Hirelings, Followers, & Retainers
Definitions
Hirelings are NPCs with no class nor level. They are subject to morale and will serve only as long as the pay and conditions are good.
Followers are NPCs usually acquired from class features and follow the rules laid out in the specific feature. Most followers require the PC control a stronghold of some sort. Followers that die can be regained after a year passes and the PC still has all requirements to recruit that type of follower.
Retainers are permanently loyal NPCs. Most are likely to have class levels or other notable capabilities. They are acquired through PC action and are limited in number by a PC's Max Retainers score. Retainers see themselves as a member of the party and expect their own share of XP and loot. In the rulebooks, they are frequently referred to as Henchmen.
In all cases, these NPCs are controlled by the DM.
Average Hireling Pay
Rates are average because individual wages are negotiated in most cases.
Role Average Weekly Salary Notes
Accountant 14gp
Almoner 21gp
Animal Trainer 56gp
Arbelist, heavy 1gp, 5sp
Arbelist, light 5sp
Arbelist, mounted 1gp
Archer 1gp
Archer, mounted 1gp
Architect 50gp
Artillerist 1gp
Artist 140gp
Attendant 175gp
Carpenter 1gp
Cavalry, heavy 2gp, 5sp
Cavalry, light 1gp
Cavalry, medium 1gp, 5sp
Chamberlain 28gp
Chaplain 70gp
Clerk 2gp
Cook 7gp
Court Announcer 14gp
Crafting Apprentice 2gp
Crafting Overseer 15gp One per two Apprentices
Dance Master 7gp
Engineer 37gp, 5sp
Entertainer 70gp
Gatekeeper 175sp
Groom 1gp
Herald 42gp
Hunter 2gp
Huntmaster 105gp
Infantry, heavy 5sp
Infantry, irregular 1sp, 3cp
Infantry, light 2sp, 5cp
Infantry, militia 1sp, 3cp
Laborer 1sp
Lawyer 350gp
Librarian 105sp
Longbow archer 2gp
Master of the Wardrobe 35gp
Nurse 21sp
Official 50gp-150gp
Orator 14gp
Page/squire 14gp
Physician 105gp
Sapper 2sp, 5cp
Scholar 154gp
Scribe 21gp
Secretary 35gp
Servant 28sp
Shieldbearer 1sp, 3cp
Soothsayer 70gp
Stable Master 35gp
Steward/Seneschal 56gp
Stonemason 1gp
Surveyor 62gp, 5sp See Below¹
Teacher 7gp
Trumpeter 105sp
Appropriate room and board is also expected for all hirelings.
¹ It takes 1d8 days plus additional days dependent upon the type of terrain to conduct an entire survey of a 6-mile area:
Plains, farmland, savannah, etc.: 18 days
Woods (light), hills (barren, grass): 24 days.
Wooded hills, mountains: 30 days.
Jungle, swamp, wooded mountain, desert, arctic, etc.: 40 days.
The survey detects all subterranean features that are within 50’ of the surface as well as hidden or undiscovered features/lairs.