Shadowdark Shadowdark General Thread [+]


log in or register to remove this ad






Hey you all, what are your thoughts on using Henchmen or Hirelings in Shadowdark?
As long as the cost to hire them is meaningful, I think it's fine, since a big part of the play loop of Shadowdark is being able to bring home as much gold as possible to use for carousing. That process is a big part of most groups' XP.

Obviously, some of that would be mitigated by the fact that henchmen can make it more likely a group will get back alive and the hirelings can carry more treasure out (although TSR-style hoards of mountains of coin are going to level your Shadowdark characters insanely fast and probably should be cut back by 90% as a general rule). I would have hirelings, at the very least, want an equal share of treasure and have hirelings get a half-share, just to make it a difficult decision to bring them, rather than the clear best course of action. (Any obvious best course of action in game design, IMO, is a sign things are too good.)
 

I have no problem using them. Hirelings don't go in the dungeon. Henchmen do, but demand an equal share and generally have at least a few slots filled with useless trinkets so they aren't pack mules for the players. They are costly and cut into your carousing money and all that, so it's not worth it to build an army like in high-level B/X play.
 

Recent & Upcoming Releases

Remove ads

Top