Following In Footsteps - Thoughts on Cohorts

[Apupunchau]

As adventurers grow in fame and prestige they can attract a certain amount of attention. Those who want to learn at their feet, to join in the crusade, or just to be near someone they respect. I have never personally been a fond of the leadership feat but there are a lot of players who look to expand past just being the warrior who heads out into the wilderness and wishes to start their own organizations; criminal empire, school, library. So this week I look at the many ways mechanically to gain a cohort in Pathfinder as well as a bunch of roleplaying ideas for dealing with this new secondary character – which can of course be applied to most games.

How do you feel about cohorts? Do you let your players control their follower? Or do you do it? What kind of relationships do you prefer you PCs to have with their hangers on? Cohorts are just one character but what about large groups of followers? As a player what have been some of your favorite sidekicks?

[Cevah]

Cohorts are great story stuff, as are followers. However, the mechanic of how they advance at your side requires they be at your side. This seriously changes the action economy. It also sucks up other player's time as you describe their actions. They also drain your gold, as they cannot handle stuff as well being at least two levels lower. [I.e. spend gold to shore up weaknesses.]

Another issue is the magic item crafting cohort. This is very abusable, and can severely change the apparent wealth of the party, and thus their power.

Even so, if the player is not going for power, they are great story wise.
I know: I have had a lot of fun with mine.

/cevah