As in real life you must make money to get anywhere in this game. You can make a modest living by looting the abandoned areas you discover as well as selling items you take from defeated monsters and thieves. You can be a thief yourself and join the Guild of Thieves and make a lot of money. Or you could join the Fighter's Guild and take on the quests they provide, which will increase in payoff and difficulty as you go along. Each town also includes several non-guild quests, so you have a lot of freedom of action. You can even be a gladiator and fight to earn levels and money.