, a successful robbery can mean acquiring wealth for which the common man would have to work for many long years 💰 Experienced bandits who know their trade are known to be very wealthy, well-equipped, and deadly dangerous.
Appearance
As you surely suspect, the bandits often wear hoods and bandanas over their heads and faces. Maintaining anonymity is extremely important in this profession. The faces of careless outlaws can get imprinted in travelers’ memory or end up in the ‘wanted’ poster 📜 – and that’s what they want to avoid!
Bandits most often wear armor made of cloth or leather (although sometimes you can meet heavier armored individuals) because they do not make any unwanted sounds and allow for a silent approach to the victim. Depending on the place of operation, the colors of their clothes are brown, greenish, gray, black, and even white – all this to help them blend in with the background.
The bandit way is attractive mainly to young people from smaller towns and villages, and that’s who you can expect when getting attacked. Of course, there are also real veterans among them, but they are a fairly rare sight. 💪
How to fight them?
In this case, much depends on the right assessment of the situation. Does the gang that attacked you have a significant advantage in numbers? Are they well-equipped? Are you alone? 🤔 A quick analysis of the circumstances will help you decide whether it is better to fight or try to find another solution. Sometimes the best way is to just give them what they want and walk away peacefully. But for many proud Vikings, surrendering is not an option…
If you are one of them, you’d better get your weapons ready ⚔ Fighting bandits does not differ much from fighting other representatives of the human race. Some of your opponents will be quick and effective, others will not pose much of a challenge. Try to choose your position so as not to get surrounded by your foes. Another piece of advice is to avoid archers and their deadly arrows 🏹 Make sure that at least one member of the gang is always in the way between the bandit shooters and you!
Bandits are almost never heavily armored, so don’t hesitate to adopt a more aggressive fighting style – sometimes the best defense strategy is a wild, quick attack. If you manage to emerge victorious, don’t forget to collect your bounty – outlaws’ pockets are often full of looted coins and valuables! 💎