I thought the rowdy townsfolk were supposed to be tough!

[Harlequinn]

So tell me...did I screw myself...?

I came into Bordertown and sold a few items, stole a few items and trained up some skills. Things are going well, so I head back out east and notice that my mana is low, so I rest. Lo and Behold, 4 Thugs appear...I cast my Bless, I cast my Leatherskin, I cast my BZZT...dang, no Cat Eye.

Thugs have like a 22% to hit me, I have around a 29%.....[me] whiff, whiff, whiff...[them] smack, smack, smack (not getting into the statistical variance) so i hotfoot it back to town with the Thugs close behind. They break off or so i thought. I leave westward i think and adventure some and save a couple of times.

What do i find at Bordertown? 2 NPCs...seems the Thugs cleared the town.

Is there anyway to recall them, or is Bordertown Population 2 permanent?

[BasiliskWrangler]

If you head back to town because you are being pursued by creatures, always head to a guard or even a blacksmith. They are the toughest an can help you out.

If I recall, no NPC in Bordertown is game critical.