The vast number of soldiers present during this period often found themselves out of work and in need of money. Many turned to banditry. This was another way of getting back onto some nobles payroll, as what they stole from peasants and townspeople lowered the nobles tax base and the morale of those so plundered. Thus the nobles had to hire other troops and chase after the bandits. There were probably more troops lost suppressing bandits during this period than in regular battles. Exceptional Non Player Characters (NPCs) are particularly dangerous as leaders of brigand groups.