Hiring Retainers
Retainers are NPCs that are hired by characters for extra
hands during an adventure. Characters are limited to a finite
number of retainers, which is indicated by the characterÊs
CHA score. Retainers are not mindless slaves, and although
they will share the risks of the PCs, they will not act as battle
fodder willingly. In fact, if abused in any way, retainers will
typically warn others of this abuse and the PCs will soon find it
difficult to hire other retainers.
Retainers are recruited through negotiation. The Labyrinth
Lord plays the roles of the NPCs the PCs attempt to hire. The
PCs can just walk up to strangers in pubs, or seek adventurer
guilds. Alternatively, they may advertise by putting up fliers or
other means. The PCs will have to explain what the job entails
and the rates of pay. Some means of pay might include a
percentage of any treasure recovered, or a flat payment.
Players will also typically pay for any new adventuring gear or
weapons the retainers will require for the adventure, and may
need to secure them mounts. After the offers are made, the
Labyrinth Lord will roll 2d6 on the table below to decide the
potential retainerÊs reactions:
Reaction to Hiring Offer
Roll Offer Result and Reaction
2 Agrees to offer*
3-5 Agrees to offer
6-8 Reroll
9-11 Declines offer
12 Declines offer**
*The offer is accepted with very good spirit, and the retainerÊs
morale receives a bonus of +1 for the adventureÊs duration.
**The potential retainer acts so negatively to the offer that he
spreads negative rumors about the PC, which results in a +1 to
the roll on any further reactions to hiring rolled on the table above
while recruiting in the same town or area.
In Labyrinth Lord the most common races are humans and
halflings, and these races will be available most often as
retainers. More rarely dwarves and elves will be available forhire. Retainers can be of any class or level, except that the
hiring PC must be of an equal level or higher than the
retainers he hires.
Checking Morale
Retainers have a morale rating, indicated by the hiring
characterÊs CHA. This rating can be adjusted at the Labyrinth
LordÊs discretion. It can be increased if the PC has been
particularly good to the retainer, or reduced if the PC has
been cruel or contrary to his word. Morale rolls are made each
time the retainer is exposed to a particularly perilous situation,
and at the end of an adventure. The Labyrinth Lord rolls 2d6,
and if the result is lower than the morale rating, accounting for
any adjustments, the roll has succeeded. If the roll fails, the
retainer will likely flee. If the roll is failed at the end of an
adventure, this retainer will not work for the PC again.
Retainers and Experience
Although retainers are „played‰ by the Labyrinth Lord, they
acquire experience in the same way PCs do, can advance in
level, and are affected by all of the same class rules. Because
retainers follow instructions when on an adventure, thus not
engaging in problem solving, they suffer a penalty of -50% to
experience points (they get 1/2 of a share).
Straight from the LL core rules. Let me know if you need more elaboration on something.
