Retainers

[Jayare411]

Wondering if there is any additional information out there about retainers that goes into the type and cost. I know there is the cost for a ship crew, specialists and mercenaries - but what would the cost be if they are looking to hire clergy (Cleric), bodyguards (Fighter), burglar (Thief) or mage (Magic-user)?

I have a campaign were the players want to have a couple of bodyguards that remain with the wagon as they go into places to explore (i.e. caves, dungeon crawls). Before I create something for that campaign and expand upon it - is there something other there already that can be used?

[Dimirag]

I would rule them as Retainers, maybe increasing the treasure % based on class if you want it to be a factor.
Burglar = 15%
Clergy = 20%
Bodyguard = 25%
Mage = 30%

Availability could also affect the % value.

[SmootRK]

Burglars get 1/14th share, right?

Terms: cash on delivery, up to and not exceeding one fourteenth of total profits (if any); all traveling expenses guaranteed in any event; funeral expenses to be defrayed by us or our representatives, if occasion arises and the matter is not otherwise arranged for.

But seriously, I believe that these folk share equal if not technically greater risk (often being more of a red-shirt), so if they live through an endeavor get an equal share. Justifiably, they will often just die later (even if paid that share), and then their treasure gets re-distributed again among survivors... so it mostly gets rolled back to characters any which way you look at it.

So, players/characters should just roll with these fair share prices, as they get the value of the help, and in the end (for the most part) often get these 'costs' back eventually. That said, as GM, I often make a point of having these sorts of NPCs spend lavishly when they get access to these funds... just to soak up some of the treasure. I will have them use stuff like potions and such at first opportunity too... likewise, just to dry up those funds/treasure that I know will eventually get into character hands anyhow.

[Solomoriah]

You seem to be conflating hirelings and retainers.

Hirelings are hired to do jobs. Mercenaries are hirelings, and you can hire them to fight for you. However, in general hirelings won't go into dungeons... that's dangerous, you know?

Retainers are adventurers who are not confident enough to adventure on their own. A retainer is loyal to his or her employer in a way that hirelings never are (not even mercenaries). Because they are not full partners, they get a 1/2 share of experience from any encounters they participate in, and generally expect a 1/2 share of treasure (limited to cash, jewels, and jewelry, but normally not including magic items). You can increase the loyalty of your retainer further by giving them extra treasure, magic items, etc. And retainers are fully adventurers, doing whatever is in their power rather than only what's in the job description.

[Jayare411]

I think its getting clearer - treating the Bodyguards like retainers would be the right thing to do and doing a little RPing with a Charisma check to negotiate the share of treasure would be needed (using the 15% as the average).

Thanks for everyone's insight...