Banner bearers are hireable warrior units. They are very similar to normal warrior-type NPCs, except that they carry a banner, and improve the stats of nearby units of the same faction. There is one type of banner bearer for each faction (and sub-faction) that has a banner. Since the Beta 19 update, banner bearers fight normally with a melee weapon. They hold their banner in the left hand at all times. In previous mod versions, they only fought with a dagger, and only when provoked, and they had to take down the banner when they fought.