negative skills?

[wolfleader01]

hi i tried searching for the answer on the forums but couldnt see it, a fair few of my characters in my group have negetive attack and defense skill numbers after there actual skill for example
attack 24 (-15)
Defense 31(-12)
what is this>? and how do i fix it
Thanks in advance
jack

[DrSalvador]

If you are wearing a backpack it will impact your attack and degense.

[wolfleader01]

Yer thanks for that, just figured it out

[DrSalvador]

No problem, glad you got it

[Blxz]

Awesome. This I did not know. I need to play more.

[Naiba]

Traders have backpacks with no combat penalties, you can't buy them, though. If you can manage to get a big angry mob of bandits to chase you, and run them right into a caravan, you should be set.