Prior to becoming a mercenary, you were far from poor. You ate clean, decent food, had the ability to travel on occasion, and could take some days off from your labor. Likely, you also learned a number of things, as you had the time to practice skills while not working. You could handle some amount of stress—more than the aristocracy, anyways. That said, you do demand a few select comforts. Common examples of this background include those associated with the Diwon church, intellectual workers, and those in the navy's lower ranks.
Your Stress Maximum is 20, you become afflicted at 10 Stress.