Should I let a PC choose whatever followers he wants for the Leadership Feat?

[Thanee]

I'd see what the player is looking for and work with him or her. But don't just let the player choose, just give suggestions.

Bye
Thanee

 

[irdeggman]

I'm actually looking for that rule in my 3.5 DMG, and I don't see it.

Yup it only says they are NPCs it does not say they are NPC classed NPCs. Hate how those terms comingle.

Followers do not gain experience so their abilities are fixed when they are gained and never change.

As far as having the player determine who he gets - it is up to the DM but player suggestions never hurt. It will only help for enjoyable play when the DM and player work together. But regardless the DM 'builds' the followers so he can create them with any combination of NPC or PC classes he wishes. If a player wants wizards so he can have a scroll factory - well give him adepts and no scroll creation feat. They are arcane casters but don't get any bonus feats like that to start.

 

[Bigwilly]

Followers

Followers do not gain experience so their abilities are fixed when they are gained and never change.

While followers do not gain experience, I would allow existing followers to be advanced when the PC gains higher level followers. For example a PC whose leadership score goes from 12 to 13 gains one 2nd level follower and two 1st level. So you could advance one existing 1st level follower to 2nd level and add three new 1st level followers.

 

[DarkMaster]

While followers do not gain experience, I would allow existing followers to be advanced when the PC gains higher level followers. For example a PC whose leadership score goes from 12 to 13 gains one 2nd level follower and two 1st level. So you could advance one existing 1st level follower to 2nd level and add three new 1st level followers.

I do the same.

 

[Matafuego]

I know it's not in the original question... but does a PC have to pay to his followers?
feed? shelter?
I have a Barbarin PC who settled down on a big castle and want part of his followers to be militia-type and part to be scribes/craftsmen.
Does he need to pay / feed / shelter them?

 

[irdeggman]

I know it's not in the original question... but does a PC have to pay to his followers?
feed? shelter?
I have a Barbarin PC who settled down on a big castle and want part of his followers to be militia-type and part to be scribes/craftsmen.
Does he need to pay / feed / shelter them?

Yes, but not a salary per se. pg 105 of the DMG "Followers don't demand a share of treasure, although they depend on the PC they follow to equip and keep them fed."

 

[dreaded_beast]

How long do you think it should take for followers to appear? Should it be role-played or can it be "glossed" over:

"After a few days of sending out word, you have been approached by a few worshippers of Torm composed of a couple of fighters and clerics."

"That morning you are approached by a group of rangers who wish to join in your cause and render you service."

I don't want to make my player wait around to get the benefits of the feat, but on the otherhand, I want to make it meaningful.

 

[Antoine]

I'm actually looking for that rule in my 3.5 DMG, and I don't see it.

So now thieves can run thieves' guilds instead of expert guilds.

That's the good side of it.

 

[Antoine]

He is asking for a very varied assortment such as clerics of Sune, Mystra, Lathander, a paldin, etc.

I don't think paladins are much of the follower type.
Except maybe in times of war.
Or at their youngest, when training (i.e. 1st-level), and have a fair chance to adventure on their own when reaching at most 2nd-level.

There maybe some back-up clerics among followers. Their number pretty much depends on the campaign/world's magical level :
Is everyone around a temple a cleric, or are there warriors, experts, commoners, aristocrats, fighters… a.s.o. ?

 

[Silveras]

I am in the camp of the 3.0 rules: No PC classes, NPC classes only.

By the way, Fantasy Flight Games has a workable "Thug" NPC class in their D20 supplement books; this makes a workable NPC substitute for Rogues (although Thugs are more leg-breakers than safe-crackers) to fill out a Thieves' Guild.

For religions, I created a Friar NPC class that is a Cleric-lite, with less spell or combat ability. Likewise, I worked out a Hedge Mage NPC class to be a Wizard-lite for the same purpose (although the Adept can work, as well; however, the mix of arcane and divine spells did not suit the theme I was seeking for my world).

Now.. assuming you decide to allow PC classes as followers... some additional comments.

Typically, Followers are the people who come to you to volunteer (as mentioned previously), so you don't get to pick them. One or more Cohort(s), who you do go out and recruit, would be the ones whose class(es) you get to pick.

The US Presidential election being topical, I will put it this way: Followers are like the people to volunteer to support a candidate's campaign; they show up, offer to help, and are put to work by the regular campaign staff. Cohorts, on the other hand, are like the candidate's advisors and campaign manager ... professionals chosen by the candidate for their skills. You could have a professional (lawyer, doctor, etc.) working as a volunteer or as a staffer, but generally the professional is not using his/her skills as a volunteer: the doctor is stuffing envelopes just like the young person from McDonalds.

Allowing the player to select the class(es) of his/her followers should make the process take more time. Instead of accepting just whoever shows up, the PC now has to spend time interviewing everyone who offers ... rejecting some and accepting others. That is likely to make the process take a good long time.

Hope that helps.