Mercenary

A mercenary is a hired soldier; one who fights in exchange for some kind of payment. They are commonly nicknamed "sell-swords".

Description
Sell-swords are soldiers who hire out their services to the highest bidder. Most sell-swords are professionals with some experience in fighting, while others are merely lowborn men who have nowhere else to go. While some refugees flee to a larger settlement when war sweeps over villages, others become sell-swords for a better chance of being fed and thereby avoid becoming outlaws. Some fighting men or exiles who run out of money become sells-swords to survive. Many sell-swords keep their worldly possessions close at hand, such as expensive weaponry, armor, and silks.

Sell-swords are often viewed negatively by others, with some nobles considering them merciless and untrustworthy. This is not unwarranted however; while they are capable fighters, sell-swords have a reputation for being willing to betray anyone for enough gold.