Pre-Leadership chumps

[Squidfist]

Hey guys, I'm looking for information about acquiring chumps or 'cohorts' as they prefer to be called, pre-leadership levels.

If I recall correctly, there is a feat to acquire an animal companion, and one to get a familiar, but I'd like to find some info about getting a bodyguard if it exists.

I'm writing up a backup character for my current one, and was thinking of playing an aristocrat because it's silly, but I'd like a semi competent bodyguard so I'm not entirely useless in combat.

Any ideas?

[Telonius]

Well, trained hirelings include "mercenary warriors." The minimum wage for that entry is 3sp/day. "Significantly higher pay" would probably apply to higher-level (read: has a few levels in Warrior or a PC melee class) bodyguards. Check with your DM for actual prices.

[Oscredwin]

Get one of the other players in the party to make a fighter?

[Squidfist]

Get one of the other players in the party to make a fighter?

I'd like a guard I can boss around, and find it unlikely anyone in the group would want to play a character that would have to listen to everything I say.

I could go the wild cohort route, and get a guard dog or something, but that's not nearly as good as a guy that can wear armor.

[Coidzor]

What, your DM is one of those weird ones that ban barding for animals?

[Loren]

one could try to make the arguement that a person of an equal CR to an animal would be mechanically the same, but flavourwise much ore suitable. Also, if you just shell out the bones and pick up a couple of grunts, since one body guard is likely to be insufficient if your character expected to be going about dangerous business.

[Squidfist]

What, your DM is one of those weird ones that ban barding for animals?

Nope, it's just super expensive, and this campaign is level 3 at the moment, meaning I'd probably not have the cash to gear up my dog. A hired goon on the other hand would presumably have his own gear.

[nedz]

Get one of the other players in the party to make a fighter Monk ?

FTFY
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