How best to roleplay a weird cohort XP development

[FreeTheSlaves]

Last session my character levelled up while his cohort was resurrected. He moved from 11th to 12th level, while she moved from 9th to 8th, to 9th again after getting her XP.

The base assumption of the XP system is that lower level characters advance swifter because they are learning harder lessons. But I've got a situation where the cohort is learning less.

She was getting 9/11ths XP (82%) of an award, but now she gets 9/12ths (75%) of an award. This wouldn't be noticed except for two other developments:
1) another character died and was resurrected, and so will earn faster XP than my character, and
2) as my character is higher level, he will earn less.
What's effectively happened is that her % of XP has dropped and the amount that the % is drawn from has also dropped.

So given the base assumption of character growth, what roleplay explanations can I give to explain her more sluggish advancement. Any ideas?

 

[QuaziquestGM]

She is the cohort. The side kick. She is learning less because she isn....what the hell? Every time I try to type a apostrophe the firefox quick search function kicks on? any firefox users know what is going on?

anyway, I was saying...she is not making as many decisions as a pc. Just play her as differential.

 

[FreeTheSlaves]

That's a good place to start QuaziquestGM but the problem there is that she already was like that, and now she needs further change to her character to reflect the out of character stuff.

As it may help you to help me, I'll relate her death and resurrection scenario.

She died in a forest battle with shadows after her lord made a tactical error that saw her swarmed. She died a horrific death and her last living sight was of him hopelessly trying to save her in time. No sooner had she died when her soul was corrupted and she assumed shadow form and was hellbent on making him share her miserable fate. He, however made a better decision and channelled a powerful blast of divine energy to free the corrupted souls, including hers.

Days later her soul answered the call to return and was resurrected. She came back somewhat drawn in appearance, with streaks of grey in her hair, and a slight tremble. Her memory of her death is a vague nightmare she doesn't really remember.

I'm just looking for an angle to play on to reinforce in character why she'll advance slower now.

 

[Blackrat]

Heh. I just keep the cohort at the maximum level possible for the character. So usually they are two levels lower than the character and level up with him.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Heh. I just keep the cohort at the maximum level possible for the character. So usually they are two levels lower than the character and level up with him.

That's what I do.

 

[QuaziquestGM]

Differential and somewhat hesitant. She is gunshy now, she knows it, and she is trying to work through it.

 

[Nifft]

IMC, Cohorts' levels are calculated directly from the feat -- Cohorts don't actually have any XP of their own. If they make items, the use the gold & XP of their Leader. If they die and come back, they are whatever level they would be normally. If their Leader dies and loses a level, the Cohort also loses a level. And when the Leader gains a level, the Cohort also gains a level, if the Leader's new Leadership score indicates that the Cohort should gain one.

Keeps things simple.

Cheers, -- N

 

[QuaziquestGM]

As a GM I'd have to nerf that, or they would start hiding behind the cohort in every undead themed adventure.

 

[Nifft]

As a GM I'd have to nerf that, or they would start hiding behind the cohort in every undead themed adventure.

Druids can already do that for free. IMHO it's not unfair to let Fighters, Wizards and Clerics do the same.

Cheers, -- N

 

[QuaziquestGM]

Cohorts abandon you if you don't treat them right. So do animal companions. A druid with leadership would apply the penalty for "causing the death of a cohort" to his leadership score for causing the death of animal companions. It is a measure of how well you treat followers and how likely new ones would join someone with your reputation.

Also, if you are applying the proper in game time delay in summoning new animal companions, then druids cannot sacrifice their companions "for free".