Hello everyone,

Some DMs groan when their players take on hired help but some really enjoy it. That's not just preference, folks: The former is missing out on something the latter has discovered! Cohorts don't mean more work for the DM, exclusively. Many tasks related to short and long-term party help can be delegated. Read this article about breaking the process into it's parts and then talk with your players about who does what with NPC cohorts.

NPC Cohorts and Hired Hands
Your party lacks a healer and they hit the bar at the next town. Who is available to hire? More importantly, who will decide what they will do in combat? Many concerns arise when the characters adopt a cohort or take on hired help. Here's what you need to know.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47684.asp

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Leif Sutter, Role Playing Games Editor
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