Henchmen -- Strangers in a Strange Land
I differentiate between "henchmen" which are NPC characters that will engage in combat and delve along with the PCs and "hirelings" who will not engage in combat but may explore dungeons with the PCs. Sample hirelings would be torchbearers and/or porters.
I have found that the following works as a baseline for henchmen compensation. The following is the minimum amount needed to make a reaction roll with no penalty. Of course, offering more may certainly improve a henchman's morale.
- Base salary of 50 gp/month for 1st level PC (follows PC standards of living costs)
- one-half share of monster XP.
- one-quarter share of treasure XP.
- As a general rule, 1st level henchmen will start pay with 90 gp worth of equipment. I'm happy to let the PC hiring the henchmen purchase desired equipment.
As a general rule hirelings will require 3 gp a month to travel with the PCs but not enter a dungeon (note that in such instances hirelings will demand an appropriate number of mercenary guards). Hirelings entering dungeons with the PCs will require triple normal wages.
