sellswords
Soldiers for pay
Sellswords are mercenary soldiers—fighters for hire who serve whoever pays them.
The term belongs to fantasy literature and gaming, evoking a medieval world of swords and coin: The lord hired a band of sellswords to defend the castle.
Unlike knights bound by loyalty or honor, sellswords fight purely for money, suggesting moral flexibility or outright treachery.
Dragons and intrigue
- grimdarkCynical fantasy subgenre
- adventurersThose seeking exciting experiences
- dungeon crawlersGames exploring hostile underground mazes
- roguesDishonest or deviant individuals
quest · tavern · Westeros · blood money · dark fantasy · Conan · witcher
Soldiers paid to fight
- soldiers of fortunePaid military contractors
- contract killersMurderers for hire
- coinStamped metal currency
- war bandsArmed tribal raiding groups
privateers · bounty hunters · cutthroats · enforcers · hirelings · bodyguards · escort · retainers
Combat from the Middle Ages
- Hundred Years WarProlonged medieval Anglo-French hostilities
- Thirty Years War1618-1648 European religious conflict
- HessiansGerman soldiers for hire
- siege warfareSurrounding fortifications to force capitulation
looting · plunder · ransom · garrison duty · foreign legions
Game of Thrones
Dragons and intrigue
- grimdarkCynical fantasy subgenre
- adventurersThose seeking exciting experiences
- dungeon crawlersGames exploring hostile underground mazes
rogues · quest · tavern · Westeros · blood money · dark fantasy · Conan · witcher
mercenaries
Soldiers paid to fight
- soldiers of fortunePaid military contractors
- contract killersMurderers for hire
- coinStamped metal currency
war bands · privateers · bounty hunters · cutthroats · enforcers · hirelings · bodyguards · escort · retainers
medieval warfare
Combat from the Middle Ages
- Hundred Years WarProlonged medieval Anglo-French hostilities
- Thirty Years War1618-1648 European religious conflict
- HessiansGerman soldiers for hire
siege warfare · looting · plunder · ransom · garrison duty · foreign legions
sellswordstrue believers
Unwavering adherents to doctrine
crusaders · patriots · loyalists · freedom fighters · liegemen
sellswordsknights
Titled warriors on horseback
bannermen · paladins · royal guard · men-at-arms · retainers
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