Cohorts and all that Jazz...

[Tyberious Funk]

So our party, which is pretty damn big already, has got a couple of cohort NPCs hanging around these days. The DM has ruled that the NPCs warrant a share of the loot and xp. I don't think his ruling is particularly unfair, but I do get a little bit riled that they are sucking up my gold and xp. It's not as if the party actually needs any extra help - we have enough PCs to cover all the major bases. Why should I give up some xp because one of the other PCs want to have some lame-arsed tag-along?

Before I raise the issue with the DM, I'd really appreciate some feedback... not sure whether I'm being silly or not. What is the general consensus on NPC etiquette?

 

[MerricB]

I've used NPC cohorts extensively in my campaigns. Here are my notes:

* They get a share of the XP. (1/2 share).

* They get no share of the treasure - only their master does, which he must then distribute with his cohorts.

Losing XP generally isn't that big a deal in my campaign, because the players know that I'm continually adjusting it so that the rate of advancement is what I like.

Treasure, OTOH, is a big deal. Making one share per PLAYER makes it much fairer.

Cheers!

 

[gfunk]

Speaking from personal experience, I only use my cohort in emergencies. For the most part, she stays at my home base and holds the fort. Once in a while, I send her own missions with varying numbers of followers.

The concept of cohort does not have to be limited to adventuring partners. For instance, if you have a large organization or just want to improve your reputation then take a bard as a cohort. Send him to major cities to sing your praises and perhaps (quitely) dispose of your enemies.

Also, if the cohort can be a source of information or magic item production.

The most important thing is to work with your DM. Tell him your concerns and give a few suggestions.

 

[Oni]

With the extra firepower of a cohort, shouldn't you be able to handle bigger challenges (thus getting more xp)?

 

[Tyberious Funk]

With the extra firepower of a cohort, shouldn't you be able to handle bigger challenges (thus getting more xp)?

Not if the cohort is lamely designed. Or designed purely to help his/her master. Besides, even if the cohort is quite powerful, I don't really want any Mary Janes busting up my adventure.

EDIT: Mary Jane? Or is it Mary Sue? Whatever.

 

[Mark]

Kinda a Catch-22 when you have to try and convince someone that they've wasted a Feat (or two) and that they're role-playing style is reducing your drive for higher levels. It really depends on the setting and the DM as to what choices are made. Are you a power-gamer stuck in role-playing game, or is the reverse the case?

 

[hong]

So our party, which is pretty damn big already, has got a couple of cohort NPCs hanging around these days. The DM has ruled that the NPCs warrant a share of the loot and xp. I don't think his ruling is particularly unfair, but I do get a little bit riled that they are sucking up my gold and xp. It's not as if the party actually needs any extra help - we have enough PCs to cover all the major bases. Why should I give up some xp because one of the other PCs want to have some lame-arsed tag-along?

Before I raise the issue with the DM, I'd really appreciate some feedback... not sure whether I'm being silly or not. What is the general consensus on NPC etiquette?

What merric said. Also, this isn't really the DM's problem. This is a problem between yourself and the other player. You guys should try to work it out between yourselves.

In our high-level game, there are 7 PCs (used to be 8), and one of the wizards has a druid sidekick. She's there basically to cast heal in emergencies, as well as lend a hand (or claw; she seems to spend half her time wildshaped) running interference. On previous occasions we've had cleric cohorts as well, for the same purpose: none of us really wants to be a medic.

 

[Zerovoid]

I've used NPC cohorts extensively in my campaigns. Here are my notes:

* They get a share of the XP. (1/2 share).

* They get no share of the treasure - only their master does, which he must then distribute with his cohorts.

Losing XP generally isn't that big a deal in my campaign, because the players know that I'm continually adjusting it so that the rate of advancement is what I like.

Treasure, OTOH, is a big deal. Making one share per PLAYER makes it much fairer.

Cheers!

I don't see why people complain about this. More cohorts means the party can take on larger foes, which means there will be more xp and gold total to be divided up, so the PC's should all still do about the same as if there were no cohorts.

How does the party justify not giving treasure to the cohorts? I mean, being a cohort is a metagaming term. Its not something that the PC's are actually aware of. At least, there is no way to differentiate a cohort in game from any new character that is introduced with strong ties to an existing PC.

"Sorry Rupert of the Shadow Clan, we all know you're just here because you're Agmar the Destroyer's friend, so you can't have any treasure."

 

[Psion]

EDIT: Mary Jane? Or is it Mary Sue? Whatever.

LOL. The term you are looking for is Mary Sue, though I am not sure it applies here, unless the DM requires everyone to purchase a cohort feat so he can send his DMPC along for the ride...

 

[Airwolf]

Not if the cohort is lamely designed. Or designed purely to help his/her master. Besides, even if the cohort is quite powerful, I don't really want any Mary Janes busting up my adventure.

EDIT: Mary Jane? Or is it Mary Sue? Whatever.

Are you sure you don't mean Yoko?

As for the subject at hand, when we play I am the only one with a cohort. So far no one has complained. I think that is because I generally have cohorts that fill in a weak spot in the group. I think the only person who doesn't like the cohort is my co-dm. I'm not sure if its random chance or by design but my cohort seems to end up getting killed far more often than any of the party members.
When it comes to xp, the cohort gets 1/2 what I get.
As far as money goes, we rarely divide up the gold, it goes to party treasure. When a party member needs something we get it. We don't have any power gamers so everyone is pretty good about getting something that will best help the party even if it doesn’t up their magic item count.