How Do You Handle Followers, etc and Routine Expenses?

[Admin Pete]

How do you handle followers, henchman, hirelings, retainers, troops, day labor, etc in your campaign? How do you handle the routine living expenses of the players, particularly when they are in town?

[mormonyoyoman]

I'm too disruptive. I used to put my hirelings in my backpack. Had to go through three GMs before anyone noticed.

[tetramorph]

Nov 11, 2016 16:24:18 GMT -5 Admin Pete said:

How do you handle followers, henchman, hirelings, retainers, troops, day labor, etc in your campaign? How do you handle the routine living expenses of the players, particularly when they are in town?

I've learned the hard way that if it doesn't contribute to exploration, puzzle figuring outage, combat, etc., it is a bore not only to my players, but a burden on me as well.

Realism be darned.

I believe good abstraction is key.

Living expenses are abstracted by a 10% (not 1%) upkeep exacted upon XP at each XP accrual. So, they come back to the tavern, divide the treasure. I calculate XP and they take off 10% from their total g.p.

Henchmen don't come in for me until they are pretty high level and then I use a rough and ready version of the charisma rules.

Lesser hirelings don't count towards charisma limitations, except just in terms of morale and reactions. I usually say they want 1gp up front, 10% of their boss' share in the treasure and then I apply that to XP distribution as well.

Admin Pete, is that the kind of response to this thread you were looking for?

[Admin Pete]

Just curious as to what people do or don't do. No right or wrong answers. Thought perhaps that some may have some novel approaches or unique ways of doing some things or not.