The sturdy fighter so common to the OD&D game has been effectively separated from the traditionally upper-level "sub-classes" of Paladin, Knight, and Avenger (qq.v.). As a single class, the fighter is simply trained warrior who might find his niche in the campaign as a man-at-arms, soldier, mercenary, bandit, street tough, or thug, as desired by the player. As such, the fighter trains with his army unit, hiring hall, or mercenary academy. In most cases, the fighter need not be bothered with the feudal or liege-vassal obligations of bonded warriors (i.e., knights, paladins, and avengers), and his high-level options reflect this.
Class Details
As per the RC/16-7.
Special Abilities
As per the RC/17.
Higher Experience Levels
Upon reaching name level, the fighter may choose to either build a stronghold of sorts or remain as an itinerant. Those fighters who construct fortifications are known as Warlords, while those who do not settle down are called Mercenary Lords.
A warlord attracts up to 50 followers (as outlined on RC/138), and the type of stronghold he builds is typically in keeping with the nature of his earlier career. For example, a soldier or man-at-arms may build a fortified manor house on a parcel of granted land, perhaps in feudal service to a liege, or he might construct a small keep in the wilderness, effectively carving out his own dominion from scratch; a mercenary might build a military academy; a bandit could build a fastness in the wilderness from which to launch his nefarious raids. Regardless, the fighter continues to attract followers at a rate of 21-40 (1d20+20) per additional experience level earned after name level. Note that all followers require payment at the standard mercenary rates (RC/133).
A mercenary lord earns his living through mercenary contracts or adventuring, and attracts only 7-12 (1d6+6) followers who sign on to fight or adventure with the character. The class and alignment of each follower can be determined using the Castle Encounters table (RC/98); level is equal to 1-4 (1d4). Additional followers are gained at the rate of 1d2 per earned experience level of the mercenary lord. Unlike a warlord's followers, those who follow a mercenary lord do so for free (or, at least, a fair share of the payoff or treasure gained).
Experience Table
As per the RC/16.