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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kigmatzomat" data-source="post: 2020852" data-attributes="member: 9254">Well, there are various perks and social pressures to apply.Perks:In some places only those who served in the military could own weapons/vote/own property/etc.  Most pre-modern military allowed looting and navies had well-known scales for distributing prize monies from trophy ships.  Gauranteed room and board.  People with no ability to manage money can survive in the military since they can't starve or be evicted.  Social Pressure:The military is the only route to political power for those non-noble borne.Warriors have a better chance of getting married than a farmer.  Military service may be required by all who cannot afford to buy their way out of it. The military is the only socially acceptable route to combat in a "highly civilized" nation.Then there is the political climate.  Militaries without a global agenda may go a decade without any significant action.   Many medieval forces are more police than soldiers so it's not like they'd necessarily be shipping out.  Last but not least there is the notion of patriotism and tradition.  It's not like our soldiers or police are paid an immense fortune by any means.  The medieval equivalents must exist.  You've also got to realize the low pay scales in the RAW.  Urban peasants make about 300sp/year.  I'd use a pay scale based on rank, not level.  Set ranks and *typical* levels but it's not an automatic thing, just that most people don't get promoted to the given level without having the commensurate skills.  The military has more than a few individuals who have skills to vital to muster out but no ability or inclination to have increased command.  I've seen plenty of that type in the technical fields as well.</blockquote>

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