Bandits, Marauders and Raiders. Oh, my!

In these troubled times, the roads are filled with all manner of thugs looking to shuffle you off the mortal coil and take your gold. But they aren't all created equal.

(What? You don't have any gold? Me either.)

Bandits
Harrying travelers on the roads, bandits are hardly more than ruffians with a blade or club. They make their living by picking gold from the corpses of merchants and ill-equipped adventurers. The infest Cyrodiil like fleas on a dog. For a well-heeled adventurer they will pose little risk, unless you get mobbed.

As for gear, they carry worn-out armor and weapons. Occasionally some have gotten their hands on some finer outfitting, but that's more of an exception than the rule.

Marauders
Ex-mercenaries or soldiers for hire that realized they could make more coin taking it from people than hiring on with the army or in the fighter's guild. Their heavy armor makes them a challenge for novice adventurers. Though it looks formidable, their armor and weapons of old and in poor repair.

Raiders
Well-trained, well-equipped warriors are a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who comes across one would do well to run unless they have the grit to go toe-to-toe with these grim warriors.

There are rumors that they are actually an organized fighting force under the command of a powerful leader.