Noble background Retainers. What can they be?

U

Undrhil

Explorer

• Mar 12, 2017

• #1

If I create a Noble character with the Retainers feature, what can the retainers be? Do I define them? What limitations are there for this? I know they won't follow me into combat and all that, but can I have one be a healer or a masseuse for after-combat massages, etc?

 

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KahlessNestor

Adventurer

• Mar 12, 2017

• #2

Undrhil said:

If I create a Noble character with the Retainers feature, what can the retainers be? Do I define them? What limitations are there for this? I know they won't follow me into combat and all that, but can I have one be a healer or a masseuse for after-combat massages, etc?

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They can be anything your DM allows. Usually Commoners stats are used.

Sent from my SM-G900P using EN World mobile app

 

kalani

First Post

• Mar 12, 2017

• #3

I am AFB atm, but IIRC the retainers have the stats of hirelings from the PHB.

 

C

Caliban

Rules Monkey

• Mar 17, 2017

• #4

I used the Knight variant of the Noble background - his retainers are his Squire (Arthur), his minstrel (Bragi), and his groom (Marshal). The groom had to use coconut shells until my knight could afford a horse.

 

ccs

41st lv DM

• Mar 17, 2017

• #5

kalani said:

I am AFB atm, but IIRC the retainers have the stats of hirelings from the PHB.

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It doesn't specifically state what their stats are, just that they are commoners & won't follow you into dangerous situations or fight for you.
Examples given if your a night: squire, groom, & a servant. The squire is a noble instead of a commmoner.

You should definitely consult with your DM before taking this background.

 

U

Undrhil

Explorer

• Mar 18, 2017

• #6

ccs said:

It doesn't specifically state what their stats are, just that they are commoners & won't follow you into dangerous situations or fight for you.
Examples given if your a night: squire, groom, & a servant. The squire is a noble instead of a commmoner.

You should definitely consult with your DM before taking this background.

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Well, here I am consulting with the Adventurer's League since that is technically the DM for the modules. Individual table DMs can't really answer it since that would mean one time I could have a squire, a groom, and a servant and the next time, I have to have a jester and two servants or some garbage.

 

Anthraxus

Explorer

• Mar 21, 2017

• #7

I've seen them used in-game as messengers, helping the knight(Paladin) don/doff his armor in the morning/night, or announcing the knight. As long as they're a non-combatant, and weak(commoner), you should be ok.

 

B

Boaty

First Post

• Aug 23, 2021

• #8

Caliban said:

I used the Knight variant of the Noble background - his retainers are his Squire (Arthur), his minstrel (Bragi), and his groom (Marshal). The groom had to use coconut shells until my knight could afford a horse.

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How did he afford coconut shells?

 

Lyxen

Great Old One

• Aug 23, 2021

• #9

Boaty said:

How did he afford coconut shells?

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He simply found them where they had been dropped by swallows, my good sir...

And of course, I won't insult you by asking what types of swallows brought them...

 

Azzy

ᚳᚣᚾᛖᚹᚢᛚᚠ

• Aug 23, 2021

• #10

Horatio, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern come to mind—hangers-on, essentially.