multiple cohorts and leadership.

[StreamOfTheSky]

If you're looking for other sources for a cohort, theoretically you cna combine leadership with the Thrallherd prestige class. Even though thrallerd lists no alignment restrictions, I have a hard time seeing any non-evil PC taking that class, though. Note that prestige class itself eventually gives you two cohorts.
Thrallherd :: d20srd.org

 

[Corsair]

Where is that, in RAW? I've just looked in the PHB, the PHB errata, and the FAQ on feats, and I'm not finding that text.

Page 87.

"Unlike skills, a feat has no ranks. A character either has a feat or does not."

Stacking feats (like toughness) or feats with multiple options (like skill focus) are exceptions to this. Otherwise the default is you either have a feat or you don't. It is entirely binary.

 

[aboyd]

"Unlike skills, a feat has no ranks. A character either has a feat or does not."

Stacking feats (like toughness) or feats with multiple options (like skill focus) are exceptions to this. Otherwise the default is you either have a feat or you don't. It is entirely binary.

Hmm. I guess I can see that. So the question is, is Leadership a feat with multiple options, like your example of skill focus? In other words, you take it once for a fighter cohort, once for a wizard cohort, etc.

Considering how much they encourage DMs to rule this one on their own, and considering how many threads already exist about taking Leadership multiple times, I can see it being really easy to make a case for it.

As a player I wouldn't use it, as it takes away lots of table time from other players. But as a DM, if a player came to me and took that angle, I'd definitely have to concede the point. I'd possibly rule "no" anyway, but I'd be doing it by fiat. Or at least I'd feel like I was.

 

[krupintupple]

interesting points all! i like the 'interview needed' quality of the followers, and may just go that route...

i run two campaigns and have only used leadership in the one, but want to introduce it to the other in a different format.

basically, in the campaign i play with the wife and her friends, leadership gives the cohort, and the followers only come if you've a permanent stronghold (we rub out the +2 they normally give); this enables people to be covert without attracting attention, but, should they acquire a sizable lot of land, they can then have their 'normal people' allies move in to help out and generally support their efforts. imagine a benevolent, adventuring lord who is kindly to his serfs and retainers.

in another campaign with old school friends, i'm thinking of doing the 'you get them anyhow, but they're from the local community and mostly stay there' almost akin to a well-connected mafia don who knows he can rely on the locals under his wing for information, help and assistance (except instead of the mafia, he's a nice, well-intentioned guy!); they'd mostly live at their own places and have their own lives and whatnot, but they could lead to interesting plot-hooks!

as for the followers, i'd probably run them as non-elite statlines (13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) and only allow them NPC classes - with the addition of Magewright, since we play a Realms campaign and it seems to really add to the 'high magical fantasy' theme of the setting.

 

[Drowbane]

There's argument that you can take Leadership, Dragon Cohort, and Undead Leadership, allowing you a cohort from each.

Undead Leadership says you can't have it and regular Leadership (I think).
I might be confusing it with Thrallherd... which doesn't allow for Leadership.

I've had a Thrallherd with Undead Leadership and Dragon Cohort though

However, I can say one thing. Regardless of what your DM allows, having multiple characters to play (assuming your DM gives you the character sheet to play) is VERY time-intensive. Other players WILL get annoyed with you if you take up too much table time...

A single druid can be just as time intensive.
Druid, animal companion, summons.

now, a Druid Cohort? ick

 

[Drowbane]

oops

 

[blargney the second]

Undead Leadership says you can't have it and regular Leadership (I think).
I might be confusing it with Thrallherd... which doesn't allow for Leadership.

You're right about Thrallherd, and partially right about Undead Leadership, which is why I said there's argument that you can have both. UL says something to the effect that you can't mix living and unliving followers, but it's weirdly silent about cohorts.

 

[irdeggman]

Where is that, in RAW? I've just looked in the PHB, the PHB errata, and the FAQ on feats, and I'm not finding that text.

Alright then try it this way.

Taking a feat gives you exactly what it says, no more and no less.

Leadership gives you 1 cohort and a bunch of followers.

There is no text under "special" like other feats that says what happens when you take it more than once.

So having Leadership say 4 times gives you exactly what the feat says:

1 cohort and the followers from the table.

Feats that allow for extra benefits or stacking specificaly state so under the "special" section. See Toughness, Weapon Focus allows you to take it multiple times applying the benefit to a different weapon each time, etc.

The not taking it more than once is actually a simplification of the feat grants the benefits written. If it doesn't say they stack then they don't so having the feat (regardless of the number of times taken) gives the benefits written - see Corsair's explanation.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I might be confusing it with Thrallherd... which doesn't allow for Leadership.

D'oh! I knew that, too. Cause I played a Thrallherd before

 

[irdeggman]

Hmm. I guess I can see that. So the question is, is Leadership a feat with multiple options, like your example of skill focus? In other words, you take it once for a fighter cohort, once for a wizard cohort, etc.

Per RAW no.

There is no text under Special that says it works that way.

All other feats that do have something specific written (like weapon focus, weapon proficiency, weapon specialization, toughness, etc.)