Knights of Tezoth

From a realism standpoint (since the goal of the exp is to live out your character's life), you can be an experienced mercenary, but you cannot simultaneously be stronger than an elite guardsman

Relhiras was not only stronger than an elite guardsman, but even defeated the chief of a warrior clan—where leadership is determined by physical strength and combat skills—in a duel. Of course, his main asset became a horde of such guardsmen, but that is already a question of quantity, not quality.