In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss cohorts, followers, hirelings, minions, pets, sidekicks, and other varieties of followers and NPCs who might be part of your “party” in a TTRPG. We discuss the mechanics in current and historical versions of DnD and Pathfinder, and discuss how to make these NPCs creatures and characters work in your games.

Special thanks to @webJWF for this week’s question of the week.

MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

• Articles on RPGBOT.net
• DnD 5e

• Ranger Subclasses Breakdown

• Pathfinder 1st Edition

• Practical Guide to Animal Companions

• Pathfinder 2nd Edition

• Practical Guide to Animal Companions

• DnD 3.x

• Heroes of Horror (affiliate link)

• Leadership Feat

• DnD 5e

• Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link) – Overrun is detailed on page 272 under the “Action Options” section
• Essentials Kit (affiliate link)
• Player’s Handbook (affiliate link)

• Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (affiliate link)

• Pathfinder 1st Edition

• Leadership Feat

• Pathfinder 2nd Edition

• Core Rulebook (affiliate link)

• Minion General Rule on Archives of Nethys

• Other Stuff

• Charles Barkley as a sidekick
• Chelliax on PathfinderWiki
• Dragon Magazine #28 PDF on Wizards.com
• Elminster on Forgotten Realms Wiki
• OldSchoolRoleplaying.com – Henchman and Hirelings in DnD
• The Mummy on IMDB
• Way of the Wicked, by Fire Mountain Games on DriveThruRPG (affiliate link)

This episode was produced in collaboration with The Leisure Illuminati.