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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shiroiken" data-source="post: 7983741" data-attributes="member: 6775477"><p>In general, I divide NPCs with the party into 3 categories: followers, henchmen, and allies.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Followers/Retainers - low CR NPCs, such as commoners, guards, bandits, etc. I reskin as needed to fit the role. They never level up, and once the party gets to level 5+, they become only useful in large numbers (I suggest using the mob rules). Most players will choose not to endanger them on adventures, but instead use them for support, such as taking care of horses, driving carts, and other things that make the PC's life easier.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Henchmen - higher CR NPCs, such as bandit captains, berserkers, archers, veterans, knights, etc. They also don't level, but they'll stay relevant for much longer (we have a veteran in our Avernus campaign, and even at level 8 she's still useful).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Allies - built as PCs, but never run by players. They level up as normal, and take a share of the XP. Due to how difficult these can be, I would limit them to only one, and try to keep them short term.</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>