View source for Ruffian Brute

{{Infobox NPC
|Image = Ruffian Brute.png
|health = 30
|armour = None
|armour points = N/A
|attack strength = 1-6
|alignment = unaligned ({{Faction|Isengard}} influence)
|spawn = [[Adornland]], {{Biome|Bree-land}}, [[Chetwood]], {{Biome|Dunland}} and [[Nan Curunír]]
|drops = See article
|alignment needed = 0
|cost = None
|pledge = No
|NPC = Themselves ([[mini-quest]])
|added in = 36}}
''See also: [[Ruffian Spy]].''

'''Ruffian brutes''' are tough-looking characters that can be found in the peaceful regions of [[Bree-land (Biome)|Bree-land]] and [[Chetwood]]. They are scruffy men with similar ancestry to the [[dunlending]]s and [[Rhudaur Hillman|hillmen]], and, although not openly hostile, they are in league with {{Faction|Isengard}} (some of them even look somewhat Orcish...). They can have either Bree-land or Dunlending names and sometimes wear a [[Leather Hat|hat]].

Killing a ruffian brute will award the [[Achievements|achievement]] "'''Et tu, Brute?'''".

==Spawning==
Ruffians spawn commonly in [[Chetwood]], but also in [[Adornland]], {{Biome|Bree-land}}, {{Biome|Dunland}} and [[Nan Curunír]]. They can also spawn in [[the Shire]] through [[conquest]] for Isengard.

In [[Bree-land Settlement|Bree-land settlements]], ruffians also spawn in ruffian houses, which can be found near the side gates of villages and occasionally in hamlets.

==Behaviour==

=== First onsight ===
Ruffians are technically unaligned but create localised spheres of influence for Isengard. They therefore are largely passive, not wishing to cause a stir while they gather intelligence (and [[pipe-weed]]) for Saruman. They will also avoid [[Ranger of the North|rangers]] (of the North as well of [[Ranger of Ithilien|Ithilien]]) and [[Bree-land Guard|guards]] but will not be attacked by them. [[Bree-Man|Bree-landers]] and {{C|Hobbits|hobbits}} will avoid them, but [[Hobbit Bounder|bounders]] will attack them if they dare enter [[the Shire]]...

If attacked, they will fight back with iron [[dagger]]s, [[sword]]s or [[battleaxe]]s (and any nearby ruffians may join in - subsequent hits increase the range), but killing one will not award any alignment. If the player is drunk, nearby brutes may try to attack the player.

Ruffian brutes offer [[mini-quest]]s, such as fetching ale or killing Bree-landers, and in return they will become a hired unit. They are unique in that they have no alignment requirement to command them.

Completing a mini-quest for a brute will award the [[achievement]] "'''Ruff 'n' Tumble'''".

=== Once hired ===
Once hired, you can notice the brute have not the same behavior as the most of the hireable units. Because the brutes are neutrals, they will attack enemies only if you order it or if you're attacked by enemies (they '''won't''' automatically attack [[Bandits]] '''either!''').

To sum up, they will intervene only for self-defence, protecting another ruffian, protecting their boss (the player) or if you order them to intervene (by attacking an enemy for example). In every other situations, the brutes will stay passive even in presence of danger.

Some could consider this like a disadvantage. But a NPC who acts only to defend you without caring enemies who don't agress you but them who attack you; and in taking the fact their neutrality with every factions makes them immune to the direct agressivity of the most of NPC's; is an excellent bodyguard able to save you even in the worst situations.
{| class="article-table"
!Advantages
!Disadvantage
|-
|Great health
|No armour
|-
|Exactly like Corsairs, the slain ennemies drop Coins more commonly.
|Completing a mini-quest can take a lot of time.
|-
|Their only focus on your protection as explained above makes them excellent body guard.
|Their weapons are level-tier iron and inferior to the most of armed NPC's.
|-
|Thanks to their neutrality, they are immune to the agressivity of the most of mobs, making them easier to preserve alive.
|Are disturbed by Rangers and Bree-land guards and cannot be combined with Hobbit Bounders
|-
|Not far from the Shire, need no money and alignment: One the more accessible hireable NPCs of the mod.
|
|}

==Drops==

The drop of the brutes is similar to [[Bandits]]: mostly bones and [[Silver Coin|Coins]], sometimes [[Skull Cup]] and rarely their [[Hat]] and/or their weapon.
==Speechbank==
{{Spoiler|{{SpeechBree|Ruffian}}}}

{{LotRWiki|Ruffians}}
{{TolkienGateway|Ruffians}}
{{Faction Bree-land}}

[[Category:Bree-land]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Evil Men]]
[[Category:NPC]]
[[Category:Mobs]]
[[Category:Hirable]]